Project Overview
Timescales
Released October 2005 (worldwide)
Overall Project Development Time: 5 years
Time personally involved with project: 3 years
Scripting/Design Responsibilities
Designed and scripted game-play for three chapters and one standalone boss battle (see videos below)
Technical Information
Scripting language was similar to C
Levels were built by artists in 3D Studio Max
Multiple scripts could be run at once and were used to control and track game progress, animations and puzzle logic
AI characters could be hard-coded by designers to perform certain actions or allowed to operate under a programmer controlled combat AI system
It was possible to switch dynamically between these two AI systems to create scripted sequences
Events were generated from designer placed triggers, timers and AI vision cones
Level Examples
Chapter 1: Prologue
As this was the opening chapter of the game, it was important to set the tone and feel from the off. This chapter was used to introduce the player to the controls and draw them gradually into the Cthulhu Mythos.
It is not possible for the player to die during this level but they are given the impression throughout that death and danger are just around the corner.
Scenes of interest
2:20 - 3:30. Scene setting and ambush
4:40 - 4:40. Revelation
4:40 - 5:15. A brutal recognition
8:00 - 8:25. The experiment
9:00 - 9:46. Portal to Yith
Chapter 2: A Visit To The Old Town (part 1)
Set six and a half years after the events of the prologue, Jack Walters enters the fishing town of Innsmouth to investigate the disappearance of a local shop worker.
The player must piece together clues from the surroundings, whilst trying to glean information from the downright hostile inhabitants.
This level required careful tracking of the player's progress as their actions push the story forward towards a dramatic conclusion.
Scenes of interest
2:10 - 3:45. Examples of character interaction and population management
3:50 - 5:15. Scripted stealth scene and physical object interaction
5:30 - 7:10. Scripted chase scene and physics puzzle
Chapter 2: A Visit To The Old Town (part 2)
Having survived numerous attempts on their life, the player has come to the conclusion that something is very wrong in Innsmouth.
The locals are becoming more and more aggressive towards Jack who suspects that plans are being made to prevent him from leaving the town alive.
Scenes of interest
0:53 - 1:40. Chained animations
6:00 - 7:30. Story progression through a scripted scene
Chapter 2: A Visit To The Old Town (part 3)
A feeling of dread begins to pass over the player as it becomes clear that the shop worker Jack is searching for may have permanently disappeared.
Scenes of interest
0:05 - 0:35. Scripted NPC encounter.
4:15 - 5:00. Seamless cutscene integration
8:20 - 8:44. Dynamic population management and story progression
Chapter 2: A Visit To The Old Town (part 4)
After witnessing horrifying events, it is now clear that Jack will not be leaving the town tonight and will need to find somewhere to spend the night.
Scenes of interest
5:05 - 5:45. The player must enter the locked back office.
5:45 - 7:39. Combining scripted and cutscene content.
Chapter 6: The Esoteric Order of Dagon (part 1)
The player is tasked with infiltrating the Esoteric Order of Dagon with an army unit. This level is a combination of puzzle solving, boss battles and AI combat as the player attempts to rescue government agent Lucas Mackey from the clutches of the Order.
Scenes of interest
1:25 - 2:30 Collapsing ice path
3:25 - 5:45 Scripted boss battle
7:30 - 8:24 Explosive barrel puzzle
Chapter 6: The Esoteric Order of Dagon (part 2)
The player enters the Order itself and uses a combination of stealth and wits to battle an overwhelming number of enemies.
Scenes of interest
0:26 - 7:00 Combat with stealth elements
Chapter 6: The Esoteric Order of Dagon (part 3)
The player releases and fights alongside Lucas Mackey to gain entry into the the lower bowels of the Order.
Scenes of interest
1:20 - 2:40 Combat
3:30 - 6:50 Scripted NPC combat
7:40 - 9:40 Scripted boss battle
9:45 - 10:45 Logic puzzle
Chapter 5 Shoggoth Boss Battle
Stripped of his weapons, the player must use wits alone to defeat a Shoggoth.
Scenes of interest
1:00 - 8:06. Entirely scripted boss battle created using triggers and pre-canned background animations