Attention Officers,
Welcome to the 32nd edition of our biweekly development update! This time around we're going to explore elements of environmental storytelling in the game, breathing life and adding detail to the world of Ready or Not.
Los Suenos is a city in decline. Widespread poverty and homelessness, skyrocketing crime rates, and a lack of municipal support are just some of the issues facing the local population. There is an aura of desperation and hopelessness across the city, and the symptoms and results of this can be found throughout the game's levels.
Without further ado, let's explore the everyday realities of Los Suenans....
A Stagnant, Halted Place
The 4U gas station has been hit hard by Los Suenos' woes. The city officials' refusal to budge on wage increases has led to a now 40 week long strike by sanitation workers. Garbage is piling up in the streets, and its nauseating stench lingers wherever you go.
Above: They've stopped trying to maintain it. Why bother?
Above: Trash ends up wherever there's space. No one's paid to pick it up.
As if things weren't bad enough, a robbery gone wrong turns into a hostage situation inside the gas station. An armed civilian tried to put a stop to things early, but being a hero doesn't always pan out.
Above: He should have known better. Luck wasn't on his side; in this city, is it ever?
Above: A failure to eject at the worst possible time.
It's no surprise people are driven to crime. With the worn down DeBanco security services protesting for safer working conditions amidst a string of robberies, there's no one to transport money for the banks. No one to refill the ATMs.
Above: We can't even access the money that we have. What the hell can we do?
Above: Just a machine that mocks us. What's it good for?
Throughout Los Suenos, you'll be able to see broader signs of the city's struggles through its media outlets. Whether it's over radio, TV broadcasts, or newspaper publications, everyone's looking for answers that no one seems to have. A series of magazines in the game's levels help to flesh out this story.
Above: A little bit of history for one of America's most storied, and now downtrodden cities.
Above: Trouble across the border. Tensions boiling over. Who's going to fix this?
Above: Even the affluent are starting to feel the pain. The rats spread like a plague.
This is just a taste of what you can expect from Ready or Not's environmental storytelling, as we strive to make the world come alive and include as much detail as we can in every level to contribute to the world that we've built. You'll see more and more added with continued updates to the game, so be on the lookout!
Conclusion
This concludes our 32nd biweekly newsletter, focusing on the various story beats located in the game's levels. Please tune in next time for even more development news, and keep an eye out on our social media!
If you'd like to help us test new content on the Supporter exclusive experimental branch, provide us with your game feedback, and keep up with all the activity and play testing events occurring within the Ready or Not Alpha, you can become a Supporter at www.voidinteractive.net or at our Steam store page.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1144200/Ready_or_Not/
Keep your feet on the ground.
Community Management Department