tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post6254312983925284587..comments2024-03-29T15:22:10.397+00:00Comments on Fabled Lands: Do I gotta draw you a map?Dave Morrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-7585145234695609132016-08-10T09:28:47.179+01:002016-08-10T09:28:47.179+01:00I get the feeling there are two markets for gamebo...I get the feeling there are two markets for gamebooks. The 30- and 40-somethings buying these books the second time round are motivated by nostalgia and want a physical copy. They're the collectors. Then you've got the new players, who might be any age and are just as happy to buy digital versions which do all the tedious book-keeping and dice rolling for them.<br /><br />Inkle showed that the second group is potentially much larger, but to reach them the designers have to break out of the box of thinking of these things as "books on a computer/tablet/phone". To do a digital gamebook well means designing it as digital from the ground up. It can't just be a conversion job. The snag then is how do you do a print version? My Frankenstein app is really a gamebook but it would never work in print - not without stripping away three-quarters of the experience, anyway.<br /><br />It's not insuperable. Jamie and I are talking to an app developer about new versions that would go a lot further than the ill-fated Megara app. And at the same time we'll think about how new content could be used to make print versions too. Because I know how painful it can be to see a glaring gap on the bookshelf :-)Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-31713072639981407592016-08-08T21:45:24.305+01:002016-08-08T21:45:24.305+01:00I think there's confusion between what used to...I think there's confusion between what used to be called the FLAPP and is now called Fabled Lands Java and the actual Apple App Store Fabled Lands App (which seemed cool in theory, and I was sad it didn't come out in an Android version). <br /><br />That being said, I really think digital sales are the way to fund the rest of remaining books. I know I would much rather pay a fee for simple access to play the game on my computer digitally rather than for a physical book which would take up the already limited space in my apartment (although it would be a really, really nice book). I just want to be able to give back to the creators whose work I appreciate so much, as they have so graciously given their blessing to the way I was introduced to these works, this fan-made Java application, and I would love to see that come full circle and fund further explorations in the Fabled Lands. Dangor, here I come!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01617566602110169862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-25844121473559354992016-05-23T13:31:48.952+01:002016-05-23T13:31:48.952+01:00I think most people in Liverpool would take that o...I think most people in Liverpool would take that option in the circumstances ! John Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249152658906641154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-87155667340380992892016-05-18T16:09:02.081+01:002016-05-18T16:09:02.081+01:00I think that's true, Davide, but to get it to ...I think that's true, Davide, but to get it to being a commercial product would take a bit more than that. Moving the character around the map and dropping into locations/encounters, just for starters.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-88631222059970737552016-05-18T15:05:02.284+01:002016-05-18T15:05:02.284+01:00Just my two cents:
FLAPP is very playable and eve...Just my two cents:<br /><br />FLAPP is very playable and even editable (HTML).<br /><br />Even someone like me with little programming knowledge can make additions to it.<br /><br />I am sure it wouldn't be that hard to make an official version.Davide Ferreirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09918165127512354380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-53936263233866532732016-05-18T09:45:55.610+01:002016-05-18T09:45:55.610+01:00Bear in mind that leap of faith is also characteri...Bear in mind that leap of faith is also characteristic of many failed entrepreneurs, though, Michael :-)<br /><br />Eagle-eyed readers of this blog will have already noticed that the previous post set out my wish list for a gamebook app, in the form of Legend-set mystery/horror adventure Winter's Rage. But that's a personal project, nothing to do with Fabled Lands LLP.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-75859610099177473612016-05-18T09:27:52.303+01:002016-05-18T09:27:52.303+01:00The characteristics you mention for a good gameboo...The characteristics you mention for a good gamebook adaptation into app form sound a lot like inkle's 80 Days, Dave. And given you already have an existing relationship with them they would sound like a good option. But I guess that's so obvious that the fact it hasn't happened yet means there's a fly in the ointment.<br /><br />Sounds like the board need to take the leap of faith that defines all truly successful entrepreneurs. If everyone was surprised about the runaway KS success of book 7, might lightning not strike twice for Fabled Lands?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16820212330098297211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-90582030809947645072016-05-17T18:20:44.204+01:002016-05-17T18:20:44.204+01:00And it's not just the Fabled Lands series. The...And it's not just the Fabled Lands series. The company also controls the rights to Blood Sword, Duel Master, Heart of Ice, and Way of the Tiger... any and all of which could make fine apps. But I should add the qualifier that the code and art and design need to be right. There's no point in just releasing a text version. I'm sure the FL LLP board will continue to look for a developer capable of doing all those gamebooks justice.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-60010122295503719222016-05-17T17:47:30.934+01:002016-05-17T17:47:30.934+01:00I really, really hope they do take advantage of th...I really, really hope they do take advantage of this situation because in my eyes they're sitting on what basically amounts to a goldmine. The first six books are already written, and the basic structure of a working digital version of the gamebooks has been out for years, so now the time is ripe to put two and two together and make something happen. I'm quite sure a nice, polished version of the FLAPP could be released before the hard copy of Book 7, which would make it easier to finish that book with the additional revenue stream, since as of now I believe you all are just volunteering time and energy when you can in between your paying gigs. Anyways, it seems I'm preaching to the choir when it comes to you. Godspeed Dave, I can only hope that they read those reports and projections as well. Prophet-of-Ganjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264623351842434837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-11270679569085923232016-05-17T11:22:39.894+01:002016-05-17T11:22:39.894+01:00ok Dave, thanks for reply :)ok Dave, thanks for reply :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00902700243711053720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-48363641685415885502016-05-17T08:24:41.123+01:002016-05-17T08:24:41.123+01:00I'm sure you're right. Print gamebooks hav...I'm sure you're right. Print gamebooks have a minuscule following these days, but apps that have evolved out of gamebooks comprise a viable business. Hence all my posts about what is needed to make a good gamebook app. (Short version: no virtual dice, no retro paper FX or simulation of distracting/quaint elements, use lots of dialogue, have the player's top level of navigating the story occur on the map.) The FL books are ideal for adaptation to digital form. I have been strongly recommending that to the board of Fabled Lands LLP for several years now. Maybe one day they'll read all the reports and financial projections I've given them!Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-8368430046841331082016-05-17T02:30:27.213+01:002016-05-17T02:30:27.213+01:00Has anyone ever toyed with the idea of releasing a...Has anyone ever toyed with the idea of releasing a sanctioned version of the Fabled Lands computer app? I found a used copy of Book One way back in the day and enjoyed playing through it as many times as I could, frustrated as I was by having to turn back at the points where the stories went on into the other books. Years later I was able to play through those books as well after having found the app online, what with the books out of print for so long and hard to find. What if the computer app was spruced up and sold? I feel like this is a natural progression. I am an avid gamer of all types of games, but I lack the shelf space in my small apartment for physical copies of all the games I play, so I would welcome the opportunity to give money to the creators of this series to play a version of the game on my computer, with the additional benefit of not having to use pen and paper nor dice. I hope this avenue will be seriously considered, as once the work is done to code the app it could be sold ad infinitum, and eventually hopefully fund the completion of the rest of the books in the series, to be released in some form or another. I must journey on to the ends of the earth. Dangor or bust!Prophet-of-Ganjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264623351842434837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-22878780762707576242016-05-16T17:19:21.169+01:002016-05-16T17:19:21.169+01:00Given Boris's past statements about Liverpool,...Given Boris's past statements about Liverpool, maybe he'd allow it to become part of Eire in the (nightmarish) event that he became prime minister.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-74849455898176096052016-05-16T15:35:30.062+01:002016-05-16T15:35:30.062+01:00I'm certainly intending to, David. I can't...I'm certainly intending to, David. I can't say when, as it depends on finding a spare weekend and those are few and far between at the moment. I'm not even sure how I'll find the time to typeset FL7 (in two formats - that was a rod for my own back) but at least that's a way off yet.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-55066643489670918512016-05-16T12:52:17.802+01:002016-05-16T12:52:17.802+01:00HI Dave, are you going to release FL 3-6 in the la...HI Dave, are you going to release FL 3-6 in the large format edition? Many Thanks DavidAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00902700243711053720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-70952536833734806412016-05-16T12:26:08.632+01:002016-05-16T12:26:08.632+01:00See you there then ! We live in Liverpool so have ...See you there then ! We live in Liverpool so have got a head start. John Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16249152658906641154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-35300503876410501222016-05-16T07:58:44.002+01:002016-05-16T07:58:44.002+01:00The sets and costumes would make it an expensive s...The sets and costumes would make it an expensive show, no doubt about that. Even by going more character-focused rather than relying on big action scenes, that still only goes so far. It's not the kind of show that would pull in a House of Cards size audience, so I don't see it getting a $100m budget. But with a smart rethink (assuming fans could accept that) something workable could come out of it.<br /><br />Wrt more FL books after 13 - we never considered it. If they had been successful enough back in the day, I'd have probably wanted to start an all-new series. I'd do now by preference, but it's not what the fans want. <br /><br />Thanks for your offer of help. It probably wouldn't be practical, but it's appreciated anyway!Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-70434125843846863582016-05-16T02:29:37.628+01:002016-05-16T02:29:37.628+01:00And yes, I'd heard the same rumours about a po...And yes, I'd heard the same rumours about a potential Dredd TV series. I imagine it would be dependent on the backing of Netflix or Amazon Prime. Karl Urban seems to love the role and be up for it, though I do wonder how storylines with the Dark Judges, for example, could be effectively realised in a television budget. Still, being produced by one of the new production houses in this way hasn't done any harm for existing series like Ripper Street, so perhaps there's still hope.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16820212330098297211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-6371608453371312132016-05-16T02:25:31.526+01:002016-05-16T02:25:31.526+01:00Is there anything the wider fan base could do to e...Is there anything the wider fan base could do to expedite things or just smooth the journey Dave (other than buy the books)? I'd be more than happy to donate as much of my time and energy as required to support the project. I'm guessing thats impractical but am sure I wouodn't be alone on here in offering support.<br /><br />Incidentally, did you and Jamie ever have any thoughts beyond book 12? I wondered whether you'd deliberately left the Unbounded Ocean area unexplored such that it could form locations for books 13+.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16820212330098297211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-15827465775099750152016-05-15T19:57:11.985+01:002016-05-15T19:57:11.985+01:00I know the T-shirt: "I've been to Sheol a...I know the T-shirt: "I've been to Sheol and all I got was a lousy Sword of Life."Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-36575574693593803702016-05-15T10:44:18.381+01:002016-05-15T10:44:18.381+01:00Thanks for supporting it, Mike. Way back in the da...Thanks for supporting it, Mike. Way back in the day, Star Trek fans' unstinting support finally got it brought back as a series of movies. So FL is a bit like that - it just took a bit longer!Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-4902547699008647742016-05-15T10:41:38.952+01:002016-05-15T10:41:38.952+01:00Btw Michael, isn't there talk of a Dredd TV sh...Btw Michael, isn't there talk of a Dredd TV show starring Karl Urban? Or did I dream that?Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-79485095865501832292016-05-15T10:40:09.153+01:002016-05-15T10:40:09.153+01:00Certainly once Serpent King's Domain is ready ...Certainly once Serpent King's Domain is ready we can look at doing more. Paul Gresty already has plans for The Lone & Level Sands and he's building quests into book 7 that link to that. However, running these campaigns takes a lot of work and we rely on a team who do it only out of love, so I can't guarantee a new book every year. We'll just have to see how it works out.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-11221521347169967382016-05-15T10:36:37.323+01:002016-05-15T10:36:37.323+01:00My grandparents were from Dublin so I expect that&...My grandparents were from Dublin so I expect that's where I'd be heading. No tax for writers would be a bonus.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-90166552005911685742016-05-15T10:26:05.920+01:002016-05-15T10:26:05.920+01:00I could make my peace with that, although at the c...I could make my peace with that, although at the current rate there should be news about a KS for Lone and Level Sands very shortly if we want to see that next year.<br /><br />It does seem churlish to bemoan when we din't even have book 7 yet, but frankly I'm greedy and impatient. Completing the FL series is up there with my top 3 wishes (along with a Dredd 2 movie and another series of Firefly).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16820212330098297211noreply@blogger.com