So you aren't so much designing a game, as designing a game editor?
By developing the editor I'm developing the game.
Well, I was under the impression that what you were doing here was primarily building the editor yourself, and trying to bring other people on develop the game. Sort of the EchoBazaar model, where you're trying to build a platform and sort of a flasghip instance to go along with it. If so, that's pretty cool. I have to say your edit addition to the first post is actually more useful than most of the rest at giving people an idea of what they'll be getting into, so good move with that. ^_^
Hmm. Still, it doesn't seem to offer anything particularly interesting Cataclysm isn't already doing or moving towards.
I've never played cataclysm but from the feature list I read in wikipedia, boy it covers only about 15% to 20% of my project foreseen features. But then again, that list might be quite resumed. But if you want to make a feature contest out of this, I'll gladly participate in it and don't get me wrong if I immediately say you will loose.
Active development. We'll see. If you're really dedicated, though, you probably will - Cataclysm wasn't ever really intended as a platform with a roguelike built on it, it's just gradually becoming that over time and has lots of other concerns. Since you're building from scratch, with that goal specifically in mind, I certainly hope I lose such a contest. Because that means you're succeeding.
How will those who assist benefit?
That's something I will only discuss with those I feel to be fully committed with the project. Those who are helping through interest only or mainly through interest are definitely not the kind of person I'm seeking.
Generally one has to earn commitment and incentivize any sort of dedicated interest. This sort of attitude is... not attractive. It might not be your intent, but it feels a bit like you're trying to keep it secret so that you maintain a position of power in later negotiation. And also like you're trying to get something for nothing. I'm assuming that's not your intent, at least for now, but I figured I'd let you know how it looks. I'd very much question whether I'd trust any level of commitment from someone offering it for such a thinly defined project (ad it is, right now, thinly defined) , for someone who doesn't have much in the way of reputation to build on. You might get some people who are enthusiastic... but who's enthusiasm fades once they see what's actually involved. And you'll miss out on the people who'd actually be an asset to your development team, because they dismissed the offer out-of-hand. Maybe this will work for you, but it doesn't seem an effective way to get results. In fact, you've even mentioned that this is a problem you already have, in your original post! The way you're pitching this, people with a bit of spare time are those who you're likely to get interested, because you haven't really given much of a reason for anyone else to get involved. For all someone reading your first post knows, they'll be putting in long hours of effort for absolutely nothing, and you'll retain full rights to everything they create. That's not a lot of incentive, and it would be good to disabuse people of such thoughts early on if possible.
Have you any experience leading a game development project?
Do table game developing and card game count? Then yes, otherwise no.
Sure, they count! Since you'll be programming this as well, they don't count towards your qualifications
there, but they do support your ability to lead a small team, understand and implement mechanics and systems, and carry a project through to completion, which is arguably much more important. Could we have links?
Also:
What systems will you be developing for?