Some stuff...

Leaning towards puzzle game… Or more a mystery game. Brain teasers that relate to solving clues to figure out who Jack the Ripper was. Role playing game would have the player play from the role of the journalist. Do we want this to be a more immersive experience, with the player playing as themselves, or assuming the role of the journalist and make decisions based on the character? As the main character is made up, and Jack the Ripper’s identity was unknown, the events between these two characters (and the events in the game) need not be historically accurate. I think that having this as first person, and having the player see the world through the journalist’s eyes would work well with this type of game. (Much like Half Life)

According to John H. Kim: “In my opinion, the difference between a token and a role-played character is this: Hypothetically, a person watching the game looks over your shoulder and suggests a move, and your reply is "No, my character wouldn't do that." If this happens, or is capable of happening, then at some level you are playing a role-playing game. This simple distinction puts a world of difference between RPGs and other games.” In this respect, do you guys think this game would be a RPG? Will the player decide not to do something because it wouldn’t fit the way a journalist should act?

I definitely don’t think we should immediately discount the FPS elements which could easily be incorporated into the game. A little bit of danger could be good. And they had guns back in the 1880s.

Perhaps this could be… a combination of a puzzle, RPG and FPS?

Game could have multiple paths, depending on the player’s actions?

Art style includes: Story told with newspapers.

Important events in Ripper story:

Many letters were sent to police and newspapers, could be an interesting long term puzzle. (Working out which of the letters are authentic, following the clues they leave.)

Letters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Hell_letter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saucy_Jacky_postcard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dear_Boss_letter

Writing on the wall, same deal as above. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper#Writing_on_the_wall

Physics: Help add realism ‘It’s all about interactivity and immersiveness.’ – Dr. Steve Collins, CEO of havoc.com

Stretch Panic (Freak Out) – Game with an unusual physics engine.