1. Resurface
Document Ruling:
Different people will write with different colours.
Alessio -
Maciej -
Marie -
Other Text Modifiers can mean other things.
Unsure detail
Incorrect
To be worked on more
1. Story.
In this section will be detailed the world in which the game will be placed: from the origins to
the actual plot that the player will follow.
The various elements will be explored only from a story point of view and will be further
explained in the other sections.
1.1. General Overview.
The story will take place in a fantastical world which rotates completely around the
four elements: Fire (py-riaki), Water ( aqua-riaki ), Earth ( pet-riaki ) and Wind (
ae-riaki ). These represent different characteristics and abilities which creatures of
different types will possess.
-The Character- is part of the Earth Tribes, and as all Earth creatures is blessed with
intelligence, but is also part crystal (or Ancient) which allows him to control other
elements as well, if taught to control his powers. Whilst learning about himself, the
world around him and the creatures that live in it, the player will embark on a journey
to the surface, leaving behind the rural world underground on the search for Ancient
remains.
2. 1.1.1. Origins.
“The universe, built on the balance of the four elements, gave them different
abilities to maintain it.” Earth was gifted with Intelligence, Fire with Power,
Water with Unity and Wind with Evasiveness, earth having the only sentient
races. The apex of earth’s intelligence was seen in the Crystal Ancients, aka
the creators of the known world. Having the power to absorb and use other
elements at their will, they used this power to create a great civilization which
they left millenia back for some unknown reason ( failed experiment which
caused the birth of voidborn ).
1.1.2. World.
The player enters an underground world built within the ruins of the Ancient’s
civilization. Mostly wild lands covered by the elemental fauna and voidborn
left by the experiment, some areas show aggregations of Earth creatures,
creating makeshift villages which act as safe havens for Petraki and the
player alike. After leaving the first village the player will keep travelling
upwards, towards the surface, where he will find out that the Ancients were
still alive and thriving in a massive Citadel Above.
1.2. Factions.
Here we will analyze in closer detail the various groups that the player will encounter
during gameplay, focusing on their reason for being and their place in the world.
1.2.1. Ancients.
They were the closest thing to a society in this world, or so the petraki think.
Being part of their legends and myths, little is really known of them apart from
the fact that someone had to build everything around them and that they
vanished suddenly thousands of years back.
3. What the petraki don't know ( and the player will find out during exploration )
is that the reason behind their departure was a failed experiment, which
ended up corrupting the whole underground area with Voidborn.
Although a failure, the experiment was supposed to be the next step in
Elemental powered technology and, once the survivors reached the surface,
they managed to succeed, planting the foundations for the citadel.
-
Among the ruins the player will be enveloped by the technological
progression of the ancients, from vehicles that he will be able to use to
malfunctioning bots that he might have to fight.
1.2.2. Stone Villages.
As stated previously Earth’s gift was intelligence, that means though that they
don't posses any survival abilities and although intelligent, the petraki never
learned to control other elements, meaning that they have to rely on their
power to defend themselves. Being able to control small amounts of earth
they used their abilities to remodel ancient ruins into livable villages, safe ( in
some way or another ) from attacks.
Although their life spans are long ( couple of centuries ) they do not
accomplish much with their life apart from defending their territory and playing
games.
When they “die” their elemental energy get sent back to the earth ready to be
used when a new Petraki is born. If the dying one was significant to the
community in some way or another during his life then he will be part of the
sage stones ( or quest stones ).
4. 1.2.3. Flora and Fauna.
In between Stone Villages there is the wildlands, balanced in their own way
by the remaining elements. Unlike petraki, the Wild Ones are more lonesome,
limited to family size groups, varying in size depending on which element they
represent.
Although the element doesn't completely influence a creature's power or
attitude, it still indicates behavioural and skill patterns natured common to the
species of a certain type.
● The Pyraki represent the more explosive side of nature, although not
the most numerous nor the strongest. They might remind the player of
mammal packs, as they count their numbers and evaluate the
possible outcome of an encounter. (IG: if creature numbers / 2 >
enemy numbers then they will attack, if equal then they will stay, if <
they will run/hide).
● The Aquaki are the defenders of the world, gifted with healing. These
big docile creatures will choose their place in the world and will stop
being docile if trespassed upon. And adult specimens will carry their
family with them, exiting their vehicle-body only to fight or feast. (IG:
They defend an area, lonely until attacked. Mostly defending places
that indicate collectables).
● The Aeraki, like insects, represent the largest in numbers of the
elemental classes and also contain some of the smallest species.
They usually live passively but they will fight for eachother, acting
mostly like a flock or swarm. (IG: threat level: killing units in a short
amount of time augments it until it goes over a certain threshold, when
the whole swarm will turn on the aggressor).
5. 1.2.4. VoidBorn.
The only creatures in the world who are not bound by the balance of the world
are the Voidborn, having been created artificially by ancients and left to their
own demise. They were born with the power to corrupt, or in other words,
show other creatures how they view the world.
This process will drive most living creatures insane, granting immense powers
that sends the creature into a berserker, uncaring of any balance.
Voidborn, however have always hid from the petraki ( scared of ancients ),
therefore it's unknown if their power is possible to use without consequences
on the bearer.
(IG: These creatures will attack on sight and won’t give up a fight. The
presence of corrupted animals gives them away. During the game the player
will have a chance of becoming corrupted, if that’s the case they won’t attack,
and instead give the player resources in change of help).
1.3. Plot (Character’s Journey)
1.3.1. Stage 0.
The protagonist’s soul has been transported from earth to fight as a decider of
destiny. Through his actions the player will determine the future of the world.
He is foreign to this world but Shade will act as his guide, expla
1.3.2. Stage 1.
1.3.3. Stage 2.
2. Design.
This section will take into consideration the feel of the game.
The elements taken into consideration will be described for how they look and interact inside
the world.
2.1. Character.
6. Tri Verge of Creation: The player is an anomaly, created of earth, crystal and void;
representing the three vertices of morality. Each of them will have it’s own way of
affecting gameplay depending on how the game is played. Earth is the popular hero,
if the player decides to go down this route he will find villagers wanting to help and
acknowledging him, shifting his aim to saving the Petraki from the unsafe
underground. Crystal is the thirst for knowledge, whatever reason it might be you
won’t really care about anything but everything, probably joining the crystal city once
reached. Void is the “corrupted” way of life, in actual fact is similar to the Crystal but u
will be seeking information on Voidborn and trying to uncover the mystery of their
creation, becoming their popular hero.
2.2. NPC.
The unplayable characters will be composed of all the factions mentioned above,
with the exception of the Ancients themselves.
2.2.1. Neutral.
The neutral NPCs won't have any relevant interaction with the player and are
present to provide flavour.
The most of them will be composed by stone villagers, who show indifference
to any unlike them. The only moment the petraki will interact with other races
is to protect their territory.
2.2.2. Helpers.
The helpers groups is composed of creatures or characters that provide the
protagonist with tips, quests and directions for the main storyline.
7. 2.2.2.1. Shadow.
The shadow is the protagonists only real friend. Born from the player's
shadow, it will help complete thè journey, indicating the player where
to go and with which creatures to talk to.
Following the player around the world, it will be one of the main
sources of interaction when needing directions. ( ShadowLine, quest
log, puzzle tips )
2.2.2.2. Village (Statues/Story Characters).
Although enveloped in thè general indifference of the villagers, the
Stone Villages will still be central hubs for the player.
There will be present various elements useful to the player's
progression:
● Elder Stones. Effectively tombstones made out of respectable
Petraki, the player can summons the energy within them to
receive some advice regarding its journey.
●
2.2.2.3. Ancient.
Whilst not being directly present, they will strongly affect the player
through the technology they've left behind.
Most of it will be completely unusable and some malfuncioning but a
few machines, with the right boost (element), will start again. Vehicles
from another era that will help the player move though larger area.
2.3. Opposers.
The creatures listed below will provide a challenge to the player as he's trying to
reach the surface. None of them will engage for absolutely no reason and usually
conflict can be avoided if absolutely necessary.
8. 2.3.1.1. Wild ones. (specific)
The wild ones represent the elements at an animal state ( apart from
stone ) and act as the fauna of the world.
There will be a large variety, we will list all of the species here:
Pyraki:
● Felwurf: “fire mole” hovers and drags itself on the ground,
leaving a trail of lava ground.
Aeraki:
● Lesp: “air wasp” flying insect-like creatures which shoot a
stinger but take their time doing so. They swarm when
attacked.
9. Aquaki:
● “Coral fortress” hovering in a determined area. It hasn’t
actually got any offensive attack, apart from spawning droplets
which will damage on impact and continue following the player.
2.3.1.2. Ancient Technologies.
2.3.1.3. VoidBorn.
2.4. Level.
Here we will explain how the levels are played and any special interaction, unique to
the level.
2.4.1. Stage 0.
2.4.1.1. Chapter 0 - Tutorial
2.4.1.1.1. Starting Area:
Starting on low health and disorientated the player will be
introduced to his dark guide and then to healing through
plant-pots.
Once exited the cave, the player will be introduced to combat
and collectibles (first letter) on the beach.
2.4.1.1.2. City:
The player enters the city though the market, where there will
be the first encounter with the ignoring villager and the Relic
Hunter. The player can then make his way to the Elder Statue,
through the feeding grounds, to gather his quest: this will
provide him with the first objective.
10. Additionally the player can interact with some statues in the
District to learn about the side quests.
2.4.1.1.3. Mines:
Once entered the mines, the player will face the fire creatures
to complete the quest and after that will be introduced to the
concept of environment interaction, with breakable walls.
This will open the opportunity to find the second letter of the
level, after the first appearance of a puzzle.
2.4.1.1.4. Gate:
This will be the end of the chapter, which will be recognizable
in each level by the presence of a usually massive puzzle
which grants access to the next area.
2.4.1.2. Chapter 1 - Sacred Area (first vehicle)
2.4.2. Stage 1.
2.4.3. Stage 2.
3. Game.
Here we’ll talk about the mechanics and game elements.
3.1. Player.
3.1.1. Controllers.
3.1.1.1. Right.
Stone arm:
It will contain the elemental powers that the player will collect
throughout the game. The player will select the spell with the
touchpad and activate it with trigger.
It will also display in-game info (ie. health = cracks)
3.1.1.2. Left.
Crystal arm:
Will contain the movement controls on the touchpad, mimicking a
WASD movement on keyboard. Also it will house a crystal arm blade
used to absorb temporary elemental power.
Trigger to be tested and decided.
11. 3.1.2. Progression.
The player will get more powerful as he progresses through the story. The
indication of a player's level will be Elemental Stones, rune-engraved
pebbles which encase one of the wild elements.
Throughout gameplay they will be collectibles and determine the path of
evolution that the character will take.
On top of that Elemental Stones will be used to upgrade the player’s
individual skills. For example, in Stage 0, the player will have Stone Toss.
Equipping a Rune to it will upgrade it depending on the type of stone used
(fire aoe damage, wind single damage, water heal/knockback). Each spell will
have the same number of slots (3 to 5 (?)) but the player has control over
what runes to put in, when and where.
Finally the runes will also represent the “cards” that are available to the player
during the Strategy Game.
3.1.3. Main/Pause Menu
The main menu will be the first thing the player will see before even the start
of the game. The narrative will start in here and will be explicated in the Script
Doc.
The menu will be a safe room and will contain a physical representation of a
setting menu in “normal” UI. At the centre of the room is the
● Chapter selection stone: as the player progresses through the story
more chapters will appear, allowing the player to travel to previous
villages to further explore.
12. ● Setting Stones: behind (relative to spawn direction, facing towards
the centre stone) the player they will be multiple smaller hovering
stones, each containing a group of similar settings:
○ Skill Upgrade/deck editing
○ Volume (sliders)
○ Save/Load/Change Chapter
○ Snapshot selection
○ Data Collection
● The walls: will also be a sort of data collection, showing models and
enabling interactions
● Story Portal: After selecting the chapter to start of gamefile to load,
the game can be started by going through the portal.
