It's been a long time since I really, seriously, openly posted on these forums for more than a note to help someone through a problem in the MA or a brief "thank you" of gratitude to other players who've enjoyed my arcs.
Those who've known me on here for some time have probably figured out a couple of things already.
1: I'm a fan of the Mission Architect and aspiring arc writer.
2: My arguably best loved Mission Architect character, for numerous reasons, is Waddle the Penguin, of my so-called PENGUIN trilogy (arcs 29205, 302196, and 402239).
Personally, while I have always found PENGUIN and PENGUIN Part 2: Waddle's Revenge to be some of my favorite arc writing, I wasn't ever really, truly pleased with having PENGUIN Part 3: Waddle to the Big Top be the final arc for the funny little penguin hero. Yes, it's well-written, with Waddle's role as the contact being amusing and fun. However, wall-to-wall Carnies isn't exactly a great send-off for what is otherwise a light-hearted, easygoing romp against Crey and the Winter Horde.
In the wake of the announcement regarding the game's current state from August 31, 2012, I've looked at my Mission Architect arcs and thought, "Well, they're good enough, I guess. Good luck getting folks to play them now and getting any of them out of Four Star Land."
However, on the morning of the 1st or 2nd, while I was about to get in the shower, the idea--the plot hook--for PENGUIN Part 4 hit me.
Like so much good writing, it started with a title.
PENGUIN Part 4: Waddle Away.
The original concept was going to be Waddle leaving Paragon City in search of another place to call home--possibly due to a permanent separation from his dear "Poppa," the guy who created the PENGUIN Program, Dr. Grant Simons. Waddle's leaving the city would give me, in its own sad way, a sort of closure just in case the game wouldn't go on past November 30: I'd be finished, in my own way, with an ongoing storyline that many seem to have enjoyed.
Then I got to thinking more. I didn't want to go out on a downer.
Waddle is a level 50 incarnate, ice control/empath. As one of my four main characters, Waddle's bio information reads, "An average (though plump) penguin, experimented on at Crey Biotech, Waddle found himself gifted with odd powers and childlike human intelligence. He escaped Crey's labs, trying to find more of his like."
And there, my friends and fans, is my hook, in that final sentence. All along, Waddle has shouted out what he hates. Waddle despises seeing the word "Penguin" in print, remembering too well his early battles with Winter Horde in murderously minded testing facilities. "Waddle hate snowmans!" and "Waddle hate Metalfaces!" and "Waddle hate car-ni-vuh-al! Waddle hate clowns!" However, we know that Waddle dearly loves his Poppa, having formed an attachment to the old scientist despite his machinations for the childish penguin.
The question must still be answered: does Waddle love or hate. . . penguins?
Stay tuned to this page for the upcoming arc, the next in the PENGUIN series. . . .
It's been a long time since I really, seriously, openly posted on these forums for more than a note to help someone through a problem in the MA or a brief "thank you" of gratitude to other players who've enjoyed my arcs.
Those who've known me on here for some time have probably figured out a couple of things already.
1: I'm a fan of the Mission Architect and aspiring arc writer.
2: My arguably best loved Mission Architect character, for numerous reasons, is Waddle the Penguin, of my so-called PENGUIN trilogy (arcs 29205, 302196, and 402239).
Personally, while I have always found PENGUIN and PENGUIN Part 2: Waddle's Revenge to be some of my favorite arc writing, I wasn't ever really, truly pleased with having PENGUIN Part 3: Waddle to the Big Top be the final arc for the funny little penguin hero. Yes, it's well-written, with Waddle's role as the contact being amusing and fun. However, wall-to-wall Carnies isn't exactly a great send-off for what is otherwise a light-hearted, easygoing romp against Crey and the Winter Horde.
In the wake of the announcement regarding the game's current state from August 31, 2012, I've looked at my Mission Architect arcs and thought, "Well, they're good enough, I guess. Good luck getting folks to play them now and getting any of them out of Four Star Land."
However, on the morning of the 1st or 2nd, while I was about to get in the shower, the idea--the plot hook--for PENGUIN Part 4 hit me.
Like so much good writing, it started with a title.
PENGUIN Part 4: Waddle Away.
The original concept was going to be Waddle leaving Paragon City in search of another place to call home--possibly due to a permanent separation from his dear "Poppa," the guy who created the PENGUIN Program, Dr. Grant Simons. Waddle's leaving the city would give me, in its own sad way, a sort of closure just in case the game wouldn't go on past November 30: I'd be finished, in my own way, with an ongoing storyline that many seem to have enjoyed.
Then I got to thinking more. I didn't want to go out on a downer.
Waddle is a level 50 incarnate, ice control/empath. As one of my four main characters, Waddle's bio information reads, "An average (though plump) penguin, experimented on at Crey Biotech, Waddle found himself gifted with odd powers and childlike human intelligence. He escaped Crey's labs, trying to find more of his like."
And there, my friends and fans, is my hook, in that final sentence. All along, Waddle has shouted out what he hates. Waddle despises seeing the word "Penguin" in print, remembering too well his early battles with Winter Horde in murderously minded testing facilities. "Waddle hate snowmans!" and "Waddle hate Metalfaces!" and "Waddle hate car-ni-vuh-al! Waddle hate clowns!" However, we know that Waddle dearly loves his Poppa, having formed an attachment to the old scientist despite his machinations for the childish penguin.
The question must still be answered: does Waddle love or hate. . . penguins?
Stay tuned to this page for the upcoming arc, the next in the PENGUIN series. . . .
PENGUIN Part 4: Waddle On
I'm out of signature space! Arcs by Tubbius of Justice are HERE: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=218177