A Potential Way to Incorporate the Survivors Into Gameplay

[trlestew]

Introduction
This idea came to me from a dream of all things. CD had already stated that the game has reached Alpha stage a few months ago, meaning the implementation of these ideas might not fit in the narrative but possibly in multiplayer modes. We learned in the Crossroads trailer that the island is not inhabited only by scavengers and that some of Lara's friend's along with non-hostile survivors lived through The Endurance shipwreck as well. So besides the already established narrative, how else could they be a part of he game?

1. The Base Camps

It's been stated that there are plenty of base camps to be found within the game's HUBs. The first one we see is a makeshift spot within the forest centered around a tiny fire. There wasn't even a tent! I thought that Lara could encounter other survivors at these base camps who would aid in better maintaining it. Although pretty irrelevant to the narrative we know so far, imagine the base as a defense point or sanctuary which must be properly maintained to fight off the scavengers. These friendly survivors would act as NPCs. Lara would be able to instruct them to fetch supplies such as wood for a fire, or to set up a tent during perpetual rains. Healing items or stolen ammo gathered from the scavengers could also be stored at these camps. The stronger the camp is, the more XP Lara would gain. If there was a multiplayer mode similar to "Capture the Flag" or "Defend the Point", a greater defense would also lead to an increase in the camp's sustainability.

In addition to maintaining the camp, these survivors could help in upgrading Lara's weaponry or supplies. I've read somewhere about salvage crates used to upgrade the tools Lara will use during the game such as her pick axe. Perhaps these salvage crates will be located at the base camps or scouted out by survivors if the players desire. Another feature we've seen in the base camps is the ability to upgrade Lara's skills. So far, it seems we gain XP and spend it on what we choose. However, let's say if one of the survivors were a combat specialist. Instead of spending points to increase Lara's aim with the bow, they could teach Lara for free. These new skills she would normally only acquire through spending XP could be substitued by formal instruction. I this entire concept is most comparable to the pawn system in Dragon's Dogma, or the chocobo mini-game exclusive to the PC and Japanese versions of Final Fantasy VIII in where certain NPC characters passively help the player at non-scripted intervals without distracting from the narrative or gameplay.

2. Micro-Management

As aforementioned, Lara has the ability to upgrade her skills at base camps scattered throughout the island. Surely, Lara isn't the only one who has to endure the hardships of surviving on an island with scarce supplies and murderous scavengers. Although not as in depth, it would be reasonable for these survivors to level up as well. The basics I have thought of would be each survivor has an intial level. They can gain XP to increase their levels as Lara can. However, they would gain XP through Lara's actions. Referring back to the first section, if an NPC was instructed to gather wood for the camp, they would gain XP in that skill. Not all XP would be directly related to their actions, though. Overall, the more XP they gain in a particular skill, the more efficient they are in maintaining the base camp and helping Lara. If they were ever involved in exploring with Lara at some point, they could have gained a better proficiency in their combat skills. I haven't thought too in depth about this yet, but go play any RPG where you have a party of characters to gather a cleaner sense of this idea. Depending on how important the survivors in the game are, I think a micro-management system would be a neat addition. I'm not thinking of a full RPG addition to the game, but just some minimal aspects considering Lara is able to level
up.

3. Partners

Reaching beyond managing the camps and levelling up, these survivors could aid Lara at specified locations. At one point in the game, Lara steps right into a beartrap. I infer the section which follows would be having her trudge slowly along without the aid of others in order to help build her character as strong and independant, but she won't always be able to travel alone, right? In those sections where it would be near impossible for Lara to traverse the island alone, the survivor's XP will be put to use outside of the base camps. They could help fight off the adversaries Lara might encounter (wolves, scavengers) or help make paths or shortcuts across the island. Maybe they could even aid in setting up traps for these enemies. In conjunction with Survial Instinct, these NPCs could give helpful hints regarding Lara's current location if they have traversed that area before in the narrative, or to supply better combat advice if their set experience in that area is higher than hers. Of course, this would be optional sense it makes things a bit easy for the player. I imagined this to play as a sort of co-op mode. Again, I'm taking inspiration from the pawn system in Dragon's Dogma, and general AI partners in video games.

These are the ideas I've conjured so far. Hopefully someone from CD would at
least look over it.

What are your thoughts?

[Tommy123]

Reminds me of Ass Creed and the recruits you got.

[larafan25]

I like the base camp idea for multiplayer, though in the game I'd personally rather fetch that equipment myself for the NPCs.

I love the idea of being taught a skill by an NPC, though I'd rather it be a bargain in which I have to perform a favor for them first.

The Micromanagement sounds like something I've wanted in Uncharted. The ability to control and take care of each character in the party.