Othaglot and Cane - Story Thread

LokiOne · #1 June 2nd, 2002, 06:53 PM

Nice work Dogscoff! For years I have used my second PC to write an on-going narration of whatever computer game I might be playing. I include maps (using PAINT). notes, reminders, hints and sometimes paste in pieces of jpeg or bmp artwork to bring the story alive.

I've done this with everything from Civ, Might & Magic, Wizardry, Dungeon Siege, X-Com, Colonization, Morrowind, etc, etc. I have over 39 megabytes on one Jagged Alliance: Unfinished Business game alone (it includes a lot of maps done with PAINT).

This using the second PC to keep notes and spin a storyline helps to prolong a game sometimes taking 2 or 3 times longer to complete. All the better to enjoy the ride! Of course, sometimes I get to playing the game and get so wrapped up that I neglect the storyline and later have to go back and catch up. Gives me a chance to expand on the content.

I prefer the strategic games and RPG's where I can pause the action and make my entries. Those real-time games drive me nuts because there is little time to stop and take stock of where I am or develop a long range strategy plan. To each their own.

My copy of SE4 Gold just arrived and I am already getting into my first game, writing my notes and storyline as I go. What a hoot! My thanks to everyone here who has contributed hints, answers and directions to the various questions brought to this forum.

Excuse me, my Terran Confederation is looking for some direction now after finding the nearby systems empty of alien forces and I have to figure out what to do next. "Look, General Vaughn, I don't care what the Tech Minister says, we need to research ..."

capnq · #2 June 2nd, 2002, 10:21 PM

Dogscoff, the new background fits the opening scene quite nicely, but now I have to highlight the text to read it comfortably.

I think white text would work well on that background.

Baron Munchausen · #3 June 3rd, 2002, 02:15 AM

I have to agree that the point of view of the characters is quite well thought out. Have you played as Cue Cappa very much, Dogscoff? I hope that the plot you are building 'on the fly' comes off as well as the characterization of alien psychology and xeno-diplomacy.

spacefan · #4 June 3rd, 2002, 03:43 AM

Its a neat idea posting the chapters on a website. I've always been interested in stories, and role playing games, but until the SE series I never found a futuristic one that seemed to work out well.

I'll probably think up a scenario to play out and start my own website for that. Space Empires is starting to rival my other roleplaying choice (DR:Platinum) in terms of time spent just because of how deep it can be, especially when trying to roleplay and not just go for power.

dmm · #5 June 3rd, 2002, 05:01 PM

Enjoyable reading. Looking forward to more. What a shame you're not an Asimov -- then we wouldn't have to wait so long between chapters.

geoschmo · #6 June 3rd, 2002, 05:20 PM

D, This detective story is very good writing. I particularly enjoy the depth you are going to describe the characters. This I believe is what is missing from the typical SEIV fan fiction, my own included.

I am very eager to read more.

One technical nitpick though, there should be a link to chapter 2 from chapter 1. Instead of having to go back to the main page to get to it.

Geoschmo

dogscoff · #7 June 4th, 2002, 10:32 PM

Thanks for all the O&C feedback on this thread and others. It has all been noted and will be acted upon.

A few questions:

1- would you rather wait longer for new chapters if it meant not having to re-read earlier chapters as I reverse-engineer the plot?

2- Do I need to spend more time describing settings/ background?

3- I think I'm going to have to write a few chapters from Cane's Point of View, as we approach territory which is more familiar to Othaglot. Is this a bad idea?

I'm starting to form a more detailed plot, BTW. Some teasers for what's to come:

- Violence! How do you fight someone with 12 limbs and no skeleton?
- Cool gedgets! I'm sure I'll think of something.
- Gripping cliffhangers! The end of Chapter 2 was a bit boring, wasn't it?
- Intra-species sex: Tentacles and testacles! Othaglot is only "mostly male" after all. (I'm only kidding about this one. Probably.)
- Exotic locations! We'll be visiting the soggy Cue Cappa homeworld and Cane's bug-eating parents on Ceres IV.
- Inteplanetary conflicts and conspiracies! 'Nuff said. This is Space Empires after all.
- Much much more... it's so good even I don't know what it is yet!

(The above spoilers are subject to change without notice, as is what you've already read.)

[ June 04, 2002, 21:41: Message edited by: dogscoff ]