Overview

Intent: The following three levels are separate experiences that connect to form one story arc. The first level’s intent is to introduce the player to the environment safely and with calm, open areas that are still linear enough so the player can’t lose himself.

Where: The first level takes place along Boardwalk Pier in the Oldtown District of the city of Westwood.

What: The player is a kid off the streets trying to survive. He’s found a way to make a quick buck, but has gotten himself tangled up with a gang. The player has to meet the Boss of the gang by first crossing the boardwalk, and meeting some thugs in a warehouse. The thugs will take him to Oldtown Manor, where the Boss is waiting.

Setting

The History of Westwood: Westwood first began as a mining settlement around 1840. A prolific abundance in silver from the local mine helped develop Westwood and it was officially settled in 1846. A large railroad system was installed for the sole purpose of exporting minerals from the mine and importing equipment and fuel, but was also frequently used to transport incoming future residents of the town. Lumber and fishing soon followed as viable industries behind the profitable silver mine. The city grew and expanded over the early years of the 20th century, and by the time the mine was exhausted and eventually condemned in 1953, the city had already experienced years of wealth and abundance.

Points of Interest

Oldtown Manor: Oldtown Manor, located in the Oldtown district, was the first mayoral manor of Westwood. Built in 1920, the large estate provided a roof for many of Westwood’s mayors. In 1962, the manor was renovated into a tourist attraction, and to this day it is a luxury hotel in the center of historic Oldtown. The manor is situated inside Manor Circle Rd., and is only a short ride away from many of Westwood’s most famous tourist spots: the Silver Mine and Railroad Museums, Boardwalk Pier, and the Public Library Park.

Historic Silver Mine Museum: One of two sister museums, the Silver Mine exhibits are one of the most visited spots of Westwood tourists. The large complex features dozens of placards and displays showcasing the historical success of Westwood’s mining industry. Visitors can walk the halls and learn how silver mining really works, take guided tours through small replica mines, or pay an expensive fee to go spelunking into actual condemned mining tunnels and caves, provided they sign a release form.

Historic Railroad Museum: The Railroad museum is the annex to its sister Silver Mine museum. Visitors can expect to learn a great deal of history around Westwood’s old, yet vast, rail systems. Visitors can also take a ride on a train, learn how the engines and furnaces work, and take a long walk alongside the rails themselves as part of the ongoing Rail Park project, a community effort to rebuild and renovate the old rail system into a garden and lawn park for sponsored activities and public use.

Maps & Reference

District Map

City-wide district layout and key locations.

Level 1 — Boardwalk Pier (Exterior)

Intent: The following three levels are separate experiences that connect to form one story arc. The first level’s intent is to introduce the player to the environment safely and with calm, open areas that are still linear enough so the player can’t lose himself.

Where: The first level takes place along Boardwalk Pier in the Oldtown District of the city of Westwood.

Boardwalk Pier

Exterior Experience Events

Exterior Experience: Event One

At the beginning of the level, the player sees the warehouse far in the background standing over the tiny shops on the boardwalk. A harsh set of lines to the left and various fencing pushes the player forward in a semi-linear pathway through the boardwalk. The water from the ocean also acts as a natural barricade. The area is clear, open, and generally “safe.”

Exterior Experience: Event Two

A small recess in the ground invites the player forward and passes through two small shops. The path is starting to twist and turn, making the area mysterious and uneasy.

Exterior Experience: Event Three

The path veers sharply but a translucent fence allows the player a sizable view of his goal, the warehouse.

Exterior Experience: Event Four

The player is now free to make his way to the warehouse.

Exterior Experience: Event Five

The player has now reached the warehouse. The metal facade is sharply angled and looks unfriendly. The small door at the bottom invites the player forward.

Level 2 — Warehouse (Interior)

Intent: The second level’s intent is to juxtapose the previous area’s safety and openness with closeness and intimidation.

Where: The second level takes place along Boardwalk Pier in an old warehouse.

What: The player now has to meet with some thugs so they can take him to headquarters to see the Boss. They’re waiting in the warehouse on the boardwalk and a black van is parked in the back waiting. The thugs will see the player and start to approach him, and then muscle him into the back of the van.

Warehouse (Interior)

Interior Experience Events

Interior Experience: Event One

The level begins with the player entering the warehouse. Wooden shelves allow low visibility through walls. The lights are dark and sunlight filters in through the windows.

Interior Experience: Event Two

The player turns around a corner and sees a black van parked in the loading bay. He does not see the thugs yet.

Interior Experience: Event Three

The player has seen the thugs and the thugs have seen him. They start to move across the warehouse to pick him up. The player sees this action and will start to move with them.

Interior Experience: Event Four

The thugs meet up with the player and start to force the player into the back of the van. Control is taken away from the player and a short in-game cutscene plays out.

Interior Experience: Event Five

The van takes off with the thugs and player in tow. The next level will be where the player finally meets the Boss.

Level 3 — Oldtown Manor (Boss Encounter)

Intent: The intent for this level is to create an experience where the player encounters a powerful boss figure at the end. The architecture will force the player to ascend numerous stairways inside an old building until the final room where the player confronts the boss character.

The Boss: The boss is a major antagonist and gang lord taking refuge in the abandoned tourist attraction, Oldtown Manor. His office is the final room where he meets the player. The boss fight is actually a social exchange and not an action-packed gun battle.

Where: The level takes place in Oldtown Manor, a tourist site in the Oldtown District of the city of Westwood.

What: The player arrives by the van from the previous level and must make his way into the manor and to the office of the gang lord alone.

Oldtown Manor (Boss Encounter)

Boss Experience Events

Boss Experience: Event One

The front facade of the manor greets the player openly. A large door beckons the player forward.

Boss Experience: Event Two

The front lobby houses a huge ornate modern decoration in the middle of two fancy staircases. This hints at the wealth and power of the boss in the final room. The sharp edges on the statue also emphasize the boss’s dangerousness.

Boss Experience: Event Three

At the top of the symmetrical stairs, the player turns and finds a small platform leading him into large windows that point outside. The view outside the windows will be the thugs parking the van and getting out, reminding the player of the danger he is in.

Boss Experience: Event Four

A metal staircase takes the player to the second floor. The windows along the side pour in light but also make the player feel vulnerable because of the thugs still outside in the front lawn.

Boss Experience: Event Five

The hallway leading to the boss’ office is filled with windows and light. This calms the player slightly, until he notices the large blot of darkness that is going to be his destination in the center of the hallway.

Boss Experience: Event Six

The boss’ office is the last room the player will find. A huge, expensive desk dominates the center of the room and a large black chair hides behind it, rotated to face away from the player. An assistant stands nervously to the side. The boss is sitting in the chair facing away from the player and towards the wall. The boss battle will be an exchange of dialog options instead of an action-based battle.

Oldtown Manor Detail

Historic Center of Oldtown Oldtown Manor was once the historic mayoral manor of Westwood, before being renovated into a luxury hotel for tourists. The Manor is inside Manor Circle Rd., and can be accessed through two main roads leading to the front door, as well as two rear entrances: one opening to a spacious parking lot, and the other twisting around the side towards the entrance. Shops and restaurants accompany the Manor inside Manor Circle, allowing tourists easy access to food, entertainment, and retail services. The building is very old and still retains its historic style. A large circular facade supported by pillars greets visitors at the front door. Windows line the front and side faces of the building, allowing lots of visibility of the surrounding lawn park areas from its many rooms.

Manor Detail

Front view of the manor blockout.