9962 réponses à ce sujet

[Drussius]

Not denying that there could have been good benefits to including both systems. But I doubt that sabotage actually worked by generating heat. It probably overloaded whatever sensor measures heat output to put the gun into the safety cooldown mode. If it generated heat, the gun would have been damaged, the heat would have burned the wielder's hands, etc. So it wouldn't have ruined the thermal clips or actually heated them up. Snap out clip, snap it right back in, system reset. With an internal heat sink you couldn't have removed and reconnected it, so there's no choice but to wait for the cooldown.

And I would assume the majority of a weapon's functioning is mechanical in nature. If it's all circuitry and electronics, why sabotage to overload the heat sink at all? Hit it with an EMP, fry all the electronics permanently, leave your target with a really expensive baseball bat.

Really wanted to drop this, and have tried to be polite, but I can't help but see the "In my universe, scientists haven't been licking drells" as something akin to "Anyone trying to debate me must be on drugs. I'm right, go away." Whether it was intended as such or not, I don't know. There are arguments to be made in favor of your point, but also for mine.

And both of our arguments can also be shrugged off as... Me: Eh. Shooter fanatic, defending Bioware, unwilling to see that it's all Bioware's pandering. You: Meh. New and different, thus bad. No amount of logic will disuade me.

And with that said, I will avoid all technology debates in the future. I've already done too much to derail an excellent resourse for writers by arguing semantics, when neither of us will ever concede to the other's point. But in the future, should anyone want my thoughts on technical matters in the ME universe, I think it best to keep them to Private Messages. I will henceforth restrict myself to offering opinions on the writing, not the theory behind any of the features of ME universe/technology, so as to be more thread-friendly.

[hot_heart]

Well, I think it's been an enlightening discussion and I can see points on both sides. I think any writer considering the ramifications of the technology would benefit from it.

[lillitheris]

Drussius wrote...

And I would assume the majority of a weapon's functioning is mechanical in nature. If it's all circuitry and electronics, why sabotage to overload the heat sink at all?

You’re assuming that it makes any sense to begin with. That’s a good question to ask.

I can guarantee you that a mass effect field weapon is not primarily mechanical. It’s got extensive firmware/software functionality. (Remember the codex stuff about how it calculates distance to target and uses it to adjust things in the firing process, for example? That’s in addition to the actual programs required to set up the field itself, handle the weapon compacting, handle the ammo changes…)

And with that said, I will avoid all technology debates in the future. I've already done too much to derail an excellent resourse for writers by arguing semantics, when neither of us will ever concede to the other's point. But in the future, should anyone want my thoughts on technical matters in the ME universe, I think it best to keep them to Private Messages. I will henceforth restrict myself to offering opinions on the writing, not the theory behind any of the features of ME universe/technology, so as to be more thread-friendly.

Oh, come now! I’m sorry if I seem aggressive…I’ve a thick hide from long history of internet debates. And not enough smileys. I’m only arguing (or trying to) against your argument, not you.

This is debating! It’s good! Again, sorry if I was overboard, but one of the most valuable things is making and defending arguments. A dissertation, if you will. Maybe a little rough and tumble at times, but it’s the best way to find problems (and solutions).

Especially with recent ME events, I’m a little sensitive to what to me seems like rationalization. If you’re happy with the explanation you’re given, by all means.

I am firmly of the opinion that there is absolutely no realistic reason why  they would have gotten rid of the internal heatsink (how does the external heatsink even work? It has to reproduce what already existed internally!) Removal thereof is a straight-up game mechanics thing, and I’m going to ignore it as such. I hate the rationalization given. I wish they’d rather not given one at all.

* If there were problems, and sounds like there may have been, those could have been addressed within the existing mechanic. Cooldowns too slow? Scientists invent an improved sink! Sabotage annoying? Scientists invent better protection for the controller! Problems solved. There is no actual need to introduce clips.

…

Anyway, to bring it back, writing-wise, if you do opt to go with guns that are useless except as clubs when you run out of  clips, that poses some challenges. The better you can incorporate the logistics of handling the clips, the better. If you go with it, make it come alive.

Things to account for are the number that people can carry, the number a ship will have for a set of missions, how disposed clips are handled (does someone collect them?), where clips get ejected to begin with, can you actually use any clip anywhere (in the game, you can’t), where do you get refills, why clips may or may not be laying around just to be collected etc.

If you can incorporate things like running out of ammo—and not the movie kind where they actually miraculously do end up being sufficient, but actually having to abort a mission because of it or something—or maybe setting an apartment on fire for emptying carelessly, or whatever…that’ll bring life into it.

Modifié par lillitheris, 19 août 2012 - 02:23 .

[Outlawstar15a2]

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

[lillitheris]

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

Those things are devilishly hard to catch. Do you have anything to go by, yet? A story idea, or maybe even just some disconnected scenes? Any characters you particularly liked, or any that you felt were done injustice to in the game somehow?

[Spiritwolf1]

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

Have you tried reading some of the exsisting fan fics, that is how I got my muse

[Ursakar]

Spiritwolf1 wrote...

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

Have you tried reading some of the exsisting fan fics, that is how I got my muse

Same advice here. I've started thinking about writing after I've read a ton of other people's fanfics. Then I've stumbled over the Colonel_Mustard1990's Warhammer/Mass Effect crossover and the idea of my current story was born.

PS: I've posted a new chapter yesterday and already recieved 50 reviews. Yay!

[lillitheris]

^ Eek! That’s many! 5 per chapter is high for me, and that’s only recently…the first ~15 or so chapters it was 0-2 per.

Are you getting some regular concrit in there? Statistically you should

…

For other fics to read, scour the signatures in this thread, or take a look at the sticky at the top of this forum.

[Ursakar]

Yeah, I get it from time to time.

Modifié par Ursakar, 19 août 2012 - 07:23 .

[Lilivati]

I think I am finally out of dialogue purgatory on my currently-being-written chapter. Nothing much to add, just needed to tell someone since it was much more of an uphill climb than I was expecting on this one. The dialogue seminar at GenCon came at a good time though.

[lillitheris]

Hooray! Did you head for the inferno or the paradiso?

[Lilivati]

Hah! We'll say paradiso since I didn't end up cutting it / saving it for another time, which I was sorely tempted to do after the first draft.

Now I just need to write the rest of the chapter and maybe push it out today.

[Outlawstar15a2]

lillitheris wrote...

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

Those things are devilishly hard to catch. Do you have anything to go by, yet? A story idea, or maybe even just some disconnected scenes? Any characters you particularly liked, or any that you felt were done injustice to in the game somehow?

I have a lot of story ideas. I like to avoid using canonical main characters like Shepard and Liara. I luv my Liara but I find (from my experience at least) that most people frown on such a practice. I wanted to do a story with all new characters maybe a few cameos from some minor characters.

[MacNasty]

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

lillitheris wrote...

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

Those things are devilishly hard to catch. Do you have anything to go by, yet? A story idea, or maybe even just some disconnected scenes? Any characters you particularly liked, or any that you felt were done injustice to in the game somehow?

I have a lot of story ideas. I like to avoid using canonical main characters like Shepard and Liara. I luv my Liara but I find (from my experience at least) that most people frown on such a practice. I wanted to do a story with all new characters maybe a few cameos from some minor characters.

Yay! Not alone in this Though I write really slow so it's not up yet xD I suppose not exactly alike but nearly so.

Also, quick question. What do you think Quarian names are closest to? I've got to name quite a few and it's getting a bit annoying I say . If I could see something less... alien... as to what they could be related to, or at least a tip to help naming them, it would be much appreciated 

Modifié par MacNasty, 20 août 2012 - 02:04 .

[Outlawstar15a2]

MacNasty wrote...

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

lillitheris wrote...

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I used to write fanfics back in my Battle Realms days. I really would like to start writing again but I lack a muse, and I've spent the years trying to find another. I don't know what else I should try.

Those things are devilishly hard to catch. Do you have anything to go by, yet? A story idea, or maybe even just some disconnected scenes? Any characters you particularly liked, or any that you felt were done injustice to in the game somehow?

I have a lot of story ideas. I like to avoid using canonical main characters like Shepard and Liara. I luv my Liara but I find (from my experience at least) that most people frown on such a practice. I wanted to do a story with all new characters maybe a few cameos from some minor characters.

Yay! Not alone in this Though I write really slow so it's not up yet xD I suppose not exactly alike but nearly so.

Also, quick question. What do you think Quarian names are closest to? I've got to name quite a few and it's getting a bit annoying I say . If I could see something less... alien... as to what they could be related to, or at least a tip to help naming them, it would be much appreciated 

Quarians seem to draw names from various sources. Arabic, Germanic, and English come to mind.

[superchevy999]

50 reviews for one chapter......oh i dream of the day.

[lillitheris]

Outlawstar15a2 wrote...

I have a lot of story ideas. I like to avoid using canonical main characters like Shepard and Liara. I luv my Liara but I find (from my experience at least) that most people frown on such a practice. I wanted to do a story with all new characters maybe a few cameos from some minor characters.

Frown on which practice? I’d not worry too much…there’re plenty of all-OC stories with or without cameos. Drussius, for example, has one going. Several in my fanfic list stickied at the top of the forum too.

So, if that’s the story you want to write, go for it!

…

I’d try not to restrict any species to a specific region (why would they only have a single culture/linguistic base?) but most of the quarians we meet have a vaguely middle eastern name.

[hot_heart]

OK, for my own purposes, how does everyone view the course of events for Sanctuary? This is assuming Miranda survived ME2, obviously.

From what I can gather, TIM was aware that the Reapers were either interested in the facility, or already attacking it, hence why he sent Kai Leng to get the data.

And if Miranda's line about "Things got really complicated when Reapers showed up. And Kai Leng", is meant as chronological as it sounds, then she could've been there sometime, finding her way around. At some point, Kai Leng must have beaten her to the tower and I guess she encountered him on his way back. I can't recall if she was in the tower when she was attacked though, and whether exactly the 'heavy resistance' was Reapers or Cerberus.

I guess it's something like:
1. Miranda arrives - either she has found a secret way through which she arrives into the facility, or discovers a secret entrance somewhere beyond the legitimate-looking front like Shepard does.
2. Searching around, she uncovers what has been going on. During this time, Reapers arrive.
3. Kai Leng arrives, making it to the tower (while the Reapers are focused on Miranda?) and retrieves the data. He abandons Henry and Oriana who have holed up in there.
4. Miranda encounters Kai Leng. He leaves without 'finishing the job' and also avoids Shepard on his way out.
5. Miranda makes it into the tower with Shepard not far behind.

The bits I am a little unclear on is whether she would've faced Cerberus troops beforehand, or if perhaps they arrived with Kai Leng. Also, I assume she knew Oriana must be there because her father was. Or maybe she gets some information our of Kai Leng?

It's guaranteed that I've probably missed some detail somewhere, and so multiple perspectives on it would be most useful. Thanks in advance!

[lillitheris]

Well…I’d have to actually replay it, I don’t remember much beyond there being lots of scary rooms but very few enemies.

However, it seems difficult for Miranda to be able to search for information before there’s some kind of a disruption in the complex?

[YurigirlzCrush]

sorry to interrupt another question with a question, but how many writers here plan out the path of their story in advance? and for the ones that do, how detailed do you get? do you block out the plot per chapter? or just put together an overall timeline? I think i'd be rubbish at writing a story without a clear plan for how it goes, but i'm a bit lost in putting it together on top of fleshing out the characters i'm adding from imagination + figuring out the proper tone for the established characters we all love. wanna get some idea of how other peeps are successful at it.

[hot_heart]

lillitheris wrote...
However, it seems difficult for Miranda to be able to search for information before there’s some kind of a disruption in the complex?

I'd assume she had some time before things kicked off. She did record a load of logs after all. Though it's feasible that her shutting down some of the power to contain the husks and such, gave her some breathing room.

[Obsidian Gryphon]

YurigirlzCrush wrote...

sorry to interrupt another question with a question, but how many writers here plan out the path of their story in advance? and for the ones that do, how detailed do you get? do you block out the plot per chapter? or just put together an overall timeline? I think i'd be rubbish at writing a story without a clear plan for how it goes, but i'm a bit lost in putting it together on top of fleshing out the characters i'm adding from imagination + figuring out the proper tone for the established characters we all love. wanna get some idea of how other peeps are successful at it.

Been asked before. It's different for everyone.

Me, I don't plan in advance. I just have a general idea where I want to go, follow the images in my head and just write.

[lillitheris]

^ Same. But if you feel you need a long-term plan, then that’s the right way for you.

[Spiritwolf1]

Obsidian Gryphon wrote...

YurigirlzCrush wrote...

sorry to interrupt another question with a question, but how many writers here plan out the path of their story in advance? and for the ones that do, how detailed do you get? do you block out the plot per chapter? or just put together an overall timeline? I think i'd be rubbish at writing a story without a clear plan for how it goes, but i'm a bit lost in putting it together on top of fleshing out the characters i'm adding from imagination + figuring out the proper tone for the established characters we all love. wanna get some idea of how other peeps are successful at it.

Been asked before. It's different for everyone.

Me, I don't plan in advance. I just have a general idea where I want to go, follow the images in my head and just write.

I'm the same as well, I have a end destination but no road map telling me how to get there

Modifié par Spiritwolf1, 20 août 2012 - 03:41 .

[Icyflare]

YurigirlzCrush wrote...

sorry to interrupt another question with a question, but how many writers here plan out the path of their story in advance? and for the ones that do, how detailed do you get? do you block out the plot per chapter? or just put together an overall timeline? I think i'd be rubbish at writing a story without a clear plan for how it goes, but i'm a bit lost in putting it together on top of fleshing out the characters i'm adding from imagination + figuring out the proper tone for the established characters we all love. wanna get some idea of how other peeps are successful at it.

I've done stuff like plan out the important events in my chapters and sometimes the little ones in-between them  before completely disregarding most of the things I've jotted down to make them up on the spot instead =/ Dependent on your preferences really, although I think a general outline for the story would help a bit.

Modifié par Icyflare, 20 août 2012 - 04:31 .