BA4 Game Design Document - entry 6

It's important to have characters in a single player 'campaign-mode'. In our game, there will be a small circle of characters, that surround the player character of 'Dirt Rust'. These additional characters add flavour and diversity to the game. If the were absent, the player would be alone, fighting alongside an army of faceless NPC's, which wouldn't be very interesting. I aim to create a small selection of characters, that will in turn, epitomise some aspect of the British Army in the First World War.

Some of these characters will be heavily developed, interacting with the player often throughout the campaign, others may simply appear in a single level, acting only as a disposable device relevant to the mission. It is important to differentiate these characters from their other nameless NPC counter-parts.


In brief, this is a list of the characters I propose to devise;

-An old, pompous General, detached from the realities of a modern war in 1914. He will act as somewhat of an antagonist to the player, albiet one that is on the player's own side.

-An obidient, courageous Platoon commander, someone who will be with the player on the frontline for most of the campaign. His feelings on his often suicidal orders will reflect the player's.

-A farmhand. This character will be found in the 'tutorial level' he will be a guide and supervizor to the player whilst they learn the basic controls of the game.

-A dashing RAF pilot. In one mission, the player must rescue a downed pilot. He will be aloof, aristocratic and dissmisive towards the player. He will be somewhat of a coward whilst on foot.

-A kindly private. He will be with the player when they are back behind their own trenches. In the game, this will be the 'hub' or main menu section of the game. He will be a welcome respite in a hostile world, offering advice and guidance to the player.

Ideally, I would produce a portrait of each of these characters, so to give an idea of what they will look like in game. In other words, a peice of concept art for each one, derived from a handful of 'buzzwords'.