Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress XI

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

These are the scenes for the ending of the game. It will consists of a final event which will provide the player with three choices. Each choice will leads to a different ending. There will be three different endings in total. 

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress X

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

*UPDATE*

These are the trial scenes for our game project. These scenes tell the story of how sook ching was being carried out. We want to show the fear and uncertainties it created during that period. It also shows the moral dilemma the main character had to go through when faced with people he had a personal connection with.

 

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress IX

In game narrative content

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang


The transition from the main game page to chapter one game page:

Dialogue:

This is the first time I am holding a gun. I was given a rifle along with my friends. We were trained to shoot and take cover from enemy fire. With a few days, we were sent to the front. We thought together with the British; we could protect our family from the Japanese.

We were wrong.

I miss them.


Content for chapter one

Introduction:

On the 8th of December 1941, with the major world powers engaging in power struggle throughout Europe, the Japanese took the opportunity to expand its empire through fighting various battles in an effort to drive out the white colonial master from Asia.

Photo 1: The push

In merely 55 days of fighting, the Japanese Imperial Army drive the British Empire forces down the Malay Peninsular for over 600 miles.

The war was at our doorstep.

Photo 2: Battle for Singapore

After suffering a series of defeats, the British finally realized that they are fighting an army that is at least on equal footing with them.

Photo 3: British surrendering

15th February 1942, after more than a hundred years of colonial rule over Singapore, British surrendered unconditionally.

Photo 4: Japanese marching into the city

For those left in Singapore, what lay ahead was over three years of pain and suffering.

Photo 5: Plan to capture all Chinese rebels

The Japanese want to get rid of all its anti-Japanese elements in Singapore as they did not want guerrilla activity. They wanted to ensure the Chinese community was subdued.

Photo 6: Sook Chin

All Chinese male above the age of 18 must report to detention centers for mass registration. There were supposed to be no exceptions. There were 250,000 men on the island during the Japanese Occupation. For many, this was their final journey.

The massacre that history would call Sook Chin had just begun.


Transition from chapter one game page to chapter one game play

Dialogue:

When the Japanese came to Singapore, everyone was afraid. They ordered all the Chinese from the Chinese communities to report to them. My dad and went with his neighbors. The other people from the neighborhood went with them as well.

I never saw my dad again.


Main game play

Dialogues for character interaction


Character 1

Name: Tan Jiao Ming

Age: 23

Occupation: Warehouse labourer.

Family background: The eldest son of his family. He lives with his parents. Two siblings: a younger brother and sister.


TJM (Tan Jiao Ming): Please let me go! I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m innocent. Please.

T (Traitor): We shall see. Are you part of the Delta force member?

TJM: No, I’m not! Please let me go.

T: STOP LYING!!! (1) * Fine, we can sit here all day until you tell the truth. (2)

TJM: I am telling the truth. Please. I did not take part in the war. Please let me go.

T: ADMIT IT NOW!!! (1) * It is time to tell the truth. (2)

TJM: I really know nothing of the Delta force. Please let me go. I beg you. Please.

T: Are you kidding me? Letting you go? A rebel to the Imperial Japanese Army? (1) * You have to give me something so I can let you go. You understand me? (2)

TJM: You have to believe me. I did and know nothing. Please let me go. I’m begging you.

T: TELL THE TRUTH NOW OR I WILL KILL YOU!!! (1) * You have to give me something. (2)

TJM: Please…I really know nothing about the Delta force. Please let me go home. Please…

T: Take him away. He is one of them. (1) * He can go. (2)


Character 2

Name: Ong Jia Yan

Age: 35

Occupation: Business man.

Family background: Married. Five children: three boys and two girls.


OJY (Ong Jia Yan): What do you want from me? I know nothing.

T: Are you sure? (1) We shall see about that. (2)*

OJY: …

T: Keeping quiet is not going to help you. (1) Tell me what you know. (2) *

OJY: Please just let me go. I seriously know nothing. I wouldn’t be of any help to you.

T: You better tell me what you know. Or else… (1) Mr Ong, I am sure you have a family. It will be pretty sad if anything happens to them. (2)*

OJY: What do you want from me? Please do not hurt them.

T: Why don’t you start by telling me things that I want to know? (1) They will be fine if you tell me what you know. Surely your family is more important than anything else. (2) *

OJY: …

T: Come on Mr Ong, I don’t know how long more I can keep up with this. (1) Come on Mr Ong, think about your family. Just by telling us where those rebels are operating, you can go home with your family and get protection from the Imperial Army. (2)*

OJY: I don’t know much… but I know one of their operating bases is located at the warehouse near the dock. They stored weapons and supplies there.

T: Tell me more! You definite know more than you say! (1) Anything else you want to tell me? I don’t think that is enough to keep your family safe.

OJY: …

T: TALK!!! (1) …(2)*

OJY: Their main operating base is located underground in one of the farms opposite the river bank. The exact location I’m not too sure. That’s…that’s all I know. Please do not tell people that I told you about all these. That’s all I know. Can…can I go now?

T: Take him away. (1)  You may go now. (2)*


Neighbour 

Name: Yan Hong Yi

Age: 45

Occupation: Postman

Family background: The father of three children, two girls and a boy. His wife died two years ago due to malaria.

He lived next to your house and you went to regular fishing trip with him from time to time.


YHY (Yan Hong Yi): Ah Huang is that you?

T: Mr Yan, please know where you are now. (1)* Mr Yan had being a while since we last met. (2)

YHY: Why are you working for the Japanese? What will people think of you?

T: I don’t care. Just tell me anything you know about the rebels. (1)* I don’t have a choice. You think I want to do this? (2)

YHY: I don’t know what you talking about.

T: Mr Yan this is for your own good. If you do not co-operate with us, I’m afraid I can’t protect you from the Japanese (1)* Please Mr Ong tell me something so I can help you. (2)

YHY: What are you talking about Ah Huang? Do not forget you are a Chinese yourself. How can you expect me to help the Japanese?

T: Come on give me a break. Helping the Imperial Army is the only way to survive. (1)* I will guarantee protection for you and your family if you provide me with information. (2)

YHY: I got nothing to offer. And even if I did, I will rather die than tell you. Betraying your own people. You will meet with no good end.

T: Take him away. (1)* (Only left with the “Take him away” option)


Childhood friend 

Name: Xia Han

Age: 25

Occupation: Factory Worker

Family background: The second eldest child in her family. She lives with her father. Her mother died of malaria two years ago. Three siblings: two younger brothers and one elder sister.

She is your childhood friend. The two of you used to play together back in the earlier days. She told you she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

XH (Xia Han): Peh Huang!?

T: Xia Han, do you know why you are here? (1) …(2)*

XH: What are you doing here? Why are you working for the Japanese?

T: That is none of your concern. Please answer my question. (1) I don’t have a choice. I must protect my family. (2)*

XH: What will people think of you? How will your family cope with you as a traitor to the people?

T: Just answer my question! (1) I don’t care what people think of me. My family is what matters to me.

XH: Please, Peh Huang you need to stop doing things for the Japanese.

T: I don’t think you understand the situation here. (1) How? I can’t just stop. It is the Imperial Army you are talking about.

XH: Huang, do you have any idea the harm you are doing to the people? Do you have any idea?

T: I don’t care. That’s nothing I can do. (1) I know. But what do you want me to do? Do you think I want to do this? (2)*

XH: Huang being a traitor is not going to save you and your family in the long run. They will ask you to do more and more. And that’s when you will see the true colours of the Japanese. You need to find a way to get out of this.

T: Please shut up. I don’t want to hear all these. (1) Han, please… (2)*

XH: Huang we know each other for so long. I know you are not a bad person.

T: I don’t want to hear any of these. (1) Please stop. (2)*

XH: Huang please…

T: Take her away. (1) I am going to let you go. Please stay safe. (2)*


Transition from the end of chapter one page to chapter two game page

Dialogue:

They were, I think some spies for the Japanese. They started going around and pointing out people. The people that were pointed out were told to stand up. There was this man in his fifties who was my neighbor. He was pointed out, and he stood up. When no one was looking, I signaled to him to sit down. Those that were standing were put in lorries and sent away.

They have never heard again.


Credits

My father provided the Chinese who were fighting against the Japanese in mainland China with money through buying of bonds. He hid them on the roof of the house. During the sook chin operation, the Japanese managed to find the bonds, and he was arrested, I don’t know how it was discovered. Someone must have told them. The soldier arrested him and took him away.

We never saw him again.

 

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress VIII

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

Project Occupation Game Art

We have completed the game scene to the point whereby the traitor will be faced with moral dilemma of interrogating people that he knows.  

Updates:

We are still having problems with the gaming mechanics in terms of coding. For demonstration purpose, we are planning to use scripted scenes to explain our game flow if we are not able to resolve the issues before the final presentation.

At the same time we are also working on the narrative content of the game. We are trying to include first hand accounts by witnesses to give the game a more personal connection with its players. We will also be adding in bits of stories that led up to Sook Chin to give enough information for the players to have a clearer understanding of the event. 

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress VII

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

Project Occupation Game Art

Opening scene

 

Main game page

In game scene

Main game play scene

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress V

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

We were looking into the presentation of the story for the game. Due to time constraint, we are looking for a more efficient and concise way to tell our story to our players. We want to bring our message across to them in the shortest possible time so that the game flow will not feel draggy. 

The introduction portion of the game will be cut short. We feel that we do not have enough time to refine the story line to provide a good story telling experience for our players. Therefore, we look into alternative. 

We decided to tell the story through the medium of a file that keep track of the incident. Different parts of the game will be from the different parts of the documents. This is to emphasis the narrative element of the game. The game will be made up of memories kept in the document and unfold right in front of the players. 

This is the finalized game flow of our game. 

The different sound required for the different scenes in the game. 

The key scenes in the game.

Moving Forward:

With the game flow finalized, we will be focusing on materializing the game. The main problems we have is with game mechanics. We are have difficulties in getting in game interaction to run. But we are getting help from gaming forums and relevant people. 

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress IV

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

After discussion, we felt that the cut scenes describing the story is too long and is going to take up too much of our time. Hence, we decided to trim down on the number of scenes involved which will make our story more concise.

The Battle of Malaya which directly led to the attack on Singapore will be cut. The story line of the game will start directly during the retreat of the British into Singapore.

We decided to add in the event of the British surrendering to the Japanese as we feel that this is a crucial point in the history of Singapore. It shows us that we cannot depend on foreign power to protect the sovereign of our country.  

We also decided to focus on refining the endings of our game. The element of the family will be emphasized. Different decisions made by the player during the game will affect the fate of their family members. Any questionable decision made by the player will result in their death. We want to carry the massage that there is no winner or loser in war, just families broken and devastated. 

Revised game flow and the sequence of cut scenes for the story.   

Moving Forward:

We will continue to refine the story of the game. There are still parts that can be more concise to cater to the fact that we do not have much time left. However, at the same time we are making sure the quality of the story will not be affected. 

We are starting to materialize our game by experimenting on the starting portion of the game. We are also testing out different background music and different art styles to fit the overall narrative experience of the game. The game mechanics of the game is also something we are tackling. We are trying to figure out how to run the interaction between the playing character and the in game characters. 

 

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress III

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

We did research on the relevant parts of the history of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore that we want to present in the game. Throughout the research, we learned about events and happenings that we were previously not aware of. One of the examples will be the Battle of Malaya. We always see the Japanese invasion of Singapore as a stand alone event. However, before the attack on Singapore, the Japanese and British fought a series of battles in Malaya. These are parts of the history that were often overlooked when people take about the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. Therefore, we hope to include these parts forgotten history into our game. 

The plan of including the Battle of Malaya into the narrative part of the game. 

We mentioned on the previous post regarding the ending being influenced by the choices made by the players during the game. We are hoping to show how the ending of the game affected the lives of the people of the present time in the game. For example, a character is alive because of a decision that the player made during the game. He/she gets to live to present day Singapore, and he/she feels the impact of the painful memories. Through these emotional struggles shown by the victims of the war, we hope the players can understand and reflect on the effects of war and the loss of freedom on people.

Therefore, we are looking at the possibility of including a portion of the narrative on a scene about the memorial service at the Civilian War Memorial. We hope that this will make the players feel the significance and the impact the Japanese Occupations had on the lives of many Singaporeans and their future generations.

We also started looking into the gameplay elements of the game. We feel that it will be challenging for us as we have limited knowledge on game engines and time is of the essence. We are planning to create some simple yet meaningful game mechanics which allows the players to have an engaging gaming experience. We hope we will be able to work some magic with the limited resources and knowledge we have. 

Moving Forward:

We will continue to refine the story line as we feel the flow is not in sync with what we have in mind. At the same time, we will be gathering resources to start building our game. We will look into tutorials and relevant materials needed to get the ball rolling.  

Narratives for Interaction: Documentation and Progress II

PROJECT OCCUPATION

Goh Cher See | Nicholas Makoto | Zhou Yang

For this project, we decided to focus heavily on the narrative aspect of the game as we want our players to understand the pain and suffering our forefathers went through during the Japanese Occupation. Therefore we decided to pay close attention to the cut scenes and the story flow of the game. At the same time, we are also careful not to turn the game into merely a narrative story but neglecting the game elements of the game. 

The front portion of the game, we are planning to run two-time lines at the same time. The game will be switching between modern time and the period during the Japanese Occupation. We want to emphasis that the happenings in the past will have its effect on the present. 

For the ending of the game, we intend to allow it to be influenced by the choices that the players made on the earlier stages of the game. We hope that through implementing this type of game play, it will allow the players to have a personal connection with the game. We want to make them feel the choices that they made in the game matters. 

Moving forward:

As the rough structure of the game is settled, we will be moving towards materializing the game by working on the game art and mechanics. We will continue to refine story line so it can best reflect the message we want to sent to our players without feeling too draggy.