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Naming your characters
author=Shadowtext link=topic=1644.msg26384#msg26384 date=1217898779author=Blitzen link=topic=1644.msg26347#msg26347 date=1217879101I did. But I studied the Mayan and Aztec gods in Spanish classes, so it wasn't the first time I'd encountered the name. You think Quetzalcoatl is difficult, try Huitzilopotchli.
Haha, most of the time when I play the game I rename the main character Steve, and it has no bearing on the quality of the game.
Names are just identifiers. You'd eventually give your own "functional" names to the most important parts of the gameplay if they weren't named for you (or were named ridiculously).Example: no one who has played FF8 the first time pronounced Quetzalcoatl properly and it quickly degenerates into something like "Fuh fuh fuh go bird!"
Or Cthulu, for that matter. Or the name of the Greyhawk insect god (Nrrrrrr'uuuc?)
Having names that fit together well within the setting adds a sense of depth and realism to it. Giving characters names that have plot/character significance is something that has been done in other art forms for centuries (e.g. Raskolnikov, which is taken from the Russian for "schism"), and it can provide additional clues to the overall meaning of a character or plot element (if your objective is to craft a deep, intricate story).
RPG bosses...
I think the easiest way to achieve game balance (but not necessarily the easiest to implement) is to develop your own system of encounters and combat. I've been toying with the idea of implementing "social combat" in an RM** game (based on the system in the White Wolf game "Exalted").
As far as xp gain goes, it helps to establish an algorithm and stick with it. Most RPGs have an underlying formula that dictates the experience amounts needed to gain a level. Monsters/bosses should be scaled to character strengths and skill level. A monster that has "weak" stats but some killer abilities or tricks ('killing' moves/debuffs like petrification, doom, etc., unique weaknesses/resistances/immunities) can be just as much a challenge to defeat as a generic tank-n-spank whose stats rival the player characters. It helps to envision that the party should level up every X encounters around their level, and that each encounter should force them to utilize Y resources (in the form of hp, mp, items, etc.) and each encounter should yield an appropriate reward.
Bosses, bosses, bosses. My favorite boss fights are those that introduce a unique mechanic that makes it more than a simple tank-n-spank. A boss who appears with a group of 'normal' monster guards but heals/buffs them (without directly striking the party) can be much more fun to face than a boss with huge stats that "attacks" the party every turn ("Boss attacks Player for 40 damage... Boss attacks player for 40 damage...")
As stated above, giving your party more of a 'unique' feel instead of supplying generic roles to your characters can also make fights more interesting/fun.
As far as xp gain goes, it helps to establish an algorithm and stick with it. Most RPGs have an underlying formula that dictates the experience amounts needed to gain a level. Monsters/bosses should be scaled to character strengths and skill level. A monster that has "weak" stats but some killer abilities or tricks ('killing' moves/debuffs like petrification, doom, etc., unique weaknesses/resistances/immunities) can be just as much a challenge to defeat as a generic tank-n-spank whose stats rival the player characters. It helps to envision that the party should level up every X encounters around their level, and that each encounter should force them to utilize Y resources (in the form of hp, mp, items, etc.) and each encounter should yield an appropriate reward.
Bosses, bosses, bosses. My favorite boss fights are those that introduce a unique mechanic that makes it more than a simple tank-n-spank. A boss who appears with a group of 'normal' monster guards but heals/buffs them (without directly striking the party) can be much more fun to face than a boss with huge stats that "attacks" the party every turn ("Boss attacks Player for 40 damage... Boss attacks player for 40 damage...")
As stated above, giving your party more of a 'unique' feel instead of supplying generic roles to your characters can also make fights more interesting/fun.
The Dark Knight
author=trance2 link=topic=1557.msg25110#msg25110 date=1216927840I read your whole post, and you said exactly what I implied you did. As far as any reader could tell from your nuance what you said Apocalypse Now was a poor example because it was "just" a social/political commentary, "rather than philosophical or psychological discussion." You did go on to say that 'better examples might have been used,' but I contend that point heavily. The movie can be viewed in three different contexts: social/political commentary, a philosophical journey into Hell (and the domain of the Fallen One himself), and a psychological descent into madness and back. None of these is "out of context." Rather, each is a possible (and legitimate) interpretation of the film. Conrad deliberately wrote Heart of Darkness with three distinct purposes (all three of which are accurately mapped into its film adaptation, Apocalypse Now).author=Bear link=topic=1557.msg25062#msg25062 date=1216881540Do you mean to watch it right after? Because I have read Heart of Darkness, and throughly enjoyed it. And, just like Apocalypse Now, it was social/political commentary for the period: speaking out against the horrors of colonization solely for the terms of imperialism -- benefit of the mother country with no regards as to the indigenous people. Then again, some people have accused Conrad of racism (there's actually an essay from this big illuminary of African-American literature or something like that in the edition of Heart of Darkness that I own -- his name escapes me, though). But that's neither here nor there.
I want you to read Conrad's Heart of Darkness and then watch Apocalypse Now and you'll see why Cappola's work goes far beyond a simple political/social commentary for the period.
If you mean to say that I view the pair of them solely as social/political commentary, then you failed to read my whole post. Because I clearly said that it is possible to view them, out of context, as philosophical or psychological discussions.
The essay you're referring to is written by Chenua Achebe, a scholar whose only noteworthy achievement is to accuse all of European cultural achievement of racism. In his zealous crusade against ethereal evil, he himself has become 'racist' in the sense that he uses his position (of power and respect, particularly among base 'politically correct' zealots) in order to exert an agenda with no perceivable objective than to purge the public school system of all literature except for his own books and Maya Angelou. Now, this is somewhat an exaggeration of Achebe for the sake of argument; nevertheless I have a very poor opinion of Mr. Achebe.
As far as brandonabley is concerned, I recognize that you try to sound intelligent by making condescending one-sentence responses to my interrogations. I do, however, see through your ploy, and if you have nothing to say beyond simply denouncing The Dark Knight out of hand for no reason beyond your snooty pseudointellectual indie megalomania. The example is legitimate because it exposes just how ignorant your espoused position was. Yet you still fail to respond to the question at hand: What exactly do you find so superior about literature that makes it art, whilst movies are nothing but trite commercialism (in your view)? I don't mean to be so overtly hostile but your condescending attitude offends me, particularly because I tried to be respectful and explore your side of things.
The Dark Knight
author=trance2 link=topic=1557.msg25056#msg25056 date=1216875950
Apocalypse Now was political and social commentary for the period, rather than philosophical or psychological discussion. Though, you could certainly bring those up in reference to it. Not saying you're wrong, but, better examples might've been used.
I want you to read Conrad's Heart of Darkness and then watch Apocalypse Now and you'll see why Cappola's work goes far beyond a simple political/social commentary for the period.
The Dark Knight
author=brandonabley link=topic=1557.msg24977#msg24977 date=1216834742Oh, really? What, exactly, makes books a higher art form than movies?author=Bear link=topic=1557.msg24951#msg24951 date=1216831597
There is nothing inherently more "deep" about books than movies
Actually, there is.
I'm fairly certain there's nothing higher art about Pleasuring the Pirate as compared to, say, Apocalypse Now.
The Dark Knight
I agree with harmonic. Film, like literature, is a medium through which an artist can delve into a number of concepts, topics, and ideas, addressing each in his own way. There is nothing inherently more "deep" about books than movies; there are many movies that make most books seem like tripe (just like the few books that make most movies seem like Saturday morning cartoons). The reason books seem like the more artful medium is that they've been around much, much longer than movies, so there's a significantly greater volume of great literature than great film. I would contend, however, that the ratio of greatness to tripe is about equal in both media.
By an objective criteria, The Dark Knight was not "just another action movie." Live Free or Die Hard was "just another action movie"--it had little plot development beyond that which was necessary to get from explosion to explosion, etc. The Dark Knight didn't focus on the action nearly so much as on character interactions and underlying concepts. The fact that it did include a few scenes of action doesn't necessarily make it "just another action movie."
By an objective criteria, The Dark Knight was not "just another action movie." Live Free or Die Hard was "just another action movie"--it had little plot development beyond that which was necessary to get from explosion to explosion, etc. The Dark Knight didn't focus on the action nearly so much as on character interactions and underlying concepts. The fact that it did include a few scenes of action doesn't necessarily make it "just another action movie."
Game Design Discussion of the Week: Status Effects
Status effects are prevalent not only in "typical" RPG's, but in MMO's and strategy games as well (in the form of buffs/debuffs). Utilization of these effects to defeat enemies (and counters/dispels to protect your own units) is an integral element of the game. I agree that the "typical" RPG status effects can grow tiresome/boring, but creative implementation (read: potential coding nightmare) can add tier upon tier of depth and enjoyment to gameplay. Today's "typical" gamer is more savvy than the hack and slash adventurer of yesteryear. It is the responsibility of the developer to prepare an appropriate challenge to that savvy.
Forum D&D Game (UPDATED: Finalized Details) JOIN NOW!
Is it too late to join in on this? I've played 3/3.5e my whole life and I'd be interested to have a go at the new rules (Gygax absolutely hated them...I'm curious to see why). I can get ahold of a 4e PHB pretty easily and put together a character with the point buy no problem.
Second Post
I think I'll try my hand at the RMXP and RMVX trial versions and see which one I like better before buying any. Thanks for the tips/welcome.
Second Post
I made my first post in the Dark Knight topic because I am from Chicago and (understandably) a Batman enthusiast.
I play guitar, bass, mandolin/mandola, and oud. I compose music (with help from my more talented cousin), write poetry and short stories, design tabletop RPG paraphernalia (house rules/campaign settings/adventures/full games), pester my artist sister to do concept art on scribbled out descriptions that I hand her, and will be pursuing a degree in Computer Science starting this fall. Before buying a new computer I used RM2K (but never 2K3 or XP) to create a number of household games that were either never finished or exposed outside a very limited circle due to my own desperate need for perfectionism. Since I got my new computer, RM2K doesn't seem to work (and I'm content to blame Vista), so until I can figure out a solution I will have to sit idly by working on concept instead of content (and enjoying the work of others).
I've never joined an RPG making community, so this is a first. I sort of stumbled across the site while I was bored earlier today looking for something free to play.
So greetings, ladies and gents.
I play guitar, bass, mandolin/mandola, and oud. I compose music (with help from my more talented cousin), write poetry and short stories, design tabletop RPG paraphernalia (house rules/campaign settings/adventures/full games), pester my artist sister to do concept art on scribbled out descriptions that I hand her, and will be pursuing a degree in Computer Science starting this fall. Before buying a new computer I used RM2K (but never 2K3 or XP) to create a number of household games that were either never finished or exposed outside a very limited circle due to my own desperate need for perfectionism. Since I got my new computer, RM2K doesn't seem to work (and I'm content to blame Vista), so until I can figure out a solution I will have to sit idly by working on concept instead of content (and enjoying the work of others).
I've never joined an RPG making community, so this is a first. I sort of stumbled across the site while I was bored earlier today looking for something free to play.
So greetings, ladies and gents.
Games - Tester
Games - Other
