RPG game starring OC's or canon?

[Pix3M 607]

I'm the lead artist for the small team I'm in. The tree I drew on my avatar will be something used in the game, though if anything it will probably only appear in a special scene as chances are we're better off with something less detailed for background work.

 

It's an RPG, with tactical elements. Who's the main hero of the story? Essentially, the hero will be an OC with no personality, just like Link from the Zelda series and they player characters in pokemon.

 

The project leader currently wants a game to take place in the MLP universe; not the mane 6 universe. Pretty much, nobody except one person is objecting to the idea of an OC game taking place in the MLP universe. This one person suggests that because it's essentially a MLP fan-game, it has to make sense to make the mane 6 major players in the story. However, this runs into several concerns as in order to stick with the gist of the story line and keep the hero and the villian, it will involve major conflicts with what is canon. We also eventually figured that because of potential game balance issues, it may be better off to leave them as 'easter eggs' to try to find in the game universe.

 

After a while, the project leader decides to slam the hammer:

 

"Yes, that's the thing. Why can't we just tell the players 'No!' You get to play somepony new and do new things not limited to the mane six would do? New things! Try them out, player! For christ's sakes, it's the MLP universe, not the mane six universe! That's kinda how I feel."

 

So pretty much, here's the basic pro and con:

 

RPG game starring OC's:

Pro:

Much more creative room.

Con:

Harder to get people to care about the game (Possibly a very big one)

RPG game starring OC but having mane six as major players:

Pro:

Easier to have people care about the game (Again, possibly a huge one)

Con:

Restricted creative room

Much, much more difficulty with balancing every character (This is a game we are making!)

Possibility of conflicting with canon

It may be best to ask for input from the MLP fan community instead of keeping the discussion within a small group of geeks who happens to be virtually unanimous about being okay with an OC game. How do you guys feel about this?

Edited September 3, 2012 by Pix3M

[anythingmasterz 75]

I would suggest having the mane 6 in the game but not as playable characters. Maybe base the story around them or something? I dunno, but anyways it sounds cool no matter how you do it.

[Bohtty 1,775]

Well for me I couldn't give a fuck if it's MLP universe or mane 6 universe if the game isn't any fun. If you can make the game more fun by not using the mane 6 then go for it.

 

Assuming the gameplay is good for both then I have to say that I would much rather learn more about the MLP universe than the mane 6. They have an entire series based on them I already know quite a lot about them. If you add lore, even if it's made up, I think it would be more interesting. This all depends on whether or not you can make up lore that sounds canon when it really isn't.

 

You should still hear about the mane 6 during the game since they are the wielders of the elements of harmony and have saved the world 3 times now, but I think a game focused on them is overdone and would be rather boring.

 

PS: Hopefully this project has more direction than MLPonline T_T

gl

Edited September 3, 2012 by Bohtty