Concept LIGHT & SHADOW [2022]

[Retro_Causality]

did you ever add the Irving Belfort bio?

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Retro_Causality said:

did you ever add the Irving Belfort bio?

Soon along with other blank characters here, still working on it.

 

Irving Belfort is not my creation, tbh, it's a collaboration between me and Raniero R of the GTAFanon Wiki. He's the one making Irving. Irving is meant to be this scummy stock broker, but Raniero plans to rewrite his character a bit. He's been inactive for awhile and I'm unable to contact him. It's fairer to see what Raniero is planning for first before I put on Irving's bio

 

Tijs Bergling is also another Raniero's creations. I see both characters to be built perfectly for L&S, so I asked him for collab and he greenlighted it.

 

Good to see you here, Retro. Enjoy the rest of the contents in the meantime. Who's your favorite characters/stuffs so far?

[Retro_Causality]

2 hours ago, wise_man said:

Soon along with other blank characters here, still working on it.

 

Irving Belfort is not my creation, tbh, it's a collaboration between me and Raniero R of the GTAFanon Wiki. He's the one making Irving. Irving is meant to be this scummy stock broker, but Raniero plans to rewrite his character a bit. He's been inactive for awhile and I'm unable to contact him. It's fairer to see what Raniero is planning for first before I put on Irving's bio

 

Tijs Bergling is also another Raniero's creations. I see both characters to be built perfectly for L&S, so I asked him for collab and he greenlighted it.

 

Good to see you here, Retro. Enjoy the rest of the contents in the meantime. Who's your favorite characters/stuffs so far?

Thomas for sure..i like a protagonist based on confidence tricks... a unique concept

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, Retro_Causality said:

Thomas for sure..i like a protagonist based on confidence tricks... a unique concept

I see confidence tricks as a natural progression to explore after Rockstar gave us heist-themed GTA V. First we rob, now we scam. Both are about money and American Dream, but very different in its practice.

 

Vice City is also long associated with the epithet "Deceiving Paradise". The confidence tricks theme takes this very literally and I like it. I originally considered to move the setting to Las Venturas, but it would've been ton of works to restart.

 

Thomas was also considered to be the lone protagonist at one point. But I also want to give justice to the three protagonists system they introduced in GTA V.

 

Michael, Frank, Trevor, all three play the same, only differs in special abilities. Imagine if they have variety of heist approach: Michael as the stealthy/silent and sneaky robber, Franklin as a sweet talker who blends around as civilian, and Trevor as the loud guy who bursts through front door. Here, all three characters represent the same manipulation topic, but each plays differently.

 

I kinda surprise so many of you guys like Thomas too. Back before I still worked on L&S in the wiki, I thought he was the weakest of the trio. Now I also favor him the most, especially because of his development. To any reader out there, feel free to tell me your favorites too. Not just the protagonists, but anything you want.

 

If you like Thomas, you gonna like Darius Wallace from @Akaviri's LC78 . He's also a conman, but from the older days of 70s New York.

[Guest]

 

LIGHT & SHADOW: THE COMPLETE SOUNDTRACK

Featuring 215 music tracks in 13 radio stations 

 

Proud to announce that the soundtrack list for Light & Shadow has been completed. Each station now has 15 or 20 tracks in their playlist. Credit to @kobeni for the suggestions, including the very first reply on this thread. Many of the artists and songs are collected from suggestions from other threads. I'm unable to credit everyone who's indirectly involved in the creation, but thank you so much.

 

Some older tracks are replaced. Evolution has been fully reserved for Progressive/Alt Metal; its Prog Rock tracks have been moved to Bloodsales' Lakeside station awhile back.

 

Based on @The Coconut Kid's idea in his concept, the 14th radio station, Independence, is provided for anyone wanting to contribute their own "Music of Modern Vice City".

 

Playing rules are almost the same: ten-to-thirty tracks per mix, any genre, any format except embedded Youtube videos, and you're allowed to be creative by adding original names, descriptions, and DJs. Songs must be from 2017 or earlier. The mix must be dominantly post-80s, at least seventy percent. Give a room for Tyla's own Independence FM for a full eighties playlist.

 

Kobeni can now come up with the Lofi House and Hyperpop mixes he once recommended here. I'd also like to invite @TheHoover69 who came up with radio ideas in GTA VI subforum, as well as @The Made Man if he wants to make his own hip-hop playlist.

 

Enjoy.

Edited October 19, 2023 by wise_man

[Guest]

NOTE: THIS IS A PIECE OF THE DISCONTINUED OLD STORYLINE

Credit to @Datalvarezguy for the Spanish dialogues.

Opening sequence inspired by a post by @TheOriginalGunslinger
Picture provided by @Tennyzulander

 

PREVIOUSLY:

Tricking Goliath

 

This mission unlocks for Cesar by working with Giancarlo/Walt frequently. You did extra store protections, and you cleaned more of Gianni's dirty laundry. You more often ignored Freddie and others.

 

One brief TexTalk message from Gianni orders Cesar to accompany Valentino this morning. He's seasoned, half-Italian soldier of the Barattieri. Head to the marina near the family’s mansion ini Campanilli Island. Waiting there is Valentino, a heavy black leather suitcase in hand, and a berthed white-pink Tropic.

 

Valentino scrubs his thin beard, “You must be Cesar.”

 

The two shake hands.

 

“Gianni must have introduced me, Valentino, just reminding.”

 

Valentino gets in the boat, sitting next to the driver seat and placing the suitcase on his lap.

 

 

“I drive?” Cesar asks shortly.

 

Valentino pats at the suitcase on his lap, “You see, I’m babysitting this.”

 

“What’s inside?”

 

“Twenty-four carat bricks and watches, make sense?”

 

“For real?”

 

Valentino doesn’t welcome the confusion. His impatience is showing, firmly saying “Just take our asses to Vizcaya.”

 

Jumping in and turning on the engine, you’re instructed to head to Vizcaya Island. South from Campanilli.

 

The motor roars, but not loud enough to shroud the radio broadcast should you tune it in. Russ Ballard’s “Voices” of Golden Ages plays defaultly. Enjoy the enticing landscape. Bright blue sky. Lapis ocean. Bustling Vice Beach on left. Mainland’s skyscrapers and industrial Viceport with parked cruise ships on right. Yachts, sailboats, speedboats, and tourists try flyboarding around your route in Vizcaino Bay.

 

Eyes on those sceneries, ears on the music, heart on feeling that life is good.

 

Cesar lived in Vice City for his whole 33 years. He never left, he had blazed around, but he never set foot on this enclosed island.

 

He only knows it as the most sumptuous living when every ground in Vice is already expensive.

 

“My very first trip going there,” Cesar speaks up.

 

“Ha, that place is super exclusive VIP utopia. For island rats. Not for us,” Valentino dryly jokes.

 

Cesar remembers he’s missing something.

 

“Who’s we visiting?”

 

Valentino’s a bit baffled, “No words from Gianni?

 

“His message only told me to meet you,” Cesar admits.

 

“El Solucionador, ring a bell?”

 

Cesar knows, “I always see that super lawyer’s clowney face on headline news. My colleagues told me he’s unbearable.”

 

“Never meet him in person I see,” Valentino grins, “Lucky you. We’re here because he’ll be our hero.”

 

“What’s the quarrel anyway?” Cesar throws another question.

 

“It’s not Gianni’s. It’s the Tocobaga council’s.”

 

Tocobaga, west of Vice City, is Barattieri’s birthplace. Since the family’s been dependent on the five families, mass-media news from there are infrequent to be found.

 

He grumbles, “Thought they were history these whole times.”

 

“I went there in 2006,” Valentino reminisces, “They had a homey, beachside resto for gathering, but I heard they shut it down after poor reviews and police raids. We also got small families everywhere around the state. Casa Verde, Pozzuoli, Port Gelhorn… problem is we can’t have picnic in Quincy’s Funland because the FIB hates fun.”

 

Cesar pleasantly surprises, “You guys actually still that big of a family?”

 

“More like an union of mass divorcees."

 

Valentino pauses for a moment. The boat passes Ventura Key's lifeless beach. They're halfway.

 

"Back to topic, Cesar. So we have this humongous empty land in Mortenson County near Tocobaga. Don’t know what they gonna build there but they have plans. We have the legal deed of trust, everything is set until this out-of-nowhere scrooge from Albania, Mr. Neziri, fakes everything and accuses us of land grabbing.”

 

“Why would a random European walk that far?”

 

“He’s not an average joe. Neziri had a land empire stolen from cabbage farmers in Balkan. He was exiled here last year to a typical mansion in Vinewood, and the officials gave him a green card and pretended he's a saint. It’s crystal clear he’s resetting.”

 

"And he drags you guys to the court… That's what Thiago is for. Did he care about his clients and not Alps watches only? You have faith?”

 

Cesar remains dubious.

 

“Everyone in the city are his believers. You know he's Don Valerio's frontmost soldier? Of all people, the king of this city knighted him!"

 

"Never heard that."

 

Valentino pouts, "Of course. News outlets like Vice New Wave don't have balls to report the truthful facts."

 

“I mean he bathes gold in his tub, and all you guys do now is fuel his weird fetish.”

 

“It’s Vizcaino. He ain’t the freakiest."

 

                                                      

 

No causeway nor tunnel connecting Vizcaino with the rest of Vice City. To imagine it as a representation of their detachment from the city's reality isn't far-fetched.

 

Vizcaino offers everything elusive. Private yacht clubs and helipads. Thick Mediterranean tasted hotels and residentials. Green tennis court and "do not walk on the grass" signs all over the park. People are jogging, cycling, and riding Caddy to move around. Motor vehicles are banned, nobody wants polluted air.

 

Fresh off the boat, Cesar and Valentino get to the Castello, how people here say 'condos', where Thiago awaits.

 

They find the room on the fifth floor. A dark wood plaque decorates the door: Alarcón & Co.

 

Standing in front, Valentino presses the bell.

 

Ring, ring.

 

It takes only a millisecond, a rough, manly Afro accent asks from behind the door, “Who’s there?”

 

Has to be Thiago’s security.

 

“Gianni’s delivery,” Valentino answers, “and the bulldog.”

 

Cesar stares at his companion in confusion.

 

Valentino keeps his poker face.

 

“Your new nickname.”

 

The security, a towering brute, opens the door.

 

He politely instructs, “Mr. Alarcon has expected you two.”

 

Cesar and Valentino follow him. What greets them is the ornate living room. Clean view of the Atlantic Ocean in the windows. The white wall is painted with framed certificates and photographs of Thiago with numerous people: clients and partners. Proudly display the man's starry career and network.

 

Cesar looks at the photos. Many of whom are unrecognizable, save for narcotics division chief Lawrence Ford, Liberty's politician Thomas Stubbs… and Valerio. Valentino's right.

 

Meanwhile, the formally-dressed genius himself sits at his desk.

 

“Hello everyone."

 

Thiago welcomes them with a smug smile. He then points his index finger at the suitcase held by Valentino.

 

He orders, "The goodies first.”

 

 

“Exact value as you wished," Valentino confirms.

 

“Let me crosscheck."

 

Thiago stands up and collects the payment. He carefully places the briefcase to the desk. It is locked behind a number lock.

 

Before he impatiently asks, Valentino reveals the code, "3-3-7".

 

Thiago doesn't thank.

 

The suitcase opens to unveil Thiago's new treasure. As Valentino said, gold bricks and watches.

 

Thiago smiles wickedly.

 

“Gorgeous,” he remarks, “I already have this gold Chronosphere, but fine.”

 

It's only a short inspection. He closes the suitcase and calls his assistant.

 

“Morena!”

 

“One second!" a female’s voice shouts back from the other room.

 

Thiago ignores the assistant for a second. He glances back, now right at Cesar's eyesight. He speaks up.

 

“Ah, you gotta be the bulldog Gianni spoke about."

 

“He called me that?”

 

“I’ve heard how you bark, I am convinced that you and I can double the trouble,” Thiago chuckles, “Ambos sangramos ese viejo espíritu latino, no es verdad?”

We two bleed that good old Latino’s spirit, don't we?

 

Cesar's face remains unimpressed.

 

A woman in all-white and tied brown hair walks in. Has to be Morena, Thiago's assistant.

 

“Si, señor?” She asks politely.

Yes, mister?

 

Thiago hands her the suitcase. Obviously heavy, but she’s seemingly able to carry it alone.

 

“Lo de siempre. Mételo en la caja fuerte. Limpia los relojes y añádelos a la colección privada en mi cuarto, ¿vale?” Thiago orders.

The usual. Put 'em’ in the safe. Wipe the watches clean and place them in my room’s private collection display, okay.

 

Morena quickly responds.

 

“Entendido.”

Understood.

 

Morena and the suitcase leave the scene.

 

Payment done. Time for the talks.

 

“Asi que, para que estoy acá?” Cesar asks.

So what am I here for?

 

Thiago leans against the desk, “I already said it. You are now my mini El Solucionador. Let's remedy the Neziri’s matters together.”

 

His language is overly extroverted. Cesar now sympathizes with his friends who say he’s annoying as hell. 

 

Cesar guesses, "Oh, I will whack that Albanian thief, right?"

 

“Not exactly him… but I like taking easiest solutions, even if it’s cheating,” Thiago affirms, “That’s the tips from my very best teacher, John Weigant.”

 

“Weigand? You mean Gabriel Moliner’s trial in 90s?”

 

“Ding dong. That client of his runs our largest annual boat races now instead of locked up 214 years in a supermax. They don’t care if this c*nt been peddling 99 tons of coke anymore. Also he rescued Jon Gravelli twice in the same decade. Point is, he’s a badass, and that’s what I wanna dream of and look at me now.”

 

Valentino interrupts, reminding the two, “We’re detracting far here.”

 

Thiago smiles wryly.

 

“People like my motivational story. Don’t bring him next time and we’ll talk more closely.”

 

Thiago sits down on his desk, “Anyway, we won’t shoot Neziri in his heart. He’s well-protected by our police and by the Gruppe Sechs securities he’s subscribed to. Who’s my opponent?”

 

Valentino informs, “He had picked Esteban Vargas.”

 

Thiago slaps his palms on his face.

 

“Goddamn, did he realize he’s the worst ministry of defense to pick? I was schooled in the same law school as this douchebag. He represents our city’s overrated rappers and influencers, rarely criminals, but he’s filthy, stinks, uttermost degenerate, an opposite of mine.”

 

Cesar asks, “So that’s the guy I have to whack? The strategy?”

 

Valentino chimes in, “Break his office. Works nine out of ten times.”

 

Thiago has another idea.

 

“I’ll be a little more creative now. Vargas always cruises around with white car and chauffeur. His nasty fingers are too nervous on the steering wheel. Drive him fast and furious till he begs and agrees to let Neziri down.”

 

“You cool with it?”

 

Thiago adjusts glasses; smirking, “Only in Vice City. Bad driving is always tolerated.”

 

 

Enough briefing, Cesar and Valentino prepare to leave. Thiago hands a small paper with his numbers to Cesar and adds.

 

“Message me when it’s done. His firm is in Avant-Garde, he’s normally there this noon if not wandering in clubs or Downtown.”

 

                                                      

 

Cesar carries the job alone.

 

Valentino has other family’s priority, but he takes turns with the Tropico now. You can order him to stop back in Campanilli, or somewhere else in the mainland.

 

Arriving back in the city, your new objective is to Track down Vargas. His said office is marked on your map. The sun’s still high above your head, good chance he’ll be there.

 

The blip takes you to a small, tidy store-like building that’s been repurposed as Vargas’ firm. Right outside is a parked white Gallivanter Catalyst.

 

Inside is a modish-looking driver.

 

Observe from across the street, his facial expression shows a contrast. He’s unhappy, bored, obviously stressed from the job.

 

You can silence and hijack the car, or sweet-talk.

 

The latter is not Cesar’s nature, but it’s interesting to learn.

 

[Hijack]

[Deceive]

 

Cesar approaches the car.

 

“Hey,” Cesar greets, “El Señor Vargas tiene noticias para vos.”

Mr. Vargas has news for you.

 

“¿Disculpa?”

Excuse me?

 

“Soy Martín, tu sustituto. Solo por hoy.”

I’m Martin, your substitute. Today only.

 

“¿Y por qué me daría el patrón/el jefe un descanso? Me daría una colleja si me pillase meando fuera.”

Why would boss give me a break? He’d smack me if I caught stepping out for peeing.

 

“Regalo sorpesa. Has sido de fiar ya mucho tiempo, se le ha ocurrido una recompensa. Nada de bonus ni pagas extra, solo un diita/dia pa' descansar. Yo conduzco por ti hoy.”

It’s a surprise gift. You’re so reliable for long, he thinks of a reward lately. Not tip, not bonus, just a short day off today. I’ll drive for rest of day.

 

A bit of suspicion is still lingering in the driver’s mind.

 

He reaches his phone and about to ask Vargas. Cesar stops him.

 

“No hace falta llamarle, ya sabe que estoy acá.”

No need to call him, he already knows I’m here.

 

“Pero, ¿vas en serio?”

But, is it true?

 

Cesar gets mildly annoyed.

 

“Tengo pinta de que estoy de coña? Vete ya y dejame currar.”

Am I a joker? Just get out and leave it to me.

 

It is intense for a few seconds, but the driver then gratefully surrenders.

 

The driver confesses, “Joder, tio. Nunca pensé que tenía corazón..”

Damn, man. Never thought he’s goodhearted.

 

“Siempre mira al lado positivo, okay?”

Always see the positive in a man, okay.

 

The driver gives Cesar the car key before walking away.

 

He’s in full control now.

 

“That was close.”

 

From the firm office, a large figure in a chain necklace emerges. He immediately jumps his ass into the backseat without checking who’s driving. The mark, Esteban Vargas.

 

 

Sweats in his face and neck.

 

“Ah!”

 

Vargas lets out a heavy sigh. He leans back..

 

“Cualquier puticlub,” he orders.

Any strip club.

 

He places his arms behind his head, relaxing himself, “Que mierda de bochorno hoy, mi posadera necesita un descanso.”

What a sh*tty hot day, today, my lap needs a rest.

 

Cesar answers boldly.

 

“Si, Patrón.”

Yes, boss.

 

At the same time, he activates the lock button, closing all doors to prevent the mark from escaping. It’s too late when Vargas wakes the f*ck up. 

 

“Tu no eres Pablo.” Vargas growls, “¿Qué putas haces en mi carro?”

You’re not Pablo / The f*ck are you doing in my car?

 

“Es su diita libre.”

It’s his day off.

 

 

Shift the clutch and hit the gas. Before Vargas reacts further, he’s bounced back to his seat. His heart rapidly beating, he’s angry and afraid. Cesar keeps his composure.

 

The gameplay returns to you, now driving at high speed along Avant-Garde streets.

 

Intimidate Vargas by driving erratically

 

A homage to Mr. Richards mission but no chopper.

 

Remember that driving as Cesar is more challenging. Even if you crash often, though, you can persuade him, but don’t waste him nor the car.

 

Vargas screams his lungs out, “Hey, hey, hey dejame ir, robacaras!”

Ey, ey, let me out you face stealer!

 

Cesar’s still being serious, “Not until we finish our business.”

 

“The business is sucking my dick!”

 

If he refuses to comply, drive out of Avant-Garde to the east. Vizcaya Boulevard provides a larger ground to experiment. Drive against the opposite traffic for bonus scare boosts.

 

Be careful of reckless drivers that Tequesta, especially Vice City, is known for. Luckily not everyone will turn left out-of-blue.

 

“The hell you want?! Keep your f*ck*ng eyeballs on the road!”

 

“Your business with Mr. Neziri. You hear me?!”

 

“Yeah! He visited me last Tuesday morning! How-”

 

“And you know his problem, right?”

 

“Just tell me what you want!” Vargas demands rudely.

 

Cesar hisses, “I’m asking politely. Alright then.”

 

Take the Catalyst further south. Pass through the looming towers and construction sites of Paramount and Downtown. Traffic’s intensity you deal with gradually increases.

 

 

While all this going on, Cesar explains the request to Vargas: be an incompetent jerk in the courtroom and disappoint his Albanian client. He figures out that Cesar is doing Thiago’s deeds. Now he looks more pressured.

 

Cesar bullies the mark further.

 

“Blah-blah, I don’t care about your public image. I ain’t stopping until you say yes.”

 

★★

 

Sirens can be heard behind them. You’ve just gained two wanted stars with two VCPD cruisers chasing and demanding you to pull out through their megaphone.

 

“Sh*t!” Cesar swears.

 

Vargas now laughs mockingly.

 

“At least we’ll be cuffed outta here together!” 

 

“You’ll see.”

 

Hightail the cop by leaving the busy Downtown area. Continual driving along the Vizcaya Blvd will attract additional police pursuers. Take the route west to Broadway, through the smaller and less congested roads. As you lose them, drive normally, don’t return east.

 

The stars blink slowly; the police are searching. Use the minimap to avoid their sight. The cones in their blip indicate where they’re looking at.

 

Stop somewhere hidden for few seconds and the stars turn gray. They’re no longer after your tail, but they still have identified the wanted vehicle.

 

Meanwhile, Vargas is panting. His large arms surprise Cesar by trying to grapple his neck from behind. He scratches the nails of his right hand to Cesar’s cheek, leaving a slightly bloody wound.

 

“Got you now!”

 

Keep tapping (TRIANGLE) to escape

 

Cesar releases Vargas’ arms…

 

Tap (O) to counter

 

… and turns around, delivering his fist at Vargas’ ugly face. He’s thrown back to his seat the second time.

 

“Where’s the good boy at?!” Cesar glares.

 

Vargas, after underestimating Cesar for his shorter size, is terrified completely.

 

“Piss off!” Vargas curses nervously.

 

“I’ll come up with a double-barrel down your throat next time we meet!”

 

“Okay, okay, I got the memo.”

 

With that being said, Cesar walks out the car and slams shut the door. The car key remains intact. He squawks.

 

“Go drive yourself!”

 

Sparing Vargas and the Catalyst behind, he opens up his phone and sends two words to Thiago’s number.

 

/ It’s done /

 

Sent.

 

 

                                                      

 

An hour later.

 

Cesar’s back at his home in Verona Shores. He lives alone. His 60-years-old father and mother are retiring in the countryside near Lake Mayacco up north. His sister takes care of them.

 

They don’t know he’s unemployed by the VCPD. He doesn’t bother to be honest anyway.

 

After hanging his prussian blue suit jacket in the living room’s hatstand, Cesar heads to the bathroom. He turns on the sink, washes his face, and checks out the scar from Vargas through the mirror.

 

A photograph of a woman, once his fiancée, is glued on the top right corner.

 

Ring. Ring.

 

The front door’s bell is ringing. Cesar looks back.

 

“You’re home? It’s Fred.”

 

A familiar voice of a friend.

 

Leaving the bathroom, he walks to open the door. As expected, Fred in a dark suit and tie. Fancy.

 

 

“Why so sudden?”

 

Cesar then notices a bouquet of white lilies in Freddie’s hand.

 

“We might be homie, but I’m not gay.”

 

“That flamboyant shirt will do,” Freddie pokes at Cesar’s looks, “Seriously, you messed up.” 

 

Cesar caresses his scar.

 

“Tough day.”

 

“Still laboring for that drunkard? his depressed bros? You’re not losing control as usual when far from me, aren’t you?”

 

Cesar shakes his head.

 

“Calm down, I’m still holding back. Gianni brought me to Thiago today and looks like I’m his servant now.”

 

“Oh that infuriating prick. What’s next?”

 

“You don’t get the basic sh*t? I can get a guardian angel now.”

 

“Even without him we’re fine. You the one who overthinks. By the way, I have deleted some old files. We’re safer. The Agency is too busy scrutinizing those spendthrift lads' shopping lists.”

 

“And Claude?”

 

“He cares more about his whatever Haitian community branding sh*t is. He is… fine. At least you acknowledge that he covered up your record and lied.”

 

Cesar raises his voice.

 

“I know he won’t let his reps tainted by us, alright!”

 

Freddie gulps.

 

“I have a date tonight, but I come here to say something else.”

 

Cesar crosses his arm, “Yes?”

 

“Vigo.”

 

“Sup with him?”

 

“He’s a bit sus pain in the ass lately, right after taking Marlon to hospital. We rarely met, but… he’s different, he did better and better a salesman with bricks from the locker.”

 

“Well, that’s good he’s maturing. More money in our pocket.”

 

“I’m not that optimistic. Feel like Marlon is the loud brainless motherf*cker, and Vigo goes from the clown to... the silent killer, waiting us in the dark.”

 

“Whatever, I’ll check.”

 

NEXT:

Haitian Hospitality

Edited February 17 by One of Wisemen
Fixing broken links

[Guest]

I almost forgot to edit out the translation, it's done now, please refresh the thread 

[Datalvarezguy]

On 10/24/2023 at 3:23 PM, wise_man said:

I almost forgot to edit out the translation, it's done now, please refresh the thread 

aw man you left both versions of the Spanish?

well, i guess it works. I sent ya both more on the line to pick one but that's literally the only thing off. Great chappy, could picture it real easy in my head.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Datalvarezguy said:

aw man you left both versions of the Spanish?

Back when I hit the "submit reply" button for the mission post, I realize I haven't formatted the Spanish translation correctly (non-English dialogues should've been like in this post or in your HLTC story too). It looked awful and hard to differentiate.

 

I send the follow-up post just in case there's a quick lurker, who attempt to read the mission before I completed revising it 

[Guest]

The GTAFanon community is moving out from Fandom to Miraheze. Figure out why.

 

It will take time for me to get used with the new wiki host, and to tidy up pages/articles there. In the meantime, I will gradually import exclusive wiki contents to this thread for archival and convenience purposes. Starting from re-arranging some posts to make room for dedicated Vehicle and Weapon lists.

 

[Krymefull]

48 minutes ago, wise_man said:

The GTAFanon community is moving out from Fandom to Miraheze. Figure out why.

 

It will take time for me to get used with the new wiki host, and to tidy up pages/articles there. In the meantime, I will gradually import exclusive wiki contents to this thread for archival and convenience purposes.

Sorry if I am going off topic here, but honestly I wish the whole GTA Wiki moves to another wiki hosting site. Fandom is literally hot garbage dumpster fire joke wiki site right now. And a lot of wikis are resigning from Fandom to other ad-free/user-friendly wiki hosting sites. Even if Fandom wasn't bombbarting you with slopllion ads and questionable site decisions, the layout and structure of the site is just isn't good. It looks so corporate and it doesn't fit the style of any wiki no matter how many workarounds they try to work with it.

[Akaviri]

Thought I wouldn't notice your weapons section suddenly looking a lot sexier?

[Guest]

It's GTA VI trailer day! What are your first impressions?

 

 

I'm pretty satisfied so far. So much to unpack. Vice City is more lively, crowded, and colorful than what I ever thought before. I personally prefer a more serious crime-driven story, if that's how we describe GTA IV, like what Light & Shadow attempt to express. However, I really like how Rockstar seems to not hold back in portraying Leonida as this wildlands, natural habit of Florida Men and alligators. It's straight-up Spring Breakers. It's accurate to what I've learned about Miami and surrounding.

 

We don't know much of the story, but will this be the first time we have an opening prison chapter? Like in LC78 concept? I gotta confess I like Lucia more now lol, and love Jason's new look, ice-cold like Niko. He'll be a handsome brat in a fine suit.

 

As I said, coupe of names will eventually be borrowed by L&S from the official GTA VI, including names of regions, neighborhoods, streets, buildings, brands, and vehicles. Maybe gangs and characters too.

 

Anyway, cheers.

[Akaviri]

I was also surprised to see a detailed prison sequence. I imagine it could be like LC78, hopefully a few interesting missions from within the prison walls. Glad to see Rockstar is still profiting off of our intellectual property here on GTAF. (Just kidding. Kinda)

 

Others have pointed out Lucia wearing an ankle bracelet, which I assume means we start out as a fresh parolee. That is also a super clever way to restrict zone access during early game.

 

I was really expecting Jason to be the convict and Lucia some sort of ex-law enforcement. Maybe she is, and served time for being on the take.

 

For the sake of speculation, how do we expect these two to meet? I doubt it's a coed prison. Maybe they meet doing community service.

 

Anyways it should be exciting to merge your body of work with the new canon of Vice City.

[JE77]

I got a quick question, why is Maria Vinogradova a blue-eyed blonde?

[LowTierDude]

1 hour ago, JE77 said:

Maria Vinogradova a blue-eyed blonde

Shes russian

[Guest]

1 hour ago, JE77 said:

I got a quick question, why is Maria Vinogradova a blue-eyed blonde?

It's simply because of the chosen actress. I want someone whose looks give sense of friendliness, sexuality, and ambiguity at the same time. Ms. Bortich has it for me.

 

And I want a real Russian to play a Russian character. Enough of Hollywood butchering the slavic accent.

Edited December 11, 2023 by wise_man

[JE77]

That makes sense.  I just getting tired of blondes getting most of all the good roles.  I do like that you pick a real Russian to play a Russian character. Thank you for the answer. 

Edited December 11, 2023 by JE77

[Fearfull]

Concepts and fictions other than US citizens in the GTA series interest me more just like the abundance of characters from the Balkan countries or the Slavic race in GTA IV.

[SM-W]

Kinda feel bad because this has very little to do with your concept, but since you asked:

 

On 12/5/2023 at 1:06 AM, wise_man said:

It's GTA VI trailer day! What are your first impressions?

 

I'm pretty satisfied so far. So much to unpack. Vice City is more lively, crowded, and colorful than what I ever thought before. I personally prefer a more serious crime-driven story, if that's how we describe GTA IV, like what Light & Shadow attempt to express. However, I really like how Rockstar seems to not hold back in portraying Leonida as this wildlands, natural habit of Florida Men and alligators. It's straight-up Spring Breakers. It's accurate to what I've learned about Miami and surrounding.

 

We don't know much of the story, but will this be the first time we have an opening prison chapter? Like in LC78 concept? I gotta confess I like Lucia more now lol, and love Jason's new look, ice-cold like Niko. He'll be a handsome brat in a fine suit.

 

As I said, coupe of names will eventually be borrowed by L&S from the official GTA VI, including names of regions, neighborhoods, streets, buildings, brands, and vehicles. Maybe gangs and characters too.

 

Anyway, cheers.

I'm honestly very cynical towards it. Of course, I've been exceptionally cynical about it ever since it showed modern Florida, because I'm just not interested in Rockstar's take on this place in this time period, so some of it is just my own personal bias. (Which this will be the 3rd time in a row we've had a modern GTA. It's been 19 years since the last mainline game (San Andreas) and 17 years since the last game in the series (VCS) that we got a game not set in the present day.) At least you seem to have avoided that altogether by focusing on the twist of completely unique, charisma-focused gameplay.

 

If I had to say something good, it's that I appreciated they used a Tom Petty track (and had a "Petty Forever" sticker on the door in the final scene of the trailer) because he's a Florida native. That was a nice touch. I also kinda liked how, when the massive gator is moseying into the store, most people outside are pretty indifferent and the people in the store are only kinda surprised by it. Gators are one of those things where they're a big deal to people to people outside of "The Gator Belt" of the USA, but if you live where they're numerous, they're basically just, "...Oh, yeah, they're a thing 'round here, they basically live in every puddle, no biggie." Just give em a wide berth and they pretty much leave you alone. Your dog is in far more danger than you; gators love dogs as food, so don't walk 'em near any kind of pond. A big'un like the one in the video would definitely provoke a much more shocked response than one of an average size (yeah, I'd definitely be trying to find a way to calmly GTFO of there), but I would more far more terrified of a bear. (And yes, I've had a couple run ins with those.)

 

But aside from that .... well, I dunno. (Again, fair warning, I'm definitely biased against GTA6 - especially due to "the Jay Norris Rant" from the leaks, but these are my thoughts.)

From what's shown in the trailer, they're definitely going for the meme version of the place, versus a more "authentic" feeling version where those incidents are the peaks, and overall there's just this general low-boiling, naturally oppressive sensation (which has nothing to do with politics, btw, and is more "the very soul of the land itself wants to break you") emanating from the world that edges you towards being the worst version of yourself, and the peaks are kind of like the world opening a relief valve. It makes me hope they just stick to South FL and avoid the other parts of the state, because I can tell they're not really prepared to make a real parody of the place versus just a "playable version of the r/FloridaMan reddit board " with about as much depth.

Spoiler

To put it into perspective, it's like a parody of Australia that's "G'day Bruce, nice cork hat ya got there, ready for anatha shrimp on tha barbie before we go foight a Kangaroo on our way to the town of Koomagaboolie?" versus something like Damo and Darren. They're both parodies, but one is very obvious (and overplayed) and doesn't really require much thinking or talent to throw together ... and the other feels very down-to-earth, intimate and like something you'd probably see on an average day in a sh*tty part of an Australian town.

 

 

Also, I definitely, completely do not like the new Jason. Yeah, you can always say I'm biased because I saw what he looked like in the leaks and therefore it has affected my preconceived ideas or whatever, but even if the leaks hadn't happened, I'd still say the same thing: "Why does he look like a shaved Arthur Morgan but with a high nose bridge?" But because I did see the leaks, I can now add that Skinny Redneck Jason was way more unique, and there was still plenty of room for customization with him.

I also think the relationship between him and Lucia would have been more interesting, because they would "represent" the two different sides of South Florida: She the big city, low-income barrio-living latina girl, and he the backwoods, low-income trailer park living white guy. Both of whom are far more comfortable in their respective worlds and the kinds of people who live in them, and uncomfortable in the world their lover is most accustomed to. I think it would have also added more interesting dynamics between them, including having the more unsavory members of their respective communities, on both sides, looking down on the other and referring to them with cynicism (and sometimes even derogatory descriptors of their lover), but their commonalities in spite of their lifestyle differences, preferences and fiery personalities just brings them together in spite of the elements that surround them. Two very f*cked up humans (who should probably hate each other) brought together by their life circumstances, with little remorse and little left to live for, finding a special connection between them as they drive to rise above their situation in the worst way possible.

 

 

But instead, Jason here is just ........ a guy.

Spoiler

(Yes, I'm disappointed he doesn't have a southern twang/drawl, and got to be the first main character southerner in the series, even if Rockstar doesn't really have the cojones to portray it right)

And Lucia doesn't seem like she has much fire in her soul, either (ironic, considering Latinas can definitely be some hot-headed bitches LMAO.) So yeah, first impressions are that they both seem like pretty lukewarm humans, and It's not exactly rocking me in my pantaloons. Especially since there's a 100,000,000% chance there's going to be the classic love story "2nd act conflict that drives the two lovers apart before the 3rd act where they come back together" cliche/trope, if only so you get the part where both playable characters are living separate lives. I love obvious plot developments.

 

And finally, this may be nitpicky but ... I'm really not feeling "Leonida" as a state name. Yeah yeah, it's named after Ponce de Leon, but "Leonida" just makes me think of King Leonidas of Sparta, and the "-ida" suffix doesn't really fit on Leon (being feminine under Spanish gender rules) and he would have never called it that had he named the territory after himself. Call it bitching, but I think they could have gone with a better name.

 

 

 

Anyway, when trailer two comes out, I at least hope to see:

• More sabal palmettos
• Sandhill cranes blocking an entire street of traffic as they mosey on through (those f*ckers really are something else, lol)
• A Publix
• Some scenes that shows that we're gonna be fighting some of the most unhinged traffic in the driving world (LMAO)

In the end, though, my final verdict of the game will really come down to one thing: Whether Rockstar recognizes what the actual most horrible, disgusting and foul invasive species to the state is...

Spoiler

New Yorkers.

It's a nemesis relationship as old as time.

Edited December 26, 2023 by SM-W

[Guest]

Last update before 2024?

 

Been updating the introduction and protagonists' descriptions. And couple of character and gang infos (see spoiler below), with stuffs inspired by the GTA VI trailer.

 

Spoiler

Character: Kirill Zverov

American-born Russian with a made-up Russian name. Unable to speak Russian. Never set foot in Russia. Was the first to roll the red carpet for Nikolai in Riviera, now a second-in-command hierarchy-wise. He’s concerned about the oligarchs’ puppetry and its impact on the organization’s internal solidarity. Pragmatic to the southern hemisphere, and very much into superstitions, his apartment skips the 4th and 13th floor numbers.

 

Character: Rebecca Dumont PARTNER

Among Viktor’s most complicated sugars. Youthful Canadian deceived by a modeling vacancy, coerced into signing a contract in unreadable cyrillic. She wishes to be free and headstrong like Maria, but too stubborn to pull the trigger as of now. Depressively faithless, been converting between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam but unable to locate God’s revelation.

 

Character: 'Don Valerio' Reyes

The name says all, all hail the king of the city. Not an easy path for him to be above everyone. He was adrift on a fishing vessel during the Mariel boatlift. He felt the disheartening treatment in downtown’s tent city while selling cokes. He inspired prisoners of USP Argonaut to protest. He returned to Vice City with respect and honor from the Cubans. He became the founding and current ‘don’ of the Reyes Crime Family, a Cuban organized crime heavily influenced by his love of Cosa Nostra cultures and histories. Despite his age and inability to walk without a cane, Valerio’s still rotten to the core, never once wanting to lose his grasp over Vice City’s kingdom. He’s a sadistic, yet environmentalist gangster; he pets alligators in a top-secret Evergreen’s private wildlife preserve, used for corpses disposal, punishment, and torture.

 

Gang: Rednecks

The very root of Tequesta’s face on the digital world. They are loosely-tied lawless bandits, mud swimmers, and Southern cowboys. Commonly found around rural Evergreen; often hiding around ugly-looking ruins, trailer parks, and farmhouses. These locations can be meth labs, once responsible for the collapse of the metropolitan’s cocaine business in late 2000s. Outside they drive in convoy with trucks, off-road bikes, and airboats. Wild battle cries, races, parties, hunting, and smuggling activities. Eccentric styles of living, such as running naked while high, hence the internet dubs them the prototypical Tequesta Men.

 

Gang: Motorcycle Clubs

Three entities roam South Tequesta’s roads. Angels of Death are white supremacists from San Andreas; hanging out in a clubhouse near their disrepaired theme park attraction in St. Vitus Bazaar. The president is against immigrants, expressing his xenophobic view against their main enemies: Los Incendios and Uptown Riders. The Fires are local Hispanic bikers, anti-law and anti-society, residing in Cayo Frontera’s Devlin Street. The Riders are African-American urban riders with stylish sport bikes with a clubhouse in North Vice City.

 

Gang: Barattieri Family | The Commission

Tequesta is a free Italian estate. Tocobaga has its own since 1920s: Barattieri Family. Despite the disturbance of mob hearing and Cuban's revolution, they regained momentum in late 70s by assisting the five families in the Cocaine boom. The senior mobster Sandro Barattieri and Gambetti’s underboss Sammy Bottino made them a force to be reckoned with. But when Sandro died, Bottino persuaded the inner circle to "open the door wide", demoting the family as non-profit mediator for the Commission's self-interest. In Vice City, Barattieri is consulting from a Campanilli's mansion.

 

Gang: Hernán Ruiz

Not a company, but this specific individual deserves a shot. A property conglomerate who nominates himself for the next Vice City’s mayoral election. He wants a city free from slums, tents, and homeless, then turns it into the next Ferrum Canyon. Public outrages and protest signs mean blank to him, as long as he's able to invest in FirstDime crypto project by a Balkan ex-glam queen. Well-connected with SecuroServ, whom he uses as backup plan if he can't win clean.

 

On 12/24/2023 at 7:31 PM, Fearfull said:

Concepts and fictions other than US citizens in the GTA series interest me more just like the abundance of characters from the Balkan countries or the Slavic race in GTA IV.

And I feel like GTA VI will have abundance of Hispanic characters around Lucia, let's see.

 

On 12/26/2023 at 2:15 PM, SM-W said:

Kinda feel bad because this has very little to do with your concept, but since you asked:

I'm apparently thousand miles away more cautiously optimistic 

 

It will eventually feel bittersweet no matter how wonderful GTA VI's story turns out to be. Anyone who has made a Florida concept would probably feel the same too. We've been so attached to the different ideal VC universes we made. As fans, it's difficult to let our lovely imaginations go for the official universe by Rockstar.

 

I do agree with Leonida's name tbh. I prefer more names here like State of Tequesta, Evergreen, and Versace Boulevard (still don't understand why they don't rename Ocean Drive). But c'mon, Leonida ain't that bad.

 

When will your concept come out? Your sentiments on GTA VI are sharp, so I'm genuinely wondered what a perfect GTA-Inspired game for you? How radically different it's gonna be from current GTA? 

[RamsaySaintEternal]

I personally feel It would be better to have Cesar as an actual member of the Cartel rising up the ranks until he's the boss. Honestly a Cartel centered story with us as a drug lord is certainly needed but despite that I do like your concept

Edited January 28, 2024 by RamsaySaintEternal

[Guest]

On 12/3/2023 at 11:44 PM, Akaviri said:

Thought I wouldn't notice your weapons section suddenly looking a lot sexier?

Forgot to mention this weeks ago, but it's finished

 

Many firearms are renamed to match the convention in Bloodsales. Gone are the generic names. Also some new arms: Gusenberg .45; Steyr AUG (the 9mm variant), once cut from original Vice City; and a briefcase gun named after Undercover's Troy. This is a DLC in Obsydian's Carcer concept that features a folding SMG as unique weapon for contract killing. Such a deceptive weapon, I think, so why not include a similar trick here? Call it Donahue Case for now. I may update it later for far suitable name: Trojan Briefcase.

 

6 hours ago, RamsaySaintEternal said:

I personally feel It would be better to have Cesar as an actual member of the Cartel rising up the ranks until he's the boss. Honestly a Cartel centered story with us as a drug lord is certainly needed but despite that I do like your concept

I've been sticking with the third protagonist being in the law side since the conception. You might remember about the cut Andrea gent.

 

I like the thought of playing in the shoes of corrupt cops and feds, tropes we've seen frequently throughout different GTAs. It catches my interest how these bad guys, from Frank Tenpenny to Steve Haines, are able to "control" the protagonists through various coercive techniques. Now with Cesar, you hold that same power and learn from his perspective how to play with it.

 

With L&S, empire-building won't fit well. This artist trio are only interested in making money with their tongue talents and escaping respective problems. If you're looking for that, have you read One Blood?

 

I assume Cesar is your favorite pal, am I right?

[RamsaySaintEternal]

5 hours ago, wise_man said:

Forgot to mention this weeks ago, but it's finished

 

Many firearms are renamed to match the convention in Bloodsales. Gone are the generic names. Also some new arms: Gusenberg .45; Steyr AUG (the 9mm variant), once cut from original Vice City; and a briefcase gun named after Undercover's Troy. This is a DLC in Obsydian's Carcer concept that features a folding SMG as unique weapon for contract killing. Such a deceptive weapon, I think, so why not include a similar trick here? Call it Donahue Case for now. I may update it later for far suitable name: Trojan Briefcase.

 

I've been sticking with the third protagonist being in the law side since the conception. You might remember about the cut Andrea gent.

 

I like the thought of playing in the shoes of corrupt cops and feds, tropes we've seen frequently throughout different GTAs. It catches my interest how these bad guys, from Frank Tenpenny to Steve Haines, are able to "control" the protagonists through various coercive techniques. Now with Cesar, you hold that same power and learn from his perspective how to play with it.

 

With L&S, empire-building won't fit well. This artist trio are only interested in making money with their tongue talents and escaping respective problems. If you're looking for that, have you read One Blood?

 

I assume Cesar is your favorite pal, am I right?

Yeah a corrupt cop protagonist hasn't been done really, Only really as antagonists and that would be an interesting concept for a Protagonist, Although personally I prefer a Gta Protagonist to not have any ties with the law or doing a government's bidding, My view on protagonists helping out the government got kinda tainted cause of Gta V and Online's story. I do really like your concept tho

[Guest]

Another character updates, check out their bios.

• Yusuf Amir
  The Chop Shop Online DLC has surprisingly inspired me to add Jamal (played by Marwan Kenzari). He can be a minor character who organizes the car theft side mission for Thomas. Like this Yusuf version, he's also conservative but alot calmer, his actor speaks that persona.
  The basis for Mistara Tower project is also changed from Elysee to Biscayne Beach Edgewater. Elysee is anachronistic to the timeline, it didn't take shape until 2019. While Biscayne Beach was finished and opened in 2017.
• Irving Easton Belfort
  Raniero's hiatus is long overdue so I decide to craft my vision for Irving Belfort right away. He only said Irving is inspired by Lester's stock assassination missions, so I combine it with his earlier take: the atypical email scammer who makes it to be an arrogant broker. Think of DiCaprio's Jordan Belfort.
  I'm also influenced with William Franklin Miller, a ponzi scheme practioner in late 19th century who made the Franklin Syndicate that "enabled them to manipulate stocks, putting them up or down as they desire". In respect to Raniero, though, I may update the character again when he returns. Regardless, he'll be giving Thomas the market manipulation side mission.
• Manuel Ortega
  Is recasted from Tony Amendola to Lou DIamond Phillips. Make him younger as I plan to feature him again in Bloodsales as a young member of a mixed Latin-Filipino gang. We'll explore his backstory: how he's ended up as a gunrunner.
• Kirill Zverov
  Yes, this guy has blood connection with Madrazo's mistress, Natalia. Now there's been talks that "Zverovna" is a patronym and not a surname. But I personally find it more strange when her father's first name is Zver or "beast".
• Georgiy Tokhtakhunov
  Rounding him up. You can tell I'm inspired by all the Dagestan wrestlers and the Russian slap knockout. Imagine a melee combatant who can one-shot you with a single face slap, how would you react?
• Alejandro Mendoza
  We know cartel's brutal torture techniques in real-life, which is what El Rubio's assistant Alejandro portrays. While Don Valerio is infamous for using alligators, Alejandro is the more sinister "evil doctor" type, utilizing different tools for pain. Partly inspired by the cast of Carcer City Aftermath: cattle prod, bolt pistol, chainsaw, perfectly fit.
• Andrea Genovese
  Moved his ambiguous home city from Brannigan to Bison. I can technically keep it, but since Manuel is also coming from Brannigan, I want to make the world feel larger with other mentioned cities.

There's another things I'd like to share, but it's getting late in my place, so see you later

Edited March 18, 2024 by wise_man

[LowTierDude]

Glad to see this thread still active.

[Guest]

On 3/18/2024 at 10:15 PM, wise_man said:

There's another things I'd like to share, but it's getting late in my place, so see you later

So what's that another thing.

 

Well, sometimes ago, I had a plan to softly-reboot L&S story in a genuine novelization-styled narrative with no gameplay gimmicks. The gameplay elements can instead be presented separately as a walkthrough guide, like in this one example. Feel like I can develop a better flow with this. For the story, read the novel. For the playing experience, see the guide.

 

The story's skeletons will largely be the same, but rearranged. For example, Leandro's arc lasts longer and rewritten slightly. Thomas instead arrives in Vice City with Horacio, who recruits him in Argonaut to assist his start-up down south. Their relationship is like Kyle McClaren and Chucky in Elmore Leonard's Stick. Horacio wants to build an empire and is into business investment, which he lacks the knowledge, and Thomas becomes his adviser. The twist is that Horacio thought that Thomas is a real consultant from Liberty City. Leandro, now act as Horacio's second-in-command discovers Thomas' con and coerces him into a betrayal plan: Leandro wants all the cake himself. Further, Horacio's bodyguard "Puma" can play as Moke's counterpart, a man who connects him with Vice City players like Da Silva family and Broadway Mob.

 

And I think I have figure the perfect main antagonists: opponents who enter the story as the three protagonists unite in a team. The original idea was a character nicknamed The Opportunist, a guy who employed them in a high-risk cons for a personal motivation. Now the idea came from a common pattern in couple of con-themed TV series: White Collar, Deception, and The Mentalist. These series involve a fraudster main character who works with government agencies to solve crimes, like Frank Abagnale at the end of Catch Me If You Can: captured and turned into fraud experts.

 

The antagonists are a pair of griftbusters: Eduardo Del Castillo and Wayne Rhodes. Eduardo is that former con man, willing to redeem himself by consulting with the FIB to take out con artists. Wayne is his slighty younger FIB agent partner inspired by Victor Maher from Hustle's episode "Cops and Robbers". Their success rate is high. They even make bet on who the protagonists gonna con at one time like Jack Latimer.

 

The notion of another government antagonist is not very creative after we get Steve Haines and Dave Norton in GTA V. However, Eduardo and Wayne are pursuers, not blackmailers. The Pinkertons to Thomas, Maria, and Cesar. They exist in response to my criticism on GTA V: why nobody's smart enough to discover the connections between Lester heists? A minisub and a cargobob were stolen in a short-span of time, what does it mean? While the two are handling different fraud cases, they notice a connection made by our con games.

 

Although they're loyal to American's Justice, the ties between Eduardo and Wayne is not as stable as it seems. Wayne is an attention-seeker and has discredited Eduardo from their grift-busting efforts. He makes it to newspapers, Eduardo doesn't despite having a bigger contribution in each case. They're aware of how big a threat the protagonists are, and how rewarding it would be to catch them, but Eduardo has had enough of Wayne.

 

Now why would I reveal the antagonists right of the bat? There's an idea of delivering some concept stories in documentary form ala Mafia III. It inspires me to do... something a bit different. A style like Hitman Trilogy. The story of L&S is told through two perspectives: one where we play as the protagonists and the other which are cutscenes of Eduardo and Wayne's investigations, played before or after certain integral missions.

 

Think of the latter. It can take place in Wayne's office room with messy evidence board. Eduardo and Wayne will discuss about us, coming up with some incorrect details and speculations at first.

 

Hey, it makes an interesting nice cat-and-mouse game presentation. You know you're in danger.

Edited March 31, 2024 by wise_man

[Guest]

The moon, Jason, what does it mean?

It teases another update, after eight months of a different drought.

 

The new story plan can step aside, but what you'd see is its reflection. New ideas, things, and changes. One decision feels radical.

 

If you've checked this thread earlier, you will notice that at one point, I introduced an open-world limitation system. But I decided to revert the decision because it just overcomplicates things.

 

SOUNDTRACK - Presenting a new main theme and a new original score composition. I like the original "Goes to Pluto", but the moment I listened to “Just Jammin'” by Gramatik, I'm convinced it captures the spirit more. C'mon, it is instrumental electro swing. The piano is like a callback to Joplin in The Sting, regarded as one of if not the best confidence man film out there.

 

CONFIDENCE TRICKS - Expanding the game mechanics and tidying up their presentation. Observation mode is renamed as Cold reading, much appropriate for the theme. Pickpocketing (and planting) is now a common ability; but Thomas receives a buff. Short and long con finally get their blueprint. Linked in this section are Youtube clips that will help you visualize the practicality. 

 

DIALOGUE SYSTEM - I've been dreaming for a fine line, between RDR2's simple Greet/Antagonize and complicated system in many RPGs like Disco Elysium. It should neither be too simple nor too complex. Then I found Alpha Protocol. The stance system feels like that missing middle ground.

 

Though something was still missing. What must be conceptualized now is how to configure the system with each protagonist's style. Like if we borrowed the stance system directly, what's the point of having an "aggressive" stance when playing as a much cool-headed Thomas?

 

If I recall correctly, it was Leverage's "Three Strikes Job" that gave the eureka moment. There's a scene where Nate Ford attempted to scam a mayor, but then he abruptly walked away. From the talk, Nate found out he's into baseball and that inspired him with a brighter con idea. It gets me thinking: Instead of choosing whether you want to seduce or not, for example, what if you choose the seduction level? Is it subtle or extremely obvious? The PUSH ON and BACK OFF system is born.

 

MAP - It’s been planned, but never came to light… until now. Took like four tries before getting it right, mainly to scale the neighborhoods right. Some areas are renamed (like Campanilli Islands to Valletta Islands) and new to the map (The Routes, Icaco, etc). But I decided to cut many areas in turn; the map ends up like a remastered version of original VC and VCS. What’s left is the more populated, suburban areas, like HD Liberty City.

 

The situation I encountered is like Akaviri in Liberty City 1978. He cut Horn Island extension and the Carraways. Not because they were bad areas, but because they were too much for the story. The majority of L&S’ story sets in the metropolis area, it very rarely touched the Everglades or the Keys. There’s not much mobility, not like GTA VI where Jason and Lucia are expected to go around Florida as public enemies.

 

Rest assured, this doesn’t translate to complete deletion of Evergreen, Tequesta Keys, and The Bahamas. I have plans to integrate them as something else. And there's one new area planned for a sequel DLC.

 

GAMEPLAY - Extra RPG mechanics, like maintenance, injury, and core systems, are cut. I feel the whole confidence trick mechanics are already enough.

 

FLIGHT - Like Bloodsales, flying is not possible anymore due to the shrinking map size. Not to mention that I haven’t actually sketched any flight story mission at all.

 

WHAT’S NEXT? - I’m still working on the new story pitch. Because of this, the character bios, story summaries, and mission posts will not be overwritten, not yet. There are also other things need to be tweaked, such as the gameplay section.

[CrumMunchers]

We will be there  

 

In all seriousness though, I can't wait, I've been reading through several concepts in the meantime while working on the one that's been taking too long to come out (), and you've greatly inspired me when it comes to it, both mechanically and aesthetically, so cheers mate

 

I'm still reading through on the story specifically, and I can't wait to see how the new pitch comes along, def looking forward to it

 

 

[Guest]

Keep you guys waiting, huh?

Let me present the new story/world

 

First, I have to thanks Raniero R, who has made an epic comeback to GTAFanon Fandom. He makes an offer that I can't refuse. We are planning a collaborative crossover standalone story in near future. One of our early stages is to restore few L&S contents in the Fandom to help Raniero learning my concept. This really helps me to finish the "new story" I've boasted about faster than I imagined. It's a motivational boost.

 

The final product is quite different from what I originally envisioned, but here it is:

Don't let the low mission counts (47) fools you. Couple of them, especially in Chapter IV to VI, will be built around multiple posts.

 

Mission titles may change at the end, but these are the names I can think of right now. Can you spot all the references?

 

Similarly, the character bios are also revamped to suit the new story. One last time. Making them more concise and informative instead of trivial. Those blank profiles are for characters that will appear way later in the story, so I can add them in the other days. Some characters are cut completely, replaced with new faces. Some are relegated to a more minor role. Many characters are repurposed.

 

For instance, Laura Mortes was a daughter of a Mexican Cartel boss before. I took inspiration from Eddie in Hustle, she's now a totally normal bartender whose bar is used by our protagonists.

Also important is the recasts that happened along the way:

• Deshea Marshall: Omari Hardwick -> Barry Jenkins
• Gunawan: Bront Palarae -> Tegar Satrya
• Irina Alyenova: Paulina Andreeva -> Liana Griba (Irina was originally set to be Ruben's wife, but that role now falls to Zabelle. We need more than Russian representation)
• Irving Belfort: Tom Goodman-Hill -> Leonardo DiCaprio (reminder that Irving is Raniero's creation, not mine, and he opted to cast Jordan Belfort's actor himself)
• Kiril Zverov: Kenneth Branagh -> Pasha D. Lychnikoff
• Lazar Petrenko: Milos Bikovic -> Ivan Shakhnazarov
• Rodri Sandoval: Yul Vasquez -> Jorge Perugorría (Yul now plays a new character)
• Rosa Almodovar: Eiza Gonzalez -> Juliana Aidén Martinez (Last minute change)
• Wayne Rhodes: Damon Gupton -> John David Washington

Story summaries done. Character database done. Next up is to rework the outdated gangs and gameplay sections. I can also start publishing the new missions too.

 

There's obviously too much to be packed at once. If you're curious about the changes then feel free to ask here.

Edited February 17 by One of Wisemen