Обсуждение:Universalis 1

Idle talk here %) EvilCat 10:31, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Neon: Ok thanks Cat for pointing this out. Thinking about new scene now... Why do you use '%' in the way you do? (Neonwhite 10:33, 19 April 2009 (UTC))

It's actually an emoticon, a cheerful smile. the '%' symbol indicates funny eyes and nose. EvilCat 10:51, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Keeping records

If there is something that bothers you in the way I keep records, please, feel free to correct or point it out here. EvilCat 13:09, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

NeonWhite: Liking it. Keep up the good work! Neonwhite 19:25, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Scenes

The thing to remember is that a "scene" in the game isn't necessarily equal to a scene in a movie. That's something I had to grapple with myself.

Where a movie scene is a distinct narrative unit defined by the needs of the story, a Universalis scene is a distinct game unit, defined by the needs of the coin pool. The player who framed the scene may choose to end it for narrative reasons as well, at which point he will probably pay the 1 coin for a "fade-to-black" and cap off the scene. But my motive this time was purely mercenary, and if I'd won the bid I would have simply paid to pick up exactly where we'd left off.

The thing is, we had no pre-existing elements I felt would have been good to introduce to that scene -- either for their own sake, or to spark a complication -- and I would have run myself out of coins inventing a new element and doing anything interesting with it. And all the take-overs and complications I wanted to use the introduced elements for would have taken me more than 5 coins.

And, yeah, the coin supply will get less tight when we start using more complications, but introducing complications with entirely new elements pretty much just offsets the cost of introducing those new elements, while giving charity coins to the target player. Until we get a good library of pre-existing facts we can drag into complications, I expect refreshment is going to provide our primary source of income.

Anyway... based on that theory... I'm looking at this as a re-building scene for me. I still need more coins, so I'm going to pass.

EvilCat's turn.

EvilCat

You're probably right. I think that cinematic scenes can be accomplished with some tenets, but it's unnecessary. By the way, Universalis uses so much cinematic/theatrical terms it would be easy to translate it to Russian - unlike most other RPGs. *sigh* Too bad it's just an indie.

EvilCat 15:28, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

NeonWhite

Giacomo, can you clarify what your pass means? Was that in relation to ending scene 3 or after my framing of scene 4 or after Cat's turn in scene 4?

Also, probably easiest if we sign and time stamp our posts here, so that we know who is talking...

Neonwhite 17:55, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

EvilCat

By the way (again), I don't mind early Complications and, actually, like them. It feels gamey and is an elegant way to replenish coins. I won't force complications on anyone, though. Even to me their mechanics seems a bit... well, complicated. %)

EvilCat 19:14, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

NeonWhite

Ok, I have ended Scene 4. Not sure how to do the editing on the sidebar properly, so I'll leave it to Cat to clean-up.

Neonwhite 08:38, 22 April 2009 (UTC)

EvilCat

Actually, I thought that you'll reply in a usual free manner, and then I'll compose everything in sidebars and such. Anyway, you did everything right, I just added a transparent line to separate blocks.

EvilCat 09:33, 22 April 2009 (UTC)

Pictures

Sometimes I draw pictures for the games I play, and this time I have this urge too. But considering vague nature of Universalis, I have doubts... For example, the dog creature. By drawing it I will coinlessly determine its appearance in a way I like. Or Will - we didn't determine his age, and so a picture will influence you judgment. What say you? EvilCat 15:28, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Revised edition changes

I listed the revised edition changes. EvilCat 16:28, 30 April 2009 (UTC)

Real complication

GiacomoArt

I guess I'm going to have to call Universalis a failed experiment for me.

While I'm trying to set up realistically nuanced emotion to create a horror story heavy on suspense, EC's trying to rush headlong into a tale of revulsion, NW's creating a personal power fantasy, and the deus ex machini are flying fast and furious. With all the chasing off in such different directions, I just have too much responsibility in my life to keep myself emotionally invested in this. Sorry.

Resolve the current situation however you want. If I kept playing, my very next move would be to take control of Santiago and hit him with an asteroid.

GiacomoArt 15:30, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

EvilCat

Sounds bad... I thought this disease thing very thoroughly, with methodical, layered revelation of its true nature, of twisted plot behind it. I thought out the next scene (wanted to bid all coins on it). Compared my plans to original novels, considered established tenets. We began at March 15, almost two month have passed - quite a time to start working on suspense. I enjoyed your input. Still, if it's hard for you and isn't what you want, may I reveal you (privately) these plans? I'm very excited with them and with the game.

EvilCat 15:58, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

Neonwhite

Actually, I'm not that attached to the outcome and happy for the dice and the challenges to fall where they will. I thought it was allowed to introduce new components into a complication by spending a coin to do so and one can then draw on the traits as appropriate. I didn't think it that far fetched for additional sailors to be wandering the island. The threat falls on Santiago's side because the interruption may prevent the throwing of the dagger, of course in the ultimate outcome as narrated, the sailors presence is likely to hinder Santiago as much as Nicole (and perhaps they team up to overcome it)...

The disconnect here is possibly that G has a firm view of Nicole's personality, however to the extent it is not paid for specifically in coins, that personality it is at risk of being pushed around (by the likes of me). I for example was surprised that she reacted with such ferocity to Santiago's irritating manner - but so be it. That is kind of what Universalis is about. The process is a lot more stilted due to the online play, so we probably just have to cut each other more slack and be less attached to outcomes or game elements in general.

I'm still up for carrying on. Not particularly concerned about details. I would still like to explore the rules through this game and i expect we will all get better at it as we go along. Hence less far fetched challenges, story elements, rules interpretations) - or at least, equally far-fetched.

Why don't we try to resolve the complication as best we can and carry on?

Neonwhite 17:25, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

NeonWhite

Oh and for the record I think the disease complication is a very nice spin on things. Quite a lovecraftian turn of events. Next step might be to specify effects of the disease...

Sorry I can't agree with you G. I do think there is a lot more fun gaming to be had here, however, and I'm sure we can get along in a hard-on-facts, soft-on-people fashion.

Neonwhite 17:29, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

EvilCat

GiacomoArt, if you would reconsider, I'd recommend you throw some refining tenets, like "no more than 6 positive traits per character, for in Lovecraftean horror, humans are weak". I thought of that, looking at this looong traits lists, but I'd rather take a challenge to slowly wipe/rewrite characters' personalities with disease. I didn't thought that the story is becoming unpleasant to you... EvilCat 18:23, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

EvilCat

Guess we're gonna need another Timmy... Thoughts/suggestions? EvilCat 12:56, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

Neonwhite

Mmm, I think so. I am meeting a guy here in London on Monday night (potentially) who has expressed interest in trying something new. So that is one potential.

Another possibility is for you to join the game I have started with my old roleplaying group from back home. I am originally Australian and I still play-by-post occasionally with the guys back in Australia.

I have jsut introduced them to Universalis and I have just started a new game with two of them. You could become a fourth. I'm not sure what appetite they would have to coming here to help complete this game. I expect they may want to finish a first single game of Universalis before considering another.

Let me know if you're interested and I will arrange for access for you to the forum. The game is still in the defining tenets stage.

85.118.26.166 14:43, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

EvilCat

You bet I am! EvilCat 14:50, 9 May 2009 (UTC)