|
Custom Units & Army Cards Fan-created HS army cards for units, glyphs, and equipment |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
Thanks for the replies and encouragement everyone.
Due to the positive feedback, both public and private, I went ahead and posted the next installment since I already had it written. I will try to contain my compulsive posting urges from here on out. The newest post: Comment In Other Customs Creators' Threads |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
I definately can agree with the “give feedback in spurts” bit. But hey, it’s hard to get to em all with life always getting in the way. Just do your bedt to give feedback, I say.
My customs. NE Ohio Tourney - TBA SW Ohio Tourney - NHSD 550 points AotV - Colliding the minis of AotP with the world of HS. |
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
I absolutely agree that having a 'feel' for the game and having played it for a while is absolutely crucial in being able to create for it.
However, I have to disagree with your last point in that post - I don't think it's necessary to slavishly follow official wording conventions. For example, as someone with experience in both designing and playing the game, I do use 'roll the D20' in my powers, not out of lack of experience, but because it is equally clear (at least to everyone I play with - what 'the D20' is is fairly obvious) and is more concise than 'the twenty-sided die' - it's quicker to say, takes up less space and reduces word count at no cost of clarity. Equally, I'd say the same about constructions such as 'if you roll a 17+' over 'if you roll a 17 or higher', 'Valiant figure' over 'figure with a Valiant personality' etc.. Not only that, but official wording was notoriously inconsistent in how it said specific things, often doing it one way on one card and another on a different card, and they themselves refined their wording over time. If you look back at Water Clone now without context you'd swear it was a power from a custom, not an official card, and Johnny 'Shotgun' Sullivan's 'only needs a clear sight shot' became confusing when they finally defined what clear sight is, as a discussion in The Varja's book showed. C3G has taken on a more specific, regimented style, but even then, I don't feel differing from official (or 'official', in the case of C3G precedent) wording necessarily indicates a lack of experience if done mindfully - at times it can, particularly when the power seems to be written in a way that shows no similarities to the usual structure, but making conscious changes for the sake of clarity, brevity or a particular goal I feel shows the opposite. I'm particularly thinking of the changes to wording @NecroBlade set out that he'd be using in his latest customs thread - while I have no plans to use his units as yet, and don't plan to incorporate all his wording changes, it's hard to argue with his logic on any of them, or say that they weren't thought out decisions made based on experience. |
#16
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
Quote:
If you look at some of those customs creators of old (who have the Master Customs Creators Titles even) and were intimately connected with the game, they also used terms like d20 on their cards. Also, you will notice that I did acknowledge that problems still arose sometimes with official units and the way their abilities were worded. So, I am not advocating that clinging to official wording precludes or solves every conceivable problem. I purposely painted with a broad brush. Since the point of the thread is to possibly give newer customs creators a head start, pointing them in the direction of doing things as close to the official cards as possible seems the wisest course. As you mentioned Necroblade (who I worked with in C3V and respect), he is a veteran player who has years of experience designing and an established reputation in the HS community. As a result, he will be given some leeway because we all know he isn't simply making rash judgmental errors in his wording. Because of his history in the community we know his changes are born from a familiarity with the game rather unfamiliarity. That same understanding may not be given to someone without the same history in the community. For someone who has not established a reputation in the community and is not as experienced in wording abilities, straying too far from the official wording can be detrimental to becoming established as a quality customs creator. One it may cause issues with clarity since they are reinventing the wheel as far as language goes. But also, rather than being viewed as being concise, their cards may be viewed as being "customy" or "lazy" since they have no history yet of quality customs. So, again, I do not necessarily disagree with you, but the advice is meant for those breaking into customs or who haven't been in customs long enough to establish a reputation, rather than veteran creators. Thank you so much for your input! I think it was very beneficial for identifying the focus of the thread and giving a balanced approach to things. |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
Quote:
Quote:
As to this thread, I'd reinforce the idea of playtesting your units. As I noted in my thread that @Lazy Orang linked, I start with a formula, and I trust that formula to be pretty close most of the time. But if I'm serious about making a unit fit for public consumption, there has to be a lot more math, testing, and tweaking to find the sweet spot. The official units vary in power level, but the variety of strengths, weaknesses, playstyles, and powers mean there is something that bears some kind of similarity to your unit. Absolutely use that as a comparison point; make your unit compare favorably (as in balanced) to a similar official unit and you'll be well on your way. Arena of the Valkyire - Help create Heroscape's next Master Set! Trade List C3V Brainstorm never not funny Pepperony - 14/09/13 |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
I think the subtext of LC's OP here is that he's speaking to those who wish to share their customs with the world, for the purpose of others using those customs.
I'm a big fan of LO's designs, and of NB's designs, but they both (I think) might agree that if what you're looking for is acceptance into the canon, and others using your units commingled with the "official" ones, then some standardization of lingo is probably a good thing. I don't think there are any real disagreements here. |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
Quote:
Quote:
And I appreciate the kind words, @Lamaclown and @Dad_Scaper . You're likewise respected and appreciated in my eyes (as is pretty much everyone in this thread who has been around for a minute). Arena of the Valkyire - Help create Heroscape's next Master Set! Trade List C3V Brainstorm never not funny Pepperony - 14/09/13 |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
I was doing some research for the next post when I came across a far far superior article by
@Scytale
which hit on feedback giving and receiving. Please check it out. I don't think it received the recognition it so richly deserves. Great job, Scytale!
I also posted an edit in the OP with the link to Scytale's article. |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
Scytale's series on customs for the Codex is very good. I only found it a few weeks ago, but I appreciated each article immensely. The one you linked was the first thing I thought of after reading your post along the same lines.
|
#22
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
After reading Scytale's article my quaint little post is quite superfluous. He did an excellent job! I look forward to reading the rest of them.
The Codex from back in the day was an incredible resource. I am so glad to see it being revived! (it is also nice to see my HS font being put to use ) |
#23
|
||||
|
||||
But it may be off putting to say it three times.
Quote:
Spoiler Alert!
Scy’s articles are fantastic. If you haven’t read them (you being the general reader, not just Lama), you should read em all! My customs. NE Ohio Tourney - TBA SW Ohio Tourney - NHSD 550 points AotV - Colliding the minis of AotP with the world of HS. |
#24
|
||||
|
||||
Re: An Impactful Customs Creator
Quote:
Your initial article is likewise excellent. It seems like "play the game!" would be obvious advice to a customs creator, but it's an all-too-often skipped step and great advice for new creators. |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
X Minus 2 Customs Card Creator - VERSION 1.1 IS OUT | Xorlof | Software | 62 | January 24th, 2024 09:00 PM |
RIP Larry Gelbart (creator of TV's M*A*S*H) | GaryLASQ | General | 3 | September 13th, 2009 01:06 AM |
Bixby's Scenario Creator | Bixby | Maps & Scenarios | 6 | October 15th, 2007 07:18 PM |
Card creator? | theats | Software | 7 | December 28th, 2006 02:15 PM |
***Custom Creator of the Week - 12/17 - Pug*** | netherspirit | Custom Units & Army Cards | 21 | December 23rd, 2006 04:22 AM |