My first forays in things 'machinima' were slideshow stories made using the Sims, like this example. Just your general everyday transexual detective captures fairy kidnappers tale. (what was I thinking?)
http://www.thesimsresource.com/stories/details/id/263
Anyhoo. I keep getting the urge to go back to this format, and every now and then try to work out how to do it.
How to make 'slideshow' stories which are easily shared.
I keep finding myself back at the Renpy website.
Renpy is an open source, free to use program, develped so that users could create and share visual novels and games.
At its simplest level you can make slideshow stories, but there are many more features available which allow for effects, sound tracks and with a bit of coding extensive customisation.
A great benefit of renpy over some other free games creators is that the players / readers don't need the Renpy program to interact with the stories and games. Finished works are self contained.
So long as your content has no copyright issues you can sell, or freely distribute your game or story in any way you please. Renpy games and stories can be viewed and played on Windows, Mac, linux..and as far as I understand it Android for phones.
There's a huge community with a lively forum and plenty of support.
You need a litle tech knowledge to use, but it passes the Kate test of being 'possible' and maybe 'gets easier as I go' with 'lots of possibilities to muck about with later'.
The program is currently in development with the latest version just released. This version gives greater support to adding video (cut scenes) to novels and games.
I have made some simple test try outs. One as a multiple ending type quiz, and the latest as a very simple slideshow poem.
The biggest issue (apart from lining up the code in the right column) is thinking in still shots after being immersed in movie making....though Renpy gives the possibility of mixing the two formats.
After playing Syberia I am really inspired how much you can do with simple interactions and slightly animated backgrounds. The story is the key thing.
This is still a thought in process. I will let you know how it goes.
Kate
edit: as I got quite a bit of post when FIP was released you might be reassured to know that the Fairy was in fact safe. The actual rescue scenes were lost in a hideous 'how much custom stuff can I pile into my sims game' type crash.
http://www.thesimsresource.com/stories/details/id/263
Anyhoo. I keep getting the urge to go back to this format, and every now and then try to work out how to do it.
How to make 'slideshow' stories which are easily shared.
I keep finding myself back at the Renpy website.
Renpy is an open source, free to use program, develped so that users could create and share visual novels and games.
At its simplest level you can make slideshow stories, but there are many more features available which allow for effects, sound tracks and with a bit of coding extensive customisation.
A great benefit of renpy over some other free games creators is that the players / readers don't need the Renpy program to interact with the stories and games. Finished works are self contained.
So long as your content has no copyright issues you can sell, or freely distribute your game or story in any way you please. Renpy games and stories can be viewed and played on Windows, Mac, linux..and as far as I understand it Android for phones.
There's a huge community with a lively forum and plenty of support.
You need a litle tech knowledge to use, but it passes the Kate test of being 'possible' and maybe 'gets easier as I go' with 'lots of possibilities to muck about with later'.
The program is currently in development with the latest version just released. This version gives greater support to adding video (cut scenes) to novels and games.
I have made some simple test try outs. One as a multiple ending type quiz, and the latest as a very simple slideshow poem.
The biggest issue (apart from lining up the code in the right column) is thinking in still shots after being immersed in movie making....though Renpy gives the possibility of mixing the two formats.
After playing Syberia I am really inspired how much you can do with simple interactions and slightly animated backgrounds. The story is the key thing.
This is still a thought in process. I will let you know how it goes.
Kate
edit: as I got quite a bit of post when FIP was released you might be reassured to know that the Fairy was in fact safe. The actual rescue scenes were lost in a hideous 'how much custom stuff can I pile into my sims game' type crash.