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My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Hi everyone

I have some ambitious gamebook ideas, but I think that the sensible course of action would be to begin with something simple first. So here it is:

You are the last hero in a realistic fantasy world that no longer needs or wants adventurers. Political alliances, regional militia, and economic treaties ensure (reasonable) stability and prosperity. There are no more dragons to be slain; no more damsels to be rescued. The swashbuckling exploits of long-deceased champions are only vaguely remembered in bedtime stories and campfire tales. You are all that remains of a once heroic past: an ageing hermit, ostracised by a disbelieving and increasingly bureaucratic world. Then, one day, an ancient evil returns and presents you with the opportunity of one final quest.

One one hand, this is intended to be an entertaining and familiar good vs evil story. However, it is also intended to challenge readers with moral and intellectual ambiguity:

  • What does it mean to be a hero in a world that doesn't want to be saved?
  • Is heroism selfless, or motivated by personal insecurity?
  • Do we need heroes who "play outside the rules", or do we need better "rules"?

To be clear: this will not be a philosophical treatise. It will be an entertaining and challenging gamebook, but one that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback (i.e. does this sound like a storygame that you would enjoy?)

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Sounds like it could be good, of course it all depends on how you write it. make sure there arnt many mistakes and no bad links and I'm sure this could be a really good premise for a story (Not totally original but writing somthing totaly original nowadays is next to impossible)

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Thank you for your prompt feedback :)

For now, I am purely interested in whether people are intrigued by the story premise (i.e. assume that the execution will be flawless and that there won't be any mistakes, broken links, etc.)

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

In that case yes, it has a solid basic premise, old hero returning for last quest and all that that entails, plus the cultural side and myriad potential of ancient evils re-awakening.  So all the basics are there and it could be a very interesting game

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

I like the idea of a world turning away from the age of heros. I would likely enjoy it once you publish it, depending on how you wrote.

I do have a question; How will magic be included into your world or not at all? 

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Thank you for your feedback :)

Magic will, at best, be a background element in this particular story (i.e. there may be references to it but very little, if any, direct involvement).

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Well I can see you have a big evil already waiting in the wings, so this idea probably won't fit, but in case you change up the story a bit I'd propose this possible dark branch for the player character:

Basically in one branch you become a bitter old hero that hates the way this new world works, so you deliberately become a super villain to prove that the world still needs heroes. (And you'd probably be the greatest villain ever since you've had so much experience fighting them all your life)

Inevitably this results in a few individuals that rise up to stop you, thus ushering in a new age of heroes.

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Thank you for your feedback and suggestion :)

There will definitely be multiple endings depending on the choices that readers make. However, turning into a villain won't be one of them.

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

well it sounds like ti could be a great game be sure to post it here when you finish it

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Thanks for your feedback :)

The support from this community has been much appreciated, so I will be starting work on this story very soon and will keep everyone updated with my progress.

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

That idea seems amaizing. 

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

Thaks for your feedback Aman :)

My first storygame - all feedback welcome :)

11 years ago

I've been considering that for a while! Its one of the many plot lines I have on the back burner for one thing or another. I've always had it slotted as a villain motivation rather than a legitimate hero to villain path for the protagonist.