Even more story ideas

[Tornadic]

(05-02-2010, 07:20 PM)Metalogic Wrote: The only problem with taking the storyline in the real, was that you couldn't take the player base to the real too.

Great point. In the movie, you can take show the audience the real, essentially taking them there. With the game, people need to go there, and that just wasn't going to happen. Which made me feel like I had even less of an impact on the story then I already did.

[Metalogic]

(05-02-2010, 07:41 PM)Tornadic Wrote: Which made me feel like I had even less of an impact on the story then I already did.

This is why I brought up the idea of an open ended storyline. I want the players to have more of an impact, I want the players to feel like doing the mission and attending live events actually matter.

[Agent Pace]

(05-02-2010, 10:10 PM)Metalogic Wrote: This is why I brought up the idea of an open ended storyline. I want the players to have more of an impact, I want the players to feel like doing the mission and attending live events actually matter.

Ideally, that would be perfect. But realistically, as someone said before, this would require a lot more work, and maybe even some improvisation from the part of the writters. Planning multiple scenarios at the same time is possible, but would require more time, hence less events.

Maybe starting with key events being open ended, but not all of them. At least not while we aren't comfortable with the new LET.

[Vesuveus]

I have to be a pessimist here. I feel that my posts are pessimistic, but realistic.

We may have to accept a lower standard of story participation for an amount of time. Monolith had the desire and the means to do it. There were people who's full time job was to play as LET characters and bring the community into the storyline. Updates, meetings, invitations to live events, etc. were done by main characters. I would love for a volunteer to take this approach, but no one can be expected to keep this level of immersion as a volunteer.

For the single writer approach with 2 advisors, only the outline would have to be approved, not a detailed story arc. That way changes are easier to make.

Another thing is that wherever the story goes, some of us may not like it and that's okay. It is just unfortunate that the official MxO storyline sucked in some spots and particularly toward the end because it was supposed to be canon and we paid for it. But some people did like the Oligarch storyline. I went along with it, but was not too interested.

[Agent Pace]

I don't find that pessimistic at all, Vesuveus. It's very true, none of us can put the same amount of work into the story and live events as the original Monolith team. That wouldn't be a realistic goal.

What we could do, though, is make the fewer events we have bring more impact to the storyline, as Metalogic already suggested. In a way that half of them are not just following some guy around while he talks for an hour, like it used to be back in SOE's day. That would save us time and effort.

And of course, I believe that screenshots of archives would be necessary, so that people who missed them can still follow around. Varying the time period of the events, also, so it isn't always the same people who can attend, while the others are always working or sleeping.

[cloudwolf]

Talk of LETs and LESIGs make me remember when I tried to pull off my own event. Much harder than I expected. Though it went ok for those few who did get involved methinks. Too much planning, not enough execution. Think I'll stick to personal text-based RP in the future.

[Barloke]

I do agree that a writing team shouldn't be two big (three is a pretty good number that at least you'd get a pretty even vote) I would however suggest a suggestion box of sorts just to get some ideas out. For me though alot of aspects of AB worked for me . They used youtube for their "cinematics" they had their own websites where some main characters could converse with you as well as some of the invented characters and they had rsi counterparts (although it was hard being intimidated by a level 10 character while you're 50).

Pros and Cons to the situation and this is just my opinion based on to what I have read so far from this thread is that.

PRO- Unlike Algorithim Black there are resources available to make new characters (RSI's) that won't start off as a low level and may actually come with some special abilities. That would help with the visiual imagery i think.

CON- Unlike WB any character made or one of the main characters used (Like the Merv , Oracle, Morpheus, etc) is going to be handled by volunteers and like everyone is implying this could open a whole new can of worms if it's done wrong such as identities and plots leaked plus favoritism comes to mind.

PRO - If we have special events (say once every two months on the safe side ) those events would have to be well thought out and planned. AB for all the problems it was having the storyline wasn't half bad. If the story is well thought out and DOES plan for contingencies in the plot and is loose enough to handle the unexpected it should be a pretty cool event.

CON- Again it's like we are our worst enemy when it comes to this stuff. The more people involved with making the event (and although it makes the job easier) the more chance that something goes wrong with the identities of the actors or the storyline plot getting leaked out.

The only solution i can see for now (and again this is my opinion) is to start small. If we start out with three writers , great , but let them have control of the main characters (and any main characters they want to make up) use whatever resources they have to get us aware of the story and where we are in the event. Like for instance it could be something as simple as one sentence in the forums or even contacting one player or a small group to go somewhere (of course we all are going to blab to the world who we saw and what we were doing, lets be honest folks but that's the point).

Later if the writers need more help with characters they could screen applicants but my humble suggestion would be this... If you are to control a main character or one invented by the writers that's it. If you have characters on MXO they are going to die. Like if i wanted to be Flood i would have to kill off Barloke.

Another thing that would come to mind is if you are a known Merv for example , you would have access to only the characters and storyline from the other two orgs. (So me again for example could only play from the Zion or Machine standpoint).

It isn't a perfect solution but I think it would reduce the risk of anyone blabbing the storyline out or screwing it up for anyone else. Plus if you have these stipulations up front at least you know who is real serious about playing a main character and yeah its a little harsh but probably necesary.

[Archangel]

(05-02-2010, 01:40 PM)Metalogic Wrote: [quote='Vesuveus' pid='5947' dateline='1265340173']The realistic problem with this is that the writer or writers will have to constantly prepare alternate branches. When you bring web designed items like a sentinel or scanline, which I would love to see, then the planning becomes too complex and time crunched.

I read an article on players affecting storyline and the author was pretty innovative. However he explained it like this; You know players will show up and compete to be involved in the storyline. It's not what happens (because it is scripted) but who makes it happen.

Well I was (and still am) trying to find a way to have the players be more involved in the storyline, so that instead of feeling like you're just watching a movie, or a play, you feel like you're taking part in the action. You feel like you're actually contributing to something. I thought that having a more player driven storyline would achieve that.

Quote:I am very afraid of a panel of writers. The group must be small. When too many people get involved the tendency will to try and take over. Anyone who knows anything about Algorithm: Black knows this is a recipe for disaster.

Quote:Ahh so that's what happened to A:B.

Not quite. What happened was attrition. Half of the people we started with didn't do what they signed on to do and then the rest were lost as interest in MxO began to wane or they were accepted into LESIG.

There. My silence is broken. Hi, everyone.

[Vesuveus]

I stand corrected.

Oh, hi Yahweh. I won't CCR you if you take that name.

[TRX]

Hi all..

i took the time to read all of the ideas posted here.
I started mxo one year after beta, and ive seen a lot of good ideas here comparing to what i loved about MxO.
When i started the game and joined the recursion server, i wasnt a roleplayer at all, due to the fact partially that MxO was my first MMORPG.
The first faction i was in didnt really roleplay also.
But after playing a year i got more involved in the storyline, and started to roleplay more and more up to a point that roleplaying was almost the only thing i did.
So here to what my reaction is to all the ideas here.
About the story being written, i think best would be 2 writers, and 1 involved as to bring an opinion about it. i made player events as well, i wrote the story and made the idea but with someone else. To write alone and also make it happen is to much to do alone.

I have to agree with the opinion that Live events is what made MxO different and special, and im in fave of bringing that closer to the player.
I hated to miss out on those as i live in holland, but the few times i actually got on niobes team or real interactive meetings with those characters are things i really enjoyed doing, and never forget. It just makes you feel you played a part in it, and it made it fun.
So a step in by one of the mains once in while apart from the live event helps.
It can be very essential as i remember ps10n had a meeting alone with morpheus in the beginning and it made him always remember, in relation to his own char.
The unexpected things are fun.

I remember trying to set up an alliance between Zion factions and in one of my meetings with two other captains, a mach picked up the convo and barged in wanting the information we were talking about, wich resulted in a fight, wich was cool, besides the fact it was between players. So that kinda interaction by actors would be welcome in my opinion.

Now i think theres a difference in Main Roleplayers and made up ones like for a short period.
I do think though that they would have to be good, and its maybe an idea to keep the storyline from the actors, untill the last moment.
And to not totally rule out everybody applying to play a role, like made up temporary ones could be done by folks who dont play a main, but are good as well for a small role, but didnt make it to be a main.
But i think if one playes a Main or big role then you play that part, and no other character, as barloke said.
You gotta be the character and not have anything else.

The idea to make a suggestion box for a side story, or idea involving story
is a good one for those creative minds.

The best thing about MxO in my opinion, was that at some point you would have to work together, as players but also as orgs, and that last thing got less important in a while for a lot of folks, allthough some kept that spirit.
And i always loved how open and helpfull the comunnity was to each other or new players.


I think a mix of missions as well as taking forum information to bring that in to the game was rare but good. It makes you being busy puzzling stuff, or getting information needed to continue.
With this element, by having to put effort in searching and finding information and be the first to know as a player is fun and you can earn some respect for it :-)

Anyway i see good ideas and and potential good improvements.
Keep it up folks