Critical Path, Scripts, and Narrative
From Project Shrink
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Critical Path, Scripts, and Narrative
Critical Path
The Critical path in Shrink will ideally have many different variations. Our intention in designing the game progression is to provide the player with many different choices in order to encourage variant gameplay. As such, the specifics of the critical path are subject to change depending on the choices the player makes. That said, the fact remains that no matter what decisions the player makes, the same basic structure for game progression will be present.
High Level Objectives
Generally speaking, the player will have to complete a partially linear sequence of levels from start to finish. Each level will cover a certain area of the facility which the main character must escape from. Time permitting, some levels may have more than a single exit which will lead the player along two different paths. For instance, a crack or hole in a wall might lead the player into another level which turns out to be a storage closet infested with vermin. The primary objective of a level such as this could be to locate a key in a mess of cleaning equipment in order to unlock the door and leave. As the player would enter this level in their shrunken state, the level would focus more on the players’ finesse with the shrunken character. Alternatively, a player could simply bypass a hole in the wall in favor of exiting the level in the traditional way such as leaving through the ‘exit’ door at the end. This might lead the player to a level more focused around combat as the full-grown character, as opposed to the stealthier style of play encouraged with the shrunken character. Ultimately, any side path such as this which the player decides to take will converge back to a central course where they may once again be offered the choice of multiple paths to take. Eventually, the players' path will lead them to the last level where they will face off against a final boss. This battle will take place in an arena-style level. During the showdown, the user will be forced to effectively use all the skills they mastered over the course of the game in order to win. Following this battle, the player will escape from the facility, and will have beaten the game.
In addition to a successful game completion, the players’ death will also be a possible ending point to the game (though players will be encouraged to restart and retry instead of simply being forced to quit on the first death). There will be many different ways a player can “die”. These include being shot, eaten, stepped on, mauled, burned, drowned, skewered, beaten, poisoned, and falling to one’s death. For every method there is for defeating enemies, there will be an equal amount of methods for the player to perish should he or she make a poor decision.
Mid Level Objectives
Inside each level in SHRINK, the primary goal will be to solve the puzzle inherent in each level in order to reach the exit. In many cases, solving this puzzle with involve having to find a way to bypass or confront enemy NPCs between the character and the exit. Since the enemy AI will logically react to whatever the player does, he will have to gauge his actions in such a way that he or she is able to overcome the odds and make it to the exit. Very often, in order to overcome the obstacles in any given level, the player will need to utilize items scattered throughout the level, as well as environmental triggers and his ability to shrink and grow. Though there is obviously a certain degree of variation in the way these elements can be used, a player will be unable to complete any levels without using them in some way. For example, a player who may be determined to kill every last guard in a level would use these items and triggers in a violent manner to attack the guards and exterminate all opposition. Alternatively, a player with a more quiet and stealthy style of play may want to use these items and such to create a diversion for the guards while they slip away unnoticed in the shrunken state. Essentially, regardless of the choices the player makes in the course of beating a level, he or she will be forced to interact with the various obstacles in that level in order to advance. The way in which they interact with these obstacles is determined by which items and triggers they choose to use, as well as the way in which they use their shrinking / growing ability.
Low Level Objectives
In order for the player to be able to accomplish any of the mid-level or high-level objectives, they will have to complete the low-level objectives first. The low-level objectives essentially include the most basic actions the player will have to do in order to reach the end of the game. While the low-level elements of gameplay may not seem as relevant on their own, they form the foundation upon which the entire rest of the game is built. First and foremost of the low-level objectives is the necessity for the player to collect items and add them to their inventory. Without first collecting items, the player will be unable to use them to beat the level. The act of adding an item to inventory involves moving “over” the item in the world, and pressing the correct button to pick the item up. Once added to the players inventory, the new item will automatically appear in the player’s hand and replace any other item the player may have been holding in that inventory slot. In order for the players to collect items, they will have to find them first. This will require players to explore as much of the level as they possibly can. During this exploration phase, the player will also discover environmental triggers they may like to use. All of this will contribute greatly to the strategy the player will form for beating the level. At the very base of all the primary actions the player will have to perform in order to successfully reach the end of the game is the mechanic of shrinking and growing. Without alternating their play style, the user will not be able to fully explore the world, and therefore will find completing any given level virtually impossible.
Summary
Simply put, the overall path the players will follow through the game will be a partially linear sequence of levels which culminate in a final boss battle, after which they will have won. Given that, it is important to note that although the player will have many different options concerning how they go about beating the level, they will still need to accomplish all of the low and mid-level objectives in order to beat the level. When put in order (from high to low level), the primary objectives which make up the critical path of SHRINK are as follows:
- Complete the full sequence of levels from start to finish.
- Reach the specified exit door in order to complete a level.
- Solve the puzzle inherent in each level in order to reach the exit.
- Confront the guards and other game entities in order to solve the puzzle.
- Use items in order to confront the NPCs.
- Collect items and add them to inventory in order to use them.
- Find items in order to collect them. (Also find environmental triggers and alternative pathways).
- Explore the world in order to find items and other areas of interest.
- Alternate shrunken and grown state in order to fully explore the world.
LEVEL ONE STORYBOARD
LEVEL TWO STORYBOARD
LEVEL THREE STORYBOARD
Script & Dialogue
In-Game Dialogue
Spoken dialogue in SHRINK will be presented as auditory sound clips recorded by professional voice actors within the development group. These sound clips will be used as both a narrative device, and an indication to the player of changing factors in the environment. For instance, should a guard notice the player’s presence, he may shout something along the lines of, “You there! Stop!” Additionally, when the player encounters an NPC of import, they will ‘shout’ something more elaborate, adding more flavor to the game. During the final encounter, the warden of the facility will have the most elaborate taunts. He will fill several minor holes in the story, but also answer the ‘why’ question. Because the battle with this final boss will be the longest, we feel that it will have to most elaborate script. During the battle, there may be only taunts and jests. However, at certain, specific times, the battle will pause as the warden explains or describes more of your predicament. Below is a list of the shouts for the basic guards, the four minor bosses, and the player:
Tutorial Dialogue
Additional in-game dialogue will occur in the first tutorial level in order to guide the player through the fundamental concepts of the game. This dialogue may be represented in written format on the screen in addition to being read by a voice actor. What follows is a draft of what the script for this level may consist of:
- Level starts
“Welcome to the world of SHRINK. As you can see, your character currently has limited movement. Let’s begin by walking around the cell. Use the joystick to move right and left, or press ‘A’ to jump.”
- Player moves around and jumps
“As you walk around you cell, you can see where the exit to the level is. Before we can reach the exit, we need to free you from your straightjacket. As you walk through your cell, take a look at any items you can use. Above your bed, you can see a sharp edge on a broken bar. This is the perfect time to use your special SHRINK ability.”
“Press the ‘right bumper’ to shrink yourself. Notice that the outline of your health bar has changed from blue to green. This means that your SHRINK ability is on cool-down. Once it turns blue again, your SHRINK ability is recharged, and ready to be used.”
- Player shrinks
“Now that you are small, you need to make your way up to the bed. Try jumping on top of the books to reach the bed.”
- Player manages to jump up onto the bed
“Now that you are on the bed, you are almost there. You can see several bricks sticking out of the wall that you can jump on. However, these lead in the wrong direction. Let’s try jumping on the chains, and then jumping onto the bar sill.”
- Player jumps up to bar sill
“Excellent. Now that you are on the bar sill, we can use the sharp edge of the broken bar to cut the straightjacket off. To use an item, first run up to it, then once it begins to glow, press ‘Y’ to use it. This also works to pick up items that you can use elsewhere in the levels. Run up to the broken bar and ‘use’ it to free yourself.”
- Player is freed from bonds
“Now that you are free, you can try to escape. Let’s grow back to our normal size, and try to open the door. Press the ‘right bumper’ again to use your SHRINK ability, and walk over to the door. Again, once the handle begins to glow, press ‘Y’ to use the item.”
- Player tries unsuccessfully to open the door
“Oh no, the door appears to be locked. Most levels in SHRINK contain locked doors, and you must find a way past. Remember those bricks we saw earlier? Try shrinking down, and see where the bricks lead to.”
- Player reaches the high shelf next to the door
“Very good! You have found a shelf with access to the open bars in the door. From here, it looks like you can just jump through the bars and be free! But wait, you can also see that there is a guard outside the door. You’ll need a weapon to fight with.”
“Try picking up the fork that is on the shelf. Items that you pick up are displayed in your heads up display, in the upper left hand corner of your screen. Items also follow the same SHRINK pattern that you do. If you grow with an item in your inventory, it will grow with you.”
- Player acquires fork
“Now you are armed and ready to escape. Jump onto the bars in the door. Be careful though, if you fall that distance in your shrunk form, it may kill you. Try jumping through the bars, then quickly using your SHRINK ability to grow to full size.”
- Player escapes from cell
“Good. But you aren’t done yet! Now that you are outside your cell, a guard has been alerted to your presence. The only weapon you currently have is a giant fork, which is a melee weapon. Run up to the guard, and press ‘B’ to attack the guard.”
- Player kills the guard
“Very good. Now you have successfully completed the level! In SHRINK there are many different ways to use items and the environment to achieve your goals. Now you are ready to solve puzzles on your own!”
Narrative
Character Backstory
Franz Heidrich was just an ordinary doctor, practicing psychiatry in northern Austria, close to the German border. Franz's clients were generally well-mannered, aristocratic Germans and Austrians, just living their lives. Soon though, the German populace became more aggressive and upstart; telltale signs of the war becoming more and more obvious. Franz held firm in his belief against the war, and wasn't afraid to voice his opinion to his clients. Before long, German soldiers were alerted to Franz's vocal opposition. In order to silence any dissent against the war effort, the Nazi SS set their sights on Heidrich. They invaded his workplace, and in a brutal public display, forcefully removed Franz from his job. A young German doctor working for the Nazi SS named Ullrich Wulfe caught word of Franz's capture, and immediately attempted to enlist his aid. Franz accepted Ullrich's offer, on the condition that he would continue to work as a simple psychiatrist, and not be sent to a death camp. As Franz began his work for the Nazis, Ullrich found himself more and more impressed with the results Franz wrought. Months later, in an effort of appraisal, Dr. Wulfe promoted Franz to work at a questionable new facility in southern Germany. Ullrich made no specific mention of his new duties, and detailed little of the experimental procedures Franz witnessed during his visit to the facility. Franz again accepted the offer, without knowing exactly what his new position would entail. Not long after his arrival, Franz began to question exactly what was occurring in this new facility. His outbursts quickly became more frequent and more emotional. Ullrich made many attempts to quell his riotous subordinate, which only exacerbated the quandary. As Franz's objections became louder, Ullrich's leash tightened. He began to deprive Franz of many freedoms he had previously enjoyed. Before long, Franz was little more than a prisoner of his own office. Despite these restrictions, Franz continued to contend with Ullrich, and the situation worsened. At last, Ullrich snapped. He had security escort Franz to a holding cell. It soon became apparent though, that not even a holding cell could quell his voice. In a final act of desperation, Ullrich had his former assistant subjected to the very experiments he himself had been performing.
Game Prologue
Dr. Ullrich Wulfe paced in his office. The soles of his shoes were already worn, and this new incident with a man (whom he wished to become his protégé) was infuriating. As he paced, he pondered his curious predicament. His hand suddenly twitched…. again…. Dr. Ullrich’s hand had been twitching and trembling, freezing and burning, ever since his last experiment; the near fatal experiment that he performed on his latest lament, Franz Heidrich. Ullrich stopped pacing. He looked down at the notes scattered on his desk. “Failure” read one title. “Experiment Terminated” read another. “Lack of Results” read a third. But still one gave him hope; “Awaiting Response”. His latest subject, Franz had finally been a key link in his work. Ironic? Or befitting? Ullrich grasped the two thoughts, and then softly chuckled. Ullrich’s latest work involved mutating cell structures. His first test was to attempt to modify the structures, making them smaller. Once a successful experiment was carried out, he would attempt other manipulations. Super strength, resistance to chemical and biological weapons, these were but a few of the mutations that Dr. Wulfe was attempting. His latest experiment had gone awry. During the cellular deconstruction, he carved a small crevice into his own finger, and unknowingly allowed his blood to transfuse with Dr. Heidrich’s. Ever since, infrequent spasms plagued his hand. He had yet to perform a single experiment since. Ullrich began to pace his office again, pausing every once in a while to glance at his doorway. The door was not quite closed, and not locked. It was always locked, except for now, whilst the doctor awaited results. Suddenly the door screamed to its fully open state. A young guard nearly toppled, took a breath, and righted himself. “Sir, Doctor.” He gasped, taking another deep breath. “What, what is it you fool! What is so important!?” “Doctor Wulfe, sir, subject 744 is missing.” Dr. Ullrich gaped, words not enough to describe his current rage. The guard then lay down Ullrich’s worst fears, “Franz Heidrich has gone missing.”
. . .
Franz Heidrich opened his eyes. He knew he had made a mistake. After all, he had a knack for not stopping when it was required of him. He attempted to sit up – a feat made more difficult by the straightjacket that encompassed his body. It had been more than three years ago that he had signed his contract with a strange young upstart doctor by the name of Ullrich Wulfe. Really, however, he had no other choice. Once the Nazi SS had captured him, it was either working for the enemy, or dying for the enemy. Franz knew that his day had not yet come. He signed a contract to work as a mid-level psycho therapist. His work was slow and boring. He conversed with soldiers who were having trouble staying focused, soldiers who had trouble following orders, even officers who were afraid of their soldiers ignoring them. It troubled Franz, being forced to work for those whom he spoke out against, but he was motivated enough to deprive himself of emotion as he carried out orders. Soon, his work paid off. Ullrich kept constant tabs on Franz, a silent eye constantly over his shoulder. One day, a face joined the eye, and a mouth offered Franz a new position, away from the soldiers, in a brand new facility. Franz requested a tour of the new facility, and it was granted. Ullrich walked him through the concrete floored building, the walls littered with windows and doorways. Some of what Franz saw that day frightened him more than the soldiers. However, with no further description from Ullrich, the experiments were left to torment his mind. Reluctantly, even with genetically modified horror, and experimental drug trials invading his dreams, he accepted the new position. Franz was still at the new facility. He had been here for over a year. His current room, however, was smaller and colder than the room in which he started. His office was in the far corner of the west wing of the building. It was only a short distance from that of Ullrich Wulfe’s office, and the concrete walls carried his constant dissent far. Wulfe had tried to modulate Franz’s impedance of the experimental work occurring at the facility. One day, Ullrich finally snapped. Franz had been summoned to meet with Ullrich and discuss his latest outcry. This time however, two armed security guards met with Franz, and few words were spoken. Three weeks ago, Franz had been dragged into his new cell by the two guards. After a brief visit from Ullrich, Franz had bargained to obtain several books to read while in captivity. Ullrich agreed to give him some books, and in return, Franz doctored several of the support staff of the facility. Now, as his eyes finished adjusting to the darkness, he looked over the walls again. The books still lay in the corner under his wooden bed. The bricks on the outer wall were still broken and jagged. He looked down at his own body and closed his eyes. His stomach hurt. His arms and legs were sore. His eyes had bled, as had his nose, and ears. He had been drafted to join several tens of other subjects in experimental trials. After his first experiment, he knew exactly what he was being prepped for: experimental genetic mutation. This was the third time now that he had awoken from a blackout. Always back in his cell, and always back in the plain white straightjacket. He felt his hand twitch slightly, the movement subdued by the taught jacket. His hands had twitched before, but only since his second trip to the operation room. He tried to focus on the pain. His hand twitched again. Franz closed his eyes and focused on his hand, feeling the pain switch from coldness, to burning heat. He felt blood start to form in the cavities of his nose, but kept his thoughts on the pain. Suddenly, as if a switch had been turned, everything stopped. The burning in his hand ended, and encompassed his entire body. He opened his mouth to scream as the walls and floor began to grow around him…
Epilogue
Having finally cast his old benefactor down, Franz’s freedom was now a near reality. With grim determination, he grabbed the administrative key off of Ullrich’s body, and ran at a full sprint for the exit door. Reaching it, he quickly wrenched the locked latch open, and broke the key off in the hole. Before him, the heavily guarded frontal grounds of the facility stretched outwards into the thick darkness. Spotlights wandered back and forth over the barren land; a desperate attempt to fight back the oppressive night. For Franz, however, this night meant his long awaited liberation. Franz chuckled briefly to himself, the irony of the situation finally sinking in. He knew that to any normal man, the vista which lay before him would seem utterly impassible. Beyond the spotlights and mounted machine guns rested dense minefields nearly a mile in depth. The Nazis had gone to great lengths to cover their atrocities up here. As such, it was fitting that Franz now owed his freedom to the very atrocities Ullrich and the Nazis had worked so hard to cover up. A blaring alarm brought Franz abruptly back to reality. The remaining security guards must have found their former director. Focusing his thoughts one last time, he felt the stomach-twisting transformation of his body shrinking down to its now almost familiar diminutive form. Opening his eyes, Franz started making his way through the colossal stalks of barren grass left standing by the thousands of trampling feet which had come through the doors. He knew the road would be long before he cleared the outer edge of the defenses, but it would be worth it. Despite his initial reservations about taking the position at this facility, it had all, in the end, been worth it. With a final look back towards the compound, Franz set forth, back into the world of the living.
