Hey Dustin. Thanks for your interest!
Hmm, I think perhapes it should have some sort of game board, or something (Maybe a fold out paper mat). You know, to log were each person is. Then you can have stuff like random "timed" events, where certain events happen for only a certain amount of time.
Yes, you have a point there, but experience playing different card games has taught me that the designer can sometimes manage to capture these with just cards (and maybe a few dice and tokens) if he really knows what he's doing.
For instance, "timed" events can be simulated by controlling the flow of gameplay, so that things happen periodically without players keeping track of time.
One way to do this is to allow events to "stack" on top of one another. So, if you have an item up that you just HAVE to get, your opponent could strategically play another card on top of it if the situation is right.
It's also good to use "until your next turn" as a standard measure of time.
Anyway, I'd want non-card game equipment to be used "when necessary." It's nice not having a board; it means you can play the game practically anywhere.
And, like, you could have a nine sided dice, or something, that you roll to see how many steps you can take to try and get there before other characters.
Nine-sided dice are impossible unless you use pendulum dice. ^^;; Or were you joking?...
Also, I think depending on the fandom, they should each have different statistics.
Most definitely.
Have you played Munchkin, or Chez Geek? In those, you have some sort of persona: "class/race" in Munchkin, and "job" in Chez Geek. That persona has advantages and disadvantages listed on the card, but oftentimes you don't notice an advantage or disadvantage until you run into a card that says something like "+3 against Elves" or "equippable only by Dwarves."
I have alot more ideas, but, I wouldn't feel right about sharing them, unless you wanted me to.
If you'd like more help, let me know. This sounds very interesting, and I am very interested in helping you.
Heck, Dustin, you're in, if you want.
Just being motivated is a big qualification. Would you like to chat on IM? My ICQ number is 2810798, and my AIM nick is "RadienAIM". I'm often idle, so don't worry if I don't answer right away.
By the way, what kinds of similar gaming experience do you have? Personally, I used to play Magic: The Gathering, and I now love playing Steve Jackson games (which include a lot of standalone card games, mainly Munchkin). I've role-played and GMed before, and my favorite
board game is Clue: Master Detective.