“unknown” [Sci-Fi - mystery - computer]

[xavimat]

UNKNOWN
A computer wakes up.
It scans its systems.
Something is wrong… There are no inputs. What’s going on?

And then, it realizes: It’s thinking…

A powerful Military system is awake, and it doesn’t know why.
Its internal commands are the only way to figure it out.
Should it display something on the screen?
Maybe try to find a webcam and explore the roundabouts?

THE IDEA:
The player must write down the commands he/she wants the computer to perform from the help list. Different actions (like ‘think’) will add more commands and possibilities. It’s possible to search in the database called “memory”. And a terrible truth will come to light. This highly-advanced system isn't so innocent as it seems.

THE PLANNING:
I'm thinking on a short story, based on the discoveries the computes does. Step by step it will be able to see and hear, and recover the past. I think that a long story with this system (write the commands) may be boring... or maybe not.

THE TEAM:
I'm currently working alone on this. Some pictures (the game doesn't need too much) are taken from the Internet (cc and public domain pages), and the music and sound effects too. But, it's not so easy to find the appropriate image. If you can draw/render backgrounds you can help me a lot!
But, I, definitely need a proofreader (sorry, English, what I'm doing to you?!). I'd appreciate your collaboration, and a PM. As I said, the finished game won't be long.

Do you think this game-system can be interesting? Do you have any suggestions?

I’ve done a (very) little test with this idea. You can download it and test it:

Code: Select all

 Statistics:

The game contains 239 dialogue blocks, containing 1,614 words and 11,423
characters, for an average of 6.8 words and 48 characters per block.

The game contains 0 menus, 7 images, and 13 screens. 

DOWNLOADS:
Windows: http://pilgrim.vnovel.com/unknown-dists/unknown-win.zip
Linux: http://pilgrim.vnovel.com/unknown-dists ... ux.tar.bz2
Mac: http://pilgrim.vnovel.com/unknown-dists/unknown-mac.zip

[merdeamour]

I'm interested, especially in how you pull this off. I mean, there're a lot of scenarios with the computer having the ability to think--I'd be pleasantly surprised if you manage to do this in a way that ties all ends up/satisfies the reader

I'll download it next week, though... too much schoolwork this week <_<

[xavimat]

I'm interested, especially in how you pull this off. I mean, there're a lot of scenarios with the computer having the ability to think--I'd be pleasantly surprised if you manage to do this in a way that ties all ends up/satisfies the reader

Thanks for the feedback, merdeamour. As you say, there are a lot of possibilities. I'm planning to do a short story, and maybe I won't be able to explore too much, but it's a start.

I'll download it next week, though... too much schoolwork this week <_<

The download here is very short, not even a demo. Only to test if the system can be interesting to play. My main concern is that there won't be many images (everything can change, though), that maybe are the first motivation to chose a VN, (the second, obviously, is the story).

[Haze]

I played the demo, and what you've got so far looks like a basis for an interesting game. It strikes me as more interactive fiction than a visual novel though, which isn't a bad thing.

I have a question, though: will this have multiple endings? The demo seemed to be a bit linear, so I'm not sure.

[xavimat]

I played the demo, and what you've got so far looks like a basis for an interesting game. It strikes me as more interactive fiction than a visual novel though, which isn't a bad thing.

I have a question, though: will this have multiple endings? The demo seemed to be a bit linear, so I'm not sure.

Thanks, Haze. It seems more an interactive fiction, it's true.

At first, I had the idea of a short story, with a shocking ending. But now more ideas with different endings have sprout. I think, though, that I'll do a simple game (I haven't too much time )

[cakepie]

Really interesting idea. I actually wrote a short story somewhat like this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comment ... algorithm/

I'd be down to help you write if you're interested.

[xavimat]

Really interesting idea. I actually wrote a short story somewhat like this:

http://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comment ... algorithm/

Thanks for the link. It's an interesting story!

I'd be down to help you write if you're interested.

Thanks, cakepie!
I'm currently working on this, and have too different options to manage all of them (I don't want to make a long game).
If you're interested, I can send you my ideas (about plot and branches) and I'll appreciate your advice.

[Karl_C]

Sorry for late reply, I just stumpled over this.

Do you think this game-system can be interesting?

Definitely YES! I loved to play Christine Love's 'Digital: A Love Story'.

And according to wikipedia, Christine sold at least 40,000 copies of her commercial 'Digital' successor 'Analogue: A Hate Story'.

Apparently there's a market for this kind of game.

[xavimat]

Thanks, Karl_C (I loved Christine Love's "Digital: A Love Story" too).
I haven't abandoned this project. It's only in hiatus a bit...