What the devil is this story anyways?
All I can say about Outrun the Scythe
Q. Is it based on another story?
Outrun the Scythe is a direct-yet-retconned sequel to The Ironstar Immortals, an older story/challenge recap of mine that I have a whole page about. The summary is that it ended with the resurrection of Sheila Drudge, the human grandmother to the family’s fifth generation and that her new life was too ripe with opportunity to not pick. Heathcliff, being the fifth generation baby, ended up tagging along for the ride.
Q. Is it based on a challenge?
It’s an Immortal Dynasty at its core like The Ironstar Immortals was, and followed to the letter while I actually play the game, but I avoid that term in the advertising because it undersells how much extra bullshit comes with Outrun and how little time is spent with gameplay!
But I can’t force you to click that link either.
Q. I feel like you’ve done this before.
Because I have. I’ve completed the challenge once with a different family (the Waverlys), I’ve attempted to write about it twice (Eight Ways to Live Forever/Eight Cicadas, no links for you!), yet I’ve never really been satisfied with my approach to rationalizing the challenge into a “deeper” universe. I guess if you remember any of that as a Trip “super fan” (lmao) then this might feel tired but it’s not tiring to me and that’s all that counts. Third time’s the charm is what they say!
Q. How much gameplay? How much story? Where do you draw the line?
Unfortunately it’s a blurry line and the story to gameplay ratio is 80/20 or more. Here’s how a plot is born:
- I have a loose idea of what my characters are gonna be like and a plot in mind.
- I play a generation for each bloodline (so double the commitment). No cheating, no mods, lots of rules, I cry sometimes but it’s a healthy cry. Decisions are made that might play into the plot but surprises are accepted.
- I reflect on what I’ve done gameplay-wise, sort through what screenshots I have (not many), etc.
- I revise the plot based on the gameplay that has happened. Compromises are made but I am generally happier with the end result versus my original plot.
- I reshoot what I need to accomplish the plot, which is a ton.
- Somewhere along the line I abuse a bunch of Blender rigs.
One day the birth of a chapter will get its own dedicated post but I would need to commit to documenting one from the beginning.
Q. Why the A in Daemon?
While my daemon species does borrow from modern/”western” ideas of demons because I indeed live in a modern western society, I want to a) invoke the idea of daimons/daemons from Greek mythology even more, and b) separate myself from the idea that this is a commentary on anyone’s religion. I don’t want it to be! Maybe I should have chosen a different name but they have always been d(a)emons in my head.
Q. Besides the Ironstars, are there other related stories?
Not yet.
Q. Who does the poses?
Mostly me! I am trying to find the best way to share the choice cuts of them. A lot of my posing does involve splicing EA animation stills with my own work so if something seems just a little familiar…welcome to my twisted mind.
Yeah that’ll be a tutorial one day.
For the rest I’d like to thank (among many others) Blams, NotJustABook, Aikea-Guinea, Spladoum, and Bee. You make my world go ’round when I’m lazy.