BackFire

Another fine job by Hazard Country Construction Inc.

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Thanks for the nomination, but this is Rotten's baby. I just wanted to help him get the organization started.

Good job on fleshing out the positions, I had just kind of rattled them off the top of my head.

Count me in as an assistant writer. I can brainstorm like crazy!!

Oh, and PW...LOVE the concept!

Had fun running with Avatea and the Justice crew tonight...6 Blasters, 1 Controller, and 1 Dom...yes, we brought wakies!

Had a good time playing Austin and Mercedes' arcs, Ava had to split before Troy's. Our team of 7 went thru it anyway and totally saved the day!!

Thanks for leading the way, Avatea, you earned that debt badge ;D

Looking forward to what's in store on Thursday...

Good luck with the EU MA Superteam, you'll have a blast!

One of the things that WN does is mix things up each week to keep it interesting. Whether it's Russian Roulette, Make or Break, or High Roll picks their Fav we always have a good time.

And yes, the MST3K aspect is a huge part of the fun. Sometimes the worst missions are the most enjoyable

Ran Austin & Mercedes' arcs on Avatea's team tonight and finished up with Troy's after Avatea dropped and Samuraiko joined (for her 2nd run thru.)

Gotta say, Troy's was the best of the bunch. The missions felt more like 'missions' and we didn't have any trouble with overpowered enemies. Maybe our team mix was just better so we didn't notice any unbalance, we did have 'Ko's Mastermind, after all ;P

The customs had great costumes, but some didn't give XP. Not a big deal to us story-heads, but it'd definitely irk most casual players.

Could have done without the shameless plug for his TPB and a couple of the punny names were complete groaners, but I guess that's what you get with Troy.

As for the other 2 arcs, they were a lot harder to follow in a team setting. Almost too much dialogue at times and some of it a bit confusing (why is that computer talking about being in college?)

The details in all of them, tho are incredible. Detailed bios, creative clues, unique re-imaginings of standard enemies...big kuddos for those!

In the end, tho, it's obvious Troy has a better understanding of writing for the format that is MA.

Grrr...I was hoping we could run that one this weekend, it looked like the only serious one in the bunch.

Interesting meeting place...

Now to see about getting out of work early!

I'll pitch in as an assistant writer and play-tester (and maybe a bit of assistant directing, if needed)

As you said, for the first brainstorm, we need a basic concept/plot for the story.

I'd suggest we boil our ideas down to 25 words or less and post 'em here between now and Friday, Feb 5th This gives us the freedom to build on them as a group and keeps things simple. Plus, deadlines will be important to keep things moving.

We can all vote for our fav plot ideas the following week via forum PM and then move on to the next phase.

edit: updated dates.

I love the concept, it'd be fun to be part of a community effort.

The anthology idea is neat, but I think we could pull off an actual focused TF with the proper organization. And accomplishing the TF as a group would be a much more interesting challenge!

I'd propose we break it down to jobs that need filled. People could volunteer for what they'd like to contribute, be it one or more positions:

• Director (organizer)
  Head writer
  Assistant writers (brainstorming, character bios, etc)
  Technical editor (typos/grammar)
  Dialogue editor
  Map designer
  Mechanics expert
  Costume designer
  Canon/Continuity editor
  Hosting (someone with an open slot)
  Play testers

Did I forget anyone?

After we've got the team together, we brainstorm some ideas until we have a basic outline. From there we get to work, fleshing it out!

Grats Korith! I wracked my brain forever trying to find a game-related play on words and, after reading yours, decided to go a diff route cause you totally nailed it

Skyraider bosses would work, too but Longbow Chasers were fresh in my head from a previous mish

Another fun day of Super Teaming, but our numbers seem to have thinned over the last couple weeks. Hopefully it's just an off week and not a trend. I've become spoiled by having our weekly full 8 team or 2 nearly full groups running simul!

Anyway, on to the missions! I think our choices were "make or break" arcs: arcs with 5 star ratings but low plays.

First on the list was:
Evil By Inches by @oubliette Arc ID: 349967

This was a well-designed and detailed story that led our band of heroes down the path of wickedness, just inches at a time.

Things start out simple enough when you investigate the disappearance of a security chief in a quaint village and before you know it, you're fighting cops, busting villains out of the Zig, and going toe-to-toe with other heroes. It just goes to show that stepping over the line can make you slide downhill fast.

The only real drawback is that the story doesn't really give you a choice in being evil, but you can always claim that the 'madness mist' made ya do it.

The custom characters felt fairly balanced and had well-thought out bios & motivations. The details of the arc made up for my gripe with having no choice but to be evil. You can tell a lot of craft went into it.

Only found 1 bug: Carver seemed to pop as an ambush in the last mission (while fighting the AV) but he was unattackable...like he was part of a chained event that hadn't been completed yet. Other than that and the few typos pointed out it was solid.

***** 5 Stars (4 stars rounded up for effort and details)


Next up was:
Drakule vs. The Werewolf Bikers From Hell by @LaserJesus Arc ID: 340316

This arc is one of the latter parts of the Drakule series of arcs by LaserJesus. I'd read some of his threads on the series and was excited to see if it played as well as advertised...luckily, it was even better!

LaserJesus has a knack for writing witty dialogue that hooks you from the initial mission briefing on. Your lovable, monster killing contact needs help in controlling the local werewolf population and, before you know it, you're hip-deep in a fun, humorous look at vampire/werewolf clan wars.

I've never played White Wolf and mostly watched Underworld for Kate in tight leather, but still enjoyed this arc immensely.

There's so much humor in the dialogue and bios that it's probably worth running more than once just to make sure you don't miss them all. The custom enemies look fantastic and don't seem overly powerful, tho solo it could be tough with AV/EBs and all the Knockback. About the only thing missing was a biker bar. I mean, if they're Bikers from Hell you'd think there'd be a bar brawl in there, right?

***** 5 Stars and a silver tipped wooden stake


Our normal run-time was just about up after that last arc, but a few of us still had 30 minutes to kill so we loaded up a 1 mission quickie for the road:
Attack of the 50 Foot Villain by @PW Arc ID: 363366

This mission was an ingenious concept, that did all it could within the limits of the AE system. Some may think it wasn't enough, but I thought it was a good attempt and a nice example of out of the box thinking.

The story is simple enough: The, ever-whacky, Technician Naylor has somehow made you grow to Giant Monster sized proportions (think Clockwork Paladin big, not Chronos Titan big) and you suddenly get an overwhelming urge to DESTROY TOKYO!!!

While stomping puny humans you encounter the most popular B-Movie monster cliches in the book.

While I didn't enjoy the Defeat All objective, it was absolute uncanny timing as I mentioned to the group that the only thing missing was a Power Ranger Megazord then, lo and behold, my prayers were answered!

Dialogue was spot-on, bios were good and (for the limits of AE) you did a great job of making the concept come to life.

Suggestions for more mayhem include:

• Giant gorilla or Mecha giant gorilla
• Power Rangers
• Jet plane squadrons (longbow chasers)
• Another 50 foot GM
• Radiated giant insect or humanoid insect
• Tanks (is the Council Empire outdoor map available?)
• A little boy who tries to befriend you

It was interesting to note that one of the teammates felt the mission was a farm...an "unrewarding farm," but a farm nonetheless. I think it was the grind of defeating all which gave that perception.

If there were different objectives ie. destroy power generator, destroy radiation waste container, etc, and THOSE are what triggered the ambushes it would go a long way towards combating this perception. Plus, MORE DESTRUCTION!!! Who doesn't like to blow more stuff up?!?

***** 5 Stars and a pair of old-school 3-D glasses.

Cool mod by day...hot bod by night!

--

If I am a winner, I permit NC Interactive, Inc. and NCsoft Europe Limited to use my name, likeness, photograph, hometown, and any comments that I may make about myself or this contest that I provide for advertising and promotional activities. I also certify that I am at least 13 years of age and am eligible to participate in this contest.

Lookin' good Melissa, have you lost weight?

No- wait! That wasn't my question...I wanted to know if Going Rogue will have any updates to Mission Architect, ie. new enemy groups, new maps, new powersets for custom enemy groups, etc.

Books are good, but that Radio has GOT to go!

Welcome aboard, TV.

Welcome Doc! And thanks for the O-portal

P_P, we just had this discussion a few weeks ago.

This thread pretty much covers everything and has good, practical solutions to the problem.

You're not neccessarily out of it yet, Convoy. The location is just 1 part, you also need to have your character be the closest in the place of Niviene. And since we dont' know what Niv is doing or where she's placed in the shot yet, you're still in it!

Hmmm...never heard of this one. I'll have to load it up this week!

Grats to Lord Mayhem

Ooops, I posted my reviews of Crown of Iron & Alien Tyrant in the MA Super Team thread.

I'll try to remember to post them in this thread next time >.<

Another fun run today, had the team up to 7 players for the 2 arcs we played.

Decided to load up some MA SG member arcs and get feedback from the group on 'em:

First Up: Against the WickerWork Khan! #346904 by @Clave Dark 5

Follwed by: Zagmuk Act One: The Herald by @Sumericon

We had a small turnout, but it was still a good day! We played 2 arcs from the "Want the MA SG to play your arc?" thread and my Saints won their first playoff game EVER!!!

First up was:
Crown of Iron, Heart of Steel Part 1 by @Techbot ALPHA Arc ID: 236933

Considering the big bad, maybe it should have been titled, "Crown of Brass, Heart of Steel"

Thematics aside, this was a very well-detailed arc with a creative Steampunk re-imagining of the Freedom Phalanx in an alternate dimension. I know, I know...with Going Rogue on the horizon there seems to be a glut of alternate history arcs out there, but this one actually has a decent story, balanced foes, and creative bios & dialogue.

The main villain is a version of Nemesis, but, for once, there's no convoluted plot. It's a straight up action arc! For some, that may be a disappointment, but to most of us, it's refreshing to just kick his automaton butt without being led on endless goose chases!!

As for things I'd change:

• science behind the premise (more science, less fiction)
• outdoor maps (use less)
• rescue missions (consolidate)

The initial premise is that your contact has found a world with extra high energy readings and, of course, couldn't resist poking his nose into it. When we get to the world we find that the sci-fi reasoning is because Nemesis has taken over and his automatons now cover the world, causing the increased readings.

I'm not 100% sure on this, but the science didn't add up for me on this. The steam tech would, maybe, cause the world to have a higher heat or moisture content, but not energy readings. They're not electric, they're gears and steam...like clockwork. So a simple fix to finding "abnormal" readings from the planet would clear this up quick.

As for outdoor maps...I'm not a fan. In rare occasions they can enhance the story, but, for the most part, they make an otherwise enjoyable arc turn into a grind real quick...especially when they're filled with high perception Nemesis.

I'm guessing you were trying to avoid using indoor maps because there is no Victorian set, but Nemesis has enough tech that you could get away with tech maps. That power station map is especially a pain as you have fighting hostages and tons of baddies for them to aggro on. Oh, and they like to follow you after you rescue them and continue to aggro. Brother's bubble was nice...his Repel...not so much.

There was probably 1 too many missions in the arc. You rescue Posi, then he needs you to prove you're on his side by rescuing his buddies?!? Hello, could Poz be more ungrateful? So yeah, after rescuing 2 more of his buddies, we have to rescue a 3rd. Sigh. Sure, it's just one guy (and admittedly, the best of the bunch) but why not put 'em all together and move the story forward sooner? Skip the needing to prove ourselves plot point and get to the Avengers Assemble moment!!

Overall, I had a good time with it. You created a unique alternate reality with well-fleshed out and interesting characters...not an easy feat to accomplish!!

***** 5 Stars (4.5 rounded up for otherworld BaB's sheer awesomeness.)

Next up was:
The Alien Tyrant by @Royal Arc ID: 357388

This arc had an interesting concept (inspire a world to rise up and free itself from a ruthless, planetwide dictator) but, it still needs works.

#1: make it self-contained. I know there is a prequel, but a story needs to stand on it's own. The little blurb in the mission briefing didn't do enough to properly give the aliens a motivation...actions speak louder and all that.

#2: the enemy group is too homogenous. Mix up the look and colors a bit so they are more varied and interesting. Fighting huge maps of guys that are pretty much indistinguishable from each other wears thin fast. Also, for aliens, they sure seemed human. Maybe explore a different speech pattern, font, or mixed character set to create their own "voice."

#3: major plothole...if all it took was setting a couple bombs to topple the empire, wouldn't someone have done it long ago? It was almost too simple to take down this guy who supposedly took over his world. Maybe set the hero's sights a bit lower...he needs to plant the seed of rebellion to reignite the peoples' passion by showing them they could take down a ruthless LT of the empire or something. Essentially, we're taking out the Death Star (a major accomplishment in itself) but it takes another decade + to take out the Empire.

#4: balance issues: custom enemies with build up are always going to throw your balance out of whack. Hordes of overpowered foes does not equal "epic feel." It makes the arc grindy and frustrating at times.

In the end, I thought the arc had some potential, but in it's current form it's not one I'd recommend.

That said, I gave the author the benefit of a doubt and rated it
**** 4 Stars (3 in it's current form, but I think the author will update it soon to be 4 star worthy)

All in all, it was another fun run with the MA group and I look forward to next time!

In retrospect, Easter Bun-Bun's diabolical scheme to sabotage the Winter Event could have used more planning and resources...





If I am a winner, I permit NC Interactive, Inc. and NCsoft Europe Limited to use my name, likeness, photograph, hometown, and any comments that I may make about myself or this contest that I provide for advertising and promotional activities. I also certify that I am at least 13 years of age and am eligible to participate in this contest.