Work-in-Progress Spotlight
June 1st, 2009 by Scud

The Last Attempt

By Kormin

So the sun is out and summer is now in full swing, yet I am still stuck inside writing these features (I think HG management should purchase a laptop for me so I can work from outside, that, or a bloody long extension cord). But I digress, as much I begrudge sulking around inside, this week’s project has turned a chore into something to look forward to writing about (but I’m still stuck inside, so I’m still fuming). This week’s project hails the return of a once-dead genre, a victim of over-saturation and associations with “noobishness”. In case you haven’t guessed, this week’s feature is from the genre that was once a forum staple, especially with beginners, the cameo scenario. Rarely are they finished and with the focus of the scenario on cheap forum in-jokes instead of actual gameplay or design, it was no wonder they fell out of favour (though the cynics amongst you may have noticed the new designing ‘fads’ are ‘Defend the Spot’ and Cutscene ‘scenarios’ [sic]). So the task now falls to Kormin to save the genre with his new scenario ‘The Last Attempt'(ironic, given that this is his first scenario, just as in the same vein ‘I am The One and Only’ was Chesney Hawkes’ only hit).

Alarm bells may be ringing to some of you for this seems to meet the criteria of what makes a ‘bad’ cameo scenario, for starters being designed by a relatively new and/or unknown designer. That may be true, but that isn’t a mark against Kormin. In fact, it only adds to what makes this scenario good. He hasn’t been around as much compared to other forumers, meaning his scenario won’t be full of the same dire in-jokes that often fail to be transplanted from the forums into a playable format. Instead we have witty and original humour that though original, still seems familiar to us. For example, the two warring factions in game are ‘King’s Haven’ and ‘Ensemble’ – not that there is any jokes in those names (not that I can see anyway ;)). Akin to what can only be described as the plot to Dr. Strangelove, the two factions are plunged into a brutal war through a series of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. But enough about the plot, what about the gameplay? Kormin has excelled himself by using techniques to keep the game fresh and interesting; such as a levy system to draft an army from your peasant work-force, or if you have the money to spend you can use it on better equipped and better trained mercenaries. Along with side quests ranging from defeating an undead army accidentally risen from the dead to various trade-based missons, this is set to be a cameo scenario like no other.

I managed to track down the illusive Kormin and ask him a few questions:

A scenario with cameo appearances by forumers – hasn’t this be done ad nauseum?

Kormin: Its been done a lot, also its been done by plenty of other places besides this site. I’m wishing to create a scenario that will be engaging. its basically supposed to be a scenario using the forumers names. so simply, I got lazy and didn’t want to make up names for the characters.

And on a related note to cameo roles, does it not worry you that most projects that base themselves around cameo roles from the community never get finished?

Kormin: This is true. many times cameo things never get published, but when this W.I.P.S. gets posted. I guess i would have no option but to finish it. plus I’m working on triggering it right now so it would be fairly pointless for me not to finish when I’m so close to done.

It seems you are uncertain about what gameplay elements to include, did this not occur to you that some say this is the most important part of the scenario, making it fun to play?

Kormin: I am uncertain, which isn’t to say I don’t have a clear idea of how I want it to look or feel. I never really have a complete game-plan for anything (it drives my teachers up the wall when they want me write power points or outlines). it will have some interesting twists too it, that is what i can promise.

What do you say to those who think cameo based scenarios are a sign of amateurish designing skills?

Kormin: An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without formal training or pay. That is the dictionary defines the word Amateur, so unless someone here is being payed to create campaigns, then we are all under that definition. So we are all amateurs.

A very philosophical response to the last question. But anyway, here is a screenshot of Kormin’s project. I know, only one screenshots today, but don’t blame me, blame Kormin’s computer (maybe HG Mangement can buy Kormin a new laptop then, seeing as they should be purchasing me one):