Post by Ame on Mar 11, 2024 1:48:08 GMT -6
So you want to be a blackened
Welcome everyone! To DRG's first ever Blackened Competition!
As you all know, DRG has just turned 10, and to celebrate that fact, we'd like to put our skills to the test, and see who can come up with the best blackened plan!
The Best you say? That's subjective as hell, isn't it?
And you're right. So, to make it less subjective, we've come up with some criteria and guidelines.
The Criteria
1 — Innovation
The gameboard is your oyster
We'll be giving the participants a good deal of control over the world as they see fit. With this, there's an expectation that you will be able to explore your wildest fantasies of a blackened plan, and do things that wouldn't normally be possible or plausible in the contexts of games. To this end, a stab and run would score poorly, as this is a blackened method that has been done to death, and isn't groundbreaking to any extent.
2 — Effectiveness
Make it make sense
This is judged based on the practicality and plausibility of the scenario. For example, if the murder is based solely on a bunch of coincidences overlapping each other then it's not going to be very easy to recreate it, it would have only worked in that specific scenario, thus it would score poorly. On the other hand, getting a knife and stabbing someone as you walk by is perfectly plausible, and perfectly practical.
3 — Enjoyability
Keep it fun for everyone
This is how much fun there is to be had in the mystery. While gimmicks might come to mind as a natural way to keep it fun, and we do encourage you to remember these, it's more important to remember the enjoyment of the solvers - the people solving your crime. That is the lense in which judges will look at your plan. So, if you plan to do a stab and run, and turn the trial into an alibi game, you'll most likely score quite poorly.
The Guidelines
1 — Familiar Resources
To keep things simple, we'll be pulling directly from the three mainline Danganronpa Games. You, as the host, can choose which map you use. Please note that you must use the respective cast to their map. You can find links to the maps, and the cast members, below.
2 — Danganronpa Gaming Systems
We'll offer up the choice of systems to our participants. Either between minitrial system of voting, or the main game system of voting. That is to say, A straight 'who-dunnit' mystery, or a more involved 'how-dunnit' system, filled with questions. The choice is yours!
3 — Truth Bullet limits
As a means of keeping it simple, we'll be limiting the number of truth bullets that a mystery can contain. That limit is 20 pieces of evidence. Do try to keep this in mind when writing the mystery; what truth bullets will be gained from this?
4 — X-Dunnit
As a writing tip, when you're writing a murder-mystery, it's always helpful to remember the three 'dunnits'.
The 'Who-Dunnit' - Who committed the crime
The 'How-Dunnit' - In what ways did the killer go about committing the crime
The 'Why-Dunnit' - For what reasons did the killer commit the crime.
All three of these are important. It's important not to skimp on any of these factors, as leaving one out can really make the plan feel half-assed or rushed.
5 — Actions
The beloathed of writers everywhere. We'll use the most common system, and say that in total, there are six actions, plus an action zero. Now, that sounds like a lot of writing, especially when you think of cast sizes. I'll ask with you to bare with me, and also that you do not need to write 6 actions for every single cast member, though doing so might help the level of immersion of your trial.
6 — Limiting unnecessary information
In addition to the choice of maps and characters, you'll have the option of killing off certain cast members to thin the number of suspects. To that end, you'll need to determine a trial number. It's important to note that you do not have to follow the canonical death order.
Trial 1 - 16 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 2 - 14 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 3 - 12 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 4 - 9 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 5 - 7 Players, less the victim(s)
In addition, we'll ask that you explicitly state the locations/rooms that are relevant to your plan at the start of the document.
If anyone mentions how DR1's cast only has 15 members, I will punch you in the throat.
Wait. Document?
Yes! We'll be running a dual document system. You'll need to create two documents, one which lists the actual meat and potatoes of the plan, with all the details, which we'll call Document 1. Document 2, in this case, is an overview of the plan instead. In this one, it lists only the relevant details, and bonus other details, like who the blackened is, if there are any accomplices, and all the rest.
So, What comes next?
At the end of the two week submission period, Document 1 will be made public, and will be anonymous. In that time, the community will be able to read through everyones mysteries and try to solve them, over a period of one week. At the same time, the Judges will have exclusive access to Document 2, which they will use to judge it based on the three criteria listed above.
Not a big writer?
Or wanting to help out behind the scenes?
Fantastic! We're also on the lookout for judges, Aside from myself, I'm looking for up to 5 other people to help join me. Note that judges need to review all submitted plans, unless they choose to submit one themselves. If you're looking to apply, we'll run a first-in-best-dressed system.
For the sake of clarity, the judges at this time are:
1. Ame
2. ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆
3. Vaellin the Bard
4. crazynuto
So, what do I get out of all this?
Well, aside from a reward of 500 monocoins for all participants, submitters or judges, and the feeling of contribution, should your plan be named the best, you'll also be able to gain an exclusive keychain! You'll be able to select one of the runner up cakes from this years cake competition, and have it turned into a badge! Plus, You'll gain the forum title of 'SHSL Forum Killer'
And so what, you and your buddies just choose who wins?
Well, partially, yes. But, the judges' voice isn't the only one that matters. In addition to the one week period of the judges decision, there will also be a community vote ran. You'll be able to vote for your favourite plans, and the person with the most votes will also be deemed a winner.
I'm interested? What do I need to do?
All you need to do for the time being is respond to this post, stating your interest, and what you'd like to do, be it writing or judging. That's all well and good, but what does this look like?
These documents have been based off a fictitious trial, as written by crazynuto and I.
You have until 11am AEST, March 31st to submit your puzzles! Good Luck!
That is, 12pm GMT, March 31st, and 8pm EDT, March 30th.
Useful Resources
click on the game title for the map, and the lead for the character list
![[Dr1 map]](https://i.imgur.com/8JU8HUa.png "Trigger Happy Havoc Map")
Welcome everyone! To DRG's first ever Blackened Competition!
As you all know, DRG has just turned 10, and to celebrate that fact, we'd like to put our skills to the test, and see who can come up with the best blackened plan!
The Best you say? That's subjective as hell, isn't it?
And you're right. So, to make it less subjective, we've come up with some criteria and guidelines.
The Criteria
1 — Innovation
The gameboard is your oyster
We'll be giving the participants a good deal of control over the world as they see fit. With this, there's an expectation that you will be able to explore your wildest fantasies of a blackened plan, and do things that wouldn't normally be possible or plausible in the contexts of games. To this end, a stab and run would score poorly, as this is a blackened method that has been done to death, and isn't groundbreaking to any extent.
2 — Effectiveness
Make it make sense
This is judged based on the practicality and plausibility of the scenario. For example, if the murder is based solely on a bunch of coincidences overlapping each other then it's not going to be very easy to recreate it, it would have only worked in that specific scenario, thus it would score poorly. On the other hand, getting a knife and stabbing someone as you walk by is perfectly plausible, and perfectly practical.
3 — Enjoyability
Keep it fun for everyone
This is how much fun there is to be had in the mystery. While gimmicks might come to mind as a natural way to keep it fun, and we do encourage you to remember these, it's more important to remember the enjoyment of the solvers - the people solving your crime. That is the lense in which judges will look at your plan. So, if you plan to do a stab and run, and turn the trial into an alibi game, you'll most likely score quite poorly.
The Guidelines
1 — Familiar Resources
To keep things simple, we'll be pulling directly from the three mainline Danganronpa Games. You, as the host, can choose which map you use. Please note that you must use the respective cast to their map. You can find links to the maps, and the cast members, below.
2 — Danganronpa Gaming Systems
We'll offer up the choice of systems to our participants. Either between minitrial system of voting, or the main game system of voting. That is to say, A straight 'who-dunnit' mystery, or a more involved 'how-dunnit' system, filled with questions. The choice is yours!
3 — Truth Bullet limits
As a means of keeping it simple, we'll be limiting the number of truth bullets that a mystery can contain. That limit is 20 pieces of evidence. Do try to keep this in mind when writing the mystery; what truth bullets will be gained from this?
4 — X-Dunnit
As a writing tip, when you're writing a murder-mystery, it's always helpful to remember the three 'dunnits'.
The 'Who-Dunnit' - Who committed the crime
The 'How-Dunnit' - In what ways did the killer go about committing the crime
The 'Why-Dunnit' - For what reasons did the killer commit the crime.
All three of these are important. It's important not to skimp on any of these factors, as leaving one out can really make the plan feel half-assed or rushed.
5 — Actions
The beloathed of writers everywhere. We'll use the most common system, and say that in total, there are six actions, plus an action zero. Now, that sounds like a lot of writing, especially when you think of cast sizes. I'll ask with you to bare with me, and also that you do not need to write 6 actions for every single cast member, though doing so might help the level of immersion of your trial.
6 — Limiting unnecessary information
In addition to the choice of maps and characters, you'll have the option of killing off certain cast members to thin the number of suspects. To that end, you'll need to determine a trial number. It's important to note that you do not have to follow the canonical death order.
Trial 1 - 16 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 2 - 14 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 3 - 12 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 4 - 9 Players, less the victim(s)
Trial 5 - 7 Players, less the victim(s)
In addition, we'll ask that you explicitly state the locations/rooms that are relevant to your plan at the start of the document.
Wait. Document?
Yes! We'll be running a dual document system. You'll need to create two documents, one which lists the actual meat and potatoes of the plan, with all the details, which we'll call Document 1. Document 2, in this case, is an overview of the plan instead. In this one, it lists only the relevant details, and bonus other details, like who the blackened is, if there are any accomplices, and all the rest.
So, What comes next?
At the end of the two week submission period, Document 1 will be made public, and will be anonymous. In that time, the community will be able to read through everyones mysteries and try to solve them, over a period of one week. At the same time, the Judges will have exclusive access to Document 2, which they will use to judge it based on the three criteria listed above.
Not a big writer?
Or wanting to help out behind the scenes?
Fantastic! We're also on the lookout for judges, Aside from myself, I'm looking for up to 5 other people to help join me. Note that judges need to review all submitted plans, unless they choose to submit one themselves. If you're looking to apply, we'll run a first-in-best-dressed system.
For the sake of clarity, the judges at this time are:
1. Ame
2. ⋆⋅ Sage ⋅⋆
3. Vaellin the Bard
4. crazynuto
So, what do I get out of all this?
Well, aside from a reward of 500 monocoins for all participants, submitters or judges, and the feeling of contribution, should your plan be named the best, you'll also be able to gain an exclusive keychain! You'll be able to select one of the runner up cakes from this years cake competition, and have it turned into a badge! Plus, You'll gain the forum title of 'SHSL Forum Killer'
And so what, you and your buddies just choose who wins?
Well, partially, yes. But, the judges' voice isn't the only one that matters. In addition to the one week period of the judges decision, there will also be a community vote ran. You'll be able to vote for your favourite plans, and the person with the most votes will also be deemed a winner.
I'm interested? What do I need to do?
All you need to do for the time being is respond to this post, stating your interest, and what you'd like to do, be it writing or judging. That's all well and good, but what does this look like?
These documents have been based off a fictitious trial, as written by crazynuto and I.
You have until 11am AEST, March 31st to submit your puzzles! Good Luck!
That is, 12pm GMT, March 31st, and 8pm EDT, March 30th.
Useful Resources
click on the game title for the map, and the lead for the character list
you got this
