Castle Paradox

[Fernurion]

We have had contests that judge specific talents in OHRers, ranging from art to scripitng. One contest we have not had yet is one that exclusivly tests the ability of people to create a character. Other contests have touched on it, but as of yet none focus on the ability to create a character only. I propose this;

I will host a contest designed to test peoples talent in creating original, interesting characters. The entries will not require any drawing, however entrants can submit a picture if they wish. Each entry must have details about the characters physiscal description, history, Weapon of choice (if applicable), personal likes, dislikes and grudges, details of the characters purpose (their quest, if you will) and personality. Naturally, the more detailed, the better.

I'm only tossing ideas around at the moment. If I decide to go ahead with this, it will probably be after the Epic contest. Rules will be set about a week before the contest starts. I doubt there will be prize other than bragging rights.

Anyway, what do you guys think of the idea?

[Chaos Nyte]

This is a terrible idea. Just because you write a lot of detailed junk about a character doesn't mean you're creating an engaging person. Your "contest" is akin to filling out a DnD character sheet...but you don't see a great character until you see his/her actions.

If you created a base RPG file and then challenged the contestants to create a story with a focus on engaging, memorable characters, I'd be interested. As it is, there's no point in entering.

[LeRoy_Leo]

I couldn't agree with his honor CN more about creating a story with a focus on "engaging, memorable characters" opposed to just creating a character and their "likes, dislikes". Though, it wouldn't be too hard to put a short 'snippit' of the character's fate/future events + actions in his/her description. Also, isn't the HISTORY part sort of a story in it's self? Please hit me if I'm wrong, CN.

PS: We could use another topic in Story time, folkies.
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Planning Project Blood Summons, an MMORPG which will incinerate all of the others with it's sheer brilliance...

---msw188 ---
"Seriously James, you keep rolling out the awesome like gingerbread men on a horror-movie assembly line. "

[Chaos Nyte]

Ooo, short story snippet. Well that sounds like it'd be MUCH more engaging and memorable then a short game. Come on Leroy, history? "My character, Billy X, fought in the big war of 1202, and beat up trolls", is hella lame. Yes, you could get way more descriptive, but I still wouldn't care about your character.

[Ysoft_Entertainment]

[Blue Pixel]

i might enter, it depends since theres so many contests. and if it dosn't turn out to be my best game yet in one of those catigories then ill probably end it there.
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[LeRoy_Leo]

[Fernurion]

Thanks for your posts. Originally, it was going to be 'make a character that will capture the interests of those who are voting'. I realise now that that, on its own, won't work at all. A lot of interest for a character comes from how they tie into the story. Things such as the way they affect the flow of the story, their motives and a score of other things contribute to it. As a revision I'm now thinking of running something like this;

Apon the commencement of the competition, a small part of a story will be released. This could be anything from painfully generic to mind bendingly abstract. The story will have a plot and one character. These however will be plain and hollow, meaning in order to make it interesting, contestants must come up with characters that flesh out the story. The character can be anything, a bad guy, a hero, or a crazed lepper if you so wish. Emphasis will be on making the character seem like they belong in the story. Voters will decide which character they find the most interesting, original and/or developed.

I'm still refining the idea, so the contest won't be for a while (If I hold it at all). Ysoft, the lesson learned from Miss pixel was 'Don't rush into anything without thinking it though properly', thus this thread. Nothing against you.

[Jack]

I like this idea a lot better, we still get to describe our characters in a way, but we actually get to show them in action. You'll find me entering when this starts.
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[LeRoy_Leo]