Give me your opinion, please.
| Author | Topic: Give me your opinion, please. |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Sunday, July 18 2004 12:55
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I've been reading the editor docs, some tutorials and articles by fellow editors. I have an idea for a scenario. It will be story intensive and I'm planning to make it short (in area/towns, just as in story lenght). What I want to know is: does size matter? :D I mean, it would be easy for me to extend the story (and I'm not talking about just putting fillers), but that would mean more work and much more time developing. I'll be doing this for me, but I also want to make something that others enjoy, so that's why I want to know your opinion. :) -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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Off With Their Heads
Member # 4045
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written Sunday, July 18 2004 13:05
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We are in rather dire need of decent scenarios at this point in BoA's history. Short is good. Size does matter, in that longer scenarios will, all other things being equal, probably be liked more, but right now, I think we just need scenarios. Besides, longer scens are for experienced designers. We're all n00bs when it comes to BoA. :P -------------------- Arancaytar: Every time you ask people to compare TM and Kel, you endanger the poor, fluffy kittens. Smoo: Get ready to face the walls! Ephesos: In conclusion, yarr. Kelandon's Pink and Pretty Page!!: the authorized location for all things by me The Archive of all released BoE scenarios ever Posts: 7968 | Registered: Saturday, February 28 2004 08:00 |
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BoE Posse
Member # 112
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written Sunday, July 18 2004 17:17
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Depends how short. Babysitting (one town, one dungeon) is really a bit too short. Anything longer than that is fine - I don't think anyone's complained about the length of Zankozzie's Big Mistake or Johnny Favourite. As long as it's big enough to explore the story properly. -------------------- Rate my scenarios! Areni Revenge To Live in Fear Deadly Goblins Ugantan Nightmare Isle of Boredom Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00 |
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Shake Before Using
Member # 75
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written Sunday, July 18 2004 21:37
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Well, Babysitting is actually 4 towns. But still, your point stands. Posts: 3234 | Registered: Thursday, October 4 2001 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 03:01
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Oh, I'll take time to do the scenario. Do you know what I'm doing? I'm playing one of the default scenarios, with the editor opened. When I enter a town, I load the town in the editor and load its scripts. I'm playing (to know better the game mechanics) and learning the editor and scripting that way (after having read the editor docs). :) Back to topic: I could do the short scenario, then upgrade it latter (like version 2), making it bigger and even make some plot twists (so that it doesn't get boring to those who played a previous version). :) For now, I'm checking out the Avernumscript to know how interactive can I make my scenario with the party. Because I want to give the party personality. Not just a bunch of adventurers that will hack my world to pieces, but each would have a personality and interact with my scenario in specific ways. Only the main character would be "personality-free", as that would be the one the player would role-play. It has to be a male PC, though. What do you think? Is it possible? (example: when the party arrives, make third PC in the party say something.) The downside could be that I would have to include in the readme.txt information about what party to make so that it's possible to fully enjoy the scenario (your second PC has to be a human archer, for example [the archer thing is just an example, not what it will have to be ;) ]). What do you think? Do you think that would be limiting too much the players' freedom of choice (the choice of party members)? So here I leave you with two more questions to be anwered! :D [ Tuesday, July 20, 2004 03:04: Message edited by: Overwhelming ] -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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Shake Before Using
Member # 75
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 06:11
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*standard grumbling about prefabricated parties* Posts: 3234 | Registered: Thursday, October 4 2001 07:00 |
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Agent
Member # 2820
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 06:53
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Don't do that. People have to fight for their right to party! Just make general assumptions about the party and make it work like that. If you don't want complex scripting involved, just ask the player near the beginning what kind of character each of his PCs are. -------------------- Thuryl: I mean, most of us don't go around consuming our own bodily fluids, no matter how delicious they are. ==== Alorael: War and violence would end if we all had each other's babies! ==== Drakefyre: Those are hideous mangos. Posts: 1415 | Registered: Thursday, March 27 2003 08:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 07:15
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Well, this was just an idea I had in mind, but wasn't sure about. It has its downsides, but would be nice to see your PCs interact with eachother? On the other side, that would complicate my life, as I'm just a newbie in scenario making. :D Probably I'll just make a more simple first scenario. :) [ Tuesday, July 20, 2004 07:22: Message edited by: Overwhelming ] -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 4656
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 08:58
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Long scenarios can be fun, short scenarios can be fun, but long scenarios that *might* be fun if they weren't so damn long cannot. :D It's probably not a good idea to bloat up a decent short scenario with tons of filler just for the sake of making it "bigger." Personally, I'd rather play 5 short, really cool scenarios than 1 sprawling but mediocre one. -------------------- I ain't no ******* son of a *****. You better think about it, baby. Posts: 29 | Registered: Saturday, July 3 2004 07:00 |
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Off With Their Heads
Member # 4045
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 09:40
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I wanted to do something like this with my BoE scenario, NK0P, but BoE really wasn't conducive to this. BoA would work a lot better, but it still doesn't seem like the type of thing a new designer would be likely to be able to pull off very well, but then, who knows. BoA does have very good calls for checking the party (what species, any skills, what names, etc), though, so you should be able to pull this off with a really elaborate set of checks without needing a pre-fab party. And if you must, using a pre-fab party won't kill anyone. -------------------- Arancaytar: Every time you ask people to compare TM and Kel, you endanger the poor, fluffy kittens. Smoo: Get ready to face the walls! Ephesos: In conclusion, yarr. Kelandon's Pink and Pretty Page!!: the authorized location for all things by me The Archive of all released BoE scenarios ever Posts: 7968 | Registered: Saturday, February 28 2004 08:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 10:59
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I have a couple of ideas for scenarios, so I guess I'll pick the easier one, so that's I'll be more experienced when making the most complicated one. :) (BTW, my I include your link in my links section?) -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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BoE Posse
Member # 112
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 17:01
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I, personally, would love to see the party turned into an active character. Possibly, though, you may prefer to specify a 1PC party and include a couple of NPCs which will help throughout the scenario and who have interesting personalities. Or not. But I'd much, much rather play a scenario that tries to do something clever and different than one that is afraid to be too different from other scenarios in case people don't like it. -------------------- Rate my scenarios! Areni Revenge To Live in Fear Deadly Goblins Ugantan Nightmare Isle of Boredom Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 148
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 17:54
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I'm working on an ineractive scenario, but trust me it get complicated quickly. I have this little flow chart that goes all over as I have to track each possible change. Also annoying since I hit a 99 dialouge node limit. -------------------- My ego is bigger than yours. Posts: 480 | Registered: Thursday, October 11 2001 07:00 |
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Apprentice
Member # 4656
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written Tuesday, July 20 2004 19:38
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I'm VERY happy that people are focusing on interesting PC/NPC interactions for their scenarios. I'm trying to do the same with mine, but I haven't found myself even close to hitting the node limit yet. Holy crap. -------------------- I ain't no ******* son of a *****. You better think about it, baby. Posts: 29 | Registered: Saturday, July 3 2004 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Wednesday, July 21 2004 01:09
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quote:The dilemma is that my ideas can turn out too complicated. Since I'm a newbie, that could mean that a scenario that could be good can turn out mediocre, due to lack of experience. So I don't know if I should aim lower in my first attempt and then go for more ambitious scenarios or not waste my energy and just go for the complicated scenario. As I said, this is more a personal quest than just do something to please others, but others' opinion do count, as I want to make something enjoyable by everyone and worth some good feedback. (I need good feedback to keep going ;) ) Anyway, as soon as I fininsh the story (I'm trying to have everything planned to minimum detail, starting with the story. Sidequests included! lol), I'll take a decision: go forward with it, or leave it for my next scenario. :) -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Wednesday, July 21 2004 01:19
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quote:Yes, I've already thought about that possible problem. ;) It could be tricky, though: House interiors in other town maps. Of course, this would have to be well thought. For example: If I have a certain house owner move between his house and his shop, it would be strange if he was in the shop, the party arrive at home and find the second NPC copy! :D And it would require a lot of SDFs... But that's just in case of emergency. :) -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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Infiltrator
Member # 4637
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written Wednesday, July 21 2004 01:22
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quote:This is only my opinion, but I think PC/PC and PC/NPC interactions are the RPG's meat. :) Otherwise, the story would have to be very good, or something really good would have to be made to compensate the lack of that interaction. :) -------------------- Visit the Blades of Avernum Center and the Beta Testing Center -------------- "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9 Posts: 483 | Registered: Tuesday, June 29 2004 07:00 |
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BoE Posse
Member # 112
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written Wednesday, July 21 2004 04:45
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quote:I can't really tell you what the right decision is here, but I can tell you what I did in the same situation. My first scenario, Isle of Boredom, was a very ambitious project. I put a lot of work into stuff that wasn't all that important, but which I really wanted to do. Since I was a newbie, some of the cool stuff I tried doesn't work very well. Some things do work well, and add a lot to the scenario. Every scenario I've made since then has been just as ambitious, but much more functional. On the other hand, without the experience of Isle of Boredom, I may have simply delayed my mistakes instead of avoiding them. Besides, I don't think I COULD make a simple scenario - I'd get tired of it long before I ever finished. Up to you, of course, but I'm glad I had a shot. -------------------- Rate my scenarios! Areni Revenge To Live in Fear Deadly Goblins Ugantan Nightmare Isle of Boredom Posts: 1423 | Registered: Sunday, October 7 2001 07:00 |