m10bob
Posts: 8622
Joined: 11/3/2002 From: Dismal Seepage Indiana Status: offline
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This thread should conjur images right from a Currier and Ives picture book. In the "Romantic era" of America's past, from the 1820's to the very early 1900's, steamboats plied the Mississippi and its' tributaries, (The Ohio river especially, all the way over to what is now West Virginia and Pennsylvania.) Over a hundred companies were involved in the operation and development of this steamboat traffic, and the advancement of boat technology, which carried both cargo and passengers in a robust business before railroads made the steamboats less efficient. I can see a game being developed, where players can design their own boats, (or purchase them from an in-game shipyard), with advances in technology coming along ever so often. The game would have the ability to bid for landing rights in cities such as Natchez, Memphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville,St Louis,etc, and gain favor with these towns by helping in their prosperity. The rivers would have the occasional risks of weather hinderance, (the rivers are notorious for changing their stream over-night after heavy rains in areas), and perhaps the "grade" of the boats captain would have something to do with the boats survivability in these tragedies. Too, the Civil War affected river trade for a few years. To assist the game designer, there are tons of riverboat pictures and specs available, and nice background sounds of clanging bells and calliopes can be downloaded. The sounds of the big paddlewheels can also be included, (maybe just a clip for when boats pull out?).. Companies can have bidding wars for passengers, and cargo, and maybe some boats would cater to just the riverboat gambling crowd, or even provide showboats with famous minstrel shows, like Stephen Foster's? The opening screen for the game would be a shot low on the brown water of the muddy Mississippi, in a bend, overhung with Spanish Moss and a couple of white-coloured steamboats signalling each other in a friendly pass,as lady passengers in their pastel gowns and parousals,their companions in tophats and long frockcoats look on... If this game were playable online, riverboat races could be run against each other. Individual players would have the option to give their boats names, like "Cairo Queen", "General Jackson",etc........ Would the game be a financially viable product for a a game company? Look at the past popularity of games like Rail Baron, Airliner,the "Sims" series,etc.
< Message edited by m10bob -- 5/4/2006 11:20:19 PM >
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