i would like to ask the writers amongst gamedev 2 questions: what makes a good conspiracy and what names could i give a scientist who tries to prevent it(not a super hero)

Obviously a new member (welcome I guess).

Anyway, you need WAY more details before anyone can consider giving a reasonable answer...

Quote: Original post by blackplasma
what makes a good conspiracy

One word: Plausibility, it has to seem real enough to be acceptable, if it makes outrageous claims, there should be at least some evidence to at least seemingly support the claims.

Quote: Original post by blackplasma
and what names could i give a scientist who tries to prevent it(not a super hero)

Think about the local context, what are the most usual names in the location of your game? Tanaka Ryu is a good name if your story is set in Japan, but maybe not if its set in Britain (unless you give some background as to why Mr. Tanaka is in fact in Britain).

As Kwizatz said, a good conspiracy would be plausable.

For example, a group of people who are in a high place are secretly a satanic cult working to destroy the world, but in the real world they look like ordinary people.



I would have to say a conspiracy would have to involve one of the following elements.

- People(s) in high places.
- Cover Up
- Money
- Destruction
- Greed
- Murder
- Control


As for a name for a scientist. . .

I like the name Alex alot, and it sounds like a smart name.
So, i would say Alex [Insert any lastname here]

hi guys, and thanx for answering my post.

I was trying to make a story that was inspired by 1984 by george orwell and atlas shrugged by ayn rand, yet avoiding to repeat the stories of half life 2 , bioshock and metal gear solid 2.

i was thinking of the name alex as well btw.

for now forget what the conspiracy might be.
i want to know what would be a great place to start of my game.
the characters house, lab, streets.
I want a place where my character could first discover or experience the conspiracy . i need a place where my character could get his first weapon which would be invaluble in all situations, or where he could choose anything to be his weapon.thats the theme of my game: anything could be your weapon,your methods choose your friends and there is more than one way to finnish the game.

the thing is, i know how the game is going to end but i dont know what to choose for a beginning so that i can plan out my story.

is it proper to work from end to beginning.

I think that is best for you to figure on your own.


Also, i would suggest you write a draft of your story.
Piece it together bit by bit, in any order then just compile it.

After that, run through it a bit and fix any plot holes you made and consider it a "Working Draft" meaning its not finalized yet, but a solid framework of what you want the storyline to be.





If it were me though, i would place the main character as someone who works for your "conspiree" and he uses information as a weapon.

actually the character is, but he was not aware of it until the incident which starts of my game, thats why i want him to collect more evidence to shut the operation down.

If you want to play the best game about conspiracies play Deus Ex.

Now, whether you start writing from the end or the beginning is a matter of choice, however I think you should think in general terms first and then add in the details, think of backgrounds, locations, general plot of the conspiracy.

Then get detailed and intrincate, that way you can avoid pitfalls since you already know the overall reasons of why things happen rather than having things happen and finding a reason for them to, its cause and effect, lay out the causes before the effects.

If the main character (Alex) works for the main theorist, you could have Alex begin at his employer's home. He hasn't seen or heard from his co-worker in a couple days and decides to check up on him. Alex can find clues in and around the house that direct him to the whereabouts of his co-worker. The clues could also lead him to the weapon (hopefully that someone with Alex's background would realistically be able to wield with any kind of decent skill - it's annoying when an ordinary dude picks up a pistol and is instantly the greatest sniper in the world).

For a last name, a somewhat common name that's also used as a first name would probably be catchy. Like 'Alex Morgan' or 'Alex Owens'.

many of the things people have mentioned here are fairly stereotypical, and I'll use the Resident Evil movies as an example (as I saw all 3 recently, and T-virus seems to be stuck in my brain >.<)

Quote:
I would have to say a conspiracy would have to involve one of the following elements.

- People(s) in high places.
- Cover Up
- Money
- Destruction
- Greed
- Murder
- Control

Check; Umbrella corp - powerful, covering up, lots of money, destruction, plenty of greed, more than enough murder, and especially control. Development of viral weaponry in a secret facility scream all of the above when combined with an outbreak of said virus.

Quote:
actually the character is, but he was not aware of it until the incident which starts of my game, thats why i want him to collect more evidence to shut the operation down.

Alice used to work for Umbrella corp, and later uses inside information to try to shut down umbrella upon discovering what was occuring in "the Hive"

I don't know whether you would consider these elements stereotypical or classic, but I personally would enjoy seeing something new and slightly more innovative.

oh, and can we please use some new names? Alex is terribly overused, and other names beginning with 'A' for that matter, ranging from Atlas to Alice.

And in general I'd have to say that the concept of a corrupt utopia has become terribly boring due to overuse as well, and I think you'd have to create a phenomenal story to avoid it becoming the next 1984 knock-off, as most stories of this type are ultimately measured against it.

oh, and on a final note, please spare us from the protagonist being amnesiac as this too is horribly overdone.