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Objectives

Define our NPC archetypes from a design perspective.

We’ll eventually circle back around for narrative & art later in this process.
We’re sticking with standard NPCs, bosses (Seven Suns) will likely take inspiration from these archetypes.

Establish how each NPC archetypes differ from each other to provide a variety of game experiences.

Identity
Progressions
Behaviours
Strengths & Weaknesses

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NPC Families

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ART

HLM�Fans

PAGAR �Service Corp

PAGAR�Executives

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HLM FANS

Identity

ART

Identity

Humanoid

HLM Fans are, at first, the most recognizable enemy archetype.
They are simple humans with masks and human weapons.
Unbeknownst to most people, they are more than just a little too hardcore in their fandom.
Instead these fans have been exposed to HLM3 which triggers a demonic transformation.

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HLM FANS

Progression

ART

Demonization

Thanks to their exposure to HLM3, fans are rapidly being demonized.
The more devoted fans, the more advanced the transformation.

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HLM FANS

Progression

ART

Fandom Manifest

Part of the fan’s demonization process is to manifest fandom on a physical level.
Animal mask are integrated into their bodies.
Grotesque mutation grow in relation to their masks.

Bull = horns
Owls = wings & feathers

More devoted fans wear more predatory animal masks.

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HLM FANS

Behaviour

ART

Simple

Tend to favor melee weapons.
Straight-to-the-point enemy AI behaviour.
Some might use the traditional Charger paradigm.
Easily affected Media Stims.

OLD IMAGE

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HLM FANS

ART

Behaviour

Frenzy

While in combat, will typically respond to friendly-fire.

Glass Cannon

Wear little protective gear, to better display their fandom.

OLD IMAGE

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HLM FANS

Strength

ART

Fleshy

Demonized fans can regenerate severed limbs, if not finished promptly.

Flight

Demonized Fans can mutate to the point of having wings to fly.

OLD IMAGE

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HLM FANS

Weakness

ART

Dumb

Their simple intelligence makes them prone to obstacles and choke points.
Filled with rage, Fans can easily be baited into dangerous hazards.

Tender

Because of their lack of protection, Fans are vulnerable to sharp objects.

OLD IMAGE

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HLM FANS

Weakness

ART

Human Implements

In most cases, Fans are equipped with human weapons, which Bee can easily be used against them.

OLD IMAGE

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PAGAR �Service Corp

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Identity

Robotic

Being a mega corporation, PAGAR can afford to have robots for staff instead of paying salaries.
Additionally, this robotic force is unaffected by the demonic elements of HLM3; an essential part of PAGAR’s plan.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Identity

Unnecessary Legs

The majority of the Service Corp move about using tank treads or are immobile turrets.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Progression

Upgrade

Robots gradually become stronger and deadlier.
They will be less skewed around bening office functions and more towards warfare operations.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Behaviour

Function over Form

PAGAR’s robot are all designed around a single office function such as:

Maintenance
Administration
Security
Healthcare

With a bit of creativity, Bee can exploit a robot’s function to her advantage.

Such as creating a mess to aggro the Janitor-bot.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Behaviour

Driven

They never respond to friendly fire, their primary focus is never diverted.
Because they are so driven, robots can unintentionally create friendly-fire if anyone else gets in their way, including other robots.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Behaviour

Focused

They are somewhat resilient to Media Stims.

Mixed Selection

PAGAR’s robots use a mix of melee and ranged weaponry.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Strength

Armor

Service-bots are well-protected except in weak points requiring precision and flanking.

Adaptive

During battle, old weak points might disappear while new ones appear elsewhere.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Strength

Mobility

It is extremely hard to hinder a robot’s movement thanks to their treads.
This is further amplified by their ranged nature.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Strength

Integrated Weaponry

The arsenal of PAGAR’s robots is fully-integrated, making them immune to looting.
The only way for Bee to utilize their weapons is to sever the attached limbs.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Weakness

Potent Arsenal

If Bee manages to sever a robot limb, it’s included weapon will most likely be very potent.

Sensory Overload

PAGAR’s robots are particularly vulnerable to liquids or other food items that can smear their sensors.

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PAGAR Service Corp.

ART

Weakness

Bent Metal

Blunt metallic objects are particularly effective at cracking & breaking vulnerable spots.

Elemental

They are particularly vulnerable to elemental damage.

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�PAGAR�Executives

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Identity

Supernatural

PAGAR Executive are the deadliest personnel found in the tower.
After making a deal with Mara and tricking it to gain further power, the Executives possess a slew of otherworldly powers.

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Progression

Top of the food chain

PAGAR Executives are the epitome of corporate greed.
As Bee progresses, their powers go from supportive to army-mustering.

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Behaviour

Summoner

PAGAR Executives rarely engage Bee directly. Instead they will summon fans to do the work for them.

Promotion

If an executive is already surrounded by other PAGAR employees, it can award them field promotions, making them stronger.

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Behaviour

Chicken

When approached, they will skitter away from Bee to find a safer location.

Teleportation

Some might even use teleportation to do so.

Ranged

Executives use range weaponry to suit their cowardly nature.

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Strength

From Within

PAGAR Executives do not use traditional weaponry and thus cannot be disarmed or used against them.

Demonic Powers

Some Executives have potent demonic powers that are unusual in nature and require quick thinking to understand.

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Strength

Mind Control

PAGAR Executives are immune to most media stims. However, their summoned fans are still vulnerable.

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HLM FANS

PAGAR Executives

Identity

ART

Weakness

Explosive

Because Executives will use horde tactics to dispatch Bee, explosive objects are effective at dispatching the workers being summoned.

Rushdown

Because Executives require time to summon their workers, rushing them down is an effective strategy.

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Play Patterns

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HLM Fans

Play Patterns

ART

Keep-away & flanking maneuvers.

Use environmental clutter.
Utilize your superior maneuverability.

Choose when to strike.

Avoid close-range engagements as Fans will most likely win.
Get in, get out.

Friendly fire utilization

Some Fans will swing widely when attacking.

Priority on sharp objects.
Beat’em & Loot’em strategy.
Focus on Media Stims when available.

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PAGAR Service Corp

Play Patterns

ART

Ranged attacks paradigm.

Promotes cover usage.
Usage of food items to disrupt their aiming.

Usage of Aggro Mechanics.

Bots will stampede over anyone while moving.
Line of fire strategies can be taken advantage of by moving enemies between the player and the bots.

Promotes emerging gameplay by using each bots behaviour.
Stepper precision requirements.

Bee will need to be more precise.

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PAGAR Executives

Play Patterns

ART

Sink or swim paradigm.

If Executives are left alone for too long, battles can quickly run out of control.
If properly rushed down, they are simple to handle.

Swarm-style gameplay

Chaining & Explosive objects become desirable.
Large Throwables can mow down crowds.
Promotes the usage of clutter, obstacles and choke points.
Encourages the usage of Media Stims for crowd control