BattleMaster Community

BattleMaster => BM General Discussion => Topic started by: Gildre on March 02, 2018, 01:36:33 AM

Title: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gildre on March 02, 2018, 01:36:33 AM
Ok, so I emailed Tom about this, then PM'd him, but never got any reply.

So I want to open it up to the forum, and get some insight from the Devs, the Mods, and of course the other players!

I am currently writing a novel based on the experiences of several of my BM characters. My idea was to polish it up and publish it in eBook format for free, with a foreword explaining how everything in the book was based off of real interactions between real people in-game, advertising the game. If there were any small amount of success, I thought it could expand into more novels or novellas or even a collection of short stories compiled from other players who enjoy writing.

This brings me to my first question, the largest hurdle, the thing I really need a response from Tom for. What is the deal with the rights for the things that happen in Battle Master? I assume that all characters and interactions are technically owned by Tom, since he owns the game? Basically I am under the impression that only Tom needs to sign off on this adventure for it to be possible.

Second question, does anyone think this would have any chance of drawing people to the game? I consider myself a capable writer, but I am hardly a professional. I don't even know if anyone would read it.

So that is my idea. I would love any feedback/insight/knowledge about the rights issue.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Wimpie on March 02, 2018, 08:25:48 AM
I like the idea.

No clue about the rights, though.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gabanus family on March 02, 2018, 08:26:21 AM
I love it. Honestly I think a large group of us at time have thought about doing the same, but never actually went through with it.

I doubt Tom would mind, especially if you give BM a shoutout (Tom isn't really involved with BM anymore anyway, Anaris is).

Also it doesn't matter if it brings people to the game. If anything, there will be people here who would love to read it. As long as you would enjoy writing it, I'd say hell yeah!
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gildre on March 02, 2018, 02:28:26 PM
I should note that the story revolves around my two dead characters, Gilth and Fiona. While waiting to figure out the whole rights issue, if anyone has characters that were involved in the Northern War, the subsequent creation of Vix Tiramora, and the war against Greater Xavax and DON'T want their characters involved in any way, please just post a comment, PM me, or send me an OOC in game, and I will work around it.

Also, if you do have a character that interacted with the two, if you want to send me a "character sheet", info like their appearance, attitude, personality, etc...  that would be greatly helpful! The perspective would always be from one of those two, but I want to stay as true as humanly possible to any characters other people have created.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Andrew on March 03, 2018, 09:53:14 AM
Legally, Tom is the owner of BM. I doubt he'd mind, but you should still get a go-ahead from him.

I've shot him a message on facebook, with a link to this topic.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Tom on March 03, 2018, 10:31:16 AM
Love the idea. Go ahead. Keep me updated.

Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gabanus family on March 03, 2018, 10:42:01 AM
Gildre if you want to use one of my chars and have questions you know how to reach me ;)
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gildre on March 03, 2018, 02:45:53 PM
Tom,

Thanks for the green light! Will do!

Gabanus,

Absolutely! Correct me if I am wrong, but Garas was the General of Sirion at the time right?
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gabanus family on March 03, 2018, 03:15:57 PM
Yes, Garas was general of Sirion starting just after Perdan/Westmoor and allies invaded Sirion untill some months after peace was signed with Perdan. When Oligarch was transfered back feom Eponllyn to Sirion Garas became the new Duke/Margrave and in turn stepped down as General.

He was a very different person however back then than what he ultimately became. So if there's anything do let me know ;)
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Sharpspeare on March 04, 2018, 05:42:52 PM
I like this idea. It sounds great to me.

Not sure if my character, Druzil, interacted with yours, but you can use him if you want. His info is on my family page on the wiki. If you need any more questions, feel free to ask.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Eduardo Almighty on March 06, 2018, 12:12:13 PM
I've thought about it a few times. Now seeing that Tom agrees, it's a first step. But I still think about everyone I've played with... and well, although I do not mind to lend my characters for the idea of third parties, I think if everyone thinks the same way.

Imagine write something about, for example, Atanamir or Echtelion... just to discover weeks later that they're pissed off. But, if it's all for free... more people can try and compile something... like... "Life, Death and Intrigues in the Old Continent"... I'm terrible with names...  :-\
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gabanus family on March 06, 2018, 01:05:28 PM
BM has so many great stories I think and you can always change their names if they don't like it and say it's fiction I suppose...

If I'd ever follow Gildre, it would prob be either:

1) Rebellion, rise and fall of Sartania (FEI after my rebellion, so much happened)
2) Garas' lifestory
3) Fontan, intrigues and war in ancient democracies
4) Intrigues at Obian court are also quickly developing itself to a good story
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Eduardo Almighty on March 06, 2018, 06:42:15 PM
I would go with something old and cheesy like... Serpentis: Masters of the Universe  8)
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Ketchum on March 07, 2018, 03:40:05 AM
Yes, Garas was general of Sirion starting just after Perdan/Westmoor and allies invaded Sirion untill some months after peace was signed with Perdan. When Oligarch was transfered back feom Eponllyn to Sirion Garas became the new Duke/Margrave and in turn stepped down as General.

He was a very different person however back then than what he ultimately became. So if there's anything do let me know ;)
I am fine if anyone want put Brock as Nivemus Ruler since he was Ruler from Garas General time until he founded First Oligarch, even now he still the Ruler.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gabanus family on March 07, 2018, 09:37:34 AM
I am fine if anyone want put Brock as Nivemus Ruler since he was Ruler from Garas General time until he founded First Oligarch, even now he still the Ruler.

That's not entirely true. Brock did not become Ruler untill after Duchiess of Southern Sirion (later renamed First Oligarch) was founded. It was only a while after the founding that the wedding between Catherine and Garas was announced which led to Brock's rulership (was General before).
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gildre on March 07, 2018, 11:07:21 PM
Yes, Fiona only ever dealt with Kronagos Catherine. Brock was after her time, but I appreciate it!

Honestly, if a player had a problem with me using their character, then I would simply make up a character to fill the void. I have zero problems with that, and I respect intellectual property.

In addition, all "perspectives" will be from the point of view of my own characters, plus one other player who has graciously allowed me to include their character as a main for my story. So I won't be doing anything with anyone's characters that wasn't done in-game (or as close as I can). As it is written and as characters come up in the story, I intend to try to reach out to those players and ensure they have no qualms with their character having a part in the story.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: JeVondair on March 16, 2018, 07:45:24 PM
Should I msg Cadewyn's player?
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Gildre on March 16, 2018, 09:40:56 PM
I would hugely appreciate that Jev, if it wouldn't be too much trouble?

Obviously, Cadewyn plays a pretty big role in the story, and while it is quite a ways down the road from where I am currently, it is good to start thinking about. I would love to have her permission to include her character. If she is willing, would you be able to ask her if she would be willing to draft up a quick character sheet for me as well? I have gotten a few from other players, and they have proven invaluable in capturing the characters.

While we are on the topic, what are your feelings about Selenia being in the story, or rather, how do you feel about me portraying her character? While I am not writing the perspective of any other characters, there are a certain few characters that have met Gilth of Fiona that I am hesitant to even write about, in the fear I will fail to do them justice. Selenia would be one of those.
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: JeVondair on April 02, 2018, 09:15:30 PM
While we are on the topic, what are your feelings about Selenia being in the story, or rather, how do you feel about me portraying her character? While I am not writing the perspective of any other characters, there are a certain few characters that have met Gilth of Fiona that I am hesitant to even write about, in the fear I will fail to do them justice. Selenia would be one of those.


First of all, thank you for asking me. It's an honor. I'll say publicly that I really don't mind when other writers borrow one of my characters so long as they don't break those characters by enforcing uncharacteristic actions etc or otherwise assume ownership of my characters, you know?  that's the only common courtesy I would insist upon. If you have any questions about any of the JeVondiars, I would be happy to be a resource for you.


Good luck on your project!
Title: Re: A Publicity Idea
Post by: Zatirri on April 08, 2018, 07:15:25 AM
If it's not done for profit, I'd have thought it'd fall under the same kind of thing as fan fiction for any other game.
I can't foresee any issue with licencing.