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Okay, people seem to want more information on the marshmallow and sketch ideas, so here are the original documents I wrote up several months ago (before I was even planning this open source thing). Have fun.
-Nag
Sketch: Red Inc
Original Treatment
Abstract
Sketch is a #2 pencil who longs to be #1. As a #2 pencil, Sketch sits in a room all day and does nothing but take tests. By becoming #1, he’ll be able to fulfill his life-long dream of being an artist. Sketch is a 2D side-scrolling platformer with content aimed at younger children, but the gameplay will appeal to all ages. It will be developed for the PC and Game Cube systems.
Storyline
The game opens with a cinematic in which Sketch is a king of some sort, and everyone is cheering. Sketch, Sketch, Sketch! He has a crown labeled #1 placed on his head as the crowd gets softer and softer, and you start to hear a clear voice repeating, “Sketch!” The scene cuts to a classroom where Sketch is daydreaming and his teacher is trying to get his attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry Mrs. Pentel. I guess I was dreaming again.” “Not about that #1 nonsense, I hope?” … “Sketch, you’re a #2 pencil. The only thing a #2 pencil can do is,” “I know. Take tests.” Mrs. Pentel hands Sketch his test and he begins working as the scene fades to black.
The screen fades in again on Sketch. He’s out for a walk, obviously disappointed. Suddenly, a voice start’s calling out Sketch’s name, and we soon realize it’s Scribble, Sketch’s best friend. She’s out of breath, and says, “Sketch, come quick!” “Not right now, Scribble, I’m not in the mood.” “But Sketch, it’s the Evil Lord Sharpie! Someone has to stop him!” “What? Slow down. I don’t understand.” “The Evil Lord Sharpie. He’s here. He’s drawing monsters all over the place. Some of them are with permanent ink!”
We zoom in on Sketch and fade again to a daydream scene, where everyone is praising Sketch for defeating Lord Sharpie. “Sketch.” We’re pulled out of the daydream. “Well, come on.” “Oh, uh…right.”
We later learn that Lord Sharpie is the president of Red Inc, the company that makes all the tests in the world. Throughout the game, Sketch must overcome Lord Sharpie and all of his top executives, all of which are pencils, pens, crayons, markers, paint brushes, etc.
Gameplay
You play as Sketch, running and jumping through the various game worlds. Anything drawn in this world becomes real, so if Sketch needs something, all he has to do is draw it. The trick is, he has to know how to draw it first. As such, the player will be provided with a sketch book that contains several objects Sketch can draw. New drawings will be added to this book as the game progresses, and some drawings may be lost or stolen.
When Sketch comes up against enemies, which are always drawings, he must try to erase it. Of course, Sketch’s eraser runs out and he must collect new ones as he progresses. Likewise, he becomes dull and must collect pencil sharpeners to continue drawing things.
Some enemies cannot be erased, as they’re drawn with permanent ink. These enemies must simply be avoided.
Characters
Sketch is the only playable character, although other characters are very important to the story as well. Most significant is Sketch’s best friend, Scribble. She helps Sketch out in various ways throughout the game. Other characters include Mrs. Pentel, the Evil Lord Sharpie, Bristle, the Crayola Brothers, and Dr. Mysterious.
Enemies
All enemies are drawn into existence by a boss. These enemies must be erased, defeated by another drawing, or avoided.
Environment
The game will take place in many different settings, all of which are very childlike and imaginative in nature. The school yard where the game opens is the most concrete setting in the game. The worlds become more and more surreal as the game progresses.
Copyright © 2003, Onag Entertainment
Mechaius
Original Treatment
Abstract
Mechaius is a side-scrolling platformer set on planet Mechaius in the same galaxy of the Jazz Jackrabbit series. It will focus greatly on storyline and character development, while still providing great gameplay and fast-paced action. The game is meant to cater to Jazz Jackrabbit fans, incorporating many of the non-copyrighted ideas. Mechaius should appeal to all ages.
Storyline
Planet Mechaius is filled with living machines.
Gameplay
Players will control a constantly changing team of machines throughout the game. Each machine will have unique abilities and weapons, and each can be upgraded in various ways. Levels will be very large maps, full of power-ups and opponents. Players will choose the path the game takes, as their actions in one level will affect the storyline and even the details of future levels.
Characters
Every character, whether good or bad, can be controlled either by a player or by AI scripts. This will make for much more interesting multiplayer games, and greater flexibility in custom levels than is available when only a few characters are playable. Each character will have a detailed background history as well as predefined personality traits. In addition to the dozens of included characters, players will be able to define their own using one of several included machine models. Players will be able to define attacks, weapons, and other information about each new character.
Enemies
Both baddies and bosses will be controlled by scripted AI. Enemies will be highly intelligent, making decisions based on their current position, condition, and situation. They will also be able to navigate levels more affectively, allowing them to chase after players or take cover when in trouble.
Environment
Mechaius is a large planet, allowing a broad range of rich environments. While most tilesets will depict buildings and the industrial side of Mechaius, it will also include outdoor settings.
Internet Play
There will be three types of internet servers: public, private, and closed. Public servers will allow any player to join at any time. A private server prevents uninvited players from joining. A closed server is one where all players join prior to the start of the game. Once all players have joined and settings have been selected, the host begins the game and no new players may join.
Bots
Multiplayer games will support scripted bots. The AI will follow general predefined behaviors coupled with scripted strategies to simulate formidable opponents. Bots will learn as they play, making them even more affective against human players. For example, even if a bot was not programmed with the location of a secret power-up, it will automatically learn the location if it sees that all other players know about it, or if it sees a nearby player get it. Players will be able to define the most common routes through levels that the bot uses, as well as general strategies it uses.
Level Editor
Players will be able to create their own levels with the included editor. Virtually every aspect of the game will be customizable via scripting. The editor will include features for creating any type of level as well as palettes, tilesets, music libraries, ambient sounds, custom events, etc.
Copyright © 2003, Onag Entertainment
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