Scum and Villainy-The Game (working title)
It is the galatic year 5725. Just over 100 years ago saw the introduction of "Faster Than Light" (FTL) travel, the terraforming of Mars and the beginning of the age of space colonization. The idealists called the age of space colonization to be an era that would see the end of corruption. With a near infinite space to settle and posses, there was no need for want. "Feed the need; end the greed" was their motto. No one says that anymore.
50 years ago the Interplanetary Union was founded with a dual presidency and representatives from every planet and major space station. It was meant to establish universal laws, but had no real way of enforcing them. The last presidency saw the election of two new presidents: Jeviah Toruk and Jonas Remir, my Uncle.
10 years ago Jeviah Toruk made his "great speech" about the scum and villainy that has "brooded and festered" in the outer colonies. Pirates, smugglers and others that were to be removed from society. The "others" he refered to clearly meant the hard working terraformers, colonizers and farmers in the outer territories. The "others" just happend to be my uncles political support. Toruk made a call for a stronger fleet, and presence to control the "lawlessness" in the outer territories.
Shortly thereafter, what the textbooks say was a "bloodless coop" took place. The blood came afterwords, in silence. Toruks rivals, including my uncle and my family started disappearing. I too was captured, on a freighter bound for God knows where when a pirate attack destroyed the escort and boarded looking for "something of importance" to Toruk. I can only assume it was me. The pirates took me to see their captain, who ended up being Kelvin Gorns, one of the few original commanders of the Interplanetary Union's small fleet.
Gorns had left the I.U.'s navy shortly after the coop and had a very high bounty on his head as well. They were going to ransom me until Gorns found out who I was. I still remember the laugh he gave at the thought of how much it would annoy Toruk that I was alive. I joined on as Gorns silent protege and together we forged an empire of our own.
At first I was hesitant about it all, but then I thought about who the real scum and villainy were. Toruk used corruption to keep the weathy happy and gave just enough money to the poor to keep the content and reliant. It was the rest of us who were getting exploited. We are just returning the favor. I may be far from Robin Hood, we are only really going after the corrupt ones who benefit from the lack of justice and balance that exist and hurting Toruk in the process.
Gorns insisted I remain in the shadows and established a new identity for me. I ran one of the side businesses, your everyday salvage yard. It turns out it can be important because how else are you going to explain this stuff we stole? We used store fronts like these to make extra wealth and to clean the money to make it legal. Only an amature would run around spending dirty money. "Your identity is worth more than a freighter full of gold" he often told me, almost as much as his other favorite phrase "The best job is the one that no one knows about".
Two days ago I finally realized what he really meant. I was keeping up appearances while Gorns did a big score. It turned out to be a trap, and our main fleet was destroyed. In two days the empire has fallen apart, only a handful of people actually know me, and the other bosses have gone into business for themselves again. Now all I've got is a few credits, a small crew, a converted old freighter and this salvage business. But Gorns trained me well enough. I can rebuild it all, take down my rivals, keep my identity safe...... but what next? Do I get revenge? Will I liberate the galaxy from this dictator? Do I show Toruk what a real coop should look like, or should I rack up some wealth buy a planet and retire in style? What should I do................
Information
Scum and Villainy is currently under development for the PC using Microsoft's XNA. It is going to be divided into 2 parts: a turn based strategy main game, and an real time strategy/flight sim battle game.
What is going to be included in the game?
These things are going to be included for sure:
Turn based Main game-Use of turn based strategy allows the player to develop a good strategy and take enough time to enjoy the game
Seamless switch between real time strategy and flight simulation battles- Not everyone enjoys RTS's and not everyone likes flight sims, or sometimes you're just feeling like you want to take control. The battle engine allows for the player to get their hands dirty or take a step back and issue commands.
A real economy- Choices made have effects on the target company, their investors, and the galaxy as a whole. Destroy every food shipment to a planet and watch it's population decrease, and their food price skyrocket. Target a company, limit their supplies and hurt their bottom line. Then you can buy it cheap.
Clean/Dirty money- Use your business to clean your money, or use your dirty money for transactions you don't want traced.
Pirates, corrupt companies and the Union's navy- Several different people to fight, sometimes ally or take over.
What is on the table?
There are several things that are currently on the drawing board, that may or may not make it into the game:
Multiplayer- due to balancing issues, what type of gameplay, testing etc, this is still in consideration. It's a favorite, but the game will not be delayed to get this right, nor will a buggy multiplayer version be included.
Modable or imported ships- this is still in consideration, but it's fate is not determined.
Xbox 360-This is a possiblity, however this requires the user to have a creators club membership.
How much will it cost?
Zip, zero, nadda.....free
When will it be ready?
There is no target date, however it is looking like late 2007.
How can I help?
The programming is coming along and should be covered, however any content submissions are very much welcome. The more submissions, the faster the game will be done.
What's needed?
Right now there is need for almost everything. Any graphics I do have a purely place holders. Also the more submissions given, the better the game will be for multiple reasons. Please note I need your own original submissions, not rips or hacks of other works. The theme is more realistic vs cartoony. A few things that would be helpful:
3D Models- Ships, planets, anything that would typically go into a space flight simulation
2D/Concept Art- Planet scapes, general concepts, ships, explosions. If you've got something that fits, submit it.
Effects- if you've got some good .fx files, I'd like to take a look at them
Sound effects- Explosions, laser fires, bleeps etc, if you're good at these I'd like some.
Music- If you want to submit an original music piece please do. MIDI files would work best for submission due to size. They can always be changed later to wave files.
Compensation
Since the game is free, I can not offer any monetary compensation. I can and will do two things though:
1. 100% credit will be given for any submission that makes it into the game it any form. Regardless if it is altered or a concept turned into a 3d model, credit will be given
2. The game will come with a visual/audio gallery to showcase all of the submitted work. This will allow you to easily access your work for your own portfolio. It will show the name given with the submission as well as the work itself. You of course have the right to opt out if you wish, but otherwise it will be assumed you would like to be in the showcase.
You will of course retain all rights to your work. The submission will be used in the game and in screenshots. It will not be resold, or redistributed except via the game which will be free.
Beta testing
The beta will be 100% open, and will need people of varying levels of knowledge when it is time.
Screen shots?
As stated before the game is still in progress and is coming along but it is using place holder graphics at the current time. There will be screen shots coming but it will be limited due to constraints with the current website.
Any other questions can be asked in the forum, as well as any submission information can be left there as well.