In response to, "People expecting to be masters from the get-go - or for everything to be known to them before they begin - seems so strange to me, and I wonder if it's a recent development."
I think it is partially a recent development. In part due to an explosion of options gaming wise, hundreds of console games, thousands of computer games, millions of mobile games. And in part due to there being more variety in gameplay now. As much as I loved rpgs on the super Nintendo, they were all very similar mechanically. I don't mind figuring things out personally, but I think it can go a long way to at least clue a person in on how they'll learn. Whether it be gradually through story diaglouge, optional help boxes (like dark souls 1), or just telling the player there's a help menu for a reason and saying good luck.
"I consider the Alora Fane setting to be Fantasy, just not generic fantasy, and I wonder what about it would make it register otherwise to people"
This one is tough. Correct me if I'm wrong. But I'm assuming you mean Tolkien inspired fantasy with knights, dragons, and magic western Europe when you say "generic."
For me, what does it the most are interesting worlds (like the ones in stormlight archive, Malazan) and magic systems (stormlight, Lighbringer, Broken Earth). I had to mention stormlight twice since its world is also heavily music influenced.
I think showing what is unique is important, and that's something that's tough to convey in words which is why you get descriptions like that kickstarter. In other words, demonstrate why this story needs this world and this magic, why CAN'T this story told in Middle Earth, or the Forgotten Realms. I'm behind on updates and videos so maybe you've already taken care of that, sorry if so.
Keep up the good work, I look forward to what you show next!
In response to, "People expecting to be masters from the get-go - or for everything to be known to them before they begin - seems so strange to me, and I wonder if it's a recent development."
I think it is partially a recent development. In part due to an explosion of options gaming wise, hundreds of console games, thousands of computer games, millions of mobile games. And in part due to there being more variety in gameplay now. As much as I loved rpgs on the super Nintendo, they were all very similar mechanically. I don't mind figuring things out personally, but I think it can go a long way to at least clue a person in on how they'll learn. Whether it be gradually through story diaglouge, optional help boxes (like dark souls 1), or just telling the player there's a help menu for a reason and saying good luck.
"I consider the Alora Fane setting to be Fantasy, just not generic fantasy, and I wonder what about it would make it register otherwise to people"
This one is tough. Correct me if I'm wrong. But I'm assuming you mean Tolkien inspired fantasy with knights, dragons, and magic western Europe when you say "generic."
For me, what does it the most are interesting worlds (like the ones in stormlight archive, Malazan) and magic systems (stormlight, Lighbringer, Broken Earth). I had to mention stormlight twice since its world is also heavily music influenced.
I think showing what is unique is important, and that's something that's tough to convey in words which is why you get descriptions like that kickstarter. In other words, demonstrate why this story needs this world and this magic, why CAN'T this story told in Middle Earth, or the Forgotten Realms. I'm behind on updates and videos so maybe you've already taken care of that, sorry if so.
Keep up the good work, I look forward to what you show next!