Magnetic - Game Design Document 1.13

Game Design Document
September 2008, Version # 1.13
All work Copyright © 2008 - 2009 by Team Alpha Games
Written by Dennis Agodzo, Simon Carpenter, Soichi Yasato
David Stanbury, Adam Riley, Imran Najafi

x. Design History
Version 1.13 - November, 2008
• Initial First Draft
Version 1.12 - October, 2008
• Minor spelling mistakes fixed
• Replaced the default name of the Aliens with their new name "The Parayth"
• Added the second name of the planet "Bau" to the main plot points section
• Added annotations to images of the Nestor Device and Indelus
• Added Indelus (Human capital) main plot point
• 2.3 character relationship chart updated with new images from Dennis and Soichi
• 3. Characters page created
• 3.1 Haylee Character page created

x. Design History
Version 1.11 - October, 2008
• Two spelling mistakes fixed
• 1.5 Why make this game written
• 1.6 The target audience written
Version 1.10 - September, 2008
• Fixed the Authors
• 2.3 corrected the Evil alliance relationship description
• Replaced Magnetic logo with near final version
Version 1.09 - September, 2008
• Minor spelling mistakes fixed.
• 2.2/2.3 Added Adam Miyamoto to game characters
• 2.2 Added another line for Grandmaster S
• 2.3 Updated Character relationship chart
Version 1.08 - September, 2008
• 2.2 Main plot points completed (PMCs)
• 2.3 Character chart written
Version 1.07 - September, 2008
• 2.2 Main plot points continued (The Nexus Group)
• 2.2 Main plot points continued (The Nestor Device)
Version 1.06 - September, 2008
• 2.2 Main plot points continued (Aliens)
Version 1.05 - September, 2008
• 2.2 Main plot points continued (Humans)
Version 1.04 - September, 2008
• Background graphics improved
Version 1.03 - September, 2008
• 2.2 Main plot points (MRP-6F) written
Version 1.02 - September, 2008
• 1.3 Vision statement written
• 1.4 Branding choices written
• 2.1 Plot summary written
Version 1.01 - September, 2008
• 1. Introduction page created
• 1.1 Overview written
• 1.2 About this document written
• 2. Story page created
Version 1.00 - August, 2008
• Design document created

x. Team Alpha
Dennis Agodzo
Lead Designer
Soichi Yasato
Lead Artist
Imran Najafi
Project Manager
Simon Carpenter
Lead Programmer
Adam Riley
Lead 3D Artist
David Stanbury
Lead Sound Designer

1. Introduction
1.1 Overview
Magnetic is a tile-based role-playing game (RPG) for PC and Xbox Live Arcade. The player
controls the games female heroine Haylee Nestor as she explores the vast world of MRP-6F
in search for her brother and the device he carries that could bring about the end of the
humanity.
Since this is an RPG it must meet all the key fundamentals such as the ability to explore a
non-liner world, interact with non-playable characters (NPC), take on quests; mandatory and
optional, have a compelling story and rock-solid action to keep the game fresh, entertaining
and fun.
1.2 About This Document
This document is intended for the entire design team behind the project. Documented is
every key aspect of the games story, characters, and environments. It will also contain
technical information on what programs to use and the structure of the games code and
major processes.
1.3 Vision Statement
The player should be delivered the following experiences:
- Non-Linear exploration of large environments with varying terrain.
- Compelling story in order to keep the player engaged and entertained.
- Addictive gameplay elements such as completing quests, gaining new and more powerful
items too levelling up and defeating enemies.
- Intuitive Controls that any player can understand seconds after starting the game.
1.4 Branding Choices
The main branding of the game is focused on the main heroine Haylee Nestor. When people
think about the game they will think of her and the many cool things she does that makes it a
memorable experience, and since the story is about her and her personal goals it makes
perfect sense to base the branding on her character.
The games name itself; Magnetic, is also a staple to her attractiveness and charismatic
personality.

1. Introduction
1.5 Why make this game
The market for role-playing games on the Xbox LIVE Arcade service is incredibly small, and
Team Alpha believe that the service has untapped power to tell great stories without having to
spend £40 to buy fully-fledged RPG titles.
Releasing Magnetic over the LIVE service would allow users who love the RPG genre of
games to experience one at a much more reasonable price.
Team Alpha could also utilise the online capabilities of the LIVE service to produce
downloadable content, e.g. new quests and items (for a fee) in order to keep the user base
alive days after it has been released.
1.6 The Target audience
Magnetic will be targeted at all audiences that enjoy role-playing games, fantasy style action
and good storytelling. The game will not be ultra violent or bloody as we want to cash in on
the younger audiences of the LIVE service in order to generate more revenue.
Team Alpha will strive to make the game accessible to both casual and hardcore players. We
hope that the casual players will enjoy the key fundamentals of the game while hardcore
players enjoy the depth of strategy and storytelling.

2. Story
2.1 Plot Summary
On a remote planet, humans and alien species have coexisted in relative isolation from each
other.
However, tensions are high when a group of men form a plan to trigger a full scale war in the
hope that it will eradicate the mystical race once and for all. The plan however, ultimately
rests in the hands of one Triston Nestor and the catalyst weapon that he carries developed by
his farther.
With her brother missing and her father‟s device stolen Haylee Nestor takes matters into her
own hands as she traverses the lawless world of MRP-6F on an epic adventure in search for
her brother and the evil conspiracy deep within the human ranks.
2.2 Main Plot Points
MRP-6F / Bau is the home world of the human and alien species in the game. The world is
vast but divided, with areas controlled by both races. While a small pocket of areas are still
contested by extremist factions, a large majority of the human and alien societies have
managed to live in complete harmony.
Gameplay: MRP-6F has varying terrain from urban population centres to isolated villages
and towns. The environment of MRP-6F is represented by each race. The human regions of
the planet are much more barren but highly advance, this is to convey to the player that the
humans have drained the environment around them to satisfy their energy needs. The aliens
also known as the Parayth are the complete opposite, living in lush jungle environments with
huge mountainous regions shows that the Parayth are more at one with the planet.
Other notes: The name MRP-6F is the human‟s interpretation of the planet. The Parayth
refer to the planet as Bau.
The Humans are the most technologically advanced species on MRP-6F. Controlled by no
government the humans are broken up into areas controlled by private military companies
(PMC).
Their technology is so advanced that the demand for more natural resources is becoming a
growing problem, causing the ecosystems of the largest population centres becoming devoid
of life. This problem has led to the creation of renegade PMCs breaking away to form there
own groups conquering new lands for their own personal gain.
Gameplay: This creates factions controlled by different PMC groups. This allows the player
to befriend these groups by completing optional quests to receive awards and favours, such
as unique weapons to free services in there respective towns or cities. This allows the player
to make intelligent decisions as one PMC might have a rivalry with another group which could
ultimately effect the player‟s reputation.

2. Story
The Parayth / Aliens are a mystical race of humanoid like creatures that live in the northern
regions of MRP-6F. Unlike the humans who are dependant on machines to survive. The
Parayth are considered to be fierce tribal warriors with a unique gift, the ability to summon
great magical power from within. So powerful that could render even the most advanced
human tanks into scrap metal.
The Parayth are also very protective of their lands and rarely venture out like the humans do.
Should a human group come into contact with them, some tribes would not hesitate to fight
back.
Gameplay: The Parayth are vital to the plot of the game. They are the main opposition of the
villains and there magical powers are used by Haylee through the use of the Nestor Device.
The Nestor Device, a secret project developed by
Professor Brian Nestor which emulates the Parayth‟s
magical attack power.
When the three patches are connected to the human
arm (Fig.1) the device sends energy wave
patters similar to the Parayth into the arm. The end
result allows the wearer to cast basic spells.
Gameplay: The Nestor Device is a major plot point
in the game. Firstly, the villains need the device so
they can produce a bomb that has magical properties.
So when the damage is examined by local PMC
forces the blame will be placed directly on the Parayth.
Another version of the device is also given to the
main character Haylee; this allows the player to cast
magical spells such as fire, ice, and lightning as well
as using support abilities like self healing in battle.
The Nestor Device is also incomplete which allows
for some upgrading game mechanics and plot twists
to occur. The player will be able to modify the device
to unlock new and more powerful spells, and Haylee
Fig.1 Magic Emulation Device
aka The Nestor Device
will have to undertake a rescue mission to save her father before he can finish the device for
the villains know only as the Nexus Group.

2. Story
The Nexus Group is a secret society of devious, dangerous men who behind the scenes
control vast amounts of infrastructure on MRP-6F and solely believe that they are the true
inheritors of the planet. Their sheer hatred of the Parayth has reached boiling point and now
the group has devised a plan to annihilate them once and for all.
Gameplay: The Nexus Group is the pinnacle of evil in the game. Represented by three key
antagonists who each share a vision of a human only world ruled by them.
The main antagonists are:
Frederick Milliken, founder of Milliken Enterprises a large construction firm who uses his
empire to cover up the nefarious schemes the group conducts thought-out MRP-6F right
under the noses of local PMCs.
Professor Adam Miyamoto, head of advanced research & design at Zuku Technologies.
Uses his position in Zuku to gather information on Brian Nestor‟s Magic Emulation Device aka
the Nestor Device. He is also the lead architect in the construction of the Magic Bomb that
they plan to use.
Grandmaster S, a vain, homicidal maniac and muscle of the Nexus group. He is also the
leader of the PMC group „Carnage & Mayhem‟. Grandmaster S carries out the will of the
Nexus group and manages to coerce Haylee‟s brother Tristion into handing over the Nestor
Device. He also has an attraction to Haylee Nestor which at certain points helps in her favour,
allowing her to get away from trouble and eventually convinces him to reveal the group.
Their ultimate goal is to create a human only world by starting a war with the Parayth by
detonating a bomb filled with magic energy during the largest PMC gathering of forces. In the
chaos, the PMCs of MRP-6F will have no choice but to unite and face off against the Parayth.
After the battle, the Nexus group; under a different name will take control of the united forces
and rule the world for all eternity.
The Private Military Companies were formed after the collapse of the first human
government. After the separation, many humans left the main population centres to form
cities of there own, protected by there own PMC groups.
The largest population centre; Indelus is still controlled by remnants of the first government
which united their Police and Military forces into one entity known as the „Righteous Falcons.‟
Lead by a decorated war Commander, the Falcons maintain supreme control over Indelus,
keeping the peace and rooting out other PMC groups like Carnage & Mayhem which run
rampant throughout MRP-6F human instillations.
Gameplay: The Righteous Falcons from the player‟s perspective are the Police of the main
cities in the game. By default the Falcons are your allies and can give you helpful bits of
information, provided you are in good standing with them.
The player will also be able to undertake optional missions in order to improve their
relationship with the Falcons.

2. Story
Indelus is the first and largest population centre on MRP-6F, controlled by remnants of the
first world government now known as the „Righteous Falcons.‟ (Fig. 3)
Fig.2 One of the many side streets of Indelus
Indelus currently faces two major problems; dwindling energy resources and overpopulation.
At the time of the world human government the construction of the city was outsourced to
Milliken Enterprises. However, with the government now disbanded Milliken Enterprises still
holds all the contracts, giving Milliken Enterprises unlimited control over the blue prints of the
city, rerouting all energy sources through Milliken Enterprises making it the unofficial centre of
Indelus.
Gameplay: Indelus is the first city the player is introduced to. It is also the city where Haylee
lives; therefore it‟s important to get the player used to the city from the very beginning.

2. Story
2.3 Character Relationship Chart
Character relationship chart of the main characters, groups and races in Magnetic.
Haylee Nestor
Suspicious
of…
Farther of…
(Main Protagonist)
Sister of…
Secretly
working
for…
Daughter of…
Brother of…
Prof. Brian Nestor
Best friends with…
Sworn
enemy
of…
Triston Nestor
In bitter conflict with…
PMC
Lead by…
PMC
Coerced…
Nathanael (Nat) McNeil
Righteous Falcons
Carnage & Mayhem
The Humans
Leader
of…
Under
orders
from…
Bitter
rival of…
Informant
of…
RACE
Infatuated by…
Despises…
Adam Miyamoto
Indifferent
about…
Grandmaster S
Controls…
Unaware
of...
Associate of…
RACE
Controls…
ORG
Controls…
The Parayth
Frederick Milliken
The Nexus Group
Hates with a
passion...
Legend
Good Alliance
Good
ORG
Organisation
Evil Alliance/Conflict
Neutral relationship
Evil
PMC
Private Military Company
Romantic relationship
Open War
RACE
Species
Important Story Conflict

3. Characters
3.1 Haylee Nestor (Main Protagonist)
General Information:
Full Name: Haylee Nestor
Age: 21
Height: 170cm
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Relationship Status: Single
Hometown: Indelus, I-Sector 9
Occupation: Waitress (Yasato‟s Eatery)
Personal:
Father: Professor Brian Nestor
Mother: Alisa Nestor (missing)
Brother: Triston Nestor
Closest Friend: Nathanael McNeil
Education / Experience:
- Indelus Academy of Education (Age: 5)
- Compulsory Falcon Military Training for Students
(Age: 18)
About:
Haylee Nestor is the main protagonist of Magnetic.
Born into a relatively well-to-do family, Haylee is the daughter
of Prof. Brian Nestor. She completed her education
and basic military training by age 20 and now
works for the Yasato‟s Eatery in her hometown
of Indelus, I-Sector 9 as a waitress.
Her adventure beginnings when her younger
brother Triston Nestor leaves the Sector with
his father‟s latest invention. Her father then
instructs her into find him at all costs and
retrieving the device before it falls into the
wrong hands.
Design Information:
Designed by: Dennis Agodzo
Voiced by: n/a

4. Game Details
4.1 Overview
This chapter will cover the key fundamental rules and features of Magnetic.
Magnetic is a role-playing game which means it will feature a wide variety of assets. 2D, 3D
and programming and audio work will be heavily implemented into the creation of this game.
The following pages will cover the software used by Team Alpha in order to create assets for
this game, along with the hardware requirements and file name standards.
4.2 Software used
Graphics software used:
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is the primary graphics package used by Team Alpha. Photoshop‟s
uses include creating the textures for the 3D objects and characters too the
environmental textures and GUIs used in Magnetic. Photoshop is an incredibly
versatile package capable of drawing almost anything, provided you have the
knowhow to use it.
Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is used to colour the art teams concept designs and primarily used for
the creation of the games logo designs. Illustrators vector based graphics helps
make the designs scale to any size making them retain there graphical quality.
Adobe Fireworks
Audio software used:
Fireworks is used for image manipulation and specialised web-based graphics
design. Team Alpha primarily use it for editing image sizes and batch
processing for multiple images. Its use of layered PNGs also makes it
extremely useful in creating animation sprite sheets for use in game.
Reason 3.0
Audio in Magnetic is just as important as the graphics and programming
elements combined. Which is why Propellerhead Software‟s Reason 3.0 music
creation software was chosen by Team Alpha for the creation of Magnetics epic
soundtrack and voice recordings.

4. Game Details
3D software used:
Autodesk 3ds Max 2009
Creating 3D assets for Magnetic is done with the industry standard 3D creation
tool; 3ds Max 2009. 3ds Max allows the design team to easily model 3D
character models to objects used in the world. The trailer for Magnetic will also
be heavily created in 3ds Max, along with animations sequences used in the
cut scenes.

4. Game Details
4.3 Game engine
Microsoft XNA 2.0
The Microsoft XNA 2.0 framework is the engine behind Magnetic.
XNA is based on the NET Compact Framework 2.0 for Xbox 360 development
and .NET Framework 2.0 on Windows based platforms.
XNA uses the C# programming language and provides support for both 3D and
2D applications. Since XNA is developed by Microsoft it is fully compatible with
their Xbox 360 entertainment console.
Magnetic specifically, is based on the XNA 2.0 Role-playing game code developed by
Microsoft. Which has been heavily edited in order to suit Magnetics unique game mechanics.
XNA was chosen solely because of it‟s integrated support with Microsoft‟s Xbox 360 system.
4.4 MAGNETIC key features
- Role-playing game (RPG)
- Top-down camera view
- Female Protagonist
- Nonlinear exploration
- Compelling single-player story
- Fast and fluid gameplay
- Turn-based combat system with innovative contextual button press attacks
- Optional side-quests
- Level-up system (EXP)
- Melee, long range and magical weapons
- Interactive Non-playable characters (NPC)
- Easy learning curve, pick up and play mechanics
- Epic pulse-pounding soundtrack, unique to the genre
- Fully voiced characters and NPCs

4. Game Details
4.5 MAGNETIC technical features
- Tile Engine
- Two-dimensional (2D) overhead view of the game world
- Level maps are controlled by four 2D integers:
Base tiles, the first layer of the game world, represents the basic environmental tiles e.g.
grass, asphalt and water.
Fringe tiles, which build on the base tiles by providing more realistic environments to move
around in e.g. the ability to walk behind buildings and objects.
Objects, the third layer which allows the maps to be populated by a verity of world objects
from trees too static objects such as vehicles.
Collision, is the fourth and final integer, which allows the boundaries of the map to be set,
preventing the player from walking through otherwise impossible objects such as buildings.
- 64x64 tile texture squares
- Player movement within the tiles
- Animated sprite support, 6 frames of animation with 8 degrees of freedom
- Optimised tile engine allows only the tiles on screen to be submitted to the graphics device
- External game data files written in XML
- Support for downloadable content (DLC) e.g. new quests, items, and monsters
- WAV and MP3 encoded music, sound and voice
- Combat artificial intelligence (AI)
- Portable network graphics (PNG) graphic/tile sheets
- Save and load functionality
- User interfaces for menu, inventory and dialog screens
- Downloadable game via Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the Xbox LIVE Arcade service
- 2.1/5.1 Audio channel support
- 1280x720 (720p) High Definition at 16:9 aspect ratio (Widescreen)

4. Game Details
4.6 Controls
Keyboard Controls (Debug Only)
Main Menu
Action
Highlight a menu option
Select a highlighted option
Exit the game
World
Action
Move Up/Down/Left/Right
Enter Character Management System
Return to the Main Menu
Exit the Game
Interact
Key
UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW
ENTER
ESC
Key
UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT
SPACE
TAB
ESC
ENTER
Combat
Action
Change Active Character Left/Right
Change Menu Selection Up/Down
Select Option
Cancel Option
Win Combat (Cheat debug only)
Key
LEFT/RIGHT
UP/DOWN
ENTER
ESC
W

4. Game Details
4.6 Controls
Xbox 360 Controls
Main Menu
Action
Highlight a menu option
Select a highlighted option
Exit the game
World
Action
Move Up/Down/Left/Right
Enter Character Management System
Return to the Main Menu
Exit the Game
Interact
Key
D-Pad UP or D-Pad DOWN
A
BACK (Debug only)
Key
Left Thumbstick Up/Down/Left/Right
Y
START
BACK (Debug only)
A
Combat
Action
Change Active Character Left/Right
Change Menu Selection Up/Down
Select Option
Cancel Option
Win Combat (Cheat debug only)
Key
Left Thumbstick Left/Right
Left Thumbstick Up/Down
A
B
Right Shoulder

4. Game Details
4.7 Minimum hardware Requirements
Required
Xbox 360 Entertainment Console
Hard drive
Peripherals
Minimum
Pro
20GB
Wired Xbox 360 Controller
Video output
Standard Definition TV
Audio output SDTV Speakers / 2.1
Broadband Connection
512kbps
Game size
Save game space
Downloadable content
600MB
1MB
Yes
4.8 Recommended hardware Requirements
Required
Xbox 360 Entertainment Console
Hard drive
Peripherals
Video output
Audio output
Broadband Connection
Game size
Save game space
Downloadable content
Minimum
Elite
120GB
Wireless Xbox 360 Controller
High Definition TV / 16:9 LCD Monitor
5.1 Dolby Surround Sound
4mbps+
600MB
1MB
Yes

5. Development
5.1 Overview
This chapter will contain the crucial information and designs of the different aspects of
Magnetic.
5.2 User interface overview
Magnetics user interface is broken into two parts. The first part consists of the games main
menu screens, the second half is represented by the in-game graphical user interface GUI.
The GUIs of Magnetic need to have a constant style throughout. The design behind the
menus are meant to be simplified yet futuristic, with white and orange text being the key
colours for selection and default font. (Fig. 3)
Fig.3 Early working version of the Magnetic main menu

5. Development
5.3 Main menu layout chart
Start
Company Logo
Splash Screen
New Game
Title Screen
“Press START”
Finish
Loading Screen
Main Menu Screen
New Game
Load Game
Help & Options
Return to Arcade
Load Game
Loading Game Screen
Select a saved
game
Finish
Loading Screen
Help & Options
How to Play
Controls
Settings
Credits
How to Play Screen
Controls Screen
Settings Screen
Brightness
Master Volume
Music Volume
Return to Arcade
Credits Screen
Finish
Exit Game
Legend:
Transition Arrow
Transition Arrow
with back button

5. Development
5.4 In-game menu layout chart
Start
Player in Game World
Press Y to access
Status Screen
Status Screen
Missions
Items
Spells
Equip
Settings
Save Game
Exit Game
Missions
Missions Screen
Items
Items Screen
Spells
Spells Screen
Equip
Equip Screen
Settings
Settings Screen
Save Game
Exit Game
Brightness
Master Volume
Music Volume
Save Game Screen
Finish
Title Screen
Legend:
Transition Arrow
Transition Arrow
with back button

5. Development
5.5 Single-player demo overview
This chapter will go over the single-player demo to be featured at the COMx08 exhibition.
The Magnetic demo that will be featured at the COMx08 exhibition will introduce players to
the games main protagonist Haylee Nestor, her personal story and one of the games
antagonists Grandmaster S. The demo will run for approximately 10 minutes depending on
player skill and will cover the key features of the game:
- Prologue to Haylee Nestor
- Introduction to the world of MRP-6F and the human capital Indelus
- Navigating the world tutorial
- Combat tutorial
- Demo mission

5. Development
5.6 Musical Scores and Sound Effects overview
The sound can be split into two separate sections, diagetic and non-diagetic sound. Diagetic
means the sound that would be generated by the world itself were it reality such as speech,
footsteps or any other real world sounds. Non-diagetic sound relates to the sound that is
outside of the world and this usually relates to the musical score but in a computer game
context it can also relate to small jingles to show the player that they have picked up an item
or any small sound effect such a clicking or shuffling sound of a cursor scrolling down a
menu.
5.7 Diagetic Sound
The diagetic sound will include the voice acting for the character dialogue, all the sound
effects for the character movement such as walking, running and weaponry use, gun fire,
melee attacks and magic attacks, etc.
The non-character based audio will include things appropriate to the context so if the level is
based in the city there will be crowd chatter and traffic noises.
5.8 Non-Diagetic Sound
The music for this game will be predominantly designed and created using Reason 3.0
because it is much more cost effective than using a full orchestra and allows for much more
flexibility and control.
The theme of the music, whilst not being played by an orchestra will be based on orchestral
music because it is very effective at creating appropriate moods as apposed to relying on
genres such as rock or techno which were sampled early on. This is also the case because
the game is an RPG which as far as computer games go, are the most effective for applying
a narrative and as such it is a genre convention to use orchestral music to aid the range of
emotive elements in the story.
There will be three separate movements of the score all based around a similar chord
progression. The movements will be used respectively for the level, the menu and the trailer.
The in game version that the player hears when they are playing the game will be quite quiet
and subdued so as not to distract from the gameplay itself. The menu theme will be very
similar to the level theme in its properties but it can afford to be a little louder and more
flamboyant because it won‟t distract the player from any important information in the game.
The trailer music will the most exciting because it is then the music really has to help sell the
game therefore the most complicated exponents of the score will come out in the trailer
music.