Ch 2 – Conceptualization spawning your imagination
1. Using some of the techniques discussed in this chapter, begin developing a concept for an original game idea. Discuss the central theme of your idea, and the methods you used to bring your idea into existence.
Chariot racing in Rome. You are a slave and the aim is to buy your freedom by winning chariot races.
2. Create a backstory, environment, and three character descriptions associated with your original game idea. How are these elements integrated and linked through a central theme?
It is Rome in the time of Julius Caesar, about 50 BC. Yesterday you were a free, if impoverished, young man, the son of a potter. Today your father's debts have been called in and you have lost your family and your freedom. Bought at the slave markets by a wealthy noble, Quintus Ovidius Buteo, your new life now revolves around racing your master's chariots in bigger and bigger races. Pit your luck and skill against other racers in order to win the coveted golden wreath, and eventually your own freedom.
The game is essentially a series of races tied together with a loose, minimal story, being the young slave's progression to freedom. The races progress in difficulty and complexity throughout the game; starting with a two-horse chariot race on a simple open circular track and progressing through to a six-horse chariot on a difficult track complicated with obstacles. In addition the competing chariot racers provide more complexity by actively trying to hinder the slave.
The environment of the game is a series of racing tracks with an 'ancient' Rome feel. All tracks are paved with packed dirt. Simpler tracks have a wooden palisade surrounding them. The first tracks are located outside the city itself, in the countryside where Quintus Ovidius has his estates. As the slave wins more races he will progress through to the grandest race of them all, the Circus Maximus, in front of Julius Caesar himself and a screaming horde of Roman citizenry. The Circus Maximus is a grand open stone race circuit, several stories high, with tiers of seating which can accommodate up to 150000 people.
The two main characters of the game are the young slave, and his owner Quintus Ovidius Buteo.
The slave is a young male in his mid teens, fit and healthy, with short cropped brown hair. He is normally dressed in a simple, short tunic style garment which is belted at the hips with a length of cord, and sandals. For races he wears a slightly more elaborate tunic in the colour of the faction his owner is representing (red, blue, green or white). In a race he also has a small dagger called a falx which is used to cut the reins of the chariot should it be overturned while racing. As most of the game occurs from the slave's point of view, the player will rarely see him. He is not a voiced character.
Quintus Ovidius Buteo, on the other hand, will be a familiar face to both the slave and the player. Quintus Ovidius is a mature man, heavy set, with swarthy skin and dark curly hair cut close. He is clean shaven, as is the fashion of the time, and wears a full citizen's toga and soft leather shoes. Being quite a wealthy man, Quintus Ovidius is very used to his own authority, especially over his slaves. Normally he speaks in a loud, hearty voice and is generally quite genial.
In addition to these characters, the player may become familiar with rival charioteers from the different factions. These will likewise be young men, slaves, all around the same age as the player's character or possibly a little older.
If the player manages to win the golden wreath and his freedom, he may also meet Caesar. Caesar is a tall man, richly dressed, with black eyes that take in every detail. He carries himself with dignity and power and is very used to defending himself. He does not speak to the slave himself, but rather directs his own retainers to address him if so required. He presents the golden wreath with all the ceremony it is due.
3. Document your concept with reference material and original sketches. How did you capture your reference images? Create thumbnails and silhouettes. Compile these images into an art “bible” to help guide your vision.
Roman noble clothing:
Roman slave clothing: 
Depiction of what Julius Caesar may look like: 
Chariot racing:
The Circus Maximus:
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