Prof WhizzyWig here. My last two posts (here and here ) have been keeping me extemely busy what with all the comments, but the time has come to pay-up on the blog post I promised to make - an explanation of this mysterious Web Game B-Plot.
In the pitch, I mention briefly that "the Users have abandoned the Net, preferring to play an endless Web Game rather than oppose Megabyte's relentless Hunt." What's going on here is that the Users have all leapt into playing a new kind of multi-User game that loads into the Web rather than into a specific system. Whether the Users are unaware of Megabyte's actions or simply don't care is a mystery. This game is endless: Users simply respawn in-game if killed. The only thing that can possibly end the game is User boredom OR the accomplishment of some extremely massive goal on the User's part (Game Over - The User Wins).
In the story, the heroes simply know that the Users are *gone*. They have no knowledge of this Web Game or the Users' whereabouts. They only discover the Web Game's existence when the Viruses are asked to offer their code so the Codemasters can create Gnosis.
How the viruses know about the Web game is a mystery, but the reason for their desire is clear: no Users means no new Viruses. Why exactly the Viruses would choose to "unionize" on this matter is unknown to the Guardians and CMs, but time is running out (MB's troops are only seconds away) so they accept, intending to deal with the consequences later.
Turbo and Bob appoint Matrix to lead an expedition into the Web, to find this Web Game, and to end it at all costs. Though Matrix would prefer to continue the battle against Megabyte, he accepts on the condition that he'll be instated as a full Guardian upon his successful return.
Of course, Matrix chooses AndrAIa as his second-in-command, but there his choice of squadmates ends. The Codemasters want in, so they send Ether as their spy. Furthermore, the Viruses have one further stipulation: they want one of their own to join the team.
Despite Matrix's vehement objections, a Virus named Vector is allowed to join the team. Vector is a "benign virus," considered a minor irritation by the Guardians (he is not capable of viral transfer). He is a dark, seductive, heroic male virus that, at first, seems loyal, honourable, and trustworthy. Of course, that is Vector's program - to worm his way into the others' trust until they listen to his opinions more than their own.
This is, in fact, the very reason that the Viruses insisted on sending a mission to find the User: Vector convinced them that it was of dire importance.
This strange team heads off into the Web, finally discovering the game floating in an apparently random location. They figure out how to enter it - and discover an entirely new world within.
The heroes engage in the game and discover a way to end it that doesn't result in their deletion. Inside the game, the Users are acting the part of their characters (they are role-playing) so no bizarre User-Sprite interactions. The Users are playing the game as if it were real, just as they always have. The only difference here is that the heroes will have to make an alliance with the User's character(s) in order to win. This is a slightly more advanced relationship than the Users and Sprites have previously enjoyed, but I don't think it's a big stretch.
Now... this is where my preparation of this idea has ended. There simply wasn't enough time to fill in the gaps before V2 launched. Here's where I want this to go:
I want the Web Game plot to be HUGE - a whole, epic B-Plot in its own right. I think it'd be cool if the Web Game plot was simpler and more robust and adventurey than the GNOSIS plot. That way, the audience can jump back and forth between the (serious and politics-laden) GNOSIS plot and the (light-hearted and adventurey) Web Game plot, resulting in a dynamic and multi-threaded story that shouldn't get old like some big stories have lately (Matrix: Revolutions comes to mind).
But how exactly will the heroes end this game? How will they make an alliance with the User? And why exactly has Vector invited himself along? What is he up to? And what kind of game will this be?
I really haven't thought about these things too much. I really want to (and I'm planning to this weekend) but I figured you guys might as well weigh-in before I take my shot at it.
So go ahead. Fire away. There's been lots of criticism for this idea but, in my estimation, not enough to say that the fans don't like it. Let's save the criticism for now and focus on ideas that will make this work. Believe me, your criticisms have been noted.
Azalea commented 4 years ago
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I can see Vector flirting with Andraia. About the user alliance thing. I am going to put up a blog to explain this but here is the rough version:
You know how there is information on the net about us? I was thinking of info data that is a shadow of a user, somewhat similar to the Nobody's in KH2. Not exactly a sprite, not a user but something in between. I got that idea from the fact that when we are on the computer, we unwarily send data that contains info of us. Then I thought a bit more about it. See they look more like us, and have more free will, but they are not users. Therefore, Bob will only know that there is more than one user, but that is all he knows. I originally had an idea that Enzo's love was a user, but it has envolved into where she is a info 'user'. However, I also see them as an extension of our energy... That is probably to sci-fi but what do you think? I will put more of the details in my blog, but this could solve the problem in keeping the user deitified but have some prescence. Professor W once I get the Blog up can you look it over and see if you like it? I need to work out the kinks.
Haruhi commented 4 years ago
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I'm loving it, Whizzywig! I can't believe that the series I loved for so long is finally growing up! I never had imagined the world of ReBoot is gonna get even bigger and the plots more... complicated.
My suggestions:
I would prefer if at least one character in any good story is *neither* good *nor* bad. Vector falls into this category perfectly, seeing as if he has a bigger plan that only he knows about, and will seemingly benefit only him. His only allegiance isn't to Matrix/AndrAIa/Ether or the viruses, the only thing he'll serve is himself.
It also seems like everyone's going to think a WoW spoof for the Web game, but remember that MMORPG's aren't the only type of game. There could be an even bigger potential if the game would be a RTS game: it's all about the strategy. I just think that in MMORPG's, you either level up, go on a quest or go raiding with your guild; Users would probably interact with other users and it seems like people like Matrix would have little interaction. In RTS, the User can be the head honcho while Matrix and co. could be the people below the User in rank, but have a high enough rank to order troops around. Now that would be epic.
missMatrix commented 4 years ago
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I like the whole idea about the game and about Vector. But I am wondering, ...a huge quest in the Web and Ray isn't involved? I mean he is a web surfer after all. Plus it would be interesting to finally see him reboot.
Oh and about making Matrix a full Guardian. Excellent! But I don't believe he would agree to go find that game only if they promised him cool guardian uniform...I would prefer if he didn't know that they want to make him a full Guardian afterwards. We saw his struggle with Bob about given orders before...maybe if this time he offered to do it willingly... and maybe ...maybe that would convince guardians and Bob that he can still act with honour and deserves to be called the Guardian. I think it would serve the situation better than: 'Ok, let's make him a real guardian, cause that's what he wants for his help.' What do u think?
TahaHalwan... commented 4 years ago
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Counter-Strike... The game would be Counter-Strike. Or maybe if not, Call of Duty, but most definately not WoW..
LadyLazuli commented 4 years ago
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I still really want to see some concept art for Vector! This is a character I definitely want to see in action— antiheroes are always the best.
I love the idea of the MMORPG as a key aspect to the new plot— it opens up so many interesting possibilities. I'm still a bit confused on it as a whole, but re-reading your explanation a few more times I'm sure my half-asleep brain will sort it out. It's sounding interesting! Keep up the good work.
RandomEXpl... commented 4 years ago
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Let me say, this B-Plot is headed in the right direction. Having two plots will greatly influence audience readership and keep people more focused, more into the comic/show whatever will be planned.
On Vector. The way you have portrayed his viral intent, he appears tp appear as a sub-class of virals. Like a Worm. Very interesting. See if you could play that format up a bit. Vector could easily become a new favorite among the fans if you did.
As for the game, please for fan's sake, please could we have a User who just runs around yelling "Leroy Jenkins!" or some other name? I know the consentual input is not to do WoW, but staying to the true ReBoot path, a parody needs to be in order. Come on, if your going to do a MMORPG type game, it's only natural and fitting. Besides think of it as making fun of WoW.
trgdr777 commented 4 years ago
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I think I'm really going to like Vector. I agree that Matrix should show some growth by willingly entering the game without knowing about his reward. Of course he'd volunteer before knowing a virus would be joining him. If Ray made him upset, just think how much a charming virus would drive him crazy! Vector obviously has his own intentions, but I'd prefer if they were personal & had little effect on the others because I'd want him to be more manipulative than evil. That way he's actually likable in many ways. He obviously shouldn't seem to care about what happens to the others very much, but he does nothing to actually harm them. He could really become one of those characters that will never admit he's sort of a good guy. Of course that all depends on what his secret agenda is. I think it should have something to do with his past and the other viruses shouldn't know about it. They would think he's just there to represent them and make sure things work out the best for the viruses. Anyway those are my thoughts.
Slackbot commented 4 years ago
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I babble things...
No User means no new Viruses? But Viruses - like other dataforms - can replicate themselves. We've seen fusion and fission, and since Viruses have identifiable genders it makes no sense for them not to be able to reproduce.
I have a hard time seeing Matrix strongarming anyone into making him a Guardian by refusing to do his part if they don't, and I can't see anyone with the authority to Guardianify him caving in to that. I'd suggest having Matrix join the plan with the hope that this will show those he wants to impress that he's worthy of the Guardian protocols.
(Can you see Matrix in a blue-and-orange uniform? With sleeves and a shave? Yikes!)
A Benign Virus as a part of the team? THANK YOU. You are now my bestest friend.
Why does Vector come along? I don't want it to be because his viral code pushes him, but because of his personality. He's Benign, which means he has no Big Scary Powers, but because he's a Virus he's still an outcast. So, let's say he has something to prove on that matter. He could want to show these Sprites that Viruses are more than monsters, that in fact they can accomplish as much as Sprites can. In effect, battling racism by proving it wrong.
(Matrix: 'Huh. Not bad... for a *Virus.*' Vector: 'That's mighty Sprite of you.')
How do they enter the game cube? We know that it can be done; in 'Identity Crisis' Phong enters The Fun House through a Plot Hole. I hope we can get a better explanation for this.
It's part of the basic premise of The Games that dataforms reboot as game enemies. They are always trying to beat the user, either by combatting him directly or competing for the same goal. How can a situation arise in which Our Heroes have to help the Users? I just don't see this. Not saying it can't, but how??
As for the type of game, I'd suggest giving it an overall WoW feel (I don't play the game myself, MMORPGs are not my thing) but add in other relevant goodies. Remember 'Malicious Corpses' in 'To Mend and Defend'? That was a mashup of DOOM and Evil Dead 2 with Michael Jackson and Elvira spoofs added. It all fit the theme of 'horror zombie game' so it made a cohesive whole.
Hope some of this is useful...
WeBViRuS commented 4 years ago
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Excellent idea with making the B-plot a breath of fresh air from the intense plot! That will be a nice breakaway for readers, though you could also make it a sub-comic like I've seen others do. Put out the main comic then a sub comic then another main comic where it left off? That's if this goes to paper and not just as a web comic.
If the game were Second Life, they'd get to see directly into the Users' world, as many things there reflect our world. That would be fascinating...but ultimately boring. =Why would the User play a game about itself?= Fanfiction for another time.
I'm absolutely loving a benign virus on the team. 'Bout time we got to see one! And that will make for some complex interaction in such a mish-mash team questing for the One Ring- I mean for the User. ;) I agree with Haruhi on making him neither good nor bad. Maybe someone else can step up to the plate on that for once instead of it always being stereotyped as Viruses always being evil. Bob and this Vector character could have some interesting/heated conversations in my head. Dare I say I already like Vector just from your description alone? Megabyte in his Season 1 days...
Also agreeing with missMatrix about Ray. It would be great to see such a previously snubbed character finally get an interesting role like this. And he'd finally be the one fighting to save his woman instead of Matrix for once. It's not as if Mouse is a weak woman where being captured while her man rescues her would be offensive. Then again, switch it to Mouse, and it's not only heroic...it's kinda funny for poor defenseless Ray, which is great as a breakaway script. I'm liking that idea all the more.
As for Matrix, agreeing that he should first volunteer THEN be given his upgrade. They were planning on giving it all along, but let him show his valor by offering himself up. Also, where is his loyal companion Frisket, besides AndrAIa. I always considered them to be a great trio.
And agreeing with RandomExplosions comment on gamer references. I laughed so hard I nearly died when I heard that sound byte. Then again, how do you draw that without it looking stupid?
My opinions about the User interaction: It would seem less strange if the User cannot actually communicate with the heroes. There are set phrases possibly that are programmed in ala "Roo-oovey", preset and expected responses, but if he wants to say something more complicated, maybe it's more powerful a moment between deity and Sprite if the User can only gesture. Scuzzy, after all, is famous for saying so much with just a simple nod of the head or lift of the eyebrows, and that's even without preset phrases. There's my take on that one. There should be a communication gap of some sort.
And from Azalea's suggestion: please, no flirtation from Vector? He could be galant, make her smile, but don't have him pull a Mouse with her. He'll be plain hated as being intrusive. Mouse had this problem in the early seasons. That's why there are no S2 figurine ideas of her. ;)
PS: Would you like concept sketches of Vector, or has your team plotted his appearance all this time? I'm dying to see what Smartens comes up with! Virus designs always fascinated me.
Alina commented 4 years ago
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Was the choice of sending Matrix on this mission deliberate or just because Bob can't do it since he has other things to do in the plot? What sort of reasoning keeps Bob from doing it and makes Matrix the ONLY person who can do the job?
I only ask because if you think about it, Bob would've been a much better candidate for the mission than Matrix logic-wise. He's more comfortable working with viruses and has done a lot more speculation into User behavior, which might've come in handy.
My point isn't to say 'Bob should be the one to do this because he's the logical choice.' That's not my opinion at all. On the contrary, I *want* Matrix to do it. I think putting Matrix up to this intolerable task (well, intolerable for him) and making him jump through hoops would be great for character and makes for a far more interesting story than the 'logical' choice for the mission.
Unfortunately, 'because it makes for a better story' or 'because Bob needs to go stop Gnosis because he's the hero of the story!' won't fly in the ReBoot world itself, and 'because Bob told him to' strikes me as a little weak, so there has to be another good reason.
My question is, why *doesn't* Bob choose to do this mission and why *does* Matrix? You don't have to answer that to me, but please think about it if you haven't already. As long as that's addressed if this pitch gets produced, then I'm happy with how this plot ties into the main one.