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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 12, 2015 5:48:09 GMT
It was indeed as his narration of the books is the only version that is available. At least, that was the case when I listened to them. I love the progression that that media has taken. At this point there are in depth audio dramas that are scripted specifically to be read by someone. The most recent amazing one I listened to was a little thing called Hired Heroes by the greats @dm_Mitch and @dm_Chris and their amazing friends!
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Post by kjmagle on Jul 13, 2015 0:06:08 GMT
Welcome to the block party.
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Post by friartook on Jul 13, 2015 2:53:16 GMT
Hi I'm Jack, and I'm a Dungeon Master. Hi Jack!In truth, I have played relatively little actual D&D, and have played self created home-brew systems for the majority of my years playing. If you are ever comfortable sharing, I'd be fascinated to see what one or more of these look like. I have never built an RPG system from scratch, so I'd love to see where you went with this.5) Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Kahn. - Yes I'm a Trekkie, but even if you aren't, this is a very well put-together movie, in which balances the themes of egos clashing, revenge, and sacrifice to a very powerful experience. In general, I am not a Trekkie. That being said, this movie is my favorite of all things Star Trek. For me, it could stand alone in its awesomeness.3) Spirited Away - A Miyazaki classic, deserving all of it's renown. This movie, which is steeped in Japanese culture head to feat is a beautiful story about loss of innocence, and too quick loss of childhood. I love me some Miyazaki. I showed this one to my kids, and it really freaked them out. They like My Neighbor Totoro a lot, but Spirited Away has this major creepy undertone.1) Young Frankenstein - My favorite Mel Brooks movie of all time. If you have not watched it, drop what you're doing and watch it. (The kids can watch themselves). A+4) The Sandman - An amazing series surrounding the God of Dreams, written by Neil Gaiman. This series has such great lines as: "You get what everyone gets: a lifetime, no more, no less." and "Ask yourselves, all of you, what power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of Heaven?"
We have a lot of comic book fans on these forums, and I've honestly been waiting for The Sandman to come up for quite a while. I never got too into the series, but everything I've heard says I'm missing out. 5) Dune - Read Dune. If you like Star Wars, or Sci Fi, Read Dune. This grand daddy to the space opera is an amazing piece about the responsibility of power, and the gap made by class. Plus, Sandworms are awesome. A+ I am re-"reading" the Dune series for the first time in a long time. I've read the series a few time through, but its been years. The Nerdist website was doing a "book club" with the first book, and it inspired me to give the audiobooks a listen. I'm on Children of Dune, and so far the recordings are pretty well done. Dune is one of my favorite works of fiction, ever.3) Neuromancer by William Gibson - From the first words: "The Sky was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel." Through to the end, this book is a introductory course to cyberpunk, and is a great inspiration to using colorful language to add detail. A+++++ Gibson is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this book was a breakthrough work for its time. As you say, it comes out swinging and never lets up.4) Avatar: The Last Airbender- Watch Avatar. No, Seriously, Watch Avatar. Agreed! I tried to get my kids to watch this when it was first aired. They were a bit young and didn't like it, but I started watching it religiously. I can still remember my oldest waking in the middle of the night and finding me "watching cartoons". He was deeply confused and jealous.5) Anime - In case you hadn't noticed, I watch more Anime than western TV. I like that much of it are contained stories (between 13-26 episodes), and I love the artstyle, and the elements of Japanese Culture. I went through a heavy Anime phase in my 20's. Loved me some Cowboy Beebop and a lot of the movies: Ghost in the Shell, Akira, etc. Many of these led me to Manga, which I also love. The comic book Akira is one of best comic book stories I've ever read. If you've never read them, get 'em!1) Video Games - Like, a lot of indie and important video games. Video Games of all kinds. From 2D platformers, to Shock-Style FPS. Indie Bureaucracy Games, to alien Strategy Games. Shadows of Mordor to Sam and Max. I'm a PC gamer, but I've owned most of the console throughout my gaming career, so I like to think I have a balanced view on games. Have you gotten into the InXile games at all? Wasteland 2? Torment:Tides of Numenera (not released yet)? They are currently Kickstarting A Bard's Tale IV, I believe its still live and from what I've seen, the game is going to be amazing!So with that done, I guess I'll open up to AMA. Ok, there are my initial responses, AMA questions next.
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Post by friartook on Jul 13, 2015 2:56:57 GMT
Well now I have to read the Neuromancer, because it sounds awesome. Your education is incomplete without it. Consider it assigned homework joatmoniac. Mandatory, but no due date.
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Post by friartook on Jul 13, 2015 3:00:32 GMT
I am one of the few GMs I have met that employ narrative and ludonarrative techniques to drive home powerful points, though I am sure I am not alone in that.. Huh? Can I get a translation? Also, Anime: dubbed or subtitles? Or do you speak Japanese?
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Post by joatmoniac on Jul 13, 2015 6:56:08 GMT
Ludology focuses on gaming theory, and looks to how the players fit into the world at large. At least that's my interpretation, but I have only really heard the term used in reference to video games to dedcribe the difference between what the player actually does and what the narrative says they are doing. I.e. an rpg where you kill everything to get more XP, loot and be more awesome, but it is all selflessly done for the betterment of the world according to the story. Dubbed > subbed (except cowboy bebop) and if you speak Japanese that is awesome. Also, just bought Neuromancer, so hopefully I will have time to knock that out!
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dmjack
Commoner
Posts: 18
Favorite D&D Class: Wizard
Favorite D&D Race: Gnome
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Post by dmjack on Jul 14, 2015 2:07:17 GMT
I am one of the few GMs I have met that employ narrative and ludonarrative techniques to drive home powerful points, though I am sure I am not alone in that.. Huh? Can I get a translation? Also, Anime: dubbed or subtitles? Or do you speak Japanese? Ludonarrative is narrative as it pertains to gameplay. Using character to inform how they act in combat, using stats to inform how a character will act, creating story behind item drops, and explaining in game mechanics with in world logic. Those are some of the ways I use ludonarrative techniques. As for narrative techniques... All of my games have themes, tones, moods, and other classical techniques to tell my story. All of my stories have a question around them. Freedom vs. Security? Can you fight death? Or is that ultimately a losing battle? What does it mean to be a hero? Beyond that, I use wording or character times to establish tone and mood, and my enemies are never classically evil, just complicated and against the player. Sometimes I will have good people with opposing agendas to the players, making their choices harder and more meaningful. Maybe I will discuss this in depth some other time, there's just so much here to talk about. Oh, and either works for me, dubbing and localizing techniques have gotten better in recent years, so either is perfectly adequate. But all things even, I prefer subbed, I like hearing how it was intended for when it was released, plus sometimes small details in the sub are missed in the dub, and I like catching them, even if they make no difference in the larger plot. Plus I just love the Japanese language.
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dmjack
Commoner
Posts: 18
Favorite D&D Class: Wizard
Favorite D&D Race: Gnome
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Post by dmjack on Jul 14, 2015 2:17:35 GMT
Welcome to the block party. Thank you much! Glad to be here.
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dmjack
Commoner
Posts: 18
Favorite D&D Class: Wizard
Favorite D&D Race: Gnome
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Post by dmjack on Jul 14, 2015 4:19:44 GMT
Have you gotten into the InXile games at all? Wasteland 2? Torment:Tides of Numenera (not released yet)? They are currently Kickstarting A Bard's Tale IV, I believe its still live and from what I've seen, the game is going to be amazing! Ok, there are my initial responses, AMA questions next. Thank you for your thorough response. I'm glad there are so many people who share my interests, it's heartwarming to be welcomed so nicely! I have not tried InXile games, though now that Torment is on my list (A spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment? Sign me up!), it is now permanently on my radar. Thank you for that. I look forward to your questions.
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Post by friartook on Jul 14, 2015 14:09:45 GMT
Huh? Can I get a translation? Also, Anime: dubbed or subtitles? Or do you speak Japanese? Ludonarrative is narrative as it pertains to gameplay. Using character to inform how they act in combat, using stats to inform how a character will act, creating story behind item drops, and explaining in game mechanics with in world logic. Those are some of the ways I use ludonarrative techniques. As for narrative techniques... All of my games have themes, tones, moods, and other classical techniques to tell my story. All of my stories have a question around them. Freedom vs. Security? Can you fight death? Or is that ultimately a losing battle? What does it mean to be a hero? Beyond that, I use wording or character times to establish tone and mood, and my enemies are never classically evil, just complicated and against the player. Sometimes I will have good people with opposing agendas to the players, making their choices harder and more meaningful. Maybe I will discuss this in depth some other time, there's just so much here to talk about. Oh, and either works for me, dubbing and localizing techniques have gotten better in recent years, so either is perfectly adequate. But all things even, I prefer subbed, I like hearing how it was intended for when it was released, plus sometimes small details in the sub are missed in the dub, and I like catching them, even if they make no difference in the larger plot. Plus I just love the Japanese language. Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like good RP to me. "my enemies are never classically evil, just complicated and against the player. Sometimes I will have good people with opposing agendas to the players, making their choices harder and more meaningful. Maybe I will discuss this in depth some other time, there's just so much here to talk about." I'll start a thread. I could talk about this all day. I believe the best villains see themselves as the heros! Even a madman like The Joker is made believable and scarier by a certain self-righteousness.
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Post by dmmadmaxi on Jul 15, 2015 17:12:34 GMT
there are several 'best' villains, there are those you love to hate. They just do SOO much wrong you can't wait to see them meet their maker, and then there are those you can sympathize with. For example one of my favorite instances of a good guy gone bad, is the movie John Q. This movie is basically any parents worst nightmare, Denzel Washington's character arms himself and then takes a hospital and some of its workers hostage until his son gets the help he needs...
It makes it soo much easier when you design a villain if you have something to base them off of. I find movies, books, hell even comic books can be a source of INFINITE inspiration when it comes to villains!
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