Logo Platform
logo amplifiers simplified

Narrative Design Phase - Rules & Advice

Copied to clipboard!
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 10:31:51 PM
Frogsquadron wrote:
Ambervein wrote:

But nevertheless the official rules has me concerned. Article 5.3(i) states 1.000 characters and does not mention 500 words. Do I need to trim the bloated ramblings of my submission to simplistic terms to meet the 1.000 characters and 500 word limit?


My second question concerns Article 5.3(ii) wherein the Form from Article 1 needed to be filed before Article 5.3(iii) submitting the Narrative Design to the website. I do not recall completing the requirement of Article 1 (i) where I needed to provide my personal information. Is my entry invalid?


Disregard the 1000 characters mention, the 500 words rule supersedes it.

Your entry will be valid as long as it conforms to rules stated in the current phase's rules thread.


@Tlaloc: in such cases we will take wordcounter's count, since it is available to all regardless of one's text editor.

Its like rulebook interpretations.


Rules that come after supersede previous rules.



For better or worse...

Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 11, 2016, 5:43:42 PM

That's the spirit.

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 11, 2016, 4:18:17 PM
Frogsquadron wrote:


DEADLINE

  • Submit your ideas before Wednesday 19th. We’ll be closing submissions at 6:00PM CEST. Voting will then open for a week, and the top three most popular submissions will be drawn into a final vote, provided they meet our criteria.

Quick question. So no more submissions after Wednesday the 19th, but does that mean editing existing submissions is locked too? Thanks!

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 4:26:15 PM
noldoriangamer wrote:

Excuse me... I have a really good idea for the history, but I need to include the Cravers a little... Is that okay?

The devs have the final word, but I would guess the answer is no. They have stated a few times before that when different factions meet in-game, that is the moment of 1st contact, and there is no previous relationship between them. However, I read your submission, and I feel you could keep the general theme you've already established and just alter it a little. Even so far as to just not name the creatures as Cravers, and leave them ambiguous. This way, the reader is encouraged to image their own version of the Endless-created monstrosities in your story. Heck, maybe they were even worse than the Cravers!? I similarly lean towards ambiguity in my story (link), where I mention a past "calamity" that plays into the story, but don't go into specifics (was it a war? a natural disaster? a plague?) Also, if you drop the descriptions of the creatures, it leaves you more room to describe your own version of the Unfallen, which is really what we are interested about. I for one want to know more about the Altera Orn, you invented in your story!  


Edit:

Frogsquadron wrote:

Not even a little.

Ha. Frog beat me to it as I was writing my reply!

Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 4:16:31 PM

Not even a little.

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 3:11:45 PM

Excuse me... I have a really good idea for the history, but I need to include the Cravers a little... Is that okay?


0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 10:58:31 AM
Tlaloc wrote:

@Frogsquadron


At 3,334 characters; I  agree . would not look forward to that re-write .

Also, a question , what is the rule for emoticons?


Because;

The above sentences turn into this:

At 3,334, I  agree Roll Sweat. would not look forward to that re-write Big Grin.
Also, a question Draw, what is the rule for emoticons?

on: https://wordcounter.net/

and come in at 25 words.


But written like so:

At 3,334, I  agree. would not look forward to that re-write.

Also, a question, what is the rule for emoticons?

They turn into this:

At 3,334, I  agreeRoll Sweat. would not look forward to that re-writeBig Grin.
Also, a questionDraw, what is the rule for emoticons?

and are counted at 22 words.


And although  is one word on word counter.  is two.

;And I was hoping i'd be able to use emoticons instead of brackets on my submission.


Let's ditch the emoticons altogether, just to make sure we keep it easy. They won't count towards the total.


As for the naming convention, it's yours to set if you so wish. ;)

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 9:56:00 AM

Is there a guide for names? For instance, the Sophons have a vaguely arabic naming convention...is there one for the Unfallen already or is that up to me?

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 8:25:01 AM

@Frogsquadron


At 3,334 characters; I  agree . would not look forward to that re-write .

Also, a question , what is the rule for emoticons?


Because;

The above sentences turn into this:

At 3,334, I  agree Roll Sweat. would not look forward to that re-write Big Grin.
Also, a question Draw, what is the rule for emoticons?

on: https://wordcounter.net/

and come in at 25 words.


But written like so:

At 3,334, I  agree. would not look forward to that re-write.

Also, a question, what is the rule for emoticons?

They turn into this:

At 3,334, I  agreeRoll Sweat. would not look forward to that re-writeBig Grin.
Also, a questionDraw, what is the rule for emoticons?

and are counted at 22 words.


And although  is one word on word counter.  is two.

;And I was hoping i'd be able to use emoticons instead of brackets on my submission.

Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 10, 2016, 7:35:27 AM

I think this one's for the better. 1000 characters makes for a very, very short story.

0Send private message
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 9:30:06 PM
Ambervein wrote:

But nevertheless the official rules has me concerned. Article 5.3(i) states 1.000 characters and does not mention 500 words. Do I need to trim the bloated ramblings of my submission to simplistic terms to meet the 1.000 characters and 500 word limit?


My second question concerns Article 5.3(ii) wherein the Form from Article 1 needed to be filed before Article 5.3(iii) submitting the Narrative Design to the website. I do not recall completing the requirement of Article 1 (i) where I needed to provide my personal information. Is my entry invalid?


Disregard the 1000 characters mention, the 500 words rule supersedes it.

Your entry will be valid as long as it conforms to rules stated in the current phase's rules thread.


@Tlaloc: in such cases we will take wordcounter's count, since it is available to all regardless of one's text editor.

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 6:01:50 AM
Ambervein wrote:


Frogsquadron wrote:


sarin555 wrote:

I still have some questions.

1 : The rule said 1000 words, why it's reduce to 500 now?

2 : Does Unfallen shared conscious like the hivemind or like the Geth from ME where all are seperate individual just able to gather and shared their knowledge?

3 : Are the Endless legitnamit race to make an appearance like the Virtual? Since they are not playable?

4 : Do you  want me to give you the character (hero) with the world (Unfallen culture) as a background or give you the world with character as conduit?


The rules have always mentioned 500 words as far as I remember. Initial announcement two months ago did mention 500.

I haven't read anything suggesting they are more of a hivemind than sharing a Geth-like commonality of thought, so that's up to you.

Sure, feel free to drop one or the other faction of the Endless in there. Just know that we might end up tweaking it to fit our vision of the Endless as a people (they have a bit more of a central part in the plot of many factions, which we'll have to accomodate for). 

That's up to you, it's the community you'll have to amaze, not me. ;)


Concerning sarin555's point 1. After reading this thread and rereading the rules I did notice the error he/she made, but nevertheless the official rules has me concerned. Article 5.3(i) states 1.000 characters and does not mention 500 words. Do I need to trim the bloated ramblings of my submission to simplistic terms to meet the 1.000 characters and 500 word limit?


My second question concerns Article 5.3(ii) wherein the Form from Article 1 needed to be filed before Article 5.3(iii) submitting the Narrative Design to the website. I do not recall completing the requirement of Article 1 (i) where I needed to provide my personal information. Is my entry invalid?

This is an excerpt from the original post on this thread. I think it answers your first question..

Here are the rules:

  • The story is based on the elements from phases 1 & 2.
  • The story is 500 (or fewer) words long.
Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 5:42:36 AM
Altronza wrote:

1. What did the unfallen evolve from.

2: What role does dust play in the faction and how important is it

3: I love making short stories so I'm asking specifics

4: How old is the race

5: IS it possible that in my story I could create a possible faction or should I say threat since we cannot use current factions

6: Do they have a council or elders of great size and knowledge

7: and if they did would they be the ones to turn into the superships

8: I have a really cool idea if you answer these 

9: So could my story go like this, it starts with a brief history that will most likely involve dust which after that will be passed forward through time to present where it will go from the hero's perspective as he/or she looks up at the sky filled with ( question 5's idea goes here, The Physre (f-is-rea) or the Ract, they ideas I had a while back but didn't have names for them at the time what they are is a secret though for now) then it would have the hero talking to an elder unfallen (also do they have a common name among them) And after they talk about the coming future he changes for it is his duty to protect.

P.S. the Physre move at faster speeds than most factions would but I never got all the details sorted sorry I rambled but yeah those are my questions.




Devildog created the initial concept, I then expanded upon that concept with both visual art design, intentions of said design and little stories. So Its up to the narrator to expand up those two things.


  1. Up to you, they could have always been, evolved from something or created by the Endless or something else.
  2. Again up to you, I have labeled Endless architecture important to them but dust may or may not be.
  3. That's good! Im helping write 26* sci-fi races with someone for homebrew "kicks".
  4. Pretty old I would consider, since they are semi immortal*, living thousands of years.
  5. Not sure, I would avoid a faction that is major since that is not allowed - other than the Endless - or make them really minor or kill them off during the story so it doesn't interfere with the 16 minor races planned.
  6. Some people have ran with that idea, some people have taken my 5 eyes as a sign for 5 elders; its up to you if you feel it fits.
  7. I don't see why not if you justify it.
  8. Just as planned...
  9. Sounds like a good start. No need to apologize for rambling, after all, you cannot beat me when it comes to rambling, i mean look at the comments I write; they can be super huge sometimes.


Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 5:37:37 AM
Altronza wrote:

1. What did the unfallen evolve from.

2: What role does dust play in the faction and how important is it

3: I love making short stories so I'm asking specifics

4: How old is the race

5: IS it possible that in my story I could create a possible faction or should I say threat since we cannot use current factions

6: Do they have a council or elders of great size and knowledge

7: and if they did would they be the ones to turn into the superships

8: I have a really cool idea if you answer these 

9: So could my story go like this, it starts with a brief history that will most likely involve dust which after that will be passed forward through time to present where it will go from the hero's perspective as he/or she looks up at the sky filled with ( question 5's idea goes here, The Physre (f-is-rea) or the Ract, they ideas I had a while back but didn't have names for them at the time what they are is a secret though for now) then it would have the hero talking to an elder unfallen (also do they have a common name among them) And after they talk about the coming future he changes for it is his duty to protect.

P.S. the Physre move at faster speeds than most factions would but I never got all the details sorted sorry I rambled but yeah those are my questions.



1-4: The purpose of this narrative contest is to create background of this race beyond that had been given by the first two contests. So use your imagination, basically.

5: No new faction, can mention existing one, minor and major, but no appearance or new faction. (at least that what dev. said)

6-7: Same as first answer.


0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 4:27:25 AM

1. What did the unfallen evolve from.

2: What role does dust play in the faction and how important is it

3: I love making short stories so I'm asking specifics

4: How old is the race

5: IS it possible that in my story I could create a possible faction or should I say threat since we cannot use current factions

6: Do they have a council or elders of great size and knowledge

7: and if they did would they be the ones to turn into the superships

8: I have a really cool idea if you answer these 

9: So could my story go like this, it starts with a brief history that will most likely involve dust which after that will be passed forward through time to present where it will go from the hero's perspective as he/or she looks up at the sky filled with ( question 5's idea goes here, The Physre (f-is-rea) or the Ract, they ideas I had a while back but didn't have names for them at the time what they are is a secret though for now) then it would have the hero talking to an elder unfallen (also do they have a common name among them) And after they talk about the coming future he changes for it is his duty to protect.

P.S. the Physre move at faster speeds than most factions would but I never got all the details sorted sorry I rambled but yeah those are my questions.



0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 3:41:54 AM


Frogsquadron wrote:


sarin555 wrote:

I still have some questions.

1 : The rule said 1000 words, why it's reduce to 500 now?

2 : Does Unfallen shared conscious like the hivemind or like the Geth from ME where all are seperate individual just able to gather and shared their knowledge?

3 : Are the Endless legitnamit race to make an appearance like the Virtual? Since they are not playable?

4 : Do you  want me to give you the character (hero) with the world (Unfallen culture) as a background or give you the world with character as conduit?


The rules have always mentioned 500 words as far as I remember. Initial announcement two months ago did mention 500.

I haven't read anything suggesting they are more of a hivemind than sharing a Geth-like commonality of thought, so that's up to you.

Sure, feel free to drop one or the other faction of the Endless in there. Just know that we might end up tweaking it to fit our vision of the Endless as a people (they have a bit more of a central part in the plot of many factions, which we'll have to accomodate for). 

That's up to you, it's the community you'll have to amaze, not me. ;)


Concerning sarin555's point 1. After reading this thread and rereading the rules I did notice the error he/she made, but nevertheless the official rules has me concerned. Article 5.3(i) states 1.000 characters and does not mention 500 words. Do I need to trim the bloated ramblings of my submission to simplistic terms to meet the 1.000 characters and 500 word limit?


My second question concerns Article 5.3(ii) wherein the Form from Article 1 needed to be filed before Article 5.3(iii) submitting the Narrative Design to the website. I do not recall completing the requirement of Article 1 (i) where I needed to provide my personal information. Is my entry invalid?

Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 9, 2016, 2:20:01 AM

Whats the ruling on something like this?


================================================================================================================================================

Words.

================================================================================================================================================

Words.

================================================================================================================================================

LibreOffice Writer Displays 3.

https://wordcounter.net/ Displays 2.

Updated 8 years ago.
0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 8, 2016, 4:21:16 PM
Celeir wrote:
sarin555 wrote:

2 : Does Unfallen shared conscious like the hivemind or like the Geth from ME where all are seperate individual just able to gather and shared their knowledge?

Geth don't have shared consciousness. They don't share thoughts, only knowledge - and only if are connected to each other.


Upd.: how it even possible to have political parties, senate and so on if all Unfallen are only "limbs" for one huge consciousness? I can find explanation only for different mood of planets.

They are partially individuals. I think that they are meant to all be interconnected and share things but they are not autonomous drones. They each are individuals that work towards a certain goal. Political parties could just be the same, different Unfallen believing that this way is better at governing then others, it doesn't hurt the collective to change as each brings additional benefits.

0Send private message
8 years ago
Oct 17, 2016, 12:19:55 PM

In the interest of fairness, I would recommend you keep the full-length version until after the vote concludes to select finalists. If the full version is readily available, then there might as well not be any size limit. 



And just to reiterate, this is part of the challenge of the contest: what can you do with the limitations, as opposed to how tall a tale can you spin.

0Send private message
Comment