SupaFreak

Great write-up and rockin' enthusiasm. Glad to be a part of this.

Upcoming "Tips & Tributes" from myself and 1st. Son soon...

(mine's now live)

Updating that the first Villainside arc (which happens after Black as Midnight) is now Published and Looking for Feedback...

Arc - "Dead by Midnight" #502584

PEACE!

Note: Not looking for reviews at this time, please. But if you try it and something stands out as needing attention or lacking in story... I'm all ears.

Got busy with friends yesterday away from the house. Will be posting after AEnvasion of Champion my Lock and such.

PEACE!

So glad to see you entered, Bubbawheat. I was hoping regular A/E enthusiasts would join in... so that I can futher utilize Tips and Tributes I plan to use...

You said he was older, guessing Villain?

The first villain from Champion...

Alignment: Villain Dominator
Powersets: Mind / Psy
Global: @MechaCrash
Server: Champion

Another from my stop to Champion...

Alignment: Hero Blaster
Powersets: Pistols / Mental
Global: @Aneko
Server: Champion

Signed ya up, Armeros. Much appreciated.

I still gotta get the hang of this "visiting the forums" more frequently...

Also meant to add:

"Thank you very much, Bleak_Wanderer for the excellent write-up!"

I get too long-winded sometimes and trying to keep my post short recently.

On Champion in RWZ now... getting submissions from there since they don't seem to frequent the forums, aren't interested or fail to take initiative....

Champion's first!

Alignment: Hero Mastermind
Powersets: Thugs / Storm
Global: @Ebon Elf
Server: Champion

Getting close to another bi-weekly Lock... we have another Booster theme I may have to purchase... and we're almost into the final month for submissions.

Got high hopes for 1 from each alignment per server... curious to see if it pans out or not...

Yea, I kinda figured some SG & Coalitions might be doing this... but there's a lot of solo authors out there looking for plays and I think this might be a way to extend a hand out to others of like mind to make a more immersive, interactive and integrated community.

Plus, I would imagine it would result in more plays for those seeking that.

Guardian? Am I that bad to only get 2 interested up to this point?

As a Star Wars fan (tho not full-fledged geek)... this is pure WIN!

I don't Troll the bad way, do I?

Just wanted to chime in and say what I replied with are merely suggestions that I feel will most likely be shared by others.

Please, don't get discouraged (it's easy to do) by any feedback from me or others. Again, I feel you have a fresh, unique premise to build off of and some very nice looking customs... hopefully you'll build off the positives and let me know when you update it.

PEACE!

My example from "Black as Midnight" (added 5/31/11)

First Mission - Collection - Computer (Tech) - Front


*Fix in-game now says "W.A.I.L. Station Monitor"

In Souvenir:

*midway through Souvenir

However, @Apolinus sent me /tell request for guest appearance (surprised me, guessing related to Global Character Contest?) in his "Clown Capers" arc... and I agreed.

Asked him what he's looking for... he gave me details... I complied with who I thought might be best fit with .costume details in Forum Mail (anyone who does this, make sure you have 1 space at top and 2 at bottom of .costume file, I believe)

In his arc, in mission 3... my character is optional Boss not shown on Nav (which is 100% cool with me)... he altered my odd-ball character to fit his story a bit... with Clue on defeat linked to "Black as Midnight".

I've played it 3x now (and I believe he will get 2 more plays from my friends who probably wouldn't see it for a long, long time otherwise if ever) and submitted requests for animations, dialogue and clue description. He complied and then there was sunshine!

I'm willing to bet if this snowball gets a-rollin'... authors who include the "community" will see an increase in plays and overall Architect Entertainment activity. I toyed with this quietly a little back in Issue 14 before the band-aid fixes drove me away for a while, but now I'm barrelling ahead full steam with it and calling out for others to join in.

Personally, I will be doing "Tips & Tributes" to arcs and characters in the theme of my current arc. So, as I find "Dark Astoria" or "Netherworld" themed arcs... I may add more Clues to "Black as Midnight" if they really grab me. This is my personal choice. @Apolinus is taking a different approach... and that's 100% fine with me too. I hope we all add our own style and flair to our own arcs and try to include the community to a certain degree. I frown on copycatting anyhow.

Why do I suggest Souvenir for details vs Clue Description?
1) Tips & Tributes: Encourages the other party to play the arc through to see their arc or character technical details.
2) Tributes: If Ally or Rogue defeats the "guest", Clue will not be found.
3) Tips & Tributes: Souvenir is easily referenced later, Clues are not.
4) Tips & Tributes: Helps immersion slightly by not displaying it during play.


And in closing... we've got the increased data, power and tools to do this... so why aren't we?

#1) This is a VERY FUN and QUICK arc to play!

#2) Knowing that someone I don't personally know linking me into their creation is an extremely good feeling and an honor. I'm looking forward to what I hope to be "An EPIC Tale" of my own when the Global Character Contest of mine ends and (hopefully) 30 "Tributes" will be seen over the course of 6 arcs by me with an undetermined amount of "Tips".

@SupaFreak sez: "Play dis arc!"

To: @CrimsonOriole

Let me state that I want to encourage people here, not the opposite.

I gave it a run with a Level 50 Alpha (+1) Villain (irrelevent) MM - settings +0/x5 (Bosses off)... he's usually able to handle some high punishment with ease and hopefully it helps I'm 81 months and been around the block.

Glaring Issues to me:
1) Dialogue seems to be written as to the character has little insight on Kheldians. At level 50, I personally find this odd. Most level 50s are very familiar with them by this time. Just a suggestion to reflect that.

2) I'm no expert on Kheldian lore, as some here may be... but I think some further research may be needed to see if some of your context is accurate.

3) Sun Storm's attitude implied "revenge" over "justice"... again, not an expert on this... but not sure that's in his character.

4) Suggestion for all missions - make Nav text more descriptive.
Example: Nav = "Joey Marcone" vs "Defeat Joey Marcone"
and in your case, if you keep it set at Entire Encounter Required
I'd suggest: "Defeat Joey Marcone and his boys" or something to that effect.

5) Careful of trying to use line breaks in NPC Dialogue (in missions) - results in them saying <br><br> out loud. (Vanguard Captive in particular here)

6) Final Map Custom Group - Suggest adding more for diversity. My recommendations are 3 Minions / 2 Lieutenants / 1 Boss minimum. It helps make each encounter more unique and less predictable when they occupy a full map.

Again, this is NOT my strong-point - giving a major break down of every little thing I would change, because I want authors to have their own unique style and I don't want everyone to be a copy of me or someone else.

My positive feedback:
1) It's a good start and a good premise and something to build off of.

2) Your customs are very nice looking and there are custom bios from what I seen.

Creating an outstanding, memorable arc with high replay value is going to take more time... if you're willing to put in the effort. Your foundation is good, but the building resting on it still needs polished (IMO).

Other suggestions: More unique encounters. Maybe add a little foreshadowing along the way.

Wish you luck!
PEACE

Welcome Back! Shame we already hit Virtue on our AEnvasion or we'd hit you up to join us.

Incarnates are fun, but require a bit of time and unfortunately since it's still in early phase... a need to repeat the same content.

Anyhoo... just wanna say "Welcome Home" as well!

I'll likely give it a try soon. *writes down on list, moves it up* I am not harsh in comments at all, since I don't see myself as really all that. So, hopefully you'll hear from me soon on comments.

I'm not a good forum, in-depth reviewer. I know we all have different tastes... so probably keep it confined to Comment. Unless you want feedback here as well.

PEACE!

Wow... what a very nice review. I don't feel the arc deserves that long a review, but I thank you nonetheless.
Also, while I appreciate the comment about this arc in the "Top 5%"... I fully realize this is just "your opinion" and some may find it in the "Bottom 5%"... I realize we all have different tastes. I just hope people realize the effort put into it and can appreciate it for that alone.

The first thing that comes to mind... and I will add it to my notes up top. +0/x1 with Bosses off is suggested if you are below or in the level range. IO'd 50s can push the limits higher and I capped it at 27 by design so EX'd get to keep pets and tier 9 Primary Power.

Also, I do not try to answer all things for the ones that read and try to make sense of everything, but here are some "suggestions" pertaining to some questions you and PW presented.

Maybe the interference in Dark Astoria is "fluctuating" in different areas at different times?
Maybe that's why different teams cannot get on same wave of communication?
Maybe Xeronyx was able to get a short request for help to the Midnighter's Club since they're not in Dark Astoria?

Again, there's going to be a lot of elements I "want" to leave up to anyone reading.
Especially in an intro arc with a mysterious group and occuring in Dark Astoria.

Now, on to Bleak_Wanderer's feedback on issues I may need to address.
1) Signal - I agree, though I never thought about the wording being that off. Will go into a update later today. (I have AEnvasion to attend)

2) Tenacity - Yea, that went in first re-write of NPC dialogue and been meaning to change that to "audacity" as you mentioned... just other things stood out more in need of attention to me.

3) Brother Dayless' interjection - I'm not too keen on how I have it written and like your suggestion better and with spacing. (that page is at 980ish characters, so...)

4) Ravenessence - I'll hafta double check to see if I overuse her use of "hon". This NPC I created is loosely based off a real-life acquaintance and a word she does tend to use a lot. I often find it endearing.

5) Mobs stuck in doorway? - Odd, never ever had that happen to me yet. Guessing it's a unique error.

6) Mission 4 Gameplay Comment - If you were indeed on +1, things can get out of hand quick for pretty much all archetypes. This is not really a +1 friendly level range, especially combined with a custom group who have some dark (-to hit) powers. Turns them into +2s or worse if not dealt with quickly. And I'll argue Kheldians (IMO) are the least epic AT and seriously need looked into. Probably not the best AT to try this arc with unless IO'd and EX'd.

I spent more hours than I care to imagine (maybe 40ish) to get the dark custom critters as balanced as I could for all ATs and mix and matching them for different encounters. Keep in mind, no enemies within have any form of status protection.
The main boss enemies, anyone with KB is going to walk all over them.

I've tested them against over 25 powerset combinations and various ATs at +0/x2 with Bosses on with me EX'd (sometimes on second build with 0 enhancements). Kheldians I've found to be the most frustrating... especially Peacebringers. The limited Terror & Confuse does not turn off "offensive" toggles, which IMO helps and gave me the okay to add that challenge.

Getting the jump on certain ones can turn the battle in your favor quickly. As the player progresses through, they should determine which one gives them the greatest fits and get them under control as fast as they can.

Thank you so much for taking the time to give the arc a try and the "above and beyond" review. Giving reviews are one of my weak points, but returning the favor in playing your arcs will not be.

PEACE!

Added: Questions related that I can answer or my hopes the dialogue "should have" been more clear on.

Q: If Black Maverick died of a stroke as Xeronyx seems to believe, and if Xeronyx is in charge of the investigation (as he seems to be), why are we investigating Black Maverick's death in this manner? Isn't this more of a medical, rather than supernatural question? Sounds to me like this problem calls for an autopsy, not the Midnight Squad.

A: Taken from the unaltered Mission 1 Intro Dialogue:
"I'm heading up an investigations effort to gather evidence on recent paranormal activities here and any possible link to the death of one of our members, Black Maverick."
So, yes... some Midnighters who knew him suspect something paranormal or extra-ordinary.

Q: Another question that kept coming to mind was: Who are these benevolent spirits? Where are they coming from? What are they doing here? What is their purpose? Perhaps this will be explored in future content. If so, nice tease.

A: Yea, they are mysterious aren't they? It's probably one of those elements that will be discovered later or left totally up to the reader. The #1 goal of this arc was this: Uncover the mystery of Black Maverick's death. Now you know the "who" and "why" they did it... my guess is Villainside arc will gain more insight on their motives as they seek out those sympathetic to their cause.