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[SPOILERS] The endings that could have been

By michael_kuerbis

The game has only one ending. But there are traces of plans for multiple endings. Learn what we know about the endings that could have been.

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Created by

michael_kuerbis
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Category: Secrets, Story or Lore

Languages: English

Posted

Updated

14 Nov, 2017 @ 5:47pm

15 Nov, 2017 @ 3:49am

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Guide Index

Overview

SUPER SPOILERS AHEAD

Preamble

The ending that is

The ending score mechanism

The final score

Decision points

Interpretation

Are your decisions in the game without impact?

So, is there only ending in the game?

Credits

Comments

SUPER SPOILERS AHEAD

This document discusses aspects from most chapters of the game, especially the ending! IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE GAME YET, THEN STOP READING NOW!

Also beware the lack of spoiler tags ahead.

Preamble

This version of the document is based on the Steam version of The Dream Machine with the patch from 02017-09-13. Since the game is patched quite frequently this document could easily be outdated. Proceed with caution.

The ending that is

Since the final chapter of The Dream Machine was released people have wondered if the game has multiple endings. After all, some puzzles of the game have multiple solutions (especially a specific puzzle at the end of Chapter 6) and sometimes you get options in dialogue. But everyone got the same ending – because the game has only one official ending.

The ending score mechanism

However, subsequent analysis of the game code has revealed that there is indeed an ending score mechanism in the game. So there is evidence that multiple endings were considered by the developers at some point.

The game tracks six different scores: A, B, C, D, E and F. Each score starts with zero. They are kept in a global section of the save files so that they are carried across chapters.

Interestingly scores E and F were patched in several weeks after the first release of Chapter 6.

At certain points in the game you get to make decisions, usually in the form of dialogue options. Picking certain options results in one or two scores being incremented by one point.

The final score

In Chapter 7, when you meet with the Dream Machine / your child, the game calculates what I call the final score.

The six different endings scores are paired up: A and B, C and D, E and F. For each pair the score name of the score with the higher value is added to the final score. If the values in a pair are equal, then that pair is left out.

For example, an ending score vector of (3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 2) would give you the final score AF.

If no pair yields a result (three pairs of equals), then your final score is “0”.

With save file manipulation it is possible to make the game give you the final score you desire. In turn the final score is added to the save file, so you can verify that the final score calculation is happening. However, the final score is not used anywhere in the game, so it has no impact on anything.

Decision points

Nevertheless, we can look at the decision points and speculate what the devs could have had in mind for the game. So here are the decisions points and which scores they affect:

Chapter

Room

Line

Neff Bed Room

I think I'll go down and talk to him.

I want to go down and beat the ♥♥♥♥ out of him.

Neff Living Room

I was looking at the painting above the bed as I fell asleep, that’s all.

I don’t know. What do you think it means?

Neff Living Room

I want you to tell me the truth, of course.

The appeasing answer, if you don't mind.

Neff Kitchen

I'm too tired, Alicia. Can't you do it?

I found this box, but I'm too tired to place it. Can't you do it?

Morton Dream

What's in it for me?

I think I’ll cut my losses and run.

Does the machine really have to be switched off?

The machine must be stopped at any cost.

Willard Dream Maze

I guess that's a fair trade.

Only if you release her unharmed.

That's tempting...

I'm not sure I can trust you.

Not a chance.

I'll destroy you even if it's the last thing I do.

Basement Dream Machine

Sounds intriguing.

I just want this to be over.

I have to shut you down.

Neff Living Room

I'm gonna find a way to save us two.

I'm gonna give up and stay here.

I'm gonna try to reason with the machine.

I'm gonna save everybody.

I'm gonna kick the machine's ass.

Unborn Birth Bed

Birthing the baby (Action)

Note that some of those decision points involve more options than listed here. Those missing options do not affect the ending scores.

Interpretation

The endings scores define Victor's character:

Ending score A reflects that Victor seeks some kind of easy path. He puts his own interests first. Victor is selfish. On the other hand, ending score B shows that Victor takes the interests of other people into his decisions. Victor is selfless.
Ending score C gives us a Victor who thinks that the Dream Machine can be reasoned with. He wants to make a deal with the Machine. Victor is rational and willing to compromise. On the contrary, ending Score D presents a Victor who wants to stop and destroy the Dream Machine, no matter what. Victor is angry and determined.
Ending score F shows Victor putting trust into his wife Alicia. There are no decisions using ending score E, but I speculate that it would involve Victor not trusting his wife.

From this I speculate that the final score would have been translated into ending segments that involve Victor saving or sacrificing himself, as well as negotiating with or destroying the Dream Machine.

Are your decisions in the game without impact?

Actually no.

The choices also set various other flags in the game. The complete impact of choices on the entire game has yet to be researched and documented.

Furthermore, the decisions points give you options nonetheless. Your choices shape the character of Victor. You get to decide how his personality evolves.

Also, some people claim that the endings scores are used for telemetry. However, I have not found any signs of telemetry functionality in the game code.

So, is there only ending in the game?

Technically yes. But you can make your own ending!

Did you know that one of the devs of Spec Ops: The Line claims that that game has an unofficial ending? It consists of deciding to stop going on and putting down the controller. Also, Stephen King knew that any ending he wrote for his Dark Tower series would inevitably be disappointing for some readers, so he suggested to stop reading at the last book’s happiest point.

You can try something similar. Stay in the Void and fall down forever! Or do it like the other Victors: pick a spot in the center of the dreamscape and stay there for eternity! Or gaze at your unborn child endlessly! You can decide where and how you stop playing the game.

Credits

I would like to thank Cockroach for putting so much effort into this game.
I would also like to thank the community for collectively solving the puzzles and interpreting the game.
Special thanks to Mr. Betagam for his pursuit in the search of alternative endings and the tip with Stephen King.

8 Comments

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KatTayle 15 Jul @ 2:45pm

Also in the ch6 convo, where "The appeasing answer, if you don't mind" gives +c and +f, and "I’ll trust your judgment on this one" gives +b and +f

"I dreamt you were in danger, and I had to save you" gives +f, as well as "I'm going to find a way to save us two" (+f and +a), so I think endings e/f track whether we're prioritizing our baby or Alicia.

(I know this post is really old at this point but thought it was interesting :) I wonder if they'll do anything more with these in the definitive edition?)

KatTayle 15 Jul @ 2:45pm

Seems like a few things in Chapter 6 add points to ending e, if I read the code right:

- Choosing the statement "I want you to tell me the truth, of course" adds a point to ending_a and ending_e.
- Choosing the statement "I dreamt you and our child were in danger, and I was trying to save you both" adds a point to ending e and ending f
- Choosing the statement "I dreamt our child was in danger, and I was trying to save it", only gives a point for ending e
- Choosing the statement "I'm going to try to save everybody" adds a point to endings b, e, and f
- I think not killing fetus victor adds points to endings b and e?

This is just from looking through the files though so some of these may be unused, and might have changed between updates, plus I didn't check earlier chapters. Seems like this ending was mostly focused on saving the baby?

KatTayle 15 Jul @ 1:35pm

I was poking around in my save files and saw that one had ending-related variables, and I had a point for the 'E' ending (my score variables: ending_f:1;ending_e:1;ending_d:0;ending_c:2;ending_b:0;ending_a:3), so I wonder where that came from.

Rhapsody of Fire 20 May, 2021 @ 12:42pm

Ok, we have an official new ending right now...

__DerricK__ 7 Oct, 2020 @ 4:54am

Thank you for your reply

I just finished the game trying to go for score 'A & D' absolutely no difference that I could spot on the ending :(

If I am correct, based ont the table you provided, my score should be something like this:
A:6
B:0
C:0
D:3
E: No points available
F:0

My logic was that for a change to happen the best bet would be to be selfish so as to choose not to sacrifice over our child and also want to destroy the machine, therefore maximizing score D.

So yeah, there are probably no multiple endings possible, but it was still fun to try to reach them.

:)

michael_kuerbis [author] 4 Oct, 2020 @ 3:49am

The chapter select mechanism is a possible reason why the ending score mechanism was never fully developed.

Besides the one exception listed in the table, the decisions for the ending score are always dialogue options, not actions.
The assumption is correct, each cross in the table means one point.

I traced the data flow, so I am confident that I found all the decision points for the ending score, and everything that it affects. Feel free to prove me wrong.

__DerricK__ 3 Oct, 2020 @ 9:28am

Very interesting info, thank you !

This got me motivated to see for myself if anything change by targeting specific scores.
(I want to start by trying A D combination)
My thinking is that either you have to actually 'play' rather than edit save file for the ending
or maybe the game was patched since the writing of your article and new endings may be present now.

So I have a few questions for you please
You write that "you get to make decisions, usually in the form of dialogue options"
--> to your knowledge are there points scored from other things than dialogue (a specific action for instance)

Do you know if the points are all equal in value (1 for each cross in your sheet) ?

I have no idea how you get the code and look at it, so it might be a dumb question but...
Are you confident you found all 'triggers' for the points awarded ?

Thanks so much

Ben 26 Jul, 2019 @ 11:51pm

How could it calculate ending scores if there's a chapter select?

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