Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Give it a Name

I have been working diligently on my new game world.  In the last week or so there have been two play test sessions of some of the material that went pretty well.  Another session is on tap for Wednesday, one in which the players will get to explore some of the largest city.  Writing ceased for most of the past week while I was on vacation, but there was a lot of brainstorming done, which should translate to written work in the coming week or so.

While I was off, however, I did encounter a bit of a stumbling block.  I have been calling the whole project "The Colonies" which is both simple and explanatory.  Unfortunately, it is also a bit generic and I am afraid it is a tad dull.  Also, there is a bit of a problem.  Unbeknownst to me when I came up with the original name, Fat Goblin Games has a series of products as part of their line called the "Shadows over Vathak: Colonies."  A quick perusal of the previews of their stuff on DriveThruRPG indicates to me that there is no real similarity of content.  Under ordinary circumstances, I would not really worry much about this. EXCEPT. Fat Goblin Games has also produced a number of the publishing products I will be using in my project including the cover base, the page backgrounds, and some of the interior stock art.

Since they put out fine products that I like, I am thinking it might be a good idea to change my project's name to be more distinctive.  To that end, I am considering naming the entire project for one of the central geographic features of the new land.  When the humans reach the new land, they land on a long stretch of beach they dub Costa do Branco:  the White Coast.   It is the white coast they return to in their first colonization efforts.  A quick search of that term also seems to indicate that no one has used it as a project title yet.  It seems to still be simple, if not quite as explanatory.  Also, Costa Blanca is a real place in Spain that has some inspiring architecture:  fully in keeping with the spirit of this project.

There is a poll feature that Blogspot seems to allow.  It should be over there ---->.  Vote and tell me which you prefer.  If you do not like either one, comment below and tell me what you think I should do instead.

7 comments:

  1. I think another language would also be good, at leas it would sound more exotic.... Try some of the non-latin based languages for strangerness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The naming conventions of several of the human subraces and the non-human races are going to add to exotic flavor to the land. The first settlers, were from a land that has some Italian flavor. As a result, their name for the White Coast would be Costa Bianca. Many of the original sailors that were shipwrecked in the new land were of a Portuguese influence -- the Costa do Branco. I am still trying out the White Coast and seeing if it has the right feel or not. Hence the question. If it only sounds good to me, then that may be a result of a tin ear and the quest for a suitable name will continue.

      Delete
  2. I had a longer post, but it got eaten. I hope it was cybertasty. Lame is not the word I would use at all, but I did express a preference for different choices. Perhaps something incorporating Fat Bandit, if he has any role at all in your new realm. And if he does not - wtf? What does a bandit have to do, after decades of faithful service?

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a mini, the Fat Bandit made an appearance in the first playtest. As a character, he has a place that may be revealed in time to GMs and (un)lucky players.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like The White Coast, but it feels like it should be more. Since your first name was The Colonies could you incorporate that in the title using a synonym. My first thoughts are something like: The White Coast: Kingdom Outposts or The White Coast: Realm of Nations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That has some potential. The Colonies of the White Coast, perhaps?

      Delete
    2. Your game ... your name. Take out the first "The" and just call it Colonies of the White Coast. It think it flows better.

      Delete