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Iron DM 2009 - FINAL MATCH - it's over!
- Thread starter Nifft
- Start date
Nifft
Penguin Herder
All three judgments and summary are up. Links in the first post.
It's really interesting to see how the three of us looked at these entries. We seem to agree about a lot of things.
It's also IMHO interesting to note that if either entry had had a bit more time to polish up his work, that one would have taken the prize.
Thank you both.
It's really interesting to see how the three of us looked at these entries. We seem to agree about a lot of things.
It's also IMHO interesting to note that if either entry had had a bit more time to polish up his work, that one would have taken the prize.
Thank you both.
Wik
First Post
I just wanted to say, right now, that I'm in love with my ingredients. Absolutely in love. Once I started putting them together, everything started gelling. I'm actually cackling with glee.
One thing I noticed, not especially about these ingredients, but with every ingredient list, is that when we first look at them, we think "How can I turn this into an adventure that doesn't look like it was just a bunch of random elements thrown together?". And yet, when we look at some of the great adventures of the time, we realize that a lot of those very same adventures were composed of seemingly unrelated elements.
For example, Tamoachan. If it were an Iron GM entry, it would have ingredients like:
Time Limit
Poison Gas
Talking Crayfish
Mirror of Opposition
Animal Gods
Or something like that. Which are a weird combo of ingredients... yet that is still my all-time favourite adventure. Looking at what I'm working on right now, while it's not on the same level, I'm still seeing that "old-school charm" to what I'm putting together.
Just something that's on my mind right now. And I keep seeing it in the entries, again and again. When you first read them, you're looking for ingredients, and adherence to said ingredients. But, if you read the adventures not knowing (or caring) about the ingredients, a lot of the time you'd just see a great adventure possibility.
Anyways, that's what I've been thinking, and I wanted to say thanks for everything. My entry will probably be up in about three hours (it takes me a while to polish everything up!) Also, one more thing, that I'll sblock so my competition doesn't see it...
[sblock]
Purple Wights. That was the HARDEST ingredient, like, ever. I mean, Wights are easy. But how do you make 'em purple, and have it make sense? Fiendish ingredient.
[/sblock]
One thing I noticed, not especially about these ingredients, but with every ingredient list, is that when we first look at them, we think "How can I turn this into an adventure that doesn't look like it was just a bunch of random elements thrown together?". And yet, when we look at some of the great adventures of the time, we realize that a lot of those very same adventures were composed of seemingly unrelated elements.
For example, Tamoachan. If it were an Iron GM entry, it would have ingredients like:
Time Limit
Poison Gas
Talking Crayfish
Mirror of Opposition
Animal Gods
Or something like that. Which are a weird combo of ingredients... yet that is still my all-time favourite adventure. Looking at what I'm working on right now, while it's not on the same level, I'm still seeing that "old-school charm" to what I'm putting together.
Just something that's on my mind right now. And I keep seeing it in the entries, again and again. When you first read them, you're looking for ingredients, and adherence to said ingredients. But, if you read the adventures not knowing (or caring) about the ingredients, a lot of the time you'd just see a great adventure possibility.
Anyways, that's what I've been thinking, and I wanted to say thanks for everything. My entry will probably be up in about three hours (it takes me a while to polish everything up!) Also, one more thing, that I'll sblock so my competition doesn't see it...
[sblock]
Purple Wights. That was the HARDEST ingredient, like, ever. I mean, Wights are easy. But how do you make 'em purple, and have it make sense? Fiendish ingredient.
[/sblock]
Wik
First Post
I find that what helps me is trying to pick about three ingredients, twist them around a bit, and start linking them. Usually once you get a few linkages, the rest just pop out.
This time around, I took a look at a few ingredients and thought "what would be the expected thing to do?" and messed around with that.
But yeah, I got lucky when inspiration hit. I really thought this one would be the death of me. But I think once you start writing, inspiration will come and you'll hammer out something amazing.
This time around, I took a look at a few ingredients and thought "what would be the expected thing to do?" and messed around with that.
But yeah, I got lucky when inspiration hit. I really thought this one would be the death of me. But I think once you start writing, inspiration will come and you'll hammer out something amazing.
Sparky
Registered User
A potentially useful (if not terribly timely for our purposes) Roleplaying Tips Weekly.
Wulf Ratbane
Adventurer
Sweet mercy at last...
Good luck in the finals, IVV!
Good luck in the finals, IVV!
Wik
First Post
So, I shoot my mouth off after I'm halfway done, and really excited about my idea. And then, of course, real life cuts in. People call. I get called to use my mad first aid skills on a friend (in fact, were it not for my first aid book and an earlier call, I never would have got that idea for "purple wights"). Hockey games become waaaaay too interesting (damn you, maple leafs!).
Long story short, it's only well after "in about three hours" that I get things done. And it was a helluva lot harder than I initially made it out to be. But, it's done. Hope it works. Still think it'd be a fun adventure, and not as random as I initially feared. Hopefully, the judges agree.
In any case, I had a lot of fun putting this one together. Best wishes all around.
Long story short, it's only well after "in about three hours" that I get things done. And it was a helluva lot harder than I initially made it out to be. But, it's done. Hope it works. Still think it'd be a fun adventure, and not as random as I initially feared. Hopefully, the judges agree.
In any case, I had a lot of fun putting this one together. Best wishes all around.
Iron Sky
Procedurally Generated
Jeez, 5:30 am and I just finished with my entry. I finally got hit by inspiration, though whether or not it aimed me in the right direction will remain to be seen. Whether it did or not, I really enjoyed creating it.
I'll post it after I pass out for a few hours and can give it a final glance over with "fresh" eyes.
I started to read through yours Wik(but I'm too tired right now and my contacts are starting to blur and my reading comprehension is plumeting so I'll have to finish tomorrow). Interestingly, I also was originally thinking of basing mine on Kua-Toa too, but then had a huge jump in a completely different direction. I really dig the name "Black Rock Confederation".
Looking forward to seeing how this match turns out whether I win or not - and looking forward to seeing how the final match goes too!
I'll post it after I pass out for a few hours and can give it a final glance over with "fresh" eyes.
I started to read through yours Wik(but I'm too tired right now and my contacts are starting to blur and my reading comprehension is plumeting so I'll have to finish tomorrow). Interestingly, I also was originally thinking of basing mine on Kua-Toa too, but then had a huge jump in a completely different direction. I really dig the name "Black Rock Confederation".
Looking forward to seeing how this match turns out whether I win or not - and looking forward to seeing how the final match goes too!
