Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
APPENDIX II
Sample Environment Description Document
For this sample, we will use an interior location with which every reader
should be familiar: the Mos Eisley Cantina in
Star Wars
.
The Cantina is a dark and cool-feeling contrast to the glaring and hot en-
vironment of Tatooine and its furnace-like landscapes. The only light
sources are some artificial lights illuminating the central bar area, and a few
small, adobe-like windows along the cantina's rock-hewn perimeter. The
relatively unlit nature of the single-story building suits its clientele well,
since many appear to be characters who operate mainly in the shadows.
The bar itself, oval in shape, is central to the establishment. It houses a
multitude of mysterious-looking metallic pipes (running from the center of
the bar up to the ceiling and toward the back of the building), and glass
flasks and spigots, used in distilling and serving various alcoholic beverages.
Off to one side, an alien band plays an inappropriately bouncy tune as
shady characters of every species and race quietly drink, socialize, and con-
duct questionable business at the bar and in eight dimly lit side booths. As
in many bars, there is a sense that many of these characters spend much of
their lives in here.
There is a notable lack of droids in the cantina, as they are not allowed
inside per the owner's orders.
Like most things and places on Tatooine, everything here looks worn and
not particularly well-maintained. Very little technology is on show here;
most everything looks old and mechanical as opposed to new and elec-
tronic. There is an inevitable layer of desert sand and dust on the stone
floors. You would not want to see the kitchen, let alone eat the food.