Red Truth
AAO Comp hosted by Trybien, Spongesonic, and eerew
Ah yes, my favorite DBZ episode...
AAO Comp hosted by Trybien, Spongesonic, and eerew
Ah yes, my favorite DBZ episode...
Sherlock Hol- oh, I'm sorry, Herlock Sholmes has taught us that when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth… but what happens when the entire core of the mystery itself relies on the impossible? What do you do when the scenario presented cannot happen under any circumstance? The answer - strip away the very fundamentals themselves until you arrive at the true solution.
Task:
The goal of this comp is to create a mystery with an impossible premise. This will be judged in two parts:
Part one is the set up of the mystery itself. Keep in mind that we're not looking for convoluted or fantastical mysteries, unless they break the very rules of the world the story takes place in. The main premise of the mystery needs to be no-way no-how super duper never-in-a-million-years 100% totally and utterly impossible. The victim was killed in two places at the same time. The killer flew away from the crime scene. The body was teleported to another building. That sort of thing.
Part two is the process of showing us the trick behind how it really worked. This is the proverbial pulling back of the curtains to reveal the wizard is just a conman at a control panel. After all, what's the point of setting up an impossible mystery if you're not going to solve it? A good way to format your explanation is, "X didn't really happen, but Y did!" For incomplete cases, you don't have to show us the whole trick, but we should at least start to get a good idea of what's really going on.
Judging:
Story: It can be easy to get carried away and create the craziest, zaniest, wackiest premise for a case you can think of! But remember that the core premise of the mystery is just one part - don't neglect other important aspects of your story like pacing, set up and payoff, and good narrative hooks!
Characters: Every case needs memorable and distinct characters! We're not picky about this - just give us some good characterization and memorable moments with these guys and we're good.
Presentation: What's the fun of uncovering the big twists if the case presents them as dryly as possible? Good sprite and music choices go a long way, and try to have minimal typos.
Gameplay: For this comp especially, easy-to-follow case logic that makes sense is especially important! We'll also be judging puzzles and other gameplay inclusions.
Theme Relevance: To reiterate - we want impossible mysteries, not fantastical mysteries. Killing a guy with a magic spell in a world where magic exists doesn't cut it. If you're going to base the mystery around a fantastical element, the rules must be clearly defined so they can be broken later. Also, the explanation behind the trick needs to make logical sense. It also can't just be a previously undiscovered way to explain how the impossible premise actually was possible the entire time. That's lame. Don't be lame.
Rules:
- All entries must be completed between January 6th, 2023 and April 6th, 2023.
- Entries must be submitted to Trybien, Spongesonic, and eerew with walkthroughs included.
- Entries must not be showcased until after they've been judged.
- Entries must not be edited after being submitted, unless at the behest of the judges to fix major bugs. They may be edited after judging to make minor changes, such as fixing minor bugs and grammar mistakes, but they must not be radically changed until after the competition is over.
- Entries may contain spoilers for all current Ace Attorney games. Spoilers for non-Ace Attorney properties must be clarified during submission.
- Entries may be a Trial, Investigation, Comedy, Miscellaneous, or anything else so long as they follow comp rules. Also we haven't really played Umineko we just like the meme so no spoilers there please. Actually eerew hates Umineko so I'm pretty sure he doesn't care...
- Entries may be incomplete when they are submitted.
- Entries may be a collaboration between any number of people. Any playtesters must not be judges or other entrants.
Deadline:
Your full entry and walkthrough must be sent to Trybien, Spongesonic, and eerew by April 6th, 2023 at 11:59:59 PM MST (UCT -7). A 24-hour grace period will be permitted for unforeseen circumstances.
Entrants:
DJJ6800 - LOST IN IMPOSSIBILITIES
Samallama & DeathByAutoscroll - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
Super legenda - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
ikuzonos & Bannedfrom7 - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
Spoonmaster12 - LOST IN IMPOSSIBILITIES
skyem & spoonofdestiny - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
callieG - LOST IN IMPOSSIBILITIES
SuperAj3 - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
GuardianDreamer - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
Msipp26 - LOST IN IMPOSSIBILITIES
NotButz & Madoc - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
XavierWright - LOST IN IMPOSSIBILITIES
¿Acid Rain? - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
TimeAxis - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
Dylan Dog - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
Mirage Xel - FOUND NEW POSSIBILITIES
Good luck to all entrants! And always remember - the truth is out there!
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Spoiler : A Turnabout Spirited Away by ¿Acid Rain? :
Great Potential Award: Please finish your case...
Tinfoil Hat Award: It’s a conspiracy, I tell you! A CONSPIRACY!
Give That Man Atmosphere! Award: For having epic atmosphereSpoiler : Make My Life Worse by GuardianDreamer :
Understands Deadlines Award: You’re the only ones who know what a deadline is.
Hero Award: Your protagonist is so cool. Can we be friends…
Best "Wright"ing Award: Kudos on your superb writing skills!!!
Pride Power! Award: For the case that celebrates Campus Pride Month most effectively.
Chuffed Doggy Award: For making us chuffed with all the flavor text you put in!!!Spoiler : Turnabout Nirvana by Dylan Dog :
Umineko Larp Award: small bombs zen zen dame da zen GUYS
Disqualification Award: For excellence in sending three entries to the judges. Spoiler : The Turnabout That Never was by Super legenda :
Look at this _____ Award: For casually getting inspiration from ____. I mean that scene from that game where ____. Look, you know what I mean.
Golden Cactus Award: I'm proud of you.Spoiler : Colton's Wild World by SuperAj3 :
WTF Award: For the case that made us go "Um... sir?
AAO Wizard Award: If you’re not careful, you’ll be a PLvsPWAA defendant.
God of Comedy Award: Even he’s laughing.Spoiler : The Insoluble Turnabout by NotButz and Madoc :
Applehead Award: For the best placeholder
Union Jack Award: For isekaing a cast to London.Spoiler : The Curious Case of the Phantom Limousine by TimeAxis :
Golden Paintbrush: wow your custom art is so handsome :3Spoiler : The Illogical Turnabout by ikuzunos and Bannedfrom7 :
Watson Award: For the best sidekick
The End is Never the End: Stanley, go back and look at that fern.
Darkest Timeline: They turned zelda into a girl…Spoiler : The 27th Victory Day Parade or: Moving Forward Without Seeing by Mirage Xel :
Last Stop Award: For the unfinished entry with the best stopping point.
Trybien Is Sorry Award: He'll never cyberbully the entrants again.Spoiler : That time I got reincarnated as a fictional Defence Lawyer in An Ace Attorney fangame and had to defend myself against incredibly unfair odds by Samallama and DeathByAutoscroll :
Polycule Destroyer Award: For the most polarizing case.
Dzibilchaltunchunchucmilliation Award: A word I’m sure you all know the meaning of. Right?Spoiler : The Turnabout of the Curious Incident of the Train in the Night-Time by skyem and spoonofdestiny :
Support the Troops Award: Only one man knows what it's for. And an any pronouns.
Spoiler : Misc :
Mobile Mandy Award: Never again will this award be more apt...
AAO WR Speedrun Award: …It feels hollow winning it for this reason…
Spoiler : Overall Rankings: :
Almost Actual Winner Award: Tied between GuardianDreamer's Make My Life Worse and TimeAxis's The Curious Case of the Phantom Limousine: For nearly completing the impossible task set before you.
Actual Winner Award: SuperAj3 for Colton's Wild World: You did the impossible. Congratulations!
