Game Design Revisions

7/30/2019 Game Design Revisions

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Inconvenient TruthsTimothy Shaw

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1Design History ............................................................................................................................................................ 1Vision Statement ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

Logline............................................................................................................................................................................... 2Synopsis ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Game Description ................................................................................................................................................ 2-4

Formal Elements ......................................................................................................... 4Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................ 4-5

Gameplay Description...................................................................................................................................... 5-10Tutorial ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5Character Selection ................................................................................................................................................. 5-7Conflict/Argument ...................................................................................................................................................... 7Challenge/Procedures ........................................................................................................................................... 7-8Outcomes................................................................................................................................................................... 8-10

Dramatic Elements ............................................................................................... 10-11Game World ...................................................................................................................................................... 10-11Characters ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

PCs ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 11NPCs ................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Story ............................................................................................................................................................................ 11Reflection ................................................................................................................. 12Dissoi Logoi .............................................................................................................................................................. 12Composition ............................................................................................................................................................. 12

Introduction

Design History

This game started out as an idea in my head and has progressed into a game that I

will submit as my third project in my advanced writing class. This game will also befeatured on my word press website as part of my final portfolio. I am basing the

argument of this game on the condition of the relationship between the generations

of the past and present. This will be a choice based game that affects the outcome in

the ending. The layout is not modeled after any game in particular but does contain

similarities with unmanned in the choice factors. It also resembles Mass Effect in

how each choice will bring about a different outcome in the ending.


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Vision Statement

Logline

Inconvenient Truths is a decision based game that explores the rift between the

generations by showing that all of the arguing is pointless and much more urgent

things that need to be addressed.

Synopsis

This game is essentially a choice based game. There will be different levels in this

game and to earn points you must try to successfully argue your points whether

they are positive, negative, or neutral. When each argument is argued the player will

receive points. Blue points are positive red points are negative. There are also green

points which means you are in full agreement with the way the other side does

things. This feature was mainly put in because people on either side may agree with

what the other side is saying wholeheartedly and instead of an equal compromise

with blue points or a full on rejection this option accepts what the other side is

saying and puts that into effect . This can be a good thing or a bad thing dependingon the other decisions you make. The more blue points that are earned means the

better the world is around you. On the flip side if there are more red points the

world will be in very bad shape. Of course, if there is an abundance of green points

then you absolutely agree with everything that has been proposed by the other side

and that may not win you many brownie points with your peers who may see it

differently than that. The goal of this game is to demonstrate how pointless these

arguments are between the generations because they do nothing to make the world

better when they are argued from a negative point of view the majority of the time.

This game is marketed for everyone over the age of 12 because these arguments

apply to the aforementioned parties. This game could be considered an interactive

fiction game.

Game Description

This game has 12 levels that are all arguments that can be made. As a member of

any of the generations you must choose an argument to make, positive, negative, or

wholehearted agreement, and earn points based on your decisions. As the levels

increase so will the difficulty of the situations and if players are not careful their

emotions will also become involved.

The objective in this game is to make peace with the other side for the sake of the

world around you. Decisions must be made about each argument you are presented

with and whether you agree or disagree. Eventually this will come down to theplayers willingness to compromise or subject the world to turmoil. Every good

decision has a reward, but every bad decision has a consequence. An example of a

good decision could be when you earn a blue point in a debate the world improves

just a little bit.

This game takes place in an auditorium of some kind. There will be a stage and on

that stage two podiums will be available to the opposing sides of the debate. As with


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any other debate there will be an audience present and they cheer and clap for their

respective candidates. Each game process will resemble the presidential debates in

a way, but the entire world is at stake in this game.

Something of the nature of this picture will serve as a debate setting for

Inconvenient Truths.

A game that this one will resemble in its choice based factors is Mass Effect. In this

game you must choose between three dialogue options and with each choice youmake the future is shaped in a particular way. This is the way Inconvenient Truths

will play out. Below is an example of the way Mass Effect uses its choice simulator.

The story of this game is simple. You are either an elder or a youth who feels that

the way you do things and see things is the right way and you will not compromise

on any issue out of pure dislike for the other side. As an elder you may point out the

drug issue, teenage pregnancy, laziness etc. On the other hand as a youthful

member of society you may question how the elders failed to provide us with a good

planet to live on, questionable laws that may have been passed, or their overbearing


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attitudes that you feel may be unnecessary. Of course on the flip side you may agree

with the critique or offer on the table without question or concern and thats where

the difference between green and blue points comes in. Blue points recognize a

problem and agree to work towards a common gain, but green points agree to what

is being proposed.

Artistically this game is simple with the features much like the hit PC game The

Sims Players should expect to see similar graphics and they should also expect to

be able to customize any character they pick to their specific liking. The game will be

artistically simple because its mostly just a choice based game and does not need

the latest technologically advanced graphics to prove the point its trying to make.

Here is an example of the graphics found in the game The Sims.

These are definitely the graphics that Inconvenient Truths will have.

Formal Elements

Objectives

Objectives:

1. Navigate your way through each particular argument successfully


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2. Avoid gaining too many red points because these will hurt the world aroundyou

3. Also try to balance out how many green versus blue points you achievebecause these can drastically change your outcomes

4. Try to gain your desired outcomes, but do not let the world suffer because ofit.

Outcomes:

1. Completing each level will give the player a blue, red, or green point2. Successfully completing each level results in the player seeing the aftermath

of his decisions

3. A greater ratio of blue points means the world around you is in greatcondition

4. A greater ratio of red points means you were uncompromising and the worldaround you has suffered because of it

5. A greater ratio of green points means that the world has remained relativelythe same which may or may not be a good thing. It also means that you

succumbed to whatever the other side put forth and while that may be agood thing for you, for others it may be horrible.

Gameplay Description

Tutorial

There will be no tutorial in this game because I feel the controls will be relatively

simple. Also players should be able to figure out which decisions they want to make

without a tutorial showing them how to do it. I also feel that a tutorial for this

specific game would not accomplish anything other than making it unnecessarilylonger.

Character Selection

There are only two characters you can pick in this game. One elder character and

one youthful character are always going to be a part of the character selection. From

there, in order to provide each player with an authentic experience within the game,

they will be able to create a player within their desired age group.

Choices include

1. Name:2. Generation:

a.

Old Timersb. Youth3. Gender:

a. Maleb. Female

4. Skin Colora. Lightb. Medium


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c. Dark5. Hair Color

a. Blackb. Greyc. Brownd. Blondee. Brunettef. Redg. Orangeh. Dirty Blondei. White

6. Hair Stylea. Short wavyb. Caesarc. Long curlyd. Short curlye. Strait shortf. Long Strait

7. Eyesa. Roundb. Ovalc. Angulard. Squinted

8. Eye Colora. Dark Brownb. Brownc. Hazeld. Bluee. Greenf. Grayg. Red

9. Nosea. Smallb. Mediumc. Larged. Small Pointye. Medium Pointyf. Large Pointyg. Small roundh. Medium Roundi. Large Round

10.Moutha. Small Lipsb. Medium Lipsc. Large Lipsd. Any Lipstick color for females


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e. Any Lip color for malesf. Round Lipsg. Angular Lips

In essence this character customization is much like that of The Sims, but maybe

on a simpler scale mechanics wise. Something like the picture below comes to mindwhen a player will be able to create their own character.

Conflict/Argument

The main conflict in this game is an internal one. The player does not play against

another player rather he is competing with his morals and ethics. His decisions may

become more emotional than logical the further the player advances inside the

game. Also there is a time constraint on each decision that has to be made so now

the player has to make the best possible choice within the given time constraints.

This adds extra pressure to those players having a difficult time with making a veryhard decision. There is also the decision between choosing your argument and

earning a specific color point. Avoiding as many red as possible may seem rather

difficult because those arguments may be what the player actually believes and it

may force someone to against what they believe in for the sake of the world around

them. The green points will be the tricky ones because while they create the world

that is best for you, it may not be the best situation for others. This game also argues

with the moral of someone enacting policies for the good of others instead of


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themselves. Since blue points only agree to work out an equal deal of some sort,

players may feel that green points will be the way to go.

Challenge/Procedures

Challenge:

The main challenge I foresee players having with this game is coming to anagreement with the other side. In other words compromise must happen in order to

make a better life for both parties involved. A good way players can make this fun is

choose a different age group from their own and debate from that viewpoint.

Procedures:

1. The title of the game will appear and the first page will prompt you to selectthe play button and begin the game.

2. There will be a brief excerpt in the beginning explaining how the game willoperate.

a. This excerpt first explains the purpose of Inconvenient Truthsb. The second thing this excerpt does is tell the players how to play which is

simply done by clicking your mouse button.3. As a player you are presented with a generation selection screen. Here youwill choose which side you are on.

4. After you have selected a side you will be prompted to customize yourcharacter which provides a personal touch to the game.

a. There are many options to choose from so your creative can go very farhere.

b. Also, like many debates, your target audience will be on your side of thestage out in the audience.

5. Once your player is customized to your liking another screen will appearasking if you are ready to begin

6. When you select begin the first issue will be presented to you and you haveone minute to make your decisiona. There are a variety of issues and answers that appeal to each side of the

debate.

7. Each issue has three decisions that can be made that correspond withdifferent colors. Blue for positive, red for negative, green for neutral.

8. After all of the decisions are made the player is shown the world his debatehas created.

Outcomes

There are multiple outcomes to this game. This is not a winning/losing type game

but more of a reflection. Once you look at the world you have created then you willreflect on the decisions you made. Each decision has a consequence or a benefit

depending on how you view the world. Let me show you an example of how one

particular argument can play out.

1. What to do about the legalization of Marijuana? Be mindful of all this issueentails.


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a. Blue Argument- We should legalize Marijuana. Too many people go to jailover it and the government can tax it and make a significant amount of

money.

b. Red Argument- No. We will not legalize Marijuana. It is dangerous andencourages youth to smoke instead of doing schoolwork, working a job,

etc. It is just unethical. As a matter of fact we should make the laws morestrict when it comes to marijuana.

c. Green Argument- Lets just say you are a youth and the elders are tryingto get rid of marijuana completely because we feel it is not healthy for our

population and it corrupts the mind. As a matter of factlets outlaw it all

together. As a youth if you choose this argument you agree to outlaw the

drug and in doing so you may lose popularity with your peers.

As you can see each argument presents a different idea. The thing that should

frustrate people the most here is where each side of the argument falls. For example,

people who are against Marijuana legalization may feel that this should be a positive

side of the argument. They must compromise if they want the world to benefit morethan themselves. At the end of the game when reviewing this decision if you chose

the blue argument then Marijuana is now legalized and being taxed by the

government. With this new tax the government is making serious money and the

crime rate dealing with Marijuana is almost nonexistent. Your ending picture of the

world from that standpoint should look like this


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This is a pre-rolled Marijuana pack and in your world they are fairly common. It

makes the government an abundance of money. If you picked the red argument your

result at the end will look something like this.

As you can see this is a prison cell and thats where the majority of Marijuana users

will reside if you do not choose to legalize it. Of course in this instance the green

argument will look similar to the red argument mainly because agreeing to outlaw it

will not stop people from using so prison is where the majority of them will reside

over time. There is no need for a picture there.

Dramatic Elements

Game World

My Game World is basically a one room debate much like the presidential debates.

You have a stage that is spotlighted with two podiums set in the middle of it. In the

background is the audience of each respective candidate and they cheer for their

candidate and boo the other one. Each candidate will be a creation from the player

depending on the side he chose. For example if he chose to be the youthful candidate

then that is the one that will be customized.The world outside after the game is over will vary because of the abundant

decisions that have to be made. The setting will be a modern day world, but there

will be twists to it depending on what was chosen and what was ignored. This world

represents the real life debates that go on between presidential candidates,

senators, etc. Since this world is set in the modern day the artistic style will be

modern and upscale. To show you an image of this world I will use one of my

previous images.


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This is how the debate room will be set up, however the background will show the

audience instead of the outside world.

Characters

PCs

The PC will be a created character from the player. The player, upon beginning the

game, has a ton of options to choose from to customize his character. All movement

by the characters is predetermined. The only thing the player does is click on the

choice that he wants to make. The characters controlled by the players will not have

voices.

NPCs

There are only a few noticeable NPCs in this game. They are all essentially generic

depending on which candidate they are supporting. The younger audience membersdress more hip while the older ones have on mostly suits and ties. These people

cheer for their candidate and boo the opposing one. They also clap after their

prospective candidate makes a choice.

Story

The story behind this game can be seen as simple yet complex at the same time. It

follows a person from a select generation and uses his or hers opinions to navigate

through a very intricate debate. The future of the world is at stake here and

compromise may be the only way to improve it. This is the complex part because

compromise is not always simple, especially when it is something you believe very

strongly about. As the game goes on more and more issues are presented to theplayer and they must continue to make the difficult decision. In the end when

everything is laid out before them the players will reflect on their previous decisions

and begin to wonder if what they did was right. Hopefully this explains to people

how pointless some arguments can be. If both sides are willing to compromise then

good things should happen. If not then the opposite will happen and the players will

have nobody to blame but themselves.


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Reflection

Dissoi Logoi

If someone were to look at my game from a different point of view then my game

may give them the opposite effect of what was intended. By looking back over my

game I can certainly see someone viewing the arguing as necessary because at leastit brings both parties to the table. Also I can see how those who were contempt with

agreeing wholeheartedly felt that doing so was the best possible solution. The

problem I have with these arguments is the fact they may not be the best course of

action for everyone involved, but then again if it works for you then it is the best

possible choice in regards to what you want to get done. In the first argument in

opposition to my game yes the arguing brings everyone to the table, but it does not

mean they can come to common ground. It also seems to be the way things are done

now and that way is not working. For the second argument in opposition of my

game, keeping things the same over the same period of time, to me, is the same thing

as moving backwards. My rebuttal against someone who agrees with this argument

is why not try to change things for the better when you can make a difference. If youread my game through a postmodern lens then my argument now insinuates that

there is a solution beyond arguing if that makes sense.

Composition

Game design as a composition technique had me kind of skeptical at first, but the

more a delved into it, the more interesting and enlightening it became. When you

look at game design from different points of views you see that if done properly it

can be a learning experience and help explain how effective games can actually be.

This style of composition differs from others because it is more of a blue print for

the final thing rather than being the final thing. Game design is more technical to me

than just doing a term paper. It also can express your opinion thoroughly whilegetting others to see your point of view. It does not matter that I cannot produce a

game like this because the idea is out there and my point has been made. That is all I

was really trying to do. There is a place for game design in the composition

classroom because it provides students with an ingenious way of breaking down

their arguments and constantly restating them. This is the same as writing a term

paper, but it is much more interesting.

Documents

Game Design Revisions