A while back I wrote a mock up for a video game that i wanted to create. I did this as more of a thought experiment, and as such had a lot of fun with it. I lack the skill to make such a game, but perhaps one day I will turn it into a novel or a screenplay. Hey, maybe Hideo Kojima is still trying to figure out what his next big game should be, if so I would be glad to sell this concept to him and serve as a writer/consultant (plus Norman Reedus would literally kill it as Robert!). Send me an e-mail Kojima! Until then… enjoy this odd little project that I called:
Gun Frontier
Concept: 3 Assassins locked in a deadly competition
Springboard: A story about 3 assassins with a history, who have been challenged to the ultimate test of their skills: the Gun Frontier.
Setting: Corpus Christi, Texas
Context: Modern day
Backstory: 15 years ago a preteen child, Jubilee, saw her criminal family gunned down in a botched convenience store robbery by a legendary assassin: the Reaper. She had never seen violence like this before, even though she had sat in the back seat of the car for quite a few of these small time heists. After the incident, the assassin approached her and comforted her while telling her that he never intended on killing her family, only to protect those in the store, matter of fact he was just buying a soda, which he gives to her as he leaves before the police arrive. From that moment forward she made a pledge, to be strong, by any means necessary, to not rely on thievery or other people ever again. 3 years later, Robert, AKA the Reaper (a name he hates, but has stuck with him everywhere he goes by virtue of his reputation for getting the job done), takes on a multi-tier job that requires him assassinating a variety of targets within the South American drug cartels. In fact, it turns out that all of the targets that are terminated are tied by loyalty or by family to a specific cartel boss, Mr. Caesar. The boss attempts to find the man responsible for taking out his family, yet never comes closer than a few vague rumors as to the identity of the assassin. As 2 more years go by, Jubilee, now in high school, has a troubled and unhealthy relationship with a trouble maker and all around hard to understand guy, Deke. Flash forward 8 more years and Robert finds a young protégé straight off of a dishonorable discharge from the Army, Deke. Deke is young, determined and a fierce marksman but lacks discipline and focus. Robert trains the young man to be a master assassin in hopes that one day he would take over his shadow business, thereby allowing the Reaper to retire financially secure. A year and half later, Deke is now the owner of Dead Aim Investigations, Robert is retired and Jubilee, through her time with Deke has been educated in handling firearms proficiently and has come into her own as an up and coming assassin for hire, however; Mr. Caesar, although it took him a decade to get confirmation, is now aware of that the Reaper is responsible for the massacre of his family and has set up a deadly game for him to play that will challenge his skills, his loyalties and his honor: at a place called the Gun Frontier.
Premise: Robert, although freshly retired, is brought back into the assassination game when an attempt on his life goes wrong. Deke, although the new owner of his own shadow business, finds his loyalties challenged when Robert wants to be brought back in, and as the leader of their operation. Jubilee is brought in as an unwilling messenger to both Deke and Robert when she brings them information that is to lead them on their own path to a vicious challenge at the Gun Frontier. The Gun Frontier is a gauntlet of challenges comprised of moral decisions, teamwork, puzzles, and assassination designed to establish who is the greatest assassin both in intelligence and lethality. Ultimately, the challenge is a ruse set up by Mr. Caesar to break down Robert in every way possibly, so as to in effect break his spirit, thusly making his eventual death more satisfying for his past transgressions against the cartels.
Game Premise: You get to fulfill the destinies of 3 master assassins as they all head towards their ultimate destination: the Gun Frontier! A mystery involving cryptic challenges has been given to all 3 assassins, each of which with a murky related past, and it is up to you to decide how they will proceed. Will you choose to remain loyal and work as a team, or will it be a bitter fight to the end to determine who is the best of the best? Sharp intellect, quick decisions and an even quicker trigger finger is what you will need to make it to the end of these challenges and figure out the mystery of the Gun Frontier.
Potential Plot Twists Played Out:
- Jubilee pits Robert against Deke early on by providing evidence that the young protégé has been hired, on promise of a 10 million dollar payday, to assassinate the Reaper. Deke, however; is not working to assassinate Robert, he is just chasing down leads to figure out what the Gun Frontier is and accepts the contract in exchange for access to his client. Jubilee hopes the 2 will kill each other so that she can win the competition.
- Deke is captured in Act II by Mr. Caesar’s organization and is officially recruited to hunt and kill the Reaper. Deke agrees and is given the resources to go after his former mentor, and as such is no longer pretending that he is going to kill the Reaper. Jubilee and Robert team up to stop Deke, who has gone full rogue.
- Robert and Deke have been working together all along. They know who has been pulling the strings, and have been biding their time as they piece together the final pieces of the puzzle. In their last major sequence together (which is an old fashioned gun slinger style draw battle) they appear as enemies and attack each other, with a clear winner seemingly decided. Afterwards, it is proven to be a clever trick that was used to cull the last piece of the puzzle from Jubilee (who was working for Mr. Caesar All Along).
This is just one scenario and how it could play out in 3 different ways. The foundation of the game will be built upon the decisions that the player makes as each character.
Basic Story Acts Outline (keep in mind this is a basic outline, no single story element is canon until player makes decisions):
- A-Story: Main characters introduced – Robert is retired living on a ranch, Deke is running the shadow business, and Jubilee is working on a plan to get introduced to Robert. All 3 are called into action by members of Mr. Caesar’s organization, as they are given riddles about the Gun Frontier. Mr.Caesar is introduced as the villain of the piece, as a high end crime boss for the South American drug cartels who has a score to settle with Robert. Each of the 3 protagonists are placed in a situation to trust no 1, question everything and to find answers on their own. B-Story: each character has a story related to their history going on in the background which is motivating their quest (Robert’s past catching up with him, Deke trying to control the beast within and Jubilee going through the school of hard knocks). C-Runner: at the first location that Robert has to go to a Jukebox is present (One that has been at multiple locations that he has performed hits before).
- A-Story: Robert finally meets up with Jubilee who attempts to convince him that Deke is about to perform a hit on him. Deke is attempting to contact Robert, but has no luck. All 3 get presented with new challenges that involve speed, stamina, cunning, intelligence and a steady aim. Mr. Caesar is staying one step ahead and making sure that all his ducks are in a row. The crime boss captures Deke, and makes him an offer he can’t refuse – a lot of money to kill Robert, which will prove that he’s the best assassin. Now with a ton of resources, Deke mounts an offensive against Robert and Jubilee, can strike a loose agreement to work together, or Robert and Deke can be on the same side working from different ends. B-Story: Robert’s sub story revolves around wanting to leave this life behind, finding peace and tranquility in everyday life. Deke’s sub story dives deeper into his prior relationship with Jubilee, and how it affects his current status in the story. Jubilee’s sub story has to do with the humorous failings she had before she started getting the hang of assassinating targets. C-Runner: The Jukebox shows up 2 more times, catching Robert’s attention. It looks very familiar: the playlist, the distinct look, and the bullet hole in the unit. He has seen this jukebox before.
- A-Story: Robert, Jubilee and Deke collide at the Gun Frontier. Everything has seemingly gone exactly to plan for Mr. Caesar. Robert and Deke settle their problem over an old fashioned gun slinger draw, Deke loses. Robert and Jubilee confront Mr. Caesar, where it is revealed that Jubilee has been unwillingly working for the crime boss all along. Robert pulls off a nearly impossible double shot wounding Jubilee and killing Mr. Caesar. Robert carries Jubilee over to Deke, who gets up as planned letting Jubilee know that the Reaper and his protégé were on to her the whole time. Deke takes Jubilee to safety as Robert claims the Jukebox as his prize for surviving yet another crazy vendetta. B-Story: Robert pours through the memories of those that he has lost as he tries to honor them before his last battle. Deke has to figure out the fine line between convincing Mr. Caesar that he wants to kill Robert, and actually trying to decide if he really does want to kill him. Jubilee is conflicted as she attempts to decide how, or even if she can get out of this life that has gotten way out of control. She has not been taught be a master, and has not covered her tracks well and is afraid that her lifestyle will be the death of her very soon. C-Story: The Jukebox is Caesar family possession. It has been at the scene of many of the hits because it was willed to the next family member. It ultimately comes to Mr. Caesar as the last member of the family alive. Ultimately, Robert makes the connection, as it is tied to a significant moment in his life (the loss of a loved one at the only other time Mr. Caesar ever got close to him years ago), and claims it as a prize after the final confrontation.
Choose Your Own Adventure:
Robert has just finished laying waist to small army of hired mercenaries at a small pub. As the smoke clears, Robert makes his way around the dead bodies and around the bar to find the bartender cowering below. Robert points a pistol at the bartender as the player gets the option to say:
Choice A: You’re going to tell me who sent these guys, or I’m going to blow you’re head off!
Choice B: Pour me a screwdriver and let’s have a little chat about your friends here.
Choice C: You’ve got one chance to tell me what I want to know, or else…
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Selecting Choice A leads to the bartender begging for his life. Robert pistol whips him and tells him to cough up the information if he wants to live. The bartender reaches for a sawed off shotgun and Robert kills him before he can get a shot off. The player is then given the option to search the bartender:
Press A for Yes or B for No
Searching yes will yield some money, a new weapon and a lead to the next place to investigate.
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Selecting Choice B leads to the bartender making your drink while Robert asks a variety of questions. Each question is answered by the bartender who is happy to be alive. Robert finishes his drink and gives the bartender the money for it. The bartender asks if Robert is going to kill him, to which Robert replies no. Robert asks the bartender if he knows where the next meeting point is and the bartender hands him the lead to the next place to investigate. Robert leaves and the bartender sighs a breath of relief.
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Selecting Choice C leads to the bartender spitting in Robert’s face and telling him to go to hell. Robert shoots him without hesitating and the player is then given the option to search the bartender:
Searching will yield some money, a new weapon and a lead to the next place to investigate.
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Jubilee has just met Robert and Deke for the first time. The men are disagreeing about which direction to go with a new lead they have just figured out. Jubilee has a history with Deke, but is infatuated with getting to know more about Robert. Robert says that he is leaving soon and that she needs to hurry up if she is coming with him. Deke objects and tells her that she had better come with him because they have things to discuss. The player then has the option to say:
Choice A: My mother always told me to never go out with strangers Robert, why should I trust you?
Choice B: Deke, we don’t have time to re-live our sorted past, what makes you think I would want to go anywhere with you?
Choice C: I have no intention of following you two anywhere. Go outside and shoot each other already!
Choice D: Let’s pool our resources and work together!
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Selecting Choice A leads to Robert giving her valuable information about his backstory and about why he believes that they all should go investigate the new place together. Deke disagrees and gives Jubilee an ultimatum, him or Robert. The player is given the choice:
Press A for Go with Robert, B for Go with Deke, or X for Go Alone
Selecting Go with Robert will set Deke off who will leave pissed off and ready to shoot both Robert and Jubilee. Robert will commend her choice as they leave together. This option allows for her to get to know Robert better and to make vital decisions about him later.
Selecting Go with Deke will be met with a shrug of the shoulders from Robert, who will tell them to suit themselves. Robert grabs his coat and leaves. Deke thanks her for making the better choice, to which Jubilee tells him to not get his hopes up. This option will allow for Jubilee and Deke to begin to work through their sorted past and potentially to the path of reconciliation.
Selecting Go Alone will have her tell the 2 men that they are being childish, and that she is a professional who doesn’t have time to waste on a bunch of amateurs. Deke and Robert tell her where to stick it and continue to bicker about where to investigate next. This option allows Jubilee to investigate on her own, but denies her an opportunity to get insight into the other 2 lead characters.
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Selecting Choice B will have Deke explain to her how he has changed in the many years since they last were together and that he wants to explain what has happened to him since then. Robert tells them that he doesn’t have time for lovebirds and begins to walk away. The player is then given the choice to:
Press A to Stop Robert, B to Go with Deke, C to Go Alone and D to Team Up with both
Selecting Stop Robert will have Jubilee ask Robert to stop and give her the opportunity to tell him that she’s not looking for love, just the truth. Robert tells her that she’ll find what she’s looking for with him. The player will be given the choice to go with Robert or to continue talking to Deke. If you choose Robert, this will set Deke off who will leave pissed off and ready to shoot both Robert and Jubilee. Robert will commend her choice as they leave together. This option allows for her to get to know Robert better and to make vital decisions about him later. if you choose to talk to Deke you will continue on the same path as:
Selecting Go with Deke will be met with a shrug of the shoulders from Robert, who will tell them to suit themselves. Robert grabs his coat and leaves. Deke thanks her for making the better choice, to which Jubilee tells him to not get his hopes up. This option will allow for Jubilee and Deke to begin to work through their sorted past and potentially to the path of reconciliation.
Selecting Go Alone will have her tell the 2 men that they are being childish, and that she is a professional who doesn’t have time to waste on a bunch of amateurs. Deke and Robert tell her where to stick it and continue to bicker about where to investigate next. This option allows Jubilee to investigate on her own, but denies her an opportunity to get insight into the other 2 lead characters.
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Selecting Choice C will lead to both Robert and Deke telling Jubilee to go away while they figure out the next move. The player will be given the choice to:
Press A to initiate a fight or press B to leave
Selecting initiate a fight will have Jubilee point her pistols at both Robert and Deke at the same time. She tells them to bring it as they draw a bead on her with their own pistols. At this point the player can choose to start the fight and try to survive long enough to got out of the building without them killing her or they can choose to leverage this standoff into a conversation about what to do next and to ensure that they are respecting her. Choosing the conversational option will lead to options to go with Robert, Deke or alone.
Selecting to leave will have her tell the 2 men that they are being childish, and that she is a professional who doesn’t have time to waste on a bunch of amateurs. Deke and Robert tell her where to stick it and continue to bicker about where to investigate next. This option allows Jubilee to investigate on her own, but denies her an opportunity to get insight into the other 2 lead characters.
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Selecting Choice D will lead to both men laughing their asses off while Robert tells Jubilee that they don’t need a cheerleader on the team. This option will not result in a 3 player strong team up and will ultimately lead to options to go with Robert, Deke or alone.
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Emotional Content: Games evoke emotional experiences in the player by adding the element of human experience. For this game I want to convey many emotions for the 3 main characters: goals, wants and needs, curiosity, desire, love, virtues & vices will all be represented thoroughly. The idea is to use experiential storytelling in a different way for all 3 characters in order for the player to understand them. Robert is a man who has accomplished his goals and is attempting to live out the rest of his life in retirement. His emotions will be that of goals, curiosity, virtues & vices. He’s a proud man, but he has a loose end to tie up. His interactions with Deke and Jubilee will give the player plenty of opportunity to determine the kind of man that he is by how they choose to play his character. Of the utmost importance for Robert is survival, and controlling his more indulgent urges. Jubilee focuses more on the emotions of wants and needs, honing skills and having her own goals. She wants to be the next best thing in the business, but she is conflicted when it comes to the path that it takes to get there. She idolizes Robert and has a twisted romantic history with Deke, and the player will have to decide which character she trusts the most (or at all) and ultimately the nature of her relationship with 2 male leads (whether friends, enemies or potentially lovers). She also has an uneasy alliance with Mr. Caesar and the player will have to determine if that is an alliance she can afford to break or not based on the situations and stakes given. Deke is all about desire, goals, and proving that he is the best. He wants to get to the bottom of the Gun Frontier and prove that he is the best gunslinger in the business. He has an alliance with Robert, but his curiosity to prove his mastery of the craft fuels his need to defeat his old master. The player will have to decide if Deke truly is the master, or if can work with Robert as a team to take down Mr. Caesar together (Also, if perhaps there was something romantic between the 2 men as well, no options will be off the table as I want this experience to reflect your decisions). Deke also has strong feelings for Jubilee and is torn when he sees her as an assassin for the first time. The player will also have control of how Deke reacts to her return and also to how he feels about how she interacts with Robert. The game has a simple premiss that gets rather complicated as each situation develops for the 3 main characters. 
