We are looking for content on our site (MyAdventureGame.com) and    
figured, who better than the talented writers and researches at GA to    
help us with this task! MyAdventureGame.com is the source for playing,    
creating, and sharing "choose-your-own-adventure"-style games.  For    
more information on the web-site, please read the Frequently Asked    
Questions.    
     
Answering this question should be fun and challenging.  Before you    
begin, please make sure that you are up for the task ... this question    
certainly is not for everyone.  If making a game on our website sounds    
is something you’d WOULDN'T do in your spare time, then this question    
may NOT be for you.    
      
The Question:      
Go to our website (http://MyAdventureGame.com), create an account (or    
use your existing account), and make a game which that is both    
interesting and educational.  The main idea behind this game is that    
you have fun playing it and walk away learning something.    
      
The game needs to deal with history, mythology, or the   
paranormal/supernatural.  This game also must have at least 30 pages   
with at least 10 different pictures spread throughout the game.  These   
pictures should have some relevance to the page they are on and can be   
photographs, illustrations, or animated GIFs -- whatever you deem   
appropriate.  Remember, the system allows only one picture per page.   
Also, more pictures add to the game, and good games  get great tips!    
      
Most good games have most pages with 100-150 words, but that’s just a    
rule of thumb.  Pages too short don't get the player in the story,    
pages too long remove interactivity.  This game must feel interactive.    
      
The history, mythology, or paranormal/supernatural references need to   
be accurate.  Your game shouldn't read like a textbook (remember, it   
should be fun) but at the same time shouldn't contain inaccuracies   
(such as Thor being one of the Greek Gods, for example).  The   
paranormal/supernatural "evidence" should not be something you made   
up, but something that could be found on the Art Bell website or in a   
book.   
     
Here are a few examples of games that would certainly meet the   
requirements.  Please feel free to use or base your game off of these   
ideas or use your own.   
   
"Stepping Into Hermes Shoes"    
This game tells the story of a common man, Demetrius of Athens, coming   
across the legendary Shoes of Hermes.  It would begin by describing   
Demetrius and his day-to-day life (which would be historically   
accurate) and go on to explain (using accurate Greek god names and   
personalities) how Hermes lost his shoes.  The plot of the game could   
be the to return to shoes, or perhaps how to outsmart the gods, or to   
use them to get an advantage in a (historically accurate) war.   
    
"Conspiracy Theory"    
This game would be about a conspiracy that is NOT mainstream (eg. JFK   
or Moon Landing) and NOT a joke (eg. Santa as a communist icon or   
toilet paper with microchips), but more middle of the road (Gulf War   
Illness, AIDS as a weapon, Freemasonry, etc).  Perhaps the plot could   
be that the player uncovers a conspiracy by mistake and has to avoid   
getting killed by the conspirators, or perhaps the player has to   
orchestrate the conspiracy.  Again, the conspiracy should contain   
accurate facts (well, at least what the conspiracy theorists propose),   
and should leave the player with "oh, now I know about that   
conspiracy, perhaps it happened."   
    
"Surviving the American Civil War"    
The player in this game would experience life as a person in a troupe   
of soldiers in the American civil war. Perhaps the troupe gets caught   
and is sent to a (historically accurate) POW camp; perhaps the troupe   
fights in a (historically accurate) battle.  Again, the player should   
come out of the game entertained and informed.   
   
The talented researcher easterangel-ga answered a similar question    
and received a $10.00 tip.  You can see his answer here:   
http://myadventuregame.com/preview.asp?g=327  
      
Unfortunately, there very limited, if any, instructions available.  We    
have, however, tried to make the game editor as easy to use as    
possible.  Assuming you have an up-to-date internet browser (IE4+,    
NS4+), there will be Pop-Up help on many of the buttons on the    
website.  If you have any specific questions about it, we would be    
more than happy to answer them for you.    
     
**** IMPORTANT GAME TIP ****     
Also note, it is important to have a good idea of the Start and End of    
your game before creating it on the website.  Planning before hand    
will not only save time but will create a much better end product.     
You will thank yourself later if you do this.    
      
We apologize for the novella of a question here, but we wanted to make    
things clear.  Please do not hesitate to ask for clarification or to    
emai.  We can be reached by emailing info(at)MyAdventureGame.com.     
We really look forward to experiencing your game!!!   
      
Don't forget, the game will be eligible for the $100 contest (see the    
website) and we tip (fairly well) for a job well done.    
      
Again thanks in advance.

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Request for Question Clarification by shivreddy-ga on 27 Nov 2002 21:49 PST

Hi,

I am currently working on a game at your site. The story is about Ram
and Lakshman from the famous epic Ramayana. I hope you and your
visitors will enjoy it. The console and layout of your site is cool
indeed!


Warmest Regards,
Shiv Reddy

---

Request for Question Clarification by shivreddy-ga on 27 Nov 2002 22:55 PST

Hi,

Just an update after more than an hour of work. Fun work actually! I
have created more or less the whole story. There are many missing
links though that must be taken care of. I seriously hope that you
will enjoy playing my game :)

Warmest Regards,
Shiv Reddy

---

Request for Question Clarification by shivreddy-ga on 27 Nov 2002 23:53 PST

Hi,

More update. After another hour of work, I have finally set out my
story. There does not seem to be much of a game in it but it is
nevertheless very educational. I will post the final result within the
next few hours.

Thank you.

Warmest Regards,
Shiv Reddy

Hi,

Thank you for the opportunity to make a game using your site's
excellent resources! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

My game is here:
http://myadventuregame.com/preview.asp?g=366

The game consists of roughly 36 pages and 13 pictures. I have tried to
illustrate it at every possible point. I do hope you enjoy playing it
as much as I enjoyed making it!

________________________________________________________________________________

This game is based on the famous Hindu epic - The Ramayana. Ram and
Lakshman are in exile for fourteen years.
 
The Background:
Retiring King Dasaratha of Ayodhya chooses his son Rama as his heir.
His second wife Kaikeyi asks that he appoint another son Bharata,
instead. Kaikeyi pleads that he owes her two favors, and she feels
misfortune will come upon her if he doesn't crown her own son, Bharata
king and banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years. The king
reluctantly agrees, so Rama goes with his beautiful wife, Sita, and
his brother Lakshman, leaving their riches to live a simple life.

The Game:
Rama is in the forest with Sita when a beautiful golden deer passes
by. The deer is actually a demon in disguise, Maricha. Maricha was
approached by Ravana, the king of Lanka who took a fancy to Sita. The
real story that lead to the unfortunate turn of events is this:

Again more Background:
Surpanakha was the sister of Ravana. Ravana was then the most powerful
Asura king who lived in Lanka (today's Ceylon). One day Surpanakha
happened to see Rama and instantly fell in love with him. She
requested Rama to be her husband. Rama was amused, and smilingly said,
"As you see I am already married. You can request Lakshmana. He is
young, handsome and is alone without his wife." Surpanakha took Rama's
word seriously and approached Lakshmana. Lakshmana said, "I am Rama's
servant. You should marry my master and not me, the servant."
Surpanakha got furious with the rejection and attacked Sita in order
to devour her. Lakshmana swiftly intervened, and cut off her nose with
his dagger. Surpanakha ran away with her bleeding nose, crying in
pain, to seek help from her Asura brothers, Khara and Dushana. Both
the brothers got red with anger and marched their army towards the
brothers.Rama and Lakshmana faced the Rakshasas and finally they were
all killed. Surpanakha was terror stricken. She immediately flew to
Lanka to seek her brother Ravana's protection. Ravana was outraged to
see her sister mutilated (and humiliated). Surpanakha described all
that happened. Ravana was interested when he heard that Sita is the
most beautiful woman in the world, Ravana decided to abduct Sita. Rama
loved Sita very much and could not live without her.

When Sita sees the golden deer she is immediately smitten and desires
that Ram brings it back for her. Ram accedes after repeated pleadings
and goes after the deer leaving Lakshman to take care of Sita. When
Rama shoots the deer with his bow, Maricha, before dying, imitates
Ram's voice and shouted, "Oh Lakshmana! Oh Sita,! Help! Help!"

Sita hears the voice and asked Lakshmana to run and rescue Rama.
Lakshmana was hesitant. He was confident that Rama is invincible and
the voice was only a fake. He tries to convince Sita but she insists.
Finally Lakshmana agrees. Before his departure, he draws a magic
circle, with the tip of his arrow, around the cottage and asks her not
to cross the line.

"As long as you stay within the circle you will be safe with the grace
of God" says Lakshmana and hurriedly left in search of Rama.

From his hiding place Ravana was watching all that was happening. He
was glad that his trick worked. As soon as he finds Sita alone, he
disguises himself as a hermit and came near Sita's cottage. He stands
beyond the protection line of Lakshmana, and asked for alms.  Sita
comes out with a bowl full of rice to offer to the holy man, while
staying within the protection line drawn by Lakshmana. The hermit
asked her to come near and offer. Sita was unwilling to cross the line
when Ravana pretends to leave the place without the alms. As Sita does
not want to annoy the sage, she crosses the line to offer the alms...
The story begins here, Ravana did not lose the opportunity. He quickly
pounces on Sita and seizes her hand, declaring, " I am Ravana, the
king of Lanka. Come with me and be my queen." Very soon Ravana's
chariot left the ground and flew over the clouds on way to Lanka.He is
trying to make it across the sea towards Lanka. The vehicle he uses
for the flight is a chariot that can fly in the sky. Your job is to
help Ram stop him and win back Sita.

Are you upto it? 


A word of caution: 
The Ramayana epic is revered in India and other Hindu Kingdoms. During
the course of playing the game please do not attempt to denigrate any
of the characters involved in this famous poem.

A word in Conclusion:
This is said of those who tell of the story of Ram!

"They will be free of sins and will have many sons. Women who listen
to the Ramayana will be blessed with children like Rama and his
brothers. All those who listen please Rama. Such is the glory of this
story. May all who recite it or listen to it regularly find increased
love, wisdom, and strength..."
_______________________________________________________________________________



The entire game is made purely with educational experience in the
mind. Also I am a devotee and a staunt believer of the faith. The
Ramayana is an holy epic of the Hindus and there cannot be much
alteration in the tale for it might be derogatory. I have however
tried to incorporate as much challenge as possible.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Websites and links I made use of during the creation process:

The Ramayana
http://www.ramayana.com

The Ramayana: an enduring tradition
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/maxpages/special/ramayana/

The Ramayana
http://www.hindunet.org/ramayana/

Rama and the Ramayana: Lessons in Dharma
http://www.askasia.org/frclasrm/lessplan/l000054.htm

The Ramayana story
http://www.askasia.org/image/photos/tabi234.htm


I will be in constant touch with the site and my game. I also intend
to follow up the story with more on the Ramayana and another great
Indian epic The Mahabharata. If you notice any errors or if the story
appears unclear please do not hesitate to clarify.

Thank you once again.

Warm Regards,
Shiv Reddy

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Request for Answer Clarification by myadventuregame-ga on 15 Dec 2002 19:49 PST

Hello Shiv Reddy!

Thank you so very much for taking the time to answer this question. 
We must applogize to you for taking so long to get back to you, we'ver
all been incredibly busy and, would you know, have also had an unpaid
GA bill so we couldn't reply.

In anycase we really enjoyed the game.  It certainly was educational
and entertaining -- and met all of the requirements of the question. 
We sincerly hope to see you around on the site.  Please try to visit
every once in a while.  Join us on the MyADventureGame.com message
board -- we'd love to hear your comments about the site.

Thanks AGain!

Alex and the MyadventureGame.com crew

---

Clarification of Answer by shivreddy-ga on 16 Dec 2002 02:14 PST

Hi,

Thank you for the kind words. I will of course be happy to participate
in your site's activities. Looking forward to more of your questions.

Thank you once again,
Shiv Reddy

Thanks!  We hope you answer some more of our questions. A+