The World of Nex Apparatus

BACKGROUND
The year is 2055 PC , The Roman Empire still holds sway over the whole of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. There has been relative peace for more than 100 years due to advancements in Roman military technology and a series of enlightened emperors.
In 2018 PC Emperor Justinian IX abolished slavery and began to devolve limited powers to provincial governments, therefore somewhat appeasing those that had, for centuries, sought to break free of the empires rule. One unfortunate side effect of this process was to wipe out gladiatorial schools, thus causing unrest in Rome and many other regions of the empire.
Fortunately for Justinian, Roman scientists were already researching major breakthroughs in medical technology allowing for incredibly swift healing and even resuscitation from death, if caught quickly enough. This, combined with molecular transportation technology, allowed a new breed of gladiator to be born. From then on gladiators would be professionals who were assured that they would, almost certainly, be returned to the games immediately after receiving what would, in the past, have been mortal wounds.
A new, incredibly exciting, sport emerged from this period of uncertainty. Nex Apparatus (Death Machines) combined the high speed action of chariot racing with elements of gladiatorial combat, but as a gesture of respect toward the, now professional, gladiators no hand to hand weapons or personal firearms were to be allowed. Instead the competitors would 'fight' in teams, armed with vehicles and a variety of static anti vehicle weaponry scattered around the race tracks.
In a further attempt to pay homage to, whilst also ending, the violent past, Justinian allowed the Imperial Sports Commission to build a high tech racing circuit in and above the original Circus Maximus, the ancient home of chariot racing, said to have been built by Romulus himself.
Today, 37 years on, a new emperor sits atop the Throne of the Caesars, Emperor Paulus XIII has continued to develop Justinian's ideas and takes great pleasure in 'overseeing' Nex Apparatus. Every gladiator dreams of gaining the emperors favour and a place in the history books.

STORY OVERVIEW
In single player mode the player takes on the role of a gladiator and embarks on a career starting with racing in small, lightly armed, vehicles and as his/her fame grows, and wealth is accrued, they are able to upgrade their vehicles and buy new ones. It will also be possible to build and manage a team of gladiators that will work together in team based events. As the game is aimed at the multiplayer market the 'story' will be limited to a series of events that increase in difficulty as the player progresses, much like career mode in games such as Project Gotham Racing and Race Driver: GRID.

GAME WORLD

ENVIRONMENT
The world in which Nex Apparatus is set is not unlike our own. The game is set in Rome in an age similar to our 21st century. In this world the Roman Empire is the major super power and shares control of the world with the USA and China.
Extremely proud of their history, the Romans have preserved much of the architecture of ancient Rome and so the backdrop to our racing series is the home of the original chariot races, Circus Maximus. The ancient buildings that make up the Circus Maximus are protected by barriers and force fields while the tracks pass through, over and under them. This allows for a striking contrast between the modern technology of a 21st century super power and that of a super power from iron age Europe.
The basic arena for our races will be an oval within the confines of the Circus, but the track can be extended by opening tunnels that pass under the city and extending tracks out over the walls of the Circus.

CHARACTERS
As Nex Apparatus is a racing game and has no real story there is very little need for characters other than those driving the other vehicles. We will not be exploring these characters as we consider it to be unnecessary for the purpose of game play. The one character that will be worth considering is the Emperor Paulus XIII as he will be used to introduce races and reward the victors.
Paulus XIII gives the impression of extreme decadence and yet appears benevolent. He is the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth, a position inherited from his father, Justinian IX. He is totally self assured in his power and has an aristocratic arrogance that can only come from knowing that you are 'better' than everyone else. He does care about his empire, and his people, but it would seem that he cares far more about his gladiators and his games.

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