Update 4 - Project Gemini (Part 1) [October / 2019]
Of the Virtual Frontier in a Futuristic Reality
Projected Project Tags ▌Advanced ▬ Large Group ▬ Fantasy ▬ Anime/Manga ▬ Sci-Fi ▬ Future▐ Conception
———————————————————— If I were to try and explain the premise as briefly as possible in this first sentence (to either turn off or grab the attention of readers as quickly as possible), then I'd say that this project can be likened to properties like .Hack, SAO and RP1, a not so distant or far flung future featuring a great deal of virtual reality, but this time with an emphasis on events occurring both within the virtual world(s)
and the real one. Another way to look at it is that this is a glorified SAO AU, blown to rather ridiculous proportions. In saying this, I'm of course partly referring to the infamous "death game" trope that commonly underscores most works attempting to capture that same tense atmosphere.
But part of the reason I mentioned RP1 up there is that while the "death game" does occur as lore within the story, this project isn't a true isekai storyline as the players' characters themselves aren't necessarily trapped within the virtual world. Actually, the absurd and dire event stands as a historical catalyst that alters the course of history and society at large, the world left reeling from the stark tragedy, especially years later when I intend the events of the RP to pick up at.
As I'd like to make clear by now, this RP will ideally have multiple backdrops, all existing concurrently and all accessible to the players at or near the start of the game. The real world, as I'll be referring to it, consists of the technologically advanced metropolis that the players reside within; everyone may very well have to be resigned to play students should I decide that everyone being equal footing in for the best. True to the fantasy tag I listed, the primary virtual realm will follow in the classic stead of a fantasy-oriented MMORPG. Should I be successful in implementing the more gamey mechanics into this RP, then they will likely facilitate interactions in at least
this aspect of the campaign. Aside from these, a lesser but still notable third of the game will involve an in-universe version of a socially driven virtual application. Think VR-Chat but futuristic and a widespread forum for public dialogue.
If handled correctly, the idea is for these divisions of the RP to almost be as worlds in their own right, the role they play in the story being vital of course, but I want the content within them (especially the first two I mentioned) to be such that not only is there enough material to allow players to occasionally step off the main path of the story, but also to present the proper amount of narrative and material incentive for them to do so. At the same time, over the course of the main story, I want there to be choices made by the players that lead to consequences across the other realities, if possible culminating in an appropriate conclusion reaped by those still around to see it.
Features
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In-Game Time Progression You may already have an idea of what this will entail, possibly having even experienced a similar mechanic in the past. Basically how it'll work is that, with exception to longer, drawn out occasions like dungeon running and certain events, days in-game may correspond to a week for us in real time. The intention is to help ensure a steady rate of progression while also allowing for periods of downtime for players to explore the world and roleplay their characters on their own.
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RPG Mechanics What I want is for the "Character Information" sheet that I presented months previously to be refined and adapted to an acceptable format wherein all relevant player information for interacting with the RPG side of things (at the very least) to be recorded. Classes, skills, abilities and equipment are among the items I wish to cover, this all as likely to be attributed to the virtual world, though I am open to the possibility of stats applying to IRL characters as well.
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Turn-Based Battles Honestly, the way I see this is more of a very hopeful pipe dream, yes maybe even more so than everything else I've mentioned already. Once I had found that Discord can facilitate virtual dice rolling, my mind immediately jumped to what was likely one the intentions behind it: turn-based battles involving the entire party as one cohesive team (preferably). It might be asking too much for every single mob encounter to be done in this style, but the dream is to do these impactful strategic encounters fairly frequently and smoothly.
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There is of course plenty more to be said and elaborated upon, but so long as I'm not a total flake and just very very slow, then everything that needs to be considered absolutely will in due time. That said, if anyone wants to bring up something, like any pertinent questions perhaps, then that's only something I can encourage at this point. Anyway, I better leave it as that for now. Big thanks to anyone who read all the way to the end here. Will post again eventually, or maybe sooner if anyone cares. Have a nice day.
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