Doesn’t that title just explain everything? No? Well, this is in response to http://interactive.usc.edu/membersmedia/peggy/archives/009258.html.
Title: Extraterrestrial Extradition (working title)
Brief Desc: The player is brought to an alien space station (akin to the UN) to be brought up on unknown (because the player doesn’t understand the language) charges. Under their laws, the player can not be tried until they know the standard language they use – but the player can’t find out why they were brought there or how to get home without learning the language. I like that the player should (hopefully) want to learn the simple language in order to learn about the environment and the story but this also puts them closer to Judgment Day.
Broad Intention: To make the player question the evil Hollywood preconceptions of aliens. And to make as alien a world as possible while incorporating a simple alien language to learn.
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Exploratory/Adventure (there is a story to follow, but nothing stops the player from just wandering the station and exploring the space)
Media: Game (Flash probably)
External Boundaries: The game is limited by the physical boundaries of the space station.
What is outside these boundaries: Inky blankness of space. A vacuum. Maybe a planet, but that would be unnecessary.
Audience: A player. A singular player, unique and lovable.
POV: 3rd person. 1st person is hard to make seem right (generally a 1st person POV player char has no hands or feet. Telepathy rocks) and they also make it harder to empathize with the character.
Agency: This hasn’t been well thought out yet. Obviously the player will have some agency to make changes to the environment, like decorating their room at least. Definitely, the player’s actions will determine whether they win or lose their trial – or even if they find out what they are on trial for. If there is time, they will be able to play the trial segment.
Intention for the Player: To have fun and play with what contact with aliens may be like.
Motivation: To build an alien world for someone to explore and learn about. And hopefully to have awe and interest about possible aliens, but let’s not set our goals too high :^)
Here is a rough sketch of the external boundaries and what is outside it. I’ve decided to opt for the living ship and despite my lack of artistic ability, I think it turned out well. Mostly due to the art background I stole online from NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/spitzer/multimedia/pia09931.html).