9961 réponses à ce sujet

[Seracen]

Obsidian Gryphon wrote...

Haven't been in for the past week. Didn't update fanfic, haven't been working on it...just too worried and tired (RL) to fiddle with it. However, I've returned to GW2 and spending hours and hours in it, partly due to a needed tool to stay awake and also to catch up.

And I've to say...I've left the ME game totally. Before, I spent hours in MP. Now, no interest. Perhaps I would return to the SP, years later but probably not, in view of how spectacularly it nosedived. Nostalgia. Yes. Fullsome fond memories? No.

As it is, returning to work on fanfic and listening to the main theme of an old FPS MP. The first one, along with Quake 3, to spawn the genre. The Golden classic. It's no RPG but I had a fantastic marvelous time with it. Unreal Tournament 1999 I still return to it to play.

Totally with you on the MP aspect of it.  I was all about getting all the unlocks, and had all the races unlocked until the last expansion.  Somewhere in that gap, I realized I didn't care.

Furthermore, I don't use XBL that much, and ME MP certainly isn't going to make me, although it IS the reason I bought a renewal last year (discount with preorder pickup).

On the other hand, ME is the reason I bought an XBOX 360.  Despite the crappy ending, it still holds the prime shelfspace along with my fave anime and movies.

As for the travesty of an ending, well, that's why I wrote my own.  I doubt that any ending could have lived up to all expectations, but it did cause me to use these forums to vent.  The subsequent forum experiences over the past year have been fun, so I can't complain.

[MrStoob]

Agree with above comments re: actually playing the damn game.

Haven't touched SP apart from to play DLC in an age and once the DLC is done, I CBA playing the rest. For MP, I was trying to max out the old manifest but rather like Seracen, realised I really don't care.

Currently, I'm obsessing on Bioshock Infinite, which I highly recommend. One of those games whose story lingers in the mind for a few days after finishing it.

[Seracen]

MrStoob wrote...

Agree with above comments re: actually playing the damn game.

Haven't touched SP apart from to play DLC in an age and once the DLC is done, I CBA playing the rest. For MP, I was trying to max out the old manifest but rather like Seracen, realised I really don't care.

Currently, I'm obsessing on Bioshock Infinite, which I highly recommend. One of those games whose story lingers in the mind for a few days after finishing it.

Agreed on BS: Infinite.  Big fan, great story, amazing gameplay.

Wasn't a big fan of the ending though.  It was a relatively good ending, in that it didn't rip our guts out like ME3 or AC3; but I won't spoil it here.  My problem was that it seemed really pretentious.

Also, the twist, I sort of hated the twist, because the emotions engendered leading up to that twist were not the appropriate ones to be feeling.  My expectations were lined up in a completely different manner.  This is the only reason I found it so jarring.

The crafting of the experience, however, was flawless.  That that's the same opinion I have on ME3.  The expectations set for the ending, vs the experience we recieved, weren't even in the same universe.

The overall package, however, was so amazing, I still consider it a hallmark quintessential; and the ride leading up to the finish is peerless.

Modifié par Seracen, 12 avril 2013 - 10:07 .

[DosTacos]

This is my first post (I think on these forums, ever, actually), so first of all, hello, and thanks for making this thread.

I've finally decided to write something, and I have a ~12,000ish word story that aims to tackle Priority:Earth and the aftermath. The problem I'm having is that I want to include Kasumi in the action, but I really don't think it would be in-character for her to ride along with the fleet to Earth. Not to say she doesn't want to do her part, but Kasumi was pretty loathe to even consider joining up with Shep during the indoctrinated hanar quest in ME3. I did include a non-cannon force in addition to Sword and Shield, mostly made up of hospital/logistics/science ships that are carrying some of the Crucible people to monitor it as it docks. I had put Kasumi on this fleet, thinking that as she got to know Brynn, Khalee, and David Archer she wouldn't want to just abandon them. It still doesn't seem quite right for two reasons:

One, what would her job even be? She's a thief and con artist with a side of ninja, not a babysitter for scientists.

Two, I still think this motivation is weak, and not very true to Kasumi's nature.

I'm not so much looking for plot beats, but I was wondering if anyone has run into a similar situation of wanting the story to go one way, but not wanting to break from how you feel a character should be acting or thinking.

Modifié par DosTacos, 13 avril 2013 - 01:53 .

[Lokiwithrope]

Asari Justicar: (Name)
Geth Juggernaut: Prometheus. Bravo Squad.
N7 Demolisher: Emily.
N7 Fury: Theresa.
N7 Shadow: Sofia.
Phoenix Vanguard: Damon. Bravo Squad.
Turian Havoc: (Name)
Quarian Marksman: Zor'el. Victor Squad.

Here are the three characters. I need a name for the Justicar and Havoc.

[hot_heart]

DosTacos wrote...
I had put Kasumi on this fleet, thinking that as she got to know Brynn, Khalee, and David Archer she wouldn't want to just abandon them. It still doesn't seem quite right for two reasons:

One, what would her job even be? She's a thief and con artist with a side of ninja, not a babysitter for scientists.

Two, I still think this motivation is weak, and not very true to Kasumi's nature.

I'm not so much looking for plot beats, but I was wondering if anyone has run into a similar situation of wanting the story to go one way, but not wanting to break from how you feel a character should be acting or thinking.

I suppose she could've been forced? Once you're on the Crucible project, I'm not sure how freely you're allowed to roam. They must have some way of keeping a master thief in check.

Otherwise, I think your own reasoning is fine. After all, the galaxy could be ending, and maybe she started to feel some investment in its future as well as the people fighting for it. I don't think it's too far-fetched. She did agree to a suicide mission before that. Her reluctance to rejoin Shepard in ME3 I attribute to BioWare attempting to justify leaving her out of the main squad or story; much like most of the ME2 squad.

p.s. welcome!

Lokiwithrope wrote...
Turian Havoc: (Name)

Victor. Victor squad.

/hijinxensue

Modifié par hot_heart, 13 avril 2013 - 02:47 .

[MrStoob]

Lokiwithrope wrote...

Asari Justicar: Felutia (pronounced 'Feloosha')

Dunno if Justicars or Matriarchs drop their last name, but Samara and Benezia didn't seem to use one.

[hot_heart]

Today's writing method: bang head against keyboard until the words come out, rearrange into intelligible sentences.

I hate having so much exposition. Got to keep it natural-sounding and in order, which requires so much chopping and moving about. Needs to be done though.

[Fatiguesdualism]

hot_heart wrote...

Today's writing method: bang head against keyboard until the words come out, rearrange into intelligible sentences.

The mark of a talented writer!   (Must be because whenever I try that, well I can't even rearrange the gibberish into words - never mind a sentence. ) 

Regarding the topic of names, I have a similar problem to the chappie/chappess/poster above.  I'm trying to come up with a couple of names (literally 1 turian + 1 salarian) and as great as everyone here is (bar me -  obviously!) I think you may get a bit surly if I keep re-appearing asking for names.  So I'm wondering if anyone's got ideas for guidelines on crafting names, eg.

Turian(Male):  Sound Roman/Latin (ish) - If it wouldn't sound out of place in a Roman Legion you're good  Garrus/Victus/Tacitus. (Female):  - No idea haven't met one!
Asari:  Tend to be longer and graceful than humans, softer sounds (sibilant? - in a good way?  I know 'Liara' doesn't really fit but) .  Higher vowel content?
Salarian(Male):  Short, two syllabels - Mor'din/Pa'dok (Realise Salarian names are in 'reality' extended much more but )  Fast, rapid sounds.  (Female): - Again not really sure

Still rambled enough so if anyone's got an idea/seen something similar please leave a note/link/etc!

[hot_heart]

Your turian one sounds right. Though, it might be worth noting that Victus is a surname while Garrus is a first name. Would've been funny if they used the full form of Tarquinius Victus; still, for English people at least, Tarquin makes him sound like an upper class twit.

Yes, that's an idea, call your turian Bertie or Wooster.

For salarian names, I just use the example that:
Padok Wiks = Patrick Weekes
Jondom Bau = John Dombrow

So they can be a twist on existing names, if you're so inclined (I'd use them as cheeky references).

I have no idea how to name an asari.

[MrStoob]

hot_heart wrote...
I have no idea how to name an asari.

I find the asari names rather Roman-esque.

[Fatiguesdualism]

Thanks hot_heart for the salarian tip, I hadn't noticed that (I really suck at Countdown/anagrams!) and I really wish I could come up with turian spin on Bertie Wooster  (loved ITV's Jeeves & Wooster - note to self: buy more of the original books), but maybe a salarian, hmm (Jeeves would be difficult to include though).
 
As an aside, I saw Drussius is trying to update/resolve the fanfic list thread.  Does anyone else think we should ask him which mods he's trying to reach and PM them as well?  It might help.  (Lill's thread is great, but it's kind of a shame that new fics aren't being collated into the main list anymore)

PS hot_heart don't think I didn't notice the 'English' slip there, I'm sure you meant to say British!  You folks south of the border tend to be a little forgetful at times!    (Unless, you know, Murray/Coulthard weren't actually winning in which case - look suddenly they're 'Scots' again!)

PPS I only notice because the tartan skirt wearing, haggis eating locals have taken EVERY opportunity to point this out to me!   

Modifié par Fatiguesdualism, 13 avril 2013 - 08:50 .

[hot_heart]

Fatiguesdualism wrote...
PS hot_heart don't think I didn't notice the 'English' slip there, I'm sure you meant to say British!

Uh...English-speaking, I meant...yes...

I dinnae mean ta offend yoos (I did then)

[Fatiguesdualism]

Hold on I need to go find a local to translate your last sentence back into a proper language.....No it's OK you didn't offend me.  But the big hairy Highlander who translated for me has stalked off muttering something about 'Sassenachs' under his breath! 

[hot_heart]

Haha. Wuh oh...

[Seracen]

DosTacos wrote...

This is my first post (I think on these forums, ever, actually), so first of all, hello, and thanks for making this thread.

...

The problem I'm having is that I want to include Kasumi in the action
....

One, what would her job even be? She's a thief and con artist with a side of ninja, not a babysitter for scientists.

Two, I still think this motivation is weak, and not very true to Kasumi's nature.

I'm not so much looking for plot beats, but I was wondering if anyone has run into a similar situation of wanting the story to go one way, but not wanting to break from how you feel a character should be acting or thinking.

Well, as far as being a part of Project Crucible, firstly, I think it was a poor choice on BW's part to make them random "assets."  Still, putting that aside...

She will be on the same ship as Jacob, who she crushes on.  Perhaps it's a looking down from afar, as he's got a family  to think about now.

She would also have been the person to go steal supplies for the project from behind enemy lines, so there's the other thing she could be doing.

Mostly, however, I think she'd just get attached to them (her new crewmates), and want to protect them.

hot_heart wrote...

Today's writing method: bang head against keyboard until the words come out, rearrange into intelligible sentences.

I hate having so much exposition. Got to keep it natural-sounding and in order, which requires so much chopping and moving about. Needs to be done though.

One way I get around dialogue that gets long in the tooth: Apply broad brush strokes from their perspective.

After someone has said something, if I can expound upon their thoughts in a sentence or two, I do.  This allows me to slip in descriptive dialogue, which keeps things fresh in the reader's mind.  It also lets me gloss over what may be lines and lines of spoken text.

If they are explaining stuff, I almost speak as would a campfire storyteller.

[hot_heart]

Seracen wrote...
One way I get around dialogue that gets long in the tooth: Apply broad brush strokes from their perspective.

After someone has said something, if I can expound upon their thoughts in a sentence or two, I do.  This allows me to slip in descriptive dialogue, which keeps things fresh in the reader's mind.  It also lets me gloss over what may be lines and lines of spoken text.

If they are explaining stuff, I almost speak as would a campfire storyteller.

Oh, trust me, if there's one thing on which I spend an inordinate amount of time, it's the dialogue.

It's more the fact that I'm trying to bring together stuff from up to seven chapters back, without expecting the reader to remember all those little details from months ago, as well as making sure the interrogation progresses logically.

Thanks though!

[MrStoob]

Fatiguesdualism wrote...

PS hot_heart don't think I didn't notice the 'English' slip there, I'm sure you meant to say British!  You folks south of the border tend to be a little forgetful at times!    (Unless, you know, Murray/Coulthard weren't actually winning in which case - look suddenly they're 'Scots' again!)

PPS I only notice because the tartan skirt wearing, haggis eating locals have taken EVERY opportunity to point this out to me!   

Ha!  It won't matter soon.  

[Fatiguesdualism]

@MrStoob I think we'd better leave that topic well alone I've seen more than one conversation on that swiftly devolve into an very unfriendly shouting match!  
Anyway moving away (in a calm dignified manner that only looks like a dead sprint ) from UK national/regional politics and back onto writing topics, got a message from the Thread Founder, the Literary Lurker, lillitheris about names so I'm going to paste it on:

lillitheris wrote...

Cultural imperialism! Down with the man!
…Er, by which I mean that there’s no reason why the other species should have a single heritage of naming
Sure, the asari have Mediterranean influences, but even with that, they have names as varied as Liara, Benezia, Nyxeris (!), and Tevos… I don’t really think there’s any set standard. On the other hand, going to e.g. a Greek baby name list isn’t the worst of ideas to get some material for the asari, and so on. History of Roman conquest for turians?
Also, *hugs* all around

[Seracen]

hot_heart wrote...

Oh, trust me, if there's one thing on which I spend an inordinate amount of time, it's the dialogue.

It's more the fact that I'm trying to bring together stuff from up to seven chapters back, without expecting the reader to remember all those little details from months ago, as well as making sure the interrogation progresses logically.

Thanks though!

Ah yes.  Well, I always like such recalls.  They tie the story back to itself, and are like a payoff for previous content.  I can see how you'd like to reiterate portions for the reader though.

Whenever I spend that far between chapters, I tend to reread the whole story, however, in case stuff like that occurs.

Fatiguesdualism wrote...
...

lillitheris wrote...

...

Also, *hugs* all around

Hello!!! Hugs back!!

[Ignis Mors]

 Ugh. This is just my luck. I'm betaing for two people's stories as well as writing my own stuff. And they sent me stuff to look at on the same day. Soooo much nitpicking to do. My nitpicking-hat's going to need some stitching from so much work. :happy:
Still, it's not bad stuff, just a bunch of little oopsies that slip through the radar when you're writing. 

[Seracen]

Ach, I have been procrastinating all day in terms of writing. I participated in a food eating contest this morning, and had to go to work immediately following.

Pretty much fighting the itis/food coma all day, got home around 5, went jogging to burn some of that food off, hit the weights to make use of all that protein...

Then collapsed. I just woke up like 3 hours ago, and I'm not sleeping anytime soon...haha.

BTW: it was wings, they were HUGE! The drummets were the kicker. The target was 20 per teammate, but I had to make up some time, to I ate more, stopped counting after 30, didn't make it much past that. Someone video recorded me, it is truly horrifying how much it looks like a production line affair...chicken was never meant to be eaten so quickly!!!

Now to write...Shepard is attending a fancy ball full of backstabbing politicians...he better not be eating in this next chapter...that's all I gotta say...

[hot_heart]

Not writing-related, but I thought these Simpsons versions of ME characters were pretty cool.
http://hunterki11er....rt.com/gallery/

[MrStoob]

hot_heart wrote...

Not writing-related, but I thought these Simpsons versions of ME characters were pretty cool.
http://hunterki11er....rt.com/gallery/

Cool.

lillitheris wrote...

Cultural imperialism! Down with the man!
…Er, by which I mean that there’s no reason why the other species should have a single heritage of naming
Sure, the asari have Mediterranean influences, but even with that, they have names as varied as Liara, Benezia, Nyxeris (!), and Tevos… I don’t really think there’s any set standard. On the other hand, going to e.g. a Greek baby name list isn’t the worst of ideas to get some material for the asari, and so on. History of Roman conquest for turians?
Also, *hugs* all around

Hi LLL!

Never considered myself 'the man', just 'a man',  hehe

[MrStoob]

 Due to not being very active in the writing department at the mo (cursed muses!) I've had plenty of time to reflect on what I have already written.  It occurs to me that I mainly write:

crying
emotional outbursts
declarations of love
emotional confrontations
wistful melancholic fluff

I don't really know what I expected to write when I started, but I highly doubt any that would be top of the list!  Even the first one I wrote/posted was an awkward, emotional confrontation between Shep/Liara.

So Thought/Question of the Day: Are you writing what/how you expected or intended, or have you consciously changed your style/content to what you want?

I'll add to this my other creative experiences in playing the guitar.  I'm very fortunate to have a 'natural' playing style in lead guitar but it did not lend well to what I wanted to try and play.  Specifically, I used a loose picking style like the jazzers might, but wanted a stricter style to be able to play fast metally stuff like Paul Gilbert/Steve Vai/etc.  So I had to force a strict regime on myself to un-learn my natural style, which was hard.  Lotsa time spent with a metronome, playing  v e r y   s l o w l y . . .  My long winded point being, I don't have the desire to change my writing style like I did with the guitar.  Possibly because I had a specific goal for music, but with writing I'm just either happy with what I do or I'm less bothered.  And on that point, I do like what I write (you have to eh?), it's just not what I expected from myself.  I'll shut up now.

Modifié par MrStoob, 14 avril 2013 - 02:14 .