Business Scope - rpg-research/bcirpg GitHub Wiki

#PROJECT TITLE Ilmatar

RPG Research ERPG Development Project Description and Objective(s)

Purpose is to make it easy to create adventures for specific targeted goals in recreation, entertainment, education, and therapy, using most any game system or genre with the same narrative.

Development Phases:

Phase 1

Developer training, prototype story development, and prototype story testing to train developers, using NWN Aurora Toolset.

Phase 2

Part 1: Create Project Ilmatar toolset, minimum viable product (MVP).

Part 2: Create text-only, multi-user, online, turn-based adventure using this Project Ilmatar Toolset MVP, based on the Phase 1 storyline and geography.

Part 3: Verify accessibility input controls working correctly, support screenreaders and other accessibility tools, especially with Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) controls.

Part 4: Iterate through extending the toolset to be more complete for 1.0 needs, then expand the adventure features with the toolset, and continue to verify I/O with BCI.

Phase 3:

Part 1: Add audio and graphics functions to the Project Ilmatar Toolset.

Part 2: Add audio and graphics to the existing prototype story (in the style of Dirk the Daring based on choices). Verify still works as online, multiplayer, turn-based.

Part 3: Verify still works with accessibility equipment, especially BCI.

Phase 4:

Add real-time GM function to the toolset, allowing the "GM", educator, or therapist, to intervene in the game real time within the game, with all the powers that a GM should have in a TRPG.

Phase 5:

Part 1: Add physical world capabilities to the toolset so that a GM/Educator/Facilitator/Therapist can use the real-time tools as an interface with robotic equipment to roll dice, move miniatures, etc.

Part 2: Enable these robotic controls to work over Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), so players can roll physical dice, move miniatures, update character sheet, etc. using BCI.

Stage 1: NWN:EE Developer training

Training developers on some core concepts using Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition includin:

Solo game play
Underlying RPG system (D&D 3.x)
Overlaid Genre (sword & sorcery fantasy)
DM Client
Aurora Platform toolkit ESMA (electronic solo or multiplayer adventure) RPG
Server hosting
Storyline development
Connecting separate modules into a cohesive whole

Stage 2: Ilmar

Text only branching ETSMA (electronic text-based solo / multiplayer adventure) RPG Create toolset for creating adventures that meet this stage's design requirements.

Supports both single player and multiplayer
Cooperative play (no PvP featured needed or desired)
Turn-based, not real-time.
Strong narrative, plot, and character development emphasized over graphics or physical combat.
Just text-based at this stage, but leave "hooks" open for either playing video/audio clips, or actual animated graphics.
Cross-platform support for end-user
Underlying RPG rules system can be swapped out with other systems, rather than dependent on any one game system.
Supports any genre overlay, initially start with just 3 genres: fantasy, modern, sci-fi.

Stage 3: Vaina

(Pronounced: Vah-een-ah) activated live action film or animation based on Stage 2’s result, interactive video plus (IV+)

Platform that allows solo and multiplayer adventures
Built in some kind of open source license that mandates attribution and does allow commercial use with permission.
Development tools must allow this kind of use.
Use some kind of version control (GitHub or other)
Public download use
Run on as many platforms as possible (starting with PC)

#TARGET AUDIENCE Internal staff training and use by general public for other providers wanting to build on our work

#RISK AND OPPORTUNITY Risk: never finishing / not having the staff to finish

Must be small enough to be handled in bite-sized pieces Opportunity: we create a platform that is useful to us for our training and our clients
Something that is useful for others to use
We get recognition for the creation of something of value by the broader community
Potential licensing opportunities
Potential partnerships

#DELIVERABLES

3 Phases of deliveriables, a NWN:EE version of the storyline, a new toolset that enables development and delivery of: a text-only version of the storyline, and finally a more graphical version of the storyline.

##Phase 1

A completely working interactive NWN perpetual world multiplayer module that meets a specific checklist of goals as detailed in the technical scope

##Phase 2

A completely working beginning, middle, and end text-based combat and activity and NPC interactive solo adventure module that runs cross-platform and works for both solo and multiplayer and can be hosted on a server

##Phase 3

As per Phase 2 but with either activated live action video or animations bringing Phase 2 to visual life