Stalwart Written by Stephen Ribuffo
2
Executive Summary Stalwart is a console action/role playing game set within the fantasy genre. Stalwart focuses on the tyranny wrought by an oppressive government. The player must recruit and/or convince potential allies to aid them in their battle to restore order and peace. Targeting a mature demographic that enjoys branching story lines.
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com
3
Audience Analysis The target demographic for Stalwart are male players (age 18+) that prefer more fast-paced, action-orientated role-playing games, Stalwart will draw from the rich medieval history in both appearance and personality, aiming to be as authentic as possible while still allowing creative freedom within the story. There will be no use of magic; however, a wide range of weapons and tools will be available for the player to utilize. All of which have special purposes and uses, as well as being violently accurate for their uses in history. The game will utilize close quarter combat as well as large scale battle sequences. Female player (age 18+) will also find this game enjoyable due to its portraying nature of strong-willed, mature, and independent women. This will help to ensure a positive response from female gamers. Chauvinistic characters will help to immerse female gamers, and allow them to connect with female characters. The best way to show players the style and overall feel for the game would be to have commercials focusing on the large-scale battles. Showing gameplay similar to action scenes from the movie Braveheart.
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com
4
Story Stalwart follows Sir Trystan. As the bodyguard to the royal family, he embarks on a quest to avenge the murder of his king, and friend Rhyus. He must figure out a way to place Rhyus’s missing son Kayin as the rightful heir to the kingdom. The game begins with Trystan standing trial for treason against the crown. Maryn, the king’s advisor, crafted a devious plot to frame Trystan for having an affair with Rhyus’s wife Nayomi that ended in her murder. In spite of the allegations against him Rhyus cannot bring himself to execute his closest friend, and instead sends Trystan into exile. Trystan is banished from the kingdom and is sent abroad to live out the remainder of his life. He is never allowed to return to his nature land. Meanwhile, Maryn plots the assassination of Rhyus and his son Kayin. Not wanting to leave any loose ends in his plans for overtaking the throne for himself, Maryn plots Trystan’s murder during his exile. Trystan is severely wounded during an ambush, but narrowly escapes. Believing that Trystan is finally out of the picture Maryn begins moving forward in his scheme to assassinate Rhyus and Kayin. Rhyus is poisoned, and suspecting foul play Kayin goes into hiding. With the kingdom in shambles under Maryn’s tyrannical reign, Trystan secretly travels back and hears about his friend’s death. Accustom to doing things his own way Trystan must come to terms and realize the battle cannot be won alone. He begins to immerse himself within the criminal organizations of the kingdom, hoping to acquire skills and contacts to help him overthrow Maryn’s corruption to exact revenge for the murder of his friend. He discovers a group of underground loyalist within the criminal circles who are led by a crime lord named Shandra. Swallowing his pride he asks for Shandra’s help as they begin raiding attacks on Maryn’s forces, acquiring information, weapons and tools to aid them in their revolution. During this time Trystan hears word that Kayin is alive, but has gone missing. He begins his search for the rightful heir. While Trystan and Shandra search for Kayin, Maryn begins building alliances expanding his forces in fear of an uprising. Once Kayin is found Trystan must find a way to change his role from protector to teacher, and instruct Kayin on what a king must do in order to save his kingdom. With allegiances of their own Trystan, Shandra, and Kayin begin their attack to regain control of their home. Block by block, district by district they fight their way through the city to the sieging castle. Heavily fortified the castle is almost impregnable, but Kayin leads Trystan and Shandra through the secret passage he had originally used in his escape. They fight their way through the castle to the throne room where Maryn is waiting for them with his entourage. A final battle ensues and the player must make a choice to determine the ending of the game.
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com
5 -If the player saves Kayin then Maryn is defeated, and the battle is won, but Shandra is killed. Kayin takes the throne as the new king and brings order and control to his kingdom. Those who were loyal to Maryn are either executed or imprisoned, and the corruption that plagued the city is brought to manageable levels. Trystan receives a full pardon and reclaims his role at the royal bodyguard. -If the player chooses to save Shandra then Kayin dies at the hand of Maryn, who escapes unharmed. The battle is won but at great cost. With the heir to the throne dead, the rallied kings appoint Trystan as the Prince Regent to the kingdom. Shandra accepts Trystan’s proposal to be his queen, and the two undo the corruption and chaos that Maryn had inflicted.
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com
6
Characters Trystan He is the controlled character within the game, and main protagonist. Though, he is a highly skilled warrior Trystan sets himself apart from his fellow knights by his arrogance and brash manner. Reluctant to follow the orders of those above him, his superiors believe he would be better suited as the royal bodyguard. Surprisingly, Trystan and his king form a strong friendship. Over the course of the game, he will learn that he cannot accomplish his goals without the help from others and that he must place faith and trust in people he has only known for a short time. Shandra Thief, highway robber, forger, occasional murder, and entrepreneur Shandra has appointed herself don of the network of criminals within the underbelly of the kingdom. In spite of her felonious lifestyle, Shandra is unwaveringly loyal to the crown. Blunt, and vulgar with a tongue as fast as her feet Shandra is a cautious and deadly businesswoman. Kayin Teenage son to the king and queen Kayin becomes withdrawn after the death of his mother and father. He shows great potential for becoming his father’s successor, but hides his reluctance and fear behind sarcasm. Maryn He is the game’s main antagonist. Maryn is a very charismatic individual. He is well versed in politics making him a formidable adversary. Through use of manipulation and coercion, he can get what he wants with little to nothing ventured. Handsome and cunning Maryn uses his skills to gain access to the throne.
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com
7
Competition Analysis The competition for action RPGs is immense; however, I believe having large-scale battles will help to give it an edge. There are games where epic battles take place, but mostly these belong to strategy games, MMO, or are used in cut-scenes. To throw the player in the middle of the fray would add an entirely new experience seldom seen in anything other than first-person-shooter. MMOs like World of Warcraft or Star Wars have elements similar to epic battles, however, these games some with a monthly subscription. While these games are popular, and continue to incur revenue, they take massive amounts of work to maintain as well as addition costs. By making Stalwart a normal action RPG and not an MMO, there is no need for constant maintenance and debugging. First-person-shooters are highly popular; however, they are a dime a dozen. Games like Halo, COD and Modern Warfare lead this genre. Fortunately, Stalwart is not an FPS, but the amount of action will have to be greater than those of the FPS persuasion.
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com
8
Gameplay
Stalwart
Stephen Ribuffo sribuffo@ribuffo.com