A.Stahl on 27/9/2022 at 07:53
Just have finished the "House of the Architect" and it left an unpleasant aftertaste of... emptiness, I guess. A big detailed map full of nothing. "Nothing" not in the sense of the furniture or something like that, no. It is a very detailed map without any obvious mistakes or slack points. It is unnecessarily big. So big, that exploring it becomes too tedious and all that without any gain. We just walk around until we find objective-related things. That T-1-Constantine-sword area doesn't help much. It is also empty. A dozen of readables and a few mini-quests could have really added much value to this FM.
ticky on 27/9/2022 at 13:21
Quote Posted by A.Stahl
Just have finished the "House of the Architect" and it left an unpleasant aftertaste of... emptiness, I guess. A big detailed map full of nothing. "Nothing" not in the sense of the furniture or something like that, no. It is a very detailed map without any obvious mistakes or slack points. It is unnecessarily big. So big, that exploring it becomes too tedious and all that without any gain. We just walk around until we find objective-related things. That T-1-Constantine-sword area doesn't help much. It is also empty. A dozen of readables and a few mini-quests could have really added much value to this FM.
While the feedback is always useful, I was just wondering: is there any mission out there that at least partly satisfied you?
Chronicler on 27/9/2022 at 13:39
Quote Posted by Unkillable Cat
First thing, congratulations to the contestants for their submissions!
I also lament the lack of dedicated threads for these contest submissions. But to lend a hand:
Reuben has two right-hand men working for him, Magrin and Thom. Thom has the bracelet, and if I'm not mistaken Magrin has the key you're after.
To find them, find the Beggar's Colosseum, then look up.Thanks, that helped a lot!
A.Stahl on 27/9/2022 at 13:41
Quote Posted by ticky
is there any mission out there that at least partly satisfied you?
There are plenty of them, but I rarely mention them. Why would I? Moreover, even this particular FM has its bright side ("It is a very detailed map without any obvious mistakes or slack points."), but talking about flaws is much more important than a bland praising. There are too many praisers anyway...
Aemanyl on 27/9/2022 at 15:00
Quote Posted by A.Stahl
There are plenty of them, but I rarely mention them. Why would I? Moreover, even this particular FM has its bright side ("It is a very detailed map without any obvious mistakes or slack points."), but talking about flaws is much more important than a bland praising. There are too many praisers anyway...
I think it’s important to see the bigger picture here and balance your criticism with additional factors. Even though the mission isn’t exactly perfect in terms of storyline and immersion, the amount of work and effort that went into this creation is high and noticeable, especially given the fact that this is the first time author. Gently encouraging them is much more important than being overly focused on pointing out flaws. Otherwise you become the exact opposite of a bland praiser - a grumpy taffer. This is nothing personal, I talk about general principles.
Apiai on 27/9/2022 at 15:10
The french files of "House of the Architect" don't respect correct format, objnames.str is missing, etc...
If the author intend to release a new version, contact me, I'll provide corrected files.
A.Stahl on 27/9/2022 at 15:21
Quote Posted by Aemanyl
see the bigger picture here and balance your criticism
That's what I do.
I am the balance. I am balancing the constant praising with a little critique here and there. Too much praising, you know, actually devalues complimenting.
ValmontPhl on 27/9/2022 at 17:24
Quote Posted by A.Stahl
Just have finished the "House of the Architect" and it left an unpleasant aftertaste of... emptiness, I guess. A big detailed map full of nothing. "Nothing" not in the sense of the furniture or something like that, no. It is a very detailed map without any obvious mistakes or slack points. It is unnecessarily big. So big, that exploring it becomes too tedious and all that without any gain. We just walk around until we find objective-related things. That T-1-Constantine-sword area doesn't help much. It is also empty. A dozen of readables and a few mini-quests could have really added much value to this FM.
I'm going to agree with A.Stahl and add that I was disappointed after the initial reveal from the starting point.
I saw a big mansion, yes,
But I also saw:
An immense Clocktower
An elevated beginning for Thieves Highway
A Hammer Compound
A Hammerite Church
A surrounding street with shops, guards and open air leisure/pub
All of which turned out to be nothing - NGL, I was disappointed.
But...
My hope is that TheDataElemental will return to this for a re-release with a full compliment of what has been framed out.
That said, I do see how the setup, as is, mimics OM Lord Bafford's Manor with an inaccessible city implied- IMO it should have been called and nuanced toward 'Lord Bafford's Manor' instead of 'House of the Architect' (who?)
Galaer on 27/9/2022 at 18:31
I tried to ironman ghost House of Architect, but after entering portal my screen goes white and nothing is happening. I can scroll through inventory and weapons and enter menu, but I can't do anything else. Is that supposed to be?
Renault on 27/9/2022 at 18:56
Quote Posted by ValmontPhl
I'm going to agree with A.Stahl and add that I was disappointed after the initial reveal from the starting point.
I saw a big mansion, yes,
But I also saw:
An immense Clocktower
An elevated beginning for Thieves Highway
A Hammer Compound
A Hammerite Church
A surrounding street with shops, guards and open air leisure/pub
This is really an unfair criticism. The readme and objectives clearly define the mission goals here - to rob the mansion. What is the author supposed to do, surround it with nothingness? Maybe just some plain boring buildings and/or bland terrain? You're basically criticizing the fact that the author made the secondary environment appealing.
Are you also claiming that every (pick your favorite FMs) allow you to access and explore every building and area you see?
Quote Posted by ValmontPhl
My hope is that TheDataElemental will return to this for a re-release with a full compliment of what has been framed out.
I think you're way out of line here. Now the author is supposed to just forgo their own personal vision for this mission and redo it so it fits your requirements and desires? Seriously, that's just rude to even suggest, you really need to rethink your statement here.
Quote Posted by ValmontPhl
That said, I do see how the setup, as is, mimics OM Lord Bafford's Manor with an inaccessible city implied- IMO it should have been called and nuanced toward 'Lord Bafford's Manor' instead of 'House of the Architect' (who?)
Not completely sure what you're getting at, but the contest rules also clearly state that these missions are to be "inspired by" an OM. It's not required to copy the exact story or objectives (but you can if you want). You can't really argue that this mission isn't inspired by Bafford's and The Sword.
