#and they were like “it's fine our game loop is so strong people won't even notice” and they were correct
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rawliverandgoronspice · 1 year ago
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From a different blog where I sent this as an anon ask: It feels like there were different writers for each section of the game, and none of them talked to each other, so they just kept the plot and story are barebones as possible. You also notice that Zora's domain had the worst writing in terms of continuity, and Rito had the best. The story Zelda goes through is just really confusing, and feels pointless because it goes in circles, it's like the writers had actually no idea what to do. I had talked to that blog owner for like a few weeks by then, and we'd come to the conclusion about why totk's story feels so... hamfisted and empty.
Hey!
So the thing is: it's generally how most AAA writing happens (at least in western settings, I think it's also how China tend to operate as well --but not so sure about Japan tbh, so take my reply with a grain of salt). You assemble a team of writers (sometimes they are also quest designer and/or level designers, sometimes they are separate people, it completely depends on the company and the project), you brief them on the general vision from the directors so you get a sense of what's the pitch/goal and what's the budget, and then you are assigned on either a questline, a character, or a "region" in open world games.
Then you are mostly on your own and very much funneled onto your specific tasks, and only tangientially in contact with what the other groups are doing. Sometimes you have to check on with them for either consistency, or to make sure what information you introduce when, or you need to double-check what the gameplay thing actually does... But the thing is, you generally see the full details of what the others have been working on pretty late. Sometimes you get companies that do writer's room and table readings where you get to workshop each other's work as it's being written/whiteboxed, but it doesn't happen systematically. Even with games that put on a lot of weight on their narrative being their strong suit!
(which is kind of dumb, we should 100% do that more just because... it's fun, it fosters trust and a sense of accomplishement and progress, people bond over the hardships, you get perspectives you wouldn't have gotten otherwise, and also it feels much better than having an overworked and/or stressed out editor/director flatten or rewrite everything without asking for your input at the last second :) :) :) )
So anyway! All of that jazz to say that it's a pretty common practice, and it hardly makes or breaks an open-world game usually. It will limit the amount of interconnection for sure, but generally never to the point that you reject the concept of interconnection and character writing altogether.
Which is why I feel like what's happening with TotK is more a case of... I don't know, an extremely, needlessly restrictive framing put in place from the beginning by directors/producers who were afraid of the complexity going out of hand and wanting to rely on BotW's workflow instead of figuring out a new one, and/or a case of the narration going out of hand while development happened, which led to a drastic simplification and rewriting pretty late in the production cycle. It's kind of my leading theory, one I'm partially basing on the fact that they used the COVID excuse when they said the game was going to be late, and I haven't heard of a single production that used the COVID excuse to justify a delay not having *major* problems under the hood --like it took maybe 2 weeks for the game industry to adjust to COVID, tops.
Again, it's speculation! I am pretty unfamiliar with how things are done in Japan when it comes to game production, so it might all be very biased in a bad way. But, just giving my two cents!
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blushing-starker · 4 years ago
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Having a boyfriend that's a natural rule breaker becomes even more tedious because now it's two people conspiring together, itching to shatter social norms. Sure, they won't pull the fire alarm stunt to get out of a quiz (that's more Rocket and Groot's style), place mirrors on front steps to confuse Fury and nearly give the principal a heart attack (Loki with an exasperated Thor and cackling Hela) or hire a mariachi band to follow hall monitor Alexander Pierce (Steve had joined Bucky and Sam in that one); they'd never sneak into the air vents, fill them with glitter so the haughty board of directors would be covered in pink sparkles when they cranked the ac (Clint and Nat).
Ok, they did help with that last one, buying the shimmering stuff from T'Challa's sister and slipping five jars into Clint's backpack, but they didn't actually go into the vents.
But that's not the point. The point is there are limits to their rule breaking; Tony's spot on the football team and Peter's participation in the art club too important to risk on something as silly as skipping a quiz. No, they thanked their best friends, unhooked the window lock and slithered out only after finishing and handing in the quiz. They weren't amateurs.
Still, Peter knows Tony literally couldn't have chosen a worse time for their impromptu lunch date. (Luckily, he'd expected this exact situation.)
"Tony, they don't even have bad food today. We could just wait until the bell rang to meet up and eat at the bleachers. Like we always do a day before a big game."
His boyfriend swivels around, hooks nimble fingers into his belt loops to pull Peter closer, never once stumbling even while walking backwards. The grin he shows is manic, just this side of wild to let Peter know this isn't about haunting nightmares and bouts of anxiety. This is normal, too high on a feeling Tony Stark. Which means he won't head back to school unless Peter pulls out all the stops...
He's too exhausted from last night's art project to use up energy on the puppy eyes. So he sighs, tugs on the blue varsity jacket Tony loves to show off, kisses a dimple before turning this untamed creature around.
"Come on, I found a new route to that shawarma place with MJ and Ned last week." It sounds exasperated, but Tony knows Peter will do anything to keep him happy. Well. Not anything. There's only so many times they can discuss Star Wars before simply agreeing to disagree on whether Han and Luke are pan or bi.
"What, and you tell me this now?", Tony squawks indignantly from Peter's left side, freezing nose nuzzling into Peter's neck as revenge.
Like a robber caught sneaking into a vault, he raises his hands instantly before shoving Tony away.
"Hey, you were focusing on practice! If I told you, you'd bring Rhodey, he'd bring T'Challa and then Shuri would pop up and who goes where she goes? Bucky, which means Steve and Sam, who'd already be there thanks to Rhodey and of course Clint would somehow appear with Nat. We'd be together so Ned and MJ are gonna be teasing with Betty and half the guys in our grade have a crush on Nat, or MJ or Shuri or Betty or you. So what's the end result? The entire football, soccer, basketball and swim team eating shawarma a week before the games. I am not hearing Coach Coulson scold me for you guys breaking diet again. I'm already on his list, another situation like that and I'll have to run fifteen laps around the field."
"Oh come on, you can do those in your sleep." He could, but again, not the point.
"With a weighted backpack, Tony."
"Yeah, I can see why you wouldn't want that."
"Before cycling fifteen laps and then swimming fifteen laps."
"Jesus, why would he even do that?" Tony looks at him then, disgruntled at the thought of his boyfriend doing all that.
He shrugs, doesn't want to explain Peter had done it once when it all got too much and he'd needed to release the pent up energy. He hadn't noticed Coach watching him, ready to come help if he hurt himself. They'd talk afterwards, Coulson making him promise to never do that alone. Now it became a reward and a punishment. Peter won the art contest? Fifteen everything to focus his mind and not go jumping off walls in his excitement.
His students wolfing down a thousand calories before a game? Fifteen everything so Peter would at least "time it so it's not during the season, Jesus". To be fair to Peter, Tony participated in almost all the sports teams so scheduling was hard.
"Listen, just don't eat a whole animal, ok? We can split it, eat enough," he glares at Tony, pushing through even as the puppy eyes come out, "and then head to the movies. They're showing Aliens for a few days cuz of Halloween and I already texted the guys to come during lunch."
His boyfriend, smart and sharp and witty, just blinks at him. "But we have class after lunch."
"Technically, but I convinced Mr Pym to let the class out of lab so we could all hang out. It's the one class we share so now the whole group can see it together."
Tony stops, eyes wide and mouth open.
"You, what, planned this?"
"Yeah, something fun before tomorrow to take it off your mind for a while. Or, you know, not make it stand out as much. I know how focused you get, and it's really great, having that as a goal, strategizing and taking it seriously. But I also know it can be a lot, so I thought we should all hang out since each of us has something coming up and we aren't spending much time together. Which I get, responsibilities and family and school; I just missed it and I can't be the only one, right? So yeah, this was planned. Like, two weeks ago. When MJ found the new route, it was like a sign. And I really want you to relax and enjoy the whole, I have friends that care for me and a boyfriend that loves-"
He slaps a hand on his mouth, eyes impossibly wide and cheeks flaming. Tony and Peter stand immobile, the world reduced to beat up sneakers breaking the simplicity of yellow lines on black, a flickering neon sign telling them the shawarma place is open and two hearts slowly starting to beat again after that confession.
Ned would say it's romantic. MJ would bluntly remind them it's a bad idea to stand in the middle of the road even if they're saying I love you. And with good reason, since there's the telltale roar of a car bursting with teenagers, voices howling out the lyrics to an AC/DC song. And of course Peter notices the noise of rubber swerving against gravel, the screeching of old brakes and a few terrified shrieks harmonizing with a sharp wind blasting into him out of nowhere. Before he can react, Tony is there, wrapping his arms around Peter and shoving them both into the little patch of grass that grows from a crack in dirty pavement.
There's a moment where his whole world flips, tumbles until he screws his eyes shut and prepare himself for whatever the fuck caused that noise. But nothing comes. Only a sigh blowing a stray curl away from his forehead. But a sigh? Why would?
Tony.
He gasps, jolts upright and apologizes when that just serves to jostle his boyfriend further into the ground. His boyfriend who'd flip them so Peter wouldn't be hurt. Tony is peering at him through half shut eyes, discomfort clear on the grimace he tried to transform into a sheepish grin.
"So, you love me, huh?"
It's the stupidest thing Tony Stark has ever said.
"What the fuck were you thinking? You could have gotten hurt, you could have shattered a wrist, dislocated a shoulder, torn an ACL, bent a leg-"
"This is not what I expected. Also it was a three foot leap forward on grass, I'm fine, Peter."
"Or bashed your head, or busted an arm and then what would you do for the game tomorrow? Who the hell does that?"
"The guy you love, apparently."
"That's not the point, Tony, that's unimportant because you nearly got hurt. Christ, Coulson will slaughter me if there's a scratch on you, and then your mom would be sad and I'd be sad because, what would I do without you? And don't you ever do that again, I can't take it. I am not losing you, Tony. God, why would you do that, risk so much on-"
"On you? Babe, I'd do it again. Ok, not the right thing to say based on the whole face thing you got going on right now. But just hear me out. Don't, stop hitting me, ow, why are you hitting, how are you this strong, Jesus. Ow, stop it. Peter, for fuck's sakes, I love you, you animal. Now please let go of the jacket, it'll get wrinkles."
His hands unclasp the soft cotton, Tony falling back with a groan and Peter's unhinged jaw snapping shut after fifteen seconds of letting the flies in.
It's a wonderful thing, hearing the guy he's loved for so long say it back, say he loves Peter.
It's also fucking stupid since there's even more reason to not do stunts like that.
"You're an idiot. I'm in love with a guy that has one shared brain cell with Steve. You could have been hurt, Tony. And what would that have done, huh?"
His boyfriend sighs yet again, wraps an arm around Peter to push them from the ground and heads to the car where their friends are gawking. He waves them off, offers a "Yeah, I know I'm amazing, no, I didn't break anything, T'challa, yes, I can play, Jesus, Rogers, I can read you like a book. I appreciate the worry, Bruce; Nat, thanks for calming him down. Rhodes, excellent driving. No need to hog the seats, Sam, we need to settle in. Peter, you can keep cursing me out if you, yeah, see how it's nice being fun size when you fit in my lap in a car full of people. What, I'm not walking after that, I don't care if it's til we reach the parking. Let's go, Rhodes. Pepper, I'm fine. "
Clint offers a high five. Tony responds and that's that. Out of sight, Ned gives him a fist bump and MJ keeps on reading her book. It could just be his imagination, but Tony's sure she's smiling, approval clear on her face. He preens, glad to have her blessing, and settles his head on Peter's fluffy hair.
-----
When they're all laughing in a booth, smashed together and picking food off of everyone's plate, Peter nuzzles the crook of his neck, holds his hand and squeezes it. Tony smiles, lights up and shoves at Sam's face when the trio of best friends tease him for puffing his chest out when his boyfriend ever so softly says, "I love you."
"I love you, too." The table whoops and calls for another round of food and Coca-Cola, their family grinning at them and fondly teasing the new couple. Tony grins back, high on this feeling of warmth and happiness and safety and love.
And then Peter presses ice cold lips onto his neck and he lets out a shout, pain coursing through him when a knee slams into the table. His eyes water and through the haze of agony he sees their friends exchanging cash, some grumbling and others smirking. Rhodey and MJ, he notes, are the ones that win the most. They high five before pocketing the cash and ordering dessert.
Peter kisses his cheek, smile innocent and eyes wicked. It's his own fault Tony snatches an ice cube and slips it below his Nirvana shirt. He only has five seconds to lord his victory over Peter before there's ice cream being smeared on his cheek. They battle then, accidentally sending food into Wanda's lap, Clint's hair and Bucky's face.
In less than a minute they are all covered in shawarma and participating in the fight. Peter shrieks when Tony pulls him into his lap, gets chicken on the varsity jacket and tries to wriggle away. But Tony kisses him, tastes ice cream and joy, thanks whoever decided to give him a break and find this incredible person dozing on the roof of the school with Ned and MJ one spring afternoon. Peter kisses back and, at the same time, they say, confidently, honestly,
"I love you."
This is dedicated to @drarryismyshit07
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raslolin · 3 years ago
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༒☦︎ 𝗈𝗇𝖾 ☦︎︎༒
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Walk and walk and walk.
How long is it going to take, you've missed last time this time you will not!
'Mom should at least tell! After this if she's not telling me where the next ones I won't hesitate to beat the shit out of her.'
'What's so scary about dad? Knowing his weakness then boom! And it's not like he's that stupid and super strict.'
"Blah bitch."
Kicking a rock tried to soothe your anger in other ways instead of getting into a fight like you usually do.
But now you don't have time for being grounded and stupid enough to waste time.
"Damnit! This is taking too long!"
You shouted to no one on the road at night.
Whining and stomping the ground throwing tantrum like a bratty child who never get everything follow their ways.
From walking to speed running in an hour loop.
The wind felt colder and thicker even your thick clothes can't make you feel warm enough.
'Hm? Soft..'
The sudden of realization made you hyper and giggly.
"Snow. Looks like I'm near now~!"
Laughing while running straight deeper to the old road.
As you see tress and bloody scattered everywhere the louder you laugh the faster you run.
Adrenaline runs through your body as you went past your current speed.
'HURRY. HURRY.'
Running like a princess in a beautiful lavender field as if it's her first time outside the castle.
This time you have a feeling you wanted get rid of and smells of blood hits your nose too hard.
Ugh, you really need an inhalant right now.
Where is it when you need it and your hands slip inside every pockets on your pants and shirt.
Took you a full 5 minutes to find that damn thing. At least it will cover the smell of blood and corpses.
Sounds of a person walking from nearby made you quiet and quickly walk over like a sneaky cat.
Frowning of what's in front of you.
Corpses, A van that's upside down in your way and a twink?
Whatever that's not important. You shouldn't left this man alone. Still he looks like one in your eyes.
"Like what I thought. Ew!! that woman left a mess."
Disgusted with the mess she made dusting your hands, put your hands on both legs of his.
Dragging further following the way adjusting the speed.
Sighing feeling dissatisfaction disappointment and frustration building up in your head.
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Took you about half an hour dragging this boring looking man further into the village.
No matter how hard his head hit the ground rocks or trees too hard, dude wouldn't just wake up.
Oh dear god you're swear to yourself that you've hit him on purpose like 30 times.
Maybe you should take a break and hide him somewhere.
Nudge your foot at his head gently before tapping again his face in rhythm.
Still the blonde man wouldn't just wake up.
'Fuck. I wish I could go back right now. This is troublesome.'
"But can't~ this time I probably have the best play time of my life ever!"
You said to yourself even though your body only have a bit energy left.
Examining your surroundings it's seems there's no safe place or looking better and cleaner house in this old village.
"Um- Ah- OH!"
Your hope that started to crush forming into frustration gone and filled with relief.
Another normal look house disguise amog the broken and dirty ones.
Well now you hurriedly drag him into the safe house as fast as possible.
That's when you hear some rough footsteps nearby and weird wolf like sounds.
'Danger...'
"Almost."
Closed all doors and windows in seconds.
Walk around the house trying to find guns everywhere every corner and the smallest place only your hand can fit in.
"There it is~!"
Suddenly sounds of weird inhuman noises and thrashing things everywhere were surrounding the safe strong place.
That's should be your second priority right now. The monsters outside will be easy to take out at least. The Winters dude comes first.
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"Blub! Blub!"
One of your habits are saying weird words after a stressful situation.
You're not gonna tell this to your friend. A boring thing to talk about eventually or more likely annoying.
But you would be a bitch if you didn't tell anything.
"Oh my god! Miss! Are you alright?!"
"Who are you!?"
"Don't come near us! I got a weapon!"
"No no! I-I'm just glad. I found normal people unlike those o-outside!"
"Can you help us get in side the nearest house? Luiza's house! My father is bleeding and in need of help!"
"And then."
"And then! And then. And then~!"
Singing in a tune and circling around the burnt house.
"Hi~"
"W-what..?"
"What what?"
"Never mind. Ethan's right? Let's re-start our introduction!"
"Hi!"
"Uhh.. hi."
"Let's switch our places!"
"Wait! You can't leave me here! I need to get my daughter!"
"Bye bye~!"
"WAIT!!"
"Was that before or after? Dip shit it's always switch places."
Being your normal behavior again reminding yourself to control.
One mistake slips up the whole play time of yours could gone and not so so fun anymore.
Probably the only one mistake you won't make a second time. It's time to put your pride aside and get serious now.
"Where is it? I hope it's enough for the whole game.."
Pouting and mumbling to yourself sounding like talking to a dog in second cutely high annoying voice of yours.
This time took less than 5 minutes. For now you hope it would be enough and follows the river.
The pills.
You've been taking these pills when you're little. When you're too sad, too angry, too happy and motionless.
The mistake your father and mother could not fix. You known that yourself but it's worth it after all you get what your wanted.
Throwing the sweet colorful pill into your mouth filling it with more pills until the whole package contained empty.
'Hope that loud son of a bitch stay still.'
Something clattering like a bell. An old woman whose face shocked expression turn into neutral state.
She doesn't take a second or slowly walking and waiting for you, spare no glance walking straight from where she was.
'The red gate.'
Thanks to her you don't need to do anything too much. Just walk, kill and a few kind of puzzle thingies.
Hoping to yourself she may face you again this time. No acting like a coward.
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Miranda slams her hand on the table harshly broke into two pieces.
Yet again another table wasted by her anger and ignorance behavior.
That's fine she has more and everything more stocked up when it's go down.
Now.. this is worse. Who are you? She doesn't know. What's your name? She doesn't know. She doesn't know and she doesn't know...
Where's the father of vessel? Is he dead? It should be better that the ceremony would go smoothly.
But now there's you. Something around you telling her to walk away no looking behind especially no interactions between you two.
Fuck Ethan Winters no.. that should be you.
'I don't know nor have anything about her. Not even a bit of informations... dear god I don't think I can get my daughter back if she's get in the way!'
A risk she knew it but anything for her precious girl.
Looking outside at a window she expects you to be dead by now.
She remembers sending the lycans a lot of them in fact even her so called child the weakest like Donna Beneviento couldn't handle.
"What is this..!? It's impossible!! She can't- She can't kill hundreds in a short amount time!"
All of the lycan heads were separated from their body.
Some of the bodies were in a good condition.
Some the insides were pulled out and mashed like puke.
And more bodies literally only left blood and some meats some skins.
Even herself can smell it.
'Too strong. Too much. I-I..'
Feeling herself almost crying.
"I'm scared.."
She whispered tears finally built in her eyes and falling down to her skin makeup ruined.
There you are slowly walking up to the building she's in, another lycan head stick to your axe blood dripping down to it's head laying limbless like a corpse should be.
Your face.. your mouth turned from tight up lips to ear-splitting smile.
From far away you mouthed.
"Let's talk or else, Miss Miranda."
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𝙶𝚘 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔? 𝚈𝚎𝚜 𝙾𝚛 𝙽𝚎𝚡𝚝? 𝚈𝚎𝚜
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