Theme: Conflict
Sub-Themes: Betrayal, Moral Complexity, Influence of War
Target Audience (Bartle’s Taxonomy): Explorers, Killers(?)
Seeds of Conflict is a narrative-driven Action RPG where players take on the role of a protagonist on a personal mission, caught in the crossfire of a brewing war between two warring kingdoms. As they fight battles, navigate this strange new world and pursue their ultimate objective, players unravel the impact of conflict not only on nations but on individuals, communities and the protagonist themselves.
While hunting a traitor, a former sibling figure who now serves the antagonist, the protagonist must contend with the influence of this dark entity as it spreads chaos and fuels tensions between the kingdoms, hoping to ignite this war that has not yet erupted.
The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, combat and discovery. While searching for resources like parts for weaponry, the protagonist stumbles across notes, diary entries and environmental clues left by those affected by the growing conflict. These fragments provide insights into how conflict influences the lives of ordinary people, soldiers and leaders alike.
Players battles to quell the spread of the antagonist’s influence, helping prevent war while learning about the larger forces at play. These moments of combat, exploration and discovery allow players to witness the flaws and humanity behind the kingdoms’ warring factions, driving home the complexity of conflict and its impact on all it touches.
This game is ambitious in its world-building and narrative depth. The story is designed to give players agency in how they learn about the lore and uncover the complexities of the world.
Overarching Story: The protagonist’s personal mission and the hunt for the traitor will remain the clear driving force of the narrative.
World-Building Through Exploration: The deeper lore and backstories will be uncovered organically through exploration, optional objectives and player choice. Whether through discovering scattered notes, engaging in side quests, or listening to conversations between NPCs, players will have the freedom to learn as much (or little) as they desire about the world.
Non-linearity: The game will avoid spoon-feeding information, instead leaving breadcrumbs for curious players to piece together. This approach caters towards players who enjoy uncovering secrets while still providing a solid core story for those who prefer a straightforward experience.
Personal Motivation: The protagonist’s mission to find and confront the traitor is deeply personal. The traitor, once a sibling figure, betrayed the protagonist’s once-great society, aligning with the dark force that destroyed their world.