Game News Chris Avellone To Write Wasteland 2 Novella for $30 Kickstarter Tier

[Havoc]

Retarded trolls.

 

[Kz3r0]

Isn't that like getting some additional .bmp files in the portraits directory of an Infinity Engine game?

If it was just character portraits probably, but "Ranger icons used to display your party location on the world map"? Whatever that means, it sounds a little more advanced.
Besides, it's the concept of they doing that that bothers me, we just gave them shitloads of money to get rid of publishers and their annoying exclusives/DLC shit-marketing, yet the developers themselves happily do the same thing...

Not to be that guy, but I think that first and foremost developers are annoyed of being defrauded of money by publishers, not that creativity constraints don't matter.

 

[IronicNeurotic]

MCA has actually written for some Star Wars comic books.

Also the New Vegas preqel. Which was good.

I think dismissing Avellone with *video game writer* already without even a novel out to judge is premature to say the least. So far he has delievered good stuff. I believe the novel will be pretty good too.

 

[LeStryfe79]

Fargo did a vote for the portraits thing and last I checked 77% said yes. If he gets more money for making a better game, than everyone wins. The big problem with day one DLC is that it's usually attached to shit games. People just displace their anger because they don't want to admit to themselves how stupid they are for liking the piece of shit to begin with. Basically, if Wasteland 2 is a great game, then paying $30 is an excellent deal. On the other hand, if it stinks, then it's a ripoff. Only time will tell what Wasteland 2 will end up being.

 

[Azalin]

Fargo is cetrainly milking MCA's name as much as he can,I am already at the 55$ tier so I will be hetting 3 novellas after all

 

[villain of the story]

You know what the best thing about MCA novella is?

We can do a "comparison LP" with Gaider's crap.

Opening lines:
Gaider: "run Maric!" And run he did.
Avellone: something something.

 

[Deleted member 7219]

a genius video game writer like Chris Avellone.

Thank you for explaining why novella from Avellone isn't something that gives me a stiffy and the game itself is.

Ok but you're being unfair on MCA. He has never claimed to be a novelist, and he hasn't written any novels. What he's doing here is a nice little freebie for people who've invested in the game.

 

[curry]

You know what the best thing about MCA novella is?

We can do a "comparison LP" with Gaider's crap.

Opening lines:
Gaider: "run Maric!" And run he did.
Avellone: something something.

How do you know Gaider's book's opening lines?

 

[villain of the story]

How do you not? It has become common knowledge with several threads dedicated to it.

 

[Stelcio]

I think dismissing Avellone with *video game writer* already without even a novel out to judge is premature to say the least. So far he has delievered good stuff. I believe the novel will be pretty good too.

I don't "dismiss" him. I just don't feel like paying another $15 in advance to read something which may be good or may not be or even may be excellent but still not enjoyable for me, as I'm not too much into reading books, especially video game related novellas. And there's not too much suggesting it could be excellent as MCA is pretty much unproven as a novella writer. If he writes an excellent novella, good for him - and then maybe I'll try to obtain it.

Anyway I'm excited with the game and just the game. Reading game related novellas or fapping to MCA's autograph on collectors' boxed copy just isn't my thing. I love his games and that's where I'm willing to invest my money.

Ok but you're being unfair on MCA. He has never claimed to be a novelist, and he hasn't written any novels. What he's doing here is a nice little freebie for people who've invested in the game.

Why am I being unfair? I don't say it'll surely be crap, no. His name just isn't enough for me to put out more monies, because - what you said - he's unproven on this field. And it's no freebie, it's a deal - you give us another 15 bucks, we give you Avellone's novella. I'm certain most pledges were made for a deal, not for a cause.

 

[mindx2]

Anyway I'm excited with the game and just the game. Reading game related novellas or fapping to MCA's autograph on collectors' boxed copy just isn't my thing. I love his games and that's where I'm willing to invest my money.

Your loss my friend, your loss :p

 

[Infinitron]

I'm not too much into reading books

Unsurprising.

 

[Deleted member 7219]

Ok but you're being unfair on MCA. He has never claimed to be a novelist, and he hasn't written any novels. What he's doing here is a nice little freebie for people who've invested in the game.

Why am I being unfair? I don't say it'll surely be crap, no. His name just isn't enough for me to put out more monies, because - what you said - he's unproven on this field. And it's no freebie, it's a deal - you give us another 15 bucks, we give you Avellone's novella. I'm certain most pledges were made for a deal, not for a cause.

Well what I said was mainly in response to that tremendous douchebag 'Chuck Norris' (I wonder if the Codex will be getting a Kirk Cameron impersonator at some point?). I haven't made any claims about Chris Avellone's skills at writing novels or novellas, although judging by the quality of his writing in games like Torment and Fallout: New Vegas, I think it is fair to see it is more likely to be good than bad. Also, the intentions behind it are honest.

 

[IronicNeurotic]

I think dismissing Avellone with *video game writer* already without even a novel out to judge is premature to say the least. So far he has delievered good stuff. I believe the novel will be pretty good too.

I don't "dismiss" him. I just don't feel like paying another $15 in advance to read something which may be good or may not be or even may be excellent but still not enjoyable for me, as I'm not too much into reading books, especially video game related novellas. And there's not too much suggesting it could be excellent as MCA is pretty much unproven as a novella writer. If he writes an excellent novella, good for him - and then maybe I'll try to obtain it.

Anyway I'm excited with the game and just the game. Reading game related novellas or fapping to MCA's autograph on collectors' boxed copy just isn't my thing. I love his games and that's where I'm willing to invest my money.

Ok but you're being unfair on MCA. He has never claimed to be a novelist, and he hasn't written any novels. What he's doing here is a nice little freebie for people who've invested in the game.

Why am I being unfair? I don't say it'll surely be crap, no. His name just isn't enough for me to put out more monies, because - what you said - he's unproven on this field. And it's no freebie, it's a deal - you give us another 15 bucks, we give you Avellone's novella. I'm certain most pledges were made for a deal, not for a cause.

Then I misunderstood. I took it as you saying "Well, he's a video game writer. So, he is shit everything else and the novella could never be good".

 

[Stelcio]

I'm not too much into reading books

Unsurprising.

Funny you referenced to this topic, even if it's hardly related to what I said about reading books, because what I said there about story and it's role in cRPGs is a perfect explanation why I don't jizz myself about a novella from video game writing genius, MCA. Story in a book is something completely different than story in a game - and so it's values lie in different areas.

I haven't made any claims about Chris Avellone's skills at writing novels or novellas, although judging by the quality of his writing in games like Torment and Fallout: New Vegas, I think it is fair to see it is more likely to be good than bad.

Let's say blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. And I'm just doubtful one.

 

[LeStryfe79]

I'm not too much into reading books

Unsurprising.

Funny you referenced to this topic, even if it's hardly related to what I said about reading books, because what I said there about story and it's role in cRPGs is a perfect explanation why I don't jizz myself about a novella from video game writing genius, MCA. Story in a book is something completely different than story in a game - and so it's values lie in different areas.

I haven't made any claims about Chris Avellone's skills at writing novels or novellas, although judging by the quality of his writing in games like Torment and Fallout: New Vegas, I think it is fair to see it is more likely to be good than bad.

Let's say blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. And I'm just doubtful one.

So according to your logic, the people, places, and lore described in PnP rpg books is irrelevant to the stories told in those games. Also, If the written word helps give context to a setting, what difference does it make if the words are coded into the game itself? A huge percentage of the original Wasteland was conveyed through a companion book. Are those written descriptions also irrelevant? The biggest difference I see is when the story is forced down your face in the game itself, player choices tends to get diminished to Biowhorian levels. At least now we can begin to understand your true nature, Stelcio.

 

[Stelcio]

I'm not too much into reading books

Unsurprising.

Funny you referenced to this topic, even if it's hardly related to what I said about reading books, because what I said there about story and it's role in cRPGs is a perfect explanation why I don't jizz myself about a novella from video game writing genius, MCA. Story in a book is something completely different than story in a game - and so it's values lie in different areas.

I haven't made any claims about Chris Avellone's skills at writing novels or novellas, although judging by the quality of his writing in games like Torment and Fallout: New Vegas, I think it is fair to see it is more likely to be good than bad.

Let's say blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. And I'm just doubtful one.

So according to your logic, the people, places, and lore described in PnP rpg books is irrelevant to the stories told in those games. Also, If the written word helps give context to a setting, what difference does it make if the words are coded into the game itself? A huge percentage of the original Wasteland was conveyed through a companion book. Are those written descriptions also irrelevant? The biggest difference I see is when the story is forced down your face in the game itself, player choices tends to get diminished to Biowhorian levels. At least now we can begin to understand your true nature, Stelcio.

Wrong. I presume novella is not meant to be crucial to get the setting of Wasteland, I presume it will be something extra for guys who are excited about the setting, not just the game itself. Setting is a tool to enrich the gaming experience, so the game should have as much setting content as it's needed to fulfil this objective. So no reason to care about the novella as long as the game is done properly.

PnP is something different, because how much lore and setting plays in the game depends on who and how plays. Books are different, because setting and story are the subject there. Every medium stands on it's own terms. So do games.

 

[LeStryfe79]

Every medium stands on it's own terms. So do games.

I disagree. For example, my avatar is a character from an anime series called Mobile Suit Gundam. Whenever I play a Gundam video game, I'm going to choose that particular character. This is because he is magnificent in the cartoon, which better establishes the setting than the video game by itself could. The game alone might be good or bad regardless, but being invested in mediums outside the game can enhance the experience. I remember old DnD books use to give examples of novels and movies to read for inspiration. This is very similar. I could go on and on with linear notes, soundtracks, comics, ect. The point being that you're a pretty unique snowflake if various artistic mediums don't affect each other in your eyes.

 

[Kz3r0]

I disagree. For example, my avatar is a character from an anime series called Mobile Suit Gundam. Whenever I play a Gundam video game, I'm going to choose that particular character. This is because he is magnificent in the cartoon, which better establishes the setting than the video game by itself could. The game alone might be good or bad .

Usually Gundam games are shovelware, and this has been told to me by a guy that regularly buys all of them.

 

[Havoc]

I disagree. For example, my avatar is a character from an anime series called Mobile Suit Gundam. Whenever I play a Gundam video game, I'm going to choose that particular character. This is because he is magnificent in the cartoon, which better establishes the setting than the video game by itself could. The game alone might be good or bad .

Usually Gundam games are shovelware, and this has been told to me by a guy that regularly buys all of them.

He digs holes for them? E.T.-style?

 

[lulurkinglurkerlurk]

Chris seems be really on fire towards writing for Wasteland and this attitude is most apprecieated, when it comes to creativity.So i belive it will be at least good.

 

[Stinger]

I thought Avellone's prose in Torment was pretty good. I wouldn't mind reading a whole book in that style.

Especially compared to the "Maric ate ravenously. Loghain slurped his food dubiously. Dwarfric guzzled his mead uproariously." style of prose that Gaider has.

 

[LeStryfe79]

I disagree. For example, my avatar is a character from an anime series called Mobile Suit Gundam. Whenever I play a Gundam video game, I'm going to choose that particular character. This is because he is magnificent in the cartoon, which better establishes the setting than the video game by itself could. The game alone might be good or bad .

Usually Gundam games are shovelware, and this has been told to me by a guy that regularly buys all of them.

They ARE mostly shovelware, but people buy em anyway because they enjoy the setting presented in other forms of media. It doesn't actually make the games any better, but it adds a lot to the experience. It's just one of thousands of examples I could have given Stelcio to illustrate how games can be more than just games. I highly doubt one would need the novellas to like Wasteland 2, but they certainly couldn't hurt either.

 

[UnknownBro]

Dudes, Brian Fargo is giving a speech right now!
Quit bitching bitches!