Santa Fe Mysteries

Santa Fe Mysteries

Sacred Ground
November 26, 1996

Game Objective

Player's main objective is to arrest the kidnapper and murderer.

KEY CHALLENGES

    * Player must solve the crimes and arrest the kidnapper and murderer within
a timeframe of five days. Every action the player takes has a time consequence.

    * Player must make choices between which leads to follow, as there is not
enough time allowed for player to investigate all leads. Therefore, the player
could conceivable miss even meeting the kidnapper or murderer if the player
chooses not to interview them.

    * Several people try to lead the player astray.

GAME DESIGN

The game is partitioned into three acts or parts.

Part I: Kidnapping Scene & First Interviews
The first part, which takes part during Days 1 - 3, is exploratory, where the
player may pursue whichever leads he/she chooses, with each action "costing" the
player time. Gameplay includes:
¥ Case assignment at Police Headquarters (1 hour)
¥ Investigation of crime scene (15 min. per photo or order)
¥ Interviews of potential leads (up to 15 suspects) (15 min. per question)
¥ Visit to the library to review articles, videotapes (15 min. each read)
¥ Visit to the Mongoose Tavern for local gossip (15 min. per question)
¥ Review Forensics Tests and Alibi Verifications (15 min. each)


Part II: Mid-Game Movies
Part II begins at the start of Day 4 and consists of a murder and a direct order
from the Chief to investigate it -- if the player disobeys the Chief, they get
kicked out of the game. Following the lead to the crime scene, the player and
partner John Night Sky should realize that the two crimes are related.

Part III: Second Interviews, Suspect Round-Ups, Arrests & Epilogue

The third part, which begins mid-day on Day 4, is where the player can
re-interview all suspects and informants, asking specific, in-depth questions --
with each question costing the player time.

To raise the stakes in the story, the murder on Day 4 opens up more questions
and possibilities. The player must investigate further: who would want to murder
this person? How does it relate to the kidnapping?

Further, the Chief keeps the pressure on the player by paging them with
proddings.

By the last few hours on Day 5, the Chief encourages the player to make their
arrest attempt. If they choose not to arrest up until this point in time, they
will be thrown off the case for running out of time. If they arrest the wrong
person, they are kicked off the case or could get stabbed and die. A correct
arrest leads to a ransom payoff and results in a cast of characters being held
at gunpoint. Key dialogue in the finale and an epilogue explain how all the
clues tie together in the story.

The mystery is difficult to solve and so it not expected that the player will
arrest the right suspect the first time. Therefore, re-play value stems from the
player saving their game at critical points where they may return to a specific
point in time and "buy more time," reviewing evidence and interviewing more
suspects, and making another arrest attempt.

SACRED GROUND: PART I

CRIME SCENE & FIRST INTERVIEWS

Timeframe:
Day 1 to Day 3 = 24 hours

Locations:
Police Headquarters (1 hour)
Crime Scene (15 min. per order)
Fifteen potential suspects (15 min. per question)
Library (8 articles, 15 min. each)
Mongoose Tavern (15 min. per question)

PDA Options:
Incoming Alibi Verifications (15 min. each)
Incoming Forensics Tests (15 min. each)

SACRED GROUND: PART I

    * Opening movie & DAY 1 Transition

    * Main map with time stamp: Day 1, 9AM

    *  Police Hdqtrs -- Chief's Case Assignment
- Police Headquarters halo flashes until player clicks on building once.
- Chief's case assignment movie plays - player cannot click past.
- Movie ends and returns player to main map.


    *  PDA INTRODUCTION
- PDA icon in lower right hand corner of screen flashes and pages player.
- PDA enlarges when clicked with the mouse, then a priority voice message from
Det. R. Orlando plays, providing an introduction.
- Player exits PDA by clicking on exit button.

PART I: KIDNAPPING SCENE

    *  TASKER RESIDENCE: EXTERIOR

- Tasker Residence halo flashes until player clicks on the house once.

- From the exterior view, cursor changes to a magnifying glass over crime scene
elements (i.e. the robe and gate), which are hot spots, or highlights in the
upper left of the screen to indicate direction towards Martin Tasker, who is in
the house.

- After the player visits Martin Tasker for his first interview, he/she exits
and returns to the kidnapping scene. The cursor becomes an arrow to the right
side of the screen to indicate direction towards Manuel Orrosso.

- The player can investigate the crime scene any time in the first day. Any
forensics ordered in the first visit will not be processed until the player
leaves the crime scene.

- The player may choose to leave the exterior view at any time by moving the
cursor to the bottom of the screen. The cursor changes to a directional downward
arrow and returns to the main map when the mouse is clicked.

    *  CRIME SCENE #1 - KIDNAPPING SCENE

- The cursor changes to a magnifying glass over each hot spot.

- When the player clicks once on a hot spot, a close-up photo appears and an
extension of the PDA icon exhibits three icons:
1) a microscope (to order Forensics Test)
2) a camera (to take Picture)
3) a notepad (to take Notes)


- When the player cursors over an icon, it animates. When the player clicks once
on the icon, it stops animating and the following occurs:
1) select microscope-- Gears animate over the microscope and "Ordering Forensics
Test" appears in the info bar.
2) select camera - a viewfinder frame outlines item and a flash and sound effect
indicates a picture has been taken. 15 minutes is taken off the clock.
3) select notepad - the PDA appears with notes about the item.


- The following hot spots occur in the crime scene:
- White terry cloth robe
- Partially Crushed Prescription Capsule
- Gate
- Broken and used hypodermic needle


- In the Crime Scene, a small PDA icon is located at the lower right hand corner
of the screen. Player may click once on PDA icon to call up PDA and the Main
Menu screen appears:
- Help icon ("?")
- Case Files Folder
- E-Mail icon
- Evidence Folder
- QUIT icon

- All icons animate when the player scrolls over them.

    * TO EXIT CRIME SCENE
- The cursor changes to a directional arrow at the bottom of the screen to
indicate that the player may exit the crime scene.
- The player must visit Martin Tasker in order to interview other suspects.
- If the player is in the PDA, he/she must click once on the QUIT button to
close PDA and is then returned to the Exterior View.

ARSON CRIME SCENE

After interviewing Martin Tasker the White Buffalo Arson Scene becomes
available. This is another crime scene although the player can only look at
evidence, take pictures and look at notes. There are no forensics available. The
crime scene has the following evidence:
Invoice
Letter from Christine Belotta
Letter from Free Tibet
Note from M
Note from McClafferty
Appraisal

After leaving the White Buffalo for the first time, the player receives an Arson
Report through the PDA. The White Buffalo crime scene is available throughout
the game after interviewing Martin Tasker.

PART I: FIRST INTERVIEWS

    * INTERVIEW SEQUENCE
- All potential leads are called out by a blinking halo over their respective
residence (except for Manuel Orrosso, who is accessible in Tasker Residence, and
George Vesco, who is accessible in the Seven Arrows Development).
- The player must move cursor around the main map to figure out which leads are
located where (name rollovers pop up as player cursors over a lit building).
- Player selects subject to be interviewed by clicking once on their residence.
Interviews trigger other individuals to light up as possible suspects.
- Establishing shot (640x480) appears, then a jagged boarder and intro of the
selected interview. The suspects name fades up and down at the beginning of the
intro.
- The player has the option of several questions during an interview (only two
are visible at one time). When the player clicks on a question, a movie segment
plays with Night Sky asking the question followed by a response. After the clip
finishes, more questions are presented.
- Only in the first interviews does John Night Sky reiterate the questions the
player chooses.
- Player can end the interview at any time by selecting "End Interview selection
-- which plays an exit clip then brings up the individual case file for the
subject being interview on the PDA.


- The individual case files consist of the following:
- a picture of the subject
- Pop-up menu: Select "Suspect" or "Informant"
- Pop-up menu: Select a motive
- film strip icon: "Click here to order Alibi Verification"
- magnifying/film icon: "Click here to re-play interview"
- notepad icon: "Notes available"
- Close icon - to return to interview suspect screen.
Note: Each icon animates when the player cursors over it and stops when the
player clicks once.


- Player may exit at any time by selecting the exit button on the PDA and shows
the picture of the location of the last interview.

SPECIAL ALERTS
    * The following alerts from Dispatch occur in the first two days and can be
divided into two types of alerts - hardwired and triggered. Hardwired alerts
occur at a specific time no matter where the player has been. Triggered alerts
occur depending on specific choices/actions the player has made.


Hardwired Alerts:
- Prodding from the Chief (Day 1, 4 pm):
- PDA icon flashes and beeps
- When PDA is clicked Chief movie plays
- Player must click on PDA exit button to close PDA.


Triggered Alerts: - Dispatch Alert - Vehicle Trace - (Day 2, 10am)
- If player did not visit Wally Chandler and did not order vehicle trace by Day
3, 10am, then this alert notifies player of the following: "an anonymous tip has
just come in regarding a black Jeep Cherokee near the Tasker Residence. A trace
has been ordered."

PART I: FIRST INTERVIEWS - OVERVIEW

CAST OF CHARACTERS

VICTIM
Randa Tasker


POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Det. John Night Sky
Police Chief Weber
Det. R. Orlando
Dispatch
W. Mirakama - Forensics Lab


POSSIBLE SUSPECTS (15)
Martin Tasker
Manuel Orrosso
George Vesco
Andrew Grissom
Amy Tasker
Christine Belotta
Dan Longfoot
Richard Whitefeather
Free Tibet
Juan Vijil
Mark Kennedy
Carrie March
Theresa Madrone
Thomas McClafferty
Wally Chandler


MONGOOSE TAVERN
Charlotte Mabrey
Graham Haggerty
Clifford Lodgepole
Carla Vedanta


PART I: FIRST INTERVIEWS - LINKS

ALL ITEMS THAT GET TURNED ON ARE TURNED OFF AFTER PLAYER VISITS THAT LOCATION -
THEY ARE NOT TO BE TURNED ON AGAIN EVEN IF THEY ARE MENTIONED AGAIN.

Sacred Ground
(a.k.a Son of Elk Moon)


Question Breakdown (Pass 2)
Ed Clune 7/30/96
FIRST INTERVIEWS:


Martin Tasker:
INTRO
Q1: Why don't we start there?/
If we might have the names...?
Q2: Another guest?/You think Grissom might be connected...
Q3: And you left the restaurant when?/What was she wearing?/
What happened next?
Q4: Did your wife ever use drugs?
Q5: Can you think of anyone who might've hurt your wife...?/
What about the arson incident...?/
And your own enemies?
EXIT: If this was a kidnapping, Mr. Tasker...


Manuel Orrosso:
INTRO
Q1: Tell us about night.
Q2: Were you aware that Mrs. Tasker went for a swim about midnight?
Q3: Did you hear any screams?
Q4: Was unusual?/Who has the keys to the gate?
Q5: How many dogs are out in the kennel area?
EXIT: Thanks for your help...


Carrie March:
INTRO
Q1: You attended the Taskers' anniversary dinner..., is that right?/
How do you know that it was a kidnapping?
Q2: How long have you known the Taskers?
Q3: Can you think of any reason someone might abduct her by force?/
Are you saying that Mr. Tasker could have been behind his wife's disappearance?
Q4: Do you think this had anything to do with Mrs. Tasker's disappearance?
Q5: Was there something going on between Mrs. Tasker and her husband's doctor?
EXIT:Anything else you think...?


Andrew Grissom
INTRO
Q1: You in the habit of taking the law into your own hands...?/
So, you thought you'd get back at him through his wife...
Q2: What's he got to do with Martin Tasker?
Q3: Where'd you go after you left the Mesa...?
EXIT: Thanks for your time, Mr. Grissom.


Dan Longfoot
INTRO
Q1: You heard about Randa Tasker's disappearance?
Q2: I understand you had a beef with Tasker?
Q3: Tasker says you threatened him publicly./
Your calling that a murder?
Q4: You know anything about the fire at Randa Tasker's leather goods store?
Q5: Where were you on the night that Randa Tasker disappeared?
EXIT: For now...


Dr. Thomas McClafferty
INTRO
Q1: And you've been Martin Tasker's personal physician for how long?/
Isn't that a little unusual?
Q2: What's your relationship with Mrs. Tasker?/
Perfectly. Was there anything ... more to the relationship?
Q3: I understand the Taskers argued a lot.
Q4: What time did you leave the Mesa Cafe the other night?
Q5: You've got a key to the gate at the Tasker estate, is that right?
Q6: ...What kind of medication is Mr. Tasker on?
EXIT: Thanks. We'll let you know...


Richard Whitefeather
INTRO
Q1: You tried to fight in court?
Q2: I know it must be very painful, but could you tell me about the
circumstances of your daughter's death...
Q3: Last Tuesday night ... say, between eleven and one ... Where were you?
EXIT: Thank you, Mr. Whitefeather...


FREE TIBET
INTRO
Q1: You're an artist.../
Did you have someone in mind?
Q2: Say your theory is right... Why wouldn't this Christine Belotta have taken
her revenge right on the spot?
Q3: Is that just a vibe, or do you have some evidence?/
Do you think she was getting ready to leave her husband?
Q4: Anything in her behavior lately that was out of the ordinary?
Q5: Anything stand out in your mind from the anniversary dinner at the Mesa?
Q6: Is it possible that Mrs. Tasker might have staged her own abduction...?
EXIT: Thanks again, Ms. Tibet...


JUAN VIJIL
INTRO
Q1: What do you know about Randa Tasker's/ You're a friend of Martin Tasker?
Q2: Have you helped out in his plans to expand Seven Arrows?
Q3: If Tasker goes under, you lose one of your big supporters. Am I right?
Q4: Mrs. Tasker was taken from her residence... Where were your about that time?
EXIT: Thanks Mr. Vijil...


GEORGE VESCO
INTRO
Q1: The word is that there've been some serious financial difficulties lately...
Q2: There's been some talk of mismanagement...
Q3: You have any idea who might have abducted Randa Tasker?
Q4: Where were you on the night that she disappeared?
Exit: Thanks. We'll be in touch.


MARK KENNEDY
INTRO
Q1: What's the nature of your relationship?/Close friends?
Q2: Did either of them give you any indication of difficulties in the
marriage...
Q3: Anyone you can think of who might've been behind Randa Tasker's abduction?
Q4: What were the circumstances?/
When was the last time they spoke?/
How's Amy's relationship with Mrs. Tasker?
Q5: Where did you go after the Tasker's anniversary dinner the other night?
EXIT: Appreciate your help, Mr. Kennedy.


WALLY CHANDLER
INTRO
Q1: You saw the kidnapping?
Q2: Any more description on the vehicle?
Q3: And what direction was it coming from...?
Q4: Did you see the driver?
EXIT: Thanks, Mr. Chandler...


CHRISTINE BELOTTA
INTRO
Q1: You're an employee of White Buffalo Leather Goods ... ?/When was that?
Q2: You say she was acting strangely?
Q3: Know anything 'bout how the fire got started?
Q4: You know anything about Randa Tasker's disappearance...?/
You know why someone might want to harm her?
Q5: You remember where you were Tuesday night around midnight?
EXIT:


AMY TASKER
INTRO
Q1: How long have you been at odds with your father?
Q2: Back to your mother's suicide...
Q3: Is it true he's threatened to cut you out of his will?
Q4: Were you involved with Mr. Longfoot?
Q5: I'd like to know your whereabouts on the night Randa disappeared.
EXIT: Thanks for your time, Ms. Tasker. We'll be in touch.


THERESA MADRONE

INTRO
Q1: Martin Tasker is one of your clients...?
Q2: We understand your relationship with Martin Tasker was more than just
professional./ Was Mrs. Tasker aware of the relationship...?
Q3: What did everything include?/Maybe he changed his mind?/
Maybe Martin Tasker did away with his wife to help your cause.
Q4: Let's talk about facts for a minute...Last night your Jeep Cherokee was seen
near the Tasker estate just before Mrs. Tasker disappeared.../ So, you drove
over there?
Q5: You ever use a hypodermic needle, Ms. Madrone?
EXIT:


SACRED GROUND: PART II

    * MAIN MENU - DAY 4, 8:15AM

    * PDA CHIEF ALERT - GO TO SEVEN ARROWS
- The PDA blinks red with an urgent warning. When selected the following movie
plays in the PDA telling the player Martin Tasker has been murdered at Seven
Arrows and to go there right away.
- If player doesn't go to liquor store within 4 hours then the Chief tells
player they have been demoted and kicked off the case --- GAME ENDS.


    * PLAYER SELECTS SEVEN ARROWS
- Player selects liquor store by clicking once on mountain ridge halo. There,
the player can click on the murder scene (or back out to the main map).


- The murder scene can be investigated like the kidnapping scene. The following
evidence items are available:
Blunt trauma wound
Puncture wound
Abrasions on wrists
Shovel
Rope loop
Glove


- After leaving the crime scene, Night Sky instructs the player on what options
are available - re-interviewing suspects and arresting suspects.
- After the Night Sky monologue, a message is received on the PDA from Sgt.
Orlando, giving further information on reviewing alibis before second interview
(with some chiding if no first interview alibis have been ordered or reviewed).
- Tasker's Office becomes available after leaving the murder scene
- The murder scene is available throughout day 4.
- Everyone interviewed in Part I who's alibi has been read lights up.


SACRED GROUND Murder: PART III

SECOND INTERVIEWS, ARRESTS & EPILOGUE

Timeframe:
Day 3, 3pm through Day 5, 5pm = 18 hours

Locations:
All Suspects from Part I Re-Interviewed (15 min. per question)
Library (8 articles, 15 min. each)
Mongoose Tavern (1 hour each visit)
Police Headquarters (to arrest & end game)


PDA Options:
Incoming Alibi Verifications (1/2 hour each)
Incoming Forensics Tests (1/2 hour each)


PART III: NEW INVESTIGATION SCENE

    * TASKER'S OFFICE

- Once the player has left the murder scene, another location becomes available,
Tasker's office, located at his residence.

- The player may go to the office to uncover other clues about his various
dealings. Found in his office are:
A receipt
An unmailed letter
A prenuptial agreement
A note from Theresa Madrone
A letter from his lawyer
An answering machine with two messages


- The answering machine plays two phone messages when the player clicks on it,
in addition to bringing up a close-up with the photo and notes icon available.
The messages are from Juan Vijil and then Randa Tasker (pleading for help).
- Although these messages are not stored in the PDA, Tasker's is available for
the rest of the game after visiting the murder scene.


PART III: SECOND INTERVIEWS

    * RE-INTERVIEW SEQUENCE
- All suspects interviewed in Part I may be re-interviewed, and are called out
by halos blinking over their respective residences.
- In addition, the Library, Police Headquarters, and Mongoose Tavern are
available options, also with halos blinking.
- The player must move cursor around the main map to figure out which leads are
located where (name rollovers pop up as player cursors over a lit building).
- Player selects subject to be interviewed by clicking once on their residence.


- Establishing shot (640x480) appears, followed by the interview movie start and
a text area displaying:
- a list of available questions (two questions at any time)
-end of interview selection


- Player clicks once on each question and movie plays of the interviewee's
response. This sequence continues until all the questions have been asked.
- Player can ask whichever questions he/she chooses but once the Player ends the
interview, he/she may not return to interview this subject.
- After questions are finished PDA pops up with the case file.
- Player may exit at any time by selecting the exit button on the PDA and player
returns to the main map.


PART III: SECOND INTERVIEWS - OVERVIEW

CAST OF CHARACTERS

MURDER VICTIM
Martin Tasker


POSSIBLE SUSPECTS (11)
George Vesco
Amy Tasker
Juan Vijil
Theresa Madrone
Christine Belotta
Thomas McClafferty
Dan Longfoot
Richard Whitefeather


MONGOOSE TAVERN
Charlotte Mabrey
Graham Haggerty
Clifford Lodgepole
Carla Vedanta


PART III: SECOND INTERVIEWS - LINKED QUESTIONS

George Vesco
Can you describe how you found the body?
Did you touch the body or find a ransom note?
Where were you around 2:00 AM?
Where do you get the syringes for your insulin use?
You bought a second home recently. Come into some money?


Amy Tasker
Where were you when your father met the kidnappers?
Do not read this.
Continue the interview.
Were you aware of any financial pressure on Randa Tasker?
Why weren't you straight with us about you and Dan Longfoot?


Christine Belotta
We know about the chemicals that you purchased.
Were you blackmailing Randa Tasker?
Do you have an alibi for the night Martin Tasker was murdered?


Dan Longfoot
George Vesco claims you threatened to burn Seven Arrows down.
Did you have anything to do with the arson at Randa Tasker's store?
Where were you at the time of the murder?
Were you having an affair with Amy Tasker?
They tell me at the station someone left you a gift on your doorstep.


Richard Whitefeather
Were you here at 2:00 AM on the night of Tasker's murder?
The friend who owed you, did you ever help him gather scorpions?
Did you feel you owed it to your daughter to get back at Tasker?


Juan Vijil
Why was Mr. Tasker making secret contributions to your campaign?
Did you influence the judge in the Indians vs. Seven Arrows case?
Were you working with your secretary when Martin was murdered?
Do you have any horses here?


Theresa Madrone
Tasker was murdered around 2:00 AM. Where were you then?
How serious was your relationship with Martin Tasker?
Did Randa have any other secrets she was keeping from Martin?


Thomas McClafferty
No one can remember you at the Mesa Cafe between 11:15 and 12:00.
Martin was using you to funnel money to Juan Vijil, wasn't he?
What did you get out of the deal?
Where were you when Martin was killed - between 1:00 and 3:00 AM?


PART III: ARREST & FINALE

In order to arrest someone, the player must go to the arrest computer, located
at police headquarters. Here, the player must fill out a document what the
crimes where who committed them and how they were committed. Fortunately, the
player doesn't have to write this from scratch. A standard form is provided with
blanks that the player fills in from a set of choices. The places to be filled
in are:
Person to be arrested
Crimes committed (one or two)
How kidnapper entered Tasker residence
When kidnapping occurred
What was used to subdue Randa Tasker
When murder occurred
What was used to kill Martin Tasker
When the murder occurred
Whether the ransom money was really a motive
The persons motive


- After filling out all of these items the player can select the arrest icon
(handcuffs). If the player has selected an invalid possibility (e.g. a confirmed
alibi) some of the other supporting

evidence isn't correct, the arrest will be rejected and 15 minutes will be
subtracted from the time.

If the arrest is approved, but it is the wrong arrest, either the chief will
come on and tell you why it isn't the correct person and then take you off the
case, or, in one case, you will go arrest the person and be stabbed for your
work.

If the arrest is approved and it is one of the two correct arrests, the finale
movie sequence starts. First, you go to the persons location, then, after the
arrest movie plays, you are told about a location where the hostage exchange
will occur. When you go there, the finale movie plays, followed by various
wrap-up activities.

ARREST SEQUENCES

CHIEF WEBER MOVIES
Free Tibet
Dan Longfoot


ARREST MoVIES
Richard Whitefeather


FINALE
Amy Tasker
Thomas McClafferty


NO ARREST SEQUENCE Martin Tasker (he's dead)
Manuel Orrosso
George Vesco
Andrew Grissom
Christine Belotta
Juan Vijil
Mark Kennedy
Carrie March
Theresa Madrone
Wally Chandler


HARDWIRED EVENTS

CHIEF ALERT #2: RANSOM NOTE - Day 2, 10am
CHIEF ALERT #3: PRODDING #2 - Day 2, 4pm
CHIEF ALERT #4: MARTIN TASKER MURDERED - Day 4, 10am
CHIEF ALERT #5: MCCLAFFERTY'S PRESS CONFERENCE - Day 5, 10am
CHIEF ALERT #6: GO ARREST - Day 5, 2pm