Do's and Don'ts of a Serious Custom Story

[Miss Rigi]

Comedic and serious are two very different things.

[Juby]

(09-02-2011 03:43 AM)MegaScience Wrote:  You can't make a comedic, full Custom Story that is also good?

"3. Be Original!"

[MegaScience]

Purposeful comedy in a series story, like an unseen but off character who instructs the player. A well placed comic relief.

[Fetishman]

There is some confusion about why I put serious in the title, and about how I define serious in the post. By serious, I mean a serious mood. Not serious as in amount of effort or quality of the work. In other words (and i'll add this when i get up tommorow). To stay on topic with your custom story. If you are trying to make a scary custom story, don't make it funny. It just confuses the player thus, ruining all immersion. If you want to make a comedic custom story, go ahead. But this thread is for custom stories that are serious in "mood". I personally loved Underworld: Pot edition and it was pretty damn funny. At the same time I loved the attic which was serious.

[MegaScience]

What about my comic relief? I don't get how that makes the whole thing not-serious, and thus makes this guide useless to everyone wanting it.

[Your Computer]

(09-02-2011 05:14 AM)MegaScience Wrote:  What about my comic relief? I don't get how that makes the whole thing not-serious, and thus makes this guide useless to everyone wanting it.

Isn't by definition comedy (or jokes) and seriousness in contradiction? Doesn't the word "relief" imply that all the more?

In what way does emphasizing seriousness imply uselessness for suggestions? Just like you're saying, if the story is meant to differ, then obviously you disregard what contradicts the direction of your story. Tips (do's and don'ts) are merely suggestions.

[Fetishman]

It is also important to note that this is not an argument thread. If you have any suggestions, then state them and I'll read them over with open arms and give them serious thought. The way I see it. Most people can make a really funny lighthearted story pretty easily, because we all know what's funny. But This guide is to help make professional horror stories that will scare the player. Just because something is categorized as serious or funny doesn't make one better than the other. Hell my name is Fetishman for god's sake xD.

[Kman]

(09-02-2011 03:09 AM)MegaScience Wrote:  

(09-02-2011 02:31 AM)kman Wrote:  never, ever, EVER use emoticons in ANY form of text in it

if you want people to take your story seriously.

it just kills immersion and gives the player a sense of unprofessionalism...

Works in Dark Room. Won't spoilers. It depends on the type of Custom Story, it might work.

nuff said

[ggstarfoxxie]

I would like to add that people really need to proofread their notes. I've seen some stories with tons of errors. When I see a whole bunch like that, it kills the atmosphere for me. I'm not expecting perfect grammar, just keep an eye out please. Also, if you're not a native English speaker, put a note in the description so people will understand why the syntax may be off or the spelling wrong.

[MegaScience]

Just saying he basically said "This is only for serious stories - any bit of humor in your story makes these not apply." I know that's a bit of an exaggeration, but still... What about Sander Cohen? He was eccentric and insane, and you could laugh at how he acts. But it was still pretty serious around him.

How about putting in something about logically/sensible placement of humorous character or such?