It's a wrap!
Amy Griswold and I have finished our interactive novel, The Eagle's Heir, and delivered it to our editor. We'll have edits and revisions to make, but The Eagle's Heir is essentially done. It should be out later this spring.
One of the things that's been fascinating to me when working on this book is looking at how small decisions change history. In a regular, linear book there is only one outcome. Because of that, there are always so many unexplored avenues, so many AU possibilities, and most of them remain forever obscure even to the author. In a gaming campaign (and I've been running rpgs since I was twelve) there are many possibilities, but they are closed by the actions of the players. In other words, even if it would be possible for a party to do Y, if this party chooses X then I will never see what was down the path opened by Y.
With The Eagle's Heir, all the possibilities exist simultaneously. It's Schroedinger's Story. The main character both betrayed their friend and gave their life for them. They both supported the Revolution and an Austrian prince. They both went down in flames with an airship and saved the day. The game can be played over and over, with many possible endings. Which is the best? There are three best endings down different paths, different continuities, if you will. There are three worst as well. And sixty some in between, good and bad, compromises. Also, what is best? That depends in part on what the player believes. What should the future look like from two hundred years in the past? What future do you want? What do you believe is a good government and a good life's work?
Writing this has been fascinating. I can't wait for it to come out. When it does, I'm going to create a spoiler thread because I'd love to hear what you guys chose and what your various lives turned out to be.
One of the things that's been fascinating to me when working on this book is looking at how small decisions change history. In a regular, linear book there is only one outcome. Because of that, there are always so many unexplored avenues, so many AU possibilities, and most of them remain forever obscure even to the author. In a gaming campaign (and I've been running rpgs since I was twelve) there are many possibilities, but they are closed by the actions of the players. In other words, even if it would be possible for a party to do Y, if this party chooses X then I will never see what was down the path opened by Y.
With The Eagle's Heir, all the possibilities exist simultaneously. It's Schroedinger's Story. The main character both betrayed their friend and gave their life for them. They both supported the Revolution and an Austrian prince. They both went down in flames with an airship and saved the day. The game can be played over and over, with many possible endings. Which is the best? There are three best endings down different paths, different continuities, if you will. There are three worst as well. And sixty some in between, good and bad, compromises. Also, what is best? That depends in part on what the player believes. What should the future look like from two hundred years in the past? What future do you want? What do you believe is a good government and a good life's work?
Writing this has been fascinating. I can't wait for it to come out. When it does, I'm going to create a spoiler thread because I'd love to hear what you guys chose and what your various lives turned out to be.