MA Super Team Starting and we want you!
By
ArrowRose,
Posted on: 2009-10-06 09:07 in Mission Architect
Quote:
The generic Plot mission had so much potential that it just didn't use. It started with a nice briefing that made most of us chuckle as it was very recognizable and more then a little true. The faction used couldn't have been more generic (5 guesses and remember this was pre 5th column). Then nothing, nothing, nothing, hello the joke is turning thin here, nothing, funny dialogue with generic random hostage followed immediately with the Generic boss who had quite a lot complaining to do. |
Originally Posted by BackFire
*anxiously awaits a review of "Stop the Generic Plot.."*
Sounds like a fun mish! Sorry, I was Xmas badging on a diff alt and missed it  And Santa looks great! |
Perhaps it was a bad draw of the placing of the objectives, but for a humorous meant arc I expect more effort made in between the big jokes. If you got a nice idea, exploit it to the fullest, especially when you only have one mission. use it to make us all grin like idiots.
Right now it felt more like a frustration arc to me and that spoiled my mood a bit.
*********
The Santa Arc was a nice one. Nothing can improve a Christmas Arc better then the insertion of Zombies. The author made a real effort to create some fun and unique custom zombie faction. Each with bio's and everything. Some were so cute that we almost felt sorry to beat them up and the zombie ragdoll might lead to a scary stalker toon somewhere. This one is fun to play in a team, if alone for the jokes this arc generated in our team.
Quote:
This was a metahumor mission that I didn't find funny. Pretty much the entire mission fell flat for me. That was the long and short of it in my opinion.
|
Originally Posted by BackFire
*anxiously awaits a review of "Stop the Generic Plot.."*
|
Awww bummer, I loved the title for "Generic Plot..." thinking it was satire. Hopefully the author got some good ideas for a repub.
I'll have to load up Zombie Christmas on a solo night, that sounds fun!
Craft your inventions in AE!!
Play "Crafter's Cafe" - Arc #487283. A 1 mission, NON-COMBAT AE arc with workable invention tables!
Sadly, I was unable to make the usual Sunday outing I attend of the MA SG - shame, some of these sounded like they were fun. Oh well, the Corr I ported over from another server wasn't ready yet anyways. I hope to be there next time!
This weekend:
Saturday - Pick a favorite arc written by one of the other MA Super Team Members. We will randomly pick a few to play.
Sunday - Arcs from our "Want the MA Super Team to Play Your Arc" thread.
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
We had six team members today and ran the following arcs:
Teh Freakshow Artz Klub by @Geveo Arc ID: 25622
Fear And Loathing On Striga by @FredrikSvanberg Arc ID: 350522
Papers and Paychecks by @PW Arc ID: 298290
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Today we picked arcs from our thread and played the following:
Rise of the Drakule by @LaserJesus Arc ID: 51357
Mender Roebuck Taskforce:World War Two-The Time War by @Super Ratz Arc ID: 105839
The Invasion of the Space Ape Armada by @PoptartsNinja Arc ID: 356628
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Quote:
A real solid effort, that one.|
Originally Posted by Wrong_Number
Rise of the Drakule by @LaserJesus Arc ID: 51357
|
I seem to recall having heard good stuff about this and I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't the best thing I've ever seen with extra helpings of super-freakin-cool sauce on it, but I can't think of anything we found bad to say about it; when was the last time you played an arc you can say that about? It had some funny, the foes were well done and it was fun to play all ways round.
A bit late, but here's Saturday afternoon's arc reviews.
Saturday's bunch was a fun run. We rolled dice to see who picked the mission and the winner was supposed to pick an arc from one of the MA Superteam members to play as a holiday gift.
Apparently, I missed the memo on this and thought it was just "pick an arc from your fav list," so when I won the first roll everyone was a bit confused as to who Geveo was >.<
Luckily, Teh Freakshow Artz Klub by @Geveo Arc ID: 25622 was a quick 2 mission arc and was filled with enough action and humor that all was forgiven. (there's a reason it's on my fav list)
If you like fighting Freakshow, have an appreciation of art, a hatred of critics, and a thirst for smart humor, give this one a whirl.
***** 5 Stars and a haiku.
With my little snafu out of the way, WN won the next roll and loaded up:
Fear And Loathing On Striga by @FredrikSvanberg Arc ID: 350522
I'd never played one of Fred's arcs before but, I know he's a pretty tough critic, so I was excited to see what he created. What I found was a fun, adventurous arc filled with fine details, smart, villainous acts, and well-thought out tie-ins to existing canon.
It's very apparent that Fred did his research before writing this arc as there's details I (in my 5+ years of play) didn't even realize were canon before playing it! It was also refreshing to do SMART villainous deeds. Instead of killing an enemy, you defeat him and force him to do your bidding. Oh, it feels good to be a villain when the story is written well!
If you've ever run the Hess Task Force and had lingering questions such as "Why is the volcano still there?" play this arc and expand the experience.
***** 5 Stars and a Giant Mech Man
I don't remember who won the final roll, but they chose to gift Police Woman with:
Papers and Paychecks by @PW Arc ID: 298290
Don't let the unassuming arc title fool ya, this is a fun romp, filled with CoH easter eggs, corporate humor, and an ultimate ethical dilema (that showed most of us don't have much in the way of ethics!)
The premise, alone, was bursting with potential: you've decided to hang up your former heroic or villainous life and get a real job...with Crey Industries! PW doesn't waste 1 drop of that potential as you quickly climb up the corporate ladder by hook or by crook.
Along the way, you are treated to a fun tie-in to the Manticore Task Force, a potential office romance, and a whole lot of very witty humor. So much that I'm sure I'd find more and a second and third run through!
***** 5 Stars and a Red Swingline Stapler
All-in-all a fun time spent with good friends. You can't ask for much more on the holidays 
Craft your inventions in AE!!
Play "Crafter's Cafe" - Arc #487283. A 1 mission, NON-COMBAT AE arc with workable invention tables!
Nice full team today! We ran the following arcs:
Night of a Thousand Brokaws by @Infernus Arc ID: 359903
The Legacy of the White Rose by @Teravoltt Arc ID: 181358
Hunter of Beasts Part 1: It starts with a riot... by @Lycanus Arc ID: 110465
Reminder - Teaming also tonight at 8:00pm and tomorrow, Sunday at noon EST.
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
We tried running my Taskforce arc tonight with 3 of us... didn't go so well. But I figured we'd try because a couple people had wanted to see it.
I think I'll just be trying to attend the noon teams for awhile rather then running my own at night for awhile.
3 plus hours of MA fun again today! We played:
The Price Of Freedom by @Cybernetic Hobo Arc ID: 359453
The "Easter Basket" by @Simplifly Arc ID: 35335
Arachnapunzel by @Bluedarky Arc ID: 113035
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Quote:
This was an interesting mix tonight. The price of Freedom was a nice arc indeed. The author surely likes to write long texts. We had some issues with it. To name a few:|
Originally Posted by Wrong_Number
3 plus hours of MA fun again today! We played:
The Price Of Freedom by @Cybernetic Hobo Arc ID: 359453 |
The big antagonist is probably a PC of the author or someone he has introduced in an earlier arc. It was not someone we could have recognized. An introduction to this character would have been nice. Even an, hey you recognize that villain form yesterdays newspaper would have done it.
Another problem was the appearance of Psionic Clockwork where they should not have been. We wrote that one on Poetic Freedom.
Finally I felt that last mission was a bit superfluous. The mystery had been solved and the last mission as written was not needed.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Wrong_Number
The "Easter Basket" by @Simplifly Arc ID: 35335
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Wrong_Number
Arachnapunzel by @Bluedarky Arc ID: 113035
WN |
The author rewrote my rough idea and added some beautiful proza and a more believalbe if less satisfactory ending (you know it when you play it). When I saw this one on my search, I knew I had to play it.
This weeks schedule:
Tuesday - 6:00pm EST - Open Teaming
Saturday- Noon EST - Gray Search! Arcs with no plays.
Sunday - Noon EST - Open Teaming
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Nice run this evening. We ran:
Thriller: Part One by @St0n3 Fir3 Arc ID: 352984
The Union of the Mask by @Sister Twelve Arc ID: 352400
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Today we had 10 members show up splitting into two teams for several arcs. The theme today was Gray Arcs or Arcs with no plays. We ran or attempted to run the following:
De-Bugging the Architect by @Defender Babe Arc ID: 362676
When The Scales Won't Tip... by @Syncronocity Arc ID: 362630
Atta's Return!! Part one!! by @Starry Arc ID: 285683
SIC Stories: For Whom the Ells Tolls by @Bashere Arc ID: 362689
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Quote:
While it had its issues, it certainly seems like it could improve with some polish. BTW, I'd like to note that some of the bad guys had red lasers...
|
Originally Posted by Wrong_Number
SIC Stories: For Whom the Ells Tolls by @Bashere Arc ID: 362689
|
Two mostly full teams today; We ran:
The Fall of Rapture by @Ari Arc ID: 299507
Dhahabu Kingdom and the Indelible Curse of Hate by @Zamuel (Test)
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
This Week's schedule:
Tuesday 6:00pm EST - Open Teaming
Saturday Noon EST - Open Teaming
Sunday Noon EST - Open Teaming
Note- I don't think I will be around this evening since a close friend of mine is in the hospital and not doing well. Just not sure if I will be up for it.
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Today the MA Superteam ran two arcs from our request thread. They were:
Crown of Iron, Heart of Steel Part 1 by @Techbot ALPHA Arc ID: 236933
The Alien Tyrant by @Royal Arc ID: 357388
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
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!
Craft your inventions in AE!!
Play "Crafter's Cafe" - Arc #487283. A 1 mission, NON-COMBAT AE arc with workable invention tables!
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
Craft your inventions in AE!!
Play "Crafter's Cafe" - Arc #487283. A 1 mission, NON-COMBAT AE arc with workable invention tables!
Quote:
I'd like to thank everyone for playing my arc, I got some good feedback on a few things here and there to update/make clearer. |
Originally Posted by BackFire
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 |
Zagmuk was pretty good. My only complaint with it might be the wordiness of it, but that's probably just my own bias peeking through as I like to keep things fairly tight. The story was pretty intricate though so it's at best only a slight defect if that (see above about personal taste). I appreciated the amount of detail and research that went into it.
This Week's schedule:
Saturday Noon EST - New Author Nominee Arcs
Sunday Noon EST - Open Teaming
WN
Check out one of my most recent arcs:
457506 - A Very Special Episode - An abandoned TV, a missing kid's TV show host and more
416951 - The Ms. Manners Task Force - More wacky villains, Wannabes. things in poor taste
or one of my other arcs including two 2010 Player's Choice Winners and an2009 Official AE Awards Nominee for Best Original Story
Eva Destruction AR/Fire/Munitions Blaster
Darkfire Avenger DM/SD/Body Scrapper
Arc ID#161629 Freaks, Geeks, and Men in Black
Arc ID#431270 Until the End of the World