Grand Theft Auto: Gray Valley

[Naughtius Maximus]

I've had the chance of checking out on the newest mission update recently... and gee whiz, it was nice. I'm liking Kyle's ice cold nature and Ricky becomes a certain foil to Kyle in this point. This line cracked me up, TBH...

 

 

Kyle: Let me guess. Duncan’s the brains and you’re the barbaric Neanderthal that tries to intimidate everyone.

 

Also, I liked the idea of executing an objective with different possible ways is pretty built-up here. That's a point for playing some games over and over, it provides longevity for real games.

[ClaudX]

Thanks, TheUnholy. The multiple approach system definitely will be explored further in the future. This mission was an introduction to it, albeit the consequences not being as serious as they will get in later missions. This is also the point in the story that Kyle starts to become more fearless and willing to kill enemies in his way.

 

To everyone who is reading, the concept is going through a overhaul, if you will. I'm adding new content, removing content that I feel doesn't fit the concept, and increasing the quality of certain aspects of the concept. I hope you all enjoy the changes being made, as they're for the best of Gray Valley.

[Tyla]

Who's that sexy bastard in your avatar? Will we be seeing Raymond soon?

 

What do you plan to add and remove?

[ClaudX]

Who's that sexy bastard in your avatar? Will we be seeing Raymond soon?

 

What do you plan to add and remove?

I'm still deciding on when to include Raymond into the story. Originally, I was going to add him in once Kyle met him in Midway. I might include his flashback missions every now and then, leading up to his proper introduction.

 

If you check the first page, you can see that I've updated Raymond's picture, I've changed some of the colors in the Characters section, as well as added Ricky to the fray. I've already written a revised Stats section, my new HUD is in the works and you can check that out over in the Lounge, I've gotten the Parkour section written, and there's bits here and there that I've fixed. Some of these include the removal of the Shorty shotgun as I honestly have no idea what I was basing it off of way back when, some slight grammatical errors have been corrected, and I'll be adding the Customization section soon after much revision.

 

As I've stated elsewhere, I'm on my Spring Break right now and I've become surprisingly productive with work. I still have the entire week ahead of me, so except the above content and more to come soon.

[ClaudX]

Mission 7: Reap the Rewards

Boss: Duncan Streens

Protagonist: Kyle James

[As the mission begins, Kyle walks into the bar, towards Duncan’s office in the back. He knocks a couple of times, until he hears footsteps. Ricky, with a more than displeased look on his face, opens the door. Kyle snickers as he closes the door behind him and takes a seat in front of Duncan’s desk.]

 

Duncan: *he slaps Ricky on the arm* Go sit down. You don’t have to look like my bodyguard just because the man of the hour is here. *Ricky proceeds to slump himself into the chair next to Kyle* Anyway, I hope you’re in a good mood, Kyle.

Kyle: Why’s that?

Duncan: Oh, come on! That last job you did was phenomenal! Take some pride in your work, you humble bastard.

Kyle: You’re saying that wasting a couple of thugs should make a man happy?

Duncan: Not just any thugs, Kyle. Our enemies! But, some of those guys weren’t in that fireball.

Kyle: Are you saying there’s more?

Duncan: Yeah. Turns out they have another hideout. It’s one of their member’s houses or something like that.

Kyle: Let me guess. You want me to torch the place again? *chuckle*

Duncan: That would be a bad mistake. *Ricky chuckles at Kyle* I’ve recently learned that those guys are, or should I say, were, into drugs. Who knows how much was in their first hideout?

Kyle: Duncan, if I had known-

Duncan: Forget about it. I got a kick out of you blowing that place to pieces. I’m not sure how many guys will be at this new hideout, so Ricky is gonna go along with you.

Kyle: Duncan, there’s no need for this. I can handle it myself.

Duncan: I know you can. I would send you alone, but my man Ricky’s been itching for some work.

Kyle: Fine. Where is this place?

Duncan: It’s a couple blocks away from the old hideout. It’s light blue with pasty white arches holding up the balcony. You’ll find it. Oh, before I forget. *he pulls one of his drawers on the side of the desk open and pulls out a micro-uzi* I don’t want this taking forever, so here. *Kyle takes it from him* It doesn’t pack the punch that you’d expect, but it’s fast.

Kyle: Thanks, man. *he opens the door to exit*

Duncan: And don’t forget the drugs. They might be hidden in drawers or a car trunk. Search that place dry. Just find them.

Kyle: You can count on it.

Duncan: And that’s why I pay you. *chuckle*

 

Objective: Drive to the hideout.

Ricky: Now, I’m going to see how good you actually are.

Kyle: You doubt me?

Ricky: Duncan might like you, but I’m watching you.

Kyle: Oh no. The oaf is intimidated by me. Ironic, isn’t it?

*They exchange remarks and insults until they arrive at the hideout.*

Kyle: This looks like the place.

Ricky: Show me what you’ve got.

Kyle: I’m eager to see your gunmanship, too.

 

Objective: Kill all of the enemies.

Enemy: Hey! It’s Duncan’s guy again! Everyone, get out here!

Kyle: I’m charmed that they remember me.

*Kyle and Ricky take cover behind a wrecked vehicle lying in the yard. They take down about a dozen of thugs before silence blankets the warzone.*

Kyle: That looks like all of them. Let’s search the house.

 

Objective: Find the drugs.

Kyle: You weren’t a lot of help back there, Ricky. Were you trying to let them kill me?

Ricky: I was just watching to see how good you are.

Kyle: Right. Now it’s clear why Duncan needs me.

*The two search the house until Kyle finds a duffel bag inside the garage.*

Kyle: I got the stuff, Ricky! Let’s get out of here!

 

Objective: Get back to the bar.

[A two-star wanted level has been given.]

*Ricky remarks about Kyle’s driving, while Kyle does the same about Ricky’s shooting. After a while, they escape the police.*

Ricky: About time. Let’s get back.

Kyle: I could’ve gotten away faster if you could shoot worth a damn.

Ricky: I don’t understand why Duncan likes you so much.

Kyle: It’s because I get sh*t done. I don’t wait for other people to do it. If I’m gonna get where I want to be, I have to take control. Ahh, never mind. You wouldn’t understand.

*They arrive at the bar, where Duncan is waiting for them.*

Duncan: You got them, right?

Kyle: *He hands him the duffel bag* You knew I would.

Duncan: Ha ha! I knew! You got all those mother*ckers?

Kyle: Pumped ‘em full of lead.

Duncan: Great! Feels good, huh?

Kyle: Guess so.

Duncan: “Guess so”? I gotta get you toughened up. Tell you what. Come back in a while and we’ll figure out what to do with our “spoils of war”.

Mission Passed!

Rewards:

$400

Mission 8: “New Horizons”

[Naughtius Maximus]

An excellent mission by you, ClaudX, not lesser than what I knew you would easily. The mission itself is not just "Let's bang some punks and steal their drugs" but also manages to base out the theme you're planning to work on for next missions. First off, Kyle is proud of himself... maybe he tries to roughen himself in front of an intimidating figure like barbaric Ricky, but it seems much more complex than that. Here's a simple and clear example.

 

 

Ricky: I don’t understand why Duncan likes you so much.
Kyle: It’s because I get sh*t done. I don’t wait for other people to do it. If I’m gonna get where I want to be, I have to take control. Ahh, never mind.

 

Kyle has a pumped-up pride feeling here. He thinks he's able to work out things as a criminal. Sure, let's give him a right: He blew up an operation base of some gangster who are obviously prone to violence; he raided the same gang's hideout and steal their drugs... surely these are not things to be underestimated, but seeing this purely, Kyle only has the victory and glory of a trigger-happy criminal. However, can we say the same thing about pulling off a drug deal? It obviously needs sharp brains than fingers willing to shoot. Let's see if he can fulfill his self-righteous pride.

 

Good mission, man and can't wait to see more.

[ClaudX]

An excellent mission by you, ClaudX, not lesser than what I knew you would easily. The mission itself is not just "Let's bang some punks and steal their drugs" but also manages to base out the theme you're planning to work on for next missions. First off, Kyle is proud of himself... maybe he tries to roughen himself in front of an intimidating figure like barbaric Ricky, but it seems much more complex than that. Here's a simple and clear example.

Thanks, man. The mission really did play out like I wanted it too, despite me writing it in a single morning.

 

Kyle has a pumped-up pride feeling here. He thinks he's able to work out things as a criminal. Sure, let's give him a right: He blew up an operation base of some gangster who are obviously prone to violence; he raided the same gang's hideout and steal their drugs... surely these are not things to be underestimated, but seeing this purely, Kyle only has the victory and glory of a trigger-happy criminal. However, can we say the same thing about pulling off a drug deal? It obviously needs sharp brains than fingers willing to shoot. Let's see if he can fulfill his self-righteous pride.

The prideful part was something I felt like I definitely could've drawn out more. Especially because he's trying to show himself off when around Ricky to antagonize him. This really plays a role in Ricky's behavior around Duncan, and in later missions. And you have gotten Kyle figured out. He's confident that the life of a criminal is "shoot first, ask questions later". I had a scrapped mission which showed Kyle more surprised and shocked when he found out how dangerous the life could be. The mission was scrapped as I wanted to string that idea out throughout missions, like the mission where he escaped the police with the truck and was outraged by that. It's not just nickel-and-dime business, like Kyle expected, but he learns gradually through experience what it is really like.

[ClaudX]

Random Character

Richard Will: A Truant Disposition

Protagonist: Kyle James

[The random character icon is at the Curtains & Beef dinner theater in northern Speedway. As you approach the icon, you will see a young man, close to Kyle’s age, wearing a purple dress shirt and black slacks. He also has a black eye, which appears to be recent. He will be waving at Kyle and exclaiming his name.]

 

Richard: Kyle James? Is that you?

Kyle:*confused* Do I know you?

Richard: *slaps him on the arm* Come on! *Kyle continues to look confused* Nothing? *he thinks briefly* How about this? *imitating himself* “I’m telling you Kyle, once you get up on that stage, your dick is gonna grow three feet long.”

Kyle:*suddenly realizing who it is* Richard! Richard Will! *they share a short, friendly hug* How you been, man?

Richard: Oh, life’s given me plenty of gifts. You’re looking at the director for our summer production of “Equitum Amatores”. Heard of it?

Kyle:*shakes head* Nah.

Richard: You should come see it. It’s about a village that becomes cursed, causing all of the men to become horses. They continue to mate with their women, even after that.

Kyle:*looking a bit disgusted* Oh, wow. That ought to be…interesting.

Richard: Our costume designer is great. The amount of detail that she puts into the costumes is outstanding.

Kyle:I’ll take your word for it.

Richard: You really should come see the show. It’s gonna be great. In fact, for one of the scenes, we have actual horses that come on stage and-

Kyle:*cuts him off* I’m not going to watch it.

Richard: You uncultured bastard. So, what have you been doing?

Kyle:This and that. Nothing too interesting, really.

Richard: John says otherwise. He says that you’re some kind of vigilante now.

Kyle:I can’t say that I am. You know how John is.

Richard: He also said you could help me.

Kyle:He said that? I’m gonna need to talk to him.

Richard: Don’t be like that. Think of it as a favor for an old friend.

Kyle:I can’t. I have a ton of other stuff to do.

Richard: Just this once, Kyle. Come on.

Kyle:What do you want me to do?

Richard: We’re gonna get the guys that did this to me. *points to black eye*

Kyle:“We”?

 

Objective: Drive to the loan sharks.

Richard: The f*cks live in an apartment in downtown. Let’s give them what’s coming to them.

Kyle:Why did they beat you up to begin with?

Richard: It was no reason, really. Just out of nowhere.

Kyle:For an actor, you’ve always been horrible at lying. What happened? For real.

Richard: Actually, these guys are loan sharks. I got some money from them to help the theater a bit.

Kyle:Loan sharks? You f*cking idiot. No wonder they beat you up. They want their money.

Richard: I was going to pay them back, but-

Kyle:“But?”

Richard: But I ended up blowing the cash to buy some costumes. You have to understand. These costumes are really f*cking awesome. Like, you can’t find them anywhere.

Kyle:I don’t understand. *pauses for a moment* How many guys are there?

Richard: Ah, just one or two. Or five.

Kyle:Five? And you just expect me to take care of them by myself?

Richard: I can help, Kyle. I learned some Tae Kwon Do moves during a production last spring. I’m pretty much a badass now.

Kyle:Right. Let’s just get this done.

*They arrive at the apartment building.*

Richard: These guys are on the third floor. Hope you don’t mind walking a bit.

 

Objective: Beat up the loan sharks.

*The loan sharks will pull out baseball bats and switchblades for the fight. Richard will shout out quotes from famous plays while fighting.*

Richard: I think they got our message.

Kyle:I wouldn’t be too sure. If they want their money, they’ll get it somehow.

Richard: Not after what we did to them.

Kyle:Keep believing that. It looks like I’m done here.

Richard: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” You really helped me out, Kyle. You deserve a reward. Here. *hands him some money*

Kyle:*takes the money* Thanks. See you around.

 

*There is an optional phone conversation with John after the mission.*

Kyle: “Vigilante”? What the f*ck have you been telling people?

John: I have no idea what you’re talking about. Honestly Kyle, you need to add context to your quotes. I’m not a mindreader.

Kyle: Richard Will? That enough context for you?

John: Oh, yeah. So I get a bit carried away. Can you blame me? What we’re doing is awesome compared to the rest of the people we know.

Kyle: “Vigilante” is a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?

John: Does “crime lord” have a better ring to it?

Kyle: You know what I mean.

John: Do I?

Kyle: I’ll talk to you later, you dense sh*t.

 

Mission Passed!

Rewards:

$100

Richard Will’s Second Encounter.

[shaymin88]

Random encounters made by a 15 year old on GTAforums are better wrote than a team at Rockstar. Great job, man!

[bodyparts]

Ahh, the encounter in it self is good but in my opinion it would be a pretty dull objective to just beat up loan sharks. It could be stealing costumes for the show, getting rid of a rivaling theatre crew or maybe promoting the theatre in some way. Other than that, great job!

[ClaudX]

Ahh, the encounter in it self is good but in my opinion it would be a pretty dull objective to just beat up loan sharks. It could be stealing costumes for the show, getting rid of a rivaling theatre crew or maybe promoting the theatre in some way. Other than that, great job!

I appreciate the feedback, and I understand your concern. The reason that this one isn't so interesting is because it's building up to the conflict in the next encounter. I planned for the next encounter to be the night of the show. The loan sharks would attack back, but as we say, the show must go on. I still haven't come up with the complete details.

 

 

Random encounters made by a 15 year old on GTAforums are better wrote than a team at Rockstar. Great job, man!

Thanks, man. Glad you enjoyed it.

[bodyparts]

Allright, looking forward to the next one.

[shaymin88]

Your Welcome! Seriously though. Random encounters in GTA V were just... there. They weren't anything special at all. They mainly consisted of driving around to tow or drop or pick someone or something off to overly tedious scavenger hunts. Very few feel like actual fun, and instead, feel like a half-baked thought.

[ClaudX]

Your Welcome! Seriously though. Random encounters in GTA V were just... there. They weren't anything special at all. They mainly consisted of driving around to tow or drop or pick someone or something off to overly tedious scavenger hunts. Very few feel like actual fun, and instead, feel like a half-baked thought.

Like I previously stated, random characters give more freedom to expand on the characters than the story missions do. They also give a chance to explore the world in a way that the story might not allow. Kyle's explore his past, as he reconnects with old classmates. You wouldn't normally see this throughout the story, apart from Elizabeth and John. Since he's been disconnected from everyone else, he's at least intrigued by what his old friends are doing, especially compared to him. The other portion of Kyle's have him explore different criminal options that are not necessary to portray in story missions.

 

Raymond's missions don't really explore his past as much, as most of it is the basis for his side of the story. However, it places him under different situations that he wouldn't normally be placed under. All in all, these random characters are an outlet for more light-hearted missions and wackier characters than the main story would usually contain. Sorry for the wall of text, but I just wanted to say that. Random characters have always been a favorite of mine since their inclusion.

[Aerovitia]

Would you mind if I can help you for the vehicle list?

The concept was neat, but.. we need a vehicle list.

[ClaudX]

Would you mind if I can help you for the vehicle list?

 

The concept was neat, but.. we need a vehicle list.

Thanks for the offer, dude. Vehicles have never been my forte. I had a quick, half-assed vehicles list when I first posted the concept, but I eventually took it down. If you could make one, that would be great. Shoot me a PM and we can sort out the details.

[Ss4gogeta0]

Thanks, Ss4gogeta0. Nice looking map you have there. What ideas from here do you have in mind? Is it for SOL or another project?

sorry for the late reply, its not really tied to any specific project. all the files are posted in the maps section. free to use for anyone else in any project.

 

its just a map of east chicago.

 

http://gtaforums.com/topic/784315-rel-driver-2-maps-for-3ds-max-open-driver-2/?do=findComment&comment=1067299083

Edited September 3, 2015 by Ss4gogeta0

[ClaudX]

Greetings once again. The end of the year is drawing near and I haven't done half of what I've planned. However, I have given all of the characters images. It was difficult to find people to base my characters off of, as I had a mental image of what they looked like, so keep in mind that the characters aren't exactly like the images. There's a bit of free imagery in there.

[Tyla]

Been a while since I've had a read of this. I'm thrilled by the progress you've made. You could not have picked a sexier protag than Ray Stevenson may I add.

 

I'm very impressed with the effort you've put into the missions and character interaction. When I first read this concept I wasn't thrilled at the idea of playing a protagonist rougly the same age as myself, although the balance of the old guy/younger guy sold me a little more. But I have to say, I'm all the way into it after what I'm seeing here. I like the confidence Kyle is developing as the missions progress, and I am enjoying that the dialogue develops him as a character. I'm a lot warmer on your own character than I am on the GTAV protagonists.

 

That's a very snazzy looking mock-up of the HUD/character switching you've got on the front page by the way. Nice work.

[ClaudX]

You could not have picked a sexier protag than Ray Stevenson may I add.

I can't take all the credit for it.

 

 

I'm very impressed with the effort you've put into the missions and character interaction. When I first read this concept I wasn't thrilled at the idea of playing a protagonist rougly the same age as myself, although the balance of the old guy/younger guy sold me a little more. But I have to say, I'm all the way into it after what I'm seeing here. I like the confidence Kyle is developing as the missions progress, and I am enjoying that the dialogue develops him as a character. I'm a lot warmer on your own character than I am on the GTAV protagonists.

The release of GTA V was what molded this concept from what it was originally to the concept you see now. I was expecting a lot of the "father/son I never had" interaction between Michael and Franklin, but it appeared only a couple times before being almost completely forgotten. They touched it here and there, especially in the beginning, but no real relationship was formed between the two. They acted like partners in crimes more than friends. It's a shame because you can hear some instances of it in their dialogue, most often when the two hang out together. That in itself is a waste, as they could've used that dialogue more in the story missions, and not hide it away in a dumbed-down feature that was dismissed by many.

 

That interaction is the very basis of the relationship between Kyle and Raymond. Raymond has no children, and Kyle's father is one that expects him to live a 9-to-5 life, something that Kyle is completely opposed to. Throughout the story, the two find themselves being brought together more and more, but at the same time they find themselves drifting away from their friends as they spend more time working on building up their criminal empire.

 

 

I'm still debating whether or not to include a bit of Raymond's flashbacks throughout Kyle's journey through Speedway and Surge County. I want to include them like that as it builds up to Raymond's inclusion gradually, rather than having him simply appear out of nowhere. It also keeps the reader from not following Kyle the entire time. It could be a nice refresher. Of course, I could also put Raymond's appearance closer than Kyle's arrival at Midway, but during Kyle's adventures in Surge County. That would put a better gradual lead-up to Raymond, but also make Raymond once again involved in the criminal underworld by the time he meets Kyle, making the meeting more likely to happen.

[Tyla]

Oh, I totally agree with you. For me it wasn't so much the lack of father/son relationship between Franklin and Michael, but the lack of any logical reason why Franklin would all of a sudden be massively loyal to Michael or foster any sort of friendship with him. They basically pulled a heist and next thing, Frank is helping Michael with the FIB. And even that stretched out to shoehorn Franklin into the government missions. If you were Norton and Haines, would you go for some unproven gangbanger or someone like Eddie Toh? If you can accomplish a build up of the relationship between Kyle and Raymond, you're already one step ahead of GTAV in my book. You'll do even better if they interact at some stages with their existing lives, something else I thought lacked between Michael and Franklin. Either way you go, I think you're doing a fantastic job.

 

 

I'm enjoying Kyle enough for you to put off introducing Raymond and his flashbacks, but it's up to you man.

[shaymin88]

Is this still being worked on? It seems like its been a while since something has been done on this topic...

[MythicalCreature]

I'm afraid not. Claud posted this some three months back on the Creators' Lounge:

 

Hey, guys. I want to give you all some information regarding the state of Gray Valley.

 

I've been getting increasingly more busy with real life events, mainly theatre and school, since Gray Valley's inception. The result of this was a slowing down of progress for Gray Valley, but I kept my expectations high. Eventually, I got to the point where I could no longer find the time to work on Gray Valley and lost inspiration. It's going to be very difficult for me to continue work on Gray Valley, so I've regrettably decided to cease development on the concept. It pains me to do so, but I simply cannot attempt to burden myself with Gray Valley along with other things. I want to send an appreciating thank you to all of those that helped with with the concept, no matter how much. All of the help improved it. Creating Gray Valley gave me a welcome opportunity to improve my writing skills in a way that I accepted easier than other mediums.

 

However, while I will eventually leave these forums, I want to at least post one concept that has been bouncing around in the back of my brain for some time. It will not be a bare bones concept, I can assure you that. It will be fully fleshed out, just as I intended Gray Valley to be. I most likely have time for missions and other details that I never gave Gray Valley, mainly radio stations, but it will complete. I will give you more information as I develop it more.

Edited June 4, 2016 by MythicalCreature

[shaymin88]

Well, that's a shame. Guess all good things have to come to an end.