Script Submissions can be made via e-mail sent to scripts@kumagames.com. We will also accept scripts posted on our forum. CLICK HERE
THE STORY
Last September, Kuma garnered international attention with our release of “Assault on Iran ,” a free video game simulating a U.S. special operation against the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran . In response to the Kuma episode, Iran 's video game development community announced a virtual counter attack with a game of its own, borrowing story elements from Kuma's original. With reports indicating that the Union of Islamic Student Societies' game “Commander Bahman” will not be available until March 2007, we've proceeded with the launch of our own response mission - “Assault on Iran, Pt. 3: Payback in Iraq” .
You can download a Beta version of the multiplayer map that will be the basis of this Episode. In it, Iranian commandos attack US positions in Kerbala, a city in southern Iraq , in order to rescue Dr, Kousha, an Iranian nuclear scientist detained by the Americans – or so the Iranians think. We're looking forward to seeing you online.
We'll also send the scripts we're using to create our in-game dialog for the final version, in the hope that you'll help us re-write them. In these scripts, we're exploring the motivations of Iranian revolutionaries and dissidents, of American soldiers, and of Iraqis playing their parts on both sides of the conflict. It is our belief that these are all people of good will -- each a patriot. But in order to accurately reflect the attitudes of real Iranians, Iraqis and Americans (and not the ones we might imagine here in the US ), we'd like your input.
Below is our current working script. Please read our script, then help us edit or re-write it to reflect your views of the events depicted in our story.
THE SCRIPT
VO
In September 2005, four American commandos infiltrated Iran 's Natanz nuclear facility. With a defecting Iranian scientist as a guide, they destroyed the uranium enrichment plant and – for a short time anyway -- set back Iran 's nuclear dreams.
The public never learned about this mission – not in America . Not in Iran .
SFX: A TV in the background with the news on in Farsi (July 2006, Israeli invasion of Lebanon , UN sanctions). A phone rings and is immediately picked up.
DISSOLVE TO:
Close on a grizzled face, talking into the mouthpiece of a telephone. (All dialog Farsi with subtitle)
BAHRAM
Yes?
VO
Commander Bahram? Do you recognize my voice? I recall your friendship with Zafar Kousha and have the information on the disappearance of his son Saeed that you requested.
BAHRAM
It has been a year and more
VO
Given your retirement, the request was highly unusual. But it was felt…. relevant …. that you should know. In any case, we now know that he was captured by the Americans while on pilgrimage.
BAHRAM (disbelief)
Saeed?
VO
He is being held in Kerbala. By counter-revolutionary terrorists, traitors, creatures of the Americans.
Bahram pauses, as if to digest the information
BAHRAM
Is anything to be done?
VO
Indeed, that is the question.
SFX: the phone abruptly clicks off. After a moment, the TV is turned off. We hear a tap as Bahram flashes the phone, then begins dialing.
CUT TO:
TITLE: 3 months later
SFX: A small explosion
DISSOLVE TO :
A group of lightly armed militiamen taking cover behind a wall, while a firefight rages around them. One man is in fatigues – we see from the name printed above his breast pocket that it is Bahram -- in his full commando glory -- the rest in the black outfits of the Mahdi Militia.
BAHRAM (in ARABIC )
Let's GO!
They roll out of cover and into the street. Taking fire from a 2nd story, they run across the street, firing as they move, rushing past burning debris into the entrance of the DISSIDENT OFFICE. They pass signs identifying the “anti-mullah”/anti-monarchy/anti-imperialist themes of the organization. Paying no attention to the signs, moving expertly, they quickly kill the Iraqi guards as they enter the building. They make their way upstairs, quickly but with precision and obvious skill, into a large room with desks and phones and workers taking cover behind and under desks. Bahram walks briskly across the room, unconcerned, but officious, executing every person he comes across (while other militia men do the same thing on other rows). He comes to the last desk and levels his weapon at an individual cowering by a cabinet ….but doesn't shoot. It is Saeed Kousha, who looks up in fear and then growing wonder.
KOUSHA ( in FARSI )
Uncle Bahram!
BAHRAM ( in FARSI )
(moves his gun so it's no longer pointed between Kousha's eyes)
Saeed do not worry, you are safe
KOUSHA ( in FARSI )
(a bit nervous)
What are you doing here?
Bahram gives a look off-camera and a rifle butt comes in frame – a militiaman who snuck up behind Kousha – and taps Kousha on the head, who keels over.
BAHRAM ( in FARSI )
I am saving you, Saeed.
The sound of a paint can spraying causes Bahram to look to where one of Bahram's Iranian commandos is spray painting something on the wall, in English. The sign reads: “For the children of Qana.” Bahram nods – another task complete. One of the militiaman walks up to Bahram.
MAHDI COMMANDER (in Arabic)
We're clear
BAHRAM (in Arabic)
Good. We got what we came for. You know what to do?
MAHDI COMMANDER (in Arabic)
There'll be no pursuit, God willing.
CUT TO :
The roar of the road from the seat of a HMWVV with an open gun mount. LT ANDERSON is talking on the radio. (All dialog English):
ANDERSON (English from here down)
… go ahead.
VO (through the radio)
Re-route to Karbala coordinates [insert gps]. Small arms fire in volume. Secure the VIP.. Hold for identification.
ANDERSON casually waves left and the driver turns down a road, abandoning the convoy they were guarding. A 2nd HMMWV peels off behind them.
We look at the ANDERSON 'S laptop as an image progressively scans in. It is Kousha.
In the backseat, a Iraqi interpreter, AL-JAMIL, is crammed in with a burly Marine, KAPLAN.
AL-JAMIL
You know Karbala is one of our most populated, holiest cities.
(his look as a hint of warning in it to the Marine.)
KAPLAN
Then they won't mind a few more, will they?
Al-Jamil looks to Lt. Anderson as if to say “aren't you going to say anything”, but Anderson is too pre-occupied with the road ahead.
CUT TO:
The HMWVV pulls up to the Dissident Building . KAPLAN stays on the 50 while ANDERSON , RAMIREZ and AL-JAMIL head into the building. Everywhere they look there are dead civilians and destroyed materials. Like the Iranian commandos, they move quickly and expertly, but there's no one to kill. No one to save. Upstairs they check the faces of the dead office workers.
RAMIREZ
He's not here, cap.
Suddenly, with a boom and the staccato clatter of AK47 fire, the battle is back on. The 50 downstairs roars into action, with Kaplan (iPod on head) hosing down the street.
Back inside, Anderson begins moving towards the window, stopping when a tremendous explosion – an IED– explodes right in front of the building, knocking many of the men to the floor. The room shakes and debris comes pouring in an open door to the balcony, temporarily darkening the room
ANDERSON
OUTSIDE! OUTSIDE!
The team doesn't need any prompting and they rush down the stairs. Anderson takes a last look around the office and heads down himself.
.
[The following dialog is shown in-game to players taking the US Side]
One of the HMWVVs is turned over and smoking, but Kaplan is still on his gun. Anderson is yelling into his tactical radio.
ANDERSON
(sees Soldier crouching behind the overturned HMWVV)
You! Over there.
Anderson directs him to a better position, slightly ahead, behind a stone house
(to Al-jamil)
Call 2nd ID. We need a Quick Reaction Team now.
(into headset)
Ramirez, Jamil, across the street. Kaplan, what do you see?
KAPLAN
I don't see shit, cap.
An RPG roars overhead – shot from the warehouse across the street – right into the upper story of the building behind him. There's a huge explosion and the windows blow outwards.
KAPLAN
Jesus Christ!
Kaplan turns the gun around and hoses down the warehouse where the shot came from.
ANDERSON (on radio)
We're moving forward. Check every fucking doorway. Eyes front and back.
(to Kaplan)
Do not leave this fucking gun.
Anderson moves up with Soldier.
[user controlled from here on out]
# # #
[The following dialog is seen in-game by players taking Mahdi Side; all dialog Arabic]
Looking down the street, we see the IED go off and the first HMWVV flip. The other HMWVV starts firing in a rather indiscriminate manner and debris is blown off a succession of building facades. We are seeing the view through a pair of military binoculars
MAHDI COMMANDER
HIT!
REVEAL :
MAHDI COMMANDER, peering through binoculars around a building corner and a CREW. They are in a courtyard of a building. It is night.
CREW
[cheers]
MAHDI COMMANDER (into military walkie talkie)
Push ‘em out into the street
RADIO
[confirmation]
Cut to an RPG crew atop a warehouse across the street from the DISSIDENT BUILDING . One man, the radioman, taps another militiaman (the RPG gunner) on the shoulder.
RPG GUNNER
My country, shit eater
He fires the RPG round – blasting into the upper windows of the building which ANDERSON has just left. The gunner on the HMWVV turns and opens up on them – there's a rain of fire all around them. They couldn't possibly survive.
CUT TO:
MAHDI COMMANDER
Let's go!
From every window and crevice rifles suddenly pop out and the street fills with automatic weapons fire. The Americans split to opposite sides of the street and the HMWVV pours fire down the avenue.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Regards,
The Kuma Team
