Game Engine: Unity

⚙Archive 13 will be developed using Unity, chosen for its strong support for narrative systems, UI development, and rapid prototyping.

Platforms & Controls

• Platform: PC
• Controls: Mouse and Keyboard
• Player interaction will focus on clicking, selecting dialogue options, and navigating menus rather than complex movement systems </aside>

Input	Action
Left Mouse Button	Select options, click UI elements, interact with objects
Right Mouse Button	Close windows / go back (where applicable)
Mouse Scroll Wheel	Scroll through emails, documents, and text
W / A / S / D	Move character during limited exploration scenes
E	Interact with objects or characters
Spacebar	Advance dialogue
Escape	Open pause menu / settings
Tab	Toggle evidence

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Core Gameplay Systems

Narrative & Choice Systems

⚙The narrative system is the core of Archive 13. The player progresses through the story by reading dialogue, analysing evidence, and making decisions that influence later events.

• Dialogue choices branch the narrative
• Player decisions are tracked throughout the game
• Choices affect character reactions, reputation and endings
• There is no traditional failure state </aside>

Email & Evidence System

⚙A central mechanic involves receiving and investigating emails and evidence

• Players access an in-game inbox
• Emails will include images, documents or messages
• Evidence can be opened in an analysis viewer
• Metadata inconsistencies (dates/edits) are used to reveal clues </aside>

Exploration & Fieldwork

⚙Some scenes take place outside of the office, such as late-night meeting or investigation meetings.

• Limited player movement
• Interaction with key objects or characters
• Dialogue-focused encounters rather than action gameplay

These scenes are designed to support narrative tension rather than mechanical complexity

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Evidence & Information Management

Evidence Storage

⚙All evidence collected by the player is stored in an in-game Evidence Archive, which can be accessed through the computer at the protagonist’s desk.

Evidence includes:

• Emails and email attachments
• Photographs
• Documents and reports
• Character testimonies or notes

Each piece of evidence is automatically logged when discovered and cannot be lost, ensuring the player can revisit at any time.

Email Evidence

⚙When the player receives an email containing evidence:

• The email is stored permanently in the inbox
• Attachments can be opened in the Evidence Viewer
• Once opened, attachments are automatically added to the Evidence Archive
• Evidence can be re-analysed later to uncover new details

This allows emails to function both as narrative delivery and investigative tools.

Evidence from Characters

⚙When a character provides information or an item:

• The interaction triggers a short narrative event or dialogue
• Any relevant evidence is automatically added to the Evidence Archive
• The player receives a notification that new evidence has been logged </aside>

Evidence Analysis

⚙The Evidence Viewer allows players to:

• Zoom and inspect images or documents
• View basic metadata (dates. sources, edits)
• Identify inconsistencies that progress the narrative

Some evidence may only reveal its significance after other story events, encouraging players to revisit earlier discoveries.