EASTERS EGGS, CROSS-GAME REFERENCES, SECRETS:
It would be cool to add some easter eggs, cross-game references and secrets like in previous Rare games. Players would have to discover them on their own. Some ideas :
- a secret shipwreck (different from other shipwrecks, you can only see it when swimming UNDER sea, no hints at all) called the Cetan ship (Perfect Dark) with an awesome and unique treasure
- A beautiful red bird (Kazooie) flying randomly in the sky. If you are lucky enough to see her during your sailing (it would be extremely rare to see Kazooie), it triggers something unique and cool
- A bear (Banjo) hidding in a secret cave on an unmarked island. If you are lucky enough to find him, he will give you his instrument : a Banjo with Banjo Kazooie melodies (like Treasure Trove Cove and Gruntilda's Lair)
- a secret UFO (why not after all ?) which crashed somewhere in the sea, nearby an island. Inside, Elvis doll you can put in your Captain's room
- A Jet Force Gemini treasure chest (same model as in the N64 game/Rare replay) in a random location containing fish food (NEW ITEM) ! If you use fish food, plenty of sharks arrive in the area. Could be useful when fighting another ship. Better not to fall into the sea at this moment. It could also be used to distract sharks, chickens and pigs.
- a hideous anglerfish somewhere in the ocean, called Lord Wood Fak Fak according to legends. Only at night, and if you think you catched sight of the yellow light on his angler, better to leave the area immediatly, full sails
- a squirrel (Conker ?) playing with chickens and pigs. Extremely rare, if you see the squirrel, you are very lucky. Indeed, it means that there is gold and jewels (5k) on this island. But the squirrel hid the treasure (naturally, Conker loves money and doesn't share it)
- Captain Blackeye driking in the back room of a tavern. To open the door, you have to accomplish something (discovering the Rusty Bucket's treasure). When you are able to talk to him, he will rant about how a bear stole his glory. If you talk to him four times, he will try to attack you, but being too seasick, he will fall over onto his back.
- Gruntilda as a witch, only at night and when the weather is stormy and creepy
I think secrets and easter eggs would add more reasons to explore the depths, the caves and the islands.
Rare could also announce who is the first to discover theses secrets, which could encourage players to find them all over the map.
It would also add needed variety in the game.
FLAGS:
Players should be able to change the flag on their ship. In the tavern, you could see a poster with each pirate crew with their current flag. It would help to recognize the ship you have sank and that is now coming back to get revenge.
Flags that you could buy in a shop :
- Jolly Roger and its most famous variations
- pirate red flag
- dataDyne logo from Perfect Dark
- a golden puzzle piece from Banjo-Kazooie
- Kazooie's head
- Banjo's head
- symbols of Lupus, Vela and Juno from Jet Force Gemini
- Conker's head
- Carrington Institute logo
- Elvis' head
- a Pinata
- 'i surrender, let's negociate' flag
- 'i need help !' flag
- 'welcome aboard' flag
- Kraken flag
- Gruntilda's head
- Mumbo's head
- Sabreman
- Battletoads' head
- a shark
- an octopus
- a chicken
MINI-GAMES:
I once teamed up with others players (in a sloop) against a galleon during a skull fort battle. The galleon managed to get the loot, so we decided to follow them in order to sink them. Fortunately, the Kraken appeared and we used this miracle to sink them and stole their treasures. Once back at outpost, I was sad there was nothing to do to have fun with my new friends.
SoT needs mini-games and activities to socialize with friends:
- dice games
- card games
- fortune telling
- a parrot telling pirates jokes
- arm wrestling
- chickens races
- fishing
- contracts for bounty hunters when a galleon crew sank your sloop
- sword dueling
- jigsaw puzzles
- firing range
NPC SHIPS (FRIENDLY OR HOSTILE):
- the Flying Dutchman (an iconic ship full of legends). The Flying Dutchman would be hostile and attack at sight, spreading fear among pirates. The crew would be composed of ghosts. To defeat this ship, you would have to team up with other pirates because of its many guns on each side and evil mermaids helping the captain of the Flying Dutchman. Once defeated after a fierce battle, the Flying Dutchman would leave a nice treasure on the sea.
- Captain Blubber and the Salty Hippo from Banjo-Kazooie. His ship would be anchored and he would give you some bananas to help you.
DOLPHINS AND WHALES:
- I think it would be beautiful to see some dolphins, whales and killer-whales while sailing on your ship.
I would also love to see parrots, monkeys, turtles, octopus
ABILITY TO CHANGE OUR CHARACTER:
- I personally like the character I have, but I would like to have fun changing my character with a funnier one. My character looks too serious sometimes.
SHIP NAME:
- the name of the ship engraved on the stern of the ship
- ability to see the name of the ship like you see gamertags above players.
NEW INSTRUMENTS:
- a war drum and an olifant to instil fear in the ennemy (the olifant also could be used to give your position to your crew when searching for a treasure on a big island)
- a banjo playing Banjo-Kazooie melodies
- a harmonica
