Post by thealmightymudworm on Aug 14, 2020 3:35:58 GMT
So I said I'd post an update on this once I'd made the most recent additions to explain where it's at.
In short: the Aleff is now complete – but by no means finished.
That is: you can play it, it should make sense, you shouldn't hit dead ends unless you're dead, and you can even win. Likewise the TRAIL points potentially matter.
However, not only could it be extended, but it would definitely be improved by adding some more segments, including alternative win sections and TRAIL-fails. The structure atm is that if you don't manage to get the win and run out of new paragraphs, you are dumped back at the start with your stats restored and inventory reset.
The basic idea is essentially that new sections can be added in at the end, pushing back the point where you're returned to section 1. This can be done indefinitely, which was the original idea the DSR was suggesting.
As I said, there is a segment (I'm using that as 'section' is ambiguous) with a win available. However, even if you do everything right, the odds are rigged somewhat against you scoring that win. Now heck, your chances of achieving it are still better than plenty of FF books, but the idea would be that if you miss your chance at winning, you might get a couple more shots at different wins.
I'd appreciate it if as many people who've ever expressed any interest in this as possible give the current version a playthrough. Anyone who isn't intending to write a section might consider posting comments/constructive criticism on the thread itself (not here). Anyone who is intending to write a bit should get a better idea of what's needed, especially for a TRAIL-fail section (again, given that I had to spoiler myself with a WoTT book to write the first one, almost anyone else on the forum will be better placed to write the next one, presumably using Lone Wolf) but really for anything.
I'm just going to annoyingly tag people in here:Pete Byrdie , lordomnibok and hynreck for the first category and daredevil123 , babbagefart and of course deadshadowrunner for the second (Kieran and Doigy clearly being aware of the updates already). I realise some people had said they didn't have time even for a playthrough, but it really shouldn't be all that time-consuming – at least not if you quit on meeting the ravens.
The next move will probably be to link to it from Facebook and get opinions that way, but it would be nice to get the views of members of this forum first.
A glance at the top of the thread for the Aleff shows an extremely Mudworm-heavy list of credits. Initially it was probably for the best having one person clearly controlling things and I intend to hold onto the final say, but it would be nice now if I could just leave one finger on the tiller rather than doing a lot of editing and directing.
One thing I'm already thinking of changing since the most recent update: TRAIL points are currently quite easy to avoid. You need to blunder a bit to be picking them up, and they are reset if you are dumped back at the start. I'm thinking that maybe they should be the only thing maintained if you're sent back to the start and even that 1 could be added. That's arguably harsh, but might create a sense of urgency and if you end up thrown into the TRAIL-fail segment after being returned to the start, it's at least a variation.
I'll also update the inventory post soon.
In short: the Aleff is now complete – but by no means finished.
That is: you can play it, it should make sense, you shouldn't hit dead ends unless you're dead, and you can even win. Likewise the TRAIL points potentially matter.
However, not only could it be extended, but it would definitely be improved by adding some more segments, including alternative win sections and TRAIL-fails. The structure atm is that if you don't manage to get the win and run out of new paragraphs, you are dumped back at the start with your stats restored and inventory reset.
The basic idea is essentially that new sections can be added in at the end, pushing back the point where you're returned to section 1. This can be done indefinitely, which was the original idea the DSR was suggesting.
As I said, there is a segment (I'm using that as 'section' is ambiguous) with a win available. However, even if you do everything right, the odds are rigged somewhat against you scoring that win. Now heck, your chances of achieving it are still better than plenty of FF books, but the idea would be that if you miss your chance at winning, you might get a couple more shots at different wins.
I'd appreciate it if as many people who've ever expressed any interest in this as possible give the current version a playthrough. Anyone who isn't intending to write a section might consider posting comments/constructive criticism on the thread itself (not here). Anyone who is intending to write a bit should get a better idea of what's needed, especially for a TRAIL-fail section (again, given that I had to spoiler myself with a WoTT book to write the first one, almost anyone else on the forum will be better placed to write the next one, presumably using Lone Wolf) but really for anything.
I'm just going to annoyingly tag people in here:Pete Byrdie , lordomnibok and hynreck for the first category and daredevil123 , babbagefart and of course deadshadowrunner for the second (Kieran and Doigy clearly being aware of the updates already). I realise some people had said they didn't have time even for a playthrough, but it really shouldn't be all that time-consuming – at least not if you quit on meeting the ravens.
The next move will probably be to link to it from Facebook and get opinions that way, but it would be nice to get the views of members of this forum first.
A glance at the top of the thread for the Aleff shows an extremely Mudworm-heavy list of credits. Initially it was probably for the best having one person clearly controlling things and I intend to hold onto the final say, but it would be nice now if I could just leave one finger on the tiller rather than doing a lot of editing and directing.
One thing I'm already thinking of changing since the most recent update: TRAIL points are currently quite easy to avoid. You need to blunder a bit to be picking them up, and they are reset if you are dumped back at the start. I'm thinking that maybe they should be the only thing maintained if you're sent back to the start and even that 1 could be added. That's arguably harsh, but might create a sense of urgency and if you end up thrown into the TRAIL-fail segment after being returned to the start, it's at least a variation.
I'll also update the inventory post soon.