Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Writer's Workshop

Jun-23-2013 03:41

In some scripts or intros the detectives are involved in somewhat closer or even personal relationships with the characters. Wether the client is an old college mate, the chief inspector is a friend or one of the suspects becomes more intimate, their only option is to use the appellative 'Detective'. This is off putting considering that a friend would call you by your name and not your title.

Having said that, I realise that this allows for a neutral approach in reading intros and scrips as some of the detectives' names are more unconventional. However, finding your name in the newspaper, in a telegram, on the back of an envelope, called out in a telephone conversation with a friend, written in blood on a brick wall or appearing in scripted twists, this would provide for a deeper immersion in the text.

Could this be achieved with a simple [DetectiveName] replacement tag? Or, indeed, [DetectiveFirstName] and [DetectiveLastName] would provide an even more complex choice of writing if it forenames and surnames would be implemented in the game.

Jun-25-2013 22:56

Thanks for clearing that up, Wilfred. It helps, a bit. ;-)

Unfortunately, Random Mysteries are designed to be from a first person (I or me case) perspective. If you look at a few, you'll see the intro is *ALWAYS* written in the first person perspective. The actual casework is done in second person (you, singular perspective, meaning 'you' and not 'you all'.) Scripted Mysteries follow a similar pattern. They are written entirely in the first or second perspective.

There are a couple of twists in Random Mysteries that do use a detective's actual name (the one that has a letter written in blood is one I can think of off the top of my head). But most cases are designed to be from a neutral perspective (neither male or female). That means that there are some things that just won't work in them.

As for converting the system to include a detective's name throughout a case, another problem is the programming involved. If you want *ANYTHING* changed in a case, programming wise, I'm the last person on earth that you want doing it. I do know, though, that programming changes take an IMMENSE amount of effort and time. Two things that Admin seems to be a bit short on at the moment. I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. Sorry.

Your profile says you've only been here for 4 days. I wonder if perhaps you might do a bit of exploring around Sleuth, or have a look at some of the Newbie information. It might help you a great deal. ;-)

You also sound remarkably like another person who shows up around here from time to time. He's known to most of Sleuth as Nephi. Any relation between the two of you??

Not sure if I cleared up your questions, but I'm tryin' here. Good luck, Wilfred. Hope things go well for you. ;-)

Breit

Jun-28-2013 02:42

It was more of a suggestion with some rhetoric aspects in regards to changing the actual way a player chooses their username (by choosing a separate forename and surname), which, I have to admit, might involve a little bit more work. However, I was referring to adding another replacement tag, which, even if it involves programming, the code is already existent since it's already used in the other replacement tags. Furthermore, first-person and second-person personal pronouns are devoid of gender, so it wouldn't affect neutrality.

This is an excerpt of a mystery intro, which I particularly enjoyed, written by Amber MR Detty:

<<"Oh, detective, you're awake!"

"Yes, Lazarus. What on earth are you doing asleep outside my door?" I had known Lazarus for most of my life. We grew up together and attended the same grammar school. Even after all this time, we still kept in touch through letters and an occasional dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Still, it was unnerving to see him so disheveled and sleeping outside my apartmetnt.

"I didn't mean to alarm you, detective, but I had to see you. I came by late, but didn't want to rouse you, so I thought I'd sit down until daylight. I must have fallen asleep."

"What was so urgent, Lazarus, that it couldn't wait until morning?">>

Although we have known Lazarus for most of our lives and we still keep in touch with him, we seem to be on a mutually exclusive first name terms with him. I hope this further illustrates my point.

Jun-28-2013 18:23

erm in Scripted Mysteries there IS a [DetectiveName] replacement tag. You can see that in the Intro of the Sleuthetania SM (I only remember that one coz I leant a hand).

Doesn't work in Intro's. No Idea why. So I can't imagine if Ben ever got round to it it would be difficult to do. But he'd have to get round to it first :)