General Fic Update in Light of FE12

[mark_asphodel]

 I haven't written a word of 'fic since posting "Namesake" last week.  Part of it is that I've been crazybusy, part of it is that it's been HOT and sitting in front of a computer screen in this weather is no fun, and a big part of it is that FE12 and all its revelations has more or less short-circuited the fandom part of my brain.

While all the "lol" parts of the game-- light-hearted convos, cosplay, the return of every character ever playable in an Archanea game-- look very appealing and seem to be keeping the fanbase happy thus far (the prerelease hate more or less dried up that I've seen), all those goodies plus the... change of fates?... that certain characters experience might make this a VERY different "universe" than the Archanea I'm used to.  I mean, FE11 painted a world that was every bit as depressing as NES/SNES Archanea and then some.  FE12, which its creators consider a "new game" (I guess a reboot) rather than a straight-up remake, might be operating on a different sort of field.  Think classic Star Trek as opposed to that entertaining but very messed-up film reboot from last year.  Anyway, this is all highly speculative so far, but what's already been confirmed is enough to introduce a seed of doubt in me about my writing projects.

Specifically, once I get the final chapter of "Another Piece of Blue" completed, I think I'll call it a day on my little "Tales of the Unified Kingdom" fanfic universe.  The entire point of that was me working, at length, to resolve issues re: the ending of FE3-- "how does all of this work?"  With the release of FE12, some things may be canonically resolved in a way to make my speculations irrelevant.  Also, my characterization was, by necessity, projections based on reconciling what FE11 gave me combined with FE3 itself, and the wealth of character detail promised by FE12 is likely going to shoot holes in all my speculations there, too.  So adding any more to the pile would be more pointless self-indulgence.  So I'll probably just tie things off with APoB and move on to other 'fic projects.  I'm sure FE12 will offer me plenty of fresh material, plus there's still my FE8 WIPs and that Lyn/Hector thing that keeps bothering me.

But even finishing APoB may have to wait until I learn the content of Cain's support convos, just to find out how off-base I am!

Comments

[myaru.livejournal.com]

This is too bad. I haven't read that much of Tales, but what I did see was really good, and it's disappointing that the new game might shoot down further additions.

I know how you feel, though. It's like writing fic for an ongoing series, only technically this isn't supposed to be ongoing. Not that I'll object if certain character endings are changed, but geez...

[mark-asphodel.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you've liked it! :)

I don't know... it's very much the feeling of being "jossed" when I thought I was dealing with closed canon, and the Michalis thing in particular... oooh.

Perhaps I will have things resolved once the game comes out. I dunno. At the very least, I'm putting most FE1/3/11/12 things on hiatus for now. Fortunately there are other games....

[samuraiter.livejournal.com]

Why give it up? The existence of FE12 does not negate the existence of FE3 any more than Star Trek XI negates the classic ST movies. :-) And I suspect you have many stories left to tell in your continuity.

[mark-asphodel.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the encouragement. I do tell myself exactly what you're saying here, but I haven't emotionally accepted it all yet-- and I did have a lot wrapped up in my little speculations. If I'd played it straight with FE3, it'd be one thing, but I was deliberately writing a 3/11 fusion, projecting in the absence of real continuity. And now that I'm getting the "canon" sequel I feel all mixed-up.

And I suspect you have many stories left to tell in your continuity.

I do! Or I did. I don't know right now. :/

[kittykatloren.livejournal.com]

I've never played FE3, so I'm really looking forward to FE12 - hopefully it won't change too much? What does the fanbase think of the addition of "My Unit?" Reminds me of FE7's tactician system, but cooler. I am glad to hear there will be support convos; I hated that FE11 didn't have them.

Aw, what Lyn/Hector thing? I get the feeling everyone dislikes them... I'm playing a game supporting them so I get their special 31x conversation/theme song. xP

But most of all, I'm excited to hear any good news on FE12. ^^ I can't wait to read more of your fics after really understanding the world that they're based on.

[mark-asphodel.livejournal.com]

Well, the game creators do consider it to be a "new game based off FE3" instead of a remake. It sounds like essentially the same game underneath-- same level design, similar adversaries armed with roughly similar weapons, same main plot-- only with more recruitable characters, a sidestory, bells and whistles. But there's at least one HUGE change to a character's fate that doesn't really affect the gameplay at all but has thrown us 'ficcers into a tizzy, so there may be other curveballs involved.

As for MyUnit... from a gameplay perspective it's neat, and I hope it helps to generate big sales, but from a fandom perspective it's pretty lame. I'd rather see the canon characters talking to one another than have everyone and their little brother talking to MyUnit. The support convos are more like the FE10 Base Convos... apparently there are many support-bonus pairings with no conversations to unlock (including most of my favorites). But still, more characterization is nice even if some characters have been kind of shafted in the process.

Aw, what Lyn/Hector thing? I get the feeling everyone dislikes them...

Yeah... it does not seem to be a loved pairing these days. But it's the only Lyn pairing I really like, and it's tied for Hector/Farina as my favorite Hector pairing (not into the Opposites Attract thing re: Florina, sorry). Anyway, the plotbunny is kind of hard to explain, but it's kind of about Hector coming to grips with a facet of Lyn's Sacaen heritage around the time Lilina is born... with Hector being somewhat emotionally dense. And the other part of it is about Lyn disliking Ostia. Sort of. :)

I can't wait to read more of your fics after really understanding the world that they're based on.

Thank you! I hope FE12 generates lots more good Archanea 'fic. Including some of yours, perhaps. :D

[kittykatloren.livejournal.com]

I think I've read somewhere that the character with the different fate is (spoiler alert?) Michalis? I just want to know more about him in the first place - seems really interesting in FE11, but he's very minor.

Oh, I'm glad you like Lyn/Hector too. ^^ It's the only Hector pairing I like; for some reason his relationship with the Pegasus Knights never grabbed me. I also like Lyn/Kent, but Hector's still my favorite. Your story sounds great so far!