Executing The Heist

Introduction

The final phase of the heist is the execution. This is where the action really starts, as you and your team will need to work together to pull it off. This section of the game plays out in real-time, with the player controlling team members one at a time in order to play out their specific roles.

Systems Overview

For every heist, you'll be starting off in the shoes of Dante. He'll enter the location in-disguise, and you'll be able to move around the space freely. As you move through the space you'll be given context for your task as well as where and when to execute your role. You'll be able to switch between your team members, and a time will be shown on-screen as to when to move and when to act. After you've made it to your designate location at the designated time, you'll be swapped over to the crew member that was relying on you to complete your task. When you shift to the next crew member, you'll be able to see the location from their perspective, and you'll be able to see the actions of the other crew members as they play out in real-time.

Failing to complete your task isn't an immediate 'Game Over' in this game. Instead, it will affect the outcome of the heist, and you'll need to adapt to the situation. For example, if you were supposed to place an item is a specific location but it's not available, then it's up to you (the player) to 'go to plan B.' This could mean that you'll need to find another way to complete your task, get into a location, or create a distraction to free up the previous crew member to complete their task.

An example scenario might play out like this:

• Crew Member 1 needs to place a small bomb in the VIP room that'll trigger a small fire within 15 minutes
• Crew Member 2 poses as a waiter delivering food to get into the penthouse, the guard inspects the food and allows them to pass into the elevator
• The bomb goes off, and the head of security runs to the VIP room to investigate
• Crew Member 3 uses the distraction to slip past security and into the elevator with Crew Member 2
• Crew Member 1 takes this opportunity to exit out the back entrance and into the getaway car
• Crew Member 4 is waiting outside in the getaway car
• Crew Member 2 and Crew Member 3 make it up to the penthouse suite, and Crew Member 2 approaches the guards to create a distraction
• Crew Member 3 stays out of sight, and finds an alternate route into the room
• Crew Member 2 continues to stall the guards, while Crew Member 3 makes it into the room and steals the item
• Crew Member 3 makes a loud noise to distract the guards, and the pair make their escape

Movement and Controls

The player will be able to move around the location freely, and will be able to switch between crew members at any time. The player will be able to interact with specific objects in the environment, such as doors, windows, and other items. Though the goal is to complete your task, the true measure of success for a thief is executing your job without anyone knowing you were there. The controls will be designed to be intuitive and responsive, allowing players to navigate the environment with ease.

Combat System

Combat in Project Silence is designed to be a last resort. You're not meant to go into a location guns blazing, but instead, you're meant to be a ghost. Though if you were to get caught, the combat will be fast-paced and fluid, but the focus in on stealth and evasion rather than direct confrontation. Players will be able to take out enemies using a variety of methods, such as hand-to-hand combat, stealth takedowns, and non-lethal weapons.

Combat should be avoided whenever possible, as it can draw unwanted attention and make the heist more difficult to pull off, the system is designed to be challenging but fair. We're intending the player to be able to take out enemies quickly and efficiently, if they're in trouble, and then return to the shadows. Due to the time period of the game, enemies won't be in direct contact with each other at all times, so you'll have opportunities to take out enemies without anyone noticing. However, as an example, if you were to kill one of the mobsters present at the heist, that might escalate the situation and make the heist more difficult to pull off in the future. Since the people you're robbing are likely to figure out who might be responsible and take precautions against you. While you're gathering information on them, they're gathering information on you, and the more successes you rack up, the more your enemies will notice you.

Risk and Reward

Though speed is an option, it isn't always the best option, as sometimes it's better to take things slow, bide your time, and be cautious. The intention is to make the player feel like they're in control of the situation, and that they're the mastermind behind the heist. The more time you take to find all potential angles, the more prepared you'll be for the final heist. You've set up all the dominoes, and now it's time to knock them down. So this final step is the culmination of all the work you've done up to this point, and it's up to you to make it count.