Hey, folks. Seth and I couldn't help noticing that CYS has two very sad looking categories--(since people won't stop reminding me :P)--ones that I keep meaning to get around to writing for, but haven't quite had the time for yet. SO, we decided to get you guys involved in the effort to bolster their numbers. Let's start with the one that has a spot open for featuring.
As stated in the title, this contest's category will be: School-Based.
This category relies on its location, obviously, because a good majority of your game should take place at the school in question. Please keep in mind, it does not need to be a normal school. It could be a college, it could be like Professor X's institute, it could be a pre-school for ninjas, just so long as it qualifies as a facility for learning something and your characters spend a good amount of time attending. It would be great to see some 'outside the box' entries, which both apply to the category and defy expectation... but it'd also be great to see a more classic, high-quality entry or two.
Now, as for time: You have until July 3rd, 11:59pm, EST to submit your entry. Why? Well, we were going to do just a month, but you guys (and gals) tend to drag your heels on signing up for stuff, so Seth and I agreed that you get a few extra days for you to sign-up and start your story. Please reply to this post if you want to enter and add me as a co-author once you create your game. Prizes: First Place - 100 points + Featured Game + $25 gift card. (A generous donation from Seth. :D) Second place - 75 points. Third place - 50 points. (Entries aside from first place may be featured if their quality is high enough.)
Rules: 1. No pre-existing games. (Pre-existing concepts, though? Go for it.) 2. No co-authors aside from me. You may use a beta-reader, but don't add. Link. B. You may contact me for scripting help if you get stuck. C. You may not choose your own beta. 3. Yes, I'd love to see a motivational thread from you. I may even award points for them. 4. No, don't use your motivational thread to ask for ideas. This is your game. No one else's. 5. Kiel will be acting as head judge for this contest. As per the previous contest, all participants are required to act as judges. Beta readers may also judge, as well as any spectators. There will be a voting survey for which Seth will provide passcodes. 6. Do not vote for your own game. 7. Once you finish your game and publish, PM me a link to it, please. (Further rules for voting will be posted once we know how many entries we'll have.)
WE ALSO NEED BETA-READERS AND ADDITIONAL JUDGES, please reply to this post to sign up. ^_^ You are also welcome to sign up as both if you feel up to the task. Beta-readers must sign up voluntarily, will be given a writer to work with at random, and they cannot be writing participants. Also, this contest is open to anyone (--who isn't a troll, or me, because there's no way I'm hosting and entering while also keeping up with my mod duties.)
Noice. Good luck, everyone.
I can be a beta-reader for any entries.
Does the school part trump the other part? Such as, would a Hogwarts-type piece be School-based over fantasy?
In the case of a fantasy school, (just like in the case of a horror school, sci-fi school, modern school, exc) it could fit into either fantasy or school-based in my honest opinion. If you want precedence, my game Magick Academy (which, alas, languishes in my unpublished section) is about a fantasy school. However, I will be submitting it in school-based if I ever finish it. If a game roughly fits two or more categories equally, we really just tend to leave it up to the author. (Fanfic trumps everything, though.)
Interesting. Seems school games are a relic of a bygone eras but it'll be interesting to see what people do with them.
This is such a coincidence, really. I was working on my own school based story before the announcement of this contest. So far I've been trying to see if I can still make something worthwhile with mobile...
Hah scrubs, I only use mobile to write, get with the 21 century.
....I use mobile 100% of the time on this site.
How...? Without a mobile version of the site, it's horrible to naviagte around on.
What do you mean?
Couldn't let me have this mason.
Nope. (Insert Lenny face)
It's preference mostly, typing with a real physical keyboard is just very satisfying for me. I also feel that this site is more desktop and laptop friendly then mobile. Though, that is just my less than knowledgeable opinion. Though my join date says I've been here for three years it really has been quite less, with the hiatus and all. I really honestly just forgot my password and one day suddenly remembered it, please don't laugh at the hilarity of that.
I use an IPad, though.
I hope for your sake it's the older generation.
It's an IPad 1 or 2. XD.
That's like great grandma Betsy old, I feel the Grandpa age of 2010 just thinking about it.
I would prefer PC if it wasn't distracting for me, not much else to do on this i3.
Aww, 'cause this would be the time to publish Magick Academy :(
I MAY sign up. I'll see how testing goes.
And, why would we enter you as co-author?
Naaaaw. That can wait. (Because it has to.)
Okay.
To prevent cheating.
What do you mean by cheating?
:P That would be telling! It's not clear from the rules?
Oh, sorry.
What's the harm in signing up? Mark me down.
Yay, first confirmed writer of the thread! xD ... Everyone else, get off your lazy butts and sign up.
Fine, fine.
(As in I will)
Well...I might be signing up...but I'll probably stop writing, knowing my awful procrastination habits.
Might be Am interested in this.
I'll enter as a writer. I was going to do either a fanfic or a school based storygame after I finished my other project anyway. I really think they need to have better quality material; therefore, thank you for doing this contest.
I may want to do this. Also to everyone in the murder mystery forum, I'm sorry that I didn't post and now it is to old, I was just really busy.
@Kiel_Farren
If my story is Fantasy and School-based, may I publish it in either category as long as I use tags?
I'll quote Kiel from this post:
"In the case of a fantasy school, (just like in the case of a horror school, sci-fi school, modern school, exc) it could fit into either fantasy or school-based in my honest opinion. If you want precedence, my game Magick Academy (which, alas, languishes in my unpublished section) is about a fantasy school. However, I will be submitting it in school-based if I ever finish it. If a game roughly fits two or more categories equally, we really just tend to leave it up to the author. (Fanfic trumps everything, though.)"
I think that looks like a definite yes.
Uh. No. That was meant to be taken as general categorization advice. This is a contest for the school-based category, so I'm leaning toward a firm no, but I'd rather wait for Seth's answer.
That makes a lot of sense. Oops.
@Sethaniel - What do you think? I mean... the point was to add to the school-based category, right?
I'll just publish it as school-based, but put fantasy tags. Forgot we had those.
@nason Yeah I think that makes sense, publish as school-based & add fantasy tag.
Re: contest-- Remember, the grand prize includes your story taking the empty feature slot. Which is in the school-based category. Which would mean your story necessarily must be in that category.
Thanks.
>Kiel joins contest
>Publishes Magick Academy
>Wins first place and claims prize
>_> Me? Finish anything beside a quiz in a month? Hell, five of these things could go by and I still wouldn't be done. No, that's... that's why it's good if I co-host these things, not participate in them. I procrastinate way, way too much. xD
Wow! You really are my kind of guy!
PROCRASTINATION HIGH FIVE!
... eh, let's do it later.
Ah, sorry... I can't talk about missing our high-five now... maybe we should discuss putting it off sometime next week?
*Inhale* Ooooh, wait, I can't do next week. I got, uh... Sleep? Yeah, Sleep.
Let's just reschedule this rescheduling sometime in the future.
I may enter, considering I have nothing else to do in my spare time...
Er... there's already a lot of incentive here, so that seems unnecessary to me, but...
@Sethaniel
I think I might join in.
I'm so in.
Since fantasy and sci-fi are allowable I do have some interest in this, but realistically I don't have a good track record with writing stories on a deadline, and attempting to enter would mean derailing my current WIPs to start a new one. So I'll probably give it a miss, but I'll look forward to seeing what others come up with.
I'll sign up.
I won't participate since I'm better with other story concepts.
Even though you could do a military school / assassin training facility to satisfy your insane army-fanboyism and it'd be unique enough to suit your insistence on making new things, huh? (It's fine that you don't wanna compete, of course, but you can't tell me I'm crushing your creativity by insisting your characters "be in a place" where they just happen to "learn things." xD)
I'm like, XD times 1,000 right now.
Hmm... I think it would be sort of hilarious to do that with the Diamond Dogs in MGSV.
Introducing the rookies to the power of the cardboard box, fulton recovery system, extracting sheeps, shooting transquilizers at each other, getting rocket punched by Big Boss and stays happy (staff morale increased), etc.
But I still prefer something else.
"But I still prefer something else."
^ And that's perfectly fine, I respect preference. But "I'm not good at writing a story that happens in a specific building" is not an excuse I'll take here. xD
I won't join this. Imagining all the crazy shits in MGS universe being turned into an educational thing is funny though.
"Big Boss is love, Big Boss is life. You have no family. You serve him forever," Revolver Ocelot says.
"K den. I got it," says Panzer Cobra.
As an S rank combat staff, he gets automatically assigned to the combat team before he receives basic training alongside the other candidates, ranging from B to S rank rookies extracted from the battlefield and brainwashed to serve for the Diamond Dogs. All the C to E rank guys are instantly fired.
First time they meet Big Boss, he gives them all a punch to the face with his bionic arm. He also fires his arm and yells "ROCKET PUUUUUNCH!" as it goes flying hitting everyone in the head. Five minutes later, they all have awaken and feel the aura of happiness and joy... of getting punched by Big Boss before saluting him.
"Thanks for that b0ss."
Yeah, I know you won't, and I already said that was fine. :P
Actually, thinking about it, why are people posting just to say "I'll pass"? xD Sonic's makes sense, 'cuz he'll beta, but... *shrug*
I'm doing it for comedic effect.
Well not exactly sure if I could enter (just thinking of school numbs my creativity). Also I can't be distracted from my current project. But I can be a beta-reader/ proof-reader for anyone else's entry. (sigh) Will have to catch you on the next contest. (Sigh again for added emphasis on my disappointment)
Proof-reading is an important job, and don't worry, Seth and I have already been talking about the next one.
MAKE IT HAVE GUNS. PLEASE.
This one can have guns. Honestly, any genre can have guns. -_-
Stay away from him. He's a bad egg.
I kinda want to aim for a girls un panzer fanfiction for this one, seems fitting.
This rule got me excited.
I move for the music. Exactly what do you want me to clarify about it?
@Ford
It's going to be like the previous contest; you'll be required to read/rate a certain amount of the other entries. Exact # depends on how many entries we get. There'll be a survey, like last time.
Only one person has done this so far, so as a reminder: add me as a co-author once you create your game.
I'm still thinking, so when I'm done with plot I will go ahead.
You know what? Sign me up, I have had an idea for such a game for a while now.
Im going to write a story that will blow you away. (Hint Hint)
O_o See, after all the shipping, I'm not sure what you mean to imply... Um. Is a school for tornadoes? >_> Explosions?
That... actually sounds a bit interesting, though I don't now what they could possibly learn? Most of the explosions are probably going to get hired by Michael Bay anyway...
You'll see when I make the motivational thread today.
As soon as I saw this, I immediately thought "He's not going the school shooter route, is he? Dear god, I hope not."
Huh. I'd read that one. Would be far more interesting than the usual 'I was late to a class and then somebody made a mean remark, afterwards I needed to decide whether to do my homework or text my friend. Gosh I wonder if that boy likes me. RIVETING DRAMA.'
I thought one of the whole reasons to make a school based story was to make a school shooter route. Don’t see much point otherwise, other than group hugs endings of course.
This may be hard to believe, End, but there is a middle ground between mass murdering everyone in school and groping hugging them all.
Hmm, I’m still not convinced, but I look forward to seeing the results of your latest social experiment.
If I had the time, I probably would have went for a “tiny toons/muppet babies” school approach using younger versions of all my other protagonists.
xD That would be awesome.
>_> You sure a month and three days wouldn't be long enough for you to have time?
Nah, I really try to focus on one major project nowadays. I don’t even think one month and three days is going to be enough to get through this one branch I’m currently working on! Still, I’ll keep the idea on pile of others because who knows what the future holds.
Ergh. See, what you just described is what I really, really do not want to see. It'd be the WC of school stories for me, just like something I've seen a million times before. xD I believe everyone who's signing up can do far better, though.
You DON'T want to see that route?
Shit.
Well, there goes fifty pages of my latest story.
You mean school shootings? xD No, I'm fine with those. I was saying I don't want to see "'I was late to a class and then somebody made a mean remark, afterwards I needed to decide whether to do my homework or text my friend. Gosh I wonder if that boy likes me."
All fifty pages were about either which jegging-shirt-necklace combo to go with to impress Justin, and whether Jake, Justin or Kai are the one for you.
Hint: It's ALWAYS Kai.
xD ... You're secretly a pre-teen girl deep down, aren't you?
Ohmygosh, I get to pick my jeggings AND my necklace? *squeal*
Of course it is.
Oh yeah. Jeggings is both modest without being boring and flirty without being flaunty.
xD ... Well, Steve, you're one of the few people who can use a title like that and somehow I still wanna play the story.
It'll get really meta. No matter what choices you make, the guy you don't date ends up shooting up the place.
Lol...
Ha! Look at this unfashionable dweeb! What part of modest without being boring and flirty without being flaunty don't you understand? Kai sure as hell isn't asking you to the dance.
^This
I looked at it. You haven't even written a single sentence on the pages, so I'll accept it. As I said in the PM, I consider that more of a concept anyway. The point is to make sure no one has an unfair head-start on the actual writing.
I'll enter. It'll be good to practice my writing.
Good luck all!
I sadly don't have time or good enough ideas for a school based game but I'll Beta if people want :)
Please do, we could use a few more if everyone who's signed up gets their game finished in time.
Sounds good then, just let me know when I am needed.
I am interested.
@Kiel_Farren I added you as a co-author to my story. Does that mean I'm automatically entered?
Yeah.
Eyyy! I might actually join and finish a game for once! It's my greatest obstacle other than writer's block. Since I watch too much Clannad and Fairy Tail, maybe I'll do something like this big, giant, guild system with MAGIC! Anywho, maybe. I might not even finish, so don't expect anything. EDIT: Yeah, maybe I'll just stick to beta-reading, if that's possible.
The beta reading is greatly appreciated.
Is there a minimum of points required to enter? I'm new here and in case there isn't I'd like to enter
No, EXP are useless. Anyone can join!
Then I'm in (if I finish on time).
Aye? Hello to you, too.
.....Does he mean yes or no?
Considering he co-authored me, I'm going with a definitive maybe yes.
I like your logic.
I don't know how Kiel feels (my guess is he'll almost certainly be enthused), but for the record, I can't wait to read it. :)
MAKE THIS NOW.
xD ... Well, I enjoyed the dripping sarcasm anyway.
Question: Is a school based story required to be about the students?
Because kids are dumb.
I'm definitely quoting you on that.
XD
Why? It's a widely known fact that Mizal hates kids.
xD There's no need for these students to even be kids, y'know. But no. You can make it about the teachers, the principal, lunch lady, hell, the janitor if you want.
Good Will Hunting.
You can go ahead as soon as you've co-authored me, yeah.
Maybe you can make a story about a generation failing intelligence tests, making the entire generation going back to school. I just imagine 30 year olds in kindergarten X_X.
Or, alternatively, you could join the contest and make it yourself.
He joined already, actually.
Ah; nevermind then.
Is it ok if the main character leaves the school/college/academy for a short part of it?
How short are we talking?
Well, I'm not sure for now, but I'm sure it won't exceed more than ten pages.
Sorry, I should clarify: I meant in comparison to the time spent at the school, not page count. (I expect at least a few stories to show time away / the character going home and doing stuff there / exc, and it really shouldn't be a problem.)
Not long. And the character will be gone as he/she is trying to sneak out of the besieged academy(which is also a sort of city) to deliver a message to another city to send help for them, after which he/she would simply be back at the academy and resume his/her studies. I should also note that this is a medieval fantasy setting to make things a bit clearer.
Gotcha, not a problem.
I was curious about this too, since one of the "students" is actually a spy and assassin for another faction.
As long as the majority of the story is based in the "school" I will count it as school based.
I have an idea for it, but I'm not sure if I'll actually finish it in time
I thought it was said (somewhere) that I shouldn't start something if I don't plan on completing it.
... Well, I never said that. :P
Of course not lol. I've got a question Kiel. What about a school centered around a game?
... Well, sure, that sounds interesting, but where are you going to find a contractor who can build an entire themed school in one month? :P
I'm not sure, but if I find one I'd be interested in seeing what he could do with only a month.
I guess ill have to take back my thoughts on doing the competition. The idea was good, but I'll have no where near enough time if I'm to create something I'm satisfied with. That and I have more pressing matters to deal with like other writing.
You could start it, but if you can't finish it in time for the contest, finish it anyways after.
I mean, you've already made some of it, so why not finish it instead of scrapping it? Might even be good.
Then again, that's my opinion. I've made some mediocre (if you can really call them that) games.
I'll try that then
@mizal - Most encouraging title ever, lol.
what is it?
I'm thinking about entering is, but I don't think I'll be able to finish one in time.
Does a school for mythical creatures count as "School-Based with a Fantasy tag"?
Depends. But probably yes, in your case.
And does it have to be for an older audience? I had a great idea that would be easy to write while still putting effort to get a good plot, but it'd probably attract audiences of seven to ten year olds. I read a similar story when I was eight and loved it, but hated it and called it a "children's book" when I was twelve.
You can do absolutely whatever.
Good. I just didn't want it to get a lower score for it being something that could easily be called stupid.
Target audience is less relevant than solid writing. Just because something is for kids does not, by any means, make it inherently lower quality. (For example, the cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender is amazing. Granted, the stereotype that children entertainment sucks come from people believing it's okay to put forth less effort just because they can more easily get away with it.)
Even if it's about pink glittery unicorns...?
If the unicorns are well written, sure. Best unicorn story (as in, a story starring a unicorn) I ever saw was probably The Last Unicorn, but I've seen them used in other decent / good entertainment. FFX and MLP:FiM come to mind. (And I can reference the latter without shame. I saw both the old MLP and the new because of my sisters, and the new does not make me want to jam an ice pick in my eye-socket. So yay.)
I love MLP, but about the Last Unicorn...I think there's a book(if there is, I haven't read it), but I know there is a movie. The movie was pretty good, I guess.
Just because something is for kids does not, by any means, make it inherently lower quality.
This x1000. Anybody can appreciate a Pixar or Disney movie, and even just talking about stories, I can think of so many kids books that are just as high quality as anything written for adults. They tend not to be as nuanced or have as many layers maybe, but at its core a good story is a good story.
Considering the ages of so many of our casual readers here, I've thought before it would be nice seeing that Geared for Children tag put to good use. I don't know how much of that we'll see in this contest though, school based stories seem to mostly have teenage audiences in mind.
Hmm. You know... that might also make a good concept for a contest. We really don't get much use out of that tag. I'm kind of doubtful as to how well it would go, but I would like to see the results.
Due to someone doing this, albeit prematurely, Do not publish your game with me still co-authored to it. Yes, anyone who joins still needs to co-author me to verify the status of your story, but if you publish without removing me or letting me remove myself, I will end up getting half of your publishing points. I did compensate the contestant who accidentally did this, but that's because I caught it this time.
Maybe it was quick, but it was probably rushed and not of a very high quality. Though I may be wrong here and the story is actually good.
Most likely Kiel told the author to unpublish it because he was still co-author when it was published. Well, you do have a fair point, but until the story gets re-published and I get to read it, I'll just keep assuming that it was most likely rushed.
Most likely it was accidental, though I'm not sure how one accidentally publishes. I only knew it had been published because of the unexpected change in my points, but it was unpublished when I went to check on it.
xD But why?
Are we guaranteed points for a motivational thread? Because they've never done much for me and so I'm not feeling motivated enough to make one otherwise.
That's... ironic.
I was planning on using the same criteria that Seth did for giving points in his contest: "Any story with a WW thread with more than 5 posts by the author will receive a point bonus."
I may be stupid for asking this(I sure do feel stupid), but what does the WW stand for?
What type of gift card? It doesn't say. NOT THAT I WANT IT. PFFFHT.
I would assume it is one of your choice or something real generic that everyone could use
I want to sign up, also I could be a beta reader or judge.
Hi, this is my second account, I forgot the password to the first one and the reset button wouldn't work for some reason, so sign me up on this account, thanks. @Kiel_Farren
Create your story and add me as a co-author as soon as you do.
Ooh ooh ooh me! I have ideas! I join!
This might be a stupid question, but would it have to be set in a school? What I mean is, could it be set in another place, such as... Hell, a prison or warehouse for example, where the characters are taught a skill by a "teacher"?
As long it's about rookies being taught how to do stuff, it's fine.
No. No it isn't.
Ah, gotcha. Thanks.
The stuff doesn't have to be boring school shits. It can be anything, from magic to guns.
Okay, this part is correct. The school can teach magic or guns or whatever. But it does have to be an education facility of some type: university, pilot academy, whatever. As long as it's a location where people receive instruction.
Assassination Classroom is okay. La Femme Nikita is not.
I'm aware.
Hmm... well, @Kiel_Farren sign me up.
"Please keep in mind, it does not need to be a normal school. It could be a college, it could be like Professor X's institute, it could be a pre-school for ninjas, just so long as it qualifies as a facility for learning something and your characters spend a good amount of time attending."
xD Good imitation of Honeydusk, anyway.
It does, however, need at least 20% of the plot devoted to picking out what to wear to get your crush to like you.
Kiel, just wondering, does the story have to be set in a normal school?
That's a good one.
Kiel, what if I wanted to set my story in something like the X-Men school. (just a random idea I had) Would that be allowed?
Kiel please reply, I'm confused and have so many questions.
>_> Oh, God, you're secretly Honeydusk, aren't you? So many alts...! Everyone I know is a lie! *violent break down and mass murder spree ensues.*
Get into the bomb shelter!
*seals presidential bunker*
Get to da choppa
The fact that the game is supposed to primarily take place at a learning facility is the key component here.
Over a year on this site and I haven't managed to complete a single storygame but yeah, I'll give it a go. One feature-worthy story in thirty days. How hard could it be...
It could be very hard
I'll try it out :)
I may be the only one making my game in a "normal" school
That reminds me, I know we can make the school a weird school, but are we allowed to have one that functions as something other than a school? I was considering having my story focus on a student in a monastery.
@bilbo - you were supposed to add me as soon as you created your game.
Ehem, let me hastily change the title to something that is a little more appropriate and I'll get right on that. Sorry.
My name is Providence and I want to sign up for the contest. This would be my first story.
Create your story game and add me as a co-author as soon as you do so I can verify it as a valid entry.
I have a very sad announcement- I am going to have to withdraw from the contest. I already have too many WIPs, and I can't keep up with the deadline. Sorry. X_X
I know, I just have a bigger project at hand. I don't want to get all jumbled. Thanks for the advice, though. I am aware of the gracious time limit- but state testing destroys most of my time.
XD. The funniest thing is my first and second period teachers hate state testing.
I think I'll enter- I didn't have the motivation time to sign up for the Puzzles contest, but this looks fun, and anyhow, a deadline will help me finally finish something. Good luck to all!
... You know you're supposed to co-author me as soon as you create your game, right?
I will do this as long as there isn't a penalty for not finishing on time! I'm willing to spend all of my gaming time writing this!
"Penalty"? Well... your entry won't be accepted if it comes too late because that would be unfair to everyone who does get theirs done in time and totally defeat the purpose of a deadline, but if you mean consequences beyond that, no. I'm not going to dock points from people. If you do create a story and enter, remember to add me as a co-author as soon as you create it. Quite a few people have been forgetting.
Okay! And yes, that was what I meant by penalty. I'm going to add you right now ^-^
:?
(I was considering it, but honestly, I want to see how this goes before further complicating the process. And it wouldn't be fair to spring it on you guys for this contest.)
Ok this is going to make me seem dim, but how will the judging work again....and the voting part. You said that the participants are required to vote...? And the beta readin part xD
You don't need to worry about how the stories will be judged until we're closer to the deadline. Also, I'm still working out the kinks for beta-readers, so don't worry about that either.
Tech me loRd plz
Hey @Kiel_Farren, can I be beta reader or judge?
You entered the contest, you are automatically part of the judging pool, but you cannot be a beta precisely because you're a contestant. (Please read contest rules more carefully next time as I explained both of these things up there.)
Ok thanks
Hello, I'd like to enter the contest. I've never finished making a story-game before, but hopefully I'll finish.
Probably. xD Interested?
What's the other "sad-looking category?"
Check the numbers on the story game page. :P
I've had an idea for a game set in a school for a while now, so now I finally have a reason to go through with it. I'll probably start writing tomorrow.
Yay, I'm late! What a good way to start. Can I still sign up?
Yes, just create your story and co-author me as soon as you do.
I'd like to enter!
I added you to my story. I'm doing pretty well on doing one page on each branch a day, but once the contest if over, can I go back and edit the game if I don't make the game as finished as I want it to be the first time I submit?
Okay, a little announcement: I've been trying to figure out the assignments and due to the rather large amount of entries and few betas we have, I'm not going to assign betas to any entries submitted following this post. (You've had 9 days to sign up, anyway.) If someone drops out or we get more betas, I'll make changes accordingly. Thank you.
Aww, Kiel-sama, I wanted to beta soon! ;-;
No.
Hotel CYStia first.
Oh, yea!
... And you will. >_> I still need you and all the other betas who signed up, but we've got like 25 entries now. I can't spread y'all or myself any thinner than I'm already going to.
Aww...*puppy eyes*
xD Wait, do you want me to assign you extra stories?
Maybe...also because I like calling you Kiel-sama. Can I call you that? I'm in an anime mood.
xD Sure, if you want.
Okay, Kiel-sama!
That's nothing. I also ate a bowl of puppies this morning. (How'd I fit more than one puppy in the bowl? That's what blenders are for.)
How dare he?
Who needs milk when you have the blood of your enemies?
@MasonJarGuzzi
See! He gets it!
Attention: Beta assignments are up!
Link: http://chooseyourstory.com/forums/writing-workshop/message/19706
Please discuss any relevant details, such as schedule, with your assigned beta. ^^ Don't forget to thank them for their help.
xD Aw, a perfect match-up. I'm so glad it worked out for you two.
I can be a judge if you need one
Well i would like to be a beta reader , although i am new here.
Okay, in that case I'll give you one of my beta projects, since I really only planned to pitch in if we didn't have enough people.
I want to be a part of this, but I don't do so well as a beta-reader (everyone I've beta-read for, either I haven't been able to finish the job or I'm pretty much useless and they abandon the project), I'm a horrible judge and easily swayed by elements that could be included in the story rather then the quality of the story itself, and I'm probably pretty high up in the ranks of the procrastinator club.
Also, when I talked with JJJ about this being a contest, I said I'd participate if it ever got to be a thing. (the random things my memory shoves my way, while holding back loads of alot more useful stuff...)
Since I don't want to screw anyone else over, I'll enter as a possible contestant. I'll start a story for the contest, and I'll attempt to have it finished in time, but I won't guarantee I'll have it done.
Alright, then. Just co-author me as soon as you create your game.
Unlike some other people, I actually read the rules the first time. :b
*scans lightly through the thread*
You're starting to sound a bit like a broken record. XD It must be annoying, having to repeat that over and over and over again.
Yay.
:P Yes. I am starting to sound like a broken record and... a bit, but it's become a habit now because I've had to say it so many times. You should see how many times I've also had to say this over PM, too.
@FeanorOnForge @TacocaT - forgot to reassign Forge after Breezy dropped out, so... there ya go.
On that note, sorry to multitask, but Wizzy dropped out, so... @betaband @Killa_Robot , unless Killa and Mason really want to work together as Mizal suggested, you guys now have each other. Yay.
A week ago. I just forgot to say anything in the beta thread / here when she told me.
Holy shit I'm stacked.
With two stories? xD I would've had to do four if no one else had joined up...
No, I have the two featured members.
Oh. So you do, I didn't realize that before because I wasn't thinking about who else you got. Good luck, then. We featured writers tend to be divas.
I don't suppose I can get an extension so that I can finish up after exams?
Probably not because that wouldn't be fair. I have exams too xD
I was thinking we should all get one.
I mean, I wish too that we got at least til the end of June but deadlines are deadlines and ya gotta learn how to squeeze your life into them.
I'm going to have to drop out because I have finals to study for and I haven't even started yet.
awww that sucks. Finals can't possiblllyyy be that hard?!
Trust me, they are.
@Sethaniel - Any thoughts on Malk's request?
Extension till the end of June?
I suppose we could make it work.
You guys are the best.
Extended deadlines are for the WEAK.
...but if the idea is to produce feature worthy stories I'm all for it, even people already on track to finish could use the extra proof-reading and editing time. As fun as the puzzle comp was, most of the entries were very rushed, and it showed.
Yay! ^-^ Ten extra days to do thisss!
Attention: we have extended the deadline for story submissions to Sunday, July 3rd, 11:59pm, EST. (Yes, you may publish sooner if you are ready prior to that day.) Please make the most of this extra time, don't forget to communicate with your beta readers, and good luck.
I'm in! Mark me down! I'll get to work right away!
Alright, create your game and co-author me. I can't promise you a beta though, due to the late sign-up.
I understand.
Would an obedience school for dogs qualify, if the majority of the game involved the player working at the school?
Given that it is a school, and given that your described circumstance involves the majority of the game taking place there, then yes. It would qualify. The fact that the "students" are not human is irrelevant.
I just created an account today, but I've been reading/playing these for a while now and I'd love to join in on this contest. It won't be too complex, but I should be able to finish it by the July 3rd deadline! I'll add you on as a co-author. I'm so excited to get started writing these. I have so many ideas!
Good luck. :)
Honestly I can't even brainstorm this myself. I'm just pansting it and making it up as I go. I think I have a good start I guess? I haven't hurt myself yet. Brainstorming doesn't work for me xD
Nice that you made a school basted content for anybody.
... Thank you.
Although i'm not writing much (as im a lazy bum) I can't wait to see how this turns out. Should add a few good stories.
(I'm also really late to the party...)
Weird and School-based.
This can only be disappointing or amazing.
Um, I don't think I have time to put together a good entry.
I'm going to have to sit this one out
And, i'm already working on something else. Don't want to abandon it!
xD Alright? No need for excuses, if you can't / don't want to enter, then don't worry about it.
So, percentage-wise, how close are any of you to finishing? I'm curious, since we're about to hit the original deadline, even though the new one is still a ways away.
given that i started just today
0.5%
Uh... shit. Maybe forty to sixty percent. Not 100 percent sure where I'm going to go with this, but then again, I never am.
Ah sure, I'm still a fair bit away from finishing, a prospect that's looking more and more distance as I fail to write. I've literally erased three of the main characters out of like seven, because they were just awful. So that champagne might yet go untouched.
I might not finish in time, sorry.
On the other hand, I've started over twice by now
Uhhh.... perhaps 30%?
-59%.
What I'm doing is basically trying to complete the main two routes and, if there's still time by the time I completed them, I'll work on one side route. If that side route is completed and I still have time, I'll work on one other side route.
Nice.
I'm realizing too late I really should've just written a more straightforward story instead of choosing now to take a crash course in gobs and gobs of scripting. Doesn't help that by the time the weekend rolls around I've forgotten half of what I was doing with it all and have to waste a bunch of time refreshing my memory.
Still, I may manage to scrape together a token entry in time, and either way it was all a good learning experience. Now that I have a better grasp on what is and isn't possible, (and what's too much of a pain in the ass to mess with...) I expect I'll be able to put it to good use in other projects.
Though possibly I should've stuck with my original instincts of loathing schoolchildren and everything related to them with a passion and just stuck to my guns on my wizard story instead, I might've been done by now...
I'm somewhere between 40% and 80% done. I'm still debating how long I should make my story.
Same. Thinkin' about cuttin it hard.
I would say somewhere between 60 and 80 percent complete. I'm probably going to have to cut some stuff out to finish in time.
So, what site is the gift-card for anyways? Amazon?
I mean it could just be a normal gift card Visa, but does the money really matter? I already have enough motivation ^-^
I think so, yeah, but you'd have to ask Seth.
amazon
Thank you.
@swedishlemon - and there is your answer.
I might have to drop out. Things aren't looking too good for me in real life finances for my family so I don't know if I'll have time to finish the story.
I'm sorry to hear that, to both. Still, if you find that things change and you are able to submit before the deadline, please let me know.
I'm willing to donate.
Awe, Sonic, I clearly raised you right ^-^
That... would actually help a lot. In what method can you donate, specifically? Paypal?
Awesome!
Who's your reader?
So, I'm curious because a lot of people signed up for this and there's been a shit ton of drop outs. Who is it who is actually going to submit a storygame for the contest?
I'll be submitting even if I can't complete more than two endings. I've already had to cut out 2 out of the 6 endings I had planned.
I'm going to have mine ready in time. At this rate, I'll probably do pretty good in the contest because there'll probably be less than ten submissions.
Yet somehow, you won't get in the top ten.
Aw, thanks for believing in me. If I'm not in the top ten, then maybe I'll be in the top three even though that group is by definition in the top ten as well.
Glad to hear it, WIBN.
... -_- Dammit, Ford. The contest is almost over, ya lazy bastard.
Almost done story-wise. Writing wise... erm...
Good. Keep it going.
Has anyone finished already?
...no
Yeah
Yesterday. *collapses*
Just noticed this contest. Let's see, I have 4 days to write my first story, about a theme I normally don't enjoy, without a beta tester, and my schedule is already half full this weekend. No problem right?
I'll see if I can put something together. It probably wont be done in time, but I should have fun writing out of my comfort zone at least.
I wish you luck. xD Don't forget to co-author me once you create the game (and don't forget to remove me as co-author just before publishing, please, I don't want your points, I just want to verify your entry.)
Will do. I'll probably do most of my writing off-site in a word document so I can lay everything out easier, but will add in the content as I go along.
Edit: The advanced editor mode is actually better than I realized. Other than keeping some separate notes, I can do most of the writing on-site really easily.
Progress is going surprisingly good. So far I find the biggest challenge is not second-guessing everything I do. With the limited time I'm just diving in and writing whatever comes to mind without worrying too much about it. It's been a fun and somewhat chaotic process.
Understandable, that helped me progress through one of my own games. Glad you're making progress, hope you're able to submit it in time. ^^
See, plenty of time right? No need to hurry!
oh hey do Parody games count for this? Probably not because they're supposed to be in Everything Else, I'm guessing.
I'm almost certain they do count if they're parodies of the genre, but if they're parodies of something like Pokemon, then no, it's fanficiton.
Parodies almost always suck, though.
xD How fast can you write, Ben? You've got until July 3rd, 11:59pm, EST.
Understandable. Well, hopefully you can join in for the next one? :D
It's never too late to start, though the time limit definitely changes the dynamics of what someone can do. I started yesterday and put together a solid plan I have a reasonable chance at completing within my 4 day limit. You know yourself best in terms of writing capability. If you have a rough idea of a story you feel inspired enough to share for the school theme, create a plan you realistically think you can complete in the (now) 3 days and give it a shot. Sometimes writing a time-limited story can create very interesting results, which is why I'm giving it a try.
Well, first ending is almost done. Just uh... four more endings to go. In two days.
AGH WELL STILL HAVEN'T FINISHED THE FIRST ENDING
could i be both a beta-reader and a judge.
I'm afraid it's too late for me to accept any more beta volunteers, but please feel free to volunteer for the next contest if we include betas. Also, yes, more judges are welcome. Once the contest is closed for entries, we should be able to post the details on how to vote.
OK cool. that means i ?could be a judge? cool?.
Yeah...
ok...? why did you put ... cuz like i mean i need the right info.
Because I already alluded to the fact that, yes, you can be a judge. So I'm not sure why you asked. You also punctuated your question strangely.
oh. sorry that was an accident.
Jeez, folks, are we really only going to have three (valid) entries? -_-
Almost done. Just need to write a couple of pages and then proofread
I WAS gonna try to write a story in the last ten days... But procrastination distracted me. Again.
You do, but that carriage is going to be a pumpkin pretty soon, man. And good to hear.
I've got a short token entry I'm working on, but I miscalculated a little because I wasn't expecting work to fuck me over quite so badly, I was expecting to be able to get at least a few pages done during the week. I'll probably finish it tomorrow and release it just as a standalone story. The school connection was a bit forced anyway.
... But you have one assigned. ?_?
Ahh.
Yo Kiel, how long until the end of the competition?
So around 11 hours, right?
Yeah. It's currently 1:01pm EST... (edit: or I thought so, the site said as much... apparently it's 11:35 pm EST now.)
Both of the people I was supposed to be beta reading for ended up quitting the contest. Just my luck. XD
Yeah, this whole thing was bizarrely hit-and-miss, but I think I've learned some things from it.
Sorry, I have to quit too. Too many do-overs, too much procrastination.
Understood.
Got it. So... At least five more gallons cups of coffee, right?
At least.
Whelp, good luck people.
Ha ha! I did it with about 30 minutes to spare! That's plenty of time. :) It also looks like I'm going to be somewhere in the top several unless more of you publish soon. I honestly hope there will be more people publishing.
Don't forget to PM me, plz.
The contest is almost over, folks. 18 minutes remaining 'til midnight.
Lol. I know the feeling, man. Your entry will be missed if you can't finish in time, but I hope you'll complete it at some point regardless. After all, both of your current stories are featured ones.
You know what? I'm going to have to drop out of the contest. I'm seriously having to dumb down and cut my writing in order to complete the storygame on time. No point in submitting something sub-par just to meet the deadline. If you look at what I've got so far you'll see that it starts off okay but then it tapers off into 2-3 bland, undescriptive sentences per page. It would honestly be an embarrassment to CYS, not to mention immensely hypocritical of me to post such crap when I've berated others for doing the same.
I won't abandon this indefinitely but I'll be busy for a while, so this will be completed at some point next year, hopefully. I'm quite liking the general story idea, but I need a bit more time to work on the details.
Good night, folks.
*nod* Well, I appreciate you making the effort nonetheless, so thank you for your participation.
I hope you do get to finish it in the near future, I'd still really like to read it.
Night!
I agree with 31TeV. Waiting until the 3rd of July was not my best plan ever it was my third best, and since there's no chance this half-done trash I'm scribbling furiously on could win 5th place of a contest with only 4 entries, why play to lose? I'll release it later and probably under a "Sci-Fi" tag instead so I can eliminate the admittedly forced school theme. Good night and have a good 4th.
for u
http://chooseyourstory.com/story/allegedly-a-dragon-story
For Kiel, who's sanity is dwindling.
I just have to ask, who wrote which chapter? I wrote dragon sorcery. :P
What... what is this? >_> Given the people who worked on it and the dedications, I'm almost afraid to read it.
-_-' Is there seriously a Squeal_Farren? I'd look, but I don't actually want to see it.
It's just a shit-tier Pepe.
I'm 99.07% sure.
This contest has given us so many great and memorable story games this week. Thank you so much Kiel and Seth for making this all possible. ;~;
Of course, thanks to all of the amazing and talented writers that published and those that are still typing as we speak! This week has truly been a breath of fresh air for those that come to this site to read, but not just for them but everyone who also had a craving for more fresh story games to play.
We needed something positive to end this week with all the drama that happened this week in the lounge.. (awkward laugh.) So, kudos to you all! ^^
Juggling a lot right now, but Seth or I will make an announcement when we're ready to start the judging period. Thank you for your participation, support, and patience.
Seven. There was an eighth that was ... kinda late, not sure about that--and one that was disqualified for being written by a troll who didn't even really follow the rules anyway... so yeah.
He's probably referring to this one.
It'd be a shame to cut Killa's out over just a couple hours, as good as it is, but like Bucky said, I suppose the other entrants would have the most stake it in all and it would make sense for them weigh in on whether they thought it was fair.
Yeah. That's disqualifying. I did say no trolls, so I'm not counting that one.
:P And I forgot all about your "entry," Bucky.
You must say you liked it. Just maybe a bit. Come on, Kiel.
I've seen people do some amazing things in a couple hours. :P And it's not solely my decision whether or not to be lenient on the rules here. Besides, this is a contest. Anyway, if it's decided that it makes it in, it'll be on the list. If not, it won't. *shrug*
If I was actually apathetic, I wouldn't have brought your story up at all. Frankly, the fact that before I said anything about it here, I specifically made the suggestion of allowing your entry in spite of you missing the deadline to Seth would, in fact, be evidence to the opposite... but taking a jab at me when I'm trying to be nice is a great way to convince me to quit.
How is it hard to get to the end? ... without going insane?
I figured the maze out on my own, but I was not a fan of that part. Nor of the doors. xD
Can't speak for anyone else, but I noticed that hardly anyone has been able to finish it, and for my own experience I gave up when I noticed you'd put false instructions on the maze, and no amount of deliberate failure would ever lead to an end game link to comment on the story so far.
I found most of the characters being introduced annoying and not very realistic, and the constant running commentary in the (author's notes:) even moreso. While the writing was very good in the technical sense and obviously a lot of work was put in, I wasn't invested enough to finish it once the game started making it actively difficult to proceed.
Mazes make me want to just give up completely. I just came for the plot.. u.u
You must have done something differently then, because that didn't work when I tried it.
I'm planning to play and review all the entries so I'll have to give it another go sometime, I really really can't overstate how grating the main character and the awful tween romance and 4th wall breaking stuff was for me though, I've already played enough to see that I'm not the audience for this at all.
Easiest way to get out the maze? Choose athlete in the beginning and climb the walls. THanks for the feedback. *copies into notepad* I will consider it in the edit. I don't get the false instructions, but I can check the path I gave.
Gad dammit. I didn't add one of the directions. It's supposed to be: left (which was the first "northwest"), northwest, northwest, north (no 'west'), southeast, east, east.
*facedesk*
Um. Am I allowed to fix that real quick?
Yeah, I noticed your directions were incorrect... uh... no. I'm sorry, but you're not supposed to take your game down after submitting for the contest--at least until judging ends. You'll be destroying any saved games and it would qualify as giving you more time to work on your entry. Once the contest is officially over though, sure.
I figured. Was worth a try. I'll add to list of edits.
Me too. I gave up on Order of Midnight Sun because of that.
@Cinderblaze
@31TeV
GAD DANGIT
SO THAT'S WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN BETA TESTING
Well, you two, that's sad to hear. I weep for you both.
On the bright side, at least I didn't have to work!
So, looks like eight entries in all? That's not bad, and just from glancing through them the quality of most of them is far above anything else in that category. DEP's and Steve's have been as entertaining as expected, and I'll make time for an in-depth look through some of the others soon.
Congrats to everyone who entered, and it sounds like there may be a few more in the works that weren't quite finished in time, so I'll be looking forward to those too. It's going to be so nice, having a School-Based section that doesn't suck.
Seven*
And agreed, very pleased to see some real, solid entries for the category. I did get a little worried there that we wouldn't even have more than two, but I am delighted to be proven wrong in that regard and I'll be glad to see the rest of the games that didn't quite meet the deadline because they still sounded pretty interesting.
I'm going to get a bruise or something on my face
Voting survey is up, please see Sethaniel's news thread for details: link
You have until the 18th to complete the survey if you want to participate as a judge. All judging participants welcome, all writers with valid submissions required to vote.
