Black Six Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 RPG Forum Text-Based RPG Contest 28It's June! RPG Contest time! There's a theme: your RPG must feature a villain who turns out to be a puppet controlled by someone else.Any questions about the theme may be asked in this topic.Here's how these contests work:[*]The contest will be run every three (3) months, or four (4) times a year.[*]All members are welcome to enter the contest.[*]Each member can only enter one (1) Text-based RPG entry.[*]The only exception to this is that BZPRPG and RPG Contest staff will not be permitted to make entries.[*]There will be three winners selected in every contest.[*]The winners will be the three RPGs with the most votes after one or more rounds of voting (depending on the number of entries).[*]Whether or not a given RPG wins or not, it will be allowed to run in future contests, with the below conditions and restrictions.[*]For and RPG that lost a contest, the creator must make an attempt to alter and improve their entry before entering it in the next contest.[*]If an RPG has won four (4) consecutive contests that it has entered, it can not enter the next four contests. It does not, however, have to be altered before being entered again after its break, although the creator can do so if they desire to.[*]Example: A RPG wins two contests in a row. It is not entered in the next contest. It is entered and wins the fourth and fifth contests. At this point it cannot be entered into the next four contests.[*]Other restrictions as a result of other rules or administrative action may prevent a member from submitting an RPG.[*]At the end of the three-month interval between contests, if an active RPG does not win again, it will be closed.[*]If a former winner wins again at a later date, the creator of the RPG can choose to continue in the old topic where they left off or start over again in a new topic.[*]If the creator or members of a winning RPG break the RPG forum rules, that RPG will be closed.[*]The next runner-up from the previous contest will be allowed to run for the remainder of the term.[*]The offending RPG will not be allowed to participate in the next contest.[*]This system is designed to be more fair than the TBRPG approval process has been in the past, so absolutely no complaining.TBRPG EntriesThe following is what determines a Text-Based RPG entry. The creator of each entry must provide at least:[*]A brief introduction to the RPG.[*]A description of the setting, the time and place the events occur.[*]A history of what has happened leading up to the current situation.[*]The characters and creatures involved. Does this take place in the canonical Bionicle Universe, or is this your own island with its own heroes and villains?[*]A description on how you plan to further to story.[*]Does it follow the actual Bionicle story or take place in a setting of your own creation?[*]Is there an outline on where you plan for it go?[*]Will the players be allowed to choose the direction the story takes?[*]Is there an ultimate goal or quest, or is it merely a world for members to inhabit?[*]Requirements for those wishing to participate in your RPG.[*]Will members be taking the role of existing characters or characters you have created?[*]Can they make their own characters? If so, what sort of restrictions will be placed on them?[*]What sort of equipment, masks, stats, etc will members get when they begin?[*]Rules determining how players will interact with the environment and other characters.[*]How will the winner of battles be determined?[*]How will members buy and upgrade their equipment?[*]Will members level up? How will they gain experience?The above information can be submitted however the creator prefers. It does not have to be delineated in this way, as long as it is all there.Contest ProceduresHow the contest is going to be run. Here is the format the contest will operate under:[*]Members will have three weeks to draft and submit entries.[*]Entries will be posted in the Contest Submission thread. Any entries posted elsewhere or PMed will be disregarded.[*]At the end of this period, no further entries will be accepted.[*]The entries will be grouped into as few polls as possible for the initial round of voting.[*]Each round of voting will last for two to three days (48-72 hours).[*]The format of subsequent rounds of voting will be determined depending on the number of entries.[*]The three entries with the most votes in the final round of voting will be declared the winners.Any questions can be posted in the Contest Rules Thread or PMed to Contest Host Black Six.NOTE - All current TBRPGs must be submitted as entries if they wish to continue running.Entries can be SUBMITTED from now until 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, June 23rd.You can review other entries and discuss the reviews in the Review Topic. Bio of a BZP Admin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relapse Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 are you sure this theme is a good idea BZPRPG ProfilesIC: "It comes with the job," Halfimus explained, "I'm not paid enough to give anything outside quick flavour descriptions." So pay me more AuRon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadow pridak money gang Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 This theme killed it for me - immediately the villains are seen as nothing but cheap checkpoints to the real goal and though at first glance it may seem like the suspense is upped a little, it really cuts it down right out of the gate. It's created, in essence, a Mandarin plotline that takes away all the thrill out of the reveal, before the games even begin. Won't be entering. -Tyler SAY IT ONE MORE TIME TELL ME WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padishah Mehmet II Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 (edited) Hate the theme.Won't be entering. also undying players i'm really sorry for the way the game has crashed-Dovydas Edited June 2, 2013 by Eduard Bernstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otter Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I start work on an RPG a few hours before now, see this theme when I'm done with plot notes and most of the submission post... Uggh. profiles i guess i'm a south american giant otter now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franco Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Detestable theme. I shall abstain from entry as well. [Profiles] Wisdom. Restraint. Emptiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual Cee Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Ah well, I'll be entering, for sure, anyone interested in a Storyline That Sets itself during Teridax' Reign? I'm back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otter Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 But we just went through, like, ten or eleven years of a story that dealt with the repercussions of Teridax's coming to power. profiles i guess i'm a south american giant otter now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual Cee Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Ok then... How about a storyline, which is placed on Spherus Magna, And basicly starts where the story stops? I'm back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Welp Looks like this is my contest to enter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmperorWhenua Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I disagree with this 'theme.' I hardly can call it a theme; it may be a commonality between the entries but it does little to make the games better or improve creativity. In fact, it may stifle it. A theme should spark imaginations, power mental cogs and make things interesting but this does not cut it. It's a required plot twist, not a theme. I don't like this theme. Can't enter. BZPRPG Profiles / Critical Acclaim / Complaints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visaru Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Dual Matrix, a good place to throw around ideas like that is in the planning topic, not here. -------------- Tarrok | Korzaa | Verak | Kirik -------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual Cee Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 (edited) Dual Matrix, a good place to throw around ideas like that is in the planning topic, not here. Completely forgot we had a planning topic, hehe sorry...EDIT: Can someone tell me where that topic is located? Edited June 2, 2013 by Dual Matrix I'm back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 It amuses me that everyone's going "ugh terrible theme, not entering." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dual Cee Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 It amuses me that everyone's going "ugh terrible theme, not entering." Not me, no theme shall ever be able to limit my twisted Mind, nothing shall stop me from entering.. I'm back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BULiK Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 This really isn't a good theme. When the players already the villain is a puppet, where's the fun? where's the adventure and plot twists? Good RPGs revolve around a compelling story that keeps you guessing until the very end, IMO. I'm certainly not entering, although I probably wasn't going to anyways. Visit www.BZPRPG.com to view my project of archiving BZPower's RPGs, and also access the BZPower Roleplaying Wiki BZPRPG Profiles - Ghosts Of Bara Magna Profiles Exo-Force RPG Profiles - Six Kingdoms: Apocalypse (Knichou, Berys, Arnex, The Taku, Exuze) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 I'd say more about why this isn't any worse than any other theme--actually it's better than some I've seen, leaves more freedom--but I don't want to give away my plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canis Lycaon Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 (edited) Welp. I'll start brainstorming. Can't really think of anything right now that fits. EDIT: Wait, why is the review topic locked? Edited June 2, 2013 by Canis Lupus I used to have a banner here. But that RPG is dead. What now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samus Aran-Bounty Hunter Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Well then. I feel sorry for those who can't work with this theme, though it does seem rather restricting. However, I must ask: Can the puppet villain be an obvious puppet? As in, most characters would already know that the villain is more of a minion than grandmaster?This could decide how I'm going to go about this.. Zakaro They call me Zakaro. You should too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 There are no rules, so far as I know, governing the obviousness of the requirement. Just that it is there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lorax Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Woah, spoilers! As others have said, this theme isn't ideal, but I'll try to come up with something anyway. @ Zakaro - yeah, that would be the way to do it to avoid the plot being spoiled from the start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 If there are any artists here who are interested in making maps or artwork, I have some stuff I could use illustrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Six Posted June 2, 2013 Author Share Posted June 2, 2013 EDIT: Wait, why is the review topic locked?Error on my part, now fixed. Well then. I feel sorry for those who can't work with this theme, though it does seem rather restricting. However, I must ask: Can the puppet villain be an obvious puppet? As in, most characters would already know that the villain is more of a minion than grandmaster?This could decide how I'm going to go about this.. ZakaroSure.To be clear - I said 'a villain,' not 'the main villain.' It could be anyone. I'm disappointed in the reaction, but then again, people always seem to complain about the themes - there's no pleasing everyone. Bio of a BZP Admin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samus Aran-Bounty Hunter Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 (edited) oh yayalready forming ideas for this.. Edit: oh and if anyone's interested in being staff/co-GM with meh feel free to PM me. Zakaro Edited June 2, 2013 by ZakarOMEGA'D! They call me Zakaro. You should too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taipu1 Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 What if we still want to make the villain puppet thing a twist, or conceal our exact intention with using the theme in our entry? It will potentially benefit the plot and atmosphere of the RPG, but at the same time, it may not obviously fit the theme in the entry. Is it just taken as written that a villain will turn out to be a puppet? - Taipu1.HighFly MatoranShowdownBZPRPG ProfilesHave you seen my Blog? I understand if you haven't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toa Levacius Zehvor Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 It amuses me that everyone's going "ugh terrible theme, not entering." I have to agree with you on this one. The theme is only terrible if you restrict yourself to the obvious. I do not intend to do so. Honestly, people, if you have so few villains that one of them being the puppet to another mastermind makes it obvious which one it is, you need to just make a few more villains. Or maybe do something completely unorthodox. I can think of one idea, but... spoilers. This actually gives me a great idea. I really wanted to enter Hotel Artahka this time around, but if I had a secret villain manipulating the villain there then it would take elventythousand months to put that one together. Putting this up to the players: What would you like to see more? Waves of the South (retconning most of the events of the first because a] they went nowhere, and b] they would separate players too much at the start) which is swashbuckling, intrigue, and exploration... or another RPG I've been developing, outside Hotel Artahka, which is a sci-fi horror RPG featuring amnesiac player characters. Either one work for this contest, and not in the obvious way. If there are any artists here who are interested in making maps or artwork, I have some stuff I could use illustrated. Despite my numerous technological forms of expertise, I have absolulely no idea how to create a map using computer tools. I can, however, draw up a simple pencil map if given time and details. Only maps, though. That's... about the limits of my abilities. Or stick men. I can make a mean stick man. -Toa Levacius Zehvor "I disapprove of what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall (often attributed to Voltaire) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Despite being averse to making things harder for myself, I would like to see Hotel Artahka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toa Levacius Zehvor Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Despite being averse to making things harder for myself, I would like to see Hotel Artahka. I might need to clarify; Hotel Artahka is a third RPG which is also a horror RPG. I can't enter it this contest, unfortunately. So I assume you'd like to see the sci-fi horror, though? -Toa Levacius Zehvor "I disapprove of what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall (often attributed to Voltaire) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara White Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Ah, yes. My mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visaru Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 As far as interest goes, sci-fi horror really appeals to me. Perhaps I've just been playing too much Amnesia lately. -------------- Tarrok | Korzaa | Verak | Kirik -------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toa Levacius Zehvor Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 A question to @Black Six - does the villain have to be obviously apparent from the RPG write-up? Or can it be a villain who shows up later in the plot, and then turns out to be manipulated? -Toa Levacius Zehvor "I disapprove of what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall (often attributed to Voltaire) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makuta of Time Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I don't see how the theme can be RPG stopping, but the concept of that has been shown in certain other stories. Bionicle, Roodaka is secretly working for Makuta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltex Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I don't even create RPGs and I already have several ideas for this. I won't be entering regardless, because there's a pretty big chance I won't even be around at all in the next two months, but I am really surprised at how quickly people just give up on creativity. JOIN AETHERGARDE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Six Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 A question to @Black Six - does the villain have to be obviously apparent from the RPG write-up? Or can it be a villain who shows up later in the plot, and then turns out to be manipulated? -Toa Levacius Zehvor The villain should definitely be in the writeup, yes. If you want to keep some of the surprise, you can PM me with additional information about said villain rather than put it in the writeup to spoil it. Bio of a BZP Admin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makuta of Time Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'll gladly go in an enter, but I have nothing but a base of setting set in Spherus Magna. Before the Shattering. Toa and Matoran live in secret and then tragedy happens. That's all I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
- JL - Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 It's a hard theme to work with, but I'll see what I can conjure up nonetheless. GT: Jl1223 X <----add me :3 (╯◕_◕)╯ BZPRPG Profiles 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Lord Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 If there are any artists here who are interested in making maps or artwork, I have some stuff I could use illustrated. I could possibly illustrate some maps in pencil if you're interested. My BZPRPG Profiles If you interact with me, and I haven't responded after a while, feel free to PM me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyrd Bid Ful Araed Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Might have an idea...Depends on how far I can stretch the idea of puppet... Quick question, the villain behind the villain, how much do they have to actually appear, if at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legolover-361 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Hmmm... I did have a good idea for an RPG premise, but I'll have to either tweak it or write something new.I do have a question that should influence my decision: Does the antagonist have to be a person, if you get what I mean? (( BZPRPG profiles: Kynaera, Nova )) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 (edited) Oh, I'm entering this one.Anyone interested in helping staff a marine and submarine RP, message me. Edited June 3, 2013 by The Fourteenth Doctor No such thing as destiny. BZPRPG Profiles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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