|
Post by reynolds1203 on Nov 27, 2006 1:13:36 GMT -5
Okay i'm new here but i've been lurking for a few weeks now and i figured i'd start to post about my game, The Blood War, the title is probably gonna change but i need to call it something for now so, at least its simple and relevant to the plot. anyway i'll get into more detials later about the actual game but i wanted to post the History/background of the world my game takes place in, instead of overwhelming everyone with everything right away. So here it is please let me know what you think p.s. i like this smilie World The game takes place on one large continent called Athens that is divided into 6 differant nations 1.Arcia Arcia is a nation located in the north of Athens and is almost entirely covered in snow and mountains. Because of the mountains and the cold, Arcia is more secluded from the rest of the world. They are also one of the most technically advanced nations developing systems of electricity, plumbing and steam power. They also have one of the largest armies of all, they are very defensive and dislike most other nations and aviod all but the most nessecary contact with the outside. The goverment is generally a monarch, most decisions are made by the prince and approved through the high court made of represenatives, nolbes and judges from various towns of Arcia. Arcia is one of the oldest nations of Athens, and is about 600 years old, but before was known as Cahlmore. 2.Eldoria Eldoria is located below Arcia and to the east, its a very peaceful country consisting mostly of farmers, the land is mainly made up of rolling hills, fields and forests. Because they are farmers and their land some of the most fertile, they have a strong economy based on trade with other nations. Their goverment is headed by a Royal family and a senate, but mostly governing is done at a local level by town meeting, mayors, governers and judges. the best way to explain it that its made up of mutliple states, towns and cities all kinda just put under the name Eldoria. Their army is practicly non-existent and dwarfed when compared to other nations, with the exception of some specialized squads of archers. 3.Valen Valen is located below Arcia and to the west of Eldoria, Valen is arguably the strongest nation and the most progressive. The land is sprinkled with mountains and littered with forests, and has several large towns inside its borders with thriving economies. The goverment has a monarch, but the king is decidely less powerful incomparison to the monarchs of other nations. Most governing is done through a large complex system of courts, congress', senates etc. Valen has a habit of trying to keep peace between all of the nations of Athens, which has some grateful and others annoyed. Valen also has the largest army of Athens, but its debateable if its the strongest. Valen is also the youngest nation, about 200 years old, before that it was known as Brevair, one of the greatest empires to ever exist on Athens. 4.Halmoria Halmoria is one of the oldest nations, and surronded by rumors and mystery, located just below Valen in the west, it too is covered in forests and mountians. In fact along its border is a thick forest veiled in fog, that is considered haunted by the ghost of those who have died there, either defending or attacking its borders, only those who know the land well can cross the forest and the border. Because it is bordered on one side by the forest, and three by water Halmoria has little to no contact with the other nations, and they seem to prefer it that way. Very few ever travel far into Halmoria, usually just to towns directly inside the borders to trade, and only for a short time, as they are not very fond of visitors. Legends, myths or rumors say that the land and its dwellers are cursed or blessed with the gift of magic, depending on who you ask. The land was forever ruled by the Royal family until 10 years ago, a small cabinet of officials has risen to be main governing force of the nation although the royal family still has significant power. 5.Subucus Islands The Subucus Islands is an archipeligo of the southwest coast of Eldoria, the island consist mostly of tropical forests and beaches. Subucus is the smallest nation of all 6 and is made mostly of small fishing towns along the coasts, the people here live quiet, peaceful live and and don't have even have much of a structured government or any army. There is also a monastary for monks who act as peace keepers of the nation if the need arises. 6.Duren Duren, a large peninsula off the southeast coast of Eldoria, is almost entirely desert. Duren is a lawless land full of mercenaries, thieves, rogues, and sky pirates. It has several towns situated through out the desert land, but is a very dangerous place for visitors between the locals and the land itself. Despite being barren on the surface, beneath the sand lies large deposits of valuable metals, ores and ruins of past civilizations, which attracts the attention of rich nobles and corporations looking to get richer by employing citizens to mine for them. With no government, slave labor and a lot of violence breaks out between rivaling mining companies, because of this Valen with the aid of Eldoria have tried to create a small congress in Duren made up of officials of all three countries, to reduce crime, poverty and violence. History Athens has a long and somewhat mysterious history, mainly because until modern peacetime, roughly 20 before the game begins, Athens was constantly at war with itself for over 1000 years, with minor breaks in between but nothing lasting more then a few years. Durning these thousand years empires and armies rose and fell, countries grew and shrunk, governments and dynasties changed overnight. Brevair, Halmoria, Calhmore were three empires that began the wars and last for about 400 years from then Calhmore suffing from civil strife became the Arcia empire and Brevair completely fell, for the next 600 years the war changed from a largescale three way, to constant civil war and rivaling states, cities and regions in a power struggle vying for the vacuum left by the fall of Brevair, until Valen eventually emerged as an answer from the people to stop the fighting and create some kind of government, which is what led to the origin of Valens complex governing system
|
|
|
Post by realitybites on Nov 27, 2006 15:30:24 GMT -5
Well, its nice how you described the land, but what about the characters? Who are they? What part do they play in this story? How do they fit in the story?
|
|
|
Post by Neo Samurai on Nov 27, 2006 18:08:13 GMT -5
You have a nicely developed setting.
I'd be interested in hearing about your character's as well. However, if you don't want to tell us, that's all right.
|
|
DYRE
RPG Making Novice
Posts: 61
|
Post by DYRE on Nov 27, 2006 19:50:18 GMT -5
Athens? Did you really have to pick Athens? Oh well. Anyway, these countries seem nice, but what of the actual story?
|
|
|
Post by Doan the Nado on Nov 27, 2006 22:32:24 GMT -5
The descriptions of your countries are very good. They are diverse and interesting. A few sound a little "familiar," but nothing glaring. For example, I've played a few games that had a great technological city in the far north, but it is usually abandoned or the people speak an ancient language. I have seen the arid outlaw region in a few games, but that is really not a problem at all. The one I thought was the most interesting was the haunted region that everyone just stays out of. As I was reading the descriptions, I found myself imagining the progression of a game where someone is like, "Now we must proceed to Halmoria, despite our fears..."
Like the others, I agree that Athens, being a well-known city with a certain history, may cause people to expect a certain thing out of your setting that perhaps you don't intend to imply. Also, judging by the title, I'm guessing that there is going to be some kind of war between the nations (or an external invader), but I would be interested in hearing what you have planned for this.
Good luck, I look forward to hearing more.
|
|
|
Post by reynolds1203 on Nov 28, 2006 0:37:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the comments guys Well, its nice how you described the land, but what about the characters? Who are they? What part do they play in this story? How do they fit in the story? I plan to post about the characters very soon, the only thing is it would hard to describe or explain them without giving away too much plot Athens? Did you really have to pick Athens? Oh well. Anyway, these countries seem nice, but what of the actual story? I'll get to the plot too but only slightly, as for Athens i guess should change it The descriptions of your countries are very good. They are diverse and interesting. A few sound a little "familiar," but nothing glaring. For example, I've played a few games that had a great technological city in the far north Yeah, unfortuantly this project began as a practice game one RPG maker 1 so at the time i kinda just ran with the cliches, but it eventually developed into something i was really interested in doing. But i am trying to develop them so they aren't glaring or negative. And just to clear up Arcia isn't really a great technological city, mainly because of the cold and their warmonger like attitude they developed alittle further along and faster then most. I was always annoyed when a game has that one city that is lightyears beyond the others in terms of technology and science. EDIT: STORY UPDATED This is just a bit of a summary of roughly the first 1-2 hours, i know its probably kind of hard to follow but bare with it if you can, it'll all make much more sense in game form, plus alot of things are referenced here that you don't learn about until VERY late in the game Story The story is gonna be broken into 5 differant chapters (titles subject to change) Confrontation, Marionettes, Sins and Signs, Prelude to War, and Retribution Confrontation The game begins with three knights coming upon the entrance to a thick forest and are greeted by a soldier as they enter, he's wounded and dying fast but manages to speak to them and warn them of what lies ahead. Though grateful for reinforcements, he is dissappointed to see only three, until he recognizes one of them as General Biggs of Valen, he thanks Orclan, King of Valen for sending his own cousin to the front, and with his dying breath wishes them luck. Biggs and the others push on into the forest, swearing to stop Raziel before he reaches the magical ruins deep in the forest and it is to late and more die as a result. As they enter the forest, they see parts of it are in flame and that the conflict is well underway as monsters and soldiers battle each other. When they get to the first signs of the ruins they stop and Kyle, asks for clarification on their mission, Biggs tells him that they are the Reinforcements sent from Valen to aid in Eldoria's defense of the ruins from Raziel, a mysterious sorcerer. At which point Wedge chimes in and denies the existence of magic, and debates with his brother (Biggs) for a moment before, Kyle suggests that they move on and not waste anymore time. Moving through the rest of the forest and the outskirts of the castle ruins until the come to its entrance where they confront Raziel, who seems to be waiting for them. They come up behind him and order him to freeze, give him self up and call off his minions, he looks at a glowing amulet he has in hand then asks them how they knew where he was, but immediately after summons two lizard warriors to attack them and then vanishes. After they defeat the monsters the ground begins to rumble and the ruins begin to shake. Wedge begins to question his disbelief in magic as they watch the ruins tear apart from the earth and rise into the sky, while Kyle sees an opportunity, Biggs orders him to stay but he runs ahead anyway. He sprints across a cliff edge as the ruins float up and pass, he takes a chance and leaps from the cliff to the ruins barely grabbing onto a crumbling ledge along the bottom of the flying castle at the last second. He pulls himself up and enters the ruins, intent on stopping Raziel. Eventually he comes up to the throne room where he finds Raziel guarded by a demon, he engages and defeats it and prepares to do the same to Raziel. But he's not paying any attention to Kyle, instead he deeply into chanting some sort of magic spell until his trance breaks. He blames someone named Landon, and then ask Kyle about Prince James (of Valen), which startles Kyle, but he assumes he simply trying to confuse him and informs Raziel that he is under arrest. Raziel chuckles and agrees that Kyle might be the only one who could possibly stop him but not here, not now. The ruins begin to shake, and crumble beneath their feet, and outside Wedge and Biggs watch as large portions of the castle rain from the sky and crash into the forest. Raziel teleports away and Kyle is left alone and helpless as he and the ruins fall from the sky... (About the characters Biggs and Wedge, it was obviously a nod to the FF6,7, & 8 characters (which in itself is a nod to starwars), originally they weren't suppost to be major characters just two random soldiers who accompanied Kyle, but i ended up developing personalities and backstories for them and the names just stuck. I guess like Athens if anyone thinks i should i'll probably change the names) Any thoughts or comments?
|
|
|
Post by Doan the Nado on Dec 1, 2006 1:53:10 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay. I read the story, and it sounds interesting. I have nothing against the names Biggs and Wedge, but I haven't played those FF games, so that could have an effect.
You had me pretty enthralled at the outset, until about the amulet section where the ruins took to the sky. It just seemed like a huge shift from a war-based RPG to something more fantastical. I don't know what exactly you have in mind, though, so it's hard for me to pass judgment on it. It all depends on your execution and design: if it seems believable and interesting during gameplay, then I'm all for it. If you are confident that you can accomplish this, no comments on your story will matter, anyways.
|
|
|
Post by reynolds1203 on Dec 1, 2006 12:40:52 GMT -5
Thanks for replying,
About the shift of realistic war v.s. fantasy magic, i plan on balancing that throughout the story and game (and even the CBS i had originally envisioned). For most of the game/story reality based war themes will be most dominant, though. And yeah i know that 'magic amulet' and 'flying castles' are cliches but i'm not going to make them feel tacked on, overdone or cheesy, although the flying castles are a pretty major part of the story.
|
|
|
Post by Neo Samurai on Dec 1, 2006 13:29:54 GMT -5
I think you have a good start. I really wasn't bothered by the whole 'magic amulet' and 'floating ruins' part. It seemed to make some sense (The villain levitates the ruins to make an escape). I'm really looking forward to seeing this game. BTW, 'Landon' was a character from Star Wars as well.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2006 4:08:52 GMT -5
I think it's too risky to keep the names Biggs and Wedge where they are, at least. They're (the names) at the very beginning of the game and thus (in some people's opinion) make a bad first impression, that's exactly how they used them in FF6 and really close to how they used them in FF7, and they're close enough together where everyone will notice the reference immediately and it will (for those who know about it) distract them from your game momentarily. What I'd recommend is using the names Biggs and Wedge as two party members that join the team at different points in the game (or something) or finding another way to allude to the FFs. And I also want to warn you that you definitely should start with some other cutscenes for practice. This one will be quite a doozy, if you can even pull off the castle coming out of the ground (which I'm not even sure can be done, but post if you can't figure it out, this is a real toughy and will probably require several minds). For the story, it sounds good, but it's really just one action scene to get the player pumped up that doesn't reveal anything so it all depends on whether you can pull it off or not and (especially) what you have planned afterwards. If you're worried about revealing stuff you can pick someone whom you think can help you improve your story and send it to just them, too. I did that with Ves a long time ago and it helped a bunch! ;D For the countries, it sounds good except I would say that the year amounts are in general too high because countries would conquer other countries within those amounts of time and whatnot (but that's just me, see what others think too). The only reason why most of our world's borders are so stable now is because of how fast information and people can travel and that because of that countries that unjustly invade other civilized countries tend to get attacked by the whole world (Napoleon's France, Hitler's Germany, soon the US...). Either way... I like to poop! ;D For the history, a 1000 years of constant war is WAAAY too much. Consider how long a 1000 years is and if people would really keep fighting that long with only breaks of peace lasting a few years in between. Overall it sounded good, but that doesn't mean much without any (real) story and characters to comment on. Time to poop!
|
|
|
Post by vespuleth on Dec 3, 2006 2:24:28 GMT -5
palestine and israel?
i like the story. i'm digging the immersion. i don't know that i like the ... fanatstic sound of it all. we will see...
|
|
|
Post by reynolds1203 on Dec 4, 2006 0:14:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses guys BTW, 'Landon' was a character from Start Wars as well. mm, i didn't know that but actually i've already changed that characters name for other reasons And I also want to warn you that you definitely should start with some other cutscenes for practice. This one will be quite a doozy, if you can even pull off the castle coming out of the ground (which I'm not even sure can be done, but post if you can't figure it out, this is a real toughy and will probably require several minds).
I think i might be able to manage something, but i do need to get alot better with working out scripts and events to make cutscenes. Is there any guide around here that would help with making cutscene, movie, intro scripts and events specifically? For the story, it sounds good, but it's really just one action scene to get the player pumped up that doesn't reveal anything so it all depends on whether you can pull it off or not and (especially) what you have planned afterwards. Yeah, well if i can draw the player in during the first hour or two, then the game begins to level out and balance between character development, gameplay, and the plot moving along. If you're worried about revealing stuff you can pick someone whom you think can help you improve your story and send it to just them, too. I did that with Ves a long time ago and it helped a bunch!
I'll definitly consider this But like i said is there a guide that can specifically help me with cutscenes? Despite being probably my favorite thing to make they seem to be the most difficult for me right now
|
|
|
Post by Doan the Nado on Dec 4, 2006 2:40:51 GMT -5
There are a few very helpful guides at doanthenado.com/guides.htmlUnfortunately, none of them are "cutscene guides". However, doyleman's Script Tutorial may be of some help. I would say that as far as cutscenes go, you might want to check out the following from the guides page: The Final Rune's Map Editor Guide - good cutscenes need good environments Rodak's VFX Guide - many cutscenes will require VFX my World Creation Guide - for help on putting it all together I would say that if you feel like you need help with RPGM2 in general, doyleman's guide is a good place to start. Once you get the hang of things (or catch up to where he is currently), you should check out the others for more directed help. I hope that helps!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2006 5:50:28 GMT -5
I second everything Doan said! Also, learn what the Event: Control: Change command is, what it does, and how to use it. The in-game help file, Dungeon Warden's 'Advanced RPGM2 Scripting FAQ' here, and Blood Knight's 'Scripting FAQ' at gamefaqs.com all have definitions, descriptions, examples, explanations, etc. about it. Use the various camera commands with Apply Together and Wait to make your cutscenes have dynamic camera movements. I'm tired of that ing 30/40 degree angle or whatever, make your cutscenes' camera interesting! (you'd set it up like this: Apply Together Screen: Camera: Rotate: E 60F Screen: Camera: Height: -12 60F Screen: Camera: Verticle Angle: 24* 60F Apply in Order Wait 60F *Use whatever other Camera movement options you want too, I forget them as of now since it's been a while but you can do some pretty sweet with them!*) Use the music to transcend what the characters are feeling into the audience!!!!! (Remember to fade it in at the right time and fade it out at the right time) Test it over and over for EVERY little thing so as to make sure EVERYTHING is perfect: Is the camera always EXACTLY centered, does the camera ever jerk during its movements, is the dialogue/inner monologue perfectly smooth, are there smaller things in the story that on second though should be removed such as the example below, do the characters have enough facial expressions throughout the scene, do the characters move around (any movement: walk, raise hands, etc.) enough during the scene, is anything important enough in the scene that it should have the camera zoom into that character for that part of the scene, do any of the characters jerk when they change between their Wait/Walk/Happy/Special Motions in that scene, do I reach the desired affect of making the audience feel the same way the players do through the combined use of visuals, spoken dialogue, inner monologue, subject matter, and ESPECIALLY music, does the music help to transcend how the characters feel onto the audience, does the music enter at the right time so as to strike (or come close to striking) an emotional chord, does the music exit at a nice time so as to slip by unnoticed, if the music would be best fading in does it, if the music would be best fading out does it, if the music would be best coming in with a bang does it, do the characters in the scene that aren't supposed to be generics look like generic characters, and... I'm pooped out. Example of "smaller things in story that on second thought should be removed." guy a - "Wow!!"guy b - "Wow... Who saw that comin'?"guy a - "Yeah, who DID see that comin'? That's in' crazy."guy b - "Yeah, I know, wow... Damn..."guy a - "Who saw THAT comin'? I mean, THAT, THAAAT... Who saw that comin'? I mean really, who saw that comin' man?! Really!!... This is amazing... The Heavenly Crystal of the Blessed Elemental Powers of the Earth Sent From Above By The God Of Man To Be Used By The Chosen Hero Who Will Then Becom The Ultimate Strong Willed Mighty Warrior One... and here it is..."editted to: guy a - "Wow!!" guy b - "Who saw that comin'?" guy a - "That's in' crazy." guy b - "Damn..." guy a - "Who saw THAT comin'? Really!!... This is amazing... The Heavenly Crystal of the Blessed Elemental Powers of the Earth Sent From Above By The God Of Man To Be Used By The Chosen Hero Who Will Then Becom The Ultimate Strong Willed Mighty Warrior One... and here it is..." Point is: I was just talkin' about little dialogue/inner monologue stuff when I said smaller things in the story that on second thought should be removed earlier in this post when talking about cutscenes. Just, y'know, the old "I went to the school of redundancy school" deal-eeyo. Poop out!
|
|
|
Post by doyleman on Dec 5, 2006 14:49:07 GMT -5
Nice revision, Will I thought BloodKnight removed the guide from gfaqs? (atleast, it isn't up there for me, anymore...) Anyway, yeah, believe me when I say this, but spending time into reading guides can be very well worth the wait. RPGM2 is not one of those pick up and play things (or for most people). its a pick up and toy thing, where you really just mess around with it for a while (this 'while' could be up to a couple of months!). Again, believe me when I also say that once you DO get used to it, the wait and learning from guides, and toying, etc, is well over it's worth
|
|