dclee (Douglas C. Lee) Requirements Doc.

Project: EMURPG
    (Evolved Multi-User Role-Playing Game)

Overview: A game attempting to merge the best qualities 
    of RPG and MMORPG. The game will be community-based, 
    but will have a smaller scale than a typical MMORPG-
    with expected player load on a given server being 
    10-40 people. The game will feature a large story
    with corresponding quests/enemies; single enemies
    and entire enemy factions will have an extensive AI
    in order to provide a unique experience for each player,
    while minimizing GM (Game Master) involvement.
    The game will emphasize a persistent game world,
    with a closed system- the economy will be mostly
    player-driven; traditional elements of MMORPGS
    such as the dreaded random enemy spawn and 
    non-scaling NPC economy will be replaced by 
    a system that starts off with everything the game
    world should have but will grow adaptively/seamlessly
    over time.

    


Requirements:

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OVERALL REQUIREMENTS
(Listed in order of general priority)
These are all feature the game should possess/implement.
High priority ones are necessary, low priority optional.

Sense of Accomplishment
-The number one reason reason why people play any games
    High Priority:
        -Play style that emphasizes player skill
        -Unique experiece for every player
        -Leveling system
        -Questing system
    Low Priority:
        -Well paced leveling
        -Custom player rewards
        
Community
-Why people play MMORPGs in particular
    High Priority:
        -Tightly knit community
        -No griefers, trolls
            (people who abuse gameplay rules, or are generally obnoxius)
    Low Priority:
        -Community that fits the game world size
        -GM controls to handle griefers/trolls
        -Reporting system to assist aforementioned GMs

Player Involvement
-Games aren't fun unless the player is always being active
    High Priority:
        -Non-repetative quests
        -Non-repetative enemies
        -Well paced environment
            -Player should need to give constant meaningful input
            -Should not be prohibitively fast paced; not an action game
    Low Priority:
        -Customizable interface/macros
        -Diverse amount of secondary professions

Story
-Why people play RPGs. This is what causes people to choose which games to play
    High Priority:
        -Interesting storyline
    Low Priority:
        -Unique storyline
        -Story should have sufficient depth that it can be developed through
            the entire course of time that player plays

Customizability
-What keeps people playing in the long run
    High Priority:
        -Custom player appearance so that players have opportunity to make
          unique-looking characters
            -Variety of sprites/models for clothes, face, hair, body type
        -Variety of player classes
        -Custom weapons/armor
    Low Priority:
        -Unique items
        -Player-created custom items
        -Trinkets and other small items that appear on character

Efficiency
-People are extremely concerned about performance on their client, and the server
    High Priority:
        -Must have server that can handle expected load for the game
        -Needs to be able to run on most people's computers
    Low Priority:
        -Modular server for quick fixes and lower downtime

Interface
-If the interface sucks, no one will want to play
    High Priority:
        -Must make good use of both mouse and keyboard
        -Should be easily accessible to people on first time playing
    Low Priority:
        -Should be easy to learn, hard to master
        -Custom keyboard shortcuts, macros
        -Configurable menus

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HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
    High Priority:
        -Dedicated server, with power at least equivalent
         to machines in the sunlab
        -Dedicated high speed internet connection
    Low Priority:
        -Multiple servers

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USERS
-The game is mostly targetted at people who enjoy RPGs, MMORPGs,
 or related types of games. 
    High Priority:
        -10-40 players willing to spend at least one hour a day
    Low Priority:
        -A range of players of different ages, genders, etc.

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IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Interface
-Rated as most important part of this category
    High Priority:
        -Multiple menus for control of player
    Low Priority:
        -Menus for the customization of the interface

Graphics
-Most potential users suggested that graphical format
 (i.e. 2D or 3D) did not matter as long as the game looks clean.
    High Priority:
        -Game art which can be adapted to fit features above
    Low Priority:
        -Unique game art and style.
        -Strong detailing of player customizations mentioned above
        
Sound
    High Priority:
        -Audio cues to supplement the graphical interaction
        -Basic music
    Low Priority:
        -Full musical score
        -Voiceovers for NPCs