Projects set in the same "world"?

[TriceratopsX]

Hey guys and gals as I was trying to brainstorm ideas for my project earlier I realized that most if not all my projects take place inside the same fictitious "world" either, as different events in that worlds history, or as stories and legends in that world (stories within stories if you will)

And I was wondering if all you wonderful people do similar things, or do you try and avert this with your projects?

 

[MushroomCake28]

I do about the same thing. Creating a game is fun, but creating a multiverse is even more fun.

 

[Mrs_Allykat]

I bet since this is an artistic choice, that there will be people who will have reasons to go in either direction. So far, I'm just doing things that have my projects in different universes. Not because I necessarily do or do not want to, but because some idea is scratching some creative itch. That's not to say that I won't, but, rather, just not at this time. Though, maybe, one day, I should do a Sillyquel. Ha! I coined a new term!

 

[Kupotepo]

It is no right or wrong answer. I am doing a project, so I have one big world. However, my world has many hidden realms. It is enough to drive me crazy. Exploring stars and planets sound fun too.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

I have plans for it but right now my game ideas dont actually run in the same world

Like I have an idea for a possible next game within my current game's world but the next game I will actually work on is on a different setting.

 

[Shaz]

It depends on your stories. If you have a lot of stories to tell that revolve around the same "world", go ahead and do it. The Aveyond series is made up of 8(?) games all set in the same universe, and characters from one game often pop up in another game (4 of the games are about the same group of characters).

If you want to do something completely different, go make a new world for it and do other things to make it clear that it's not related to your other games.

Part of me thinks you would build up a following more easily by keeping your games in the same world, and after you have a following, people might be more inclined to try something different. But I have no stats at all to back that up. At least you would have fans who enjoyed your first game and wanted to know "what's next?" (they create fan fiction about your characters so are thrilled when a new game is released that features the same characters or where things are related). If every game was completely different, you can't rely on players' loving your previous characters to draw them to the next game.

 

[TWings]

I've created my project's world about 15 years ago with some ideas for its future too. Although it has required some adjustments since the inital game and its planned "sequel" weren't RPGs, I welcome the opportunity to bring more content to this world with some RPG games and have already a possible sequel in mind based partially on the old one. It's also a big enough world so it can accomodate a lot of different stories.

Yet I still welcome the chance to work on something else too when it arises.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

At least you would have fans who enjoyed your first game and wanted to know "what's next?" (they create fan fiction about your characters so are thrilled when a new game is released that features the same characters or where things are related).

It also has a drawback too, if your players didnt like the way your world "evolved" between the games, they will hate the game.

 

[TriceratopsX]

@Kupotepo I didn't mean to imply that this was a query that HAD a right or wrong answer sorry! I was posting this while on break at work, I just wanted to start a discussion and see how other people think.

I'm really loving reading everyone's reply's it's always so interesting seeing how different people think of something

Edit: It's really hard to explain how my stories fit together, especially as I haven't actually FINISHED any of them yet (aside from one as an IGMC project) but they're all (thus far) stand-alone with a few Easter-eggs and call-forwards and call-backs and other little details that tie them all together

 

[Kupotepo]

@TriceratopsX, thank you for clarifying. I do discussion to see other's perspective too.

 

[Mrs_Allykat]

Whether one should or should not go for a connected game-world, to me, seems to be more related to what drives your imagination. One of the benefits of a connected world is that a second or third game would give the author a chance to correct something or to even seed another event in another game. Just please don't hint at a direct sequel and then make something that has a single plant that looks the same (I'm looking at you Alundra and Alundra 2!)

Now, @Shaz is making me think about making a multi-game world. Time to pick one and expand it

 

[Milennin]

My first 2 games were story-connected as prequel and sequel, but could be played individually too. My current project will be loosely linked to my last completed project, but more in the form of small references to the previous game. It's supposed to take place in the same universe and timeline, but they don't really connect any further than that.
I like to bring over ideas from previous projects, because they can easily enhance the feel of a more completed world. Just have to be careful to make it so it's easy to understand for players not familiar with the the previous material.