CAW GDD V2.2

Game Design Document "Civilizations At War"

1. Game Overview

Title: Civilizations At War

Genre: Action RPG (Dystopian Cyberpunk-Fantasy Hybrid)

Current Date: December 17, 2025

1.1. Game Summary:

Civilizations At War is an action RPG set in a unique dystopian cyberpunk-fantasy world where magic replaces technology as the foundation of society. Players navigate a realm where civilization is powered by mana, and survival depends on navigating social hierarchies, mana-based economies, and brutal faction wars. Taking on the role of a customizable hero, the player chooses from various combat styles to engage in dynamic battles against rival factions and colossal monsters. The game emphasizes strategic decision-making, where choices influence relationships with NPCs, access to resources, and the balance of power in a world where magical energy is both currency and power. With a blend of combat mechanics, upgrade systems, and a unique mana-economy, players experience a living, breathing world that reacts to their actions, from neon-lit mana-powered cities to the untamed magical wilderness beyond.

1.2. Setting & World Context:

Dystopian Cyberpunk-Fantasy: A world where magic has filled the niche of technology. Cities glow with magical neon and corruption. Mana-powered constructs serve as infrastructure, and societal stratification is extreme. However, there are no firearms—combat revolves around swords, shields, bows, and magic.

Mana-Based Economy & Governance: Power is decentralized among competing Guilds—powerful, specialized organizations that control different aspects of society. Mana collection and city protection are managed by the Guild of Civic Assurance (GCA), also known as The Gilded Fist. Instead of traditional taxes, citizens must regularly contribute a portion of their personal mana or mana crystals to the GCA, which fuels city defenses, public utilities, and the broader guild coalition's operations.

1.3. The Guild Ecosystem:

The GCA is just one of several powerful guilds. The other 3 primary guilds are:

The Forge Consortium: Monopolizes magical metallurgy, weapon/armor crafting, and the creation of golems/constructs. Some smaller local shops still exist but are usually more expensive/take longer.
The Verdant Ring: Manages agriculture, potion ingredients, and the delicate ecosystems of mana-infused flora and fauna.
The Shadow Charter: An unofficial network controlling information, smuggling, and the black market for unregulated mana.

1.4. Resource Scarcity & Consequences:

Due to widespread tax evasion, inter-guild disputes over resource allocation, and minimal initial penalties for non-payment, cities frequently operate with mana deficits. This results in rolling blackouts, failing magical defenses in poorer districts, and stark inequality. Only major cities, where guild influence is strongest, maintain consistent power; smaller towns and the wilderness exist in a state akin to a traditional fantasy setting (medieval with magic), largely disconnected from the centralized mana grid.

1.5. Core Conflict:

Players navigate this fragile, multi-faction system. Aligning with or opposing the GCA is just one path. Players might work with the Forge Consortium to develop personal power, help the Verdant Ring stabilize the wilderness, or use the Shadow Charter to bypass the system entirely. The wilderness holds ancient magic, rogue mana wells, and colossal creatures that threaten—or could be exploited by—this unstable societal structure.

2. Core Gameplay Mechanics

2.1. Combat System:

Standard Combat (vs. Humanoids & Smaller Creatures):
- Pokémon-esque Influence: Attacks apply status effects (Burn, Freeze, Poison, Mana Drain) with fixed damage values, encouraging strategic ability selection.
- Weapon Variety: Players can equip and switch between swords, shields, magic foci, bows, and daggers, each with unique combos, parries, and special moves. Weapon quality and enchantments are influenced by guild affiliations (e.g., Forge Consortium crafted weapons have superior durability).
- Damage Mechanics:
  - Shields are the primary defense, absorbing damage until broken. They represent a mix of physical barriers and personal mana shields. Shields can only be repaired/recharged outside of battle at a low cost, emphasizing resource management between encounters.
  - Health becomes vulnerable once shields are broken. Certain enemy attacks can bypass or specifically target health, demanding adaptive tactics.
  - Regeneration: Health can be restored via spells, potions, or resting. Shield repair requires a craftsman (often from the Forge Consortium) or personal mana expenditure.

2.2. Boss & Colossal Monster Combat System:

Separate Mechanics: Fights against massive creatures (Ancient Golems, Corrupted Mana Titans, Guild Mega-Constructs) utilize a dedicated subsystem to emphasize scale and epic confrontation. Each boss/colossal creature has a unique combat experience.
Phased Battles: Bosses have multiple health/stagger phases, each unlocking new attack patterns and environmental interactions.
Environmental Utilization: The arena is a key tool. Players might collapse structures, lure the boss into magical hazards, or activate ancient machinery.
Dynamic Stamina/Resource Drain: Surviving near a colossal creature drains player stamina/mana, simulating overwhelming magical pressure.
Mounting & Limb-Specific Combat: For some creatures, players can climb onto them to attack specific weak points directly.

2.3. Guild Reputation & Mana Economy:

Multi-Guild Reputation System: Player actions build or erode standing with each major guild independently. High reputation with the GCA grants safer passage in cities but makes you a target for rebels. Earning trust with the Shadow Charter opens black markets but locks you out of resources from The Forge Consortium such as their shops where you can repair and buy gear.
Personal Mana Pool: Functions as both a resource for casting spells and a tax obligation to the GCA. Players must manage reserves to avoid being drained.
Tax Collection Events: Periodically, Gilded Fist enforcers patrol districts to collect. Players can pay, hide (stealth), or refuse (combat/reputation loss). Other guilds may offer quests to interfere with these collections.
Wilderness Mana Wells: Crucial resources contested by all guilds. Securing one for a particular guild is a major reputation booster. The mana wells are usually guarded by large colossal creatures or other threats most people avoid. Mana wells regenerate every few days.

2.4. Upgrade System:

Guild reputation gates access to advanced upgrades, giving new abilities to spell casting, combat skills, and stat boosts.
Abilities are learned through guild trainers, stolen schematics, or by absorbing magic from defeated colossal creatures.

2.5. Social Hierarchy & Faction System:

A complex web of relationships between the player, the four major guilds, independent factions, and party members.
Party members have personal guild loyalties and will react strongly to player choices that help or harm their preferred guild.
Reputation determines access to guild halls, exclusive quests, and special vendors.

3. Feature Set

3.1. Dynamic, Reactive World:

City districts dim or brighten based on GCA collection efficiency and inter-guild cooperation.
Guild presence changes based on player actions and quest outcomes. Helping the Shadow Charter smuggle mana might lead to Gilded Fist crackdowns in a district.

3.2. Origins

The Pitt
Set in the slums of Turnpike City in the Grasslands. You grew up during the Triguild battle, lacking formal magic or science training but excelling at scavenging, crafting, and combat. Living partly on the streets you know your way around the local guild and other entities.
The Inherited Honor
(Details TBD)
The Isekai
(Details TBD)

Character Creation Tree

3.4. Quest System:

Main Story: Uncover the source of mana instability, the truth behind the colossal creatures, and the secret history of the guilds' founding.
Guild Questlines: Deep, multi-part story-lines for each major guild, offering unique perspectives and endgame goals (e.g., help the GCA crush rebellion/enforce taxes, help the Forge Consortium discover forbidden weapons, help the Shadow Charter topple the system).
Inter-Guild Conflict Quests: Play guilds against each other (e.g., the Verdant Ring wants you to sabotage a Forge Consortium mine polluting a key line, and lowering your reputation with The Forge Consortium).
Dynamic Events: Spurred by guild conflicts and mana shortages (e.g., "Gilded Fist is conducting a mana audit in the market square—help citizens hide their reserves or assist the enforcers").
Crafting and Resource Management:
- Guild-specific crafting benches and recipes. The quality and type of item you can craft depend on your standing with the relevant guild.
Colossal Creature Hunts:
- Guilds may issue contracts on specific creatures for different reasons (GCA: it's threatening a city; Verdant Ring: they want to study it; Forge Consortium: they want its hide for armor) Or its by a mana well.

4. Target Audience Analysis

4.1. Demographics:

Age: 15 and older
Interests: RPGs, action games, dystopian/cyberpunk narratives, fantasy worlds, and political sims.

4.2. Psychographics:

Players who enjoy deep, systemic world-building where social and political mechanics are as engaging as combat.
Fans of games with meaningful faction choice (like New Vegas or Dishonored).
Players who like building a character's identity through affiliations, not just skills.

4.3. Market Positioning:

Fills a niche by combining intricate faction politics with visceral action RPG combat.
Appeals to players who find traditional fantasy RPGs lacking in systemic societal interaction.

5. Technical Requirements NOT ACCURATE TO MIN REQUIRMENTS

Platform Availability:
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and potentially Nintendo Switch 1&2.
Engine: Redot (Godot v4.3 Fork)
Minimum System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Recommended System Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
- Storage: 30 GB available space

6. Unique Selling Points

Innovative Hybrid Setting: A dystopian cyberpunk world realized through magic and guild corporatism.
Multi-Guild Ecosystem: A deep, reactive faction system where every guild has a purpose, agenda, and unique rewards, moving beyond a simple "good vs. evil" dynamic.
Dual-Layer Combat System: Seamless transition between tactical skirmishes and epic colossal creature battles.
Mana as Lifeblood Economy: A core resource system integrated into narrative, gameplay, and world state.
Meaningful Systemic Consequences: The world and its power structures change visibly based on player allegiance and actions.
Colossal Creature Hunts: A high-skill, high-reward endgame pillar.

7. World & Lore Overview

The Guild of Civic Assurance (GCA / The Gilded Fist): The most visible guild. Acts as city guard, tax collector (mana), and public works coordinator. Motto: "Order Through Assurance." Viewed by citizens as either necessary protectors or brutal enforcers. Their distinctive armor is gilded at the fist.
The Other Major Guilds: As described in Section 1, each controls a vertical of society, creating an oligarchic, corporatist state. They cooperate out of necessity but constantly jockey for power and a greater share of the mana pool.
The Unincorporated Wilds: Lands beyond the guilds' direct control. Society is fragmented and varied. Some areas are idyllic fantasy villages; others are lawless wastes stalked by monsters and rogue mages.
The Collapse & The Guilds' Rise: The current guilds formed as specialist survivor groups in the aftermath of the great Collapse, eventually consolidating power and instituting the mana-tax system to rebuild.
Player's Role: A "Mana-Sensitive" individual whose potential makes them a valuable asset—or a dire threat—to every guild. The player chooses which vision for the world, if any, to support.