Crystals For Life 2014

Poxnor

Edit history:

Poxnor: 2014-02-14 02:49:47 am

Poxnor: 2014-02-14 02:44:46 am

Poxnor: 2014-02-14 02:36:39 am

2014-02-14 02:36:30 am

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Quote:

Each person voice a character?

Commentary is not the same thing as reading the script. In fact, reading the script is worse than no commentary. Commentary has to be about providing insight of some fashion. Typically, it's about the strategy and the route. It could also be about the history of running this game ("A year ago, the route would have done ___. It's different today, because we now do ___, for reason ___."). It could even be about the history of the game ("This game studio also developed ___, which is also being run in two days."). But reading the script is a terrible no-no, unless it's for a particular scene (think: FF6 opera).

Edit: Sorry, I didn't mean to pick on you, Key. This is a message that everyone needed to hear, and it's why I'm going to be a hard-ass in the coming months, to make sure the commentators learn the game from the runners on whom they are commentating. Just reading the script isn't entertaining; in fact, it's often annoying. Commentary should be to add some manner of insight, especially for someone who loves the game but is watching a speedrun for the first time (and whoa, voice acting a non-voiced game that someone loves, but has never seen speedrun, will not endear them to the run).

Edit 2: Which brings us to commentary lesson #2: you do not have to be speaking continually for 8 hours. Choose the times you have something insightful, cool, funny, neat, intelligent, witty, etc., to say, and say it then. Seriously, we're all playing games with great music (except me). If you have nothing to say, because the runner is literally running through a 30-second-long hallway, don't be afraid to let the music carry the stream. Commentary is about adding value, not filling airtime Smiley

[quote]Each person voice a character?[/quote]
Commentary is not the same thing as reading the script. In fact, reading the script is worse than no commentary. Commentary has to be about providing insight of [i]some[/i] fashion. Typically, it's about the strategy and the route. It could also be about the history of running this game ("A year ago, the route would have done ___. It's different today, because we now do ___, for reason ___.").  It could even be about the history of the game ("This game studio also developed ___, which is also being run in two days.").  But reading the script is a terrible no-no, unless it's for a particular scene (think: FF6 opera).

[i]Edit[/i]: Sorry, I didn't mean to pick on you, Key.  This is a message that everyone needed to hear, and it's why I'm going to be a hard-ass in the coming months, to make sure the commentators learn the game from the runners on whom they are commentating.  Just reading the script isn't entertaining; in fact, it's often annoying.  Commentary should be to add some manner of insight, especially for someone who loves the game but is watching a speedrun for the first time (and whoa, voice acting a non-voiced game that someone loves, but has never seen speedrun, will not endear them to the run).

[i]Edit 2[/i]: Which brings us to commentary lesson #2: you do not have to be speaking continually for 8 hours.  Choose the times you have something insightful, cool, funny, neat, intelligent, witty, etc., to say, and say it then.  Seriously, we're all playing games with great music (except me).  If you have nothing to say, because the runner is literally running through a 30-second-long hallway, don't be afraid to let the music carry the stream.  Commentary is about adding value, not filling airtime :)

Highspirits

2014-02-14 02:52:13 am

There is nothing wrong with the music of FFA... just need to plug your ears for a few minutes at a time every few minutes.

Speaking of commentary, I'd still like to offer up my services for Wild Arms 4 and Lufia 2 and would love the chance to talk to you so I can get the opportunity. Thanks.

Keypaladin

2014-02-14 02:55:34 am

The Wayward Wanderer

Quote from Poxnor:

Sorry, I didn't mean to pick on you, Key.

I didn't take any offence. Voicing characters was just an idea, and it wasn't a good idea in the end. No worries. ^__^

Poxnor

Edit history:

Poxnor: 2014-02-14 03:12:41 am

2014-02-14 03:12:07 am

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Oye, Skype-timing fail fixed. Highspirits would make an awesome commentator Smiley

Schedule (barring mess-up*) fixed.

*forever and ever a caveat to any post from me.

Raelcun

Edit history:

Raelcun: 2014-02-14 12:53:56 pm

2014-02-14 12:53:07 pm

We require more minerals

I just noticed that on the schedule Chrono Cross is set to an estimate of 8:00:00 that should be at the very least 8:30:00 depending on how many character names we go for. I'd add another 15 just to be safe if we're naming all of them.

Poxnor

2014-02-14 05:17:52 pm

Moo! Flap! Hug!

Okay, in that case (I can't fix it up at the moment from the beach Smiley

), I think the schedule is long enough. I think we'll just have to let TDR rest in peace with Mike's departure Sad

Poxnor

2014-02-14 05:28:24 pm

Moo! Flap! Hug!

If I've seemed bizarrely flip-floppy on TDR, please allow me to explain. The developer of TDR was an incredibly kind person, more than happy to promote C4L and help the cause. I really wanted to showcase his work in our marathon, as a token of gratitude.

However, looking at the schedule now, and how it's evolved, it's in a really great place right now. I just don't think that we can shoehorn that game into C4L. Not to mention, someone would have to learn it in a really short time.

After much thought, discussion, and consideration, I've decided it's just not right for us this year.

Sorry for being so wishy-washy these past few days. I'll try to find my brain somewhere on the beaches of Punta Cana Smiley

Tide

2014-02-14 05:36:51 pm

Insanity Prelude

Just checked the update for the schedule. I'll be working on April the 30th; anyway to rearrange that? I really don't want to have to miss work at the closing of tax season.

puwexil

2014-02-14 06:36:48 pm

Professional Second Banana

I'd like to bow out of FFA commentary (took myself off of the list in the 1st post, but will need someone to update the schedule) - with FF6 that same day I'll need some sleep.

Ginzuishou

2014-02-14 07:10:16 pm

Fixed Puwexil

Driscollad

2014-02-14 07:34:26 pm

Regarding anyone wondering about availability of a modded SNES or Super Famicom, we'll have both, don't sweat it...

Raelcun

2014-02-19 03:10:27 pm

We require more minerals

Well, I just got billed $3000 for a surgery that was covered by my insurance. It shouldn't cut into what I have set aside for C4L? But I need to talk to my insurance and go through all of that crap just to make sure what the hell is going on. Hopefully no bad news is incoming, but I can't guarantee anything right now.

Ginzuishou

2014-02-21 07:19:08 am

At the request of Poxnor, made a change to the schedule as the runner of Wild Arms 4 was unable to make it to C4L until the evening of April the 30th. Wild Arms was switched with Suikoden.

AlecK47

2014-02-21 07:16:22 pm

As it stands right now I'm going to have to drop out of commentary for Pokemon so that I can get some sleep before my run. I thought about it, but changing my circadian rhythms like I would need to seems like a bad idea. As for Oblivion, it's after my run so I can just deal with it.

mikwuyma

2014-02-22 03:27:03 am

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Hey Poxnor,

I know he hasn't posted here, but Chrno can't come to C4L. He has mentioned it before in stream chats and said he's been meaning to post, but he hasn't. Just wanted to warn you ahead of time so this isn't an issue.

magicfreak500

2014-02-23 12:39:02 am

I'm still trying to get the funds to go but I'm starting to think that it going to be hard for me to go at this rate of not getting any kind of funds but if people want to help send viewers so i can get the money(joke by the way). Serously Poxnor I might have to bow out on being able to commentate since gathering the funds not going will.

Chrno

2014-02-23 06:01:39 am

WOW.

Quote from mikwuyma:

Hey Poxnor,

I know he hasn't posted here, but Chrno can't come to C4L. He has mentioned it before in stream chats and said he's been meaning to post, but he hasn't. Just wanted to warn you ahead of time so this isn't an issue.

This is indeed unfortunately true, I've been waiting to see you on IRC so I could tell you in person rather than on the forums but that didn't really materialize. Sorry for any issues this may cause, but looking at the thread it looks like you could replace it easily anyway; it's mostly comes down to this marathon or ESA, and ESA was the better choice economically.

Thanks for offering to allow me to run though, I'll be surly watching the marathon when it comes round :).

puwexil

2014-02-23 10:10:08 pm

Professional Second Banana

At Poxnor's request I've set up a thread for runners/commentators to post practice updates - https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/crystals_for_life_2014__practice_thread.html

Vulajin

2014-02-23 11:55:58 pm

Given AlecK47's and Magicfreak's recent posts, there is a distinct likelihood that Pokémon White 2 will have no couch commentary. I'm perfectly capable of commentating the entire run myself, but it would certainly stand out having no couch. Would anyone like to volunteer to learn the run and join me (and hopefully Magicfreak) for some graveyard fun? Even if you know nothing about Pokémon at all, I'm sure I could get you up to speed by the end of April.

Keypaladin

2014-02-24 01:50:07 am

The Wayward Wanderer

Why not, I'll sign up for Pkmn White 2 commentary.

duckfist

Edit history:

duckfist: 2014-02-24 07:10:30 am

2014-02-24 07:08:33 am

We're approaching the "2-months away" mark, time to get travel plans squared away if we want to get reasonable costs for flights. I've got a couple questions:

Has there been discussion about travel arrangements from the airport to pick up runners? Looks like YEG is about 30 minutes from the hotel. Should I call a cab, or is anybody on site kind enough to do airport runs? I can spot them some cash, of course.

Has anybody booked their hotel rooms yet? I didn't see rates and room choices in the first post, so I'm assuming it hasn't been completely finalized yet.

Roommate arrangements? Should there be a separate thread for this, or are we small enough to just PM each other? It might be a good idea to have this organized into a thread or a big PM, or else people may have trouble getting in touch.

Highspirits

2014-02-24 09:17:10 am

Poxnor did post information about the rooms. I'm also curious how the roommate arrangements going to be, I've never been to a marathon so I don't wanna be left in a box Sad

Here it is:

Okay, hotel numbers. Before I write the numbers, here are four facts:

1. The hotel cut us an awesome deal on the insanely expensive streaming room, the Crown Suite, and the practice room beside it;

2. I had hoped to get the costs lower, but...

3. ...Loren and Anna are going nuts trying to get corporate sponsors in Edmonton, and I'm searching around Vancouver for the same, to cut these costs down; and,

4. These room costs include an amazing breakfast buffet (I'm not talking the soggy eggs crap you get at most hotels; this is a square meal everyday).

We have:

- 10 quad rooms reserved for $154 a room, which includes free breakfast. These can have up to four people occupying. I'll let people room up as they see fit; if you have fewer than four people in a room, the per-person cost goes up.

- 3 couples rooms for $114 a room, which also includes breakfast. These are for the three couples attending (Pox+Poxwife, Lag+Mercury, Essentia+Denton)

- Shared costs: The streaming room plus the rooms on either side of it (a condition of our rental; one will be the practice room, and I haven't decided what to do with the other yet, but I'm sure we'll find a good use for it). $1008 per night.

Yes, that last number is big, but that's what Loren, Anna, and I are going to be working on in trying to attract corporate sponsors.

We're also trying to attract local restaurants who could support us with food. We have a few restaurants "biting" so far. No confirmations, but I'm going to be following up later this month. So, hopefully we'll minimize food costs for attendees. We have a couple of awesome local restaurants that have expressed interest.

Cheers!
--Ryan

Poxnor did post information about the rooms.  I'm also curious how the roommate arrangements going to be, I've never been to a marathon so I don't wanna be left in a box :(
Here it is:

Okay, hotel numbers.  Before I write the numbers, here are four facts:

1. The hotel cut us an awesome deal on the insanely expensive streaming room, the Crown Suite, and the practice room beside it;

2. I had hoped to get the costs lower, but...

3. ...Loren and Anna are going nuts trying to get corporate sponsors in Edmonton, and I'm searching around Vancouver for the same, to cut these costs down; and,

4. These room costs include an amazing breakfast buffet (I'm not talking the soggy eggs crap you get at most hotels; this is a square meal everyday).

We have:

- 10 quad rooms reserved for $154 a room, which includes free breakfast.  These can have up to four people occupying.  I'll let people room up as they see fit; if you have fewer than four people in a room, the per-person cost goes up.

- 3 couples rooms for $114 a room, which also includes breakfast.  These are for the three couples attending (Pox+Poxwife, Lag+Mercury, Essentia+Denton)

- Shared costs: The streaming room plus the rooms on either side of it (a condition of our rental; one will be the practice room, and I haven't decided what to do with the other yet, but I'm sure we'll find a good use for it). $1008 per night.

Yes, that last number is big, but that's what Loren, Anna, and I are going to be working on in trying to attract corporate sponsors.

We're also trying to attract local restaurants who could support us with food.  We have a few restaurants "biting" so far.  No confirmations, but I'm going to be following up later this month.  So, hopefully we'll minimize food costs for attendees.  We have a couple of awesome local restaurants that have expressed interest.

Cheers!
--Ryan

Driscollad

2014-02-24 02:20:52 pm

There will either be one of us able to make the airport run, or a shuttle service (we've been told it's $15) that makes runs at the 30-45 min interval.

duckfist

2014-02-24 05:47:05 pm

Quote from Highspirits:

Poxnor did post information about the rooms.

Thanks for the info! It wasn't in the first post, though. As far as finalizing it goes, I meant... can we actually reserve the rooms yet? I'd very much like to get tickets and rooms booked asap, and I'm hesitant to book a flight until I can actually reserve a room.

Driscollad, I'll likely be flying out on Thursday night, probably take a shuttle since I doubt people would be willing to make that trip in the late hours. Have many people arranged their travel yet? Perhaps a list of arrival times and flight numbers so we can keep track of who is showing up when, and make sure nobody is being left out in the cold? Sorry to pester, but the dates are approaching fast here. Maybe everyone else is comfortable about that and I'm the only one on edge, I don't know.

rinimt

2014-02-24 06:08:06 pm

Kupo!

We'll probably be wanting to look into making a private thread for all that stuff in the very near future (roommates, flights, etc). That's just my opinion though. Tongue