Bluth and Bricks: Storybricks

I’ve noted the Storybricks project before, but I wanted to make mention of it specifically instead of in passing.

Psychochild’s recent article on it has a good summary of what’s afoot, so I’ll first point you to that:

Precise terminology, or: a game vs. a toolset

Then there’s the Kickstarter page for Storybricks.  If you’ve been itching for more control in storytelling in the MMO space, this is a great way to put your money where your mouth is.  I’ve pledged to support it, since this is just the sort of tool I would love to see.  I’ll admit, I don’t have all that much time these days to really go play with the Unity-based existing playable alpha, but this is something I want to see work, so I’m on board with what the team is doing.

They actually contacted me a while back regarding Storybricks, and at the time, my concern was about the nonverbal parts of storytelling and interpersonal communication.  My specialty in college was animation, so naturally I figured that such would be crucial to really nailing the sense of character that will sell a story well.  They were aware of this, and have addressed it in a few articles… here’s one via Massively, and here’s another also via Massively, but I know there are others somewhere.

Further, recently they announced that animation legends Don Bluth and Gary Goldman signed on to advise the team on animation concerns.

How in the world did you guys do that, by the way?

Anyway, while I’m more a fan of Glen Keane‘s style, Bluth and Goldman understand animation, so the Storybricks team is in good hands on that front.

If you’re interested in making MMOs more interesting, giving NPCs more character and empowering players to tell stories in the MMO venue, please check out Storybricks.  I think you’ll find a lot to like.