Hello folks. The reason why you haven't seen a blog post for the past project is because, like last time, these two projects kind of run together. I'm saving it for a big commentary where I'll talk about the final outcome of the first half of the season, Fans vs. Favorites, and move on to the second half, where we are now split into three teams. The storyline could go anywhere from here.
Keep in mind, in a way, this is still very much Fans vs. Favorites. Team Elias is made up of all Fans, while Team WestCot is made up of a trio of Favorites. Team Technicolor, on the other hand, kind of fits its namesake well, because we have two HUGE characters on the former Favorites Team (That would be Mater and KingMickey, for anyone whose not keeping score) are teamed up with former Fan MouseketeerCole, who had previously established himself as a power player on his previous team. Like I said people, ANYTHING can happen.
Anyways, enough commentary, the real reason I'm here is to introduce a new series into the So, You Want to be an Imagineer Blog (Along with other series Top 10 and Project Commentary) called Sky Blue Imagineering. Sky Blue Imagineering is basically me just throwing any and all ideas out in the air. Now that we've got that concept established, let's move on to the actual attraction I want to show you today.
The attraction is called AquaTopia. It's a brand new Autopia/Water Coaster hybrid, built for Team Communicore's Tomorrowland for the League of Dreamers competition. This is the redesigned attraction challenge.
So anyways, the concept of AquaTopia is this: World famous Car Manufacturer/Deep Sea Explore Pete Siden (Get it...Posiden?) has invented a new kind of car that has the ability to travel underwater. To demonstrate this new technology, he's invited you to the Tomorrowland Living Seas Laboratories. The name an obvious homage to the famous Epcot pavilion. So basically, here's the general idea for the ride. Yes, I think a technology would be possible to travel rides through underwater through scenes in PeopleMover like (AquaMobiles) that are basically PeopleMovers with glass domes instead of open awnings. Add a Steampunk element, and the fact that guests control how fast they go down the track, and I hope you get the idea. Sorry I couldn't draw something up...I'm really bad at art.
Anyways, here we go...
Exterior:
The exterior of the ride will be a huge, three story watchtower, painted in pure gold. The watchtower will be looming on a cliff, with gaping holes on both sides. Every 90 seconds or so, a wave from the back of the exterior crashes down the holes, creating a waterfall like effect. The watchtower is in a Steampunk style and shaped kind of like a smaller scale Carousel theater. The queue begins with guests winding their way up a ramp on the street level of Tomorrowland, and traveling three stories into the actual watchtower.
Queue:
When we get inside the tower, we discover almost immediately that the whole thing is a front for the top secret Living Seas Labs. The rest of the queue winds its way past various experiments in water of various consistencies, regions, and temperature. The room with the safety video, which also serves to set up the plot, is a Steampunk garage, with an AquaMobile front and center, and screens on the four corners of the room.
The video lays out the story of Dr. Pete Siden, who believed that a great way to solve man's reliance on fossil fuels would be to develop automobiles that could actually travel underwater. The result is the AquaMobile.
Okay, here's the story with the Aquamobile. It doesn't actually travel underwater. Much like the proposed Little Mermaid dark ride, this ride will feature a Dry/Wet effect. Simulating being underwater without ACTUALLY being underwater. Of course, the vehicle will have to have a domed top to complete the effect, after all people would obviously know they weren't really underwater if they were exposed to the effect. But fear not, the glass dome will actually increase the enjoyment of the ride. Basically, each car is a four person vehicle. In the middle of the car, there is a joystick, push it forward to speed up, backwards to slow down. There will be four tracks. Each track will essentially have the same route. The reason why there are so many is to increase capacity. Basically, were looking at four tracks with 12 Aquamobiles a piece. Each getting launched 90 seconds apart from each other. Obviously, there will be a strict no bumping rule.
Sorry I can't get into more detail about the following show scenes. This is a Blue Sky concept after all though, so what can I say. As of now, this idea is kind of up in the air, but I do have a general idea of the show scenes. Basically, first of all they will all be relatively large in scale. Let's say, each show scene will be AT LEAST as big as the Burning Village set of Pirates. The four rooms will each be themed to one of the four oceans, and the entire ride will be described as a Test Track style simulation of the various underwater climates these AquaMobiles will have to face.
Anyways, in order of appearance, we have.
Pacific Ocean:
The Pacific Ocean will be highlighted by two things, underwater volcanoes and an underwater earthquake. The first part of the scene will be a valley of underwater volcanoes. Beautiful, potentially deadly, and bubbling. We round a corner, and suddenly, the room is shaking. We then see the ocean floor literally getting torn in half. We round a corner and go on towards the next ocean.
Atlantic Ocean:
Much like the West Coast has to deal with earthquakes, the East Coast has to deal with hurricanes. So, to start off the Atlantic Ocean set piece, we'll have a showcase of all the exotic sea life of places such as the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. Highlights including giant turtles and jellyfish. These will all be presented as Audio Animatronics, but in a very realistic way. The second half of the building finds your entire car spinning. This is because your AquaMobile actually includes technology that spins the cars body at certain points along the route. Anyways, the spinning of course is meant to simulate a hurricane. Quickly, we escape amidst an effect of bubbles swirling all around us and head into the next track.
Indian Ocean:
This is the part of the ride I have the roughest idea about. Basically, I want to have some kind of a scene involving a cave and a dangerous sea creature, then something about a tsunami or tidal wave which will involve the AquaMobile shaking due to more EMV technology. (Really, the AquaMobile will perhaps be the most technologically advanced ride vehicle Disney has ever done.) Finally, we enter our fourth and final show scene.
Arctic Ocean:
The Arctic Ocean set piece takes place in the icy depths surrounding Antarctica. First of all, the temperature in this room will be FREEZING to give the scene a startling sense of urgency. In yet another moment of playing around with the AquaMobile, at one point your AquaMobile will become stalled, and even eventually start to freeze over. You are saved at the last minute by the AquaMobile's "Built in state of the art emergency defrost technology." The grand finale of the ride takes place in an erupting underwater volcano. Amidst all the ice, the lava will give the scene a startling dangerous beauty. After Rounding one last corner, you find yourself back in the garage. You then exit down another ramp, back through the front cliffs and watchtower, and into the futuristic world of Tomorrowland, after having experienced a little piece of what the future of automobiles might have in store.
AquaTopia is a mix of classic Disney E Ticket dark ride, Autopia car rides, and just a dash of Steampunk. It also fits perfectly into the realm of Tomorrowland by delivering an optimistic view of what the future of automobile technology might be like. I hope you guys liked it. Remember, this is my submission for Team Communicore's Autopia re-imagining for the League of Dreamers contest.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Projects Two and Three: Official Commentary
If any players are around from the days of the first few seasons, you'll remember that it would sometimes take almost a month or at least several weeks to go from project to project. Did you ever think we'd see two complete projects play out within the course of a week? I've got to say, that's one of the things that's improved with the game, well along with pretty much everything, is how much more efficient and on top of things we were now. Anyways, the last two projects basically could be viewed as one big project, which I why I decided to write just one blog post about the two.
The basic theme of the projects was essentially getting to the root of what Disney does best, what sets them above the competition, which of course is the detail and immerse quality of all their parks. Hidden Mickeys and off the beaten path areas really aren't found anywhere else in the world, are they? I mean sure, other theme parks have quiet areas that are away from the hustle and bustle, but they don't immerse yourself in it quiet like Disney. As for Hidden Mickeys...Well, I'd say it's safe to say that they are simply a breed all their own.
The team interaction these two projects were great. It doesn't matter that the Favorites came out winning both of them, pretty much everyone did a great job in brainstorming this time around, and the people that didn't really contribute are now eliminated. That's one of the only things I didn't really care for about this particular set of projects was the stagnancy of the eliminations. Then again, when a player disappears, it really can't be helped. Now that were down to this particular group of ten, I really feel that things will competitively get really intense form here on out. There's really no fat to trim off of either of the teams anymore. Each person is pretty much essential to how the teams work as a whole. It will be a pretty riveting experience now that everyone left is a pretty big player.
I think the projects themselves were easily some of the better ones I've seen in the early stages of the game in any season, especially from the Favorites side. I must say, in this situation, it really reminds me of how Team Ansem won the first two projects in Season Six. They had the presentation aspect of the game down, something Team Yensid didn't possess. I think that's where the Fans' shortcoming is as well. To be honest, the Fans come up with some really clever ideas...It's their selling of their ideas that they have to work on. It's not that their projects aren't well written or anything, it's just that they could use a little bit more of a "wow" factor to them, that the Favorites have. I can't really explain it, it's something you guys will have to find for yourselves. In my opinion, the Off the Beaten Path project was a blowout in favor of the Favorites, but the Hidden Mickeys project was actually very close, and both teams presented really interesting ideas.
I really don't know what happened regarding the pair of eliminations these past projects, Twilight Roxas and Disneyman88. With Roxas, I really think it comes down to him simply not being invested in the game. I really don't think he ever contributed much of anything in his run. It's a shame, considering how out of the box he's been when I've worked with him. Hopefully he'll shine in this competition yet. As for Disneyman88, again, I think this is really a shame. I think it's basically a case of some kind of personal or computer related difficulty keeping the person from posting. Why else would someone so dedicated seem to drop off the face of the earth like that? With that being said, I think eliminating these two really eliminated the only "dead weights" left in the cast.
Now were on to the real competition. I'm hoping KingMickey on the Fans team can bring them some victory. Remember, KingMickey was the Team Leader of Team Ansem, the very same team that won the first two projects in Season Six. He knows about presentation. And like I said, things are about to get REALLY intense from here on out. I won't get into details, but prepare for a major game changing twist at the end of this project...In the meantime, get to work on your carnival rides, and here's to Season Seven's continued success!
-Tiki
The basic theme of the projects was essentially getting to the root of what Disney does best, what sets them above the competition, which of course is the detail and immerse quality of all their parks. Hidden Mickeys and off the beaten path areas really aren't found anywhere else in the world, are they? I mean sure, other theme parks have quiet areas that are away from the hustle and bustle, but they don't immerse yourself in it quiet like Disney. As for Hidden Mickeys...Well, I'd say it's safe to say that they are simply a breed all their own.
The team interaction these two projects were great. It doesn't matter that the Favorites came out winning both of them, pretty much everyone did a great job in brainstorming this time around, and the people that didn't really contribute are now eliminated. That's one of the only things I didn't really care for about this particular set of projects was the stagnancy of the eliminations. Then again, when a player disappears, it really can't be helped. Now that were down to this particular group of ten, I really feel that things will competitively get really intense form here on out. There's really no fat to trim off of either of the teams anymore. Each person is pretty much essential to how the teams work as a whole. It will be a pretty riveting experience now that everyone left is a pretty big player.
I think the projects themselves were easily some of the better ones I've seen in the early stages of the game in any season, especially from the Favorites side. I must say, in this situation, it really reminds me of how Team Ansem won the first two projects in Season Six. They had the presentation aspect of the game down, something Team Yensid didn't possess. I think that's where the Fans' shortcoming is as well. To be honest, the Fans come up with some really clever ideas...It's their selling of their ideas that they have to work on. It's not that their projects aren't well written or anything, it's just that they could use a little bit more of a "wow" factor to them, that the Favorites have. I can't really explain it, it's something you guys will have to find for yourselves. In my opinion, the Off the Beaten Path project was a blowout in favor of the Favorites, but the Hidden Mickeys project was actually very close, and both teams presented really interesting ideas.
I really don't know what happened regarding the pair of eliminations these past projects, Twilight Roxas and Disneyman88. With Roxas, I really think it comes down to him simply not being invested in the game. I really don't think he ever contributed much of anything in his run. It's a shame, considering how out of the box he's been when I've worked with him. Hopefully he'll shine in this competition yet. As for Disneyman88, again, I think this is really a shame. I think it's basically a case of some kind of personal or computer related difficulty keeping the person from posting. Why else would someone so dedicated seem to drop off the face of the earth like that? With that being said, I think eliminating these two really eliminated the only "dead weights" left in the cast.
Now were on to the real competition. I'm hoping KingMickey on the Fans team can bring them some victory. Remember, KingMickey was the Team Leader of Team Ansem, the very same team that won the first two projects in Season Six. He knows about presentation. And like I said, things are about to get REALLY intense from here on out. I won't get into details, but prepare for a major game changing twist at the end of this project...In the meantime, get to work on your carnival rides, and here's to Season Seven's continued success!
-Tiki
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Project One Official Commentary
Wow. All I can say, is what a project. More than that, what a grand, epic start to what is going shaping out to be by far the most engaging, controversial, and competitive season we've ever had. And were only one project in! There's just no other way to say this. Season Seven is turning out to be a grand slam. With that in mind, let's examine the actual project.
Things started out with a bang as soon as the projects got underway. The two teams, the Fans and the Favorites, headed by Monkey4057 and JPhelps, respectively, got to work on their Blue Sky Project, one project designed by both teams working together. A quick word about the Blue Sky Project concept. I do remember back when Season Six ended, I said that the first project of Season Seven would be a game pushing idea that would have the game be played in a whole new way. Well...wasn't I right? I love the idea of Blue Sky Projects, as it gives the teams so much creative freedom to just let their imaginations run wild. I'll talk about the actual product the teams came up with a bit later on. There will be two more Blue Sky Projects throughout the course of the season. Both played in different ways, both at critical points in the competition. Stay tuned...
The amount of actual brainstorming going on this project was just...ridiculous. I really wasn't sure how this fourteen people working on one project thing was going to turn out, but really, for the most part, you guys really ran with it. I love the cast this season because in addition to playing well off of their individual team members, they also play well off of members of their opposing teams. Things will get really interesting when we get to the Team Swap. Oops, did I just say that? Nevermind...Moving on.
Now, let's get to the final project. First of all, I want to say that the technology you guys came up with for this E Ticket really was very impressive. I really do find it curious that Disney has never dabbled in water coaster technology. The queue was also really impressive. Yes, it combined various elements of other Disney queues, but I think that's exactly what made it work. Now, the problem I had was with the actual ride. To be quiet frank here, I found it to be a bit disjointed. The scenes themselves were all exciting, but honestly to me it just didn't really flow very well. It all felt really episodic without any sort of an established OVERALL setting or overall goal. It just seemed like one random adventure after another, and really it went on for two scenes too long. I thought the whirlpool was the climax, and pacing wise it was just kind of awkward having two other scenes after a scene that big and exciting. There were some really good ideas at play here, I think pacing was by far the biggest issue I had with the overall package.
Let me just say that I really did appreciate all the hard work and determination put into this project. I'm not going to name names, but each and everyone one of you contributed something. Okay fine, I will name one name. Twilight Roxas, you seriously need to step up to the plate, because you've been contributing next to nothing. I know you've got a really creative imagination. Run with it. You could do great in this competition if you just gave it a little bit of an effort. I hope you're reading this.
I guess I should also say a few words about the three victims this first project. First, we have MickeyFan5534. There's not a lot to say about him. He just got caught up in other Imagineering project. Alyx92 was a person I really did have my eye on. Unfortunately, he is having computer troubles, and that's really something that can't be helped. Sucky situation, but it happens. Lastly we have JPhelps, eliminated in thirteenth place. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that JPhelps' performance this project was perhaps the most memorable of any first project elimination in the history of the game. You've got to admit, he was trying to get a grasp on the Team Leader thing. Finals are what kills a lot of people's games, and JPhelps was just the latest victim of this. The big move on his run, however, was targeting MaterA113 and TrevorA for elimination. It's funny, because Mater and Trevor really are kind of a team, being the two masterminds behind WDWMagic's "The Imagineer" and "Leauge of Dreamers". I think basically, JPhelps just targeted the wrong people, because that really is kind of a power duo right there, and after dropping the ball by not turning in his project, he really didn't have a chance. Like I said though, he really did have a hell of a storyline this season, even if it did only last one project.
As for the rest of you, while admit-ably some of you have done more work than others, I'd say overall this is the most solid cast we've ever had, bar none. As if that wasn't obvious already. Remember, there's a secret power lurking. One on the Fans team, one on the Favorites team, held by the winners of the Favorite Project contest and Personal Blue Sky contest. One last notes. The Favorites need to chose a new Team Leader. I've been thinking this over, and Mater, I know you really want to do it, but the more I think about it, you had half a season as a Team Leader in Season Six, and I really want some fresh blood. I'm really sorry, and hope you understand. So with that in mind guys, get me a name. Sometime today would be preferable. You guys are off to a killer start. Keep up the good work.
Things started out with a bang as soon as the projects got underway. The two teams, the Fans and the Favorites, headed by Monkey4057 and JPhelps, respectively, got to work on their Blue Sky Project, one project designed by both teams working together. A quick word about the Blue Sky Project concept. I do remember back when Season Six ended, I said that the first project of Season Seven would be a game pushing idea that would have the game be played in a whole new way. Well...wasn't I right? I love the idea of Blue Sky Projects, as it gives the teams so much creative freedom to just let their imaginations run wild. I'll talk about the actual product the teams came up with a bit later on. There will be two more Blue Sky Projects throughout the course of the season. Both played in different ways, both at critical points in the competition. Stay tuned...
The amount of actual brainstorming going on this project was just...ridiculous. I really wasn't sure how this fourteen people working on one project thing was going to turn out, but really, for the most part, you guys really ran with it. I love the cast this season because in addition to playing well off of their individual team members, they also play well off of members of their opposing teams. Things will get really interesting when we get to the Team Swap. Oops, did I just say that? Nevermind...Moving on.
Now, let's get to the final project. First of all, I want to say that the technology you guys came up with for this E Ticket really was very impressive. I really do find it curious that Disney has never dabbled in water coaster technology. The queue was also really impressive. Yes, it combined various elements of other Disney queues, but I think that's exactly what made it work. Now, the problem I had was with the actual ride. To be quiet frank here, I found it to be a bit disjointed. The scenes themselves were all exciting, but honestly to me it just didn't really flow very well. It all felt really episodic without any sort of an established OVERALL setting or overall goal. It just seemed like one random adventure after another, and really it went on for two scenes too long. I thought the whirlpool was the climax, and pacing wise it was just kind of awkward having two other scenes after a scene that big and exciting. There were some really good ideas at play here, I think pacing was by far the biggest issue I had with the overall package.
Let me just say that I really did appreciate all the hard work and determination put into this project. I'm not going to name names, but each and everyone one of you contributed something. Okay fine, I will name one name. Twilight Roxas, you seriously need to step up to the plate, because you've been contributing next to nothing. I know you've got a really creative imagination. Run with it. You could do great in this competition if you just gave it a little bit of an effort. I hope you're reading this.
I guess I should also say a few words about the three victims this first project. First, we have MickeyFan5534. There's not a lot to say about him. He just got caught up in other Imagineering project. Alyx92 was a person I really did have my eye on. Unfortunately, he is having computer troubles, and that's really something that can't be helped. Sucky situation, but it happens. Lastly we have JPhelps, eliminated in thirteenth place. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that JPhelps' performance this project was perhaps the most memorable of any first project elimination in the history of the game. You've got to admit, he was trying to get a grasp on the Team Leader thing. Finals are what kills a lot of people's games, and JPhelps was just the latest victim of this. The big move on his run, however, was targeting MaterA113 and TrevorA for elimination. It's funny, because Mater and Trevor really are kind of a team, being the two masterminds behind WDWMagic's "The Imagineer" and "Leauge of Dreamers". I think basically, JPhelps just targeted the wrong people, because that really is kind of a power duo right there, and after dropping the ball by not turning in his project, he really didn't have a chance. Like I said though, he really did have a hell of a storyline this season, even if it did only last one project.
As for the rest of you, while admit-ably some of you have done more work than others, I'd say overall this is the most solid cast we've ever had, bar none. As if that wasn't obvious already. Remember, there's a secret power lurking. One on the Fans team, one on the Favorites team, held by the winners of the Favorite Project contest and Personal Blue Sky contest. One last notes. The Favorites need to chose a new Team Leader. I've been thinking this over, and Mater, I know you really want to do it, but the more I think about it, you had half a season as a Team Leader in Season Six, and I really want some fresh blood. I'm really sorry, and hope you understand. So with that in mind guys, get me a name. Sometime today would be preferable. You guys are off to a killer start. Keep up the good work.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Various Anouncements and Tidbits
Hello again, folks.
Well, this just hasn't been my morning now, hasn't it! Haha, I won't get into personal issues
( :grumbles about loosing job: ) but let's just say...UGH. Well, I think in the end, when it comes to the game, we are basically sailing smoothly, but I have a couple of announcements regarding that. So, let's get right down to the nitty gritty then, shall we.
Well, today I received the unfortunate news, via PM, that Alyx92, a member of the Fans team, had to drop out due to computer issues. It's a really frustrating circumstance, on both ends, but fortunately, I believe I've made a few minor tweaks that I believe sets everything back on course. I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of them.
First of all, this round was going to be a Double Elimination Round to begin with, so the fact that two people dropped out means we still end up with the same number of contestants we would of had otherwise going into Project Two. The thing is, this leaves the Fans outnumbered five to seven. So, to even that out, I have switched Hack2112, a member of the Favorites team who was basically a special guest star, being a judge on the popular The Imagineer competition over at WDWMagic.com. So, the teams as of now are.
Fans
-Monkey4057 (Team Leader)
-DisneySea Fan
-Twilight Roxas
-Adv Blue Dude
-MouseketeerCole
-Hack2112
Favorites
-JPhelps (Team Leader)
-Jessiestudio
-Disneylover4ever
-KingMickey
-MaterA113
-TrevorA
So, congratulations you guys. You now get to compete against each other. I'll let you finish up this last project, but please try to hurry. This thing runs on a schedule, and the sooner we can move on to Project Two, the better. I'm really hoping to get this season wrapped up by early August as to avoid any kind of school. So like I said, if you can get the project in tomorrow, that'd be killer, but don't feel rushed. Just keep in mind that you can turn it in as early as you want, and like I said, the earlier the better. One last thing, any last minute personal Blue Sky Projects that wish to be submitted must be in my PM box BEFORE the official project is turned in. Might I just say, I really like everything that's been submitted to me thus far, and I'll be sure to PM everyone my thoughts on their personal projects. I don't want to reveal who gave me a project publicly, because I don't want to narrow down who has the secret power that will be awarded to the winner after the project is turned in. So get to it guys, and let the competition REALLY begin!
-Tiki
Well, this just hasn't been my morning now, hasn't it! Haha, I won't get into personal issues
( :grumbles about loosing job: ) but let's just say...UGH. Well, I think in the end, when it comes to the game, we are basically sailing smoothly, but I have a couple of announcements regarding that. So, let's get right down to the nitty gritty then, shall we.
Well, today I received the unfortunate news, via PM, that Alyx92, a member of the Fans team, had to drop out due to computer issues. It's a really frustrating circumstance, on both ends, but fortunately, I believe I've made a few minor tweaks that I believe sets everything back on course. I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware of them.
First of all, this round was going to be a Double Elimination Round to begin with, so the fact that two people dropped out means we still end up with the same number of contestants we would of had otherwise going into Project Two. The thing is, this leaves the Fans outnumbered five to seven. So, to even that out, I have switched Hack2112, a member of the Favorites team who was basically a special guest star, being a judge on the popular The Imagineer competition over at WDWMagic.com. So, the teams as of now are.
Fans
-Monkey4057 (Team Leader)
-DisneySea Fan
-Twilight Roxas
-Adv Blue Dude
-MouseketeerCole
-Hack2112
Favorites
-JPhelps (Team Leader)
-Jessiestudio
-Disneylover4ever
-KingMickey
-MaterA113
-TrevorA
So, congratulations you guys. You now get to compete against each other. I'll let you finish up this last project, but please try to hurry. This thing runs on a schedule, and the sooner we can move on to Project Two, the better. I'm really hoping to get this season wrapped up by early August as to avoid any kind of school. So like I said, if you can get the project in tomorrow, that'd be killer, but don't feel rushed. Just keep in mind that you can turn it in as early as you want, and like I said, the earlier the better. One last thing, any last minute personal Blue Sky Projects that wish to be submitted must be in my PM box BEFORE the official project is turned in. Might I just say, I really like everything that's been submitted to me thus far, and I'll be sure to PM everyone my thoughts on their personal projects. I don't want to reveal who gave me a project publicly, because I don't want to narrow down who has the secret power that will be awarded to the winner after the project is turned in. So get to it guys, and let the competition REALLY begin!
-Tiki
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