[Welknair Update/Game Idea] Fourth Land

[MageSparrowhawk]

So...uh...What is the present status of this project? As a whole, that is.

[Morph Bark]

As I will have plenty time now during the summer, at least after my turning 22 in a few dozen hours, I have one thing to say:

/starts reading this whole thread

[Welknair]

So...uh...What is the present status of this project? As a whole, that is.

I've been rewriting some of the core mechanics (How energies and allotted fourth work together to determine the strength of a Shape ability, for the most part) and actually working on writing the thing. I need to find some way to bring my self to sit down and write the thing. The few times I've actually managed to start writing, it goes well. The problem is tearing myself away from other things long enough to get that done. Any suggestions?

As I will have plenty time now during the summer, at least after my turning 22 in a few dozen hours, I have one thing to say:

/starts reading this whole thread

I think this is the part where we start running.

[Virdish]

Perhaps set yourself a goal of say.... writing a chapter this month. Or something like that. This way you have a reachable goal that you can work towards.

[SamBurke]

Perhaps set yourself a goal of say.... writing a chapter this month. Or something like that. This way you have a reachable goal that you can work towards.

The only way I've ever been able to finish a novel is with a set per-week goal.

Also, accountability.

This playground is a pretty good method of accountability.

Because we... uh... care. Not because we're story-grubbing thieves who constantly demand high-quality ingenuity from you.

Definitely not.

[Morph Bark]

I think this is the part where we start running.

Curiously enough, I watched the first half of the last episode of Code Geass R2 right before reading this post*, where Lelouch shouts "Obey me, world!" This is in no way ominous.

*Disclaimer: I also watched the second half of the episode before reading that post. Tears were shed. Again.

[Welknair]

Curiously enough, I watched the first half of the last episode of Code Geass R2 right before reading this post*, where Lelouch shouts "Obey me, world!" This is in no way ominous.

Yeah... I don't think you're going to have any trouble fitting in here

Thoughts so far?


UPDATE: I'M ACTUALLY WRITING STUFF. I've got the first several pages done, mostly introduction stuff, and I'm happy with it.

Wow, 12k views is coming up fast.. I have an idea for the prize, but I need to think about it a bit more.

[Durksmurf]

Yeah... I don't think you're going to have any trouble fitting in here

Thoughts so far?


UPDATE: I'M ACTUALLY WRITING STUFF. I've got the first several pages done, mostly introduction stuff, and I'm happy with it.

Wow, 12k views is coming up fast.. I have an idea for the prize, but I need to think about it a bit more.

It's starting.

[Welknair]

It's starting.

Well now, doesn't that sound ominous.

It's... STARTING.

[radmelon]

It's starting.

IT BEGINS

Spoiler

Show

[Welknair]

IT BEGINS

Spoiler

Show

Now I'm frightened.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

*Bounces*

I'm back from vacation and am excited to see progress being made. It seems like I'm in for a bit of slogging at everything thats piled up since I left...both RL and OOTS forums.

Welcome to the family, Morph!

[Durksmurf]

Will there be Cookieish or Tastyish, or possibly cakeish.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

So. I want someone to come up with the most outlandish thing they can think of based on what they know of Fourthland mechanics so far. I miss the days when we plotted the demises of each other's sanities. Well, I miss you doing it. I was back reading that, so yeah...haha.

[SamBurke]

I've got an idea for an ultimate Disney Villain: since you can change one energy to another, with enough power, he just takes people's Fourth and Structure (which one is that? One?) and converts it into time. Then, he goes back in time to just before he stole those people, and steals them again. Then again. Then again.

PERPETUAL FRIKIN MOTION.

Oh yeah.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

I've got an idea for an ultimate Disney Villain: since you can change one energy to another, with enough power, he just takes people's Fourth and Structure (which one is that? One?) and converts it into time. Then, he goes back in time to just before he stole those people, and steals them again. Then again. Then again.

PERPETUAL FRIKIN MOTION.

Oh yeah.

1 is structure yes, and that sounds like fun! >:D

[SamBurke]

1 is structure yes, and that sounds like fun! >:D

I don't know the specifics of it, but it may be actually plausible depending on the energy expenditure for conversion...

[Elfstone]

Well. Im back....

And nothing happened.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Indeed. Though I have on good authority (himself) that Welk's been writing a bunch. And by bunch I don't know the amount. But there has been forward motion. I'm looking forward to when the play testing happens. I want to "watch" if I can't participate.

[Welknair]

Well. Im back....

And nothing happened.

As Wombat says, I have been writing. However, up until a couple days ago, I was on a week-long vacation during which I had no computer access or time to work on the game. But yes, I am still alive, and still working.


I have a meager introduction finished. I probably will expand it later.

[SamBurke]

Well. Im back....

And nothing happened.

Welk's juggling three projects as of now.

We can give the lad a break.

[SamBurke]

Well. Im back....

And nothing happened.

Welk's juggling three projects as of now.

We can give the lad a break.

[Qwertystop]

Um...

Just found this.

Looks cool.

Haven't read through the whole thread yet.

Um...

Not really sure what to say. Half of my brain is occupied on TheWombatOfDoom's challenge as I type this.

A list of what energies there are and the existing -nesses would be useful to newcomers.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

DING! DING! DING! DING!

Second question issued:


Answer 2: Structure, Movement, Thought, Life, Perception, Influence, Energy Control and Wildcard. In order.

Then the last 4 are Light, Heat, Gravity, and Time.


As for -nesses, we don't even have that!

[Qwertystop]

Hmm...
A field that turns Structure into Life. Anything you put in it turns into a Shoggoth (is that the word? Those mindless living blob thingies?).


Alternately, Movement into Structure. High-speed repairs.

Does Wildcard actually have any defined effect? What is Energy Control as its own energy?

Does anything with eyes effectively have a light -> perception field in their eyeballs?


What exactly distinguishes Gravity as an energy? Seems to me it could just be a steady, small, stacking source of Movement.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Hmm...
A field that turns Structure into Life. Anything you put in it turns into a Shoggoth (is that the word? Those mindless living blob thingies?).


Alternately, Movement into Structure. High-speed repairs.

Does Wildcard actually have any defined effect? What is Energy Control as its own energy?

Does anything with eyes effectively have a light -> perception field in their eyeballs?


What exactly distinguishes Gravity as an energy? Seems to me it could just be a steady, small, stacking source of Movement.

All good questions. Welk reveals small things as time goes. We only just learned all the energies! Once you read the whole thread you'll see.

Good thoughts though. :3 maybe he'll answer some of the technical ones.

[Virdish]

Gravity can be manipulated since it is included in the energies. Thus it is not tied to structure. Welk went over an example world he created of disks that rotated around each other. Welk pretty much through out our understanding of the laws of physics so that he was unhindered in his set up of his own new universe. For instance you will see the question.... What is.... (Insert common knowledge object or idea).

A quick example of what separating gravity from structure could mean.

I create an alchemy that draws gravity from passing objects. This alchemy eventually gains enough gravity to create it's own solar system. As it continues to leach gravity it would pull everything tighter into itself. Once it reached a certain stage it would essentially become a black whole. All of this of course was achieved with almost no structure. Also I could put gravity on the ceiling when you try and attack me so that you go flying towards the ceiling.

Lesson to be learned..... Assume nothing about fourthland until it has been stated.

Now would you like some swordness pie and some spikeness soda?

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Better than I in explaining, I bow to the noble Virdish.
I wonder if qwerty'll find pickle?
Welcome to the 'special' thread! *Throws some possessions into his Lock-ness Monster, and then pets it affectionately*

[Qwertystop]

I can read whitetext, you know.




And because of you, I searched for pickle, I found pickle, and I typed pickle.

[Welknair]

Another follower appears! Glad to see this is still getting some publicity.

As for your questions, the only one I'll address right now is the one pertaining to Control and Wildcard: Control moves energies, Wildcard turns into others.


UPDATE: I had a several-hour long meeting with an artist about my game a few days back, and it went very well. I also realized I have absolutely no artistic sense. I also realized my game is really weird, from the point of view of an artist. Still, I'm very excited to see what they come up with.

Additionally, I think I've found a solution to a problem I had encountered, regarding combat becoming too much of a numbers excersise as opposed to being decidedly a strategic affair. Hint: It involves -Ness's.