calamarain
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 933
Registered: 03-25-2007
IP: Logged

I have a project I'm pondering. A large number of holds nowadays are getting increasingly complex. Scripting. Custom graphis. Large numbers of monsters and thus even larger numbers of interactions between them. Whatever happened to simple holds, with tricky linchpins and battle rooms? Like the masterpiece that is Journey To Rooted Hold - with some exceptions, the rooms are epic puzzles, but simple.

So I ask this: How many of the experienced architects (say... having at least one or two published holds, with good rankings) would be willing to volunteer for an architecture project?

What I'd ask from you is this:

One level each. Say... 5-15 rooms. Not a huge amount. And keeping it *simple*. No scripting, no graphics, no story, no custom monsters or characters just plain DROD puzzles. 5-10 cool puzzles, linchpins, that kind of thing not involving large amounts of different monsters and interactions. Make the level as easy or as hard as you wish, but make it *simple*

Would any of you be willing to volunteer? I'd of course contribute a level myself.

____________________________
My Holds

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[Last edited by calamarain at 04-06-2009 10:34 PM]

slimm tom
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1240
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged

A great idea, that's for sure!

The only thing I'd like to ask is why a story makes things complex. One of the strongest points of JtRH is the story, and how it's integrated within the gameplay. A story, for me, adds so much more to a hold. It's what keeps me going, I would always like to know 'how it ends'. It puts me to completing that one last annoying room to see the end.

Samuel
Level: Delver

Rank Points: 69
Registered: 07-08-2007
IP: Logged

I would join for the fun. I have only published one hold, so that's point 1.
Point 2, just like slimm tom, I think the story is one of the greatest elements.
I am also average at making holds, but I would like to do it.

____________________________
I believe in everything until it's
disproved. So I believe in fairies,
the myths, dragons. It all exists,
even if it's in your mind. Who's to
say that dreams and nightmares
aren't as real as the here and now?
John Lennon

calamarain
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 933
Registered: 03-25-2007
IP: Logged

The idea here is that if a story is wanted... it would be added later to unify the levels. If all the architects each put their own story in, it wouldn't meld together as a hold.

Plus, story is the icing on a good hold, not the centrepiece. We'd add a story afterwards, once every single puzzle had been put in. Not before.

____________________________
My Holds

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[Last edited by calamarain at 04-06-2009 10:53 PM]

Samuel
Level: Delver

Rank Points: 69
Registered: 07-08-2007
IP: Logged

I agree with that, one person should come up with the story. Only at the end though, so we concentrate more on creating the hold.

____________________________
I believe in everything until it's
disproved. So I believe in fairies,
the myths, dragons. It all exists,
even if it's in your mind. Who's to
say that dreams and nightmares
aren't as real as the here and now?
John Lennon

Chaco
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3659
Registered: 10-06-2005
IP: Logged

That sounds like a good idea, Calamarain. I'd volunteer to add a puzzle level, and/or assist in creating the story at the end.

____________________________
Quick links to my stuff (in case you forgot where it was):

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[Last edited by Chaco at 04-06-2009 11:34 PM]

12th Archivist
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 789
Registered: 12-07-2008
IP: Logged

This looks really fun to join, but since I've never published a hold before, and the fact that I'm really busy with other projects, I cannot join. I'd love to see the end product though.

____________________________
It was going well until it exploded.
~Scott Manley

Check out the DROD Wikia project here!

calamarain
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 933
Registered: 03-25-2007
IP: Logged

Well, there's interest at least. I'll give it a day or so then create a private beta board.

____________________________
My Holds

slimm tom
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 1240
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged

calamarain wrote:
The idea here is that if a story is wanted... it would be added later to unify the levels. If all the architects each put their own story in, it wouldn't meld together as a hold.

Plus, story is the icing on a good hold, not the centrepiece. We'd add a story afterwards, once every single puzzle had been put in. Not before.

That's of course how it should be, yes. But please include one if possible.

Samuel
Level: Delver

Rank Points: 69
Registered: 07-08-2007
IP: Logged

Oh, you need caravel net do you on a private board, well, i'm out then, sorry.

____________________________
I believe in everything until it's
disproved. So I believe in fairies,
the myths, dragons. It all exists,
even if it's in your mind. Who's to
say that dreams and nightmares
aren't as real as the here and now?
John Lennon

Briareos
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 3516
Registered: 08-07-2005
IP: Logged

Samuel wrote:
Oh, you need caravel net do you on a private board, well, i'm out then, sorry.

I'm pretty sure you need CaravelNet to create a private beta board, but to get access to it all you need is to get an invitation from the one that created it, i.e. Calamarain.

____________________________
"I'm not anti-anything, I'm anti-everything, it fits better." - Sole
R.I.P. Robert Feldhoff (1962-2009)

Dex Stewart
Level: Smiter
Rank Points: 355
Registered: 01-19-2007
IP: Logged

You can't be invited if you don't have CaravelNet.

Dischorran
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 3414
Registered: 09-10-2005
IP: Logged

Sounds like an interesting challenge. Count me in as long as you aren't looking for much in a hurry.

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[Last edited by Dischorran at 04-07-2009 05:23 PM]

calamarain
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 933
Registered: 03-25-2007
IP: Logged

Dischorran wrote:
Sounds like an interesting challenge. Count me in as long as you aren't looking for much in a hurry.

Nope, that's the point. All we're looking for is at least 5 (and up to 15) rooms from each architect. Using any non-scripted elements they want to make good simple puzzles

____________________________
My Holds

agaricus5
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1838
Registered: 02-04-2003
IP: Logged

If you're still recruiting, I'm also interested in joining your endeavour.

____________________________
Resident Medic/Mycologist

vittro
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 482
Registered: 04-17-2005
IP: Logged

I can try calamarain.

I'm a bit rusty, but I still should be able to create "simple" puzzles.

____________________________
http://vittorioromeo.info

Dischorran
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 3414
Registered: 09-10-2005
IP: Logged

Hey vittro, what ever happened to Princess Thema's Dungeon?

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calamarain
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 933
Registered: 03-25-2007
IP: Logged

We've had a few volunteers so far, if there's anyone else who has created a couple of high-rated holds and wants to contribute a few rooms, please PM me!

____________________________
My Holds

vittro
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 482
Registered: 04-17-2005
IP: Logged

Dischorran wrote:
Hey vittro, what ever happened to Princess Thema's Dungeon?

I kinda got bored with that hold, and with the DROD-series in general.

____________________________
http://vittorioromeo.info

Neather2
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 406
Registered: 07-18-2006
IP: Logged

Ah, only with c-net. Nothing then. I'm sorry.

____________________________
Nothing to say. I just play the game. And you, sir, should play it too.

Conspiracy, my new hold, has just been released.