ITT: Possible Game Stories

Just a rough concept, written as kind of a film script. Not sure what it's for, but the idea is one that has kind of slowly fermented in my head over the last few weeks or so. Typed all of this up quickly from memory, so apologies if it's a bit rough.

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The story begins with a planet under siege as a massive fleet slips out of hyperspace and holds orbit. The shadowy captain of the command ship orders several of his heavy troop carriers towards the planet's surface, only to have the planet's massive orbital defense cannons erupt through the atmosphere and rip the landing crafts apart. Grinning, the captain pulls the fleet out of range and orders his troops to prepare for descent.

The carriers burn up as they fall from space, leaving plumes of fire and smoke as they plummet across the horizon. Several huge pieces crash in a remote forest region, flashing the surrounding trees to cinder and char. Peering into the crater, we see a huge fuel tank suddenly rock back and forth. From the smooth surface come small cracks which extend downward into legs, and the fuel tank suddenly lifts itself up and gallops horse-like out of the crater.

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Back in orbit, the captain watches a hologram of the planet's surface, monitoring dozens of the legged vehicles slowly moving across the map. Each closing in on the planetary defense cannons. Another grin; his decoys have worked.

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On the surface, a lone soldier is suddenly hit by a sniper's bullet and falls from his vantage post. Following the path of the bullet, we slow to see just the barrel of a long rifle and a hand descend back into one of the walking tanks, pulling a hatch closed as the tank gallops forward again. The view lifts upward as we follow the tank racing off, to show the vehicle is closing in on a larger bunker with a massive cannon pointing skyward.

A few soldiers stand guard near the entry point of the bunker, discussing the recent events in orbit, when the walking tank emerges from the woods and charges into the clearing. Sounding the alarm, the soldiers race inside as a heavy blast door slams behind them. Several small ports open in the door and rockets immediately spiral out towards the tank; most of the missiles fail to find their target but as the vehicle draws closer, a few find their mark.

Through the smoke, we see the vehicle still standing, 50 yards from the door. The tank's bottom suddenly falls out and crashes to the ground, revealing several soldiers in heavy armor, standing on the tank's bottom which is a heavily armed gunning platform. Bullets are pouring from the dust before it even begins to clear. A small window slides open in the upper part of the vehicle and the same long rifle barrel we viewed earlier emerges and begins firing into the windows and ports of the structure.

Inside, the exchange of fire is deafening and the rooms are dark save for the harsh streams of light pouring through the port holes and the flash of firearms. The door still remains closed, however, and the soldiers begin to joke at the attackers' expense. They are interrupted by the whine of a claxon and the flashing of emergency lights, the grind of machinery and the sudden flood of light as the door opens.

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In a nearby control room, several bodies are slumped over control panels but there is little evidence of a fight. A gloved hand releases a lever, the door controls, and a shadow slips across the panels. A turncoat, perhaps, or some saboteur who landed in advance of the attack days or weeks ago.

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The massive doorway stands wide open and the armored troops on their heavily defended platform fire an unending barrage into the dark opening as fewer and fewer shots emerge from within. One by one, the attackers cease firing and lift their guns straight up inside their tank. The legs click and whir, and the tank lowers down to the ground and reconnects with the platform with a sudden hissing suck of air. The sniper's barrel withdraws, the window slides closed, and the vehicle lurches forward again, ignoring the occasional bullet that plinks away harmlessly.

The tank steps into the dark room where several bodies lay lifeless, sinking to the floor and pulling its legs into the body of the craft again. All is quiet save for the breathing and shuffle of survivors preparing for whatever comes next.

The legs of the craft hiss and expand outward, a blue light radiating from the edges. Behind each is a soldier, holding the leg as a shield. They pull into a tight formation, forming a barrier with the leg-shields and close in towards the far end of the room. Several soldiers emerge from the edges of a low barricade and begin firing at the attackers, but the bullets ricochet and the soldiers continue to advance.

On the tank, the long, narrow window slides open again and a different barrel emerges; a short, stubby tube launches an explosive device across the room, arcing gently before landing behind the barricade and detonating. Splinters of cement rain down on the attackers, who have paused only briefly to let the smoke clear. Again, they advance, shutting out the light from the doorway behind them.

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In a distant control room filled with clean, sharp uniforms and gruff, overconfident conversation, an alarm sounds. A hologram surrounded by commanders suddenly flickers with the signals of a hundred ships dropping from orbit. An order is issued, repeated, shouted. A plaintive voice from a subordinate at the edge of the room; the defense posts are not responding. Something is wrong. Suits scramble to action just as the first wave of attacks shudders through the room.

Hanging lamps flicker and sway overhead, monitors blink and blank out, and soldiers crouched to steady themselves stare upward at the ceiling as impact tremor after impact tremor thunder overhead, muffled by the room's depth. An issue is ordered; evacuate immediately and mobilize what forces remain. Doors slide open, red lights light up across the room, and the room quickly empties itself of all but a few, vital personnel.

At the center of the room, an officer stands, his hands quickly and confidently racing over a now vacant control panel. A few seconds of quick typing, a flick of a few switches, and the soldier pulls a data module from the console and slips it inside his uniform. Another infiltrator, he quickly leaves the room, his mission complete. As he steps out the door, over his shoulder we see the holographic display of the planet slowly erupting with points of data and light; the planet is taken in mere moments.

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Possible game arcs:
- Invasion Force: The player assumes the role of one of the attacking soldiers, riding inside the walking tank. As an early level in the game, the player is introduced to basic gameplay concepts without facing too much danger. Sniping the perimeter scouts introduces aim, zoom and fire from a safe distance. When the gunning platform drops out of the bottom of the tank, the player is introduced to mounted artillery from a defensive position. Finally, when the troops emerge from the tank with the leg shields, the player is introduced to movement and the use of defensive equipment.

-Infiltrator: Unlocked after the completion of this initial invasion level, the player assumes the role of the saboteur inside the bunker. Intended as a bonus mission, it doesn't need to introduce mechanics, but can still train the player on stealth and assassination techniques.