Leave a comment

ricamarcella August 3 2009, 06:09:42 UTC
I feel guilty reading so much internet fanfic recently, especially with books I have to read sitting on my shelf... but this was so addictive. I even read it over (and it's really something when you can get a reader to read something more than once, when they already know what is going to happen).

I honestly don't know how people can find the time to create all these amazing pictures through hacks and mods. The extra poses, extra objects, custom architecture, are all beyond me. Like that shot with Circe moving the bookcase as a door with a hammer in her hand, and the one with Crystal leaning on the balcony. If you use all those non-game poses, somehow it makes the serial seem way better because the viewer doesn't expect all the typical poses and facial expressions... instead they're so unique and apt to every particular scene.

So, as I'm woefully and embarrassedly addicted, some character comments:

Is Crystal really on Vidcund's side? I'm leaning towards NO... and can't wait to see why it's so important for her to keep the house. You've already determined why, right? I guess Crystal's a more tuned-down version of Circe, or Loki. They're all people who'll do anything to get what they want, no matter what happens to others, only Crystal doesn't go as far as the Beakers. And although she'll work for a crime boss, she's not into sexploitation or mad science.

Is the crime boss a certain black-haired beautiful woman in a red dress??

I like how you give the Beakers serious financial troubles. That really explains a lot of their crimes, from the poisoning of the Curiouses to wipe out career rivals, to the illegal use of military equipment to make some scientific breakthrough, to Circe's illegal prescription website or working for the mob. I'm amazed few people think to give them financial troubles, as if all their corruption came from inside, which is a boring and illogical interpretation.

And murderous Vidcund! Love how villainy runs rampant here. It's like Kill Bill, where nobody's really a good guy. Still, you cheer for Vidcund even though he bashed Loki's brains out with a metal stick, because of all those innocent Curious deaths. I'm not really on the edge of my seat as to whether he'll recover, because I know he will--how else would you continue the story?!

Finally, what research is being done on Erin? Can't wait for more.

Reply

akanwa August 4 2009, 07:34:52 UTC
Wow, you really liked it, huh. I'm glad you wanted to re-read all three chapters. That's quite a compliment. And thank you very much for the detailed character comments. I enjoy knowing how various readers are responding to how I depict the Maxis characters in this story. The "Kill Bill" comparison's very apt. So many shades of gray here!

The poseboxes do take a lot of time, and it certainly doesn't help when the game is slowed down through the slowmotion settings. It's a lot of fun to think about what poses and animation sequences are available through the variety of boxes and in-game objects, and then put them together into an interesting scene. It's inevitable, I suppose, that the same poses will show up a lot since the poseboxes are available to everyone. I'm just amazed at the modders who developed the skills to create these hacks, but it's awesome that they exist for our fun.

Chapter 4 is *almost* ready. So stay tuned and thanks for the thoughtful commenting.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up