The Kaleidoscope System
Scope
The motivation behind building The Kaleidoscope System
I want a world to explore in a video game with multiple branching storylines.
The goal of the project
I am hoping to get characters that players will love to interact with, a story that people will be emotionally invested in, and an exciting setting that they will be curious about.
The Kaleidoscope System's Unique Selling point
My world has alien cultures of my own creation which so far have been living rather isolated from each other. Yet there are common patterns shared by their respective histories, as they will find out when the story brings them together.
Theme
Genre
The overarching genre is science fiction, with three sapient species at different technology levels.
- The Nimýrité and Pereqaiande are at an early industrial level. They add a touch of renaissance era and steampunk feel to the setting.
- The Rilsu are at a highly technological, space-traveling level, inspired by late 1990s science fiction.
- Those Who Know are defined by their psychic, matter-altering powers. These powers push the genre towards science fantasy.
Reader Experience
The world feels exciting and full of adventure - however, below a bright and pleasant surface lie dark, destructive patterns of closedmindedness, fear of the unknown and intolerance.
Reader Tone
It is moderately lit - ordinary people lead a generally pleasant life, at least at first sight. But the shadows of past and future wars are hanging over their heads, and there are criminal or otherwise shady organizations at work.
Recurring Themes
- deep-set beliefs and prejudices being challenged
- the philosophical question of uniformity versus individualism
- wiser characters/societies watching younger ones repeat past mistakes
Character Agency
Seemingly insignificant actions may have a great impact in the long run. A single person can be a spanner in the works of a powerful organization, and through alliances with others, massive changes can be achieved.
Focus
Drama
The Nimýric Empire versus the Pereqaian Alliance
Two superpowers are fighting over the planet Chryphóra/Qentora. There has been a stalemate for years, but both sides are secretly getting ready for an all-out war.The Lost Exploration Crew
The most ambitious space mission of the Rilsu has abruptly ended in disaster. Rather than passively observing a less-developed civilization, the ship and crew ended up as the study subjects of one faction in the planet-wide conflict.Resurfacing of Nationalism
Countercultures such as the Reborn Ran-E-Zu and the Children of Rilanga are undermining the Rilsu society, trying to revive the factions from before the Final War.The Lone Youngling
A young organic spaceship was separated from the rest of The Herd. Since they only pass through this system every couple of centuries, she will have to wait a long time before being reunited with her family.Destructive Radiation
The Kaleidoscope is a powerful energy source in this system. While it provides light and warmth in addition to the central star, this energy can lead to catastrophic results. It causes natural disasters on Ranul every summer, and can lead to dangerous mutations on Chryphóra whose inhabitants are not yet ready to treat them.What else is going on
- The Ondalin Observatory is being shut down without warning.
- Arka worries for her son Omin who was on the doomed spaceship.
- Arka feels ambivalent about Omin's father - she had reasons for ending the relationship, but also for entering it in the first place.
- The most powerful criminal organization among the Rilsu is doing business with both neo-nationalist subcultures. Sooner or later, they will need to pick a side.
- Yerrechin is convinced that the Nimýric military is collaborating with aliens and that they are out to get anyone privy to this information - such as him.
- A Nimýric battle ship is provocatively traveling towards a Pereqaian outpost while technically staying within the neutral zone.
- Those Who Know lost contact with one of their bodies, after it was captured by the people of the Nimýric port town Nalanmar.
The Kaleidoscope System is being developed by Kathrin Janowski a.k.a. Kaleidechse.
Unless otherwise stated, all artworks are created by myself.
All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise stated, all artworks are created by myself.
All rights reserved.