It seems that I've managed to create a little controversy and we're still 3-4 weeks away from even starting the game.
Is that a record?
Regardless, please bear with me while I will attempt to address some things and hopefully clarify the official position of the CHD with respect to a few things brought up earlier in this thread. I think, that in order to accomplish this, we must first analyze the concept of our
Role
Playing
Game.
I can't speak as to what happened in DG3's RPG, but in the DG2 version, it seemed to emphasize the game with a few offshoots into role-playing (the Fanatikan Underground, the death of Shaitan, etc.). The problem I had with that version was that the "game" portion of the RPG had virtually nothing to do with the actual Civ game being played. The events that transpired in the demogame had little or no effect on the "game" portion of the RPG or the "role-playing" portion of it either, with perhaps one or two exceptions.
What the CHD is attempting to create is a role-playing feature for the demogame that remains consistent with the actual events transpiring within the demogame proper. In short, we will provide the "role-playing", but not the "game" - that, we will leave to the demogame itself.
Furthermore, I hope that while the CHD will provide the main arc of our national story, I also hope that others will take up the calling and compose a number of mini-arcs within the various city threads and perhaps even a few citizen groups (a la "The Brotherhood of ______", etc.). The main rule being that we always remain consistent with the state of the actual game.
If Stuck wishes to incorporate some of the "game" elements from the DG2 RPG, I have no problem with this, provided that it does not pollute the integrity of our creative history. In fact, our rules on story submissions are clear on this: Content must be consistent with actual game events. Content based on those epic battles and other games that Stuck is proposing would therefor not qualify for submission in the CHD. I think it would be better conducted under the guise of an independent citizens group (ie.
Wargames &
Epic
Battles Club, etc...).
In short, I believe there is room in the demogame for both the CHD and for what Stuck has suggested. I just think they need to be kept separate from each other.
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Now, to address some things mentioned earlier:
Originally posted by Stuck_As_a_Mac
I am asking the C.H.D. to serve as an archive to store stories (in .txt format) and have some of our greater works, such as creation myths and long rambling tales posted in a spotlight for all to see.
I was reluctant to say this before, which is perhaps why we have this little controversy in the first place, but I don't see this happening. Neither Cyc nor myself have either the time or desire to catalog stories from the various threads and convert them to .txt format. We will likely have plenty of work as it is (which is why we've requested volunteers to assist us, mind you) in simply maintaining a semi-current list of NPCs and general plotlines. If you are intent on archiving the stories, I suggest you look elsewhere for volunteers.
We will, however, maintain links to the various city threads that have initiated their own sub-plots and side stories consistent with the rules of the CHD. In that sense, we will serve as the central repository of our historical tales.
Originally posted by TerminalMan90
Is it too soon to start writing histories? I plan to write something that predates history and is not dependant on our starting position or chosen civ.
In a way, yes. Cyc and I have already invested significant effort into creating this office and fashioning it in a way that will be most enjoyable by all. As such, we are reserving the first post of the story for ourselves. This post will include some pre-settlement story and essentially set the stage for the first turns of play.
Having said that, I must also say that a creative writer could probably find a way to work a little pre-settlement history of his/her own into a post without damaging the storyline.
Originally posted by Donovan Zoi
I would like to hear Forty's opinion as well. But for now, since the CHD has been the intended "RPG" concept for quite some time now, I am closing SaaMs thread to reduce confusion. If it is later determined that this site can be of use, I will gladly re-open it.
As I stated above, I believe that Stuck's proposed "game" feature can co-exist in the demogame independent of the CHD. I just fear that mingling the two will irrevocably damage the integrity of the creative history storyline. I would recommend that Stuck (or whoever is interested in participating in those Epic Battles, or land tile acquisition game, etc.) create those games in a citizen group independent of the Creative History Department.
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Thanks also to those of you who have already voiced your support of this department. I eagerly await your submissions to this unprecedented office.
Main Story
City of Huntington
City of Montpellier
