Some Basic Facts
To start things off, I wanted to answer some of the things that I anticipate many might be curious about.
What is the name of this future game?
The current plan is to call it 'JipangMUCK' but with a subtitle. I.e., 'JipangMUCK: '
As to what that subtitle will be, that is still being figured out. There's a few options that I really like though. Maybe I'll share them at some point.
When will JipangMUCK open?
It's a good ways off still. As I mentioned in the previous post, a lot of the coding for systems has been completed, but there's a ton of work to be done to implement the desired content, website presence, info files content, and so on. I.e., there's a lot of writing left to do before it can open. I'd place it at being at minimum 4 - 5 months off from being ready to open.
Is this a continuation of the original JipangMUCK's Timeline, or some kind of reboot of that timeline?
Neither. As much as I enjoyed the world we formed in the original JipangMUCK, a lot of major theme/IC history aspects were designed before I was fully versed in a number of core sources, and so things always felt a bit clumsy, particularly with how Kenshin was integrated into the history.
This new JipangMUCK will feature an all new history, all new world map(West Jipang, we never knew you), all new lore, and all new politics. The goal will be to have a comprehensive, interesting setting that comfortably accommodates the game and anime sources we want it to support as well as opening the way to all number of interesting adventures in the long run.
What are the source games/animes?
The list is still a work in progress and I'll discuss the source casts in another post down the line. A few I can throw out as being definitely supported include: The Last Blade (of course!), Samurai Shodown (naturally!), SoulCalibur, Kenshin, Inu-Yasha, Naruto... I'm still investigating a number of other animes that seem like they'd be good fits for the game and I'm certainly open to other requests/suggestions for what you'd like to see featured.
Will characters from sources not included as part of the core games/anime be allowed?
Characters from a lot of sources will be allowed into the game, although they'll have to be modified where necessary to fit the theme, politics, and mythos of the game. The exact details of the Adapted Character policy are still being worked out, but this is definitely something I will want to allow. The only caveat is that we might require that the character come from a source that is at least somewhat similar to sources already included in the game.
What is the Combat System?
JipangMUCK will include a combat system that is built upon the mechanics found in MotM's CSYS. It will see some fairly significant changes in terms of character progression/power ranking (Ratios are unlikely to make an appearance), and it will also have the core mechanics modified to make weapons a more integral part of the system to better reflect the source material JipangMUCK is based on. That said, if you're familiar with MotM's mechanics, this new system should feel pretty familiar. And if you're not, then I look forward to you getting to check it out when you get a chance!
Do you need any help?/Can I contribute?
Very probably yes. If you are interested in helping out, you could play a part in getting the game open sooner! If you're interested in helping, just let me know and we can discuss some of the work that needs to be done and how you might be able to contribute to it.
That's all the basics I have for now. I'll probably make updates to this post or make new posts as other major things to talk about come to mind. Also, feel free to ask any questions you might have so I know what future writing should focus on.
Thanks!
-Akari
What is the name of this future game?
The current plan is to call it 'JipangMUCK' but with a subtitle. I.e., 'JipangMUCK: '
As to what that subtitle will be, that is still being figured out. There's a few options that I really like though. Maybe I'll share them at some point.
When will JipangMUCK open?
It's a good ways off still. As I mentioned in the previous post, a lot of the coding for systems has been completed, but there's a ton of work to be done to implement the desired content, website presence, info files content, and so on. I.e., there's a lot of writing left to do before it can open. I'd place it at being at minimum 4 - 5 months off from being ready to open.
Is this a continuation of the original JipangMUCK's Timeline, or some kind of reboot of that timeline?
Neither. As much as I enjoyed the world we formed in the original JipangMUCK, a lot of major theme/IC history aspects were designed before I was fully versed in a number of core sources, and so things always felt a bit clumsy, particularly with how Kenshin was integrated into the history.
This new JipangMUCK will feature an all new history, all new world map(West Jipang, we never knew you), all new lore, and all new politics. The goal will be to have a comprehensive, interesting setting that comfortably accommodates the game and anime sources we want it to support as well as opening the way to all number of interesting adventures in the long run.
What are the source games/animes?
The list is still a work in progress and I'll discuss the source casts in another post down the line. A few I can throw out as being definitely supported include: The Last Blade (of course!), Samurai Shodown (naturally!), SoulCalibur, Kenshin, Inu-Yasha, Naruto... I'm still investigating a number of other animes that seem like they'd be good fits for the game and I'm certainly open to other requests/suggestions for what you'd like to see featured.
Will characters from sources not included as part of the core games/anime be allowed?
Characters from a lot of sources will be allowed into the game, although they'll have to be modified where necessary to fit the theme, politics, and mythos of the game. The exact details of the Adapted Character policy are still being worked out, but this is definitely something I will want to allow. The only caveat is that we might require that the character come from a source that is at least somewhat similar to sources already included in the game.
What is the Combat System?
JipangMUCK will include a combat system that is built upon the mechanics found in MotM's CSYS. It will see some fairly significant changes in terms of character progression/power ranking (Ratios are unlikely to make an appearance), and it will also have the core mechanics modified to make weapons a more integral part of the system to better reflect the source material JipangMUCK is based on. That said, if you're familiar with MotM's mechanics, this new system should feel pretty familiar. And if you're not, then I look forward to you getting to check it out when you get a chance!
Do you need any help?/Can I contribute?
Very probably yes. If you are interested in helping out, you could play a part in getting the game open sooner! If you're interested in helping, just let me know and we can discuss some of the work that needs to be done and how you might be able to contribute to it.
That's all the basics I have for now. I'll probably make updates to this post or make new posts as other major things to talk about come to mind. Also, feel free to ask any questions you might have so I know what future writing should focus on.
Thanks!
-Akari