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If you're planning on a vast number of interconnecting location screens (much like a IF map), it would probably help to have some sort of fast travel button to go back to a 'hub map screen' (unless you can set the player walking speed to very zippy).

A 'hub map screen' would be (to me at any rate) an easier route, although there's an issue of size of map/number limit of hotspots.  Unless you could segment the map into sections.  Then there's the outside of town to consider (relatively unexplored as it is).

As for player character, I'd suggest using a simple voice-over or a nondescript character.  This way you could structure this as either a historical/information piece or a recon file for a force planning invasion or some such.

As for the wiki, you'd have to check with James.  We're still sorting things out from the move.

As the death of our previous forum killed the last progress report, here it is again:

Work is continuing on the newer Krysis-style of backgrounds and characters.  There are a number of characters (which can be seen here) that are considered ready enough to start the animation process.

How about: I must not be afraid to ask for assistance in understanding the RoN universe and characters nor shall I let the shades of cowardice and complicated universal backstory prevent me from telling a kickarse story... even if it may contradict something.

Once the site is up and running, the info page will be undergoing an update.  The beginners guide that was posted above can/will most likely be included in the intro to RoN section.

Long story short- HOTU's webhost went bankrupt.

CJ- that's an amazingly generous offer.  Thank you very much.

Ponch- I hope your idea does eventually see the light of day.  It would be nice to see more games make use of different time periods and really explore the possibilities of different settings.

A belated happy birthday to RoN, btw.

In RoN's case we're simply without a home for the moment.  We've got backups and there is the mirror that KhrisMuc mentioned, although it's out-of-date.  Once we find a new home, it'll be business as usual.

It's the other affiliates I feel bad for.  I hope they have copies of their files so they can continue someplace else.

Having heard the news (thanks SSH), just because it looks like RoN is temporarily homeless doesn't mean that this discussion should end or signal RoN's death.  HOTU ending just means RoN needs to find a new home and one of the HOTU admins might resurrect HOTU somewhere else, you never know.

As for for the files, everything has been backed up as far as I know.  The only thing that may have been lost is the most recent game pages which are easily replicated.

Spider's age really isn't the problem.  It's the fact that in this scene they (Spider & parole officer) look like they're on a date or a couple.  That's a conflict of interest and would get her reprimanded/suspended at best or, at worst, fired from her job.  Granted, I don't know much about the policies governing parole officer, but I'd wager most don't take their cases to a pizzeria and hold hands.

[RoN Database changes:]

The RoN forum is temporarily closed for new registration as we're working through a technical issue.  As such, here's what has been proposed.    After going through the feedback, we're going to try a database reorganization which proved the most popular choice (if you go by a tally).

RoN Database changes:

Games database
The games database would be split into the following sections.

1 â€" Canon games â€" Games that are crucial in understanding both the RoN universe and the characters that inhabit it. The games in this section are considered canonical and part of the RoN universe timeline. The events in these games are set in stone. Anyone new to RoN and wants to know the timeline and crucial events should go to this section.

2 â€" Stand-alone games â€" Games in this section are generally self-contained with no major influences on the RoN universe. While not strictly set in stone, games in this section can be considered to exist in the RoN universe â€" they just don’t have an official status. Games in this section generally concentrate on character moments rather than important, world-changing events.

3 â€" Experimental, non-canon games â€" Games in this section are not considered to exist in the RoN universe at all. Events and characters in this section should generally not be referred to in canon or (to a lesser extent) stand-along games. As games in this section are isolated from an official canon, character death is permitted.

4 â€" Non-adventure games â€" A section for games that are non-adventure: quiz, rpg, action, platform, strategy, etc.
** option -  keep separate or merge with #5 ?? **

5 â€" Trailers, demos â€" A section for game trailers, game demos, and technical demos

Characters
Important characters will still retain their separate database page. These characters are ones who have been used more frequently or have an important place in the RoN universe.

Other characters will be condensed into a single page, wherever possible. As such: all merchants will be complied into a single page, high school students will be complied into a single page, and so forth.

Art
A movement in improving RoN’s art is underway. This style continues/is heavily based upon the graphics Krysis has done for RoN.  See this LINK an example (1st draft) of the style for characters.  These are low-res but are easy to manipulate into new characters.

Promoting
RoN can't exist in isolation. A presence on the AGS page in the form of a link or something would be helpful. Getting the word out to other sites would also be beneficial, perhaps the creation of banners to advertise?  Also, possibly getting word out to other gaming sites might prove beneficial.

The suggestions in the initial post were culled from things people have said over the years.  They were presented to provide as many suggestions as possible to kick off this discussion and hopefully inspire other ideas.

<Ron admin hat off, community member hat on>

Personally, I'd prefer if things were left as is, with perhaps a tightening up of the games & character databases.  Of all the ideas that have come up over the years (see first post) none have seemed to me like the right thing to do.  I feel that RoN is still a viable and worthwhile idea with loads of untapped potential.  If I didn't I wouldn't have stayed for as long as I have.

I realize that the number of games & characters is enough to turn people away.  Perhaps an introductory primer could be devised to introduce the series concept, some of characters and a general history to ease people into RoN.  It might cut down on the feeling of having to do research, and allow someone to discover the other characters at their own leisure if they so choose.

As for continuity versus stand-alone games, I think that’s happened to an extent, even if no-one’s stamped a “stand alone” label on certain games.  Some people, my self-included, like the idea of a progressive universe where characters have the opportunity to “live” as it were.  It wouldn’t be too difficult to accommodate both type, maybe we just need a big rubber stamp.

What needs to happen, I think, is RoN needs to be promoted and get the word out that it exists, what it is (and what it’s not) and where to find it.

Finally, as for a reboot: I can see the argument for it and how it could be interesting.  It does leave anyone who’s in the midst of game production to either attempt to get their game finished before the reboot date, or go back and start reworking their game to fit in a rebooted universe.

[Leave as is]

With the subject of how to rejuvenate RoN being mentioned recently, it seems like something that should be discussed and a decision made.  Below are several options that seem the most reasonable/able to implement.  Some have probably been discussed in the past.

Leave as is â€" No changes are made to the site.  The general size of the community will likely remain small as will yearly output of games.  Efforts focused in strongly promoting the series to become known and generate interest in new community members.
* Promoting the series is most likely a good thing in any case.

Reduce/Clean up character & game databases â€" Characters who fall under a certain classifications (such as high school students or merchants) or have appeared once/minor use could be bundled together on to one “themed” character page.  The more established characters would retain their separate pages.  A Wiki could be used as a resource for individual character bios.
Any games that has multiple versions could be condensed into one page.  The demos could be moved to the demo page.
Optional: This has been brought up in the past â€" a number of games could be removed and put on a separate location on the site so they would still be available for download.  In the past, this idea seems to stem from removing games that are dubious in quality.

Over-arcing theme â€" A scripted event that affects the series in an attempt to generate plot hooks and limit/temporarily remove characters for use.

Core team of writers â€" Rather than rely on the possibility of someone submitting a new game out of the blue, a team is formed with the purpose of generating new content and moving the series forward.  The Open submission format would still remain.

Reboot series â€" Series starts over from square one.  The general concept is retained as are a few character/character types.  For the reboot, the series is given a rough historical outline (and possible city map) to provide a bare-bones structure.  Every release from 2001 to the time of series reboot would be kept on a separate page, available for download.

I think one of the problems RoN suffers is a case of "tv main cast" syndrome.  I've seen far too many game proposals that are variants on themes from the first few games that centre around the same small group of characters.

With regards to character design/development in general, I've never understood the desire to stomp/trash/kill a fictional character.  If you identify a character as problematic, I think it's much better to identify what the problem is and then, as a writer, address the problem and fix it.

As for the huge amount of characters & games, once the holiday season is over, I'm planning on holding a discussion on the series and possible ways to move forward in the new year.

I'm trying to get a handle on hand design.  I've used a method to get the hand shapes below, but I'm not sure if they look right.  I don't know if they need to be shortened by a pixel or two, are two wide, or the colouring placement in the back view to simulate depth/shadow/whatever.  This is for RoN, so the style is certainly not realistic.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, paintovers are welcome.



x2

There are people who know a lot about the RoN universe (perhaps more than they'd like  ) that could answer questions regarding characters or the in-game history (such as it is).

Stupot- if you're still having trouble with Postman, you can find a walkthrough on this page.

And please. No more games with Davy Jones as the main character. He can be so pathetic angsty emo like.

Angsty emo-like?  I've never found the character to exhibit those traits.  Of course, given the unlimited freedom, someone could make a game where Griff runs around in a giant bear costume and ends up sitting on shelves in New York.

Thanks for the comments.  It's good to see that people enjoyed it.

Frodo - if you're having trouble getting in, perhaps you should see the person who's in charge of the building.

Have you tried going back to the crime scene & doing a thorough search?

A man lies dead on the platform of Reality on the Norm's train station.  As PC Leon Evans, you'll have to discover the motive, the murder weapon and track down the murderer.

It can be downloaded from the RoN site or from this link.

Screenshot:

New art, be it updated backgrounds, character sprites or what-have-you, is always welcome.

Hello,

This is for Reality-on-the-Norm, and what we're looking for is someone who can do style conversions on existing pieces of art.

Specifically:

A character artist who can create characters based on a general style (see link below for examples).  The characters would need walking and talking frames.
http://ron.the-underdogs.info/images/misc/roncharstyles.gif

A background artist who can, again create backgrounds based on a general style (see link below for examples).
http://ron.the-underdogs.info/images/misc/ronbkstyle.gif

Anyone interested can PM me.