Guide lines for storlines

wildmousex

Hi all, long time player, first time author here. Well once they get foundry back up anyway. I do have a link to a mod that I worked on for Ut2k4 in my sig to show some of my earlier work in content creation for other games.

I'm getting ready to write a story arch to introduce all six of my captains to each other, and the world, and i have a lot in their back stories that isn't covered by my knowledge of cannon. I have found a guide line to how to tell a trek story, but nothing for universe content that covers what I need.

for example, how do you portray a mirror universe Klingon bog who has come to the protect the prime universe from their borg? My current story has mirror borg retaining their individuality, putting them at odds with prime universe borg. - Are mirror Klingons still warriors, or should she be more diplomatic?

thegreendragoon1

First off, welcome to the Foundry.

So to answer your question, there is no definitive guide for writing a trek story. Mostly the usual rules of storytelling apply. But of course writing for a video game can be a little different. You might keep a link to Memory Alpha if you need more info on a specific topic in Trek canon.

As to your specific example, I'm not aware that the Borg have ever been shown in the Mirror Universe, so we have no idea how they differ. I would say odds are the Borg act like the Borg wherever they are.

As to Klingons, we have a few examples from DS9. They were part of an alliance with the Cardassians and Bajorans, that took down and subjugated the violent Terran Empire. Since that time, the Terrans seem to have rebounded and rebuilt their Empire. In STO, the mirror Klingons do show up and help you fight the Terrans in the mission, "The Other Side." Personality wise, they (like everyone else in the mirror universe) seem to be more duplicitous. Worf was extremely opportunistic and only interested in you as long as it benefited him. He wouldn't hesitate to kill you once you had served his purpose.

stardestroyer001

Welcome to the Foundry, new Author!

I would advise, for your first mission once the Editor is back up, keeping the story and maps simple. Learn how to use the interface and become familiar with how it works, before delving into complicated storylines.

I strongly recommend not starting out with "the first episode in a 6-part story arc!". It's a lot of planning and stress associated with that, and would take a very long time to complete the whole arc.

In regards to specific storyline help, it would be beneficial to readers of your thread if you gave more of the story, so we can try and help you along.

EDIT: Ninja'd by dragoon.

markhawkman

One issue with the Mirror Universe is that we only have bits and peices. There are thousands of unanswered questions about it. Such as "What are mirror universe Vorta like?"

Since it's largely a blank sheet to write on.... have fun!

We do know that Mirror Klingons were warlike, but comparatively benevolent compared to the Terran Empire. But it was largely a matter of being the lesser of 2 evils.

Maybe have the Mirror Borg acting to combat another more aggressive or destructive race? Perhaps in the mirror universe the Undine invaded the galaxy voluntarily? Or maybe its something else?

wildmousex

Thank you everyone for the replies. I have plenty of experience with editing game engines and level design, I've been doing it casually for my own fun (and once or twice semi-professional) since I was 12 (about 26 years ago). My first degree was in computer programing with a focus on game design (my second is in culinary science if your curious). I do plan to do a couple of practice runs to learn the specifics of the foundry editor it's self, but I don't intend to save or publish either - - I'm pretty sound on level design in general, but just in case, I do know what I don't know and how to find the resources to learn it quickly.

It's not looking like it will be more then a three part set, the mirror universe borg will take care of three captains with one shot, two of the others work in one as well.

Three of my captains are borg, one for each faction - I liked the mirror universe Boff set-up's for two of the factions, and I don't have a real preference for the third - I also wanted to get the full borg set for them all - so their basic storyline is that they are all from mirror universe and defending the prime universe from the borg threat here - I kill alot of borg with these three getting those sets, that story line fit's. (here is an old pic of my human borg - http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/109/screenshot2012072013065.jpg/)


I'm pretty set stories on those last three, it's finding the right motivation for the mirror borg to be coming and killing borg here.


edit - course as I re-read this, I figured it out. - Thanks all.

thay8472

When it comes to the mirror universe.. just assume everything is twice as violent.

So.. maybe the Borg shoot first then assimilte later.

AS for the mirror Klingons... being a Pro Terran supporter.. im'ma say they're all dead.

thegreendragoon1

Just a word of caution that the Foundry isn't like modding a single player game, and the limitations may leave you frustrated at first. I'll try and give you a heads up of what to expect.

The editor is 2D with the Y value only represented as a property. This requires that you develop an abstract understanding of vertical placement (mostly though trial and error.) Also all assets are preexisting ones from the game. You can create custom costumes but this is limited to what you see in the in-game character creator.

The overall flow of the mission is defined in the Storyboard, which is a list of all the objectives on all the maps that appear.

There's no programming to speak of in the Foundry. What we do have is state transitions. Each object in the Foundry has a flow of:

Invisible ---> [State Transition Criteria] ---> Visible ---> [State Transition Criteria] ---> Invisible

Each State Transition criteria can be set to happen based on things like a specific object being interacted with, an objective completing or a reach marker being reached. These can become very complex chains of tasks.

You'll find that there are a number of limitations that will require creative workarounds to achieve what you want, and sometimes your story will need to be reworked a little to sidestep a Foundry limitation. That said, once you begin to figure out the nuances of the system, you can achieve some impressive things.

wildmousex

Thanks for the heads up.

The editor seems like the one I've used with my unity engine, it sounds like a pain though. - costumes are pretty much set since they are based on my characters who are already limited by the games costume choices. I'll keep it all in mind.

thegreendragoon1

I think you'll find that the Foundry is limited compared to the Unity engine (which is a 3D editor vs. the Foundry which is 2D.) You won't have anywhere close to the flexibility or features of Unity.

That said, I have no doubt that if you've successfully worked with the Unity engine that you have the technical skill to master the Foundry. It's just a matter of learning the nuances of the Foundry limitations and how to exploit them.

That said, you'll find that many authors have come up with creative (and sometimes abstract) solutions to various limitations of the tools. They're also more than willing to share any solutions they've come up with.

wildmousex

hoping that the 6/13 patch will open up foundry again, I'm raring to go... Here is a Pic i took leveling my rommie today , she's the last one I have to fit into the mix. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/809/screenshot2013061220321.jpg/

and i should have clarified, not the editor I use for unity, the one i use to map for what i've written in unity.

thegreendragoon1

I doubt today's patch will open up the Foundry. They're currently dealing with number of crippling bugs and I'm unsure how far along the post-launch republish is. If you want want to start familiarizing yourself with the tools, the Foundry is open on Tribble (STO's test server) at the moment. Just keep in mind that as with any test server, what happens on the test server stays on the test server. At the very least it's an opportunity to play around even if you can't start developing your mission in earnest.

I'm looking forward to what you come up with.

wildmousex

didn't know it was still up for tribble - good time as any to do some practice runs.