No creator creates in a vacuum. Here are some influences from various games and media that I have repeatedly returned to for inspiration for Wistblade.
Inspirations in General Order of Influence
Rimworld (video game)
Possibly the biggest influence; I wanted a role-playable multi-player Rimworld, but in a fantasy world with a human storyteller, not an AI storyteller
Minecraft (video game)
I wanted an infinite sandbox world with meaningful and finite biome-specific resources; you get to decide what to do today and simple things are fun. There need to be reasons to go out and explore beyond killing and pillaging.
Dungeons & Dragons (TTRPG)
As the world’s favorite RPG for 50 years, there’s too much to name. But if I had to pick one thing, it would be the Game Master is omnipotent.
Lord of the Rings Battles & Fights (movies)
I knew Wistblade wouldn’t be done until it can clash armies, defend ramparts, blow up walls, trample orcs with horses, or squash you by a giant; skirmishes should also be interesting like the Cave Troll sequence — fighting one big dumb brute should forever be fun!
Magic the Gathering (trading card game)
Combat should be ever-new, cards work pretty dang well, special abilities should be varied, but finite so they are digested fast.
Knave 2.0 (TTRPG)
Provide all the things in a tight package, keep it simple for everyone, build as much as possible on one game-defining mechanic.
Mythic Bastionland (TTRPG)
Be brief, have a purpose, make combat different, various world building and adventure insights.
Ultima 6 (video game)
Let virtue shine, if you search you find, cities are caricatured.
Master of Magic (video game)
Magic has distinct flavors, magic is tied to geography, you are a manager of characters, but also a character yourself.
StarCraft 2 (video game)
Three warring factions is a delightful backdrop, various strategic insights on skirmishing, chases, spellcasting, game balance and design, and character classes.
The Long Dark (video game)
Time to next impactful decision is about 5 seconds; make survival hard but tune-able, make weather meaningful, make good shelter glorious.