Introduction To "Shifting Colors"
As ancient animosities are about to break through the shiny surface, three worlds are about to be connected by an unexpected visitor.
My Motivation
This is the project for which I am building this world. The big vision that was born when teenage me was learning how to code. The story that never left, even when adult life got a hold of me. The world which I'm eager to explore and shape as a video game player.The Story
The Current Situation
The planet Chryphóra/Qentora is torn between two superpowers. Right now, they are locked in a standoff while both sides are searching for a way to gain an edge.
Meanwhile, the inhabitants of the moon Ranul lost contact with the exploration ship which they sent to observe their neighbors, trying to understand the political dynamics which almost drove their own people to extinction.
All this happens under the eyes of an ancient hive mind who are trying to let the younger races find their own way but also tempted to prevent the impending catastrophe.
Then one day, an astronomer stumbles across a living spaceship and gets caught up right in the middle of this mess...
The Mood and Tone
Light is abundant in this star system. The inhabited worlds are colorful and exciting, begging to be explored by curious minds. Yet the darkness is lurking just around the corner. Deep-set prejudice colors the characters' words and actions, shady machinations are going on behind closed doors, and few people are aware how fragile the peace really is. Small groups' actions can tip the scales in one direction or the other, changing these worlds forever...The Game Project
Gameplay Mechanics
The focus will be on interacting with characters through dialogue. A secondary mechanic will be interacting with the environment and items in it, for example to find information or get past obstacles. Most importantly, I want to create a branching story which can be influenced by the player.Roadmap
Well... it's hard to plan ahead with adult life getting in the way. But here are the main tasks which will probably keep me busy for many years to come...Worldbuilding
This will be the biggest task - defining who the characters are and in what kind of environment they live. What drives them, where do their goals clash and what means do they have for achieving them? I'll need a lot more material before I can seriously work on the storylines.Narrative Design
This is where the smaller "Nonfi Nis" game project comes in. It will help me figure out how to manage a branching storyline and the variables which control it. Also, it's an opportunity to familiarize myself with the necessary tools.3D assets
Thankfully, there are great tools available for assembling complex environments and character designs from a library of modules. For example, I'm already using Unity Multipurpose Avatar (UMA) to create character portraits. I've also discovered that illustrating articles here is a great motivation for throwing together quick 3D scenes and learning which corners I can cut in the process.Coding
I've already gone on several shopping sprees whenever the Unity asset store was running a sale. I'm familiarizing myself with these tools, but the bulk of the work can only be planned once I actually know what needs to happen in this world. Still, some assets (like the aforementioned UMA) are already coming in handy for creating art.starting from 1448 PN, Murilun 9
Why "Shifting Colors"?
- Because this is the key property of That Which Changes.
- Because Herd Ships change color for camouflage.
- Because several political factions are aiming to shift the balance of power in their favor.
- Because several characters will get to see the "true colors" of others.
Pivotal Characters
Ycalla, the Lone Youngling
Calyrra Ontéró
Important Organizations
What comes next?
I'll be alternating between work on this story and the "Nonfi Nis" practice project, depending on what my inspiration says.
In the meantime, you can follow me on whatever channel suits you to keep an eye on this project.
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