Story Concepts
Here I explored my story possibilities. My key element was using the aspect of "What if.." this meant exploring the different areas of alternate timelines and multiverse theory.
I wanted to take a character in a regular setting, being that set in history or current day, and having them experience the alternatives of the timeline while trying to achieve a goal. These alternatives were made through smaller decisions made in history.
The first step was to look at these kinds of decisions and see what stands out the most. Below are the ones that stood out the most to me.
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Two stood out the most to me, the memo that brought down the Berlin Wall and Rommel being absent from D-Day. The USSR Nuke was also viable but to avoid falling into video game cliche of post-nuclear life, I decided against it.
After looking over these events, I decided rather than making them alternatives to a modern day setting, to use one them as the setting instead. This means that I would either have a story set in 1944 or 1989.
Berlin Wall - Final Decision
After looking over the two, I decided that creating a story based in Berlin in 1989 would provide me with more contextual freedom. That means basing the story around the delivery of this memo that begins the steps to bring down the Berlin Wall. This time is crucial as it was a time close to civil uprising due to segregation of class that the majority didn't agree on, people came together of all denominations to express their need for freedom and peace, even if it was through some less peaceful methods.
Idea and Plot
Next was to look into what could make the idea of delivering a message interesting to play, and also speak to the player.
Below is what I came up with for the idea, message and then Plot.
Document on Morality
Document on Multiverse Theory
Setting
It's 1989, the Hungarian government did not dismantle their electrified fence along its border with Austria (like historically recorded), thus meaning many East German tourists are being forced back to their country. Tensions rise and no plan to bring down the Berlin Wall is in the foreseeable future. Talks, protests, and riots take place regularly around all of Germany.
Smugglers are finding different ways to get between East and West to escape or deal illegally, the current method is underground tunnels that go under the wall, building to building.
The game takes place in and around the back alleys, streets, warehouses and smuggler tunnels of Berlin.
Character
While searching a smuggler's tunnel, Klaus discovers a couple of suited men coming through the passage. The three men struggle. Amidst this, one man grabs the bare wrist of Klaus and their surrounding changes. They are above ground, still in Berlin but it is very bright, a lot of flower beds in what seems like a very American-ised street. People are staring at Klaus for how he is dressed.
Klaus pushes the man off and they're back in the tunnel, after a demanded explanation of what just happened, the men's situation and the one Klaus is now in, the fight is calmed. The men are from a "Pocket Dimension" where the Berlin Wall came down sooner, East and West are together and the country is at peace.
Klaus takes a memo directed towards Guenter Schabowski (To be the Socialist Official that announces the teardown of the Berlin Wall), he is told it will change Germany for the better. Klaus takes on the task and sends the men back the way they came, to save them from prosecution.
Upon reaching the tunnel mouth, Klaus is hit with a wave of pressure, pauses for a moment and then steps out into a less familiar setting. The room is dark and where his fellow guard friend stood, now stands a darker image of Germany's past.
Nazi propaganda hanging everywhere, and now Stormtroopers are in the place of his friends where they usually guard, armed to the teeth. Klaus in a panic dives into cover.
Klaus discovers that the ability possessed by the man that grabbed him has now passed onto him, as he traverses through Berlin to get to a press release at Alexanderplatz. Unintentionally bouncing through different "Pocket Dimensions" he must adapt to his surroundings, to get the memo to Guenter Schabowski's press release. In these pockets the people he comes up against react differently to his appearance. As he bounces through the dimensions he will come across the worlds that could have been, from decisions that weren't made or other possibilities, some of which show the darkness of humanity.
Story
You play as Klaus Brandt, a 29-year-old, brown haired, blue eyed GDR Border Trooper of an average height and build.
Klaus is a stern man, who finds his job important but is sympathetic to those whom he must prosecute. Klaus was orphaned as a boy and remains with no connection to the world other than his job and the smugglers or illegal crossers at the Berlin Wall.
He is stationed at a portion of the Berlin Wall that is known for its smuggling.