I started this thread as sort of recruitment for a game project, but eventually realized I would probably be better off doing the creation myself. So this has now become more of a development log of sorts.
Create a character from 11 different backstory choices!
4 different stats, Power, Cunning Influence, and Attunement.
Wander around a tiny grassy space!
So, other people have talked about this a bit, and I can't exactly credit myself for the original idea, but I have yet to see a game out there with these specific specifications.
The concept is rather simple. You play a necromancer during their rise to power and either wipe out all life, or enslave the population, or maybe use your power to amass hordes of wealth. During the game you can pick a backstory to choose your skills and proficiencies, and possibly explain your reasons for wanting to create an army of the dead.
You can also build a base of operations, maybe a tower or castle, or a mountain fortress, complete with traps and monsters to dissuade potential adventurers from storming the place. When the forces of good do show up, they should be handfuls of high powered individuals, i.e. an adventuring party. Between being attacked by overzealous protagonists, you can also go out and conquer the surrounding villages, either razing them to the ground or enslaving the population. There should be enemy castles and fortresses to conquer as well.
Later in the game you may get the option to become a lich or maybe a vampire, or make a pact with a demon and gain new demonic powers, and the new abilities those transformations grant will be powerful new additions to your arsenal. Liches may have an easier time raising the dead or be able to summon more powerful zombies and spirits, and vampires may be able to create more powerful minions and have an easier time enslaving a populace. Of course, these will all have their downsides, as well; liches must keep their phylacteries well guarded, and a vampire would have to beware of direct sunlight. Demons are not easy to please and would have certain demands to be met within certain periods of time.
In the end, whether you become the desecrator of all life, or the malevolent ruler with an iron fist, you will gain immortality, and the satisfaction of knowing that none shall ever challenge your rule. But wait, there are stories of lands across the oceans that have remained untouched by your evil. We can't have that, can we?
Anyway, all that aside, I can't do this alone, especially since I can't code worth a damn. Basically I'm looking for a person or persons to code for me, and possibly make artwork, although I'm sure the game wold work fine in ASCII, and even if not, I can still make basic sprite art, and I've been getting better at it, so we'll have to see. The game would definitely have a big strategy focus, with maybe a Dwarf Fortress style section for base management. You would have to be able to send out your minions to different places, direct them in combat, and then have them bring back the spoils for use the the base building section.
I'll be honest, it's a bit of a big project, and it's probably going to be overwhelming at first, but I think this could really be a great concept if we make it properly.