apocalypsehowooc | State of the Game, November 2023

State of the Game

Welcome to State of the Game 8: The Penultimate! We have some final updates for everyone as we power full-steam into our end-game. There will be one more update to close things out and discuss the ultimate world-state/character situation all of you might find yourselves in.

We also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone. Whether you've been with us in the game from the start, dipped in and out, or joined us later on, you've made this game what it is. This is Terri. When Kathryn, Ilana, and I were first conceiving this game we had a very broad Point A to Point B story planned. We wanted to give players as much opportunity to affect the story progression as we could while keeping within our timeline. When Lysoke joined us as a mod, he agreed to that same ethos.

As a result, we've solved apocalypse rituals in unique ways (who thought dead fish could help to avert an apocalypse?), altered major plot points (characters killed a major NPC who was meant to come back in the second act; instead, they gained an ally), and adjusted the major NPCs of import (Milo was meant to be a one-off encounter, but character efforts and engagement have turned them into a character that we've now considered potential endgame scenarios for). When the decision came on what to do about ADI and Nia, the Warden, we created broad plans for all potential outcomes. There have been many other smaller ways that players and their characters have affected events and outcomes. We wanted to make this a game that players had a tangible influence on for its plot. And all of you have certainly provided that! Our finale will feature another world-altering choice that we've gamed out a few different scenarios for. More on that in December as we come to our conclusion!

Onto some updates.

Applications for returning players ends today, Nov 25th. If you would like to bring back a character for the final event (or know those who might), please be sure to post applications before midnight. After that, we will be fully closing down apps for the game to see out its conclusion. Please remember that you need only re-post an accepted application to be admitted.

December will feature the last mod-run posts and events for the Apocalypse How game. After the game's conclusion, the comms will remain open should you want to continue any adventures in the world that's left behind after the final event.

November's NPC Interaction Post is the last for the game. If you'd like to interact with any of the game NPCs before the end, please post there!

A new Good Fences Prompt has been added to the Spun Out event. This is intended to be an interactive prompt where characters can try different ways to breach the fence surrounding the center of Dogtown. Multiple characters may breach the fence. There is no one right way to do it. Mods are simply looking for creative solutions. This may involve characters working together or even calling on NPC allies. Some of them may be very good at destruction…

While no event is ever mandatory, players are strongly encouraged to involve their characters in the December event. If they are not involved, they will ICly miss out on the finale events and in character discussions/decisions that are made around them. The final event will involve going into Dogtown. To ensure that all players have an IC reason to get their characters involved, a strong compulsion effect will be in place. Either something directly placed on your character or more indirectly by a character with a compulsion dragging your character into Dogtown. We hope this will give everyone an opportunity to play, even if their character might be ICly reluctant (with good reason)!

Thank you again for taking this journey with us, no matter how long or short your travels with us have lasted. We're excited to bring you the finale in the coming month, and to discover what choices you will bring to the ending of this story.