unforum

[Flynn]

I'd definitely be interested, only problem is I'm over here in the UK so the chat times might cause me a problem If it works out that I can make it, I'll be there though. *crosses fingers*

[Flynn]

*slaps head* - having just read Imbri's post properly, the Sunday morning/afternoon/evening (!) slot sounds great to me.

[Sunny du Pree]

[vpisteve]

I could see doing something like this. Count me in if you want me.

[Myssfitz]

Count me in too. I will try to make it Sunday.

[mysteryjones]

yep

[Wolf]

Sunday's bad for me. Maybe imbri or Steve can channel me.

[MageSteff]

I usually have standing plans at the Sunday 12 noon Eastern slot suggested. I'm usually home on sunday by 5 or 6pm. That would also give the pacific time zone a chance to sleep in after a late Saturday night. I'd suggest Friday Evening, or early Saturday, but I know that is when most others have things planned (read Date night/play time).

**edit**
Would it be possible to put the Chats up in the PM Guide section for those who are not able to make the chats? They could still get the benefits of what others asked.

[Flynn]

If doing it to suit UK time (or European for that matter) is a major problem, and there's only one or two of us over this way, then I for one am happy to read the chatlogs afterwards. Just please post them and tell me where!! ATM I'm just curious, and have a couple of ideas, so don't let me as an interested amateur get in the way.

Having said that, and as a thought (and logistical nightmare, no doubt) I love the idea of events over here in the UK impacting events in the US, Oz and elsewhere - and vice versa. Could be lots of fun...

[colin]

Add another Aussie to the list, would be great if its at a time that suits me, but whatever, its not easy to organise

[aiesha_anonymous]

me too for an Australian compatible timeslot if possible. i'll try to make it but am happy to read chatlogs later too.

[PaleFigure]

Yikes, looks like my alter-ego "Catalyst Man" strikes again!
Ok, real quick;

Wolf: yes.

Imbri: Hell yes. Once you set a time, and I can figure out what it translates to here, I'll do all in my power to be there.

Now, as for a general, not-too-revealing tip/advice for PPM's (Potential Puppet Masters), let me paint you a little scene...

Your group has formed and you decided on a basic storyline (and mopped up the blood from *that* argu- I mean, open discussion). Inevitably, someone makes the "everyone post their ideas" proposal.
You think "Umm, I only have one really small idea, and it isn't that important, somebody else will come up with something better, I'll hold off and go with what other people say".
BZZZT! Wrong answer! If you do that, half a dozen other people will too. The opening few weeks of plot/character/story formation should be treated as an open brainstorm. Post any and every thought that pops into your head. Even if it's an idea for what a character will call their cat, or plausible surnames for a Polish/Italian family, or what a cafe/diner should be themed on (Dammit, that would have rocked, too...). Post. Post every single day, no matter what about, no matter if it's only one sentence. Don't get discouraged if people disagree. Don't get discouraged if people don't like it. Don't get discouraged if it seems to go unnoticed. Just post. There is nothing worse than logging into your groups secret forum to find that nobody has posted anything for three days straight. Even the most enthusiastic PPM gets knocked down a peg or two by that.

Another thing I should probably mention, While you should obviously decide on a primary plotline early, don't be in a rush to write out the exact plot like a narrative. Remember, you're not writing a book, you're making a game. Have several key events which you know you need to have happen in a certain ssequence, but don't set in stone what will happen between them. Because it's your players that will write in that part, as much as (if not more than) you will. We all know that player activity can change the intended plot of an ARG. Websites get discovered before they're supposed to. Real Life events make it implausible for intended events to happen in that part of the world. The other reason to not set the minutae of your plot in stone is because if you do that, then when it comes to placing your puzzles, you sort of have to cram them in where they fit, or try to come up with something that matches with the detail of the character you have made. Let the two help create each other, plot and puzzle. If you've found a really cool way to encode the alphabet into butterflies, and want to leave a message in that code, you need a character who knows about butterflies. And chances are if they're *that* into them, it would show up in other places than just that code. Would Cave Bear's code have seemed as natural if he had used Michael Bolton songs? I think not. Hell, then I'd have *let* him be captured and killed. Anyone who likes Michael Bolton *deserves* a house call from James Arney. But I digress....

Anyhoo, that's it for Chapter 1 of Confessions of a Wannabe Puppet Master. What have we learned today children?

1) Always remain active. Post a lot, even if it's crap, it may spark someone else to post your game's Big Idea.

2) Don't set things in stone too early. Let your ideas adapt as the story grows. Avoid the "Oh man, now we need a character who would actually *know* this stuff, and still be a 13 year old flugelhorn maestro that collects 12th Century snuffboxes!" dilemma.

But enough from me for now. Keep me updated on the Meta Chat, won't you?

[Simulacra]

Lesson 2

[MageSteff]

[colin]