Story Time

I've been mostly successful in using SoftImage XSI to get my animated entities into Unreal, the meshes and animations are perfect, I just have to smooth over a UV data corruption issue and I'll be sorted. So while I was waiting, I finally got the rough story idea sorted in my head, it'll need some revision, and it's only a first draft, but I feel ready to post it now. It's just a rough timeline of events so far, but I'll compile it into a story later on...

10/9/2008

Completion of Large Hadron Collider, first successful test initiated.

4/5/2010

Tests show evidence of a new quark particle, codenamed Genevieve

15/8/2010

Tests with Genevieve particles show high power outputs, the technology to use them as a power source begins to develop.

12/12/2012

Project Subvert goes public. Genevieve technology is used to create tunnels in space-time, however, probes sent out using this technology appear at random vectors in space. Experiments begin on vector calculation systems.

3/6/2014

Basic targeting systems are created. Project Subvert probes are sent to every nearby solar system, in the hope of scouting future colonies. First human tests through Subvert tunnels end unsuccessfully.

5/11/2014 [Local Probe Dating]

Contact made with probe VZ-112 by intelligent lifeforms. Location of Earth is found through the probes onboard computer.

7/11/2014

Transmission from the Sirius system intercepted. The lifeforms reveal themselves as the Il'Vari. Diplomatic ships appear in Earth orbit.

23/11/2014

Beginning of the Age of Advancement. Il'Vari scientists work with humans on many projects. Many diseases are cured, precise targeting down to a mile is created for Subvert tunnels, stabilisation allows colonies of humans to begin spreading, The United Nations creates a new Department, the Department of OffWorld Humanity for this purpose.

12/1/2032 [Terran Calendar]

The Age of Colonisation. Mankind spreads to every habitable system within three lightyears of Earth. Martian and Lunar colonies are established. Terraformation technology begins development in cooperation with Il'Vari. Many colonies now see human settlements and Il'Vari settlements living in peace.

13/3/2037 [Terran Calendar]

Contact with an unknown species is met on the outer colony, Prosperity. Casualties are heavy, but the planet is saved by Il'Vari warships answering he call for help. Mankind begins to augment it's battelfleet.

21/3/2037-14/12/2056 [Terran Calendar]

The War of the Stars, Mankind's first interplanetary war. The alien race reveals itself as the Naal. During this war, many outer settlements are ravaged, including the Il'Vari homeworld. Earth becomes the new adopted homeworld of the Il'Vari, their species is now categorised as endangered, with less than ten thousand left. Naal disappear shortly afterward, no more contact can be established.

10/5/2062 [Terran Calendar]

Second War of the Stars. The Naal return to attack the Human and Interim Il'Vari controlled settlements. The battle reached Earth itself. Faced with utter annihilation, the final option is decided upon. Genevieve missiles are launched into orbit, the blast destroys all enemy ships in space, but the high energy waves from the explosion cook the battered surface of Earth. Mankind's Terran population is cut to 1%, Il'Vari population is negligible, their species on the verge of extinction.

2/4/2063

Naal sightings are reported on the planet's surface. They appear to be employing hunter-killer tactics on any humans sighted. Construction of a huge structure begins in Virginia, with unknown intentions. Manufacture of a mechanised hunting force begins. The ruins of humanity are further crushed by gigantic heirophants and gunships.

That's the back story to the game. You come in just after the last chapter, as a survivor who has to live in this horrific urban wasteland.