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Post #0 (isolation #0) » Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:31 pm
Postby Blackberry »
Welcome to
The Apprentice
!
I, Blackberry, am looking for an Apprentice to assist me in the co-moderation of an upcoming game I am planning. This apprentice will assist me with storyline development, plot twists, game mechanics, updates, etc. With our powers combined, we will create the ultimate Mish Mash game that will go down in history as the BEST GAME EVER.
But first, I must select an apprentice to moderate this game with...
Thus, you all will compete to be my apprentice. The rules are posted below. To /in, simply post so below. The competition begins...
now
.
Disclaimer: The winner does not necessarily get excluded from playing the future Mish Mash game and will have the option of playing instead if he or she wishes to do so.
Last edited by Blackberry on Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:56 am, edited 38 times in total.
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Post #7 (isolation #2) » Thu Aug 04, 2011 4:53 pm
Postby Blackberry »
mallowgeno wrote:Nah I'm no where near done developing it and I'm involved in a lot of other crap right now too lol. I would join though if I wasn't modding a mini-theme.
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Post #54 (isolation #12) » Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:35 pm
Postby Blackberry »
Welcome to
The Apprentice
!
Sixteen of you have decided to test your strengths, and your weaknesses. Sixteen of you have decided to bare your souls for me to judge. Only one of you will come out of this competition as The Apprentice. Best of luck to everyone.
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Post #65 (isolation #15) » Mon Aug 08, 2011 7:20 am
Postby Blackberry »
Leonshade wrote:Are we allowed to discuss our Project Manager choice privately via PM or QT? On that same token, are we allowed to make a QT for the tast of choosing a Project Manager?
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Post #86 (isolation #16) » Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:46 pm
Postby Blackberry »
I see both teams failed to note that the deadline was at 6:00 PM Est... meaning both teams were late. How is it that all sixteen of you allowed the deadline to slip? Mmmmm?
I should fire all sixteen of you!
... Oh, I can't do that though. Then this game wouldn't be any fun. I'll let this slide... for now.
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Post #205 (isolation #32) » Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:48 am
Postby Blackberry »
Before I announce the winner, let's view both team's performances...
Team Eucleia
Mist7676[Project Manager]
[area="Task #1, Assignment #1]If your aim is to run a truly phenomenal Mish Mash game, there are considerations that you must take when designing, and eventually running, the game. These are the essential elements of any successful game, and every game that fails is simply consigned to this fate by poor planning in regard to the five fundamentals of gaming. Any moderator worth his salt needs to consider Balance, Innovation, a good theme Flavour, Player Dynamics, and his own level of Commitment to the game.
Innovation is key with any successful game. A new idea, mechanic, or theme frequently catalyzes the most successful Mish Mash games, often helping to spawn ‘copycat’ games or sequels. When something new is brought to an old idea, new interest can be galvanized. It renews the playworn, and excites the player to see what might happen in a game that has both the successful mechanics of a previous favourite, and something as-of-yet unseen and exciting.
To promote player approval, each game needs to be balanced. This provides players with an equal chance to win, and thus an equal chance to enjoy themselves. Balance is often the hardest fundamental to establish, especially in games with complex mechanics. A good idea is to start with a simple mechanic set and to then build develop these as your foundation. Design your mechanics separately from any theme flavouring, and simply apply the flavouring over the finished frame.
Every game needs a narrative, a story or background to provide context for the players’ actions and goals. Exemplary theme flavour captures competitors’ imaginations and entices them to think about the game long after they've closed their browsers. Flavour development is useful to consider at the start of the idea, as it may guide and augment your mechanics and overall goals. Remember, though, the flavour should be seen as icing on the cake composed of mechanics and balance.
As a moderator, it is also important to consider the way players will be encouraged to interact with one another. Strong dynamics to look for include teamwork and cooperation, rivalry and competition, and interactions that go beyond those. Games are all about people interacting in new and exciting ways, so you should be looking for a way to place your players in an environment that takes advantage of these dynamics. Allow them to advance fluidly, and you could be surprised what happens.
Finally, if there’s one thing that unequivocally sinks most Mish Mash games, it’s failure of moderator commitment. If the moderator can’t stay dedicated to his own game, then there is nothing that can save it. Make sure to be as available as your game demands; it’s likely more time-consuming than you think. Don’t run a game when you have other commitments that will drag you away, and be sure that your interest in the game. Running a game is always hard work, but keep in mind that each successful endeavor is equally rewarding.[/area]
The first fundamental is hosting your game to the best of your ability. This means you get things done in advance, you stick to your promises and rules and you manage your time correctly. Optimize is a great example of this; the hosts update the game with regularity and precision. You can always look forward to an update at the end of a day. Mafia Family Feud and Match Game: MS also involved a high degree of host activity, which fed them a constant supply of players. Don’t tackle a game unless you are certain you can manage it. You’re letting your players down, otherwise: you will see abandoned Roll to Dodge games.
The second fundamental is to lend class to your game through good narrative and
pleasing aesthetics . Without these, players often feel that they are participating in a second-rate game. The effect is perhaps even more pronounced when the game would not otherwise require it. Optimize, for example, could be run without the graphics and text it utilises but with them it has helped pull one of the largest queues in Mish-Mash history. Decathlon also shows off attractive and informative graphics, whilst the more active Roll to Dodge games, like RTD Bakershire and Zombie Apocalypse, maintain their high level of participation because of the qualitative mod flavor.
The third fundamental is to keep the game simple. Successful Mish Mash games often involve simple rules that are easy to comprehend and quick to learn. For example, the game of Ferris Wheel involves a group of players placed in a randomized order, each picking one players give answers to questions and get scored based on how many players picked the same answers. These simple premises allow people to join regardless of their schedule, granting fun for a large playerbase.
A game lives and dies based on its player activity (Notify the Players often), which is why letting many players engage in the game is the fourth fundamental. Having to wait in line for your turn can often lead people to lose their interest in a game, so maximizing the amount of people a Mish Mash game can hold allows the game to survive and thrive. Games like Ferris Wheel and What Were You Thinking have virtually no limit on the amount of players that can participate at once, while Optimize allows those waiting in line to effect the current game's outcome.
The final fundamental is to make your game fast-paced. These allow for the most fun. When properly used in conjunction with the other fundamentals, these games are often the ones that end up being replayed the most. Ferris Wheel and Yahtzee are shining examples, along with Elect the Executioner. This can be achieved most easily by cutting as much of the moderator’s work out as possible. Players should be able to take their turns as often as possible.[/area]
[area="Task #1, Assignment #2]
Welcome to a Magical Land, where Warlocks collide within the city of Dalaran, filled with a great source of magic. Each day, everyone trains themselves and begins to gain more magical abilities to survive. As a Warlock, you would want to battle each other within an Arena, where each of you fight others to survive, but can you and your teammates survive the battle of wits and magic?
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Post #244 (isolation #37) » Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:35 am
Postby Blackberry »
Cybele wrote:
Blackberry wrote:
I like it, but I think similar games have been done, even in recent past. Wizard battle is fairly close, in theme and some mechanics, though this Warlock is thankfully simpler, and has the addition of a playing-field. And team mechanics.
It's also rather similar to Rumble games, but I suppose that's cursory.
I probably wouldn't play it, but that's just personal preference.
Oh, and I actually dislike the fundamentals they've chosen. Some of them seem kinda... dumb.
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Post #275 (isolation #40) » Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:36 am
Postby Blackberry »
Task #1 Reviews
Let's get to it, shall we? Let's review the submissions and then I'll reveal the winning team. The winning team will be safe. The losing team's Project Manager will be required to select two other contestants to join her in the Board Room.
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Post #276 (isolation #41) » Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:37 am
Postby Blackberry »
Task #1 Results
I will now reveal the results. Despite my harsh criticism, I think both teams did a great job, and I am proud of both submissions. I think most of you put in plenty of work despite the fact that some of your teammates may not have been so helpful.
Without further ado, the winning team is
Team Eucleia
. Your entire team is safe, for now.
Tragedy
, as Project Manager of the losing, team you must select two individuals to join you in the boardroom. I would think about this decision very carefully before you make your selection. The three of you will be questioned by me and one of you will be fired.
Last edited by Blackberry on Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Post #304 (isolation #48) » Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:33 pm
Postby Blackberry »
mallowgeno wrote:
Blackberry wrote:
Concerning
Assignment #2
, I thought you did very well with coming up with a game idea that embodies all five of the fundamentals that your team selected. I also believe the
opeing
post was aesthetically pleasing and cleverly written. While I found the storyline was well written, I do also believe it was a bit lengthy. At first glance, one might think 'this looks too long to read' and leave the thread. Just a thought to consider. The flavor is clearly there, there is clearly balance with everyone beginning on the same footing. It is an innovative idea, combining qualities of the Haunted Mansion type games with challenges, which at the same time leads to provoking player dynamics.[/color][/size][/area]
.