I decided to develop my own game proposition, trying to take advantage of our better Writing skill.
Game Proposition: Fermi's Enigma
Genre: Horror-Adventure Game
Premise: Our protagonist, [INSERT PROTAGONIST NAME HERE], had been hired as an engineer on 'Fermi 13', a Stanford Torus habitat that had been under construction in orbit of Sirius. Waking up from cryosleep already on the half-completed habitat without memory of ever arriving, they had found it seemingly abandoned, lacking both power and people. As they explores the station and repairs, they soon discover that they are not as alone as they thought, and crystalline monsters attack him, forcing him to fight for their life.
Cast:
"Protagonist": A spacesuit-wearing engineer who wanders around the habitat trying to survive the horrors within. Is suffering from a limited form of amnesia.
Amy Shields: An atmospheric engineering specialist found behind several locked doors early in the game. The player finds her crystallized corpse if they take too long to reach her location.
Seargent Richard Malham: A space navy veteran serving as security for the station, who shows the use of weapons against the monsters. Gets overwhelmed unless you give him some of the better weapons to be found.
Doctor Formor: A half-mad scientist who has been trying to study the creatures now infesting the station. The player will need to report to him whenever they see a new enemy and explore the more dangerous parts of the habitat to gradually break him out of his madness.
Crystalloids: The various monsters that are hunting the protagonist and other survivors in the habitat. They take various forms, from humanoid and quadrupedal, to even bizarre mobile trees. While they are capable of taking damage, they cannot be killed.
Gameplay: The protagonist moves around the partially constructed structure, collecting items to solve puzzles as well as discovering the codes for locked rooms. On occasion, the monster will appear to attack the protagonist, forcing the player to go to various hiding spots or fight back with rare weapons, which will drive off, but never kill, the monsters within.
Not all puzzles make progress in the game, instead unlocking optional hiding spots and progressing side stories with other survivors found throughout the map. Ultimately, players will be gathering supplies to repair a ship to escape.
Story Twists: The crystalline monsters that had been attacking you and the various other surviving crew were formally human. The player can get a preview of this fact when they run out of health, after which their character rapidly gets covered in the same crystal, turning them into another monster.
These crystalline monsters were accidentally created when, in the middle of gathering materials from nearby asteroids, the protagonist stumbled upon an alien artifact, shattered time, causing him to fall unconscious and be picked up and put in a cryopod to recover. During that time, the other engineer which saved him transformed into the first Crystalloid.
The activated artifact creates the Crystalloids, but has also created a time loop back to the point where they fell unconscious.
Endings: Each ending is dependent on who managed to be rescued.
Bad Ending: Rescue no one. The main character, after fleeing on the repaired ship, stumbles upon the asteroid that the main character originally found. Lacking his memories, he accidentally activates the artifact again, waking up in the Cryopod once again.
Ending F: Rescue only Sergeant Richard. Escaping on the repaired ship, the protagonist and Sergeant Richard find the alien artifact on the asteroid. Without knowing its nature, Sergeant Richard activates the artifact, causing the protagonist to wake up in the Cryopod again.
Ending E: Rescue only Amy. Gradually regaining their memory with Amy's help, the main character realizes the key to stopping the monsters is on the asteroid. Once found, he activates the artifact, waking without his memories in the Cryopod.
Ending D: Rescue only Doctor Formor. Once escaping and landing on the asteroid, Doctor Formor realizes the connection between the artifact and the crystalline monsters. Hoping that messing with the artifact will stop the Crystalloids, the artifact is activated. The protagonist reawakens within the Cryopod.
Ending C: Rescue only Doctor Formor and Amy. After regaining memories of what happened, the protagonist and the survivors head to the asteroid to find the artifact. Realizing that activating the Artifact initially caused the outbreak, you all leave for Earth, hoping that the Crystalloids will be contained to Fermi 13. The last shot shows a small quadrupedal Crystalloid attached to the bottom of the ship.
Ending B: Rescue only Sergeant Richard and Doctor Formor. Once the escape ship happens upon the asteroid with the alien artifact, Doctor Formor realizes its connection with the Crystalloids. Taking initiative, Sergeant Richard uses explosives meant for mining on the artifact, destroying it. With it destroyed, the Crystalloids remain a threat contained to Femi 13, unable to convert others without the artifact's presence. The protagonist returns to Earth, lamenting they never got their memory back.
Ending A: Rescue only Sergeant Richard and Amy. With his memories of what happened returned, the protagonist reports what happens to the others. Deciding that destroying the artifact might fix the issue, he and Sergeant Richard use explosives meant for mining to annihilate it. Confidant that the Crystalloids are contained to Fermi 13, Amy laments the habitat's loss as everyone returns to Earth.
Golden Ending: Rescue everyone. With the protagonist's memory returned, they arrive at the artifact and realize its significance to the Crystalloid outbreak. Doctor Formor realizes that the artifact caused the outbreak, and, with the assistance of Sergeant Richard, attempts to destroy the artifact. Finally realizing the artifact was sending him through time, the protagonist activates the artifact at the same time the destruction takes place, allowing him to possess himself before he ever activated the artifact. He then destroys it, stopping the Crystalloid threat and saving Fermi 13 from destruction in the first place. The last shot is of the completed habitat, with many spaceships surrounding it, and a proper "The End" shown.
I... think I need to reread this quest again. Like seriously, is it just me or does the "5 Mountain" segments like a Thriller?
But yeah, while the standard should be 6 months. Silver mentioned something of it before. And considering his personality, I'm seriously worried he'll make Sam rush it.
Edit: So, I've reread it. And what I've noticed is that Silver seems keen on porting the game to the Arcade. It might be the hint itself, but it might also be not. But I might do a reread, because that bonus for the dice for Paris is impressive.
My Votes:
[X] Guess how long your development time will last. [+10 to the next Convince and Arguing roll against Paris if you guess correctly]
-[] 6 Months to a Year
So, I've reread it. And what I've noticed is that Silver seems keen on porting the game to the Arcade. It might be the hint itself, but it might also be not.
[X] Guess how long your development time will last. [+10 to the next Convince and Arguing roll against Paris if you guess correctly]
-[X] 6 Months
[X] Mythic Sword: Tale of the Storm Dragon
"6 months."
You boldly declare that, watching all eyes that stare. Yet all that comes is a stillness as nervous sweat trails down your neck.
"And how did you guess that?" Annabelle leans a hand against her face as she taps against it, genuinely curious.
"S-" You take a breath. "Mr. Silver... Mentioned something earlier. Something that has been kept in the back of my mind ever since."
"We change the setting." Silver smirks.
Annabelle's eyes grow wide at that "Hah!?"
"Oh please. As if any child is going to entertain the idea of this when they could just go outside themselves, you know what season we'll be releasing it in." Huh? "Literally anything else would suffice, would it not? Though I suppose we could keep the snow theme itself intact."
"About how Snowed in Tactics will release in a season, and about the snow. Are you all... Releasing these games for the Christmas Season?"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
You turn to face the origins of whoever's hands are clapping, meeting the gaze of Paris. "Bravo Mr. Samson. Bravo!" His clapping intensifies. "It's truly a marvel to have someone who actually listens to our conversations!" For someone who has been on the rather subdued side of reactions the fact that he's conducting himself so strongly right now makes you take a step back. "As you can imagine, there has been, and will be, quite a many new employees who are unable to keep up with how all five of us... Act. In truth, this is the second part of your interview for the company!" What? "And you passed with flying colours! The real meaning of this test wasn't actually come up with game ideas, though that has been a fantastic bonus, but rather your ability to keep up with the pace that Blierra sets. Had you squirmed under the pressure or had not challenged any of our views on these ideas of yours this would've been your stopping point Mr. Samson."
Stunned. That's what you are right now.
This has all been... One big test?
Silver sighs, palming their face. "Out with it already, which game are you picking?"
O-oh right. "Mythic Sword." You say simply.
"Then be sure to change the name brat."
Prologue: Ready to Be Replaced Complete!
Secret Objective: Survive the Second Test Succeeded!
Samson "Sam" Smith goes on to truly become part of the company, no longer being under threat of being fired!
You have survived with your first character! Had you failed you would've made another character to take the test all over again.
For better and for worse, Samson "Sam" Smith is now shackled to Blierra.
+10 to the next Convince roll against Paris.
+10 to the next Arguing roll against Paris. This adds to the previous +5 making for a total of +15.
You have proceeded to go along with Mythic Sword: Tale of the Storm Dragon!
Paris' clapping does not slow down, but rather intensifies even further. Annabelle palms both her cheeks as she gives a warm smile. Silver grunts as he rolls his eyes. Davis looks away, not meeting your gaze. Bartholomew gives a proud stare as you meet each others eyes.
And then, finally, the clapping stops. "Welcome to Blierra, Samson Smith. This night we'll be holding a company party for all the new employees, be there or you're fired." Paris ends his welcoming with a joke, as you are sent away for the next person to come in...
"Oh by the way, the exact deadline is November to complete the game. It takes time to ship it to various markets around the country after all."
Huh?
Act 1: Welcome to Blierra Commences!
—
You stay on guard, ready for a super secret third test knowing how the Five Mountains are like now. God, what a day.
Yet it still hasn't ended yet. Having headed home and convinced your father to be able to take one of his more fancy suits before coming back here. The sounds of celebration and drinking all around you as many new faces come to light.
An amused chuckle comes out of you, it was probably Davis who set up all this alcohol to be here. Like holy crap.
Well, if Blierra has these on display... You're taking advantage of it! HahaHAHA!
You go and grab one-
Someone grabs your hand.
"Did you really think you could get away with that you underaged idiot?" That's Silver's voice! Shiiiit. He palms his face as he utters a deep sigh from within. "You're damn lucky for showcasing all those ideas. Just get going."
"R-right, Sir!" You scramble away, having lost your chance. Aw man.
Now, to see all those new faces...
Pick three to talk with for this Early Phase of the Welcoming Party.
Personalities of all eight new employees are randomly rolled...
[ ] A woman is engaged in a conversation with Bartholomew, even from here you can see the respect they have for each other.
[ ] A man's man struts around, trying to talk to all the ladies at the party. Jesus though, what is that odor on him!?
[ ] A man exaggeratedly shouts to a group of listeners, pointing at a note board with papers upon papers tacked onto it.
[ ] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
[ ] A dude sits across Annabelle, excitedly speaking to her as to what opportunities are in store for the company.
[ ] A guy your age, the only other person like you who has a beanie on their head is currently being extremely picky between which food to take.
[ ] A girl with a smug smile skips around the room. Is... Is that girl even old enough to be here?
[ ] A guy hangs his head low as he looks on at the party from a corner of the room, sulking to himself.
Wait... Did nobody else here actually bring anything fancy to wear!?
-[X] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
-[X] A guy hangs his head low as he looks on at the party from a corner of the room, sulking to himself.
-[X] A guy your age, the only other person like you who has a beanie on their head is currently being extremely picky between which food to take.
[X] A guy hangs his head low as he looks on at the party from a corner of the room, sulking to himself.
THE FUCKING CHADEST OF CHADS HIMSELF!
[X] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
[X] A woman is engaged in a conversation with Bartholomew, even from here you can see the respect they have for each other.
[X] A man exaggeratedly shouts to a group of listeners, pointing at a note board with papers upon papers tacked onto it.
[X] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
[X] A girl with a smug smile skips around the room. Is... Is that girl even old enough to be here?
[X] A man exaggeratedly shouts to a group of listeners, pointing at a note board with papers upon papers tacked onto it.
[X] A dude sits across Annabelle, excitedly speaking to her as to what opportunities are in store for the company.
[X] A guy your age, the only other person like you who has a beanie on their head is currently being extremely picky between which food to take.
[X] A man exaggeratedly shouts to a group of listeners, pointing at a note board with papers upon papers tacked onto it.
[X] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
[X] A girl with a smug smile skips around the room. Is... Is that girl even old enough to be here?
-[X] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
-[X] A guy hangs his head low as he looks on at the party from a corner of the room, sulking to himself.
-[X] A guy your age, the only other person like you who has a beanie on their head is currently being extremely picky between which food to take.
Wow, this update is amazing! So the thriller section from before is actually intentional. Being a test of all things, and succeeding at it...
Now that I think about it. I don't think the Snowed In Tactics quote was actually considered as the hint. But the 6 months was rather picked due to it being the usual development time of an NES game. Still, I'm glad Samson passed the test!
My Votes:
[X] A man exaggeratedly shouts to a group of listeners, pointing at a note board with papers upon papers tacked onto it.
[X] A well-read woman watches the party, and much the same as you is trying to pick out which person to talk to.
[X] A woman is engaged in a conversation with Bartholomew, even from here you can see the respect they have for each other.
[X] A dude sits across Annabelle, excitedly speaking to her as to what opportunities are in store for the company.
"Correct. A sequel, or perhaps even multiple. I likely do see a sequel going down the path of the Swordsman, but there's always a possibility of seeing down the path of the Witch..."
Or maybe even a third ending where both Swordsman and witch fights the dragon, it's somthing to think about for the remastered verson after who knows how many years of internet speculation.
