Post by Terra on Jun 29, 2011 22:30:46 GMT -5
I'm going to have to do a lot of research over the next...day. On artificial intelligence and alternate-reality games and maybe other things that begin with A. I don't know. I'm also going to have to do a lot of planning. I feel like I could have used a bit more time to plan before diving in, actually. XD; It's a very plot-based thing, I think. It makes me wonder whether I should go with something else, maybe...but considering that my other idea hasn't been developed beyond, "There's a funny situation with this one character, who has a relationship with one other character, and they live in this sort of fantasy world that's only vaguely developed!"
But here's what I've got so far, basically.
I have more ideas, but I'm not sure yet how they'll play out. There are also a lot of details that I haven't filled in yet. I'm going to have to work out a lot of them soon.
And if you're curious, here's the other, much less developed idea I had recently:
Heh...I wonder whether this idea might be a bit more suitable for NaNo.
I've gotten so invested in the first idea, though, that I really want to write it soon. I guess that's my answer.
But here's what I've got so far, basically.
Okay, so there's this computer/electronics company that I haven't named because I haven't thought of a name that doesn't exist in the real world. A couple of computer sciences students, Emily Marsden and Tobias Simpson, are interning there for the summer. As a sort of side-project, they've been working on an alternate-reality game, and Emily's got a cell phone that's used as a plot-point/some kind of component of the game. It's a cheap thing, only has the basic functions of a cell phone, really.
But then an artificial intelligence takes over the company building, locks everyone in, and threatens everyone with guns. Or something. Something lethal, anyway. It also shuts off all forms of electronic communication.
But when Emily checks the phone she's using for the ARG, it's still functioning...and she realizes that it's probably because it's not made by the company. Emily decides to take a chance and texts someone about it. Instead of sending it to someone she knows, though, she accidentally sends it to some random person on her recent texts list, and she doesn't have time to try again before the AI notices.
That person turns out to be Sally Springfield. A teenager who's playing this ARG, along with her best friend, Henry, and, of course, many, many other people. The two of them been spending long hours together trying to figure out the various steps, coming over to each others' houses, fighting with each other, fighting over the computer because one of them forgot to bring a laptop, and so on. They're very dedicated.
Tons of players have been sending texts to this phone, including Sally...and when she receives one back, she thinks it has to do with the game. Of course. She posts it online, and everyone immediately starts trying to figure out what it means.
Meanwhile, Emily manages to convince the AI that she has to respond to the people texting her, or they'll think something's wrong with her. So the AI allows it, under the condition that she doesn't say anything about this, so she continues sending coded messages to Sally, a stranger, hoping that with the context of the ARG, she'll figure out what's going on.
But then an artificial intelligence takes over the company building, locks everyone in, and threatens everyone with guns. Or something. Something lethal, anyway. It also shuts off all forms of electronic communication.
But when Emily checks the phone she's using for the ARG, it's still functioning...and she realizes that it's probably because it's not made by the company. Emily decides to take a chance and texts someone about it. Instead of sending it to someone she knows, though, she accidentally sends it to some random person on her recent texts list, and she doesn't have time to try again before the AI notices.
That person turns out to be Sally Springfield. A teenager who's playing this ARG, along with her best friend, Henry, and, of course, many, many other people. The two of them been spending long hours together trying to figure out the various steps, coming over to each others' houses, fighting with each other, fighting over the computer because one of them forgot to bring a laptop, and so on. They're very dedicated.
Tons of players have been sending texts to this phone, including Sally...and when she receives one back, she thinks it has to do with the game. Of course. She posts it online, and everyone immediately starts trying to figure out what it means.
Meanwhile, Emily manages to convince the AI that she has to respond to the people texting her, or they'll think something's wrong with her. So the AI allows it, under the condition that she doesn't say anything about this, so she continues sending coded messages to Sally, a stranger, hoping that with the context of the ARG, she'll figure out what's going on.
I have more ideas, but I'm not sure yet how they'll play out. There are also a lot of details that I haven't filled in yet. I'm going to have to work out a lot of them soon.
And if you're curious, here's the other, much less developed idea I had recently:
There's a world much like this one, except everyone has a completely random superpower. And I mean completely random. Yeah. And in this world lives a girl named Melanie (or Mel). She's sixteen, and their powers typically manifest between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, so she's a little worried. Finally...one day...she wakes up and get out of bed and she does her usual morning stuff, and at some point she spontaneously makes a dramatic gesture with her hands, and pink sparkles start trailing from them.
She is very upset.
She sort of starts raging against the heavens and calls her best friend, Kaylee, in a fit of angst. Kaylee is very patient with her, and she comes over to her house and comforts her. They are adorable together.
And...that's pretty much all I've got. XD
She is very upset.
She sort of starts raging against the heavens and calls her best friend, Kaylee, in a fit of angst. Kaylee is very patient with her, and she comes over to her house and comforts her. They are adorable together.
And...that's pretty much all I've got. XD
Heh...I wonder whether this idea might be a bit more suitable for NaNo.
I've gotten so invested in the first idea, though, that I really want to write it soon. I guess that's my answer.
Good luck with the writing!
