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RPG => The Shelter - Official Dead State Forum => Topic started by: Brian on April 05, 2010, 03:02:59 pm



Title: Dead State FAQ
Post by: Brian on April 05, 2010, 03:02:59 pm
Dead State FAQ Version 1.4

Last Updated 10/30/2014

General

What is Dead State?
A survival RPG that takes places as society is breaking down due to a zombie apocalypse.

Who’s working on it?
Brian - Project Lead/Design/Writing
Oscar - Lead Artist
Nick - Lead Programmer
Annie - Design/Writing
Christina - Production
Eugene - Programming
Ivan - Animations
Mazin - 2D/3D Art
Kim - 2D Art
Joao - 3D Art
Jason - 3D Art
Brandon - 2D Art
Leif - Music
Zack - SFX
Jonathan - Programming
Jacob - QA / Test
Vince - Support

Can I help?
We’re not currently looking for team members, but if we add any positions, we’ll post a notification on the forums or the site. We may also have open slots for testers at some point and will most likely look to the community to fill those roles.

When is it scheduled to be released?
Estimated release date is in Fall 2014.  With a Kickstarted game like this, though, our main goal is to make sure it's everything we promised before we release, rather than trying to force an arbitrary deadline.

What tech are you using?
Torque 3D with tools and code used to make Age of Decadence.

What platforms will you support?
PC for sure. Other platforms will be evaluated after PC version is released, so don’t throw away your Neo Geo Pocket just yet…

Who is your publisher?
We don’t have one. We’re an indie studio and will be releasing through digital distribution. We’ll have more on which sites we will be available on when the game gets closer to release.

Will you release a boxed version?
If there’s enough interest.  There are no current plans, but anything’s possible, especially if there is a financial incentive to do so.

What are the system requirements?
Please check out our Steam Store page (http://store.steampowered.com/app/239840/) for our current list of system requirements.

Is there a multiplayer component?
No.  Dead State is a single player RPG.

Will there be a demo?
We do not currently have any free demo of Dead State. You can play the game now by purchasing Dead State and accessing the Early Access Beta.

What languages is the game being offered in?
We plan on finishing the English version first, then looking into our localization options. We realize there are fans in many different countries, so we'll see what we can do to accommodate you. There is a lot of text in the game, so it is not a trivial matter to localize Dead State.  We will use a professional localization team if we pursue localization.

Where can I pre-order?
You can buy Early Access on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/239840/) or you can pre-order on our website (http://www.deadstate.doublebearproductions.com/purchase/).

Will there be a public beta?
We have an Early Access Beta available on Steam currently.

Do you guys have  a store?
Yes! DoubleBear has stores here:
http://www.cafepress.com/doublebear (http://www.cafepress.com/doublebear)
http://www.cafepress.com/DBears (http://www.cafepress.com/DBears)
http://www.cafepress.com/DBcartoonLogo (http://www.cafepress.com/DBcartoonLogo)

All sales go right back into production and to pay the team, so if you want to support the development of the game, you may do so by purchasing items from our store. We appreciate it! Let us know if there’s something you really want to see.

Do you have a Twitter or Facebook site where I can receive the very latest information on the game’s progress?
Yes, we do:
http://twitter.com/DoubleBearGames (http://twitter.com/DoubleBearGames)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DoubleBear-Productions/258448349489 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/DoubleBear-Productions/258448349489)

Also, our website:

http://deadstate.doublebearproductions.com/ (http://deadstate.doublebearproductions.com/)

Game Design

What is the story of Dead State?
You’re a survivor in the zombie apocalypse. As far as you know, civilization has collapsed on a global scale. The only thing for certain is that the dead are preying on the living and most of the living are getting more desperate as time goes on. Somehow, you need to find a way to survive. Your best bet is to find other survivors and resources to increase your chances, but nothing is easy in this new world.

Where is the game set?
In the fictional town of Splendid, Texas (Central Texas).

What time period is it set in?
Present day.

So it only takes place in one town?
Not at all - your Shelter is in Splendid, and you will have to venture out to surrounding towns and areas scavenging items, resources, and food while looking for other survivors.

What kinds of zombies are these?
Slow, shuffling, stupid zombies. They respond to sound and sight of the living. They’re not very dangerous in small numbers, but can overwhelm in large packs. Their bites are infectious, and most people will die within three days of being bit.

There are no running zombies, mutant zombies, secret zombies, or lich kings in the game.

So I can die from being bit?
In the release version of the game you can’t but your allies can. Antibiotics will keep infected allies alive but not cure the infection. Not all bites will cause infection but the lower a character’s health, the more likely infection becomes.

There is also a planned game mode where the player CAN be infected and antibiotics won’t work. As you can expect, it’s much more difficult.

Are the allies like party-members in most RPGs?
Not exactly. There are lots of them and they’re not always great at combat, but then, combat is only one aspect of the game. The player may go through the game multiple times and never find all of them, nor have the same experience with them. The player has to provide for allies and lead them, and if their allies don’t agree with the player’s decisions, they may leave or challenge the player’s authority.  Every ally is unique, with their own dialogues, reactive elements, and fully fleshed-out personalities to contend with.

In the world of Dead State, death is permanent.  If an ally is killed, there is no way to revive them - unless they're infected, in which case fire is the only way to make sure they won't come back.

Is Dead State real-time or turn-based?
Exploration is real-time.  Combat is turn-based.  Think Fallout 1 & 2 or Jagged Alliance.

How does Panic work?
Panic is caused either by fear of zombies or combat stress/wounds. Some characters will never panic from zombies and some will never panic from combat stress. A few will never panic at all under any circumstances, and that includes the player. Low Morale/depression will increase chances of Panic.  A panicking character cannot be controlled and will take actions depending on the circumstance and their personality which could include fleeing, desperately trying to patch themselves or loved ones up, or flying into a berserk rage.

How does Morale work?
Morale is one of the major systems in the game, reinforcing one of the bigger themes in a zombie apocalypse scenario.  Maintaining positive Morale is one of the major tasks the player has to do. Morale is based on Mood, which is generated by allies. When allies are in good spirits, their Morale drain is minor, but if they lose hope, they start generating a larger Morale penalty. Morale is calculated daily and is drawn from the player’s “good will” reserves. When Morale is negative, it can cause greater problems in the Shelter.  Luxury items can help raise Morale, and certain actions/decisions the player makes can have a positive or negative effect on Morale.

What is this Shelter?
The Shelter is a school that can be used to house allies and equipment the player finds. Parts of the school can be upgraded with certain resources, but the perimeter must be maintained to keep the structure safe.  It’s the player’s base of operations.

Can I have multiple Shelters?
No, just the one.

What if something happens to the Shelter?
The game is over if the Shelter is compromised. This is just one of the ways the game can end.

Do I have to worry about anything besides Morale?
Yes, in fact – food is a major resource, as well. In the normal mode of the game, the player doesn’t have to worry about eating, but their allies will need food every day or they'll be weakened and a shortage can impact Morale. This is one of the reasons the player will have to go out and scavenge, which is risky due to other humans looking for (and killing for) food, not to mention zombies. Food is consumed automatically every day by allies, so there’s no need to have to sit there and distribute it, because we’re not making an apocalyptic lunch lady sim.

How do I avoid zombies?
Try to avoid making Noise. Zombies (and humans) are attracted to noise. Large groups of humans fighting will generally draw zombies to the area too. There are creative ways to deal with the zombies, but the best thing to do is to just be careful how loud you are. Make too much noise for too many rounds of combat, and zombies will start to overwhelm even the most experienced party.

And how do I kill zombies?
There are melee and ranged weapons. Melee weapons are quieter, while ranged weapons are more powerful and noisier. Zombies on their own aren’t that hard to kill, so if you’re capable with a melee weapon, your characters should be able to take one down with melee without generating too much noise. Humans, however, are much deadlier than zombies and may be wearing armor and shooting back. Guns are an effective weapon against humans, but the noise can attract zombies.  Of course, characters that are good with melee/ranged and have decent equipment will be able to handle a variety of situations. There are also special one-use items with combat or strategic uses.

What are the other skills?
The skills for the game are:
Survival – Training in wilderness/military survival. It allows players to travel faster on the Area Map, avoid random encounters, survey greater distances, and harvest wild sources of food.

Mechanical – Mechanical aptitude. Governs ability to pick locks, upgrade the Shelter, and modify weapons.

Melee – Proficiency with melee weapons/close combat.

Ranged – Proficiency with firearms/ranged weapons.

Medical – Knowledge of medicine/treatment of wounds. Skilled characters can heal more HP per action in combat and may be able to help during medical emergencies.

Science – Knowledge and application of scientific principles. Allows the player to craft new items, equipment, and upgrades, as well as gives knowledge of the use of caustic compounds to poison weapons.

Negotiation – The ability to manipulate and reason with people. Used in dialogue and helps reduce Morale penalties.  

Leadership - The ability to inspire and intimidate people. Used in dialogue, increases effectiveness of allies in combat, and unlocks advanced Leadership Commands allowing for special actions in combat.

Are there stats too?
A few.  Stats represent a character’s physical ability/limitations, and are used in conjunction with skills to determine combat effectiveness.

Skills are applied knowledge and stats are physical capability. It is easier to raise skills than stats. They are:

Strength – Physical strength. Determines carry weight and contributes to melee damage.

Agility – How physically quick a character is. Determines amount of Action Points and combat evasion.

Perception – Mental alertness and keen sight. Used to determine initiative and chance to hit distant targets.

Vigor – Health of the player. Determines HP and can give bonus AC.

How do I level up?
There aren't traditional levels in the game. You receive skill points for completing objectives - such as exploring a large or dangerous location or collecting a certain amount of food. There are reoccurring goals, exploration goals, and challenge goals. There are also hidden goals which will award the player for making particularly difficult decisions. You can use skill points to advance skills. When a certain number of skill points are gained, the player will receive one stat point to use in boosting one of their four stats.

We also have hidden perks which can bestow a choice of skills onto the player when they reach certain milestones in the game.

What is the gist of the game?
The game is open-world, meaning the player can go anywhere in any order. There are quite a few “objectives” coming from within the player’s group and outside forces, and the player will always have plenty to do and the story/relationships can go in very different directions based on the player’s decisions.

The basic drive is going out of the Shelter to scavenge food, equipment, fuel, parts, and other items and trying to survive another day in the zombie apocalypse. There are a lot of ways this can be accomplished.

Is the game world randomized every time you play?
While we do randomize a few elements in the game, the game world and NPCs are not randomized.

Are there weather effects?
No. It wouldn't make much of a difference in the area the game is set in anyhow.  Time of day has an effect however, and exploring late at night becomes extremely dangerous.

Is there a good and evil solution for everything?
There is no good/evil points, slider, whatever. If you piss off an enemy faction, most likely they are going to be hostile. Some people will agree with your methods and some won’t and some won’t care as long as the Shelter provides creature comforts. You have to weigh every decision like a political decision – you can’t please all the people all of the time, but you can please some of the people some of the time.  Most of the decisions involve sacrifices (not literally) and it’s about what you’re comfortable sacrificing, though it’s not always as cut and dry as that. There is also the question of the needs of the group versus the needs of the individual to consider.

So I don't have to be a good guy?
You don't have to always do the right thing or treat people considerately. You might end up being the leader of the most vicious group of survivors.

So there are other groups of survivors beside my group? Can I ally with them?
There are other groups and you may come with an arrangement with them but not necessarily absorb them into your group. For the most part, the other groups view you as a threat or competition.

Can I create my character?
Yes, there is a custom character creator at the start of the game.

Are there perks to choose at character creation?
Yes.

Will I be able to max all skills in a single game?
No. You can try to be average at a lot of things or a specialist in a few.

How does travel work?
You pick a destination or direction to travel to on the Area Map. If you discover a new area while traveling, it will be marked on your map.

Travel takes time, but can be sped up by finding horses or with a vehicle, though those have fuel costs associated with them. There are also random encounters, though skills like Survival and occasionally dialogue can get you out of them. Generally, you don’t want to be out for too long or your group will start to suffer Fatigue, which can only be healed by rest and it’s not safe to rest outside the walls of the Shelter.

Is every ally good at fighting?
While practically every ally can be taken into the field, not all of them excel at fighting. Some allies have skills that make them more valuable back at the shelter.

Does the game end or can I play indefinitely?
The game has a definite end point. You won't be able to keep playing after the ending, but there are many elements in the story events and difficulty settings that will change the gameplay enough to play through a second or third time.

How tactical is the combat? Can I go prone, sidestep, find out which way the wind is blowing and such?
Currently, you can't crouch, go prone, or sidestep and cover is mostly about staying out of the lines of sight. Most of these options would only benefit long-range weapon users, which would make up a small percentage of possible builds. A lot of the strategy comes from the different weapon types, how you employ them, how you use thrown items (like noisemakers), where you choose to engage enemies, how much your allies compliment your style, and how you pick your battles.

Will there be any kinds of magic, psychic powers, or chainsaw-chuks?
No, this game is modeled after natural disasters, with the human element being the key factor. It’s a what-if scenario, so we’re trying to keep it as close to reality as our gameplay mechanics will allow.

What kinds of weapons will there be?
Many different types of firearms, melee weapons, and thrown weapons (explosives). There are also shields. Many weapons, armors, and items can be created with the science skill or modified by the mechanical skill.

Are there any renewable food sources?
Yes. The survival skill helps you find these and there are some ways of producing renewable food supplies with a few shelter upgrades.

Can I go out at night?
Yes, but it's dangerous. Your perception is diminished and the longer you stay out, the more likely your party will get fatigued from exertion. There are a few items to help with both of these problems, but it's always safer to go out during the day.


Title: Re: Dead State FAQ
Post by: Christina on February 20, 2014, 01:08:14 am
Updated 2/19/2014.


Title: Re: Dead State FAQ
Post by: Christina on October 08, 2014, 12:40:52 am
Updated 10/7/14.


Title: Re: Dead State FAQ
Post by: SunwardMold on October 30, 2014, 07:00:53 pm
Updated 10/30/14.