Castle Paradox

Dr. Baconman · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 27 Location: The Base, TN

I'm collecting ideas as to what I should refrain from doing whilst writing an RPG story.
Please pitch a story element from any RPG you've played/made that you thought was God-awful.
I'll take anything.

AdrianX · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject:

.. http://project-apollo.net/text/rpg.html

Gizmog1 · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:32 pm Post subject:

Dear internet people,

I'm sorry to say that your friend and my son Gizmog's head exploded again. We thought he was going to be alright at the hospital, but as soon as the doctor's took the bandages off, he looked at this post, and his head just phwwoom! all over the place. Using his tongue, he wrote out on the floor "..'ed a link" and that was all. Apparently ..'ing a link is very disturbing to him. The doctor's are trying to put him back together, but they keep running out of glue. In lieu of glue, please send duct tape!

-Giz's Mom

PS: I haven't played RPGs since college (Teehee, barmaid and the brave knight) but it's usually a good idea to avoid "Chosen Ones" or almost any kind of prophecy. Thanks! Licking lips

PPS: Remember kids, no Smokin'

or you'll be Dead

!!

Nepenthe · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 132

Especially prophecies that kick in exactly 1000 years later. JUST. DON'T.

I'm not joking.
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JSH357 · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 1705

Yeah, 666 is more fun.

The Wobbler · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 2221

Dr. Baconman · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 27 Location: The Base, TN

Machu · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:49 pm Post subject:

Pretty much, yeah.

Something that grabs my goat, though, is how ancient civilizations are always super-better than now. We need more games where all the things used are actually invented instead of "rediscovered".

Then again, rereading your original post, you aren't asking about cliches, you are asking about specific RPGs with terrible stories. Uh, I haven't really played much that I've remembered. I thought FF8's story was really boring. Oh, another plot element I dislike: characters that are just "adventuring" and "training their skills" aimlessly. Mo' like "we don't have any plot yet, so we'll just make you sorta stumble upon it later".
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Devi Ant · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 4:48 am Post subject:

As for the things related to families, social life and so:

I guess, the really used one is the fact, that if the hero's father is not dead, he'll be the bad guy... Or then the father is just disappeared exponentially astrologic amount of time ago - and is STILL found to be the bad guy.

Also, that usually PC's friend who since they were child, were dearest friends, is the one, that in some point turns to evil and out of some curious, bitter misunderstanding or unfortunate set of circumstances he starts to despise the Hero and takes every chances to turn the Hero into a meatloaf.

Also, kids. It is recommendable, that all, that's dearest to the Hero, is not to be found six feet under at some point.

These are some things, that are recommendable (althought not a requirement) to avoid.

And to conclude my short post full of nonsense Raspberry!

:

Yep. Prophecies suck.
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Remember, Giz! You MIGHT get that candy, if you only behave well... Only.

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Camdog · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 606

And, for the love of God, give the bad guy some motivation. Something more than just a lust for power or general insanity. And definitely more than I'M JUST REALLY A BAD GUY! (Kefka, anyone?)

Mr B · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 382

I'm tempted to say that you shouldn't have shallow characters, but that really depends on the type of the game you are making.

If you are making an RPG of the type that has a front-and-center story, the characters must have depth. However, if the story takes a strict back seat, character depth isn't that important.

Ditto on the villain comment, though I have to say that I did enjoy Kefka...

Shaede · **Tuck in your shirt.** Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 107

All good stories use simular formulas.

ClichÃ©s are often used because they work the best.

Though you don't want to get caught stealing ideas and stories directly from other well known sources or use redundant themes, the elements that make a good story are in nearly every story.

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." -Albert Einstein

Devi Ant · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 2:32 am Post subject:

fishbone · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 14 Location: i wish i knew

if you kill sombody

dont frickin bring him back to life

kill him

KILL HIM!
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i will not commit acts of violence, physical or otherwise if things come alive

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Me · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject: