Design Document for:

Stop Watch

Race against time

"I like to look up at the stars and wonder if someone out there is looking back at me... and I wonder if they can see down my shirt.”™

Written by Natalie Wood

Version # 1.00

June 1, 2004
Table of Contents

Design History __________________________________________________________________ 4

Game Overview __________________________________________________________________ 4

Philosophy _____________________________________________________________________ 4

Philosophical point #1 ___________________________________________________________ 4

Philosophical point #2 ___________________________________________________________ 4

Philosophical point #3 ___________________________________________________________ 4

Common Questions ______________________________________________________________ 4

What is the game? _______________________________________________________________ 5

Why create this game? ____________________________________________________________ 5

Where does the game take place? ___________________________________________________ 5

What do I control? ______________________________________________________________ 5

How many characters do I control? __________________________________________________ 5

What is the main focus? ___________________________________________________________ 5

What’s different? ________________________________________________________________ 5

Feature Set _____________________________________________________________________ 6

General Features _______________________________________________________________ 6

Multi-player Features __________________________________________________________ 6

Game play ______________________________________________________________________ 6

The Game World ________________________________________________________________ 6

Overview _______________________________________________________________________ 6

World Feature #1 _______________________________________________________________ 6

World Feature #2 _______________________________________________________________ 6

The Physical World _____________________________________________________________ 6

Overview ______________________________________________________________________ 6

Key Locations __________________________________________________________________ 7

Travel ________________________________________________________________________ 7

Objects _______________________________________________________________________ 7

Weather _______________________________________________________________________ 7

Day and Night __________________________________________________________________ 7

Time _________________________________________________________________________ 7

Camera _________________________________________________________________________ 8

camera opt.#1 __________________________________________________________________ 8

camera opt.#2 __________________________________________________________________ 8

Game Characters _______________________________________________________________ 8

Overview _______________________________________________________________________ 8

Enemies and Monsters ___________________________________________________________ 9

User Interface __________________________________________________________________ 9

Overview _______________________________________________________________________ 9

User Interface Detail #1 ________________________________________________________ 10

User Interface Detail #2 ________________________________________________________ 10

Weapons _______________________________________________________________________ 11

Overview ______________________________________________________________________ 11

Musical Scores and Sound Effects _____________________________________________ 12

Overview ______________________________________________________________________ 12

Single Player Game ____________________________________________________________ 13

Overview ______________________________________________________________________ 13

Story _________________________________________________________________________ 13

Hours of Game-play _____________________________________________________________ 13

Multi-player Game _____________________________________________________________ 13

Overview ______________________________________________________________________ 13

Max Players ___________________________________________________________________ 13

Servers ________________________________________________________________________ 13

Internet ______________________________________________________________________ 13

Saving and Loading _____________________________________________________________ 14

“Story Appendix” ______________________________________________________________ 14

Design History

This video game was compiled with the help of:

Chris Faulhaber (Master Hacker and game engine engineer)

Jade Fang (background Artist)

Natalie Wood (character Design and 3D modeler)

Version 1.10

Version 1.10 includes some tuning and tweaking that I did after making my initial pass at the design. Here is what I changed.

More Story details added.

Version 2.00 is the first version of the design where a major revision has been made now that much more is known about the game. After many hours of design, many decisions have been made. Most of these large design decisions are now reflected in this document.

Included in the changes are:

Added more character sketches
Added interface layout.
Russia town design sketches.

Game Overview

Philosophy

Philosophical point #1

Fundamentally this game is trying to achieve favoritism like that of the Final fantasy sagas (ie.lovable characters, interesting story lines, easy to play and very addictive to the player).

Philosophical point #2

Our game also runs on PCs. The reason for this is that we believe that games should no just be console based. How many games can you buy that are for the PC and have it work in your console as well?

Philosophical point #3

This game will be available on PC (internet), Play-station, Game cube, and X-box

Common Questions

What is the game?

Stop Watch is an RPG. About a young Russian boy on a quest to free his friend and change his family history. The game has four alternative endings all brought about by the decisions the player makes through out the game.

Why create this game?

To build a damn Good RPG with great and unique story lines.

Where does the game take place?

The Game takes place in Petrovsk and St. Petersburg Russia between 1915-2015.

What do I control?

The player is in control of Michael, Misha, and the party members he chooses and gathers (including all of their powers and strengths) (unless the PC internet version the player only gets to fully control the character he of she chooses from the start).

How many characters do I control?

The party members you choose and gather (maximum 8 people)

What is the main focus?

Rasputin is currently still among the living because of the power he has stolen from Misha but because of the watch no longer in his possession he can not reach the immortal youth and true power that he desires. Rasputin commissions all of the demons within the underworld to retrieve the watch, bring it back, and kill anyone that gets in their way with the reward of everlasting power and immortality. Michael finds out through his grandfather’s journals about his desire to free Misha, Michael vows to do what his grandfather could not. You will fight countless demons to gain experience and magic, finding allies, and defeating Rasputin. You as the player (Michael) must learn to unlock and harness your powers to save Misha.

What’s different?

The stories that are usually found within games are full of many holes which may never be answered within completing the game. To wear as In Stop Watch You will know at the end of each one of the alternative endings what happens to all of the main characters…it will not be left opened or unanswered.

Feature Set

General Features

Country of Russia; Towns of Petrovsk and St. Petersburg

Controllable characters

3D graphics

32-bit color

Multiplayer Features (PC internet version)

1 Up to 8 players per party

5000 players space per server (over a 100 available severs to play on)

Easy to find and locate your party in huge world

Can chat over voice link to other party members

Game play

Easy user interface

Definable weapons

Definable enchanted items and spells

Upgradeable weapons

Upgradeable Magic

Ability to swap and trade party members

Useable training facility found on main menu

Gain experience and gold from enemies

Huge world fully explorable by walking through the Mirrors of Time

Max level: 999

Max life: 999

Max magic: 999

Max strength: 999

Max enchanted items: 99

The Game World

Overview

The whole country of Russia Is your playground of this gaming world

St. Petersburg

There’s a training level option at the start menu that puts you with in the town of St. Petersburg to learn Magic (spells, incantations) through ancient text found at the Romanov castle and by priests of the old order that run the main church. There are certain weapons that are too heavy or not in your magic experience range that can be found in St. Petersburg (you have to be at the level of which the items contain (swords, Daggers, and enchanted items (Your training level can also be upgraded from fighting in battles)). You can also begin to gather your adventure party here (this is the only way to obtain Natasha (misha’s older sister in your party)

Petrovsk

Is where the story’s main character Micheal and Misha’s journey kick off as well as the first mirror of time to be located.

The Physical World

Key Locations

St. Petersburg and Petrovsk are the 2 main towns.

Travel

The quick travel of the mirror time warps allows you to travel all over Russia to complete the game. You can also travel by horse, train, skateboard, stolen cars, and by foot to go around the towns

Scale

A mini size map (transparent) appears in the left hand corner of the screen of the town you are in. to look at a larger version of the map and an entire map of Russia (the map marks where you have already been and what you have completed) look within your items palate (which can be viewed by pressing the pause button)

Objects

Gold pocket watch

Beginners Book of spells and enchantments

Scrolls of Knowledge

Ruby (marble looking objects that increase life)

Onyx

Enchanted Armor

The Mikhale Dagger

Hand Gun- 45mm (bullets must be found for use)

Shot Gun- single shot and reload (bullets must be found for use)

Demon Fang- (found in the graveyards or sold by the mystics)

Death Scythe

Dynamite jem

Day and Night

Day-you have human-like demons (elves) or magical creatures (fairies or spirits) looking for you. (Elvish demons won’t come out at knight unless they are within your party because they are afraid of the Undead zombies…they too can be attacked by these monsters) when the sun begins to set if there are any elvish demons in the area you will actually see them flee away from you…they don’t want to be mangled by zombies.

Night-after sunset zombies are sent out to attack you if you are outside of the monastery or the old Romanov castle (magical creatures are the only ones that can attack you at night and during the day as well as in the old Romanov castle.

Time

Time can be moved through just like a door; the mirrors of time are kept by the guardians of time.

Within the world you must locate and travel through the mirrors to find Rasputin within the game.

Camera

Overview

With in this game you can switch between first person and third person camera angles while playing.

Camera #1 -1 st person

The camera will move around like the eyes of the character being operated at the time

Camera #2 - 3 rd person

The camera will move behind the characters party you will be able to see the all characters.

Game Characters

Overview

Main Characters:

Micheal- a lonely 14 year old boy longing for somewhere to belong. Descendent of the great sorcerer Rasputin. After the passing of his grandfather he inherits a strange packet watch. He begins to unlock a 100 year old secret by the accidental release of a young girl by speaking the Russian scripture found on the inside of his grandfather’s watch.

Misha- 1000 year old immortal demon fox. Sealed in a pocket watch for over 100 years by the Sorcerer Rasputin. Waiting to be released or robbed of her immortality. The watch ages the demon as it robs her of her immortal life.

Rasputin- a Great and Dangerous Sorcerer of Russia who sealed the power of a fox demon in attempt to harness its power of immortality in 1915. Forever cursing the fox demon to a golden pocket watch that drained her of her immortality.

Kayron- An elvish immortal banished from heaven and cursed to hell for crimes against the gods. The demon driver of the river Styx.

Natasha- 5000 years old Demon fox girl. Misha’s elder sister.

Alon- an elvish fairy and one of the guardians of time.Within the world you must locate and travel through the Mirrors of Time to find Rasputin within the game, the first mirror you come upon you meet Alon and must fight a battle and defeat her or she will not allow you passage through the mirrors

Mikahle- Micheal’s grandfather and Rasputin’s son. Mikahle stole the pocket watch from his father 80 years ago and has been hiding from him ever since attempting to find away to release and free Misha from his curse.

Personalizing and Upgrading a Character

There will be a training level option at the start menu that puts you with in the town of St. Petersburg to learn Magic (spells, incantations), weapons (There are certain weapons that are too heavy or not in your magic experience range that can be acquired instantly and used (you have to be at the level of which the items contain)) (swords, Daggers, and enchanted items(Your training level can also be upgraded from fighting in battles)), and to gather Your adventure party together (this is the only way to obtain Natasha (misha’s older sister(she is a Demon fox of the white fire)) in your party).

Enemies and Monsters

Father Time-The Highest in command of Time (he’s the last big boss you encounter before fighting Rasputin)You must defeat him in order to go through the last mirror of time that leads you to the Underworld to find and defeat Rasputin)

Kayron (demon driver of the river styx)-You fight her about 2/3 rd s of your way through the game . After you defeat her you can ask her to join Your party to help you navigate you way through the Under World and help you with your quest (she possesses the power of a magical fire Known as Demon Black Fire)

The Undead- zombie like demons that rise out of the ground (they can devour your life, health, and body-they carry no other weapons on them)

Wolves of the Undead –high level beast-like spirits you must defeat with magic and or enchanted items.

Elvish Demons-they are more intelligent and strategic than most demons-they are mystical archers that can attack long and short distances. Can be defeated by combat and magic

Water sprites-low level demon spirits that control water Found by lakes streams and ponds

Guardians of Time (fairies)-Magical creatures that are found with in 4 of the 100 possible mirrors (Alon being the first guardian you find in no matter what mirror you choose…

Lesser Demons-lower level demons found all through out the game levels (ogres/ spirits that can take over human bodies (you must use magic to separate the human from demon if you kill (minorly injuring them doesn’t’ count) more than 10 humans the you must complete the game with the Russian police chasing you for suspicious acts)

User Interface

Overview

The user interface for Stop Watch is extremely simple and easy to use. Pictures below illustrate:

User Interface Detail #1

User Interface Detail #2

Weapons

Overview

The Mikhale Dagger-the 1 st of the weapons available for obtaining

Hand Gun- 45mm (bullets must be found for use)

Shot Gun- single shot and reload (bullets must be found for use)

Demon Fang- a claw like fang with a poisoned tip that can kill any demon (found in the graveyards or sold by the mystics)

Death Scythe- a Scythe carried by the demon driver of the river of Styx. Has the ability to drain (*specified amounts) energy out of any human of monster by the touch of the blade. Can’t be held by a human for long of it will begin to slowly drain the users’ energy as well.

Ruby’s- Jewels that increase life

Onyx’s- jewels that increase magic

Dynamite Jems-Jewel like explosives

etc

Musical Scores and Sound Effects

Overview

There is no background music for Stop Watch technically. Just basic sound effects and Mp3’s of the soundtrack with vocals and the karaoke versions of the songs.

Soundtrack label:

Single-Player Game

Overview

Join Micheal and his friends in a race against time to correct a mistake from the past....

Story

Rasputin (evil sorcerer) is currently still among the living because of the power he has stolen from Misha but because of the watch no longer in his possession he can not reach the immortal youth and true power that he desires. So in desperation to repossess Misha and her powers he commissions all of the demons within the underworld to retrieve the watch, bring it back, and kill anyone that gets in their way with the reward of everlasting power and immortality. Micheal finds out through his grandfather’s journals about his desire to free Misha, Micheal vows to do what his grandfather could not. Fighting countless demons to gain experience and magic, finding allies, and defeating Rasputin. Micheal must learn to unlock and harness his power to protect his new found friends.

Hours of Gameplay

The game runs at 26+ hours of gameplay. 26 hours being the possible shortest amount of gameplay.

Victory Conditions

Must go through all levels of the game and complete all missions and goals.

Multiplayer Game

Overview

In the internet PC version of Stop Watch You only play one player out of the up to eight person party (you may pick from any of the following characters- Micheal/ Misha/ Kayron/ Alon/ Natasha/ and (within the main town (Petrovsk)) you are set in the world Russia and you must meet up with a party or someone trying to start a party, who is looking for other party members. And you must defeat the game as a team and not as an individual (within a party there must be a Misha and a Micheal to complete the story line)

Max Players

Each party may have up to 8 people within their party.

Internet

Start an account on StopWatch.com. Characters are selected through the main menus.

All items collected, weapons, stats, character info is saved within the StopWatch .com severs

Games can be reloaded into the severs by: typing in your account password and user name.

Saving and Loading

Saving and loading options are found at the opening menu:

Story Appendix:

The opening scene (video clip) for the game takes place in Petrovsk Russia, 1915: Misha is sealed within the watch and Rasputin tries to make his way into the Romanov dynasty. Next scene ( Russia 1916) (video clip) is of Rasputin being invited to tea at the house of one of the noble conspirators and was fed cake and wine laced with cyanide. Unaffected by the poison, he was then shot several times and beaten with an iron bar. Still alive, he was dragged to the frozen River Neva, tied-up, and thrown through a hole in the ice….later down the river a corpse like hand pops out of the river and Rasputin climbs out…..end of clip.

The scene reopens up in Petrovsk Russia, 1935; to a (15yr old) Young red headed child within a stone walled dark room with a gold pocket watch. He opens the pocket watch and begins to carve inscriptions within the inside of the watch. He then speaks what he has written (translated in English as) “release out of the darkness one of imprisonment” as he pours holy water onto the watch. And a Young fox girl out of a glimmer of light appears on the floor (naked (no major parts showing; hair covering majors)

“I won’t let anyone hurt you, don’t worry I will one day set you free” the boy says in a soft tone…

The scene reopens up to the boy running away from the castle with the watch in hand being chased be demons of all sorts. Frantically speaking out Russian incantations that are not translated (a spell to disguise his movements and tracks) scene ends with the boy running into a dark forest.

The scene reopens up in Russia 2015; to almost familiar boy (almost in tears) in front of an old man’s (his grandfather’s (Mikale)) funeral casket with a very familiar gold watch in hand. The boy walks out of the Funeral Home and out in to an open field in the back of the funeral home. The boy collapses to the ground and looks depressively at the watch as he begins to open it, “Release out of the darkness…one of imprisonment…” and with a flash of light an slightly older version of the Young fox girl appears once again … with a painful look in her eyes she says ”please don’t leave me in the darkness anymore…..” and the young fox girl faints.

And with that the game begins: you have the options:

~ to pick her up and take her home to be woken up

~to shake her to try and wake her up

~ walk away and leave her there (if you choose this option the fox girl vanishes back into the watch and you will have to reopen the watch again when you get back to your house out of curiosity to release her again)

Either way you have to talk to her and she will ask for your help to free her. She will tell you of the castle and monetary church that hold the knowledge and magic as well as the training grounds that they can use to build and gain strength. To get to these training grounds she tells you about the Mirrors of Time and how you can travel through them to certain places all over Russia, but one in particular to reach St. Petersburg, one located within his grandfather’s mansion estate in Petrovsk.

4 alternate endings:

1. Defeat Rasputin and seal him within the Watch, Free Misha and All returns to Peace.

2. Kill Rasputin, Release Misha, Return to Your own time and lifestyle separating ties with Misha.

3. Kill Rasputin in the past, Micheal disappears (misha realizes that micheal was a descendant of Rasputin and couldn’t exist unless Rasputin lived) ending scene Misha on the ground Crying.

4. Kill Rasputin in the past, Micheal disappears, Alon gives the watch back to Misha and tells her that the only way to get him back is to bring Rasputin back to the past and seal him before he can seal her… as so she travels back in time to the sealing and succeeds.