Ready, Setting, Go!
Boy, oh boy, did I get a lot done this weekend! Read on for all the details!
First of all, I really have no idea what to call this thing I’m working on. Sure, sure, we’re past the title bit, it’s Ultrablamtacular! as it was practically destined to be. What I mean is, what improper noun refers to a work in progress that’s a game? It’s not a manuscript, is it? I haven’t done any scrivening manually since the earliest stages of notetaking. Is it “the game,” “the text,” or something else?
I’m wondering because I want to say that there’s a whole new section in the game (I guess I’ll call it “the game” for now) after this weekend. It’s the section on creating and adapting settings. It’s just at its earliest stages now, but I’m sure it’ll get fleshed out as I read and reread it, trying to shape it into the thing I meant it to be when I started.
Speaking of what it was meant to be when it started, I was reminded today of my original goal that this game fit on one sheet of regular paper. I generously allowed myself both sides. With today’s new word count of 23,566, I think I can safely say that that goal is now well out of reach. I don’t think the summary will fit on a single double-sided sheet anymore. Oh well. It’s not what it started out to be, but I’ll just hope that it’s better than that micro-game ever would have been.
Regardless of that conjecture, the settings section was one of the things that came out of the first round of edits. I hope it lives up to the wishes of my loyal troubleshooters when they get their hands on it. I tried to put everything I know about settings into that section. At the end, it seemed awfully short. Lesson learned: I know less than I think I know. Thanks, Socrates.
I also got the proofing edits from one of the site’s regular commentors into the game today, and that is all to the good. Prodded by his comments, I also finally made the use of numeric words and numerals in the game rational.
Well, it sure seemed like a lot to get done.
Things never end up like they start out, which is nice, really. If everything went according to plan then it would be like filling out a form (I’d like to have an exception to my Pollyanna attitude for Bad Volunteers, though).
Ub (or “the game”) is better than when you first thought of it–it really reflects all of those years of study involved in filling that big bookshelf with games and thinking about what make them good or bad.
Yeah – it is nice. Certainly not boring, huh? And I hereby grant you your desired exception. I am currently blessed with a group of purely good volunteers, you included.
Thanks – I *feel* like it’s better! And you’ve got me thinking – a common-law marriage takes what…seven years? Can I get a common-law PhD. in RPGs for my 28 years of study?