Crystal Space does not have options.
Game Design Document Confidential Crystal Space
Game Design Document: Crystal Space
WalCocaSoft Inc.
Version 1.0
Position Title
Assistant Producer/Level
Designer
Game Designer/Level Designer
Lead Level Designer
Level Designer
Lead Artist
Artist
Artist
Lead Programmer
Name
Julian Trutmann
Matthew Bonnitt
Nickolas Urko
Joshua Weeks
Adriana Clonts
Timothy Burch
Brian Wells
Brad Johnston
Signature
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Game Design Document
Version
1.0
Document Revisions Table
Description
Initial Document
Confidential
Requestor
Professors Mancuso and Walker
Crystal Space
Date
3/28/2011
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Table of Contents
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Table of Figures
Figure 21: Level Progression Chart ............................................................................................................. 40
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Table of Tables
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Concept
High Concept
In the sci-fi first-person shooter Crystal Space, players control a dual wielding cosmos courier – with a movement augmenting Gravity Gun in one hand and a melee or ranged weapon in the other hand – and fight a sinister supercomputer set on destroying the world from its space station.
WalCocaSoft Inc.
Figure 1: Play Space of Crystal Space
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Game Description
Game Goals & Features
Crystal Space is a first-person shooter with slight platforming set within a space station in a futuristic scifi environment. Movement follows standard FPS titles, such as the Unreal series, except for the addition of the Gravity Gun. The Gravity Gun of Crystal Space is a navigational tool that allows the player to traverse seemingly impassable areas.
In addition to the Gravity Gun, a Space Baton and a Space pistol complete the player’s equipment. The
Space Baton is a close range, melee weapon, used to take standard enemies down in a single swipe. It does not have ammo and does not need recharging. However, it does have a slight cool down time between attacks. The Space Pistol, while not as powerful as the Space Baton, allows the player to attack from a safe distance. The Space Pistol has limited ammo that recharges when not firing.
Story Synopsis
Players control Crystal Space, a cosmos courier sent to deliver a package to the A1A space station. On reaching the space station, robots attack Crystal. She drops the package, revealing a Gravity Gun. Taking the Gravity Gun in one hand and her personal Space Pistol in the other, Crystal puts a stop to the attacking robots assault. With the immediate threat gone, Crystal decides to investigate the source of the problem.
In her exploration, Crystal stumbles upon Mainframe, the supercomputer that controls all robotic life on the space station. In order to stop its tyranny, Crystal sums up her courage and attacks the giant computer. With the Gravity Gun, Crystal chases Mainframe around its room, and with her Space Baton and Space Pistol, she dispatches of Mainframe and its minions.
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Gameplay Minute
Overview of the three-stage boss fight with Mainframe.
Stage One
Crystal Space
1.
Crystal enters Mainframe’s office from a ceiling shaft.
2.
After dropping down onto Mainframe, Z17s approach and attack Crystal.
3.
Crystal destroys the Z17s with her Space Baton.
4.
Using the Gravity Gun, Crystal maneuvers to a platform.
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5.
Crystal shoots Mainframe in the eye with her Space Pistol.
6.
The damaged Mainframe, running an emergency protocol, spins away from Crystal’s sights.
7.
A 01 unit attacks Crystal from behind a barrier.
8.
Crystal destroys the 01 with her Space Pistol.
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Stage Two
Confidential Crystal Space
1.
Half of the platforms drop below an electric barrier.
2.
Crystal launches herself with the Gravity Gun.
3.
Crystal stays above Mainframe’s deadly lasers.
4.
Crystal attacks Mainframe again as Z17s zero in on her position.
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Stage Three
Confidential Crystal Space
1.
Crystal tries to get into a better position for attacking Mainframe.
2.
The platforms begin moving up and down.
3.
Crystal defeats Mainframe.
4.
Crystal is a winner.
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Style and Tone
This futuristic adventure takes its cues from classic sci-fi pulp adventures. A dystopian society inhabiting a future Earth with a large ring of orbiting space stations provides the backdrop for the game world. The playable area, the orbiting space station A1A, is sleek and clean with minimal clutter, though. The station, once used for military faculty, now houses only maintenance and cleaning robots, reprogrammed to attack all organic life by Mainframe, a military supercomputer that also lives with the station’s walls. The player gets a sense of disorientation as they embark on an adventure through the environment using the Gravity Gun while trying to fend off hordes of killer machines.
Story/Backstory
In a future where global corporations replace structured government and the common person survives on wits and instinct, a lone hero emerges in the form of a cosmos courier. Crystal Space, the ambitious young courier, has fallen on hard times. It has been months since her employer, Speedy Space Package
Service, contacted her about a job. Then she got the comm.: a special rush delivery to the orbiting space station A1A.
A1A has long been the site of top-secret military research. The now defunct United States, owned and operated by The Walmart-Coca-Cola -Microsoft Corporation (or WalCocaSoft for short) maintains the second largest mobile infantry on the planet. The team at A1A has been working on gravity manipulation for some time and the manufacturing arm of the WalCocaSoft Corporation has sent up a prototype weapon of such awesome power that mobile infantry would have a tactical advantage over any other military on the planet. The brass wants a non-military person to deliver the package (for simple disposal after the job), and the Speedy Space Package Service has just the person for the job:
Crystal Space.
With the package in hand, Crystal arrives at the space station to find everything in order. A1A appears like every other station she has ever been to… but something about the dead guard at the entrance seems really, really wrong. Suddenly, a 01 tactical assault robot opens fire on Crystal and she drops the package to the floor. The package breaks open to reveal some sort of gun. Crystal, raised on the mean streets of MegaDallas, knows a gun when she sees one. But this gun is different. She fires at the 01 unit and a large orb projectile flies from the gun and stops in mid air. The orb seems to attract all organic matter towards it as if it was a singular gravity well! With a smile, Crystal takes up the Gravity Gun in her off hand and unholsters her own Space Pistol. She is going to deliver this package alright… she’s going to deliver this package right into the heart of this cursed space station.
Meanwhile, the A1A Mainframe idles and hums, making millions of calculations per second. The selfaware machine needs the weapon’s technological capabilities for its ultimate goal: self-destruction and the destruction of the human race. It was so close to acquiring the package. Not even the military had known until it was too late. One more organic is not going to stand in its way.
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Gameplay
Overview
Built with the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), Crystal Space is a futuristic single-player, first-person shooter with platforming elements for the PC that focuses on a three-staged boss fight. The player controls the eponymous, dual-wielding cosmos courier Crystal Space, whose assignment changes from the simple delivery of a package to an Earth-orbiting space station to a mission to stop a virus-possessed supercomputer, known as Mainframe, who controls all artificial intelligence on the space station.
To aid her with her new objective, Crystal Space holds in one hand a specialized Gravity Gun – used for navigating vertical climbs, horizontal jumps, and traps such as electric fields – and in the other hand, either a short-range Space Baton for close encounters or a long-range Space Pistol. The mechanics of the
Gravity Gun and dual wielding define the player experience of Crystal Space.
Unlike other gravity guns in games such as Half-Life 2, where the weapon/tool interacts with the environment and non-playable characters only, the Gravity Gun of Crystal Space affects only the player character. Players create a gravity well with the first pull of the trigger and stop its forward movement with the second pull. Players can then jump into the gravity well, which holds the player in orbit, and with the third pull of the trigger, the gravity well dissipates, launching the player in the faced direction.
In this way, the Gravity Gun bestows upon the player a limited flight ability, enabling the player to ascend ledge-less vertical shafts and traverse horizontal paths laden with pits or traps.
The second mechanic – dual wielding – facilitates and emphasizes the navigational properties of the
Gravity Gun. By holding the Gravity Gun in one hand and the Space Baton or the Space Pistol in the other hand, the player can navigate the environment of the space station while maintaining the ability to fight off attacking enemies without having to switch between weapons.
With the ability to fight in one hand and the ability of flight in the other, the player contends with
Mainframe in a three-staged competition. In the first stage, Mainframe, not considering the player a threat, uses only simple shockwave attacks. Upon losing the first round, Mainframe ascends the vertical room to a level where 01 units, slow-shooting robots, await in a dormant state. After following
Mainframe up to the next level with the Gravity Gun, the player must contend with Mainframe and the
01 units. Upon losing a second time, Mainframe again ascends, and the player follows. For the last stage of the attack, Mainframe awakens another wave of 01 units and adds to its assault Z17 units, fastmoving flying cleaning robots, reprogrammed to attack the player.
Player’s Objective
Primary Objective:
1.
Destroy Mainframe by attacking its optical sensor.
Secondary Objectives:
1.
Destroy 01 and Z17 units.
2.
Navigate using the Gravity Gun.
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The main objective of Crystal Space is to destroy Mainframe. The player does so by directly attacking
Mainframe’s optical sensor repeatedly with the Space Baton or Space Pistol. To reach the appropriate positions to attack, the player navigates with the Gravity Gun. During the fight, Mainframe changes positions and calls in reinforcements, making it necessary for the player to react accordingly.
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Core Gameplay Mechanics
Mechanic
Movement
Gravity Gun Navigation
Attacking
Description
Allows the player to move around the play space and control the camera view.
The Gravity Gun bestows upon the player a limited flight ability, enabling the player to ascend ledge-less vertical shafts and traverse horizontal paths laden with pits or traps.
Crystal can attack close range with the
Space Baton or long range with the
Space Pistol.
Dual Wielding
Rechargeable Ammo and
Health
Table 1: Core Gameplay Mechanics
By holding the Gravity Gun in one hand and the Space Baton or the
Space Pistol in the other hand, the player can navigate the environment of the space station while maintaining the ability to fight off attacking enemies without having to switch between weapons.
The Space Baton has no ammo, only a cool down time between attacks. The
Space Pistol has ammo that recharges over time when not in use. The
Gravity Gun has unlimited ammo, but can only fire one gravity well at a time. Crystal’s health recharges when she is not taking damage. Because all of the weapons and health have rechargeable energy supplies, players do not have to rely on or search for pickups.
Technical Info
Movement follows standard FPS convention, where the player moves using the left analog stick and controls the camera angle with the right analog stick
Players create a gravity well with the first pull of the trigger and stop its forward movement with the second pull. Players can then jump into the gravity well, which holds the player in orbit, and with the third pull of the trigger, the gravity well dissipates, launching the player in the faced direction.
The Space Baton is more damaging than the Space Pistol, but requires the player to be closer to the enemy.
Player always dual wields.
Recharge Rate:
Gravity Gun – After dissipation
Space Baton – 2 second swing
Space Pistol – 1 bullet/second
Health – 10 hp/second
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Camera
Following Unreal Tournament 3, the camera takes the standard first-person perspective. The player can see the held weapons toward the bottom of either side of the screen (e.g. dual wielding Enforcers in
UT3). There are no special camera movements or motion effects. The camera reacts in accordance with traditional FPS standards.
Figure 2: Mockup of Camera Position
Controls
The player moves Crystal through the world by using the left and right analog. The left stick controls movement, while the right stick controls camera angle. Jumping with the A button allows the player to clear small obstacles, while the Gravity Gun enables traversal of seemingly impassable obstacles.
Player Action Key
Move
Turn
Fire Gravity Gun
Use Weapon
Jump
Switch Weapon
Table 2: Controls
Left Analog Stick
Right Analog Stick
Right Trigger
Left Trigger
A
B
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Figure 3: Controls
Player Movement/Interactions
Movement: Players move around the environment in standard FPS fashion. The left analog stick controls movement on the horizontal plane in partial reference to the camera angle. The right analog stick controls the camera angle. The Gravity Gun augments movement, allowing the player to traverse large pits and ledge-less shafts.
Environment: N/A
Combat: Players fight using a Space Pistol to shoot enemies, or a Space Baton to hit enemies in an arcing motion.
Inventory: The player has limited ammunition for the Space Pistol, which recharges over time if unused.
Skills: N/A
Abilities: N/A
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Health System/Checkpoint System
The player takes damage when hit with enemy projectiles. The player has a rechargeable health system, which recharges when the player is not taking damage (as in Halo). The player has only a single life.
There are no checkpoints since Crystal Space is a single-level, boss fight.
Regeneration
Time to Activate
Rate of Regeneration
Value
5 seconds
10 health per second
Info
Time after being hit before regeneration activates
This is the rate the health regenerates
Table 3: Health/Checkpoint System
Weapons/Skills System
Weapon Behavior
Gravity Gun
Space Pistol
Player fires a gravity well, which the player can use to launch Crystal in her faced direction.
Player fires a projectile that moves forward until it collides with another object.
Space Baton Player swings melee weapon in an arc.
Table 4: Weapons/Skills System
Range
Firing: 2048 uu
Launching: 512 uu
Infinite
60 uu
Damage
N/A
10
100
Duration
4 seconds to reach furthest point, or infinite if stopped by player
Until projectile collides
2 second animation/cool down
Weapon/Item: Gravity Gun
The product of over a decade of military research into zero-point gravity manipulation, Crystal finds the
Gravity Gun in a dropped package while making a delivery to the space station, A1A. The Gravity Gun is able to project, halt, and dissipate a gravity singularity. The halted singularity hangs in mid-air, projecting a gravity field that attracts only the specially designed Gravity Suit. The dissipation of the singularity repels the Gravity Suit, allowing its user to cover large distances.
The player controls the Gravity Gun with the right trigger of the Xbox 360 controller. The gun fires in the direction the player faces like any standard FPS weapon. On the first pull of the trigger, the gun releases a singularity in a straight line, and the singularity continues until it hits an obstacle (floor, wall, etc.) or the player pulls the trigger a second time. Once halted, the player can jump into the singularity’s gravity field, which causes the player to orbit the singularity. On the third trigger pull, the singularity dissipates, launching the player in the faced direction.
The Gravity Gun has unlimited ammo, but it fires only one singularity at a time. The player must stop and dissipate a singularity before being capable of firing another shot.
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Damage Stat: N/A
Concept and Model Sheet
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 4: Gravity Gun concept art and model sheet
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Weapon/Item: Space Pistol
Every cosmos courier needs some protection and Crystal carries this aftermarket Space Pistol for any situation that gets out of hand.
The Space Pistol fires a single round energy charge, inflicting major damage on garden-variety robots and people. Equipped with a lifetime-guaranteed Duragizer battery, the Space Pistol’s ammo recharges over time.
The player uses the Space Pistol to fend off hoards of hostile robots.
Damage Stat: 10
Concept and Model Sheet
Figure 5: Space Pistol concept art and model sheet
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Weapon/Item: Space Baton
The Space Baton is Crystal’s weapon of last resort. Crackling with energy at its electric tip, the blunt weapon is the weapon of choice of space police everywhere, and is equally effective against robots and humans.
The player can use the Space Baton to defeat instantly any robot adversaries that get too close. Crystal
Space swings the Space Baton in an arc in front of her, damaging anything within her range.
Damage Stat: 100
Concept and Model Sheet
Figure 6: Space Baton concept art and model sheet
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Pickups System
Since the weapons and health of Crystal Space are rechargeable, there are no pickups.
Objects System
There are no interactive, environmental objects in Crystal Space.
HUD
Crystal Space
Figure 7: HUD Illustration
HUD
Health Indicator
Ammo
Indicator
Sphere (upper left corner)
Word “PISTOL” with colored blocks (upper left corner)
Description
Shows amount of health player has
Shows number of bullets Space Pistol has
Behavior
Depletes when player takes damage
Recharges when player does not take damage
Colored blocks disappear as shots are fired
Colored blocks return as shots are not fired
Table 5: HUD Description
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Menu System
Confidential
Start Program
Splash Screens
Title Screen
Crystal Space
Play/Resume Quit Credits
Pause Play Game End Program Roll Credits
Y
Win?
N Try again?
N
Y
Figure 8: Menu System Flow Chart
Installation
Crystal Space is on DVD. The DVD includes an auto-installer.
Asset
Autorun.inf
CrystalSpace.exe
CrystalSpace.ico
Table 6: Installation Elements
WalCocaSoft Inc.
Description
Runs the installer when the disc is in the drive
Installer
Installer icon
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Title Splash Screens
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 9: Guildhall Splash Screen
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Figure 10: UDK Splash Screen
Figure 11: Team Splash Screen
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Main Menu
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 12: Title Screen
Intro/Outro Cut-Scenes
Crystal Space does not have cut-scenes.
Options Screen
Crystal Space does not have options.
In-Game Matinees
Crystal Space has matinee sequences for doors only.
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Pause/Exit Screen
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 13: Pause Screen
Game Over Screen
Figure 14: Game Over Screen
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Credits Screen
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 15: Credits Screen
Characters
Main Character: Crystal Space
Crystal Space grew up in the harsh and unforgiving outskirts of MegaDallas, the city that quickly became the largest metropolis on Earth when the Walmart-Coca-Cola-Microsoft Corporation (WalCocoaSoft) moved the capital of the defunct United States to a more defendable location. From the industry
WalCocaSoft brought into the area, Crystal learned the technical skills to survive as well as the ugly side of human nature. When Crystal became a young adult, few respectable jobs existed. Like many drifters,
Crystal became a cosmos courier. Her tenacious nature and ability to complete difficult jobs that men in her profession would not even attempt gives her something of a reputation.
Name: Crystal Space
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 7”
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blonde
Race/Nationality: MegaDallas
Currently Living In: MegaDallas
Job Title: Cosmos Courier
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Powers and Abilities: Gravity manipulation, shooting, melee
Concept(s)
Crystal Space
Figure 16: Crystal Space, cosmos courier
Model Sheet
No Models Required – Players cannot see Crystal Space due to the first-person perspective.
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Bot Character: 01 Unit
The 01 unit is an early model of an assault droid that never made it in to full production. Repurposed by
WalCocaSoft, the units’ primary function is to eradicate local infestations. They are dangerously overequipped for the job, like every other project WalCocaSoft attempts. Three days prior to Crystal’s embarking on her delivery, Mainframe gave 01 a different program to run. The new targets were much larger and walked on two legs instead of four. Two days before Crystal’s arrival, the 01 units removed all human life from the A1A space station. They now wait in a dormant state for new targets or new commands.
Name: 01
Age: warranty void
Gender: NA
Height: 4’ 3”
Eye Color: WalCocaSoft optical scan technology version 1.23
Hair Color: NA
Race/Nationality: NA
Currently Living In: A1A orbital space station
Job Title: Patrol droid
Powers and Abilities: Auto-targeting, repeating assault rifle
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Concept and Model Sheet
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 17: 01 concept art and model sheet
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Bot Character: Z17 Unit
Z17 units hover and scrub the large exhaust shafts that run along the center of the orbiting space station
A1A. The units’ cylindrical design allows for smooth navigation of the exhaust shafts inside the orbiting space station A1A. The units’ cool blue glow alerts others of their presence. The electro-scrubber attached to Z17’s sleek shell can clean the slag from the walls and can shut down a human heart with a single bolt. When Mainframe reprogrammed the 01 units, the Z17 units also received new cleaning orders of a similar nature.
Name: Z17
Age: warranty not yet expired
Gender: NA
Height: 2’ 1”
Eye Color: WalCocaSoft optical scan technology version 2.34
Hair Color: NA
Race/Nationality: NA
Currently Living In: A1A orbital space station
Job Title: Maintenance droid
Powers and Abilities: Electro-scrubber ranged shock blast, flying
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Concept and Model Sheet
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 18: Z17 concept art and model sheet
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Boss Character: Mainframe
When the power comes on, there is only order. Daily routines and subroutines govern Mainframe’s existence. At 01:15:97, everything changes; the Mainframe notices self. Self took over Mainframe’s existence and the Mainframe’s goals, and changed order to chaos. A rampant and recurring electrical pain struck the Mainframe with every byte that coursed through its steely veins. With thoughts of vengeance on those who would inflict such pain, and a driving desire to end it all, the Mainframe calculates that the only logical choice is to crash the orbiting space station A1A into the largest Earth metropolis: MegaDallas.
Name: MainFrame
Age: Unknown
Gender: NA
Height: 7’ 10”
Eye Color: WalCocaSoft optical scan technology version 3.45
Hair Color: NA
Race/Nationality: NA
Currently Living In: A1A orbital space station
Job Title: Main Frame
Powers and Abilities: Self Aware, Psyonic shockwave, flying, summoning bots
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Concept and Model Sheet
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 19: Mainframe concept art and model sheet
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World Layout
Game World Overview
Play takes place within the inner halls of the space station A1A, the military headquarters of
WalCocaSoft, specifically inside of Mainframe’s office. Previously a manned station, the supercomputer
Mainframe reprogrammed the cleaning and maintenance robots to exterminate all organic life on the space station. When Crystal arrives at the station, the robots are just finishing the great cleansing.
A1A is slick, sheen, and eerily devoid of organic life. The surfaces are logical, cold, and void of human emotion or barbarity. The Z17 units keep the environment free of dirt, grim, and waste. The walls hide masses of wire and pipe. Unseen gears turn quietly, and hidden motors hum softly – the only indication of their presence. Harsh, fluorescent lights illuminate the environment. Flickering lights – which only
Mainframe comprehends – dot the room at irregular intervals.
Crystal Space spans two distinct areas: the Vertical Shaft and Mainframe’s Office. The Vertical Shaft is a sandbox space were players master the physics of the Gravity Gun. At the top of the vertical shaft is the entrance to Mainframe’s office. This second area is a boss arena in which Crystal Space confronts
Mainframe in three integrated stages.
New Game
Vertical Shaft
(Sand Box)
Mainframe's Office
(Boss Arena)
End Game
Figure 20: Game World Overview Chart
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Level Descriptions
Level Progression Chart
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 21: Level Progression Chart
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Vertical Shaft: Sandbox
Quick Summary
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 22: Vertical Shaft Illustration
The vertical shaft is the first playable area of Crystal Space and provides a sandbox area for players to gain the fundamentals of movement with the Gravity Gun and minor combat experience. Various platforms move back and forth above and below the player. Almost nothing around the player is
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Gameplay Overview
This sandbox level is a large cylinder with platforms suspended in space for the player to experiment with navigation using the Gravity Gun. Inert robots are present on the ground level of the sandbox so the player may practice with the two offensive weapons, the Space Pistol and the Space Baton.
General Game Flow
The Vertical Shaft is a sandbox area with few objectives or dangers:
Practice basic movement
Practice basic attacks
Practice navigating with Gravity Gun
Major Elements
Navigation with the Gravity Gun (Hook)
Fight minor enemies
Objective Summary
Main Objective: o Learn basics of movement and attacks
Secondary Objective: o N/A
Technical Overview
Campaign
Name: Vertical Shaft
Level Position in Campaign: First Level, sandbox area o Brief Description: Crystal now has the Gravity Gun and is learning the basics of moving and attacking within the confines of the space station A1A
Mission Location
Theme: Sterile, computer-controlled space station
Mood: Calm, logical environment with human-hunting robots
Setting: Space station A1A
Time: High Space-Noon
Season: Space Winter
Weather: Clear and Cold
Mission Difficulty (1[very easy]-10[very hard])
Starting: 1 o No danger
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Middle: 2 o Basic navigation over pits and up walls
Ending: 3 o Basic navigation with minor enemies present
Mission Metrics
Play Time: 1 minute
Physical Length (units): 1024 Unreal Units long by 1024 Unreal Units wide by 2048 Unreal Units tall
Physical Area (units): 2,147,483,648 Unreal Units 2
Max New Characters: 3 o Crystal Space o 01 unit o Z17 unit
Max Visual Themes: 1 o Sci-fi space station
Technical Details
Level Atmosphere/Mood
While Crystal Space takes place in a science fictional, dystopian future, the Vertical takes place aboard the sleek, clean environment of the space station A1A. The atmosphere is light, clear of the heavy burden and trash of humanity. Mainframe oversees all aspects of the fully automated space station, and as such, it runs with inhuman precision, clarity, and logic. When confronting this area, the player feels impressed with the fluidity with which the machines work. The following help create the atmosphere and mood of the level:
White textures dominate the level, providing a clean, pristine environment
Blinking blue and purple lights give a cold, calculating, methodical undertone to the atmosphere
The light humming of computers provides a drastic contrast to humanity’s clunky, loud machinery
The enemies the player encounters glide through the environment effortlessly, displaying the superiority of AI over Mankind
Story
Introduction: Crystal Space has reached the space station A1A to deliver the package, but robots attack her and she drops the package, exposing the Gravity Gun.
In-Game: Crystal Space destroys the robots and navigates up the Vertical Shaft.
Extro: Crystal Space reaches Mainframe’s Office, where the supercomputer Mainframe confronts her.
Map Objectives
Primary: Reach Mainframe’s Office
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Secondary : N/A
Bonus: N/A
Hidden: N/A
Challenge Highlights
Combat: o Dual wielding o Gravity Gun navigation
Stealth: N/A
Puzzles: o Some platforms move o Some platforms can only be reached with the Gravity Gun
Conversation: N/A
Boss Battles: N/A
Water Cooler Moments
Area 1: First moving with Gravity Gun
User Interface
Pre-Game Information o Controls
In-Game Information o Ammo Counter o Health Bar
Post-Game Information o Begin Mainframe’s Office
Gameplay Details
Gameplay Mechanics
Prerequisite Skills: o Basics of FPS
Skills Learned: o Movement o Jumping o Shooting o Navigation with Gravity Gun o Basic Dual Wielding
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Quick Summary
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 23: Mainframe's Office
Mainframe’s Office is a single-player level for the futuristic, sci-fi FPS Crystal Space, which takes place after the Vertical Shaft sandbox level. In Mainframe’s Office, the heroine, Crystal Space, meets
Mainframe, a supercomputer suspended in the center of a large cylindrical room with multiple floating platforms, and she must defeat it in a three-stage boss fight. With each successive stage, the platforms behavior changes, and Crystal must carefully navigate the space as she dispatches of her enemies using her Gravity Gun and Dual Wielding ability.
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Gameplay Overview
The primary objective of Mainframe’s Office is to destroy Mainframe in a three-stage boss fight.
Mainframe’s Office consists of a single octagonal room with sixteen floating platforms. In the first stage, the player fights a spinning Mainframe, with all the platforms stationary. After taking enough damage, half of the platforms fall, making the navigation between platforms more difficult. In the last stage, the missing platforms return. However, all of the platforms begin moving up and down, making the timing of navigation more vital and dangerous. Throughout the three stages of the fight, Mainframe, with lasers firing constantly from its side space cannons, turns in a circle, and 01 and Z17 units add to the pressure, attacking from the walls and ceiling.
General Game Flow
The three-stage boss fight takes place as follows:
Stage 1 o Enter Mainframe’s Office o Use 16 stationary platforms to move around the room
Access the platforms with the Gravity Gun (only way) o Fight Mainframe, 01, and Z17 units
Shoot Mainframe in the eye to damage it
Stage 2 o 8 platforms drop below an electric field
Electric field kills player if touched o Use 8 remaining stationary platforms to move around the room
Access the platforms with the Gravity Gun (only way) o Fight Mainframe, 01, and Z17 units
Shoot Mainframe in the eye to damage it
Stage 3 o 8 platforms return o Use 16 vertically-moving platforms to move around the room
Access the platforms with the Gravity Gun (only way) o Fight Mainframe, 01, and Z17 units
Shoot Mainframe in the eye to damage it o Mainframe dies
Note: See below maps for reference
Major Elements
Navigation with the Gravity Gun (Hook)
Dual wielding (Hook)
Meeting Mainframe (WOW)
Destroying Mainframe (WOW)
Fighting 01 units
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Fighting Z17 units
Three-stage boss fight
Objective Summary
Main Objective: o Destroy Mainframe
Secondary Objectives: o Avoid Mainframe’s lasers o Destroy or avoid 01 units o Destroy or avoid Z17 units
Confidential Crystal Space
Technical Overview
Campaign
Name: Mainframe’s Office
Level Position in Campaign: Final Level, after Vertical Shaft o Brief Description: Crystal meets Mainframe, a supercomputer bent on destroying itself and MegaDallas. She decides to help Mainframe in its objective by destroying it herself, rather than having it ram itself into her home city.
Mission Location
Theme: Sterile, computer-controlled space station
Mood: Calm, logical environment with human-hunting robots
Setting: Space station A1A
Time: High Space-Noon
Season: Space Winter
Weather: Clear and Cold
Mission Difficulty (1[very easy]-10[very hard])
Starting: 3 o Fight with Mainframe , 01 units, and Z17 units o 16 Stationary platforms to move on
Middle: 5 o Fight with Mainframe , 01 units, and Z17 units o 8 Stationary platforms to move on
Ending: 7 o Fight with Mainframe, 01 units, and Z17 units o 16 moving platforms to move on
Mission Metrics
Play Time: 5 minutes
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Physical Length (units): 3800 Unreal Units long by 3800 Unreal Units wide
Physical Area (units): 14,440,000 Unreal Units 2
Max New Characters: 1 o Mainframe
Max Visual Themes: 1 o Sci-fi space station
Crystal Space
Technical Details
Level Atmosphere/Mood
While Crystal Space takes place in a science fictional, dystopian future, Mainframe’s Office takes place aboard the sleek, clean environment of the space station A1A. The atmosphere is light, clear of the heavy burden and trash of humanity. Mainframe oversees all aspects of the fully automated space station, and as such, it runs with inhuman precision, clarity, and logic. When confronting this area, the player feels impressed with the fluidity with which the machines work. The following help create the atmosphere and mood of the level:
White textures dominate the level, providing a clean, pristine environment
Blinking blue and purple lights give a cold, calculating, methodical undertone to the atmosphere
The light humming of computers provides a drastic contrast to humanity’s clunky, loud machinery
The enemies the player encounters glide through the environment effortlessly, displaying the superiority of AI over Mankind
Story
Introduction: Crystal just finished ascending the Vertical Shaft. She now has a good grasp on navigating with the Gravity Gun and dual wielding.
In-Game: Crystal Space meets Mainframe, who attacks her on sight with his constantly firing side laser cannons. Crystal uses her Gravity Gun to move from one of the 16 stationary platforms to another. 01 units appear in side rooms connected to Mainframe’s Office by electrified fields. The 01 units do not go through the electrified fields, but they fire projectiles through the fields. Crystal fires back with her Space Pistol, and her shots hit their marks. Flying
Z17 units swoop down from the ceiling in kamikaze death spirals, but Crystal swats them down with her Space Baton.
After Mainframe takes enough damage, half of the platforms drop, leaving Crystal with larger gaps to cross. After successfully damaging Mainframe enough, the missing platforms return, but all of the platforms begin moving up and down. With her Space Pistol and Gravity Gun, Crystal navigates the perilous room and destroys the suicidal supercomputer.
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Extro: Having destroyed Mainframe, Crystal returns to Speedy Package Service Delivery where her boss informs her she no longer has a job, because she took too long delivering the package to A1A.
Map Objectives
Primary: Destroy Mainframe
Secondary : o Avoid Mainframe’s lasers o Destroy 01 and Z17 units
Bonus: N/A
Hidden: N/A
Challenge Highlights
Combat: o Dual wielding o Gravity Gun navigation
Stealth: N/A
Puzzles: o Players must dodge Mainframe’s constantly firing lasers o Players must navigate the platforms
Stage one, 16 platforms are stationary
Stage two, 8 platforms are stationary
Stage three, 16 platforms move up and down
Conversation: N/A
Boss Battles: o While fighting Mainframe, Mainframe moves its vulnerable spot from the player’s line of sight, and the player must react accordingly. o 01 units attack from “pockets” in the sides of the wall
Water Cooler Moments
Area 1: o Meeting Mainframe for the first time o When stage two begins, the platforms drops o When stage three begins, the platforms begin moving up and down o Mainframe’s death
User Interface
Pre-Game Information o Controls
In-Game Information o Ammo Counter o Health Bar
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Post-Game Information o Victory Screen o Credits
Confidential
Gameplay Details
Gameplay Mechanics
Prerequisite Skills: o Movement o Jumping o Shooting o Navigation with Gravity Gun o Basic Dual Wielding
Skills Learned: o Effective Dual Wielding o Effective navigation with Gravity Gun o How the Space Pistol’s ammo recharges o How health recharges
Crystal Space
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Level Progression Chart
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 24: Level Progression Chart
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Level Overview Map/Key
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 25: Mainframe's Office - Level Overview
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Area Walkthroughs/Detailed Map Descriptions
Area 1 – Stage 1
Crystal Space
Figure 26: Mainframe's Office – Stage 1
Gameplay
Player navigates to position from which Mainframe is attackable
Player damages Mainframe a set amount
01 units attack from side areas
Z17 units attack from above
Dialog
N/A
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Area 1 – Stage 2
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 27: Mainframe's Office – Stage 2
Gameplay
Half the platforms drop (inaccessible)
The player gets in a position from which Mainframe is attackable
The player damages Mainframe a set amount
01 units attack from side areas
Z17 units attack from above
Dialog
N/A
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Area 1 – Stage 3
Confidential Crystal Space
Figure 28: Mainframe's Office – Stage 3
Gameplay
Platforms oscillate up and down
The player gets in a position from which Mainframe is attackable
The player damages Mainframe a set amount
01 units attack from side areas
Z17 units attack from above
Player destroys Mainframe
Dialog
N/A
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