Dark Algorithm

Game Overview

High Concept:

Can a machine save mankind?

Overview:

Dark Algorithm is a dramatic gaming experience, featuring an epic storyline, powerful visuals, and an exciting game-play system. Taking place in the far future, in an Earth torn between demonic forces and heroic robots, the game focuses around the plight of a brave robot that is able to possess (or shift into) the bodies of others, in an effort to restore the planet to the way it once was.

Category:

Single Player Action/Adventure PS2 Game (anticipated PC release in the future)

Target Audience and Rating:

The target audience is primarily composed of males ages 14-40. While there is violence in the game, it is limited to robots and demons (humans are rarely involved), and thus a rating of T (appropriate for teen) is anticipated.

Theme:

Dark Algorithm takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, littered with the smoke and ruins of a once-great technological society. The player will have a variety of environmental experiences ranging from vast, open landscapes to cramped pathways. Dark clouds fill the sky in outdoor sequences, while the interiors are dominated by an eerie, dimly-lit atmosphere.

Example of Play:

What the player controls:

When the game begins, the player will control a standard-issue robot with limited capabilities in terms of size, speed, and weaponry. Soon, the player will begin to shift between robot bodies, allowing him to strategically use the best robot at the right time. All robots share the same general controls, although several robots also possess special powers which various button combinations will activate. While only one character will be playable at a time, the ability to shift between bodies will allow the player to be able to control a variety of different robots.

Main Focus:

The player’s primary objective is to travel across the Earth, battling demonic forces until they reach the Demon City where they must send the entity that caused all of this back to the afterlife. More information on the storyline is detailed below.

Backstory:

Deep into the future, man and machine have learned to coexist peacefully. Humanity, having achieved all of its wishes for this plane of reality, has turned its sights towards exploring and securing the afterlife. The efforts of the world’s top scientists result in a gateway between this reality and the afterlife. The scientists are stunned to learn that in the afterlife, individual souls are merged together to form a singular, omnipotent, indestructible entity. Unfortunately, an event occurs that no one could have foreseen: the entity comes through, obliterating the gateway and destroying the surrounding environment.

As the entity travels across Earth, the souls of mankind are drawn to it, leaving behind their physical bodies prematurely. Without the soul to temper it, the body quickly degenerates into feral instinct, causing humanity to transform into demonic creatures. These demons view the soulless existence as a “gift” to mankind and want to ensure that the entire human race succumbs to the entity.

As humanity falls into chaos, the machines split into two factions. One faction wants to side with the demons and call for the complete annihilation of the remainder of the human race (ensuring a machine-dominated society). The second faction, whom the player’s character is a part of, has the foresight to realize that the demonic humans will in fact destroy the robots once the task of annihilating the humans has been completed. Thus, this faction wants to resuscitate the populace to aid in returning life to the way that was once familiar.

To do this, they realize that they need to rebuild the gateway to the afterlife and send the entity back through. They must then destroy the massive demonic forces and their robot allies to finally return Earth to the way it once was.

Features:

The most compelling aspects of the game include the strong storyline, the dramatic visuals, and most importantly (in terms of gameplay) the ability to shift into different characters. Also featured is an enormous array of robots and demons, armed with many different kinds of weapons, in a futuristic environment. Combat, which takes up a large portion of gameplay is varied between long range shooting, shifting, and melee action. The health of the robot and shifting ability are measured by two separate meters which are constantly onscreen. The game also features a world map which allows the player to return to previous levels in order to boost shifting ability or find other weapons.

Time:

Game-play time could take anywhere between 20 and 40 hours depending on the player’s skill, and on how many times the player chooses to return to previous levels. Because of the ability to return to previous levels, the game should have a high product life. The individual levels themselves are fun, and even after completion, can be an entertaining way to kill time. In addition, the more a player plays a particular level, the more skilled they are likely to become, motivating them to continue playing the game. Also, secret levels/abilities exist within the game, which can lead to hours of gameplay time dedicated solely to unlocking them.

Marketing

Similar Titles:

Similar titles include Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, Metal Gear Solid

Key Sell Points:

• Complex plot that unravels as gameplay continues (including some dramatic plot twists).

• Strong visuals

• The novel idea of shifting between bodies allows for a very enjoyable user experience since the player will seldom become bored with the same character.

• Secret levels and weapons, hidden throughout the game which will result in large payoffs (either in the form of an additional plot cinematic or in new powers) if the user manages to find them.

What sets Dark Algorithm apart?

What really sets Dark Algorithm apart from other games of the action/adventure genre is the ability to shift between bodies. While there are many games with similar combat styles, they have little replay value because they offer nothing new upon repeated visits. With the ability to actually move into another robot body, the player can play the same level in many different ways, with many different characters.

Moach Rotel

A Simulation in Household Takeover

Overview

"Moach Rotel" is a fast-paced, story driven, first-person adventure game that puts you into the body of Corky, your everyday, common, household cockroach, trying to exact revenge on Chip Gritcastle, an old and dirty homeowner who murdered Corky's parents. With the help of your friends, Flapsvergen and Percy, players will go through multiple levels filled with gritty, expansive environments, hilarious dialog and challenging puzzles to overcome through teamwork and ingenuity.

Characters

Throughout the game, players will be able to choose between three different cockroaches, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. Players must carefully utilize this team of tiny adventurers to conquer the tasks that lie ahead. You will be able to switch between the three at every egg drop point and safe area in the level you currently control.

1. Corky - Florida Wood Cockroach

Corky is a common cockroach. He is the fastest of the three roaches, able to sprint for short distances, and can usually withstand one or two sprays of insecticide before keeling over.

2. Flapsvergen - German Cockroach

Flapsvergen, is a winged cockroach with the ability to hover and jump long distances.

Because of this he is quite useful when trying to cover large and dangerous territory very quickly. Unfortunately, Flapsvergen is also the weakest of the three, and will usually not survive one spray of insecticide.

3. Percy - Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Percy, the largest member of the team, packs quite a powerful punch.

Percy is outrageously slow, and moving long distances with her will prove to be a chore. Percy also possesses the ability to hiss at things, which will usually freak out the humans.

4. Chip GtitcastJe - Evil Homeowner

Chip is the Corky's arch nemesis. He possesses a number of attacks that will halt your adventure, and it is in the roach's best interest to try and avoid him at all costs. Chip can utilize the following attacks and traps:

• Insecticide: One spray from this deadly canister can prove fatal.

• Stomping: Bug go squish. Avoid human feet.

• Roach Motels and fly paper: These can slow your progress and make

you easy for Corky to spot.

• Raid Hats: Acting like a massive gravity ray, if you come too close to these Hats you will find yourself unable to get out of their grasp, pulling you to your doom.

5. The Pests - Helpers from another species

Throughout the adventure, the trio of cockroaches will come across other pests, insects and vermin of all shapes and sizes who will either help or hinder their progress.

Controls

This game will use the classic FPS control scheme.

[W][A][S][D]: Movement

Mouse: Look

Left-click: Action. (Interacting with other pests, laying eggs, pushing objects)

Right-click: Special (hiss, sprint or fly)

Level Design

For the prototype we will be creating the "tutorial" level of the game, which will be used to accustom players with the controls, styles of interaction and the general game play. The tutorial takes place in a very dirty trailer within a very dirty trailer park. The main mission of this level is to activate "Egg Drops" (Spawn Points) that are located throughout the stage. As you progress through the level, you will also find and subsequently team up with Flapsvergen and Percy.

This level will also introduce the various side missions and secret missions that are planned to be throughout the main game. This includes but is not limited to hidden egg drops, special pickups (such as sugar cubes), special item collection and hidden objects. All of these side-missions will unlock items such as a hidden 4th character, extra missions or mini-games, as well as other levels for the multiplayer option. After the tutorial, you will be taken to the main game, which begins in Corky's kitchen. From there you will progress to the dining room, living room, study, bedrooms, attic and basement you try to completely infest the house. The main mission for all of these rooms will be to activate all of the Egg Drops, however just like the tutorial, they will be jam packed with mini-games, side missions, and unlockable content.

There will also be cut scenes in between each level, both helping to show progression in story, but also to help familiarize the player with the terrain of the next level.

Graphics

"Moach Rotel" will be 3D, and in the first person viewpoint, with first person and third-person cut scenes and certain areas of game play. The overall feeling of the game will be very dark and will give the user a "dirty" feeling, similar to the grime found in such games as "Postal" and "Silent Hill 4."

Since the game will be played through the view of the cockroach, everyday objects will be massive in size, and quite threatening. We plan to have minimal HUD, possibly only showing the cockroach's health, active missions, egg inventory, and special ability meter. There will be a start menu where you can see a side view of the house showing which parts you have already taken over, and allowing you to jump back to any level you have already completed.

Sound

The main idea behind the soundtrack is to present an eerie feel for the user; imagine an old scratchy record player off in the distance, and the addition of elements from the level to the song playing such as dripping water, or a window shutter slamming shut. This will present a rhythmic yet catchy soundtrack.

Multiplayer

While there is not a multiplayer game immediately planned for the prototype, there will definitely be a large multi player aspect made when the project continues. The first type of multi player is Co-op. Two or three players will be able to replay the single player game working together as all three cockroaches to complete their missions. The second type of multiplayer is Head to Head. The final type of multiplayer is Insect vs. Human, or "Last Roach Standing".

Special Content (Unlockables)

Finding special Egg Drop places that are not part of the main objective will help unlock more maps for the multiplayer game. If you find all of the Egg Drops, you will be rewarded with a 4th cockroach, bringing some new abilities to the table. Collecting all of the breadcrumbs in a level will enhance your performance for the next level, a possible speed, strength, or flight duration increase depending on which cockroach you are using. This concept is similar to the package system in "Grand Theft Auto," or red coins in "Super Mario 64." Completing mini games that are not part of the main objective will also unlock new content, alternate endings, and secondary routes through the levels or even different interactions between your allies.