fascistance: a revolutionary game

8/14/2019 Fascistance: A Revolutionary Game

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FascistanceA Revolutionary Game

By Redgie MercadoProfessor Adam Brackin

December 01, 2009


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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction/Overview

2.0 Gameplay Mechanics

2.1 Street Level Mode

2.1.1Dynamic Character Creation

2.1.2Movement

2.1.3Action

2.1.3.1 Keyboard

2.1.3.2 Mouse

2.1.4Street Level GUI

2.1.4.1 Health Bar

2.1.4.2 Ammunition

2.1.4.3 Reticule

2.1.4.4 Notification Box

2.1.4.5 Damage Notifications

2.1.5 Vehicle Point of View

2.2 Dialogue Mode

2.2.1Dialogue Mode GUI

2.2.2Cinematic Experience Dialogue Mode

2.2.3Opinion Testing Mode

2.3 City View Mode2.3.1Visual Information

2.3.2Historical Timeline

2.3.3Area Specific Information


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2.4 Inventory Mode

2.4.1Weapons

2.4.2Items

2.4.3Armor

2.5 Mini-game Mode

2.5.1Bartering, Selling and Buying

2.5.2Looting

2.5.3Computer Terminals

2.5.4Rigging

2.5.4.1 Building/Disarming GUI

2.5.4.2 Setting GUI

2.5.5Offensive Defensive Barrage

2.5.6Lock picking

2.6 Other Mechanics

2.6.1Calendar System

2.6.1.1 Day/Night

2.6.2Calendar/World Events AI Influence

2.6.3Laws Enforcement/ Rules of Engagement

2.6.4Punishment

2.6.5Official News Media/Word on the Street

3.0 Technology Mechanics3.1 Dialogue Technology

3.2 Rigging Technology


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4.0 Artificial Intelligence

4.1 NPC Interaction

4.2 NPC Statistics

4.3 NPC Personalities Statistics

4.4 NPC Trust/Suspicion

4.5 Player Character Personality Statistics: MACH(Machiavelli Factor)

4.6 Passive/Aggressive Dialogue Stance

5.0 Game World Elements

5.1 Art/Music Style

5.2 City Area Dichotomy

5.3 The Open City

5.4 Characters

5.4.1The Player Character

5.4.2NPC Types

5.4.2.1 The Monarch

5.4.2.2 The First Estate The Noble Clergy

5.4.2.3 The First Estate The Lower Clergy

5.4.2.4 The Second Estate The High Nobleman

5.4.2.5 The Second Estate The Low Nobleman

5.4.2.6 The Third Estate Bourgeois

5.4.2.7 The Third Estate - Peasants

5.5 ITEMS

5.5.1Weapons


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5.5.1.1 Fists, Pipes, Chains, Wine Bottles and otherMelee items

5.5.1.2 Silenced Pistols

5.5.1.3 Short Range Sub Machine Gun (w/ silencedoption)

5.5.1.4 Medium Range Assault Rifle

5.5.1.5 Sniper Rifles

5.5.1.6 Improvised Explosive Devices

5.5.1.7 Stationary Machine Guns

5.5.2Items5.5.2.1 Physical Health

5.5.2.1.1 Small Medkit

5.5.2.1.2 Large Medkits

5.5.2.1.3 Poison

5.5.2.2 Mechanical

5.5.2.2.1 Lock Picks

5.5.2.2.2 Wires

5.5.2.3 Electrical

5.5.2.3.1 Remotes

5.5.2.3.2 Detonators

5.5.2.3.3 Batteries

5.5.2.3.4 Electrical Wires

5.5.2.4 Miscellaneous

5.5.2.4.1 Bags of Rocks, Flour, Rice, etc.

5.5.2.4.2 Books, Newspapers, Information,Transcripts, Mission Outlines


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5.5.2.4.3 Random bits of metal, screws, nuts,bolts

5.5.2.4.4 Beverages and Food

5.6 Objects and Mechanism

5.6.1Entryways

5.6.2Keypads

5.6.3Traditional Locks

5.6.4Levers

5.6.5Computer terminals and related systems

6.0 Story Overview

6.1 Back Story

6.2 Start of the Game

7.0 Game Progression

7.1 Story Collection

7.2 Major Quests

7.2.1Birthday Lyes

7.2.2National Securitas Veritas

7.2.3Normal Activity

7.2.4Operation Bastard Steel

7.2.5The Vermillion Venus

7.2.6The Fires that Burn on Gold

7.2.7Project Solidarity

7.2.8A Self Sustaining Reaction

7.2.9The Weight of a Thousand Suns

7.2.10 The New Age


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7.3 Achieving the Goal

7.3.1Side Quests

7.3.2Examples of gameplay progression

8.0 System/Menu Interface

8.1 Main Menu

8.2 Option Menu

9.0 Others

9.1 Business

9.2 Reference Games

9.3 Development Team/ Budget

10.0Citations

Introduction/Overview

Facsistance: A Revolutionary Game title comes from the portmanteau

of Fascist and Resistance highlighting the struggle during the game play

of opposite sides. The subtitleA Revolutionary Game explains the main title,

but also carries the double meaning that the game employs an artificial


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intelligence that emulates a realistic social dynamic and centers the

progression of game play around that concept.

Fascistance is an action RPG that simulates the mechanics of a

revolution. The game world is inhabited with NPCs that have their personal

affiliations with different sides of the rebellion. NPCs have an area where

they exhibit their own influence based on their personality. Their area of

influence is varied among NPCs, but in general, the bigger their influence is,

the more important they are to the cause they support. The goal of the

player is to overthrow one of the dominant forces in the city. The player

must join a side and work with them in order to overthrow the opposing side.

The player must use their personal resources, and the resources of the

players side in order to influence and manipulate NPCs. In order to move to

subsequently more powerful influential beings, the player must first deal with

weaker influences in order to turn the flow of public opinion. The game

measures the flow of public opinion and will trigger events based on the flow

in the world. How they get there, is up to how well the player manipulates

the NPCs to their own intentions.

This game focuses on manipulation of the NPCs. Thus the game is

designed around the concept that many of the player characters actions can

be interpreted by NPCs. Much of the inspiration comes from Fallout 3,

specifically one of chapters known as Tranquility Lane, wherein the player

could choose to wreak havoc on the family members and citizens of a 50s


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suburban simulation. The focus was to create a game that reacted to player

agents personality and choices by asking the player certain questions aimed

at gauging their political stances to their individual traits. NPCs will react

different to the players personality, and will provide the player with a unique

challenge as they make their way through the world. Morality will be

ambiguous in this world, and will focus on benefit and loss in choices.

(Fallout 3, 2008)

Gameplay Mechanics

Gameplay mechanics will be divided into the different modes that

make up the game play experience. It will start from the most familiar view;

the typical 3rd person/1st person view mode and inventory mode, then discuss

the menu mode which can be called upon at anytime during any of the

modes. Then the document will expand into dialogue mode with an opinion

testing mode, city view mode, minigame mode. It will also involve other

gameplay mechanics that are concerned with player and NPC stats, NPC

types, the role of weaponry and certain features that affect the general

social dynamic of the cityscape and its focus on gameplay mechanics.

STREET LEVEL MODE:

Within this section, lies all the gameplay mechanics that involve

movement of the player through the world and their interactions with game

play elements that dont require any special GUIs. Vehicles will be available,

hence the ability to use cars, horses, train system, among other things


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Dynamic Character Creation:

Character creation will not be flexible as other typical RPGs. The

characters persona and character will be dynamically affected by the

worlds interactions with the player. The main character Emina, a female

about the age of a high school girl. As the player character moves from

faction to faction, becomes involved in riots, and battles Eminas clothes will

start to deteriorate. They can appear to be repaired, or take on clothes from

the surroundings to situate the character firmly into the surroundings of the

city. It is madethis way in so this may add to the information-visual

experience for the player.

Movement:

Movement will be controlled by the WASD common configuration

wherein W moves the character forward, A strafes to the left, D strafes

to the right, and S walks backwards. The mouse will move the camera and

the angle of which the player character moves. In order to turn right around

a corner all a player needs to do is move forward with W, while moving the

mouse to the right in order to corner and vice versa for turning left. This is an

extremely common system, so the player will adapt to this system. In certain

situations like in Cinematic Experience Dialogue Movement, control will be

taken away from the player and follow an NPC on a predetermined path.


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Action:

Keyboard:

Most actions can be activated from the F key default. A small on

screen notification will pop up showing the action, and the actions availability

to be performed by the action key (Default F). Other Action can be

performed in dialogue, depending on whether it is deemed Passive or

Aggressive which will be explained in NPC Interaction Aggressive/Passive

Dialogue stances. Other actions available to the player is to crouch with C,

jump with the spacebar, reload with the R key and throw grenades with the

G button if the player has any. All keys can be remapped and additional

features like weapon selection can be mapped to the numeric keys. For

example, mapping a sniper rifle to 3 will allow the player to equip a sniper

rifle from the players inventory, without going into inventory mode. Certain

mapping like these can be done through the inventory mode, but for the

most part, mapping of actions for the rest of the keys can be done through

the game option mode.

Mouse

Mouse controls involve left click (button 0) to activate the action of

your equipped weapon i.e. firing the weapon, swinging the knife, etc. Mouse

right click involves alternate fire, which can mean lots of things depending

on the weapon. For sniper rifles, it can mean steady hand/hold breath and for

assault rifles it can mean firing the attached launcher. Note however, that


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the focus of this game is different from typical FPS/Action RPGs, so these

features will be encouraged with the use of discretion.

Street Level Graphical User Interface:

Health bar:

This bar will show the players health ranging graphically from empty

to full. Below it, is their health number ration showing a certain number X out

of X. The denominator is influenced by their rank and level as they progress

throughout the game. It will be thin and as minimally invasive as possible.

Ammunition:

This bar will show when the player has an equipped weapon, and will

take on the appearance of the health bar but on the opposite bottom side of

the screen. It will provide a numerical number ratio much like the Health Bar.

Reticule:

A small reticule will define the pixel center of the screen. Anything

falling within this range will be brought up as an item in the notification at

the bottom of the screen in between the health bar on the right and the

ammunition bar on the left. When the reticule hovers over something of

importance, the reticule will glow from the stale gray, to bright white. If its

aimed towards a friendly NPC, it will be bright green. If the NPC is unable to

talk to you, it will be dark green. If the NPC is an enemy it will be turned


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anywhere from dark red to bright red. This range will show the likelihood

your equipped weapon will kill your intended target.

Notification box:

This area will be an invisible place where text will be presented. All

items/game object/elements will be named succinctly in order to fit in this

designated area in order to provide concise information.

Damage Notifications:

Areas of the screen will glow with red as a method to alert the player

of damage coming from any side. The screen will be divided into an invisible

cardinal cross, in up, down, right and left sides of the screen. If the player

character is hit from one side or the other, the corresponding side will glow.

For example, being sniped from the front will light up the top of the invisible

cross. Being punched from behind will light up the bottom of the cross, and

being hit with fire from either side will light up the corresponding sides of the

invisible cross.

Vehicle Point of View:

Movement will much be like the movement in the Warthog of the

Halo series. This involves the player character entering the vehicle and

driving with the typical movements. Using the mouse aims the vehicle slowly


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in that direction, and W and S serve as forward movement and backward

movement. (Halo: Combat Evolved, 2001)

Action will be conducted through the F key, and exiting the vehicle will

be through the same key. The player character has the ability to bail from

the vehicle.

If the player character boards a train, or other vehicles with a

predetermined route, they can navigate throughout the city without need of

player control.

DIALOGUE MODE:

This mode will describe all the game play mechanics involving the

player characters choices, interactions that affect the float of the

conversation. It will also describe a few caveats to the dialogue system that

will depart from the typical stand and focus points of view video games like

Fallout 3. The focus for this dialogue mode is to create a more cinematic

experience. (Fallout 3, 2008)

Dialogue GUI:

Dialogue mode is enacted when the action key is pressed at the same

time the cursor is bright green and/or their name is displayed in the

notification area. At this time, the camera will move to an angle focusing on

the two showing much of the two characters with the camera framing out

their legs. As the characters voice out their dialogue, the player will


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presented with dialogue options at the bottom of the GUI. Selection of

dialogue items will simply be chosen by hovering over the choices and

clicking and choosing. Certain colored choices will be available. Each color

represents the kind of response the player can give: false, aggressive, or

cautious, empathic, sexually charged, and optimistic. Normal choices that

advance the dialogue or otherwise neutral will be tinged neutral white. False

(lying) will be tinged with red, aggressive actions will be tinged with orange,

cautious reactions will be yellow, empathic will be green, sexually charged

responses will be purple, and the optimistic choices will be tinged blue. The

saturation of the colors will depict how deeply affected by the tone these

response are. Opacity and percentages will come into play later in the AI

section explaining NPC Interaction.

Cinematic Experience Dialogue Mode:

The player has the ability to zoom in, or zoom out during a

conversation to show more of the environment or to show the characters

faces. If the dialogue has the player character standing still and talking to

the NPC, the dialogue will take place much like in normal Action RPGs.

However, there will be special instances where the player must walk and

talk with the NPC as they move through a different point. The walk and talk

instances will have two types. The first walk and talk dialogue mode involves

a final position and is associated with a dialogue that will need to be finished

in a certain amount of time and the left top side will show the immediate


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goal for the player. A timer will appear in the right top corner and show the

remaining time left. The second type of walk and talk will involve a walk with

the NPC on a looping cycle. During the walk, types of dialogue will be

encouraged or discouraged because of location.

For the first type, an example would include the player character

talking to an NPC who has valuable information who is a rush somewhere.

The dialogue must be enacted at first in order to get his attention, stop him,

convince him to stay, and give in to your intentions before the NPC needs to

get their destination. For the second type, the location of the NPC, certain

dialogue, if overheard can end the conversation abruptly. Or a certain

conversation (and aggressive action) can only be executed when passing a

quiet enough location in the city. The certain NPC mini-missions will

feature one or a mix of either one. Many of the dialogue aspects will be tied

to the AI section NPC interaction.

Opinion Testing Mode:

Some of the game objects can be interacted with much like the NPC

interaction. The major object of interaction will be pieces of information,

namely newspapers, radios, television, etc. If the player character chooses to

interact with these, the cinematic experience dialogue mode will open up

showing the player character interacting with the object/element. The

information will be presented in another area of the screen where the player

has the choice to scroll down on the newspaper, or listen to the broadcast, or


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watch the clip of the news. After the end of certain part of the newspaper

article, a question will display itself with choices on how the player feels

about the article, and will affect the player characters political stance, thus

affecting their available choices in dialogue choices. This will give the player

a certain amount of control in the kind of things the player wants their

character to be able to say and do.

CITY VIEW MODE:

In this mode, the city will be available as a large map much like

Google Maps. However this mode will simulate a live feed from a low

orbiting satellite view. This view will present the player with a lofty view, and

the relative position and significance the player character has within the

world. To access this view, the player must press default T. (Google Maps,

2009)

Visual Information:

The city will be dynamic, and acts of fighting and rioting will be highlighted in

fires, tracer fire, and smoke in real time throughout the city. The player

characters significant weight in the world will be gauged by their individual

rank, progression, location and political stance metered throughout the

game. For example if the character just started out the game with no

political influence, the player character is particularly safe in any district but


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has minimum influence on the surrounding groups. However, if the player

character is far in the game, has good standing with a faction, all the NPCs in

areas where the district majority is represented by faction beliefs will treat

the player with respect. However in an opposing district, people might make

assassination attempts in that area or NPCs that are engaged in conversation

with the player character may avoid them. The significance of the player

character will be displayed by a translucent circle approximating the general

respect and significance in that district/area.

("News: Grant and Kate in Dubai") Modified images of Dubais night time city


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Historical-Timeline:

Herein, a ticker style bar at the bottom will reveal the historical and

current timeline in where major and minor events will be displayed. Current

events will be presented here like an RSS feed. The player has the choice to

scroll over to this ticker and actively recall the events, and possible

missions/investigations surrounding it.

Area Specific Information:

In this aspect, the player has the ability to zoom in and target certain

areas and find out the relevant statistics of each area. They can typify the

allies, enemies, faction members, NPC public support percentage, NPC types


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and populations, possible missions, and individual statistics in the particular

area.

INVENTORY MODE:

This mode essentially makes up everything that has to do with keeping

track of items belonging to the player character. This mode will also include

quest objects, and display relevant information about the player character.

Since this mode is GUI heavy, the iterations below should be treated as their

own separate GUIs. Most of the Inventory mode GUIs will include all the

common features found in many other Action RPGs, much like the ability to

monitor money, give out weapons, repair weapons, and a weight system. To

access this mode, the player must press Tab to enter their inventory.

Weapons:

This GUI will feature the current weapon selected in the right half of

the screen as held by the player character. Within the bottom part of that

quadrant, the ammunition available will be included on the left as a bar, and

as a number ratio. On the bottom right of that quadrant, the

health/effectiveness will be displayed. On the left top half, will list the

weapons inventory. If the player has multiple weapons; for example Rocket

Launcher x 2 will denote two rocket launchers are available. The multiple

amount of collection can give the ability to repair items. Weapons can be

assigned in the bottom left quadrant to the numeric keys for easier

switching. The player can equip the character with the weapon by simply


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scrolling over and hovering over the desired item and left button click,

highlighting the item for use. The player character can do other things in

different situations, where they can give their weapon to the NPC theyre

speaking to. They can also drop weapons.

Items

This GUI will feature the current items in the players inventory. The

GUI will be functionally identical to the Weapons GUI. The player character

will hold the item in their hand, and if the player chooses to use the item in

the same method as the Weapons GUI, then the player character animates

using the item in Inventory mode. If the player wants to give something out

to an NPC, be it an item like a first aid kit, they can do so. They can also give

items that could be harmful to the NPC. This depends on the NPCs

perception of the player character. They wont accept a live bomb for

example when the player character has the trigger unless the NPC is

convinced the player character is on their side.

Armor:

Since the character has a dynamic appearance that progresses

throughout the game, the only thing that the player character can change

concerning wear is armor. Armor will tend to range from light to heavy

armor, worn underneath the dress or uniform. Armor will impact speed but

not by much. GUI will be the same as the GUIs before.


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MINIGAME MODE:

This mode will include all the times that involve special events that

cannot be portrayed effectively by the Street Level Mode. As a relatively

loose definition, this can mean any time street level becomes limited in

movement due to events, like rigging an Improvised Explosive Device from

your inventory onto a door.

Bartering, Selling, Buying

This can be done with any NPC and in different areas with merchants in

a visible store. The standard interface of trading of your inventory for their

inventory will be used here. Money is considered an inventory item, and will

be traded for the item. There is an agreement button that must be clicked

in order to finish the trade.

Looting:

This will involve the same bartering selling and buying GUI, except

there is no agreement, just a take it or all button.

Computer Terminals:

Computer terminal GUI will show a close up of the monitor and the

menu system as the player navigates through the choices to get information,

or to activate different systems, or doors.


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Rigging:

This involves taking items from your inventory and rigging it to harm

NPCs. Rigging can involve different items/elements in the world.

Building/Disarming GUI:

As the player character goes around the city to more war torn areas,

the player will be able to combine elements like wires, transmitters, igniters

and mortar shells to create Improvised Explosive Devices. As long as the

player character carries a certain amount of these items, they can

successfully build an item that can be rigged to certain elements in the city

world. The IED can be assembled through a mini game which supplies the

player character with tools like electrical tape, pliers and a screw driver in a


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toolset on the left of the screen. The items necessary (if available in your

inventory) will be presented to you on a on a gridded table. Other items, if

applicable can be combined to contain the IED, i.e. a med kit or a sack of

rice. If the player character finds them in need to disarm a certain weapon,

they can do so through the opposite procedures taken during arming. A very

basic understanding of electricity will be needed here, no more then what

completes a current. Disarming with a battery on for example can cause

death for the player.

Setting GUI:

When a player gets to a certain element in the world, the GUI takes the

generic image of that element and presents the ability to drop the IED, for

example at a doorstep. Or more advanced measures can be taken, like

setting a trip wire or simply setting a remote detonator. Here you will also

have the option of disguising it in several items, as long as it can conceivably

fit inside the item. The world elements you can set/disarm an IED next to

include vehicles, doors, windows, middle of the streets, and if disguised, in

the middle of busy crowds.

Offensive/Defensive Barrage:

In the event where a riot is taking place and the player character is in

charge of NPCs who need to take down the riots, the offensive/defensive

barrage will activate. Typically this is with a timer where the player character

has to destroy, or defend from rioting or attacking soldiers. The camera will


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take a high but local bird eyes view where the whole battle will take place.

Much of this is for purposes of defending different areas of the city from the

onslaught of a total riot or attack.

Lock picking:

GUI will show a lock, and the mechanics of a tumbler system. User will

move the mouse around in a left to right fashion to jiggle the lock and set

each pin.

OTHER MECHANICS

Calendar System:

Here, during certain times, depending on random events in the city,

this time period raises the violent and chaotic tendencies of the masses in

the cities. This would be a very good time for the player character who sides

with revolutionists as this increase the likelihood of the targets being killed.

However, this is a time to be feared for the statist maybe hard to kill and

protection assignments are harder to complete. However, in Tides of Peace,

this time is the perfect time for the statist aligned player character to attack

revolutionists when they are having a hard time inciting rebellion or hiding

among the masses.

Day/Night

The city goes through changes of time, where the actions and events

take on a different meaning to the immediate witnessing public. For example


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broad acts of terrorism would be beneficial to do during the day for their

intended purpose; however, government assassinations would be best at

night, to keep the public as unaware as possible.

Everyday after different times in the morning, newspapers will show

the events of the days before and events that the player has not witnessed.

The player has the choice to gauge their play styles through their reactions

to the news.

Calendar/World Events AI influence Reigns of Terror/Tides of Peace

There will be a certain set time of about 3 in-game years where the

city will evolve as the game expires towards the eradication of either

influences or factions. Since the goal of the player is to get on top of the city,

and thus the country, they must calculate the occurrences that happen in

the city and find ways to feel confident in their chosen side.

This is why the Reigns of Terror and the Tides of Peace exist. This

mechanic will influence A.I. NPC personality statistics specifically. During

these times, Reigns of Terror will affect things like Neuroticism,

Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness in a significantly more negative

manner, relative to the slight dampening of Openness and Extraversion. This

will lead to a generally aggressive or terrified public. In Tides of Peaces, the


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worlds Big Five factors are positively influenced, more significantly on

Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Agreeableness. As mentioned before,

each has its merits for the player characters goals. (Srivastava)

Law Enforcement/ Rules of Engagement

A very important part of the game results from the time to strike

effectively. As the calendar will present different times where striking is

optimal, the player character has to be aware of their actions within the

game. Reigns of Terror will typically encourage Revolutionists to act more

freely against the government without fear of punishment being caught in

the act, as there is much chaos in the world. Statists tend to try to maintain

peace during these times, as the chaos makes it hard to find revolutionists

hiding in the riots and fighting. In these times, Statist is more likely to use

deadly force however, in order to control rebellion with oppression.

During neutral times, there is a balance in the world in the sense that

both parties have an equal time finding each other and killing each others

influential figures. During Tides of Peace, the revolutionists are forced to take

cover and be extremely covert. The Statists have an easier time finding

revolutionists and dissenting opinion during these times. Any action taken by

the Statists here must be covert as well. Revolutionists can be caught by the

state and thus loose influence on their neighboring NPCs, and covert actions

discovered during these times will make sympathy for the revolutionists.

Punishment


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Usage of certain weapons, as will be described later, will merit certain

amounts of punishment. The punishment for revolutionists and Statist caught

in the act depends on the weapons and the period of time the city world is in.

For Revolutionists the results are jail time, or death. For Statists, the result is

destabilization of public opinion, and hence adding to the variability and

chaos the revolutionists feed off.

Official News Media/ Word on the Street

This mechanic mainly deals with the dynamic of these indirect

sources of information. Journalists and media centers can be controlled much

like other NPCs, hence bribed, or threatened. Their bias will be reflected by

the people working there though, unless manipulated otherwise. The news

media, depending on their centers regional influence, can color the

otherwise neutral NPCs responses and opinions in that area. Its minimal

effect on the individual, but on a massive collective scale, these may be

important to consider.

Word on the street will be the rumors of the happenings going around

that certain area. Most rumors will inform the player character of their

activities they have performed if they have been too conspicuous. The less

the word on the street talks about the players action, the most successful

the player is at the game.

Technology Mechanics


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Dialogue Technology:

Though Fascistance will use a dialogue tree system, dialogue will have

the ability to have tone and color in the voice, as well as player character

element that are able to influence the receiving NPCs dialogue in a slightly

more dynamic manner. For example, if the player just starts out, and tries to

threaten an NPC, the player characters influence and power is not enough,

both visually, and by the players stats, therefore, the NPC will not take the

threat seriously. However, with the exact same NPC, if the player has spent

time progressing and attaining respect in the city, the NPC will be frightened

and is likely more to give in.

Rigging Technology:

This part of the game requires movements and tools placed together in

the rigging GUI to become parsed into the game world. Much like Ookami,

and its drawing pen system, the rigging tech will play off this same principle.

Artificial Intelligence

This section involves everything that deals with NPCs and their

movements in the world, exhibited characteristics, their faction/class

associations, and their general lives that they carry on in the city as they


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interact within the city. Some of these sections will describe further details

on mechanics described before, but expanded to include the relevant

information on Artificial Intelligence.

NPC Interaction:

One of the major points of this game is NPC interactions. These NPC

interactions can be divided into two levels that overlap. MACH factor

presides over the interactions inherent in dialogue while actions dictate the

interactions that involve the typical action RPG elements such physically

harming the NPC. The NPCs own stats follow the big Five Factor Personality

Model and rate them based on different traits. (Srivastava)

NPC Statistics:

There will be normal statistics that give the NPC a certain amount of

health and stamina. For simplicity sake, ammunition will be tied to the

weapon element if they possess a weapon. Other than that, their health is

tied to their ranking in the world, as described in the Estates. Generally, the

higher rungs of each estate will have more health than the lower rungs.

NPC Personality Statistics:


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A majority of the NPCs will have their own personality traits that align

close to their class types, but offer variability in these categories according

to the Five Factor Personality Model. Openness, Conscientiousness,

Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism define this personality model,

and in consequence, will adapt specifically to each kind of class of NPCs.

Each category will be listed, and the class underneath it.

Starting from the left will be the classes that are most likely to exhibit

these properties. The Monarch is excluded from this list as his NPCs statistics

will be affected more by the players personality. The Five Factor Personality

Model is defined as such.

Openness:appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination,

curiosity, and variety of experience.

Enlightened Bourgeois, the Low Noblemen, the Peasants, the High

Noblemen, the Low Clergy, the High Clergy

Conscientiousness:a tendency to show self-discipline, act dutifully, and aim for

achievement; planned rather than spontaneous behavior.

The High Clergy, the Low Clergy, the High Nobleman, the Low Noblemen, the

bourgeois, the peasants

Extraversion: energy, positive emotions, urgency, and the tendency to seek

stimulation and the company of others.


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The Peasants, bourgeois, Low noblemen, Low Clergy, High Clergy, High

Noblemen

Agreeableness:a tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than

suspicious and antagonistic towards others.

Bourgeois, Low Clergy, Low Noblemen, Peasants, High Clergy, High

Noblemen

Neuroticism:a tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily, such as

anger, anxiety, depression, or vulnerability; sometimes called emotional instability.

The Peasants, Bourgeois, Low Noblemen, High Noblemen, Low Clergy, High

Clergy (Srivastava)

The overlap here exists in the dialogue system, where normal

dialogue present in other RPGs will be labeled as passive dialogue stance,

called as such as only a minimal amount of gestures between the player

character and the NPC can be exchanged. However, due to the following

MACH system, manipulation inherently needs both dialogue oriented and

action oriented approach to achieve the player characters goals. The

aggressive dialogue stance as the name suggests will allow the player to

use more aggressive gestures to outright action, appropriate to the response

of the NPC, depending on how the dialogue is gauged by the following

mechanic.

NPC Trust/Suspicion:


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Based on the NPCs personality traits, a secondary NPC stat is the

NPCs Trust vs. Suspicion meter. This bar will have a default setting

depending on the personality trait the NPC has at first, but as the player

character does agreeable things with the NPC that benefit them, their trust

goes up, and are more willing to be friends and partners with the player

character. The more trust the NPC has for the player character, the more

likely they will be willing to follow the player character.

Player Characters Statistics: MACH (Machiavelli Factor):

As one of the major gameplay mechanics, MACH is actually divided

into different major categories: Influence, Prediction, and Deception. These

skills define the player characters ability to manipulate NPCs for their goals.

Influence is something the player character gains as they move up in status

and rank in the world. They gain this in different ways. One of them is

through the successful completion of missions for certain factions.

Depending on the faction, their influence takes the form of factions beliefs,

resources, etc. For example, if the player is aligned with the revolutionists

(one of the agencies/factions of change), the players influence will play

better with people with the personality traits that allow them to sympathize

with the revolutionists cause. In order to convince an important NPC one can

use revolutionists influence to promise protection after the revolution, or

convincing them that their lives would be better after they depose of the

monarch. If their alignment is currently with the monarch or the church


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(agencies/factions of preservation), this type of influence will allow NPC to be

convinced by bribery (by opening up dialogue options) or be inspired by their

sense of religion.

Of course, the other two categories are important opening up even

more dialogue choices. They will also provide the player with success rates in

applicable choices. Prediction factor creates the success rate. Increasing the

prediction skill allows the player character to notice psychological factors

about the NPC they are talking to. For example, while asking an NPC walking

by how their day was, a rushed response could mean a number of things.

However, if player characters prediction skill is high enough, within the

response dialogue, the HUD will alert the player character that their hand is

trembling slightly, giving insight to the nervous state of the NPC. This

nervous state will dynamically change the success rates of particular

dialogue options available to the player character.

This leads into the skill ability of deception. Deception focuses on the

player characters ability to deceive, and to detect deception. The player

characters deception skill can be outwardly displayed through dialogue and

through action. Through dialogue this increases the amount of dialogue

options that will cater to the player characters intentions. Detecting

deception also becomes intertwined with prediction. When this is high

enough, you have the ability to shoot down lies, interrupting the NPC and


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changing the dialogue from a passive dialogue stance to the aforementioned

aggressive dialogue stance.

In short, the player characters influence will measure their ability to

offer, coerce, or otherwise take a physical action for the benefit or harm of

the NPC. Prediction will gauge the percentage of success each dialogue

option or choice has, while informing the player character on the NPCs

psychological state. And lastly deception will open up more choices that

cater to the intentions of the player characters personality traits. MACH is a

skill that generally increases over time as the player

Passive/ Aggressive Dialogue Stances:

The Passive Dialogue stance will allow the player to operate and speak

to individual NPCs on a low profile manner, allowing them to talk normally

and non-violently to NPCs as they go on about their day. This will allow the

player to act in a civilized manner as they take themselves through the world

of Fascistance. By default, this is the state the player character starts in

when they engage an NPC in dialogue. However, due to the nature of the

MACH mechanic, certain NPCs will carry information, etc that may only be

accessed by use of the characters Influence, Perception and Deception

skills. Within passive dialogue, there is only so much the player character


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can do. If the dialogue leads to that direction, the player character can

engage an aggressive dialogue stance. For instance, if an NPC lies to the

player, the player can activate this aggressive dialogue stance and choose

the option to punch the NPC in the face, and hold a gun to their head and

continue the dialogue from there on. Physical actions within aggressive

dialogue stance are still subject to MACH, guiding the user in the best choice

both in action and in dialogue.

GAME WORLD ELEMENTS

In this section, the elements in the world that have not been

mentioned will be fully explained, and the mechanics and AI aspects that

relate with game world elements will be referenced and added upon relating

to their general relevance to the city.

ART/MUSIC STYLE:

The world will be set in an indeterminate time and in indeterminate

place to emphasize that these events could happen anywhere. However the

city will be reminiscent of old European architecture to backup characters

and have a natural setting for them. It will be set during a hard harsh winter

in order to capitalize on the intensity of the fighting, blood, fires, massacres,

etc.


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The world will have a general tint of heavy blues, dark greens, grays in

the over world highlighted with reds and oranges for areas of action, fighting

and turmoil. This is designed to cast a depressing emotional mood over the

entire game.

Different parts of the city will dynamically decay depending on the

unhappiness of the surrounding population and the amount of corruption and

other negative aspects surrounding the particular district of the city.

CITY AREA DICHOTOMY

Fascistance will be the country in which the story and game play take

place. However it is in the capital city of Tempermentia where all the

activities take place. Some events will occur in the more rural areas outside

Tempermentia. However the capital city itself with divided into 6 districts will

offer different areas where certain NPCs types will be dominant over one

another. This is to say, while many of the NPCs will react to terrorism in

much of the same way, their recourse to fight versus their tendency to run

will be different depending on the area. Example would be an area where

many militaristic NPCs are housed. If the player is trying to kill a top ranking

colonel in order to destroy his influence in the area, Emina might go around

different sections of influence around the colonel first, in order to take away

his influence. This might lead to the likely hood to disturb the peace of

normal civilian NPC. This in turn causes them to riot significantly and distract


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the soldiers who are otherwise guarding the colonel. This then provides

access to kill the colonel.

Each district will be divided further more by the influential men and

women in that area, and their areas of influence, summarized by circles that

fade towards the outer radius. The city view will show their area of effect.

Further than that, are the NPCs under their direct supervision that exhibit a

very local influence due to the bigger 3 or 4 Valuable NPCs.

THE OPEN CITY

Most buildings will be able to be enterable. As such, there is only a

tightly knit city comprised of at most 4 to 5 story buildings. And since its

imitating a classical European city, only a few of the buildings will be

grand in while a majority are simple building/concrete buildings that should

not be too hard to fabricate. As this game is slated for a future release this

also makes it more feasible.

The styles of the French Rococo era will be interspersed and mixed

with modern and futuristic styles. The blending is there to emphasize that

revolution can take place in anytime and location. The rococo era is chosen

due to the type of alliances you can choose during the game which would be

more natural for the setting. It will also lend to an air of extremes, since

the rococo era was all about the extremes of art and decoration. This will

also contribute to the contrast between different districts as one goes

through the poorer areas of the city.


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The characters will have interesting designs as well. Coming from a

costuming point of view, the characters should have interesting art styles

and designs that costumers would want to recreate their outfits in real life.

A dynamic score would be implemented depending on the mood and

atmosphere surrounding the player character in order to highlight different

actions in the game. The score itself would involve many strings, classical

guitars played with a range of moods. The lightest moods of the score would

be used sparingly, for highlighting happy moments during the game play.

However most of the score would include ominous, yet reflective undertones

playing throughout the game when action is not playing out on screen. When

action is happening, depending on your alliance, the player will experience

revolutionary peoples songs, or impending monarchic music.

The mood of the music itself with be airy, atmospheric, and give the

impression of being under the shroud of a heavy winter.

Important and semi-important NPCs will be voiced over in order to give

personalities to the characters the player interacts with.

CHARACTERS:

Herein contains everything related to characters that deal with the

player character, and their involved in the big schema of the world. More

specific characters will mentioned in later sections but for now, it will

encapsulate the different types of characters their relations to each other.


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The Player Character:

At the beginning of the story, the player characters background is

unknown to the first time player. The player character, Emina is female, in

her 20s and has long hair with bangs in order to hide a high forehead. She

could be considered cute, but only when she allows it to come forth. Other

than that, she maintains a straight face at almost all times. Her default

clothes are plain consisting of a jumper skirt with plain prints and a small

jacket, with Mary Jane shoes and knee socks. Her face has a sense of nobility

to hint at her origins.

NPC Types:

Non playable character types are categorized into several groups or

classes they identify with their class into the general estates based on the

real history of France and Medieval Europe. It will also describe their main

motivations and the effect of their death upon the general population. Note,

that their effects will be calculated based on their standing in their

community or on the NPCs individual personality characteristics. Generally,

the harder they are to convince to your goals, the more dedicated they are

to their ward, and the harder the people around them will fall due to their

death. (Kreis)

The Monarch:


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Existing outside the Estates system, the Monarch controls what he

believes the to be the good for himself first, then the First Estates who hold

religious influence, then the Second Estates who hold the majority of the

financial power in the country. This is the last man the player character deals

with in the city regardless of their position or final alliance. This is the most

intelligent NPC in the game, and in a way, is the goal the player character is

trying to reach. He is only seen on television within the confines of his

palace, fearing assassination. He often makes presentations and reports in

the grandest of attire.

The First Estate - The Noble Clergy:

These few NPCs that exist about the city are highly guarded individuals

that rule in their districts with varying degrees of controls. Killing these men

and women means destabilizing their region and making it more prone to

chaos. Bribing, or getting them on the player characters side by different

means can afford the player character a certain amount of respect. These

Noble Clergy both have money and religion on their minds, and hence, their

mentality and interactions are biased towards those wants.

They often are identified by their large assortment of rings, grandiose

appearance, and show off anything given to them by the King. They have a

keen sense to their faces, and an austere reaction to anything foolish.

The First Estate The Lower Clergy


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These NPCs are the legs and arms of the Clergy, but among them

dissent has risen about the recent happenings in Fascistance. Interacting

with them encourages the player character to be versed in money or

religious fervor, in order to convince them to join the players side. Their

deaths will destabilize areas close to their offices, namely their cathedrals

and smaller churches, though the effect will not be as widespread. Though

almost every NPC in this class wears the mask and believes in the Statists,

here is where the gateway into influencing The First Estate lies. These NPCs

will look rather tame to their higher counterparts, mostly because they do

not involve themselves and associate themselves with the monarchy. They

will have a more humble appearance, and their eagerness to help is inspired

in their attitude and their faces.

The Second Estate The High Nobleman

These NPCs are the financial backing of the Monarch; as a result, these

NPCs reflect the intentions of the king. Their numbers are small but their

influence large. These NPCs are concerned almost entirely with money and

pleasure, and of course, sucking up to the king. Their personalities will clue

the player character their weaknesses in order to get them the players side.

However, very few of them are actually the highest members of the

Revolutionists that are looking for change. However their high influence and

traditional role cannot expose them.


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The typical high noblemen will have many jobs, and as a result their

daily wear will consist of their occupation, much like the low noblemen. But

as the richer counterpart, they tend to go around in more pompous terms,

and as a result stick out more in crowds. These men will often be of larger

size then their lower counterparts, in order to show their wealth and their

health. Merchants and traders of distinguished class will be seen wearing the

most colorful and vivid clothing and the grandest of hats. The lords and land

owners will look more tall and brooding, as a visual aesthetic to imply their

constant watch over their fiefdom.

Also note the higher ranked soldiers lay in this area. About half of the

magisterial class lay in this estate as well. As many of these run the citys

infrastructure, the head of the media outlets are included among these. As

the largest variety of NPC groups, these NPCs will often have many types of

clothing that will identify them. Soldiers of high rank will have swords and

pistols on their person, right along with two or three soldiers following in

their footsteps. They will also display many sorts of awards upon their chest

as they go about the daylight in public eyes. They will look the most athletic,

and superior in any encounters that involve sword fights and firearms.

The Magistrates or the government officials of the city will often have

the same gown, suit or maintenance uniforms in the same solemn spirit the

clergy wears. However they are allowed to wear more Bourgeois, or typical

high noblemen dress depending on their status outside their magisterial


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affair. They will tend to look the most slumped or hunchbacked to different

degrees as they often spend their time studying the various laws of the land.

Magisterial agents are important, as much as soldiers due to their law

making abilities. Exploiting their weaknesses could prove beneficial to the

players cause.

The Second Estate The Low Nobleman

These NPCs are more involved in the everyday workings of the capital city.

Due to their nature as Noblemen that more often made their way from the

lower levels of society, they sympathize with the lower classes much easier

then the higher noblemen. These men are also most likely the areas of most

fighting between individuals, rather than masses, as much as half follow the

tenets of the enlightenment, and the other half aspire to be financially

wealthy, and thus have more in common and alliance with the top Second

Estate , The majority of the First Estate, and the Monarch himself. Also a

majority of the soldiers lay in this class and the other half of the magisterial

class lay in this class.

Most of these NPCs can be found wearing much more practical clothing

but often spend what they can. They carry a slight sense of extravagance,

and are often agreeable and relatively happy NPCs. A good chunk of the

higher ranking soldiers and magistrates are in this classification.

The Third Estate Bourgeois


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The NPCs are much like the Low Noblemen and have common links to

the Low Clergy. However, they have no noble status, and are taxed, but not

as significantly as the Peasants, A good majority of the NPCs will relate with

the peasants by different degrees, who are only worse off because of their

lack of a valued occupation or total absence of it. Therefore, NPCs of this

class have a high chance of intelligent followers of the revolution and

enlightenment movements.

These NPCs are identified by simple, but decent clothing that allows

them to function in their everyday lives under the low noblemen who happily

share them the same space, and the high noblemen who are essentially their

bosses. They are about as happy as the low noblemen but are worried

somewhat, since their status can easily drop to that of a peasant if they

arent needed any longer.

The Third Estate The Peasants

The most common NPCs found everywhere, they are also the most

subservient, and least intelligent. Only angered by the direct affronts to their

lives, they take on heavy taxations and sometimes, even hunger. They are

suspicious of both Revolutionists and the Statists, however, given their

simple needs, they are easily swayed either way.


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They are identified by their poor ill repaired clothing, and their

relatively unhappy demeanor. They can be found bothering people in the

streets, or being quiet in a corner. Otherwise most of them reside where the

land owners of the city decide to keep their land in the outskirts of the city.

ITEMS:

The list of items here are huge and defined as everything that can be

placed, located, discarded, given away, and used in the inventory. They can

be bought and sold as well.

Weapons:

In generic names will be used in order to deemphasize the time period,

but in general will be modeled after real modern weaponry. The emphasis

here is then use of weapons as tools of strategy. As mentioned before, the

Rules of Engagement as defined by this game will allow the player the use of

weapons. Some weapons are more accepted during certain times. From a

revolutionist point of view, reigns of terror are the most perfect times to use

bigger more effective weaponry, but during Tides of Peace, use of the

weaponry and getting caught can mean a loss in game calendar time or

death. From the Statist point of view, reigns of terror are also very good

times to use bigger effective weaponry, but the loss here is losing the public

opinion, and thus stagnating and possibly losing the influence of majority of

the peasants and the lower classes. Tides of Peace are the times when

Statist members can use their operations quietly, however upon being


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discovered, loss of public opinion is great during those times. These times

are also the highest chance of brewing more influential revolutionists NPCs.

These following weapons will be listed from most government/socially

accepted use to least amount of accepted use, and the most likely to have

harsh consequences in the event of being caught. As a small note, every

weapon can be given away to an NPC to supply them, and if they are willing

to accept it, and willing to commit an attack. The only weapon that cannot be

given away is the Silenced Pistol. Only extras are allowed to be given away.

It is also categorized by weight starting from the lightest to the heaviest.

Fists, Pipes, Chains, Wine Bottles and other Melee items

The most uncontroversial weapons in the game; use of these weapons

is acceptable at any time and met with minimal punishment during Tides of

Peace. Any other time, law enforcement magistrates will not care unless the

player character involves them. It is useful for dialogue stance changes, and

beating people into submission without attracting too much attention.

Silenced Pistol

The base weapon in the game that the player character will have on

their person at all times during the game (unless otherwise removed due to

events). This weapons main function is much more important to note, as it is

very limited in ammunition, and encouraged to be used in situational

dialogue use. Use of this weapon has almost no consequences during Reigns


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of Terror, meaning magistrates, soldiers and the general public will generally

ignore the player characters brandishing, and involve minimal intervention

during its secluded use. During neutral time periods, the show in public will

cause a stir especially when used so the least amount of time displaying it

will clear up suspicion. Use during neutral times is questionable because it

will often put the area under a watch. Display it at all during Tides of Peace

will result in an almost immediate jailing and short loss of time. Use will

result in a slightly longer loss of time.

Short Range Sub Machine Gun (w/ silenced option)

This weapon will be available if the player character finds it. It will

often be found during more turbulent times like in the Reigns of Terror. Its

use is good for provocation, or the need to clear out simple small buildings

with the need to be quiet in neutral times. Use in Peace, if caught will often

land them in jail and have a very long period of time. Use in neutral times

will result in medium loss of time. Use during reigns of terror if not a statist

will result in many questions and a possible short jail time.

Medium Range Assault Rifle

This will be the weapon of choice for massacres, along with higher

weapons. Most soldiers will carry these during particularly bad Reigns of

Terror. Revolutionist use during these times will be shot on sight, and if

caught will result in severe punishment and loss of time. The player must be

extremely careful and judicious, or very tidy in order to use such an effective


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weapon on both sides of the field, as using this weapon incites fear in the

public as a symbol of oppression and the use by revolutionists in the

government eyes means even tighter controls over the normal everyday

situation. Use during neutral times is seldom heard of for both revolutionists

and statists, unless it is done in an action of strict martial law in one area, or

an act of pure terrorism. Being witnessed of use during Tides of peace will

most likely end that time and escalate the city into a neutral time, and as a

result the use is almost unheard of.

Sniper Rifles

The use of sniper rifles is mostly associated with assassinations. This

gun is conventionally used by revolutionists due to its nature. However

Statists can use this weapon as well to take out revolutionists, however not

to same degree and efficiency, since public morale and opinion will go down

in a public setting. The witnessed use of this weapon means death for both

Revolutionists and Statist. For revolutionists means death from the public

officials. For government means a disavowed agent. However if this weapon

is used properly and with deliberate intent, it is extremely hard to be caught

this weapon due to its covert nature, and its covert location of operation.

Improvised Explosive Devices:

Consists of: Grenades, Mortar Shells, Explosive packs, etc.


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These weapons, as mentioned before can be disguised and fitted into

different materials. These contraptions are tricky at best, due to their wide

effect. Opinion can be shaken either way, depending on the casualties, it can

either put the favor towards the Revolutionists or the Statist, depending on

the influencing factors killed in the immediate blast. Kill too many

neutral/revolutionist NPCs vs. Statist NPCs; the attack is labeled a Terrorist

attack by the State. Kill a very influential Statist vs. some

neutral/revolutionist NPCs, then public opinion can waver, depending on the

news. Kill several statists in a single building, and no neutral/revolutionists

casualties, then the favor goes towards the revolutionist. As biased as IEDs

for Revolutionists, The smart statist can disarm, and make unofficial use of

these, and purposely bomb a local public building, in order to gain sympathy

from the public for the state. As the deployment and use is almost of zero

visibility, there is no need for a punishment for revolutionists for use during

any periods of time. However, suspicious materials can be investigated by

keen NPCs. If the deployed explosive devices are linked back towards the

player character, it means certain death for those caught. Of course the

player character can just detonate it as it is investigated.

Stationary Machine Guns

The classic massacre weapon and hence and will be mainly available

during the defense/barrage minigame. The damage by these is of the same

caliber as the IEDs. Yet as the IEDs are distinctly Revolutionists, this is


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primarily the weapon of the State. These are deployed during very bad

reigns of terror. These weapons will increasingly become available especially

during the last leg of the game progression due to possible riots. The usage

of these will go unquestioned as this is the sign of ultimate aggression. Public

opinion will sink dramatically, but extreme influence will be gained during

these times. A weapon of last resort for the Statists, it is only used in the fear

of being overrun by rioting crowds, at the gain of a very unstable peace.

Clean up is needed after using such a weapon, such as threatening the

journalists.

ITEMS

These game elements involve all items that are storable and givable.

Most of these items can be grouped by their main usage and will be as such.

Physical Health

Small Medkit

Uses a small part of your weight limit, and heals a small amount of health. It

cannot be rigged. It can be given away as a way to gain favor.

Large Medkits

This uses a larger part of your weight limit, but not by much. It heals a large

amount of health. It can be rigged. It can be given away as a bigger favor

towards the NPCs trust.


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Poison

This can be mixed in drinks and food. It can be given away to NPCs for their

use.

Mechanical (Note: no impact to weight)

Lock picks:

Use for lock picking. Can give sets to certain knowledgeable NPCs for gaining

trust. It cannot be rigged.

Wires:

Random bits of wire that can be used for rigging explosives. Collecting a

certain amount will give a player a spool, and a numerical number for the

length.

Electrical

Remotes

The transmitters that can be used for all kinds of explosives. Just trigger in

the hand.

Detonators:

Place the receiver and embed carefully both terminals carefully into

explosive device.

Batteries:


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Connect detonator to batteries last. No expiration date

Electrical wires:

Miscellaneous

Bags of Rocks, Flour, Rice, etc.

It is useful for disguising IEDs. Weight is based on the items.

Books, Newspapers, Information, Transcripts, Mission Outlines

Informational: Newspapers are for information gathering, event and history,

and also opinion testing. Books are history of different areas. Good for

general information written on pieces of papers, like key codes, address, etc.

Transcripts for messages intercepted, or received. Mission outlines for

objectives. Has negligible weight.

Random bits of metal, screws, nuts, bolts

For IEDS, spreading in bags of rocks to increase blast range.

Beverages and Food

It can be eaten for small amounts of health similar to the small medkit. Can

be mixed with poison and given to NPCs for trust. But if they die and NPCs

witnessed your act, it causes suspicion.

OBJECTS AND MECHANISMS


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These will describe everything the player character can interact with but

cannot inventory. These will include everything in the vast capital city of

Fascistance.

Entryways

These include doors, windows, vents, trap doors, holes in the wall.

Everything here can be rigged to be set as a trap, or an IED can be dropped

nearby without special use of the rigging/trapping GUI. Every entryway that

is closed can be destroyed by explosion. Doors will have hitboxes in their

logical places for gun forced entry. Of course, usage of any will attract the

natural attention of nearby NPCs

Keypads

Require keycodes, typically, player character can find an NPC who knows it.

It can be shot at for a 50% chance of opening or staying shut.

Traditional Locks

Can be picked, and can be forced open through the GUI.

Levers

Can be activated for effect

Computer terminals and related systems


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These will traditionally give information, but can also activate/deactivate

doorways, electrical system, surveillance, and automatic turrets. If

passwords are present they can be obtained from NPCs or careful searching.

STORY OVERVIEW

BACK STORY

From an old deposed Jester:

His Monarchiness, The King Ephemeral, The Fearless Leader of Fascistance

was once a just, noble, fun loving king who led his people with a gentle fist.

Therein the grand capital city of Tempermentia, he dwelled in peace and

everything waspretty chill. Well, that was, until four wives later, he was

unable to have a son to succeed him. He wasnt too terribly fazed by this

however; he figured he could get one of his many concubines pregnant. He

was a liberal king in such a way and he would just pass the son as a

legitimate heir, but even then he couldnt get anyone pregnant.

He therefore gathered all the best doctors in the land and across the

Northern Sea, and in particular, a team from the Fatherland of Visigothia, a

far northern island in the North Polar Sea, headed by the world class doctor

named Hollheimen Haus. Herr Haus M.D. and his team discovered a rare

genetic disease that invalidated a vast majority of his sperm, rendering him

virtually unable to procreate. Someone on Herr Haus team suggested it was

a neurological problem. Alas the complications that controlled his inability to


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sustain a hormonal balance to procreate, also affected parts of his sanity.

Slowly but surely, he would devolve into fits of paranoia, greed, and

arrogance. A frail shell of his former self.

However, not all was lost. A radical new breakthrough procedure could

remove the cyst pressing on his hippocampus and amygdale and remove the

hormonal imbalances present in his system. But little did Emphemeral know,

Grand Cardinal Neroculus, the right hand man was up to something.

Neroculus had a vested interest in the financial sector of Fascistance, and

felt very protective as the top of the First Estate. Though unclear how deeply

his hands reached into the Tempermentia, it was always the Kings positive,

do good attitude that kept Neroculus from propelling Fascistance into the

greatest economic power in the world.

The next day, Herr Haus and his team met a horrible fate. They all

succumbed to great winter storm at sea. Their airplane crashed, and all was

lost. And it was in that very same day, Emphemerals trusting attitude took

the toll on him. His diseased was pushed on to be worse, and Neroculus and

Emphemeral became better friends.

In 20 years, the Fearless Leadership of Ephemeral could be described

as a bell curve. The insanity that plagued him actually propelled the nation

into a powerful economic force. However later down, the greedy mandatory

consumerist stance and extreme taxation on the lowest classes created a

huge dissonance in the country. As a result, among them, revolutionists have


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begun to spring up, among the anonymous faces. Using anonymity as their

weapon and general disdain for the Statists, acts of terrorism have been met

with note from the government in order to end tyranny, end the suffering,

and brighten everyones day with the enlightenment movement.

Now, Fascistance is at a standstill. A lukewarm war and an uneasy

ceasefire loom over the war torn, but otherwise scenic city of Tempermentia.

However the word on the street says that there might be someone among

the city, who has the gall, the cutthroat attitude, great charming charisma

and has the power to lead.

And rumor saysits a girl. And of course there are other rumors like the

Ephemeral is doing something with working a deal with the Motherfields of

Ushankaland about some rumored thermonuclear weapon. And that no one

is allowed in and out of the city because of some a major political scandal in

the next door neighbor kingdom of Majorica. And look! Now refugees are

coming over. Because surely, it made lots of sense to place the capital city

right next to the border Or was it because the train station nearby got

bombed by a terrorist attack? Who knows, most people would say, its

unsubstantiated anyway. People are mostly happy that their hardnosed

attitudes are getting them by. Cest la vie.

Enter Wilhelmina Patricida Elmenda the Third. She hates her name, so

she just prefers Emina. A quiet, reserved girl of 20, she was busy pondering

her life, 20 minutes away from the last station before entering Fascistance.


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As a child she was raised in a small town in Majorica where she was

often kicked about by her fellow compatriots, because she simply stood out.

Familial ties were of utmost importance and often the thing to gossip about

in the countryside culture of Majorica. Therefore when she didnt look like her

parents, the integrity attacks and thumbed noses got worse and it caused

havoc for her homely parents.

The parents knew it was time to tell her of her origins. There her

parents pointed, with a frail finger towards the border, and past it, the city of

Tempermentia. We found you crying in a train station, wrapped in

newspapers, freshly delivered. You were a poor child. We looked for anyone

around that would know, but they shunned us, thinking we were giving up

our child! Ohhh, how foolish they thought we wereOh we were Eminas

elderly parents nodded heads together, looked at each other and trailed into

senility. HereThe newspaper we found you init still has the dateIts

your birthday!

Crudely written, the paper described a certain medical teams death on

the front headlines, which, as the newspaper quoted, was unfortunate

because they could not find anything wrong with the King. In small bolded

subtitles, it said So the king is 100% sane, Long Live King Ephemeral!

Less than a week later, Emina is now on a train. Arriving in

Tempermentia Grand Central Portal echoes the voice in the PA system.

Thoughts race through her head; where do I even start, she thinks as she


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gets up. She follows the traffic, quickly exits and is greeted with the grandest

display of luxury and mass consumerism. Wide eye, someone bumps into her

and she is led to a newspaper vending machine. The machine is broken, but

incredibly, there is one paper left. She reads, and notices the similarities in

the print and format. The Fascistance Substantia: The world of tomorrow,

today, where it applies

She reads the headlining news, and quickly makes her opinion about it.

Then all the sudden an explosion, no more than 50 feet away rips through

the very tunnel she was standing in. Mutilated bodies are everywhere, but

she couldnt see them because of the thick smoke and the three inch

shrapnel lodged firmly her forehead.

This is where her real story starts. With the few belongings she had,

namely her newspaper, a little money, a small bump on the forehead, and an

increasingly warped thinking process, she makes her way to find her parents,

find her home, and find her sanity.

START OF THE GAME

Emina is essentially is suffering from severe disinhibition syndrome,

accelerated by the shrapnel to the forehead, and surviving it leaving a scar

near her temporal lobe. Though her intentions are pure like reclaiming her

true past, this syndrome essentially takes away her ability to moralize slowly,

day by day, which ironically, and conveniently for the game will happen in

three years where the end game starts. She discovers herself in the care of


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either the Terrorist revolutionist that bombed Grand Central Portal feeling

sorry for her, or a low ranking bourgeois Statist official. She knows not how

she got there, and will slowly reclaim her memory at first. She starts off

struggling with small fits of extreme violence and other sadistic feelings

imagined in her head, coupled with a faint someone who speaks very

knowledgeably to her about the people that she encounters. Flashbacks to

old times hint to her that she was born in the wake of a terrible accident.

She at first does not know that, and questions her disinhibition, but

she slowly looses herself to her ever intensifying need to manipulate and get

the best of people in order to reach what she wants. She learns she is hyper

sensitive to social cues due to the someone in her head, and can find her

way through many conversations if she says the right things and influences

her way in.

By the word on the street, she will run into NPCs that know rumors

concerning her and follow different leads, She will discover a very long

contrived history that points to her as the heir to the throne as she scours

the annals of the Statists and Revolutionists and gain access in their ranks.

Of course the history will be biased depending on where shes reading the

history, but at long last, her constant need to feed her ever worsening

mental condition, her need for her true origins will slowly, but surely piece

together all the parts of her story from bodies of influential figures she

collects.


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The someone who lets her know of peoples intentions, and functions

as her hyper sensitive social cue, turns out to be Iavelli, an alternate ego she

made in a way to deal with her stress. Iavelli helps her in her encounters with

other people, and helps make choices that advance the game, and get her to

what she wants.

She will discover in the end that she too is sick and suffering from the

rare genetic disease Herr Haus and his poor team had discovered so long

ago. In the end game, whether it is by the three years of time, or the shifting

tides are complete, she faces the dethroning of her father, either through

glorious revolution, or betrayal of the highest orders of the state. The fate is

decided from there. To kill her Father, banish him, to find a cure, to destroy

both him and her, and depending on what the Emina finds through the game,

some of these options may not be available

GAME PROGRESSION

Story Collection

The nature of the game is free form in its way that story is collected in forms

of rumors, collected information and piecing a general area understanding of

the whole picture. When Emina does find different important pieces that may

question her judgment and her alliances, she may be forced to seek

information from the other camp. However important turning points in the

story will propel the game forward.


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Major Quests:

The Major Quests can be followed only in order. While Major Quests are

required to progress major elements in the story, doing side quests by taking

out different smaller influential figures will help greatly in the major quests.

After getting off the train, and questioning the players opinion with the

happenings within the city, the game decided who the Emina will meet first,

and hence her first encounters with the factions in the city.

MQ00: BIRTHDAY LYES:

Caustic by Nature

This is the immediate quest Emina goes on as she discovers her

injuries. She is kept inside the bureaucracy or the underground barracks

depending on the side she begins with. This will serve as a tutorial for the

way Emina will interact with the 10 to 15 NPCs. She will begin with an NPC

friend that will immediately trust her, yet everyone is neutral. While she

gets better, she interacts with the NPCs about an upcoming birthday for

their superior. Their superior happens to be very strict, and happens to drive

them very far. The superior, upon seeing Emina immediately dislikes her

greatly. He does not like it that someone was taken in their place that could

compromise their position. The NPCs all have differing opinions on what to

get, and how to throw the party. The quest will end with a full out birthday

party and making the best present or where Emina can also use drain


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cleaner to poison the superior. This is in effect the way that allows Emina to

choose her side. If she wants to stay with the side given by the opinion poll

with the newspaper she reads in the beginning of the game, she celebrates

with everyone the superiors birthday. If not, the superior dies, suspicion

arises, and Emina must get out of there and into the city of Tempermentia.

MQ 01: NATIONAL SECURITAS VERITAS:

Aqua Regia for the Masses

After the Tempermentia Grand Portal Bombing, in and out privileges

are temporarily halted in the city and across the border. Here Emina has the

chance to kill/guard one of the magistrates in charge with handing out

registry information to everyone in a certain region in the city. This event will

be initiated a few days after exploration of the city, when Emina inquires

upon the happenings of a large crowd, and hearing it from the Word on the

street. She can either be assigned to kill or guard this magistrate, or be

hired as extra help off the streets, or find herself in the crowd, noticing an

NPC looking angrily at the magistrate. Killing or successfully guarding this

magistrate over the next three days will grand Emina access to some old

newspaper archives, or give her a chance to break in the archives. She will

find a digital copy of the newspaper 20 years ago around her birth. Shell

confirm the news she discovered before and find the fate of those doctors.

Shell also find that a journalist went missing that day, but it wasnt that

much importance because it happened to be the same ones that interviewed


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fascistance: a revolutionary game

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