Apocalyptico Prototype : 24 Hours

Challenge Overview: 
Build a prototype for an RTS that takes place completely on the tops of buildings in C# with XNA in 24 hours.


Finished product might be submitted to Develop In Brighton depending on quality.

Project begins 10:00 PM EST, 23 March to 10:00 PM EST, 24 March.

Design Document:
Game follows conventional RTS rules of supply, expansion, and base assault/defense.

• The catch?  Supply collection involves harvesters ripping the buildings themselves apart, causing them to sink as the game progresses.
• Due to this, expansion and control of tall buildings is a primary focus throughout the game.
• Harvesters have an emergent offensive ability, as they can be dropped onto enemy buildings to hasten their destruction.
• Factions are not decided pre-game.  Instead, players research units in "sets" that determine their overall macro strategy, and have the option to research the other sets late-game.
• Each set will consist of several basic offensive units, a transport unit, and a superweapon.
• Offensive units undecided.
• Transport units as of now:
• Modern set - Helicopter
• Buffer set - Bridge
• Guerrilla set - Unit Cannon
• Superweapons undecided but will work largely by targetting buildings in advance (alerting the opponent) and firing after a set timeout.
• Harvesters are initial technology.
• All factions will be able to move their base.
• Gameplay will be strictly horizontal sidescrolling with seamless screenwrapping on both sides.
• Buildings must be randomly generated in width and height but symmetrical for both players.
• AI will be trained via dynamic neural networks, pitting two AI against each other and tweaking parameters based on win streaks.
• Will most likely be a major s.o.b. to program and will not make it into the prototype.
• Fog of war implementation possible depending on how dependent gameplay becomes on macromanagement.
• Heavy changes are liable to be made during development.