(unofficial) NOMINATIONS for Dev's Choice
By
Aisynia,
Posted on: 2009-05-15 16:13 in Mission Architect
NOMINATION #1
SCHOOL SPIRIT (89349) by Great Cthulhu
A neat, short, simple story. Clearly written with an easy flow and no hard-to-understand plot twists or hidden info that the writer failed to include.
You join Paragon University, but while collecting your books, you discover some disturbing news. Eventually youre drawn into a tragic series of events. The conclusion makes you feel heroic and yet crappy at the same time.
What I liked about this story is how there were no real villains. Just people being people and doing what seemed right to them at the time. Of course, that doesnt mean you dont have to kick their [censored].
Good use of custom critter design.
Good use of standard critters in appropriate places.
Good use of the provided maps.
Only long enough to tell the story.
No annoying, unnecessary kill-alls or other problems.
Grammar and spelling all were excellent.
Little bits of humor thrown in (like the PPD showing up at a club to check everyones IDs for underage drinking).
My only grumble:
The description makes it sound like a humorous arc, but its not. Use of [TAGS] would help here.
"OK, first of all... Shut Up." - My 13-Year-Old Daughter
29973 "The Running of the Bulls" [SFMA] - WINNER of the Mighty Big Story Arc Contest !
- The Stellar Wind Orbital Space Platform
I was planning on doing this, but haven't played through any fully worthy arcs yet, though some are close.
I'm wounded, bubba. The fish children deserve better recognition!
I ran:
Arc Name: School Spirit
I disagree. Not only was there a surprise AV/EB (necro/illusion on extreme to boot; really nasty), but the plot suffered from a serious lack of common sense. Not that did didn't make any sense, but it felt like I'd suddenly entered brainless-town where the only solution to any problem was to smash it until it stopped moving.
I nominate:
Arc Name: Out of the gutters
Arc ID: 68054
Faction: Villainous
Creator: @Madcat 88
Difficulty levels Easy - Medium.
Synopsis
Left for dead after your neighbourhood was trashed in a running battle between Arachnos, Longbow and a pack of destined ones, you dragged yourself out of the rubble and swore that you were through with being a victim.
The Why
Not only does this arc fill the gaping hole for villains seeking alternative content at the very bottom of the level range, but it does so in an inventive, fluid, and truly outstanding manner. It allows for your villain to start the game completely independent of Kalinda or Burke, and yet still make all the contacts and connections needed to surivive in the Rogue Isles.
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
Thanks for the post, Devious, but you ignored rule #5
[ QUOTE ]
(5) Before you post your nomination, play one of the earlier nominees (any of them) and say whether or not you agree with the person who nominated it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Please take a moment and do so. Kbythx. 
"OK, first of all... Shut Up." - My 13-Year-Old Daughter
29973 "The Running of the Bulls" [SFMA] - WINNER of the Mighty Big Story Arc Contest !
- The Stellar Wind Orbital Space Platform
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the post, Devious, but you ignored rule #5
[ QUOTE ]
(5) Before you post your nomination, play one of the earlier nominees (any of them) and say whether or not you agree with the person who nominated it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Please take a moment and do so. Kbythx.
[/ QUOTE ]
You know it's possible to give someone a friendly reminder WITH the friendly part intact? Just a thought.
I'm only ladylike when compared to my sister.
Before I vote
[rant]
I don't care who else gets Dev's Choice as long as I can get extra slots somehow. If they want to limit it to one extra slot per person, fine. They did say you could potentially get unlimited slots in a roundabout way though (Why would they limit a DC winner to only one slot), so that does not seem to be a concern. Should not be one out of every 1,000 people that get an extra slot if that.
Once and Future King or whichever got an extra slot, that's approx. 1 out of what, 130,000 arcs? MORE SLOTS PLZ KTHXBYE. [/rant]
Guess I'll throw Death to Disco out there. Simply hilarious stuff with Jimmy Carter being brainwashed and changing the national anthem to a disco beat. Pretty short with nice custom mobs as well. Not a Shakespeare play but very fun.
Questions about the game, either side? /t @Neuronia or @Neuronium, with your queries!
168760: A Death in the Gish. 3 missions, 1-14. Easy to solo.
Infinity Villains
Champion, Pinnacle, Virtue Heroes
[ QUOTE ]
You know it's possible to give someone a friendly reminder WITH the friendly part intact? Just a thought.
[/ QUOTE ]
Good thought. Perhaps there might be some kind of, I dunno... symbol... like this one -->
Then I could use it in a post and make sure that the person I'm talking to knows I'm being light-hearted and friendly. (Seriously, Aisynia, I was trying to be friendly about it. I'm not at all sure why I came across differently to you.)
PLEASE everyone, please remember to play one of the previously nominated arcs and give an opinion on it before voting on another. (*Zube looks sideways at his good friend Neuronia*) Part of the whole idea behind this thread is to get more plays for worthy story arcs. And to give additional feedback for the authors.
<-- repeat of emotocon to show that friendly reminder is being kept friendly.
"OK, first of all... Shut Up." - My 13-Year-Old Daughter
29973 "The Running of the Bulls" [SFMA] - WINNER of the Mighty Big Story Arc Contest !
- The Stellar Wind Orbital Space Platform
I am @Electroanagesia, and I'm trying out School Spirit, arc 89349, by Great Cthulhu, as my earlier nominee arc. Yes, going to review it, don't look further if you don't want spoilers on it.
Entered the mission, and quickly realized the game was counting me as being in a group of two people, although I was solo. I realized this was going to make the arc very exciting to play, as my electric/emp was nearly mauled to death by a cheerleading squad upon entering the mission, but, at least I can send tells to myself in team to keep me company! Fun custom group, those cheerleaders; my 11 year old daughter leaned over, noticing me playing, and said she approves of them, because they have a Sonic, and yelling is appropriate for a cheerleader.
Second mission... Muffy spawned near the door, which made things odd, because after defeating her, the mission still said I needed to look for Muffy. I imagined inquiring after her from each of the cheerleaders and freakshow I fought, and always hearing them say, yeah, we know where Muffy is, she's back there, unconscious on the floor, where you left her. Good map choice for a college party, mission completed after talking to Marissa.
Third mission... oh that's sad. I really didn't picture an arc full of partying cheerleaders to take that kind of turn. Fights between the cheerleaders and ghostly spirits were a good way to put in extra NPC dialog, keeps a map interesting; might want to take the time to have each fight have different dialog, if you can manage the memory space. Oh man, that's really depressing to have my character beat up an undead cheerleader who didn't seem to have any grudges against anyone, and seemed to be a rather sweet young lady. It's a little rough when the writer pigeonholes the player's actions, I realize that sometimes it's hard to get around that, but my character wouldn't strike a Paladin pose and say, Undead are unnatural creatures of Ebil and must all DIIEEE! if the undead in question is just feeling lost, confused, scared, and not about to try to eat anyone's brains. I hear you about it being a lesson that sometimes lives end, and the survivors have to learn to cope with it; but man, that arc left me feeling really depressed, especially after such a perky-looking beginning. I think all in all, it was a pretty decent mission, but I wouldn't nominate it for Dev's Choice.
I would like to nominate Escalation, Arc ID 6143, by @Femfury. I'll try not to give spoilers here. It has a very good reason why you keep fighting against the same villain in each mission, it's not just that they keep breaking out of prison or anything, it's much more elegant than that. I like the story of the villainess developing, becoming stronger over time due to being inspired toward greatness in her struggles against your character. Love the hostage texts, and the villainess rants, too! The boss character changing appearance over time is well executed, and fits the story. There's good humor there, without being silly. Five missions long, but the quicker missions balance with the longer missions, helps keep things interesting. There are a few optional glowies and hostages to give extra depth to the story. It's a highly polished, excellent storyline arc.
I'm going to nominate:
Superhero Downtime
Story Arc ID: 135096
Authors Global Chat Handle: @Saunik
Length: Very Long (5 missions)
Alignment: Heroic
Story Description: All you wanted was a little quiet time to catch up on your favorite TV show
Is a little relaxation too much to ask?
This Arc rocks.. Really really really fun story line with just enough humor to it.
[ QUOTE ]
PLEASE everyone, please remember to play one of the previously nominated arcs and give an opinion on it before voting on another. (*Zube looks sideways at his good friend Neuronia*) Part of the whole idea behind this thread is to get more plays for worthy story arcs. And to give additional feedback for the authors.
<-- repeat of emotocon to show that friendly reminder is being kept friendly.
[/ QUOTE ]
I'll cook supper for you Sunday, BBQ Beef good for ya?
Anyway, I ran this one:
Arc Name: Out of the gutters
Arc ID: 68054
Faction: Villainous
Creator: @Madcat 88
Difficulty levels Easy - Medium.
Found it quite enjoyable. At the moment the first mission autocompletes, but the author notes this in the briefing.
The map choices were nice as were the mobs and the ally.
Fluid writing and nothing idiotic about the situation either.
Gave it 4 stars.
Questions about the game, either side? /t @Neuronia or @Neuronium, with your queries!
168760: A Death in the Gish. 3 missions, 1-14. Easy to solo.
Infinity Villains
Champion, Pinnacle, Virtue Heroes
I ran:
Death to Disco! (84420)
Great customs, funny concept that is well executed, attractive briefings (I like the use of color) and just a very fun little arc. I have actually ran this one through more than once and that is very, very rare for me to do.
Definitively a solid 5 star and I would agree it is DC worthy.
Jail.Bird
First: I'd like to say thanks for everyone's feedback, both positive and negative. Every comment delivered in a constructive fashion helps make a better story.
Second: I want to address some of the critiques and suggestions, as many of them pertain to things I also wanted to improve upon.
[ QUOTE ]
I disagree. Not only was there a surprise AV/EB (necro/illusion on extreme to boot; really nasty), but the plot suffered from a serious lack of common sense. Not that did didn't make any sense, but it felt like I'd suddenly entered brainless-town where the only solution to any problem was to smash it until it stopped moving.
[/ QUOTE ]
As to the above, I had been planning to insert some dialogue that suggests you may need help on the last mission. A busy schedule had prevented me from doing so, but it is in place now. The boss, however, has neither powerset tagged at extreme.
Suggestions that make the story more clear would be welcome, or at least a pointer to what parts are confusing so I can take a look.
As for the "smash it until it stopped moving" part; my original goal was to rescue the boss npc and lead her back to the glowie, but it proved problematic to implement.
Sultana: the "second character" was simply the guy letting you into the storeroom, as described in the intro. I do have a costume layout for him, however, if you think the mission would be more fun with help. 
Unfortunately, the map specifications were changed after Beta and it was no longer possible to include a "rescue" objective so that you could join up with him as I had originally planned. So, the poor professor currently remains as flavor text only.
As for Muffy, she has always been set to spawn at the back of the map. Sorry you got her at the start, it must be a bug.
Extra dialogue would be good. I'm near the memory limit, but I'll see what I can do.
Once again, thanks everyone. I'll keep working at it, so let me know what's good and what can be better. Send me a PM or comment in game so as not to clutter up this conversation.
MA Arc: School Spirit #89349
Original member of the Dream Team Aeon, Virtue division
"A base here or there is a small price to pay for good mad science."--Arbiter Daos
OK, this thread it to unofficially offer the player base the chance to tell the devs about great story arcs that we think should be made into Devs Choice. Here any given individual can nominate an arc and hopefully (if this thread grows well), get it to the attention of the Devs.
As OP and Egotistical Busy-Body, Im setting forth some rules:
(1) YOU MAY NOT NOMINATE ONE OF YOUR OWN ARCS!
This thread is not about promoting your own arc. It is about giving deserved recognition to a great story youve played and want to see more widely experienced by others.
(2) Only post about ONE arc at a time.
(3) Post no more often than once a week.
(4) Say why, specifically, you think it deserves consideration. More specifics are better. Avoid spoilers if possible, but you may need to leak details in order to fully explain your choice.
(5) Before you post your nomination, play one of the earlier nominees (any of them) and say whether or not you agree with the person who nominated it.
(6) YOU MAY NOT NOMINATE ONE OF YOUR OWN ARCS!
(Did you all get this last part? Attempting to do so will result in being whacked in the head with Zubes Frickin Clue & Reading Comprehension Stick.)
I'll start us off.
"OK, first of all... Shut Up." - My 13-Year-Old Daughter
29973 "The Running of the Bulls" [SFMA] - WINNER of the Mighty Big Story Arc Contest !
- The Stellar Wind Orbital Space Platform