Non-Combat Interactions and NPCs

    To make sure my game doesn't become too much of a gun fest, I am adding non-combat interaction rooms. These rooms will be home to NPCs that will offer a bit of respite from the combat, and will help slow the action of the game, giving me some nice peaks and troughs in the pacing. These are the NPCs I have decided on, for the time being at least. They are all subject to change and could have the effects change, or name changed, or could be removed completely.

• Trader - Player can purchase weapons, items, health, keys etc. The traders' stock will be randomised, so there is a chance that the player won't be able to find the item they want or need.
• Doctor - For a price, the doctor will heal one HP. 
• Gunsmith - Player can exchange two of their guns for one from the gunsmith, however the gun they receive is random and they won't know what it will be until they have committed to it.
• Shaman - Player can purchase 'blessings', which will give them buffs for the rest of the run. This could be higher maximum health, bigger ammo clips etc.
• Bounty Hunter - Gives the player challenges, such as 'Kill X amount of This certain enemy'. Will reward the player with cash or items on completion.
• Riddlers - Presents the player with a riddle, if the player correctly guesses, they win money. If they get it wrong however they will lose money.
• Train Conductor - Player can pay the conductor to skip a level. 
• Farmhand - Player can help round up the escaped cattle, will be rewarded with cash or items.
• Sheriff - Same function as bounty hunter, but with different challenges.
• Black Market Trader - Players can trade unwanted items in exchange for cash.

    These NPCs will be found mid-level, however they provide a long term strategy option for the player. Between levels and between runs, the player will be at the 'safehouse'. At the start of the game, they will not be able to do much from here other than start a run. However, when meeting certain NPCs in the levels, they will be presented with the option to ask the NPC to join them at the safehouse, for a hefty price. From then on, say if for example they purchased the doctor, they would be able to purchase healing between levels, or if they purchased the Shaman, they could purchase a blessing before they even start the run. This isn't available for all of the NPCs. 

    This option to purchase NPCs adds a choice for the player. Do they use their money to purchase items or blessings for that run, that will give them a better chance of succeeding on that run but will be lost once they're dead? Or do they save their money throughout a run, until they have enough to purchase an NPC that will make life easier for them for every future run. Can they afford to pass up the chance to purchase an NPC when they may never have enough money at the right time to purchase them in the future? The player must decide whether they want short term or long term gain, a decision that many players will differ on. Lots of games present choice in terms of morals, whether they want to be a good guy or a bad guy, but I think presenting this kind of choice to the player, a strategic choice, is one that really impacts how the game unfolds for them and as a result has real consequence.