Alright, I just got this crazy email that I thought was complete spam...and it still could be for all I know. It appears that a Black Lantern Studio's corporate member used my email incorrectly in trying to communicate with another company administrator. The first email was an NDA from them which is completely useless to me, but the other email has a Word document that outlines an upcoming title in development for the Wii and DS: Game of War. The following is a description of the new game in detail. I am not saying this game looks any fun, but I just can't understand this email!
2 Summary
A Game of War is a deceptively simple, turn-based strategy game where the goal is to capture all territories on screen, advancing your faction’s domination of the globe. Intuitive point and click controls, quick play sessions, simple rules, and a family friendly presentation make the game accessible to all demographics. Randomly generated maps ensure that no game session is ever the same, and create an ever evolving strategy for the player to learn.
Researching faster than light travel, Dr. Springfield accidently opened a gateway to the 43rd dimension. With a conquering will and bloodlust, mysterious beings poured through the gate into our 3rd dimension, taking the form of twisted creatures from the most perverse depths of humankind’s imagination…sort of. At the same time, alien probes detected the triggering of the dimensional gateway, tipping them off to the presence of a previously unknown blue planet rich in resources, but populated by a somewhat obnoxious, dim-witted species that must be exterminated.
Support the cause! Help the humans defend their planet, lead the nightmare armies of the 43rd dimension to total domination, or join the alien invasion to cleanse the planet of the annoying humans and the rather odd creatures they let in through the gateway.
3 Features
• Intuitive point and click controls and a family friendly presentation for maximum accessibility across a wide demographic.
o Real-time 3D environments and characters on the Wii.
o Detailed 2D sprites on the DS.
• Quick gameplay sessions lasting between 5 to 20 minutes.
• Multiplayer online or offline support for up to 12 players.
o Wii and DS players can face-off online against each other.
• “Challenges” meta-game motivates the player to experiment with all variables of the game.
• Online community meta-game seamlessly integrated into single player game mode.
o Choose which faction to fight for; all victories and defeats are posted to a single server which tallies your contributions to the faction.
o Wii/DS share same server – take the battle with you!
4 Game Modes
4.1.1 Single Player
• Instant Action
o Player picks between Regular or Free-for-All game modes.
o A.I randomly picks Faction and Troop types for the player and itself.
• Custom Battle
o Regular
Faction vs. Faction
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 3 Troop Types on the Map.
o Free-for-All
Troop vs. Troop
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop Types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 12 Troop Types on the Map.
4.1.2 Multiplayer
When joining a multiplayer game, the game automatically connects to an open host, or chooses to host a game itself, similar to the Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 multiplayer matchmaking functionality.
• Online Game
o Regular
Faction vs. Faction
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 3 Troop Types on the Map (3 player multiplayer support).
• Option for single controller pass-play supported.
o Free-for-All
Troop vs. Troop
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop Types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 12 Troop Types on the Map (12 player multiplayer support).
• 4 players per system supported for online play (Wii only).
o Option for single controller pass-play supported.
• Local Game
o Regular
Faction vs. Faction
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 3 Troop Types on the Map (3 player multiplayer support).
• Option for single controller pass-play supported.
o Free-for-All
Troop vs. Troop
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop Types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 12 Troop Types on the Map (12 player multiplayer support).
• Option for single controller pass-play supported.
5 Gameplay
5.1.1 Objective
Capture all enemy territories to win.
5.1.2 The Map
• The gameplay map is made up of bordering Territories.
• Territories are dynamically constructed for infinite tactical possibilities.
• Some Territories have Dead Zones; non-traversable “no man’s land” areas.
o Defense Towers are placed in Dead Zones (see Power-Ups).
5.1.3 Troops
• Each Troop is worth up to 6 attack points.
o A single Troop is essentially equal to 1 die piece.
When attacking, a single Troop can “roll” an attack/defense value of 1 through 6.
• Each territory can hold up to 8 total Troops, for a total possible attack/defense “roll” of 48.
5.1.4 Start of Game
• Player order is randomly chosen.
• Troops are randomly placed in player’s territories.
5.1.5 Turn Phases
1. Select territory with which you wish to attack.
2. Choose Power-Up, if available <optional step>.
3. Select a bordering enemy territory you wish to attack.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you’re done (player may choose to end turn at any time).
5. Place Troop reinforcements into territories at end of turn.
5.1.6 Power-Ups
• Power-ups randomly appear on the player’s and enemy’s territory.
o The only way to obtain a power-up is to capture the territory it’s in.
o You can’t use Power-Ups that appear in your own territory.
Defend Power-Ups that appear in your territory so the enemy can’t use it against you.
• There are 5 offensive and 5 defensive Power-Ups in the game.
o Each Troop type within each Faction has their own unique name and animation for each Power-Up.
Each Power-Up will have a universal icon that is shared across all Troop types
Offensive Power-Ups Effects
o Reduce a single territory to one Troop.
o Attacking Troops “roll” highest possible number.
o Destroy a defense tower.
o Jump a territory for attack (can attack enemy territory not bordering your own).
o 2 of the player’s territories that border target opponent territory share dice totals when attacking.
Defensive Power-Ups Effects
o Territory is invincible for a turn.
o Adds permanent defense tower to dead zone connected to player’s territory; +1 Troop level to defensive rolls for surrounding player’s territories.
o Enemies don’t get reinforcements at end of turn.
o Random shuffle of Troop balance within enemy territories.
o Adds 1.5 times number of Troop levels to selected territory.
6 Meta-games
6.1 Community Meta-game
Playing single or multi-player battles automatically contributes to your faction’s progress toward global domination.
• Join one of three factions.
o Each faction has multiple types of armies to choose from.
o Choose your favorite army to lead into battle!
• Every victory and defeat is counted toward your factions’ overall global dominance.
o View the globe to see how much territory your faction currently dominates.
o If one faction dominates the world, the globe (server) resets and a new world war begins!
o All members of a victorious faction earn a badge of honor for each global victory achieved.
6.1.1 Factions
• Human Troops
o Soldiers
o Ninjas
o Pirates
o Vikings
• Alien Invasion Troops
o Greys
o Tri-Pods
o Blobs
o Flying Saucers
• Troops from the 43rd Dimension
o Evil Teddy Bears
o Garden Gnomes
o Zombies
o Giant “Godzilla” Creatures
6.1.2 Civil War Among Factions
Troops within Factions don’t always get along well with each other, which leads to Civil War!
• Civil War automatically happens when Troops from within the same Faction battle each other in the game mode Free-for-All.
o Civil War is only possible in Free-for-All games.
• The victorious Troop helps their particular Troop type to gain dominance within their factions territory on the globe.
o For example, the winner of a single battle is the Ninja Troops.
The Human faction gains more territory on the globe.
Within the Human faction territory on the globe, the Ninja Troops gain more territory
6.2 Challenges Meta-game
While playing single or multliplayer modes, the player will automatically earn credit toward completing challenges (goals) simply by playing the game.
• A meter that displays overall progress will be present next to each Challenge on the Challenges screen.
6.2.1 The Challenges
Challenge Task
Harsh Tactics Eliminate 25 enemies
Brutal Strategist Eliminate 50 enemies
Fear Monger Eliminate 100 enemies
Major Win 25 games
Commander Win 50 games
General Win 100 games
First to Fight Win 10 games as Soldiers
Art of Invisibility Win 10 games as Ninjas
Yaarrrrrrrrr!!!! Win 10 games as Pirates
Pillager Win 10 games as Vikings
Homeland Defense Win 50 games as the Human Faction
Grey is the Best Color Win 10 games as Greys
3 Legs are Better Than 2 Win 10 games as Tri-Pods
Icky Victory Win 10 games as Blobs
It's Not a Frisbee… Win 10 games as Flying Saucers
Hangar 18 Win 50 games as the Alien Invasion Faction
Can't Sleep, Bears Will Eat Me Win 10 games as Evil Teddy Bears
I Never Trusted Those Things Win 10 games as Garden Gnomes
Braaaains!!! Win 10 games as Zombies
Not a Dinosaur Win 10 games as Giant “Godzilla” Creatures
Welcome to My Nightmare Win 50 games as the 43rd Dimension Faction
Teamwork! Conquer the Globe 5 times
Brute Force Collect all 5 offensive Power-Ups
The Best Offense Collect all 5 defensive Power-Ups
Finger on the Button Use all 5 offensive Power-Ups
Behind the Shield Use all 5 defensive Power-Ups
Cautious Destroy 10 defense towers
Domination Win a game losing less than 30% of your turns
Lucky Duck Win a game losing more than 50% of your turns
7 Controls
<insert> controls section here>
8 Save System
8.1 Profiles
The game can save multiple save profiles per system.
• Each Profile contains the following information:
o Overall number of wins
o Overall number of losses
o Win/Loss ratio
o Total number of Challenges completed
o Total number of global victories
8.2 Save Data
The game saves data after each victory or defeat when a game is over.
• The following data is saved to memory for each Profile:
o Overall number of wins
o Overall number of losses
o Challenge progression data
o Total number of global victories
o Previously played Faction type
o Previously played Troop type
A Game of War is a deceptively simple, turn-based strategy game where the goal is to capture all territories on screen, advancing your faction’s domination of the globe. Intuitive point and click controls, quick play sessions, simple rules, and a family friendly presentation make the game accessible to all demographics. Randomly generated maps ensure that no game session is ever the same, and create an ever evolving strategy for the player to learn.
Researching faster than light travel, Dr. Springfield accidently opened a gateway to the 43rd dimension. With a conquering will and bloodlust, mysterious beings poured through the gate into our 3rd dimension, taking the form of twisted creatures from the most perverse depths of humankind’s imagination…sort of. At the same time, alien probes detected the triggering of the dimensional gateway, tipping them off to the presence of a previously unknown blue planet rich in resources, but populated by a somewhat obnoxious, dim-witted species that must be exterminated.
Support the cause! Help the humans defend their planet, lead the nightmare armies of the 43rd dimension to total domination, or join the alien invasion to cleanse the planet of the annoying humans and the rather odd creatures they let in through the gateway.
3 Features
• Intuitive point and click controls and a family friendly presentation for maximum accessibility across a wide demographic.
o Real-time 3D environments and characters on the Wii.
o Detailed 2D sprites on the DS.
• Quick gameplay sessions lasting between 5 to 20 minutes.
• Multiplayer online or offline support for up to 12 players.
o Wii and DS players can face-off online against each other.
• “Challenges” meta-game motivates the player to experiment with all variables of the game.
• Online community meta-game seamlessly integrated into single player game mode.
o Choose which faction to fight for; all victories and defeats are posted to a single server which tallies your contributions to the faction.
o Wii/DS share same server – take the battle with you!
4 Game Modes
4.1.1 Single Player
• Instant Action
o Player picks between Regular or Free-for-All game modes.
o A.I randomly picks Faction and Troop types for the player and itself.
• Custom Battle
o Regular
Faction vs. Faction
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 3 Troop Types on the Map.
o Free-for-All
Troop vs. Troop
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop Types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 12 Troop Types on the Map.
4.1.2 Multiplayer
When joining a multiplayer game, the game automatically connects to an open host, or chooses to host a game itself, similar to the Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 multiplayer matchmaking functionality.
• Online Game
o Regular
Faction vs. Faction
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 3 Troop Types on the Map (3 player multiplayer support).
• Option for single controller pass-play supported.
o Free-for-All
Troop vs. Troop
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop Types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 12 Troop Types on the Map (12 player multiplayer support).
• 4 players per system supported for online play (Wii only).
o Option for single controller pass-play supported.
• Local Game
o Regular
Faction vs. Faction
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 3 Troop Types on the Map (3 player multiplayer support).
• Option for single controller pass-play supported.
o Free-for-All
Troop vs. Troop
• Player picks their Troop type and enemy Troop Types.
o Player may choose to have A.I. pick random enemy Troop type.
2 to 12 Troop Types on the Map (12 player multiplayer support).
• Option for single controller pass-play supported.
5 Gameplay
5.1.1 Objective
Capture all enemy territories to win.
5.1.2 The Map
• The gameplay map is made up of bordering Territories.
• Territories are dynamically constructed for infinite tactical possibilities.
• Some Territories have Dead Zones; non-traversable “no man’s land” areas.
o Defense Towers are placed in Dead Zones (see Power-Ups).
5.1.3 Troops
• Each Troop is worth up to 6 attack points.
o A single Troop is essentially equal to 1 die piece.
When attacking, a single Troop can “roll” an attack/defense value of 1 through 6.
• Each territory can hold up to 8 total Troops, for a total possible attack/defense “roll” of 48.
5.1.4 Start of Game
• Player order is randomly chosen.
• Troops are randomly placed in player’s territories.
5.1.5 Turn Phases
1. Select territory with which you wish to attack.
2. Choose Power-Up, if available <optional step>.
3. Select a bordering enemy territory you wish to attack.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you’re done (player may choose to end turn at any time).
5. Place Troop reinforcements into territories at end of turn.
5.1.6 Power-Ups
• Power-ups randomly appear on the player’s and enemy’s territory.
o The only way to obtain a power-up is to capture the territory it’s in.
o You can’t use Power-Ups that appear in your own territory.
Defend Power-Ups that appear in your territory so the enemy can’t use it against you.
• There are 5 offensive and 5 defensive Power-Ups in the game.
o Each Troop type within each Faction has their own unique name and animation for each Power-Up.
Each Power-Up will have a universal icon that is shared across all Troop types
Offensive Power-Ups Effects
o Reduce a single territory to one Troop.
o Attacking Troops “roll” highest possible number.
o Destroy a defense tower.
o Jump a territory for attack (can attack enemy territory not bordering your own).
o 2 of the player’s territories that border target opponent territory share dice totals when attacking.
Defensive Power-Ups Effects
o Territory is invincible for a turn.
o Adds permanent defense tower to dead zone connected to player’s territory; +1 Troop level to defensive rolls for surrounding player’s territories.
o Enemies don’t get reinforcements at end of turn.
o Random shuffle of Troop balance within enemy territories.
o Adds 1.5 times number of Troop levels to selected territory.
6 Meta-games
6.1 Community Meta-game
Playing single or multi-player battles automatically contributes to your faction’s progress toward global domination.
• Join one of three factions.
o Each faction has multiple types of armies to choose from.
o Choose your favorite army to lead into battle!
• Every victory and defeat is counted toward your factions’ overall global dominance.
o View the globe to see how much territory your faction currently dominates.
o If one faction dominates the world, the globe (server) resets and a new world war begins!
o All members of a victorious faction earn a badge of honor for each global victory achieved.
6.1.1 Factions
• Human Troops
o Soldiers
o Ninjas
o Pirates
o Vikings
• Alien Invasion Troops
o Greys
o Tri-Pods
o Blobs
o Flying Saucers
• Troops from the 43rd Dimension
o Evil Teddy Bears
o Garden Gnomes
o Zombies
o Giant “Godzilla” Creatures
6.1.2 Civil War Among Factions
Troops within Factions don’t always get along well with each other, which leads to Civil War!
• Civil War automatically happens when Troops from within the same Faction battle each other in the game mode Free-for-All.
o Civil War is only possible in Free-for-All games.
• The victorious Troop helps their particular Troop type to gain dominance within their factions territory on the globe.
o For example, the winner of a single battle is the Ninja Troops.
The Human faction gains more territory on the globe.
Within the Human faction territory on the globe, the Ninja Troops gain more territory
6.2 Challenges Meta-game
While playing single or multliplayer modes, the player will automatically earn credit toward completing challenges (goals) simply by playing the game.
• A meter that displays overall progress will be present next to each Challenge on the Challenges screen.
6.2.1 The Challenges
Challenge Task
Harsh Tactics Eliminate 25 enemies
Brutal Strategist Eliminate 50 enemies
Fear Monger Eliminate 100 enemies
Major Win 25 games
Commander Win 50 games
General Win 100 games
First to Fight Win 10 games as Soldiers
Art of Invisibility Win 10 games as Ninjas
Yaarrrrrrrrr!!!! Win 10 games as Pirates
Pillager Win 10 games as Vikings
Homeland Defense Win 50 games as the Human Faction
Grey is the Best Color Win 10 games as Greys
3 Legs are Better Than 2 Win 10 games as Tri-Pods
Icky Victory Win 10 games as Blobs
It's Not a Frisbee… Win 10 games as Flying Saucers
Hangar 18 Win 50 games as the Alien Invasion Faction
Can't Sleep, Bears Will Eat Me Win 10 games as Evil Teddy Bears
I Never Trusted Those Things Win 10 games as Garden Gnomes
Braaaains!!! Win 10 games as Zombies
Not a Dinosaur Win 10 games as Giant “Godzilla” Creatures
Welcome to My Nightmare Win 50 games as the 43rd Dimension Faction
Teamwork! Conquer the Globe 5 times
Brute Force Collect all 5 offensive Power-Ups
The Best Offense Collect all 5 defensive Power-Ups
Finger on the Button Use all 5 offensive Power-Ups
Behind the Shield Use all 5 defensive Power-Ups
Cautious Destroy 10 defense towers
Domination Win a game losing less than 30% of your turns
Lucky Duck Win a game losing more than 50% of your turns
7 Controls
<insert> controls section here>
8 Save System
8.1 Profiles
The game can save multiple save profiles per system.
• Each Profile contains the following information:
o Overall number of wins
o Overall number of losses
o Win/Loss ratio
o Total number of Challenges completed
o Total number of global victories
8.2 Save Data
The game saves data after each victory or defeat when a game is over.
• The following data is saved to memory for each Profile:
o Overall number of wins
o Overall number of losses
o Challenge progression data
o Total number of global victories
o Previously played Faction type
o Previously played Troop type