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kaitwospirit
Boot

Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 19

 		question
A group of friends and I have been working on an ARG to release over the summer, when we're all on vacation from school and so theoretically could devote our lives to the game. However, it's starting to turn out that most of us will be cut off from computer access for at least two weeks during the summer, and often more than that, and at intervals such that at no point during the summer will everyone be here.

So the question is, what do I do?

As I see it, although there are probably other possibilities, we have 3 options.

1) Restrict/eliminate all interactive elements (to keep players from changing major plot elements) and premake as much content as possible. Then, over the summer, whichever PM(s) are home can put up the appropriate things at the appropriate times. Downsides: the team isn't there to make sure of everything; having no interaction is yucky and plotwise improbable.

2) Run the game during the school year. Downsides: we have far less time on our hands, which as I understand it is a Really Bad Thing.

3) Bring in new people. Downsides: They haven't been here through the game development and I can imagine conflict between the new people and those who have been working on this already.

Anyone who's been there want to offer up advice?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:49 pm
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addlepated
Unfictologist


Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 1885
Location: Austin, Texas

 		How long of a gap will you have where nobody's got access? Could you write an intermission into the plot?
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:09 pm
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ItWasntMeISwear
Unfettered

Joined: 15 Feb 2005
Posts: 503
Location: Illannoys, USA

 		You know your story, we do not. Because of this it will be very hard for anyone to give too much advice into what would work best for your story and game.

My suggestion? Grab yourself a free message board for your team and discuss this question with them. Go over your options, discuss them openly and completely... then vote on the options that you have come up with.

Voting on an issue is important because you will be able to say "this is what the majority of the team has decided is the best course of action to take and thus this is what we are going to do". Which is a lot better then "I have decided....".

You will also be less likely to get the negative reaction that you so fear from your team about the decision. The more that people agree on it, the less likely they are to argue about it once the action is put into place. And the ones that still don't agree will atleast know what the opinions of everyone else is and be able to respond to those opinions with other suggestions. Heck, you may even be able to find a middle ground that everyone can agree on.

One more thing to add: As long as everyone trusts everyone else within the team, you should have no problem with only one person running the game for a week or two by themselves. Although, I would suggest bringing in two more people who will be able to be around for the duration of the game being live.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:28 am
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MageSteff
Pretty talky there aintcha, Talky?


Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 2716
Location: State of Denial

 		Re: question
kaitwospirit wrote:
A group of friends and I have been working on an ARG to release over the summer, when we're all on vacation from school and so theoretically could devote our lives to the game. However, it's starting to turn out that most of us will be cut off from computer access for at least two weeks during the summer, and often more than that, and at intervals such that at no point during the summer will everyone be here.

So the question is, what do I do?

As I see it, although there are probably other possibilities, we have 3 options.

1) Restrict/eliminate all interactive elements (to keep players from changing major plot elements) and premake as much content as possible. Then, over the summer, whichever PM(s) are home can put up the appropriate things at the appropriate times. Downsides: the team isn't there to make sure of everything; having no interaction is yucky and plotwise improbable.


Premaking as much as possible ahead of time is always a good thing. It means you have more time to devote to the interactive elements. Otherwise, a lot would depend on just how much control over the story arc you are letting the players control. If it is just a matter of timing, then having stuff ready for staging.

Quote:

2) Run the game during the school year. Downsides: we have far less time on our hands, which as I understand it is a Really Bad Thing.


To do good in school you really need your sleep. ARGs are great for robbing sleep - especially if you are the PM. Kudos for thinking about that before you start.

Quote:

3) Bring in new people. Downsides: They haven't been here through the game development and I can imagine conflict between the new people and those who have been working on this already.


Having Behind the Scenes help is not a bad thing. If you want them to just help stage the game, then you have to let them know that up front. On the other hand, BTS people can help you spot things that need work too. Speaking as a former PM, extra help is always a good thing. But make sure they are people you can trust, and can work with.
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A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead


PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:41 am
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kaitwospirit
Boot

Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 19

 		We're discussing it as a team. We just wanted the advice of the more experienced - which we got. Thank you. Smile

PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:17 pm
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MageSteff
Pretty talky there aintcha, Talky?


Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 2716
Location: State of Denial
kaitwospirit wrote:
We're discussing it as a team. We just wanted the advice of the more experienced - which we got. Thank you. Smile


If you need any help with stuff, you know who to ask... Very Happy
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Magesteff
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead


PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:20 pm
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