Idea Info Name: Him Index: Primary Category: Action Submitted: 8/17/2003 11:08:01 AM Written By: hypenessessity Game Architecture and Design: A New Edition Book Highly Recommended !

The Vision:  This game is M for Mature.  It may need its own separate rating, like an NC-17.  It will be very gruesome and sinister.  HIM would be something like GTA crossed with METAL GEAR SOLID, featuring a theme very much like a classic horror film suchas "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".  This will be a game with a lot of strategy.  I cannot stress that enough.  Murders will not come in droves like GTA.  Dale (working name) is not a super man.  He is overweight and has a club-foot, so he is very slow.  Careful planning and precision will be necessary.  Stalking people and finding the best way to ice them without leaving any evidence will be the key to success.

The Plot:  This game is a nod to many horror films.  The only person that loves him has been taken away.  All that is left for him is a town full of people that despise him.  The jocks that picked on him in school.  The girls that played cruel jokes.  His boss at the gas station that treats him bad and cheats him out of his full pay check.  Really just an endless cast of people to be dealt with.  The top of the list of course will be the "evil" sheriff that took away "mama".  However, throughout the game Dale will utter nonsense, and sometimes even see things that are not there.  There will be no doubt that he is crazy.

Gameplay:  I envision a 3rd person from behind view for this game.  As oppose to GTA, there will be areas where you won't see a building.  Just a dirt road, trees, and corn or wheat fields.  And it will be very dark.  The environment will be very important, as will interacting with it.  This game will be heavy in simulation.  Getting information in town from last night's atrocities in the local newspaper will be important.  Moving quietly at night without being seen by a person or a passing car will help keep you unsuspected.  Getting to know a targets daily routine to find the best way to do it will keep away the authorities.  Can you break in to their house?  Where do you hide to surprise them? If a victim gets away, that is big trouble, get a mask (another movie cliche').  If they fight back and cut Dale, that's DNA evidence, also a problem.  Leave them, bury them somewhere, the options are there.  Rob them while you're at it, you'll need the money for supplies.  He needs to eat, and could probably use some soap to wash away whatever gets on him.  Watch out, the next one could be tougher.  The more the town smells foul play, the more heightened their awareness will be (a system similar to THE THING).  All of this will be tricky, especially when reality is blurred.  You will see and hear things that will range from funny to disturbing, and, more importanly, distracting.  Did that dog in your victim's yard say something?  What's real, what isn't, and how crazy is Dale?

Controls:  It will be fairly simple.  The directional button moves him.  Another button will make him run, but he won't be able to run far for long, and it won't be much faster, but effective enough when necessary.  No jumping, he wouldn't be able to jump over a piece of paper.  There will be an action button for using any item, or just punching.  An interaction button will open doors, read things, talk to people, etc.  Buttons for viewing to the right, left, and behind will be very important.  A menu screen will be utilized for inventory and equipping various items.

Music and Sound:  Possibly the key to this game's appeal.  During the day, the music should have an ominous feel.  Not too creepy, might just feel like a cold, late autumn breeze.  It will however switch once it is apparent that you plan on doing the dirty work while the sun is up.  At night, that is when the cliche horror film music kicks in.  The best part will be the sound effects.  What will stabbing a person sound like?  Sharp, shrill violins.  The music and sounds should escalate with the intensity. 

Conclusion:  This game is really pushing the envelope.  It really is a murder simulation, with hopefully enough fantasy that nobody gets ideas from it.  The depths to which you have to sink to stalk and murder in cold blood will be offset by the campy horror film references and complete insanity of the main character.  And the possibilities in completing this game should be endless (hopefully).  And maybe he can die, and come back for a sequel.