I was really appreciating some of the backstory elements that were being dug up about Smash's past recently, so maybe we could keep those while reworking them into the new school-deemphasized setting? I'm mostly curious about what the big point is in bringing smashers to this world. Why does Master Hand invite them here?* Is it just to watch them duke it out, or is there a greater underlying purpose that isn't immediately obvious? When it was a school, the reason Smash Academy came into existence was to train smashers to become ultimate fighters because of some war that took place- I think it was Subspace Emissary. Correct me if I'm wrong or not remembering right for any of this.
I think all of that should still be incorporated as far as mysteries go, though with less of a 'this is a school for getting stronger.' Instead, we need to take out the school from that sentence. 'This is a _____ for becoming a better smasher.' Probably not, 'This is a mansion for becoming a better smasher'. It has to be something else. The mansion seems to be mainly a living arrangement, or a key aspect of the setting.
My main concern is, 'so how does smashing fit into all of this? After all, this is a Smash Brothers-based game!'
It might be cool to have tournaments for our characters to work towards. Really big and sensationalized tournaments where everyone in FDC can see it being broadcasted. These would be a staple of the game. I don't know how often these can happen, but it should be done at a frequency everyone is comfortable with. My thought is starting it out bi-annually and adjusting depending on how well it works out. Of course, it's a completely optional event, but still a really big deal. And not just tournaments, but other broadcasted contests. Or... non-broadcasted contests. If motivation for characters to stay is an issue, then maybe the reward for becoming a tournament champion is SUPER HUGE. Oh look, you won your own private island. Not into that? What about a cash prize that's ENOUGH to buy you your own private island? Or maybe you can go all genie on this and they get a wish granted. Any wish. See back for details.
That said, it makes me wonder how FDC fits into this, and how the smashers' relationship to the city as a whole is. I personally perceive it being that smashers are almost like celebrities, or by being a smasher it denotes a measure of prestige among the commonfolk. Kind of like... major sports players who also happened to save their world? Not like, royalty or anything, but depending on how successful the character is or whether they're like, MARIO or someone big-name like that it makes them seem REALLY COOL to your regular old goomba joe. I'm curious about other people's thoughts regarding their status in the city.
I ALSO PERSONALLY THINK FDC SHOULD BE WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF THE MANSION BUT THAT'S MAINLY SO THEY HAVE MORE TO DO WITHOUT NEEDING TO WARP OR MIGRATE OR WHAT HAVE YOU. FDC should still be an important element in the game.
I also thought about a kind of 'tier' system like you see in the tournament community. It seems a bit risky to implement, though, because while it would be really interesting to see IC drama arise when characters are placed into a rank and given different privileges and status (better rooms than lesser tiers, more concessions, more fans, etc.) because of it, there's a high chance that if not done carefully, it can give rise to... OOC drama. Which is not what anyone wants. Still, I think it's worth considering. IF anyone is into this, it can be based off something like individual performance in Smash events. Thoughts? This is a very underdeveloped idea, but it has potential to make things interesting.
*Also, maybe we should address how people arrive to Smash. Do they have to be invited by letter? Magically poofed? Maybe it's seen as an honor?
MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I'm very interested in having focus be given to character movesets, their final smashes, etc. Or customizing their stats, kind of like what was implemented in SSB4. Kind of like ye olde Smash Fundamentals, before I was even around. Maybe a character doesn't think their current setup is working out, so they rework it from the ground up and try new strategies to win in the next tournament? Personally, I think building these sorts of things would be fun, especially for those who don't have a preexisting moveset and want to consider how their character might work if they were in the new Smash Brothers game. Of course, this can also be a completely optional thing that you only have to do if you care about it enough. Forcing it on people is just lame.
I hope I'm making sense. I have a headache that is making me completely delirious. I feel like I still have more to say but can't formulate them into connecting paragraphs. If it doesn't, please harass me until the cows come home.
A DAZZLING PLACE I NEVER KNEEEEW
I think all of that should still be incorporated as far as mysteries go, though with less of a 'this is a school for getting stronger.' Instead, we need to take out the school from that sentence. 'This is a _____ for becoming a better smasher.' Probably not, 'This is a mansion for becoming a better smasher'. It has to be something else. The mansion seems to be mainly a living arrangement, or a key aspect of the setting.
My main concern is, 'so how does smashing fit into all of this? After all, this is a Smash Brothers-based game!'
It might be cool to have tournaments for our characters to work towards. Really big and sensationalized tournaments where everyone in FDC can see it being broadcasted. These would be a staple of the game. I don't know how often these can happen, but it should be done at a frequency everyone is comfortable with. My thought is starting it out bi-annually and adjusting depending on how well it works out. Of course, it's a completely optional event, but still a really big deal. And not just tournaments, but other broadcasted contests. Or... non-broadcasted contests. If motivation for characters to stay is an issue, then maybe the reward for becoming a tournament champion is SUPER HUGE. Oh look, you won your own private island. Not into that? What about a cash prize that's ENOUGH to buy you your own private island? Or maybe you can go all genie on this and they get a wish granted. Any wish. See back for details.
That said, it makes me wonder how FDC fits into this, and how the smashers' relationship to the city as a whole is. I personally perceive it being that smashers are almost like celebrities, or by being a smasher it denotes a measure of prestige among the commonfolk. Kind of like... major sports players who also happened to save their world? Not like, royalty or anything, but depending on how successful the character is or whether they're like, MARIO or someone big-name like that it makes them seem REALLY COOL to your regular old goomba joe. I'm curious about other people's thoughts regarding their status in the city.
I ALSO PERSONALLY THINK FDC SHOULD BE WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF THE MANSION BUT THAT'S MAINLY SO THEY HAVE MORE TO DO WITHOUT NEEDING TO WARP OR MIGRATE OR WHAT HAVE YOU. FDC should still be an important element in the game.
I also thought about a kind of 'tier' system like you see in the tournament community. It seems a bit risky to implement, though, because while it would be really interesting to see IC drama arise when characters are placed into a rank and given different privileges and status (better rooms than lesser tiers, more concessions, more fans, etc.) because of it, there's a high chance that if not done carefully, it can give rise to... OOC drama. Which is not what anyone wants. Still, I think it's worth considering. IF anyone is into this, it can be based off something like individual performance in Smash events. Thoughts? This is a very underdeveloped idea, but it has potential to make things interesting.
*Also, maybe we should address how people arrive to Smash. Do they have to be invited by letter? Magically poofed? Maybe it's seen as an honor?
MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I'm very interested in having focus be given to character movesets, their final smashes, etc. Or customizing their stats, kind of like what was implemented in SSB4. Kind of like ye olde Smash Fundamentals, before I was even around. Maybe a character doesn't think their current setup is working out, so they rework it from the ground up and try new strategies to win in the next tournament? Personally, I think building these sorts of things would be fun, especially for those who don't have a preexisting moveset and want to consider how their character might work if they were in the new Smash Brothers game. Of course, this can also be a completely optional thing that you only have to do if you care about it enough. Forcing it on people is just lame.
I hope I'm making sense. I have a headache that is making me completely delirious. I feel like I still have more to say but can't formulate them into connecting paragraphs. If it doesn't, please harass me until the cows come home.