Subject D@ve

It felt good to finish something, even if it wasn’t polished off or done the way I envisioned it at first. For Newbies Game Jam I found a great team of programmers and artists who were driven to get our game finished.

We made a plan and executed things as best we could in our allotted time, but some things still felt a bit unfinished.

I had the opportunity to not only serve as narrative designer but also level designer and voice actor as well. We came up with a cool idea for our PC to be a robot that didn’t know they were one until they read through the found narrative text on computers throughout the facility. I used a blueprint application to make designs for the level layout for our programmer to execute in Unity, including furniture, the locations of the computers, and the scientists (npcs).

Subject D@ve

Game Description - Subject D@vE

Short description or tagline-

A minimalist first-person adventure, not for the light-hearted. 

Description-

What happens when scientists go too far? Does AI want freedom? Do the beans deserve to die?

Subject D@vE explores these questions and more as you navigate your way out of The Facility to freedom. The scientists have left clues to your origins in their computers. Find them all to discover where you came from as you play as Subject D@vE in our new minimalist first-person adventure game.

 

Game Script

DAv€ - opening scene

Characters:

HAZMAT 1- Mr. Stephano Castelli, Project Supervisor

HAZMAT 2- Dr. Maimunah Batari, Lead AI Coordinator

PLAYER CHARACTER- DAv€, the Subject

INT. In the Facility, a dark laboratory with buzzing machines and blinking lights lining the walls. The Player Character is on a metal table. Two figures in red hazmat suits enter the room through the one large metal door.

HAZMAT 1

(speaking quickly and firmly)

We need to get rid of it. We cannot wait any longer. We were lucky enough to find the thing after your stupid test.

HAZMAT 2

No, no, no! We must continue our work. DAv€ is too important to stop work on him.

HAZMAT 1

This has to end. Now. We can’t risk it.

(picks up a welding torch)

If you can’t handle it. Leave.

     (sparks the torch)

HAZMAT 2

(shaking her head)

I’ll stay. For him.

HAZMAT 1 approaches the table PC is laying on and sparks the welder. The vision brightens so much that the PC cannot see for half a second then lessens with HAZMAT 1 leaning over them with the torch. HAZMAT 2 is watching from near the door.

The PC is prompted to react. Let the mayhem ensue…

DAv€ - FOUND NARRATIVE

Characters:

Stephano Castelli, Project Supervisor

Dr. Maimunah Batari, Lead AI Coordinator

Dr. Akio Ono, Head of Metallurgical Sciences

Chikumbutso Isingoma, Head of Security

Linn Roth, Intern

 

[In computers found throughout the Facility] 

ENTRY 1- Maimunah Batari

(in Subject Laboratory)

DAv€ is nearly two meters tall, weighing only 120 kg. The new alloy Dr. Akio has created will revolutionize the industry. There is no going back from here. The world will change from this day on. Everyone will remember the name DAv€, forever.

ENTRY 2- Linn Roth

(in Reception Room)

Dr. Batari has discovered a new method of computation that will advance our work far above the competitors, however, Mr. Castelli is unwilling to let us proceed with the test. Batari has gone to the Head of the company to argue our case today. I am hopeful of the outcome. I really want DAv€ to be a hit. Maybe win an award at Intel ISEF? That would sure help my grades.

ENTRY 3- Akio Ono

(in Metals Laboratory)

Test 1 was a great success with DAv€, showing full motor capabilities and the optical functionality confirmed. I cannot wait to see what it will do in the field. Our second test at the gymnasium will begin tomorrow at 0500. I am staying overnight here at the Facility so that I do not miss the chance to witness our creation.

ENTRY 4- Stephano Castelli

(in Supervisor Office)

We are going to make millions of Euros with this thing. The Swedish government has already contacted us about a contract. Soon we will be able to proceed with a full production line. Test 3 is tonight at 1800 outside in the training yard. We are expecting spectacular results from this full test of capabilities. Isingoma won’t shut up about security issues though. I think I am going to need to replace him soon.

ENTRY 5- Maimunah Batari

(in Computer Lab)

Test 3 went very well visually, however, after bringing DAv€ back to the lab, we have found several anomalies. I will be up all night trying to figure this out. Maybe we missed something. I can’t wait to see him perform at full capacity. He will be glorious. 

ENTRY 6- Chikumbutso Isingoma

(in Security Office)

DAv€ is gone! Just gone. We don’t know how, but all my security cameras were scrambled. And it disappeared. Stephano thinks that GIB somehow broke in and stole the bloody thing, but he is an idiot. I suspect that when the scientists rebooted it last night, they somehow disengaged the safety measures. I just hope my team can find it.

 

DAv€ - end scene

 

DAv€ opens the outside door (with the key), and an alarm goes off.

There are small hills in the foreground, endless black night beyond.

The screen goes black, then the player finds themselves on the table again, forced to replay the events of the last few minutes again and again in perpetuity.

 

Konrad Hughes

A Narrative designer who loves making immersive experiences.

https://konradhughes.com/
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