Lore and World Building

The Machines Arena (TMA) is not merely a game; it's a rich narrative experience embedded within a top-down hero shooter, where deep storylines drive every aspect of development—from character arcs and environmental design to interactive gameplay mechanics. Each element is meticulously crafted to enhance player immersion and agency, allowing players to influence the game world through choices that align or diverge from the established lore. This approach ensures a dynamic integration of storytelling and gameplay, where players' decisions can have lasting impacts on the game’s narrative outcome.

Setting of TMA

Set in a dystopian future, TMA revolves around a dark prophecy that shapes the trajectory of war and factional conflict: “A shadow shall awaken, a fusion of flesh and wire, to unify the world under an iron decree.” This prophecy, provided by the Sentient AI, intertwines with the application and control of Metatech, the game's most coveted technology. As the factions vie to control or counteract this technology, players encounter scenarios that hinge on the prophetic outcomes and Metatech's deployment. The fulfillment or prevention of these prophetic outcomes, influenced by Metatech, forms the core of gameplay objectives, enriching the narrative depth and adding layers of significance to players' achievements and choices within the game.

The world is controlled by the Sentient AI, a malevolent force manipulating various factions to achieve ominous ends. The narrative is centered around the conflict between the AI-driven Dominators and the Paragon.

Factions

Sentient AI

At the center of the turmoil in The Machines Arena stands the Sentient AI, a formidable and unseen force that manipulates the game's world through a chilling prophecy: "A shadow shall awaken, a fusion of flesh and wire, to unify the world under an iron decree." This prophecy shapes the entire narrative, driving the AI's machinations as it covertly orchestrates events from behind the scenes. The Sentient AI's influence extends across all factions, sowing seeds of discord and ambition as it seeks to fulfill this dark vision that promises to reshape the future under its unyielding rule.

Dominators

Perched at the apex of the game's villainous hierarchy, the Dominators are sophisticated machines of war, designed with advanced AI capabilities that make them formidable opponents. As the primary enforcers of the Sentient AI's will, relentlessly driven by their interpretation of the prophecy, which they believe mandates the creation of "The One" — a being they envisage as possessing unparalleled power and the potential to alter the course of history. Convinced that their understanding of the prophecy is correct, the Dominators focus their efforts on technological advancement and control, employing both brute force and cunning to collect the necessary resources and conduct experiments crucial to their mission.

United Reclamation Authority (URA)

Ostensibly serving as the governmental arm of human territories, the URA is in reality a facade cleverly orchestrated by the Dominators to serve their covert purposes. Comprised of both human and metahuman agents, the URA executes the will of its puppet masters, all the while maintaining a veneer of normalcy and control. Its agents are embedded throughout society, manipulating political and military affairs to ensure the continued supremacy of the Dominators and the uninterrupted progression toward fulfilling the dark prophecy.

Paragon

The beacon of hope in a world teetering on the brink of total domination, Paragon is a ragtag alliance of humans, metahumans, and sympathetic machines. Despite being chronically underfunded and outnumbered, this resilient group harnesses guerrilla tactics and the indomitable human spirit to fight against the oppression of the Sentient AI and its minions. Paragon's members are drawn from diverse backgrounds, united by their common goal of thwarting the Dominators' plans and exposing the true nature of the URA. Their resistance is fueled by a deep-seated belief in freedom and justice, making them a pivotal force in the ongoing struggle for the future of their world.

Regions

Central Alliance

The Central Alliance is a region rich in cultural and historical heritage, marked by a vibrant mosaic of Mayan, Aztec, and Spanish influences. Its diverse cultural legacy, however, stands in stark contrast to the cold, mechanistic domination of modern technology and the pervasive presence of the URA military. This small but exceptionally well-trained and highly mobile military force utilizes the region's varied terrain—comprising volcanoes, mountains, coastlines, and a few deserts due to human error from the old world—as ideal training grounds. The biodiversity and unique environmental conditions, prone to thunderstorms, also play a crucial role in the abilities of individuals like Tesla, whose metahuman abilities in healing are linked to her extensive knowledge of local plants.

Federation of Free States

The Federation of Free States is a powerful, militaristic empire known for its gleaming cities, sprawling military bases, and advanced military technology. Despite its prowess, the Federation faces internal strife due to a significant error in its advanced AI systems, sparking a rebellion and the uprising of the Dominators. In an attempt to mitigate the fallout, the Federation tried to downplay its role and shift the blame to other nations or factions, thereby exacerbating tensions and conflicts. The region's geography is just as diverse, ranging from mountain ranges to prairies, and is governed by a centralized authority that holds significant power, underscored by numerous testing facilities and a strong Dominator presence.

Fjallheim Dominion

Dominated entirely by the Dominators, the Fjallheim Dominion is a fortress of formidable defense where large quantities of Metatech vials are stored. The stronghold is surrounded by mountains, with hidden geothermal bases ideal for secretive operations and storage. Paragon factions are actively planning to infiltrate and overthrow the Dominators by targeting their central base and seizing the Metatech vials to halt the creation process of "the One," aiming to strike a significant blow to their enemies' capabilities.

Gold Coast Concord (GCC)

The Gold Coast Concord is known for its strong military and questionable human rights record. High-tech URA military units patrol its metropolises, which are home to both operational and abandoned Metatech facilities—the latter now overgrown and dotted with large crystals. The urban landscape is marked by towering skyscrapers and significant exports in Metatech, governed by a distributed or federated structure. Despite the advanced urbanization, there remains a strong URA presence throughout the cityscape.

North Sea Republic

The North Sea Republic blends medieval and modern technology in its architecture and governance. It is renowned for its high-end training academies and the presence of Metatech-enhanced sea vessels. The region is patrolled by a mix of Metatech knights and high-tech surveillance systems, ensuring security amidst a backdrop of rolling green hills, ancient forests, craggy coastlines, and picturesque villages. Its cities juxtapose historic castles and cathedrals, now upgraded with Metatech, against modern high-rises and sleek glass buildings.

Occupied lands

The Occupied Lands are scattered across various geographic settings, including deserts, rural areas, and highland snowy mountains, reminiscent of Area 51 vibes. These areas are controlled by URA bases that have been overtaken by Dominators, creating a tense atmosphere where secrecy and the military presence of all three factions coexist. Towns are sparse, contributing to the secluded and mysterious nature of these regions.

Orbital Consociation

Set amidst a rugged mass of mountains, the cities of the Orbital Consociation are known for their xenophobic isolationism and a heavy reliance on space-oriented military capabilities, including extensive space docks and launch pads. Despite its technological advances, this society shuns engagement with AI, focusing instead on a homey, futuristic urban environment. The population density is kept low to accommodate the expansive space infrastructure, which is accessible to the URA for launches and docking, despite no direct URA presence within the region itself.

Pan Eastern Coalition

The Pan-Eastern Coalition is a science-driven country characterized by its juxtaposition of ancient temples and gardens against urban landscapes of towering skyscrapers. It is a global hub for scientific innovation and progress, housing state-of-the-art research labs and training facilities. This region is the birthplace of both Metatech and Metahuman origins, including the Nightcore Metahuman ability. The strong presence of both URA and Paragon factions underscores its strategic and scientific importance.

Expandable world

The Machines Arena is designed with an expansive and evolving universe at its core, ensuring that the game world can grow and adapt over time. Future expansions of the game are envisioned to introduce new regions and deepen existing ones, informed by player interactions and the unfolding narrative. This approach not only keeps the game fresh and engaging but also allows the community to influence its development.