Welcome to the October 2nd progress entry- PART 2.(Check out Part 1 which focuses on Art, Coding and Sound) We look at how the world of INT is constructed by our writers and what impact narrative has on the gameplay of INT.
Writing
For the past month the writing team has been hard at work on world building. Today we’ll be addressing a couple of points that always come up when we discuss the process behind world building.
What is ‘world building’?
"In order for an RPG to be successful an amazing world absolutely needs to be constructed in order to truly immerse the player in the experience."
Before we get too far with this explanation, what exactly is world building? When we talk about world building we mean the universe as a whole, the factions, the characters, and the stories that the player may encounter. World building is, in many ways, the big picture of game development. In order for an RPG to be successful an amazing world absolutely needs to be constructed in order to truly immerse the player in the experience. One of the first things that we, as the writing team, have to discuss is how fleshed out we want our universe to be, do we want it to be rich and full of all sorts of colorful stories that give this future setting, or do we strive for a more stark, realistic depiction of the universe. In order to create this western vibe that we’ve given our universe we have gone with what we consider to be the much richer and colorful experience.
How do you build these worlds?
"In order to properly construct these worlds there is one word that had become the word of law in the writing department-- discussion. Before any idea is fully cemented we spend hours upon hours discussing the implications of each decision that our team makes. These meetings help us not only to build up backstory but also the culture of those that you will encounter as you traverse the INT-verse. After the discussion is over and the dust on the battlefield settles we get to work crafting massive internal documents that serve as a blueprint for the entire team to follow, it becomes law. These documents, many of which will remain internal, detail everything from the culture of single planets to the general demeanor towards Transhumanism as the story progresses."
How will all of this effect gameplay?
"One of the many things that sets INT apart from other Indie Game projects (and dare I say, even triple-A projects) is the world that we create. Our world is vibrant, it has been thought out ad nauseam and the best part is, the player will hardly notice.
"Everything you see has been meticulously crafted to fit into the universe and to make our universe feel real without waving its hands up and down to try and point out how real it is."
We have created a world that seamlessly integrates this world with the stories that will be created by your randomized companions. This world will morph based on your decisions and will also serve as a vibrant example of one of the many possible futures humanity may encounter. So, what exactly is the impact on gameplay? The world building is everything. Everything you see has been meticulously crafted to fit into the universe and to make our universe feel real without waving its hands up and down to try and point out how real it is."
The Creative Department has released more information of the upcoming comic "Tens Day" and its synopsis.
Creative Development
Last month we teased a special project that we had in development. I would like to share more information with you about that now. Our first special project is entitled Tens Day and will be a comic released to the public on various platforms for free. This will give you a taste of the character development, in-universe story, and experiences that we are going to tell in INT. Please read the comic synopsis from our Creative Development Director Brian.
Assassins. A kidnapping. Thieves. A fugitive. A military task force. Old vendettas. New grievances. Intertwining plots coalesce in the fallout of a mysterious attack in 23rd century interstellar space in Tens Day, the first graphic novel based on INT, a science-fiction RPG currently in development under the Starboard Games LLC imprint. Occurring at 10:00 am on 10/10/2239, the repercussions of the terrorist act on the resort island of Laxus in Core colonial space extend into the game’s 2250 milieu.
"Tens Day serial exposes the darker side of the sun-blessed Laxus and its culture of leisure, revealing a shadowy network of illicit activity"
Upcoming installments of the six-issue arc of Tens Day introduce readers to a sliver of INT’s expansive universe, while tracking the fates of a cast of characters with divergent agendas in the immediate wake of the deadly bombing. In so doing, the Tens Day serial exposes the darker side of the sun-blessed Laxus and its culture of leisure, revealing a shadowy network of illicit activity that exists in tandem with the island’s copious blue skies and endless beaches. The search for the responsible party, then, introduces readers to an underworld of cartel associates, vape addicts, and hopper-culture, in addition to lingering questions: who is behind the attack? Why? You may encounter characters embroiled in these questions and some answers, as well, upon the release of INT, depending upon who makes it out of Tens Day alive.
Interview Update!!
Our interview with YouTube games show-casing channel, Games Defined is up for viewing!
Exeposé, an UK journalist website has also published their INT interview!
Follow this link to read the article: Xmedia.ex.ac.uk
Lore Video Update!!
Here is a sneak-peak at Russel Westwood, a character from the upcoming Lore Video.
Wallpapers!
Head to our image section to download our most recently uploaded wallpapers. Currently there are four in total, and more will be shared in time. Below is an example of what you will find there, please enjoy!
Website
Lastly, our website, Int-game.net , is being redesigned by Panda and will likely launch this month.
Please check back frequently and keep in touch with us on Twitter, Facebook, and our IndieDb page.
Thanks as always and have a good month,
Justin
