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.
How in the world did you guys do that, by the way?
Persistence? 🙂 I think they also realized that we were true fans of their work and wanted to have them help us in a meaningful way. I think they also “got” what we were trying to do with Storybricks, even if they weren’t big gamers themselves.
I think it’s pretty neat havning some living legends advise us. 🙂
Anyway, thanks for your kind words. I would really love to see more people create stories and share them. We even have a contest going on with $50 and $25 gift cards: http://forums.storybricks.com/index.php?/topic/87-weekly-contest-ending-sunday-may-13/ No entries so far, so one story could win all three cards we have for prizes….
I was going to jump into that contest… but I thought it was over on the 13th. I guess I should have read the post not just the URL. Might just have to make some time to experiment this weekend. 🙂
It looks like an awesome project. I really hope they make it.