non-traditional sci-fi/fantasy RPG setting

alaskamatt17 · 2002-05-26T03:12:47

First off, I will explain that I am making a text-based version of this game in Java right now, just to get the core data engine defined. I will run it on my site for awhile to see whether people like it or not, then begin to translate it into a 2d MMORPG. It is not like most MMORPGs because of the story-line. It is sci-fi, with a little bit of fantasy feel. By this I mean that it is set way in the future, and everything is backed by science to a small extent, but the weapons and buildings and political structures are a combination of medeival and classical themes. It is also different because it will not have human player characters, they will only be npcs introduced way after the game is started. If you absolutely despise dinosaurs, you might want to ignore this post. Introduction In the year 2136, humans had become unified under one nation, the Earth Confederation. The Earth Confederation knew that resources on Earth were quickly being depleted, and therefore directed its efforts toward space. Nearly a hundred years later, the advanced technology started by the Confederation had given way to miraculous breakthroughs. Humanity had discovered dozens of new colony planets on which new lives could be started. In a mass exodus, the people of Earth moved to these new colonies and established a galactic system of trade and travel. Soon, even our own galaxy was not enough to support the human thirst for expansion. In the year 2296, missions were sent out to all corners of the known universe. The Confederation now controlled planets in the range of hundreds, but one thing bothered the people of the universe. Out of all the inhabitable planets, none except for Earth had given rise to sentient life forms. After the technological advancements of the 22nd and 23rd centuries, an explosive leap forward was made in biotechnology. Scientists working on the planet Apollo discovered a means by which to create an intelligent race, but there was only one chance they had of doing it. The machine used to engineer a sentient race required the energy provided by dual supernovas at the same time in the same system. In the year 2335, such an event was set to happen in galaxy M-36. During the time between this event and the creation of the machine, a scientist made a discovery. The amazing amount of energy put out by the dual supernovas would not simply make one species sentient, but all species in a certain class would be made sentient. After many debates there were two obvious choices to create the widest variety of sentient species to accompany humanity in the galaxy. One was the class of arthropods, the other was the class of Dinosauria, an extinct but extremely prolific class for its time. Unanimously, it was decided that Dinosaurs would make far better companions than insects. The year 2334 came and the machine was moved into position over the planet Athena, the nearest inhabitable planet to M-36. Soon the day of the supernovas came. The energy released put out all communications with the scientific team that operated the machine. It was assumed that the blast destroyed the machine and its crew, so nobody was sent to investigate what had happened. Shockingly, the crew had survived, though the machine was damaged beyond repair. The scientists sat in the lobby on board the great machine, mourning the loss of their one and only chance to introduce the new species. As they consoled each other, a feeble cry came into their chamber from the hallway. They stood, and looked on in wonderment as a small Maiasaura hatchling walked clumsily into their room. The project had been a success! With great joy, the scientists made their way to the machine’s bridge. There was still enough power to land on planet Athena. They commenced the operation, and found themselves stranded on a planet that was barely known to humankind. The only life that had evolved on Athena naturally was plant life. The scientists all knew this, so why were there cries of strange creatures in the distance? Setting out on an expedition, the scientists discovered that the planet was now full of dinosaur hatchlings that needed their help to survive. The crew of the machine was small, only 34 in all, but they managed to bring back hatchlings from 67 different species of Dinosaurs. Using wood from the towering trees that grew near their landing site, the scientists built a home for all the dinosaurs and themselves. Time went on and the dinosaurs grew. With age, their sentience began to show and their craving for knowledge was on par even with that of humans. The scientists taught the Dinosaurs everything they could. They taught about agriculture, they taught about mathematics and art and other things. As the dinosaurs came into adulthood, they had all the necessary knowledge to create a flourishing civilization, in addition, there were many individuals of each species, and the possibility of a next generation was likely. A culture that rivaled that of ancient Rome spread across planet Athena and the Dinosaurs became feudal. There was unrest between various species and nationalism became a huge factor. The different groups of Dinosaurs separated out into myriad herds and packs, all the while the descendants of the humans grew fewer and fewer. Within 200 years of their landing on Athena, the last of the humans had died off and only 48 species of dinosaurs were left. Civil war erupted on Athena in the year 2543. By the end, casualties were great, but the dinosaurs had come to a truce. It was agreed that each herd and pack would be allowed to continue existence on Athena, but all sense of permanent nations on Athena was lost. The sciences of astronomy and metallurgy flourished in the absence of politics, but the great nation that had been built was lost and the cities of the dinosaurs quickly diminished until they were only small towns and villages. Outside of Athena, humanity had forgotten about their efforts in M-36. The plot will be continuously evolving and players will also have a part in the storyline because of the ability to become herd or pack leaders. There will also be a hall of history in one of the city''s that records the outcomes of every battle between characters over level 100 and the outcome of any inter-pack/herd conflicts. Very significant story changes will be introduced by me, and region specific story will be guided by friends and fellow team-members.

Writing for Games Game Design

Started by alaskamatt17 May 22, 2002 12:07 AM

11 comments, last by alaskamatt17 22 years, 6 months ago

alaskamatt17

Author

122

May 23, 2002 03:53 PM

That sounds like a good idea. I''ll try to e-mail you later with more info.

MicroMac

122

May 25, 2002 09:23 AM

It could be possible that dinosaurs could be fought...

You must remember how civilization works...wars can advance weaponry, but they can also cripple people to points where they are set back many a century. The Dinosaurs could of have many rebellions that could of still kept them at a certain point through many years (example: some Middle Eastern countries).

-Mac

"I''ve said what I''ve said, now get over it..."

alaskamatt17

Author

122

May 26, 2002 03:12 AM

You can playtest the single player text engine at www.angelfire.com/theforce/wtsgames/Athena.html

non-traditional sci-fi/fantasy RPG setting

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non-traditional sci-fi/fantasy RPG setting

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