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Storyline and Plot Progression (WARNING: SPOILERS)

I have most of the general story blocked out, next I'll set up the scenes and then work on actions before adding dialogue. After that, it will need to be proofread and edited for spelling, grammar, and logic. Once this is done, I'll note any changes in the design document and start work on the storyboards.


That said, let's discuss something that has been on my mind since the early days of RPG making.
Story points are the basic things that happen in the story. Often you'll find posts in amateur game dev forums asking for feedback on a plot, when what they have really provided are two or three story points.

Here are the various story points that I want to use for Xenocop. For the most part they are in the order that they are introduced.

1. Geddon escapes prison; Daoki is hurt in an explosion.
2. After becoming a cyborg, Daoki follows the Pirate Lords to Earth (Opening sequence).
3. Daoki arrives and begins hunting pirates immediately.
4. Daoki is ambushed in a train yard and left for dead.
5. His presence is compromised by two teens who find him and keep him a secret
6. Body and memory damaged; he must repair himself.
7. The kids become allies and help to rehabilitate Daoki at great personal risk.
8. There are aliens among us already; Daoki must contact them for information.
9. Ray’s sister falls in love with Daoki’s young man disguise, this becomes a recurring problem.
10. The Department of Homeland Security investigates reports of UFO sightings.
11. The cops and military mobilize as events begin to violently escalate.
12. Repairs and disguises help Daoki find more clues to hunt pirates.
13. There are a fixed number of pirates, Daoki must kill them all. Minions are a secondary (bonus) concern.
14. Cultural references occur during the story that shapes Daoki’s perception of the human race.
15. The pirates are taking over various criminal operations in the city.
16. Geddon plans to turn the Earth into his staging area for striking back at the United Star League.
17. Infighting between the pirates is still common and their infrastructure is still weak.
18. Various television shows and news agencies report on the strange events going on.
19. The government arrests Daoki, he manages to escape.
20. The United Star League becomes increasingly aware of Daoki’s setbacks.
21. A weapons manufacturer knows of the aliens and wants Daoki’s body for research.
22. Daoki is captured by the company but escapes; this is a ruse, however.
23. The League plans to take more drastic measures if Daoki fails again.
24. Daoki must bypass the new and even more restrictive programming the League (via the weapons manufacturer) has downloaded into him.
25. Daoki fights Geddon (final showdown, climax).
26. A twist is revealed: traitors are in the League (denouement).
27. Daoki leaves Earth to confront the League and the traitors in their midst. (End sequence, credits roll)

I learned in one of my film classes that Francis Coppola wanted 25 things to happen in Apocalypse Now. I wanted to at least match that, not so much for ambition, but because it's the only reference I have and I want the option to scale back if I need to. I'd rather cut something out than have to cram something in later.