Kage Mod HL2 modification looking for full team Thread

I am looking to recruit a team for a Half-Life 2 ninja modification, entitled "Kage Mod."

About the Game

Kage Mod is multiplayer-first total conversion based in 14th-16th century Japan, during the Age of Civil Wars. During this period of warring states, feudal lords commanded ninja to perform missions that included spying, capturing documents and gathering information, and sometimes killing their enemies. Kage Mod will allow players to play as one of these trained shinobi.

Kage Mod has its roots in both real-life ninja, as well as ninja as they are depicted in movies, video games, anime, and Japanese folklore. The game is a mixture of a ninja's real-life abilities, as well as their purported supernatural talents.

Game Features

- Stylish, fast-paced, and well-balanced melee fighting system that is easy enough for beginners but has enough depth to keep even the masters playing

- "Step-up" stunt system that gives players an almost endless combination chain of acrobatic movements, seamlessly flowing from one into another

- All weapons are physical objects that can be manipulated (grab throwing knives out of the air, slash arrows apart, etc.)

- Ninja abilities that range from the preternatural to supernatural

- Actual teamwork. Chain special moves with teammates to increase their power, complete objectives, and defeat enemies.

- Multiple game modes ranging from deathmatch, CTF, to a "Hunted"-style gameplay type.

What this mod is:

A game that will let players play the role of a ninja. Skulk in shadows, deliver unseen blows, fight with the experience of a ninja master using ranged attacks, melee attacks, and ninja skills.

This mod will combine elements of stealth with dynamic battles and stylish flair.

What this mod isn't:

- Naruto. As much as I love Naruto, this mod is not intended to be related to it in any way. However, Naruto fans might still be able to recreate Naruto-ish battles and scenes. The melee fighting system has been carefully designed to handle this.

- Anime-styled. Similar to above, this mod will not be done in an anime style. Not everyone enjoys anime, but most everyone loves ninjas. Therefore, this mod will have a more realistic look to it.
If anyone decides to do anime-based textures/models/skins later on, I'd personally love to see it, but it will not be the look this mod is trying to achieve.

- TS: Ninja Match. Kage Mod is its own game, vastly different from any other that has come before it. While I would define it as an "action genre" game, its systems are quite different from anything else out there. The only relation to other action genre mods would be the inclusion of stunts (which, even then, will have their own distinct look, feel, and system).

Design Document

You can read the design document for the mod here.

Everything about the game is explained in great detail, from the gameworld, user interface, to the combo, stunt, and skill systems. It also contains a small FAQ at the top that might answer some questions you have about the mod.

My Qualifications, Experience, and What I Will Do

Project Lead
I will be working as the project leader and development coordinator. I will set goals for the team using a system of "milestones," and make sure that the project is staying true to the original idea. I will delegate tasks, give and listen to input from team members, and mediate.

All of my formal education has been in the management and operation of business. I will be graduating from college this semester with a degree in Business Administration. I know how to set goals, plan, and manage a team.

For the past six years I have been the founder and leader of the same gaming clan. At its height, we had seventy members: forty active and thirty reserve. I managed them; I think I can manage a mod team.

Public Relations
I will get out there and promote the mod to the community. I will listen to community suggestions, answer questions, and generally discuss with people about the mod.
While I am still attending school and have some constraints, I have far too many hours in my day and I'm a forum junkie anyway.

I worked as PR for the Half-Life Dragon Ball Z modification, "Power Up."

Limited Concept Artist
I am not a very good artist at all; however, I can usually convey my meaning through drawings, however crude. I have gone out and bought some art books solely to help me work on this mod.

I worked as a concept artist for the aforementioned "Power Up" modification.

Writer
The multiplayer aspect of the game will not require much writing. However, I am an aspiring novel writer who has spoken to publishers, authors, and critics, and have received excellent comments.
I have plans for a single player version of the mod, however far in the future that might be, and I have already begun drafting a script for it.

General idea man and resource provider
I am always full of ideas, and I will try to help provide team members with reference materials if need be. In addition to those art books I mentioned, I've gone out and purchased reference books on the life, duties, weaponry, equipment, religion, and even the food of ninjas in order to help facilitate this mod. I've also done a lot of internet scouring for reference pictures and other historical information.

Champion fighting game player
This mod involves a great deal of melee and hand-to-hand fighting. Traditionally, trying to translate this kind of melee combat hasn't gone over well in FPS games. I have the qualifications to bring melee fighting into a 3D FPS environment.

I've been a fighting game player ever since the original Fighting Street (precurser to SF2). I've competed in tournaments for the Tekken series, and I am a known Soul Calibur 1 champion. I am also slated to fight in a tournament featuring the world champion of Capcom vs. SNK 2 two Saturdays from now.

I know fighting game systems like the back of my hand, and I believe that the system I have designed for Kage Mod will bridge the gap between fighting games and FPS games.

Who I Am Looking to Recruit

As a general rule, I am looking for people who are dedicated. Team members should like the idea and want to help contribute to making this a great mod. Everyone should be able to take pride in the finished product.

Team members must be mature, and be able to give--as well as receive--constructive criticism. Team members should help encourage each other to do their best work.

Coder: I am looking for an experienced coder. You should have, or be in the process of learning, knowledge of the Source engine and its capabilities.

Modelers/Animators: Modelers must be able to create detailed models without high polycounts. Animators must be able to create smooth, believable character animations. This will be an animation-heavy mod, so we may have several different animators working on different sets of movements. Dedication is a must here.

Prior experience working with a mod team a plus, but not required. I will allow reasonably inexperienced modelers and animators to join the team provided you are going to work at furthering and improving your craft.
By "reasonably inexperienced" I mean that you have created a few models before and are working to improve. I don't want people who just picked up milkshape yesterday and are only now learning to extrude faces.

Mappers: I'm looking for mappers who are able to create detailed, beautiful maps that are reminescent of ancient Japan. You should have a good knowledge of Hammer, and have possibly begun making maps for Source. You must understand good level design, and how to make levels "flow." Being able to create your own textures and/or prefabs is a definate plus.

As with modelers and animators, I will allow reasonably inexperienced mappers who have only created one or two maps to join the team provided they're willing to continue to improve their abilities.

Texture artists and skinners: Both texture artists and skinners need to show that they are capable of creating realistic-looking textures for the world, player models, weapons, etc.

Concept Artists: You should have much better art skill than I have. Be able to create detailed drawings of everything from player models, to weapons and equipment, to the map sketches. Being able to convey a message in your drawings is more important than how good it is technically.

Being able to use Photoshop and/or Painter (not MS Paint) is a big plus. Also note that while I said this mod would not be anime-styled, if you draw in an anime style you could still be recruited for the team. As I said, being able to illustrate an idea is more important than how the drawing looks.

Sound Engineer: Be able to create sound effects. Being able to create original music is a plus.

I will personally try to help in this area by seeing if I can book a recording studio at my college.

Other: If you have another skill not listed here, and you think you could help contribute to the mod, I would love to hear from you. If you can speak good Japanese, I'd really love to hear from you.

Contacting Me

If you'd like to apply, please e-mail me at liquid_junk @ yahoo.com (remove the spaces). Include any experience you have, some samples of your work if applicable, and any comments.

You may also PM me or leave me a comment on my profile page.

I've also registered an IRC channel for the mod. Drop by #kagemod on irc.gamesurge.net. Come hang out and chat; I am always on IRC when I am online.

Edited by (in order): Darkside55, Darkside55

Wow I like the way you've set this all up. It sounds interesting...I would like to see how you pull this off if the mod ever gets of the ground. I would help but im already working on too many mods as it is. Good luck .

Edited by: Blinks

It looks like a good mod idea but I think you'll have a real difficulty recruiting people, especially since you're not working on any game content yourself. Coders in particular will be very hard to find since almost all coders work exclusively on their own projects, or join ready made teams led by someone working on game content. Why don't you look into learning some modding skills yourself, it's not that hard :p

Either way, I hope you're luckier than most!

A very professionally done presentation.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm glad people like the idea, and I love hearing feedback from the community.

Mauvebib, I agree that it'll be a chore trying to recruit team members when I may not end up contributing any of the in-game content (maps, models, etc.). I've tried my hand at modeling and mapping, but, unfortunately, I'm talentless in those areas. I'm still going to try and do some sound development, as I said, but the only other thing left would be coding. I'm interested in coding, but it will be awhile before I can even create simple programs.

I'm just hoping prospective team members will like the idea, and sign up. I'm not very good at the technical aspects of mod-making, but I consider myself a good leader, and I'm extremely dedicated to this mod idea. Every team needs a competent leader to motivate the team and see projects through to completion. Good leaders might even be as rare as coders.

It's amazing how much better people respond to threads like this where you're setting out the plans clearly. Too many threads here are of the 'I am mnaking a mod 4 hl2 called 'hl2 4eva'. it's gonna be mega. email if you wanna join' variety.

Good presentation really does help, and I do hope you find some people to work on this.

would you like join our team, we have similar ideas (dont have eavry thing worked up). maybe you could be the new PR or if you know HTML you could manage our site (its in a poor state).
We can still change our plans.

Ninjablade.com
Moddb.com

why is it called kage mod? just wondering...

Gredinus, I replied to you in an e-mail. The short answer(for those who liked the Kage Mod idea and are concerned that I might drop it to join another team) is that while our mods are similar, they are quite different. They have a different focus, and will have different game mechanics. I also do not want to join another mod and end up compromising any of my ideas.
However, that does not rule out our teams working together, since you've stated you'd be willing to change your idea.

The~David~Cult, it is called Kage (pronounced kah-gay) Mod because Kage means "shadow" in Japanese. Ninjas live in shadow, so it is a fitting name. I had originally planned to call it something like "Hateshinai Kage," or "Endless Shadows," but I wasn't sure I was using the correct phrasing. Japanese is quite a difficult language, hehe. Also, in retrospect Endless Shadows doesn't sound like a good name, so I just made the working title "Kage Mod." That might actually end up sticking as its name.
For the single player storyline that I'm writing, the name will be called "Usui Kage," which means "Pale Shadow."

In other news, Kage Mod has recruited a very talented concept artist, Ssandulak. He also has some experience in modeling. Welcome to the team! We are still searching for more team members, so if you like the idea and would like to apply, please feel free to contact me (contact info's in the original post).

Edited by: Darkside55

Alot of these types about, I recommend you join something like Bushido or Ninja Blade, particulary as the PR Manager has already offered you he chance.

Thursday: Ninja blade is a mod about samurai vs ninja, very different. Bushido is a mod about Samurai Warfare with very little factual basis and emphasis on ninja. What Darkside is planning is a game with emphasis on the ninja.

I like this idea, and the way you presented it is amazing. With such a background in business you are very likely to succeed, I wish you luck!

guess he must have gave up... what happened to this?

He hasn't been online for 29 days. The IRC channel exists and has someone in it though.

Edit*
The mod is active. Currently talking to him.

Edited by: InAction