Spoiler: Synopsis
Spoiler: Teaser Words
Over 3 years later, the time has come.
This is going to be a very heavy story-based game, with the main form of gameplay being the decisions you make during it. It’s much more like a Telltale game (with actual impactful choices) than the other NGs before this. Additionally, this game is completely standalone and has absolutely no connection to the other ones. I don’t even think there’s an easter egg or passing reference but we’ll see.
Knowledge of the Zero Escape series may help your appreciation of the game but isn’t necessary.
Anyway, I’ll cut to the big part since a lot of this post will need to talk about it anyway. I wanted to make this a twist but I figured people should probably know before deciding to signup: this game will feature multiple timelines. Think of it kind of like a CYOA where you can see some other branches. This format is mostly chosen out of necessity since most of the characters have very distinct and important information for the story. I also think it’ll be nice to get to see multiple sides of some characters in different scenarios.
I’m going to be trying to keep the flowchart simple. Here’s my idea of it, it can be remedied if it looks too intense. The way it plays out is you make your decisions like normal and you’ll get to see the opposite outcomes to a few of the big ones. Main idea is if you’ve played Zero Escape or like these kind of CYOA games, you’ll probably enjoy it and won’t find it confusing...probably. If it sounds too overwhelming/confusing, all I can say is I’ll try my best to not make it that way but obviously can’t guarantee.
Other Things You Should Know In Advance:
-Despite multiple timelines, the game will be about the same length as the others. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did end up longer but the timeline lengths range from brief to not that long.
-There are no codenames. However, I decided that everyone will get to choose their character’s name. There are no real rules on the names. You can pick a crazy one like Quark, a Greek letter, a badass one like Tenmyouji, or a completely regular one like Eric. All I’m hoping for is some variety and that everybody doesn’t pick the same kind of name, but just pick a name that fits. I do want to say ‘don’t pick an AA-esque pun name’, but I won’t strictly exclude it. But I will strongly encourage...something else?
-Objectionable content warning: This game features characters who die brutally. Some even die brutally several times. There is a child character in this game. Considering it would be lame to have this child constantly go missing every timeline, this child can also die brutally...several times. All about equal opportunity, y'know? I doubt this warning was actually needed and I'm not going to do anything that's dark and depraved for the sake of it. So I doubt I actually needed to reveal that detail but in case child murder bothers some people, now you know.
-A lot of the game is going to be written as it goes on even though I know there are certain roadblocks that need to be hit. This is because of a lot of the decision-making by players will dictate how the story maneuvers next.
-I won’t promise literally every action your character commits will be a direct decision by you, but they’ll always act in character.
-Some timelines you’ll get screwed over. Some timelines you’ll get to screw people over. I’ll try to balance all the screwing equally among everyone but it won’t be perfect.
Spoiler: Q&A
Here’s the new obligatory NEO-MAMA.
Spoiler: NEO-MAMA
Extra signup/game notes:
1. Fill out this survey: you can just answer the required questions and leave the rest blank, I’ll just interpret that as you being fine with playing literally any character. Answer the survey honestly because nothing in it will affect whether or not you get in the game, it’s just to help assign characters for those who do get in.
2. When filling out the survey, if you do have character preferences, don’t just gun for one type of character. Make sure to mention all characters/character types you’d be capable of roleplaying or that you’d have fun roleplaying. Doesn’t matter.
Main point is, don’t just say “I’m gonna be the child character” or something. It’s ok to explicitly mention that they are your top preference but don’t make that the only thing or you’re gonna have a bad time. Same with writing “I want to be the villain.” You don’t even know if there is a villain
What’s most helpful will be knowing the kind of characters you’d rather not play. Not promising anything but I do think I can make people pretty happy in that regard.
3. When you get your role PM, your character will have a default name. This was just so I could write the role PMs in advance but please feel free to change the names. I only really like two of them (which I’m also fine with changing) and the rest are all arbitrary because I figured they wouldn’t last anyway. If you love your default name you can still feel free to use it.
Your role PM might also feature other characters in the game, who will also be referred to by their default name. You’ll be informed of their new name when the game starts, just keep this in mind for when you get your role PM.
3. Because this game has multiple timelines, every player has to be in the game pretty much from beginning to end. There will be lapses where you’re dead and don’t have to participate (you’re still expected to follow the game during these) but I can’t simply kill off your character if you find yourself unable to participate anymore.
Because of that, substitutes will be very important for this game. If a player participates in 80% of the game and can’t go for the last 20%, a substitute will step in. It might be a bit awkward but there’s not really a better solution.
4. The game will come out...soon? My plan was to have like 3 or 4 days for signups, and then send the role PMs. This could be like a week before the game starts which is enough time for me to gather everyone’s names and write some of the beginning posts. The start date isn’t strict or anything though, if it poses problems you guys can discuss it in an open forum.
Spoiler: Players