The Dink Network

Re: New DMOD concept - feedback please

May 19th 2006, 05:45 AM
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cocomonkey
Bard He/Him United States
Please Cindy, say the whole name each time. 
Since I always feel better about myself when I've got some sort of creative project going, I've been considering making a DMOD. Being more mature and a much better writer than I was 6-8 years ago, I was thinking perhaps I could redeem myself for EOTW and Zink and the much worse, 10-screen travesties that came before them.

I wasn't going to announce anything until I already had a lot of work done, but I'm having trouble getting myself motivated to start, and I think it would really help if I got you people's opinions of the idea.

The DMOD is tentatively titled "Dink's midlife crisis." Dink grew weary of adventuring after a decade or so and has long since settled down and gotten married. However, one day not long after his fiftieth birthday, he panics when he suddenly realizes that he's gone from being savior of the universe all the way back to simple pig farmer.

Now Dink (with his hair greyed up some) is desperate to get back into adventuring. Things have changed since his day, and the occupation is now heavily regulated. Dink must affiliate himself with one of three nearby adventuring guilds: A respectable guild for knights and heroes, a silly guild for raving lunatics, and a shady guild of questionable morals. The game will have three distinct paths based upon which you pick, starting with an initiation for each and culminating in a miniature quest.

The idea is to essentially let the player decide what kind of DMOD this will be. The "silly" quest will be a humorous romp in the mold of Quest for Cheese, the hero's path will be a more standard Dink-style quest, and the other will be a bit of an experiment in having Dink turn to crime. I intend to have all three parts contain an element of humor, but the game can get dramatic as well depending on what the player does.

One other thing I've done a lot of thinking about is the consequences of hitting random people. I've already written an entire script for Dink's wife leaving him if the player hits her, and have it set a global variable that might affect how people in town treat Dink. If the player were to go around beating people up, Dink could end up in jail, which I think would probably be a game over condition.

That's the gist of what I've been thinking; I have more material, but it's best to keep some things up your sleeve Please let me know if this sounds feasible and fun.
May 19th 2006, 06:38 AM
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dinkme
Peasant He/Him India
 
The storyline sounds good. I is a nice idea to let the player shape his character. Though implementing it is not that easy but I wish you all the best. I had tried something similar
May 19th 2006, 07:31 AM
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Good idea, cocomonkey. Please work on it. I always ejoy it when I can really make a choice in a game, instead of simply trying to find out the path intended by the author.

You might even be able to have these different paths converge or diverge a little, depending on the choises the player makes (a 'silly' quest with criminal overtones, or something like that)?
May 19th 2006, 09:19 AM
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DaVince
Peasant He/Him Netherlands
Olde Time Dinkere 
Well-thought out, versatile, original... This would make one helluva Dmod, actually!
May 19th 2006, 12:02 PM
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metatarasal
Bard He/Him Netherlands
I object 
Wouldn't that make it three DMODs in one? I really like it when you can make choices in the game and when there are different ways to accomplish something, but making three completely different pathways... Well I've got my doubts about it.

The story sounds familiar but good, and the new elements (like people's attitude towards Dink) would be great to see. So I'd like to see it done.
May 19th 2006, 12:55 PM
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VaultDweller
Peasant He/Him United States
Wanderer of the Wasteland 
Just a basic adventure with a somewhat unique story of Dink having a mid-life crisis is funny, but adding the choices in character would make in many times more replayable and immersive. I really like your idea.

I can also tell your willing to work and understand the concept of choices with repurcussions when you can have the wife leave by hitting her.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller
May 19th 2006, 04:33 PM
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cocomonkey
Bard He/Him United States
Please Cindy, say the whole name each time. 
Well, metatarasal, That was the idea, really - three DMODs in one. Making Dink's "alignment" change with every choice the player makes is, of course, a brilliant idea, but it's more ambitious than I'm willing to get. The paths will be pretty seperate.
May 19th 2006, 06:16 PM
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Sounds cool. I encourage you to do it. I'd love to play such a dmod.
May 19th 2006, 06:43 PM
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DinkKiller
Peasant He/Him United States
The world could always use more heroes 
That would be really cool. Also you could try something like Dink (the player) chooses to be a hero but gets bored of it and would want to be a criminal instead like half way through. You could like have at some point in the middle of the game to choose to start a new path, or after the player finishes the game, they can start a new path. If you do the D-Mod good, and actually complete it, It would almost definately be over an 8.0. Keep it up, start working...whatever. It'd be so cool!
May 20th 2006, 08:25 AM
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cypry
Peasant He/Him Romania
Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice. 
The ideea sounds good and I'd love to see this DMOD finished. Although the story sounds familiar(Green Voice in my head - the oldness part, Once a hero - the guilds part and fb2 - the ability to choice), I'd really like to play it.
August 6th 2013, 04:33 AM
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cocomonkey
Bard He/Him United States
Please Cindy, say the whole name each time. 
Hello Dinkers. I'm Tim Maurer. Nearly fifteen years ago I made some really terrible DMODs (the Dink Forever Trilogy, 2001: A Dink Odyssey and All Out Brawl). When I say really terrible, I mean it. I had no clue what I was doing. Later, I made some DMODs that were better (they're still on the site) but still, quite frankly, not very good. I mean, I don't recommend playing them. If anybody still has my old DMODs, by the way (I don't), feel free to release them to the community so they can imagine what it was like when there were only a few DMODs out there and you downloaded one on your dial-up connection only to be incredibly disappointed.

Over seven years ago I made this topic intending to make a comeback and redeem myself, but this was not to be because, as I realized when I opened up the map editor, I really am worthless at map design. I can't wrap my mind around designing spaces at all. I've actually been diagnosed with a learning disability that might explain this.

I did, however, write some text for this DMOD before giving up. I'm posting it here now because... I don't know, I'm crazy? I don't think anyone even remembers this topic. I guess I just thought fondly back on my days in the Dink community, worthless as I was at making DMODs, and wanted some excuse to post here again.

Text below.

"Dink Smallwood: Back On Top"
OR
"Dink's Midlife Crisis"

Caption: Having decided long ago to give up adventuring, Dink has settled in the village of Adell.
(Show screens of village)
We join our hero at his pastoral home, where he has lived for several years with his wife, Sarah.
(Focus on house)
They live a peaceful life. Perhaps too peaceful...

(Int. house)

Dink: ...Sigh.

Sarah: Dink, dear, would you feed the pigs? We want them to be nice and healthy for the show next week.

Dink: Yeah, sure. Be right back.

(Dink goes outside, starts to feed pigs.)

Dink: Heeere piggy piggies! Time for dinner.

(Kid walks onto screen.)

Dink: That's it... good girl.

Kid: Haw haw! Havin' a good time with them pigs, mister?

Dink: ...

(Turns)

Shut up, runt, before I tear you a new one.

Kid: Whatever! At least I'm not a pig farmer!

Dink (As kid walks off screen): Hey! I am not...

(pause)

Dink: A...

(pause)

Dink: ...

Pig: Oink.

(music gets dramatic)

Dink: Is this what it's come to? After all I've done... after everything I've been... I'm back to being a dang pig farmer?

Dammit, I've saved the world, haven't I? Or something like that! Several times, if memory serves!

(Triumphant music)

Well, I'm coming back. Dink will adventure again!

(change screen to inside of home, dink walks in fast.)

Dink: WOMAN! I'm going on a quest! Don't try to stop me!

Sarah: You? The last five or six times someone was around shopping for a hero, you hid in the closet!

Dink: ...Well, it's true I've been more satisfied with the simple life for a while.

But now, my boredom and fear of my impending mortality have finally caught up with my apathy and laziness! I crave adventure!

Sarah: Oh, so you're having a midlife crisis.

(pause)

Dink: Do you really have to put it that way?

Sarah: Actually, "mid" is kind of charitable.

Anyway, whatever. I don't care if you go out and play hero for a while, as long as you're back in time for the farm show.

Dink: That's more like it! Here I come, world!

(reveal stats)

Dink: ...dang, level 1? Have I been slacking off THAT long? My stats are terrible.

Sarah: ..."stats"? "Level 1?" What are you talking about, hon?

Dink: Never mind.

Sarah: Well, don't forget your sword, it's in the basement.

(unfreeze)

*SCRIPT FOR PUNCHING DINK'S WIFE*

Sarah (runs to the other side of the room): Dink! What the hell?

Dink: I'm sick of you degrading me and treating me like a fool! I don't get enough respect from you!

Sarah: So that means you can HIT me?

Dink: ...

(pause)

Sarah: Think very carefully about what you're doing. I'm not going to let you treat me like this.
The only reason I'm even saying this to you instead of going out the door right now is because I don't think you're really like this.
I think the bullshoot macho trip you're on right now has got you acting like a caveman. But that's not going to work, Dink.

(pause)

I need you to apologize.

*CHOICE*

- I'm sorry.
{
Dink: I'm sorry. I got so caught up in pride... I didn't really want to hurt you.
Sarah: Just don't do it again.

(moves closer)

Sarah: Listen, I think you should go look for a quest, if that'll make you happy. Just... come back home to me.
Dink: Okay.

&wifebeater += 1;

(end sequence)
}

- I don't have to apologize.
{
Dink: Why should I apologize? I was putting you in your place.

&wifebeater += 2;

GOTO goodbye
}

IF YOU PUNCH HER AGAIN AFTER APOLOGIZING:

Sarah: AAAAAH! Stop it, stop it!

Dink: The more I thought about the kitty way I said I was sorry, the more it made me sick!
I shouldn't have to stoop for you!

Sarah: We're through! I'm leaving!

&wifebeater += 1;

GOTO goodbye

goodbye:

(Sarah goes near exit, stops, turns)

Sarah: I can't believe you've done this... I thought you loved me...

(short pause)
(Dink takes a short step forward)
(Sarah runs away)

CHOICE:

"what have I done?"
Dink: What have I done? I... she was my wife...

"who needs her?"
Dink: she dog. It's about time I laid down the law.

Raving Looney Guild:

Geezer: WHEEE DEE DEE DEE DEE! So, you wanna join the guild, eh?

Choice:

"No."
"Good lord, No."
"I'll pass, thanks."
"Um?"

if um:

That's the spirit, sonny! If'n you wanna join, first you gots ta kill me some ducks!
Oooo, I HATES them ducks! Always goin' around quackin', they're makin' fun o' me!

Dink: Uh... how many? 30?

G: More!

D: 50?

G:More! BLOOD BLOOD BLOOOOD!

D: ....70?

G: 72! Go on and kill me 72 ducks, youngin'!

talk:

D: Why do you keep calling me youngin'? I'm 50.

G: 50? You're a newborn babe! Why, my great-granddaughter's 54!

D:...

Adventurer's Guild:

Knight: So, what kind of experience do you have with hero work?

Dink: Well, I killed Seth of the Ancients, thereby saving the universe.

K: My goodness... you're Dink Smallwood?

D: Finally, someone's heard of me!

K: Oh yes, we keep close tabs on the activities of heroes and adventurers.
We weren't as much of an institution, but we were around even then.
Hmm. The community hasn't heard anything out of you in many years, Smallwood.

D: I've been out of the game, but I wanna come back.

K: Could you detail the rest of your hero experience?

D: Well, I saved a girl from an evil cult, saved a town from starvation,
Killed FIAT, another ancient, Blew up a Cast stronghold,
Reunited Mill Vanilli,
(green) smashed LOTS of barrels...
Destroyed the Idol of No Hands, defeated several evil wizards...
(fade down)
half an hour later...
(fade up)
D: ...and fetched some cheese for King Daniel.

K: Impressive! So, how old are you, Smallwood?

D: Um. Do you really have to know?

K: Come, what will we put on your adventurer's license?

D: ...Fifty.

K: Hmm. Normally that's past our age limit for new initiates,
But for you, we'll make an exception.
You'll still have to do our standard initiation quest, however.
Just want to make sure you've still got what it takes!

Crime Guild:

Door: What do you want?

Dink: I'm interested in joining your guild.

Door: You? I don't think so. You don't look mean enough.
I'll bet you've never killed an innocent man...

Dink: Well, not RECENTLY...

Door: You've probably never indulged in some good old-fashioned wife beating...

Dink: Well, no.

Door: I bet you haven't even stolen anything!

Dink: Does filesharing count?

Door: Get lost.
August 6th 2013, 05:27 AM
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Ooh, cocomonkey! I trust you'll pop by again in another 7 years. =)

It's too bad you haven't gotten to really cooking with this dmod; it sounds not only funny, but an interesting shift in perspective to something more psychological... It would still be a very neat dmod to see.
August 6th 2013, 07:59 AM
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Quiztis
Peasant He/Him Sweden bloop
Life? What's that? Can I download it?! 
Neat, welcome back.
August 6th 2013, 08:01 AM
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Kyle
Peasant He/Him Belgium
 
Tim!

Doesn't matter how crappy your d-mods were man, they were good times!^^ Besides, back then, yours definitely weren't the only really basic d-mods to be released, it was pretty much close to the norm xD

It's great to see you back here. If you're thinking of trying your hand at it again, there are very, very good video tutorials available made by RobJ. They're in a sticky on this forum

If it's mapping you're afraid of, why not try making it a "learn by doing" kind of thing where you post screenshots of your work in progress here and we can help you out with tips and such?

In any case, welcome back, glad you made the effort to post
August 6th 2013, 12:43 PM
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DinkKiller
Peasant He/Him United States
The world could always use more heroes 
Seeing as how I posted in this topic back in 2006, appearantly I was interested in this D-mod. I've changed a lot since then, but it still sounds pretty cool. I like games where player gets to make a lot of decisions that can affect the rest of the game. I've been working on a somewhat similar choice system for my current D-Mod as well, where you can go down a hero or evil path. If you decide to work on your project again, I can't wait to play it

I hate mapping too
August 6th 2013, 01:36 PM
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DackFight
Peasant He/Him United States
Making Topics off-track faster then you can say it 
I hate scripting since I still can't figure it out, but he dmod does sound fun, I want to play it.

Also its great to bring an old soul back to the group, I hope you stay, Now if more women came it becoming a sausage fest here.

Edit: Mapping is just the placing of sprites, right?
August 6th 2013, 10:51 PM
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DinkKiller
Peasant He/Him United States
The world could always use more heroes 
Mapping includes the placing of tiles as well as sprites. Scripting can be pretty challenging, but really fun when you manage to make it work.
August 7th 2013, 03:59 PM
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SabreTrout
Noble He/Him United Kingdom
Tigertigertiger. 
Oh, wow. Tim Maurer!?!

Hope you're keeping well.
August 7th 2013, 10:46 PM
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Robj
Jester He/Him Australia
You feed the madness, and it feeds on you. 
When's 2001: A Dink Odyssey 2 coming out?
August 9th 2013, 12:49 PM
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DackFight
Peasant He/Him United States
Making Topics off-track faster then you can say it 
Well Mapping is easy then, for me atleast then. So far the scripting stuff Is still hiding from me and I've given up the search, it's like a crafty fairy.