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Stream of consciousness - Questioning readiness

  • Marrend
  • 11/15/2014 04:08 PM
  • 2061 views
Sometimes, I have to wonder if I'm really prepared to make this game. I mean, the "hack attempt at political shenanigans" is one thing. However, it's the "amongst other things" that I question. See, one of the things I want this game to attempt is to make peace with a personal issue. I must confess, I would highly prefer players to be able to sympathize, at least somewhat, with the struggle. Relaying the emotions, and thought-processes involved, is key.

Thing is, I'm not sure if I have the writing chops for this. Though, to be fair, I have not taken the time to look back at the saved posts that I set aside for encouragement. I dunno. Maybe it just seems hard because I don't want to publicly talk about it. At least, not until I have something for this game that touches on the subject. Saying that, I have vaguely considered talking privately with my game-making buddies various RMN members that I trust (most notably, unity, Dozen, and Red_Nova) about it. I suppose it will be a matter of time in seeing if I follow through with this line of thought.

Posts

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unity
You're magical to me.
12540
You can mail me any time you want to talk Gam Mak :D
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
Well. The re-do of the world map didn't take as long as I thought. Then again, I was making it substantially smaller, so, go figure. Now comes the "fun" part of figuring out how the heck to start this game. I can see one of two ways to do it. One method is to start players as the prince departs on his adventure, as evidenced in this screenshot. The other method is to start with a dream had by our titular Oracle of Askigaga.

I guess the question ultimately boils down to what gameplay opportunities would arise from that having the Oracle's dream be part of the intro. From being able to play it, experience the event in a first-hand kind of way. Kinda like Soul Sunder, and it's Childhood Arc, if I must be honest. How the heck to do something like that with the story I want to tell?

Let me take a step back for a bit. Soul Sunder does it with player choice, but players get a feel for the characters first. They can ask, "Is this the choice this character would make?" The best part about it is that the choices presented can all make sense, given what the player reads as the character's personality. There's even a possibility of getting an ending before getting to the Adult Arc. The choice-tree for doing so, and the text that it gives for that ending, all make sense. So, if this game wants to do something similar, I better the heck try to keep this in mind!
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
The thought has occurred to me that I might want to relay this flashback as a series of events as opposed to one event. Kinda like Shadow's dreams in FF6. I may need to think this out a bit more, as the message I want players to take away from it is slightly different than what I had originally planned for. Though, the thought of leaving room for player interpretation has also been considered.

Anyway, I find myself needing to perform quite the balancing act between developing this, Legacy Reborn, and my new job of play-testing Luxaren Allure! Who was it that said "Events hunt in packs?" Oh, right, Daniel Boone!

*Edit: I must admit, I've been following this thread a bit, because of this very game. Or, rather, the issue that this attempts to tackle. I'm probably worrying too much about making players care about it as much as I do. I should probably just say my piece, as it were, and just LET IT GO.
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
If I had known that thread would have created stress for you, I wouldn't have made it. Sorry about that >.<;; I think you'll do just fine, you don't have to take anything said in that thread too seriously.
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
author=unity
If I had known that thread would have created stress for you, I wouldn't have made it. Sorry about that >.<;; I think you'll do just fine, you don't have to take anything said in that thread too seriously.


Well, okay, I could be taking that topic a bit too seriously for my own good. However, my discomfort doesn't mean you shouldn't have posted it! Darigaaz, no!
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
Okay. I just don't like causing discomfort, even accidentally. ^_^;;
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
I've been working on this a tad today! So far, I've wrote out the first dream sequence, and am planning on two more, which would occur after the temples in Hachisuka (Temple of the Body) and Gojo (Temple of the Spirit) are cleared. The third temple, the one in Askigaga (Temple of the Mind), would not have a dream, but would see the conclusion of the story relayed in the dreams. The plan of having players able to choose is still very much a thing I want to do.

Anyway, I'm not going to worry about the content of the other dreams for now. What I do wish to worry about is for the demo to be playable up to the Temple of the Body in Hachisuka.

All this aside, I have to quirk an eyebrow at this somewhat. Legacy Reborn also has trials of the mind, spirit, and body in reference to the Order of the Dragon Fist. There's probably more than a bit of Might & Magic influence in regards to this, but I still find it a bit odd/interesting. Then again, I'm using "New Sorpigal", "Castle Ironfist" and "Emerald Isle" as concept music (and may even appear in the game), well, maybe this isn't so odd!
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
Yeah, I don't think it's too odd! Glad to hear you're getting further with this project! :D I'm looking forward to seeing this world ^_^
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
The question of whither or not to map out the other two castles has recently occurred to me. I have few qualms of mapping out Castle Askigaga. Though, at minimum, I could see mapping the throne rooms and guest quarters for Castle Hachisuka and Castle Gojo.

I dunno. I'm recalling Gourd_Clae's review of Okiku, Star Apprentice, and the commentary made about how areas felt repetitive. I can't say I blame the guy! Also, I know myself to be lazy enough to want to copy-paste maps. Which might happen anyway even if I limit myself to the areas I mentioned.
unity
You're magical to me.
12540
I could do some maps for you if you like! :D
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
author=unity
I could do some maps for you if you like! :D


*quirks eyebrow*

Huh. Didn't expect that! Well, crap, how can I turn that down? Composing PM!
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