WHATCHU WORKIN' ON? TELL US!

@Max McGee: Mayne, shut yo mouth.

author=LockeZ
I heard a rumor that if you finish a game, there are apparently some people around these parts who like to play them.

B -- But, LockeZ, nobody plays finished games around these parts -- nobody!!! :D

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Still working on re-updating the story, music managing, whenever I get anytime... I'm been pretty busy, so I can only do what I can do. :D

HERO'S REALM

wait, even better:

GENERICA

author=Max McGee
The title of a game should differentiate it from every other game and make me want to play it.

"Revelations of Gaia" doesn't do the former, and therefore doesn't do the latter. It's a meaningless title like "Secrets of Mana". "Tales of Falonia" does not tell me anything, because Falonia is a meaningless word to me.

"Revelations" on its own is a pretty alright name, I completely agree with removing the Gaia because it added nothing.

But it's still not a great title; it doesn't really tell you much about the game or how it's different from other games. Every work of fiction by its very nature contains secrets and the revelation of those secrets. It's endemic to the very concept of plot.

Hero's Realm is not a great name for a game, but at least it told me something about it: it hinted that it would be lite fantasy, cheesy, campy.

Titles don't need to tell you anything.

Max Payne tells you absolutely nothing. The name means nothing to anyone who doesn't know who Max Payne is. But there isn't a more appropriate title for that game. He's not just the main character; he's responsible for the entire game experience (particularly the film noir). A more descriptive title for that game, such as Sin City, or NYPD Black, or Genocide Detective, would not do it justice. As a matter of fact, having played the game, a more descriptive title would be much worse.

I can make similar arguments for many titles. However, I won't say a title can't be bad. They can be horrible and without justification. But you can't tell if a title is poor without knowledge of the game.

For example, you already know what Hero's Realm is like. Otherwise, if you heard someone use a similar title for another game, say for example Realm of the Heroes, you'd say that was an awful title. Tells you nothing. Doesn't differentiate itself from other titles. It's meaningless.

For all we know, Tales of Falonia could be the perfect title. Or Revelations of Gaia could be perfect. Probably not, but you don't know.

I don't really want to entertain the idea that the only purpose of a title is to attract consumers. Books, movies, etc need to sell to make more money. Let's not pretend that authors aren't forced to compromise their preferred title or other things in their work/writing for the sake of business. RM is a nonprofit hobby(I think, for most people anyway). Creative freedom all the way, or at least it should be that way.

If the purpose of art is to sell, then Michael Bay is the greatest director of all time.


But I'm talking to some people who start threads on how to gain more attention, questioning how many unethical methods are used to do so, cursing his poor luck at getting more noticed. So, nevermind what I just said. Hook. Attention grabber. Titles are important.



@Ashley
Max wasn't being hostile.

"I mean what kind of jerk is using "Gaia" in the name of their game at this point, how generic can you get?"

He's got a game called Iron Gaia. He was joking.

But I'm talking to some people who start threads on how to gain more attention, questioning how many unethical methods are used to do so, cursing his poor luck at getting more noticed. So, nevermind what I just said. Hook. Attention grabber. Titles are important.

Uh...why are you starting shit with me here?

Trying to be one of the cool kids?

In any case, I think it possible that you mistake my nature and intent completely and absolutely.

I don't really want to entertain the idea that the only purpose of a title is to attract consumers. Books, movies, etc need to sell to make more money. Let's not pretend that authors aren't forced to compromise their preferred title or other things in their work/writing for the sake of business. RM is a nonprofit hobby(I think, for most people anyway). Creative freedom all the way, or at least it should be that way.

It would be a very cynical viewpoint to say that the only reason you'd want a title that's clever and snappy and suited to the game it adorns is to attract attention. A good title is an artistic merit. (Honestly, the first thing I do before I begin working on anything is title it, which is, as conventional wisdom dictates, as backwards. But I do this even for things that no one will never see, so it's certainly not some appendage of advertising.)

I kinda agree Max McGee. Don't use a word just because it sounds cool. It should have something to do with the game, otherwise it's misleading...

Gaia is the earth personified as a goddess. If you don't have an earth goddess in your game or a major event that involves the earth, please don't use it. I've haven't played Iron Gaia and I don't know if Max did the same thing, so don't try to snap at me with that argument.

Why is Hero's Realm always used as a point in an argument? (It's like the bible :o )

Be warned: it is very old. As a game qua game, the sequel is far superior. But story-wise, some folks actually seem to prefer the original. It certainly isn't as well written, but I'm open to the possibility it might be better plotted, or something.

If he likes it, feedback isn't going to make him "gotta" change it. I disagree with feedback all the time.

ON TOPIC:
I cannot write scenes that introduce new characters for the life of me. How do I portray a character as sarcastic, confrontational, analytical, a good detective, and crippled in a 2 minute cut scene? Which qualities can I leave out of the first scene he's in, and how long can I leave them out for before introducing them makes him feel like his character has shifted?