Video Game Story Development (Potential Game) Thread

Ok, I have a few Questions about Storytelling in video games.

I am looking at making a game that is primarily made for storytelling and having fun doing so in a sandbox environment.

So here are my questions/Comments --

1. Cities have many stories to tell - Would anybody like it if I based the game in a Real world city?
I am thinking of a Fictional City due to the fact that i will have more creative Freedom in terms of development of the city and it wont piss off people claiming it to be a "Mass Murder Simulator" which is what I want to avoid. But at the same time I want people to take risks in telling their stories. (See More on the NPC and you section)

2. I am looking at games such as the Sims 3, GTA, etc. to get a feel for story telling in video games. What other games should I look at?

3. NPCs and You -

Should the list of NPCs be expansive and Defined or should it be Short and to the point?

I am looking right now at Potential NPCs --

A few that I came up with

Criminal
Law Enforcement
Entertainment
Law (Encompasses Paralegals, etc.)
Food
Transport
Financial
(The List Goes on)

Each NPC has a "Pre Determined" list of actions that they perform in various situations.

For example - You Shoot a Lawyer (Because everyone hates lawyers) and some non Law Enforcement civilians are nearby and see you do the dirty deed. Some will flee and some will call 911 via their cell phones if they have one other wise they will run. Law enforcement will arrive and draw their weapons (maybe try and shoot/apprehend you)

That is the goal with said AI / NPC system.

4. Forge 2.0 Like Tools or Crack Down KttC (Keys to the City) like tools?

I wanted the Get in and start making stuff to be easy and Efficient (Much like Halo Reach and its Forge mode) so the entry barrier is low and easy to learn.

5. Mod Support?

Normally I am Pro Mod support but with the engine I am going with I am not 100% sure if they will allow me to create a mod SDK...

I love custom assets that people make. Just want it

If anyone has any thoughts please let me know.

Before you say it cannot be done -- IT CAN BE!

You just got to look into the right tools and the right Game Engine.

So to Recap -

1. Fictional City or Real City?

2. What other games should I look at for Storytelling?

3. Should the list of NPCs be expansive and Defined or should it be Short and to the point?

4. Tool set feel - Halo Forge or Crackdown Keys to the City?

5. Mod Support? Y/N

Please let me know what you think

Edited by: HeadClot

I like the idea, however you could add a few more things here and there to make it more original. Let me tell you, though, I would be the first to play it .

So, in response to the questions:
1-Fictional Cities based off real cities (like, the 3D city in the Pokemon Generation V games is based off of Manhattan, New York) do seem to have more relation to the players, however a fully fictional city would be more fun to make and you can really do whatever you want with it!
2-I'm not sure what you mean, but I like to come up with my own plots and stories. Games I think have a good story include Just Cause 2, Halo (1, 2 and 3 consecutively), Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (this is more of a kiddie story, but its still fun), Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (same as Paper Mario, a fun little story oriented for slightly younger players).
3-Important NPCs, which basically include any who have regular involvement, should be expansive and defined, however the rest should be short and to the point.
4-I'm not sure. I haven't used either of these.
5-I'm not a mod, thus I can't answer that!

I like your idea, and I wish you the best of luck in development!

//will wrote: I like the idea, however you could add a few more things here and there to make it more original. Let me tell you, though, I would be the first to play it .

So, in response to the questions:
1-Fictional Cities based off real cities (like, the 3D city in the Pokemon Generation V games is based off of Manhattan, New York) do seem to have more relation to the players, however a fully fictional city would be more fun to make and you can really do whatever you want with it!
2-I'm not sure what you mean, but I like to come up with my own plots and stories. Games I think have a good story include Just Cause 2, Halo (1, 2 and 3 consecutively), Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (this is more of a kiddie story, but its still fun), Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (same as Paper Mario, a fun little story oriented for slightly younger players).
3-Important NPCs, which basically include any who have regular involvement, should be expansive and defined, however the rest should be short and to the point.
4-I'm not sure. I haven't used either of these.
5-I'm not a mod, thus I can't answer that!

I like your idea, and I wish you the best of luck in development!

Thank you for your valuable input I will be sure to add this to the Design doc

If any one else would like to add on to the initial thread Please do so