So I'm thinking this will either be a game for:
A. 286/EGA/SB(1.0/2.0) [Real mode]
or
B. 386/VGA/SB (1.0-Pro 2) [Real or protected mode]
I'm leaning towards B. Either way, it's a scrolling 2D platformer like the ones from the early 90's. What's easiest to develop for? My instinct tells me real mode but I have no idea if that's correct. I guess it's debatable whether graphics are easier to draw in 16 or 256 colors.
As for game story concepts, I need ideas thrown into the mix! Here's a few substandard ideas I came up with:
1. Take a concept from something in pop culture, for instance (a la 8088MPH) Back to the Future. Or something else like Star Wars, Star Trek, LOTR... I'm not saying we do this; I'm not so fond of the idea myself, but it's an idea all the same. If we did it at all I'd prefer Star Wars.
2. Resurrect a character from some other game, for instance Keen (overdone, there are a billion new Keen games already, based off of the Galaxy engine of course, so not exactly new but whatever), Duke Nukem, etc. I don't like this idea either but here it is.
3. Come up with something entirely new. Here are some ideas for that which have been knocking about in my head:
A. You are a CIA agent during the Cold War. Your job is to hunt down the KGB's most villianous agent and intercept him before he causes damage of some sort or something (yes, I know, lame story, but it could be improved upon). I can see opportunities for innovative features here; especially variations on the traditional "world map" level layout, in which you utilize air and automobile travel to get where you need to be.
B. You follow the adventures of a guy who builds a spaceship with warp drive and uses it to travel through the galaxy, where he gets captured by aliens, etc. Basically Keen, except the main character is an adult.
C. Fantasy universe thing. You control a guy who has to save the world from an evil sorcerer or something, and there's magic and dragons and a whole bunch of other fantasy stuff. Blah.
That's the best I can come up with right now. If I get any epiphanies I'll post them. Come on, guys, surely we have enough collective brainpower to invent a novel, innovative story line and gameplay, right?
OK, post your criticisms/corrections/etc. below. They're greatly needed.
World's foremost 486 enjoyer.