Thanks for the replies, all. I confess I was fishing. :) As I am wrapping up Trolls Outta Luckland I found myself looking for the next challenge. And reflecting. For such a narrow game, many aspects of TOL gave me quite a challenge. I had quite a lot of passive help in the form of docs, papers, examples and media resources. I also had some significant help in the form of tips, suggestions, and math mentoring from individuals. Though I've been programming for many years, it was my first fully developed game. It was a graduation, and it gave me an appreciation of the time and effort required to create a complete work.
Even so, and even though I am satisfied with the results, I recognize there are parts of TOL that I could continue to polish, and a core that can grow beyond what it is. And it occurs to me if it was not a one-troll project it might have become something more. By contrast take a look at Ardentryst (search pygame.org), a project that had many invested contributors. And it shows. I don't think there is one element of Ardentryst that is not sugar-sprinkled. I'm sure it got that way because over time various project members spurred an effort to change each aspect from plain to dazzling. I find that notion, and the resulting Ardentryst, inspiring. What next? I do not want my next project to be another one-troll project. Maybe a few trolls. Or a troll and a few whatever you are. I don't know yet if I would like to lead a team, or be a follower, or if a collaboration of peers would function acceptably. I just don't know! Like I said, fishing. :) I do know I've wanted to make a RPG since playing those crude but lovable things on my first computer. I want it to be personal, absorbing, intelligent, tactical, and candy good. It's a high mark, and I know I wouldn't be able to hit it alone. I don't have enough hands or brains. But maybe enough computers if I raid my shelves. If anyone is like-minded, I'd like to continue a discussion at http://groups.google.com/group/gumms-rpg-cloud. If a small group has enough interest and patience to seed the cloud and stick around to see what falls out, we just might get something going. Gumm
