Talking Talking
Hello friends,
Wherever in the world you are, I hope you’re currently enjoying pleasant temperatures! Alas, I am definitely not, but I’ve got a cold yoghurt, my feet are dunked in some water and my cat has discovered the joys of ice cubes, so I’ll crack on.
Progress on The Museum of Everything
Hello, who are all of you?
I’ve begun writing the initial dialogue for the player character Madge meeting the main cast of characters. It’s incredibly fun, but it’s taking me much longer than I expected.
An example of an initial conversation the player can have with a character.
With my previous game The Beekeeper’s Picnic I rattled that kind of thing off. I think there are a few reasons why it’s a tougher job this time around:
I’m not working with any pre-established characters. Although I did my own thing with obscure Sherlockian side-characters like Violet Hunter and Harold Stackhurst, starting with something like “what might this plucky governess character from a short story from 1892 be doing a few decades later?” is easier than starting with a blank page.
The Museum of Everything is much more mystery-orientated. While I don’t think it’s going to end up as a fiendish web of deduction, details like where characters are at particular moments and what their thoughts are on various subjects all require careful consideration when they could become means, motive and opportunity.
I’m still getting a feel for where I’m pitching things, on a scale from naturalistic “people actually speak like this” dialogue, to something more deliberately stylised inkeeping with the psudo-historical setting.
I’ve been binge-reading playwright George Bernard Shaw for inspiration, since he’s the epitome of turn-of-the(20th)century playwriting where characters bat ideas back and forth with gorgeous comic fluency which doesn’t exist in reality.
(His personal and political beliefs were absolutely bizarre, but the guy sure could write a mean problem play.)
The Perfect Notebook
An interior!
I’m sure some of you will understand my utter delight in finding a really, really good notebook this month (Shore & Marsh Dotted 45 Journal). It has the rare combo of thick pages capable of taking inkwash, and dots. This makes it perfect for doing concept art and planning sketches!
I’ve been really enjoying using it to plan out a few of the museum’s interior spaces and some character outfits. I could do that digitally, of course, but that wouldn’t be half as fun.
It’s also nice to take a break from screens when the weather is hot!
Projects from Friends
I try to highlight projects from friends and things I’m a fan of here in my newsletter sometimes.
If you like sleuthin’ Madges, which I assume you do since you’re here, you should check out the crowdfunder for Season 3 of Fawx and Stallion, a comedy-mystery podcast about the best detective team in London! Not that one. The other one. Across the street, and slightly to the left, at 224B Baker Street. This podcast is such a joy, I’m really excited that a third season is on the way.
Other Things I’ve Been Up To
In my last newsletter I promised I’d take time to relax and have my summer ‘hols, and don’t worry, I have made sure to take a break to visit family and friends, and go to some interesting places.
Here I am pointing at my favourite guy in the Ashmolean Museum, who I am absolutely certain will make it into The Museum of Everything somewhere:
Oh, and here’s a monthly Malkin for you. She’s just as fed up of the heat as I am.
Future Plans
Next month, I’m hoping to finish those opening dialogues for all of the characters, and if I get a real wiggle on I might be able to begin adding the them into the game using placeholder art — but we’ll see!
One of the cutest comments I’ve ever got about The Beekeeper’s Picnic was the very cute Gen Z blessing, “may your pillow be cold on both sides”, and I will wish that to all of you!*
*Unless you’re an antipodean friend who is currently too cold, in which case, I hope you’re warm and cozy!
See you next month!
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