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Post by Admin Droid on May 4, 2004 18:01:17 GMT
I've been thinking about this a while, and I was talking about it at the weekend. At present, we don't really have the facility to produce more than seven or eight issues a year with a 7-page Sonic story and a 5-page back-up. However, with more people joining the project, it is conceivable that we'll eventually be able to start expanding things a little. We don't want to go mad with it, of course: the most important thing must always be the quality, and the larger you get, the more difficult that becomes.
But I just was curious to see if there was any overwhelming opinion on how the comic should expand, if we ever do get into a position to do so. Should we be trying to get more Sonic stories done, so we can have more issues and release more frequently? Or should we be looking at having more back-up stories so we can have the odd issue with a third story?
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Post by ChaosX3 on May 4, 2004 18:35:52 GMT
Tough one Ed... I'd have to vote for more frequent issues though- Longer Isses would be good, but re-downloading them from Back Issus would prove tedious, as each comic would have a data size too large to download fully on certain browsers. Also, with longer issues it is possible to lose interest. Short and sweet, that's how it's played
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Post by Zerolus on May 4, 2004 18:44:13 GMT
I voted 'more stories' as I'd like to see some stories tying in with each other. Plus, its quality that matters, not quantity.
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Post by Samface on May 4, 2004 20:04:15 GMT
That is a toughie. Whilst my first impulse would be same size issues more often, it would be really nice to have an extra story. We wouldn't have the problem of fans of certain characters getting annoyed because it's so long between their appearances, and you could explore more of the world at once. Also, it would set up nicely for crossovers. ;D I know they're a hassle to write, but they're really cool when they slot together. So it seems I'm in favour of more stories - but really, I'm not sure. I'll think about it.
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Post by Blizz on May 4, 2004 20:13:46 GMT
Oh yes. More stories please!
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Phil
Big Time Boomer
Member #5 of Team Sonic Forum
Posts: 125
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Post by Phil on May 4, 2004 20:25:40 GMT
When I see a magazine, I look for two things. These are quality and quanity. Personally I believe quanity is not always a good thing, because pages can be wasted with useless junk that's not needed and is simply a waste of space. Quality I feel is more important.
Onto the question now. I think the best way to answer this is to look at the two answers and give some pointers on each one.
Less issues but more stories is something I believe that's worth the wait. It's a longer read as well. I know however from experience that when you're done reading you can't wait for the next one and you end up getting annoyed waiting around.
More issues but less stories can be more enjoyable, seeing as the wait is less and the stories run quicker. However you don't get other stories that you might want to suggest, and you may end up annoyed as well because of that.
If it was me, I'd pick less issues and more stories. Look at stories for example. They take a while to carry on with the next book after the first has been published (e.g Harry Potter) and it's a worthwhile wait just to get it. So you have to wait, big deal. I'm sure most of us could handle that. So yeah, less issues and more stories I'd say.
Sorry again for a long rant, and if I'm mixed something up or missed the point let me know.
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Post by Samface on May 4, 2004 20:37:42 GMT
You know what, Tails? You've won me over. I voted longer stories. I can stand to wait. Had to wait a year and a half for Philip Pullman to get his typewriter in gear after reading The Subtle Knife and if I can wait for that I can wait for anything. ;D
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Post by Admin Droid on May 4, 2004 20:48:54 GMT
Samface: I think it's nice to keep the strips a bit separate. Gives more variety, and (crucially!) much more editorial flexibility. Having said that, there'll be a mini-crossover in the next couple of issues, with developments in the Knuckles plot impacting the Sonic strip. Unless you mean doing something like "The Final Victory" or "Showdown". Hopefully, we'll be able to do one of those for #250 at least. Blizzard: So which 'more stories' option is that? Tails: No mix-ups at all. Thanks for a very well-considered reply.
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Post by Spydaman on May 4, 2004 21:28:48 GMT
As one of the artists I'd probably have to vote for longer issues and the same release date. Simply cos the pressure is so light when you know your work isn't due for a few months. Gives you a chance to really put your all into it and make it the best you can.
As for longer stories, I wasn't too sure about that. If they were longer, I'd say only by a page or so cos I like how compact the Sonic stories are (a) because it really makes you think as a writer and (b) because it's really easy on the ol wrists as an artist XD. More stories per issue would be cool though. Like 3. Dunno about 4, depends on the availability of the artists I spose.
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Zak29
Artist Hume
Posts: 329
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Post by Zak29 on May 4, 2004 22:20:15 GMT
Yeah, I mos' definitely agree with Spydaman. The same pace but more backups, easier to hit the deadlines
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Post by Admin Droid on May 4, 2004 22:25:38 GMT
Actually, the idea would be to make the deadlines the same, just to have things planned out even further into the future with more artists rotating on the regular strips (pretty much what we're doing anyway...). Should have made that clear.
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Tom
Ex-Hume
Hume-who-used-to-think-he-was-in-charge
Posts: 3,786
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Post by Tom on May 4, 2004 22:38:33 GMT
I'd say you should have a look into putting a non-Sonic strip at the back... although at this point in time, I couldn't say which.
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Zak29
Artist Hume
Posts: 329
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Post by Zak29 on May 4, 2004 23:14:26 GMT
I've got a couple of ideas
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Post by Robert Frazer on May 5, 2004 0:48:32 GMT
This certainly constitutes quite an arduous conundrum to determine a coherent response to! However, after I conducted some severe internal wrangling over such a vexing issue, I have opted to assume favour for the latter disposition, and would encourage the implantation of larger quantities of stories in issues which possess a lengthier interim between releases. Initially, I must declaim that more frequent (if shorter) issues do possess attractive elements - everyone here (presumably... ) adores S.T.C., and so they would obviously respond positively to a more rapid alteration and introduction of new content, which would perhaps aid in fostering a more harmonious atmosphere on the discussion thread and more votary candles on our household shrines to the Great King Reynolds and his artistic Lord-Lieutenants . It would also be a genuinely practicable asset in maintaining the interest of a significant proportion of 'casual' (oh, how loathsome that infernal term is, with all of its wretched allusions to S**y... ) patrons to the site who are not dedicated supporters, as a reduced 'lull' would similarlry reduce the risk of their loss of patience. However, there is one definite, irrefutable, and nigh-insurmountable gremlin that shall wreck and ruin any endeavour to realise the above concepts... THE DEADLINE.[/size] Of course, I do not in any fashion wish to cast aspersions about the competence of this superlative project's staff, yet ever since I installed myself as a member of the forum of Campaign Creations in that distant and myth-shrouded ancient epoch of Christmas, 2000 A.D., I must communicate the unfortunate personal experience that no internet project has ever been capable of adhering to its schedule - especially if those schemes are especially rigid or stringent. I myself am no exception - my singularly pathetic endeavours to create a Starcraft custom campaign have been subject to such dreadful postponements that it now appears to be the misshapen and aberrative spawn of an unholy union between Daikatana and Metropolis Street Racer! Whether recalcitrant servers, virus contagions that appear to be targeted specifically at your copy of Photoshop, or that awkward and obstinate intrusion that is Real Life, there are a multiplicity of factors that will deliberately conspire to destroy any attempt to produce frequent editions of any production, be it web-comic or computer program. The ultimate problem here is that the readership will be expecting rapidly-delivered issues, and when inevitably some slip past their expected dates, only grief and anguish and a large quantity of complaints deluging the forum shall be the consequence of it. The benefit of longer issues would be an attempt to nullify this: Granting scriptwriters, editors and artists alike all an increased opportunity to successfully complete their assigned tasks and account for whatever a demanding university tutor or the stolen car screaming out of a junction and five feet into your own vehicle's exhaust pipe may cast at you (in some situations, literally!). Think of Sonic the Comic - Online as equivalent to the most illustrious brands of wine... they are granted the most favourable envrionments and permitted to mature to a sumptuous and delectable flvaour over time. I am quite willing to endure a longer wait to read or publish material, if I can as a consequence regale or contribute to a genuinely superior issue. And what is even more favourable is that Gordon '(Im)prudence' Brown cannot bludgeon me with half-a-dozen excise taxes upon this online indulgence... ;D
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Post by Sonicsdaman on May 5, 2004 8:45:21 GMT
What an explanation!
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Tom
Ex-Hume
Hume-who-used-to-think-he-was-in-charge
Posts: 3,786
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Post by Tom on May 5, 2004 9:01:05 GMT
Talk about deadlines... the first issue was three years late
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JJ
Script Hume
Bit of a hack, really.
Posts: 4,902
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Post by JJ on May 5, 2004 9:56:17 GMT
I'd personally go for longer issues, same deadline. I don't mind waiting for each issue - the wait isn't THAT long for me anyway. If the team could get an extra strip in there, that would be great. Am I the only one not thrilled by the prospect of a non-Sonic Sega strip? I'd rather just see Sonic, personally.
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Post by Admin Droid on May 5, 2004 18:43:19 GMT
Intriguing to see the results are so much in favour of more strips rather than increased frequency. Thanks for voting, guys.
Robert: You're right, although we don't like attempting anything if there are deadline doubts. And whenever we've tried, we've got stung. If the project does grow, we'll definitely want to make sure we can sustain it.
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Post by Shadude on May 5, 2004 20:02:20 GMT
I guess I would like a bit of both (thinks back to the old days) longer isuses and one more story. Three stories would do me fine. I would love to see amy and tails a bit more.
That would suit me or a longer Sonic story would be cool as well. Maybe whe you bring Shadow in the comic you give him his own stips I'm sure some other people agree with me.
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JK Whitaker
Boomer
My pens are mightier than the sword... untill they run out of ink! Damn!
Posts: 72
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Post by JK Whitaker on May 6, 2004 1:04:44 GMT
Lets see...
Longer strips, I agree. More strips, yeah. Basic key is to ad more content. You make strips longer and you can ad alot more to a story or just make not seem to move so fast. Adding more strips is good cause you have different stories running at once, more characters making appearences and such.
All in all, I'm all for it. Not like I'd have a problem or anything.. or could I? Knowing my luck... but.. em.. whatever.. all for it. ^^
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Post by HyperKnux99 on May 6, 2004 2:04:18 GMT
I voted 'more stories' as I'd like to see some stories tying in with each other. Plus, its quality that matters, not quantity. and useing that same logic i'm going to vote aganest you, longer comics this will give us more quality comics I dont' want short rushed feeling comics.
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Post by Dragonsteincole on May 6, 2004 10:27:23 GMT
mebbe... but STC originally had the 6-page and 5-page strips, and its almost a dead cert that STC-O is trying to be as close to STC as possible...
but I have voted for longer comics... it would help with the storytelling **remembers #229, with its heavily rushed Knuckles story**
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Tom
Ex-Hume
Hume-who-used-to-think-he-was-in-charge
Posts: 3,786
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Post by Tom on May 6, 2004 18:47:20 GMT
What do you mean by "rushed"? Because by my judgment, eighteen months' preparation certainly does not constitute a "rushed" strip...
#228 on the other hand...
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Post by whiteetheechidna on May 6, 2004 18:50:49 GMT
i voted for longer stories,as it will proide me a bit longer and wont seem so long for the next issue that way
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Post by Omochao on May 7, 2004 13:05:01 GMT
Me too.
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