unforum

[Nighthawk]

Bol/Sid: Post-Mortem

[Agent Lex]

*applauds*

All I can say is, thanks for the good times.

Okay, I can say more than that. Thanks for the good times, and the chance to use your encryptor, too.

Okay, I can say more still. I think I can clearly and demonstrably cite "the game" as an inspiration for me, among many others. The fact that you decided, alone, to step up to the ever-increasing expectations shows just how much one eprson can do. And I would like to be the first to say that I think you did a great job at it, especially going through the tough times you've had. We as players have all been there with you, and supportive of you, through those times, especially as you were able to chronicle them with your personal blog (note to self, update that Pizza Triangles site at some point). Not one of us who regularly visited this forum got mad at you for the delays which they caused, primarily because they were clearly explained, and had very good reason.

I'll admit here that I have had some "behind the scenes" access to some areas of the game. Primarily because I'd like to publicly thank you for letting me into that little world of yours. Seeing you get frustrated at everyone for not figuring out the little clues was always fun, and the joy we both got to show when something was discovered was, too. And I'm happy I could beta test some of the more ambitious sites, such as the CLI over at GraueMacht.

I'm sorry to hear that your data was destroyed. It's always a tough loss when months of work is wiped out like that, but I imagine it's even more of a loss when so many of us here on the forum were expecting so much.

In the end, our expectations were high because you consistently delievered good quality, and new things. Puzzles unique the individuals, that can still be collaborated on, are certainly something I've seen here for the first time, among other inventive stuff. Heck, you even inspired me to make a code breaker of my own, from scratch. I was probably more inspired by the fact that I'd received a code wheel (and still have it on my desk).

Which brings me to my next point: one of the great things about this game was the frequency of actual posted items, as well as the range of players they went to. Obviously this wasn't the only game to do so, but I think it helped keep everyone involved, as there was swag to be had, and made those who received it feel even more special, and encouraged them to keep playing. Even receiving something as small as a laminated circle of paper made me feel important, which shows the power of physical items in a game which is played primarily online.

In closing, thanks for the good times, keep up the good work, and rock on.

PS: even though the game can't continue, I'd still love to know what plans you had in store for the story. You once told me "I'm gonna make the Crusades look like a Tupperware party" - I still wanna know how that was gonna turn out

[natas]

While I didn't actively participate in this game, I do applaud you for taking the time and letting all the players and lurkers know what's going on. Although disappointing, sometimes shit happens.

I know I will be waiting for your next game. Good luck in your next endeavor. I'm sure it will be grand.

[pancito]

Re: Bol/Sid: Post-Mortem

[Lunsford]

Wow. I now need to find my kleenex!

I am glad that you finally decided to share with everyone what few of us already knew: just like Lex said, we are all very patient (kinda) and understanding (always!) players who know that life happens!

The fact that you took on such an endeavor and did it solo is just amazing! I know we will all be awaiting "Downstream".


p.s. is redct making a PW:Deux...just saying...!

[highwind767]

Heh, I didn't doubt that Joshua was still alive for a minute.

Anyway, even if this one ended up imploding, I'm sure that most of us who played will end up playing your next game anyway, bringing the inevitable hype and association with pastry based snacks that comes along with us. I'm sure that if you keep the same quality you had in your other games and keep backups that this one will go fine.

Anyway, it's nice to get some closure on the game. I'm sorry to hear what happened, but I'm sure a lot of us can't wait until your next one gets underway. Make it a good one

[ineffabelle]

[Lunsford]

sneaky

[natas]

I know of 3 people working on it...

Edit: 4

[pancito]

[Nighthawk]

[redct]

I definitely agree with Lex - thanks for the great times. I especially want to thank you for the player community that you built; they're all great people and we've really become internet friends now. If you're in the mood, stop by the #rpg channel on Sunday afternoons.

Personally, I think the main reason that this game succeeded and took off so well was a combination of community and design. I think that BoL/SiD had the perfect balance of puzzle to story to general gameplay - and swag always helps. That made it a great game. Now, as for what made it awesome - that was the combination of the above and community. Insane puzzle solving? Pastry wars? The community really made this entire thing an enjoyable and fun experience.

As for what became of your game, I'm really sorry to hear that happen. We can all have our JournalSpace moments sometimes. Speaking of that, have you tried sending it to DriveSavers? Is it worth that much to you?

EDIT: I did have a really long post, but I read it over a couple times and it condensed back down to this. So, never mind.

EDIT EDIT:
Click for full size - Uploaded with plasq's Skitch

[amandel]

Thought so much about what to say that I sorta stunned myself into silence. So, thanks bigtime for a really interesting ride, one to which I returned multiple times to redo some of the puzzles etc.

Your work was so visually appealing and I can only imagine what it took to pull off something this exciting. Feeling sad that this loss happened to you....I remember only gains from this.

[ndemeter]

Wow. Reading the original post brought back so many memories.

We need to swap stories at some point, perhaps at the next ARGFest. I remember when I did a (pretty damn small) effort at an ARG for a select group of friends I gave a copy of everything to a third party that had no idea what an ARG even was because...well...I was THAT paranoid.

All in all, I have learned that the community of players is an awesome collective that will forgive and always be willing to give the PM a second chance, if the first was not as successful, and will always raly behind the game, the PM, and the experience.

Kudos to you my friend.

[pancito]

I know it's over and everything, but I just clicked on the Umbrati and LB pages from the wiki and... and... THEY'RE GONE! (sob). Redirects to DLI now.