Our game will be a Squad-Level, Turn-Based Strategy/RPG using the Sci-Fi Genre. Battles are fought on a hex-based map, and character improvement occurs by gathering Experience, by purchasing better equipment using Credits (which occurs between battles), by finding Equipment during battles, and by receiving Equipment as a specific reward for a battle.

The basic premise or 'backdrop' of our game is that the year is 2240 and the Roman Empire never fell. The player commands a squad of Units (Humans, Demi-Humans, Aliens, etc.) which fight in Arenas (maps) for the amusement of the Masses. The eventual goal being wealth, fame and, of course, freedom.

Units will have four Primary Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Toughness and Mental Aptitude which determine 10 Derived Attributes (with pairs of Primary Attributes determining Derived Attributes to greater and lesser extents). The Derived Attributes will be Willpower, Hit Points, Initiative, Move, Jump, Aim, Evade, Damage Resistance, Prowess, and Carrying Capacity. The derived attributes will be used for all of the checks and calculations required for game play.

Characters acquire experience by attacking enemy units, with more experience being gained by attacking enemies who are more powerful than themselves, and less experience being gained by attacking inferior opponents ('Combat Rating' will be a statistic to measure a Units fighting power).

Squads also earn money and rare equipment by participating in and winning battles (losers get some as well, but to a lesser extent). Between battles, is the Squad Management portion of the game, where the player can buy new equipment, new Units, equip his units, and also, advance his Units by spending earned experience.

Experience can be spent to increase Primary Attributes, and it can also be spent to purchase Feats, which modify derived attributes, provide 'Special Abilities', and otherwise alter existing actions a character may take in addition to granting new ones.

The 'Arenas' that the battles take place on, will be the previously mentioned hex-maps (the maps will be XML files). The game will be 2.5 D so terrain height will be an issue, as well as things like Line of Sight and Range Modifiers. Things that may be added, assuming we have the time, will be Facing, Flanking, Morale, Stealth and other common combat aspects, so developers should be aware of these potential features when designing the combat system.

The project will be developed in Java (version 5) and the graphics will be implemented using Swing. A standard UI with saving, quitting, surrendering (if you want to end a battle but still save your progress), and loading will also be included.

Note: If you would like to see further information and discussion on this, go Here.