the gunslinger research

7/29/2019 The Gunslinger Research

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T he Gunslinger Stephen King's

By Jake Carpenter

Research and Notes

jake-carpenter.blogspot.co.uk



Summary jake-carpenter.blogspot.co.uk

The Gunslinger is a part of a series labelled as The Dark Tower .

Set in a world that is reminiscent of the old west, it is set in a parallel universe. “Where the worldhas moved on”, that oers reference to inventions and tales in our world.

The world contains demons, and magic. Such magic as necromancy, and the ability to warp toparallel universes.

Roland Deschain is a Gunslinger, who are the peacekeepers and diplomats of the land, and is on a quest to catch 'The Man In Black' which is but one step in his ultimate journey to The Dark

Tower.

Roland is guided by his Ka-Tet, that is similar to that of Karma, which brings him to The Dark Tower. Ultimately, Ka-Tet is his chance for redemption.

Upon reaching The Dark Tower, Roland's journey is reset where everything else is left in tact but he himself will change in personality in accordance to his actions in the previous journey.




Protagonist Roland Deschain of Gilead.

He is an Anti-Hero, lacking the heroic qualities. He is detached, seemingly uncaring, but possessesa strong sense of heroism when attempting to help those in need. Impatient. He rarely jokes, and isirritated when others do.

He cares for his companions and his Ka-Tet, but will choose The Dark Tower when presented with the choice of progressing that much quicker to The Dark Tower or saving his friends.

He is scarred by the death of all of his childhood friends.

He is a very skilled marksman, and capable of reloading both of his revolvers with incredible speedusing a “nger trick”.

Upon every “restart” of Roland's journey, whereby he also loses his memories, his cold and ruthlessnature is lessened to a point where he begins to value the true worth of family and love.




Protagonist Roland possesses a great deal of knowledge, and speak in ve dierent languages that include

High Speech and Low Speech. He knows much of Ka-Tet, the nature of the world.

He is capable of hunting, and able to craft clothes from the skins of animals.

Roland is 40 years of age.

He has black hair, a rough appearance, and he has light blue eyes.

He is roughly 6'3” tall.

Strong and disciplined, Roland is capable of working through injuries and illnesses that wouldhave killed another person.

Owns two revolvers that are made from the blue metal of Excalibur, described as “long and heavy” with sandalwood grips.




Antagonist Randall Flagg, also known as “The Man In Black”.

He is sometimes featured as the main antagonist in The Dark Tower series, though does have a few brief cameos.

Flagg is described as "an accomplished sorcerer and a devoted servant of the Outer Dark” withgeneral supernatural abilities involving necromancy, prophecy, and unnatural inuence over predatory animal and human behaviour.

His goals are mostly focused on bringing down civilisations, spreading destruction and conict.He aspires to reach The Dark Tower, thwarting Roland in the process, so that he may become a god.

Stephen King: Flagg is “somebody who’s very charismatic, laughs a lot, is tremendously attractiveto men and women both, and is somebody who just appeals to the worst in all of us.”




Antagonist Randall is said to be the pure embodiment of evil.

Stephen King stated: That it does not matter who sees Flagg, or how they see him, his message isalways the same - "I know all the things that you want and I can give them to you and all you haveto do is give me your soul."

King initially came up with Flagg's concept rather instantaneously, as; A man in cowboy boots,denim jeans, and jacket.

He is on the “outside looking in.”

Artist Mike Perkins commented: “Flagg needed to be designed less as a man—more as a force of nature. His hair will obscure his features, his face will be almost always in heavy shadow. This is thecreature lurking under your bed, in your wardrobe, in your nightmares. Slightly familiar but wholly

terrifying.”




The GameGenre model: Action, Adventure, 3rd person, Free Roam

Aimed at a mature audience: 15+

“Hardcore, cool gamer” based on demographics, the hardcore audience can play for long periodsand the save system must not destroy the challenge presented in the gameplay.

Primary concern is the challenge, that provides a satisfying level of diculty.

Such challenge would be presented in the form of enemies and bosses.Progress would be measured by discovery, and new gear/equipment for the player.

The depth would be presented by multiple decisions that can be made in the journey.

Enemies would include; 'Converted Townsfolk', Demons, “The Man In Black” and the Crimson

King




ConsiderationFor the development, there should be consideration for the following;

AI – The intelligence of the computer controlled models, that include their behaviour patterns.Language – What is appropriate and allowed.Physics – Whilst retaining elements of reality, consider the alterations have been made to cater for

the fantasy. Weapons – What variations of weapons should be used, considering the otherworldly inuences.Graphics – The art design that best illustrates this medium, and can “stand out” from other

products.Game Logic – The limitations of the world, that redenes the new “reality”.Sound – The sound eects for weapons, etc... as well as the sound track for the opening and menu,

etc...Interface/HUD – The display that overlays above the gameplay, to notify the player.

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