Welcome. Allow me to show you the development process of Episode 1: Whipping Turnabouts and the beginning development of Episode 2: Re:tracer.
This DevDiary will be composed of two parts, hence the 1.5. It will be long, but, I'll try to keep it interesting.
ReferencesPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney wrote:
Case 1-1.This case has a significant influence over this episode. In what ways? The crime scene, to say it simply. The crime in Whipping Turnabouts occurred in Gatewater, simple enough, right? It gets interesting here. The crime occurred near a (certain *wink*) room that we all know and love. It references part of Phoenix's first investigation.
Case 1-4.Franziska von Karma wrote:
......
I don't know.
It was just there.
And I picked it up without thinking.
It is the ironic representation of the events that has occurred with Edgeworth in 1-4.
I understand, overused idea. So is the Phoenix getting his badge back. What matters is the
execution of these ideas.
Think about this as I have said to BBblader.
The relationship between Edgeworth and Franziska is an interesting one. Think of the irony involved, especially dealing with Edgeworth, the prosecutor dealing with this case. You know those random "......" that he used throughout the game? They were suggestions to his thoughts. Very SUBTLE suggestions; it heavily depended on player understanding. One of those thoughts from Edgeworth was about his past when he picked up the gun WITHOUT THINKING. Remember how Franziska commented that case was the starting of his "death" in PW:AA:JFA? While Edgeworth wasn't there to hear it personally, think of the irony that Edgeworth is thinking about, especially to one that is close to him. Think of Franziska's irony and what she may feel on the matter.
That is why I said, look and think heavily. I am using overused ideas, but I am playing with execution. There is so much subtlety in the back-stories. There is so much to look for in Whipping Turnabouts other than the case itself. The characterizations, the uses of irony, and the references are there to bring a much larger story.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice for All wrote:
Case 2-4.
The episode is dependent on the Shelly de Killer card that Maya drew on. We never actually know what happens to the card and I felt it was a wasted opportunity by Takumi/Capcom to not use the card, well, of the events that we know of right now. As I have said previous times, I wanted to have some characters to return. Franziska is one of them. Arguably, Franziska and that card are the most important in this episode. I'll talk about Franziska and the card later.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations wrote:
Case 3-3 and Case 3-5.
These two are mainly used for fun quotes, such as Godot's "if something is not normal, then it's not possible, then where does that leave off..." But it also brings the spirit (metaphorically) of a character back. ;). As said before, I'll discuss this later.
BeginningThis is probably one of the most interesting parts of the game. It's how the game starts, hehe. So, I promised Dypo that I would show how the game developed over time with the beginning. Here are two things. The Episode 1 intro and scene 1.
WIP Beginning: Intro wrote:
[Steel Samurai Ringtone]
Phone: *beep*
Phoenix: Wright, here.
Franziska: I need your help.
Phoenix: Oh? It's you. It's been a while.
Franziska: I heard it from him that you recently reinstated your badge.
Phoenix: Huh, so he told you.
Franziska: Could you come to the Detention Center?
Phoenix: I'll be there.
Franziska: So, is that a yes then?
Phoenix: When will it start?
Franziska: Three days from now. It'll start at 1PM.
Phoenix: Alright, I'll be there.
Phone: *beep*
[wait]
Phone: *beep*
Phoenix: Apollo, you there?
Apollo: Mr. Wright? What do you need?
Phoenix: I need you to be in Court House\nthree days from now.
Phoenix: I'll explain later.
Phone: *beep*
WIP Beginning: Scene 1 wrote:
Franziska: Why are you wearing clothes like that Phoenix Wright?!
[Franziska whips.]
Phoenix: I see that you still have that habit of saying full names, Franziska von Karma.
[Franziska whips.]
Phoenix: And that whipping habit.
Franziska: Why?!
Phoenix: Oh? I didn't tell you?
Phoenix: I lost my badge. [laughing]
[Franziska whips.]
Franziska: I thought you reinstated your badge recently!
Phoenix: Oh... That's right...
Phoenix: I did. [laughing]
[Door opens.]
Trucy: Polly!
Apollo: Hey Trucy. Hey Mr. Wright.
Apollo: So, what's up?
Trucy: Daddy is just talking to that lady with the whip.
[Franziska whips.]
Franziska: You expect me to believe that HE'S defending me?
Phoenix: ... [Gant stare] (Using HoboPhoenix serious mode)
Phoenix: Whipping me won't change anything, Franziska.
Franziska: ..!
Phoenix: Trust him.
Phoenix: Plus, he has a perfect win record that you love so very much.
Franziska: He's your student?
Phoenix: You could say that.
Apollo [thinking]: (Student? What student?)
Franziska: ...Fine.
[Franziska whips Apollo.]
Apollo [thinking]: (YEOCH!!!)
Franziska: I suppose I should introduce myself.
Franziska: Franziska von Karma, prosecuting prodigy.
Apollo: ...von Karma? Wait, FRANZISKA VON KARMA?!
Franziska: So you heard of me?
Apollo: Y-Yes. A-Apollo Justice! A defense attorney like Mr. Wright was!
Franziska: Was?
Franziska: You haven't told him?
Phoenix: Nope.
Apollo [thinking]: (Huh?)
Franziska: I see.
Franziska: You are a loud one, Apollo Justice.
Franziska: Just like him.
Franzsika: Have you prepared him for the case?
Phoenix: Nope, he's practically gonna wing it.
Apollo [thinking]: (And you are telling me this now? Great...)
[Franiska whips Apollo.]
Franziska: Foolish student of a foolish fool who foolishly lost his badge.
Franziska: I expect more from you, Apollo Justice!
Franziska: Especially if you are the foolish student of that foolish fool!
Apollo [thinking]: (I get it already. I'm a fool.)
[Franziska whips Apollo.]
Apollo: YEEEEEEEOWWWWWUCCCCCCCCCHH!
Franziska: I expect a clean and perfect aquittal.
[Franziska leaves.]
Trucy: She seems nice.
Phoenix: Franziska can be like that sometimes.
Apollo: But why did she whip me? Not once. But TWO times.
Phoenix: I believe she was merely greeting and saying her goodbyes to you.
Phoenix: For a second there, I thought you were about to scream.
Apollo [thinking]: But I did scream.
Trucy: Daddy!
Phoenix: Haha, sorry Trucy.
Apollo: I remember she said was in a question.
Apollo: Does that mean you got your badge back? And why did you?
Phoenix: Apollo, it doesn't matter right now.
Apollo: B-But..
Phoenix: Right now, you are the one defending her.
Apollo: Why are you having me defend her when she specifically requested you?
Apollo: And I'm sure you have more knowledge on this case.
Apollo: In fact, I don't even know anything about this case.
Phoenix: Well, for one, the whip.
Apollo [thinking]: (Oh, so you want me to have a full leather course meal of whiplashes...)
Phoenix: And second, I need you to be able to understand the bigger scope of this trial.
Apollo: ..?
Apollo: What do you mean?
Phoenix: ...
Apollo: Hold it!
Apollo: M-Mr. Wri-
Trucy: Good luck, Polly!
Apollo: Wait, Trucy, you're not assisting me in this trial?
Trucy: No, Daddy said that he is going to be the one assisting you.
Trucy: But I will be watching from the gallery.
Apollo: Wait, WHAT?!
Phoenix: Let's go, Apollo.
I assume you played the episode or at least played the beginning. Do you see how much has changed from this old script to the new beginning (the current intro and investigation phase) that you play now? It was intended to have Phoenix's point-of-view (pov) in the game. You would realize sooner that he receives his badge and that Edgeworth knew a while back, as well as something happening to Franziska, but she needs you to be at at the Detention Center.
There are two reasons as to why I wanted to make a mini investigation.
First, while I was making the game, I realized that the pacing with that beginning heavily blows because it drags.
Second, the investigation is a test of one's patience and dedication in finding subtle details. Plus, it allows flexible story-telling and allows player interaction which distracts the player from feeling the pacing. It also allows me to add some subtle back-story in there for people to see which I will show later on. I wanted this game to have some reply value.
Now to talk about Episode 1 intro specifically, I decided that since this episode is about Franziska, I wanted to hint about some things of her past and the changes that she went through. While, many of you have agreed that I have captured her well, I did not want to have a 1:1 ratio of her personality between this episode and Trials and Tribulations or GK. I wanted to show the changes of her character just like how Phoenix's character has changed. I'll discuss more of Franziska's character as well as others later on.
Plot II wanted to prove DeMatador wrong. That was a huge piece of motivation. Papermario's way is not the only way to have both Apollo and Phoenix together. I wanted to show that, there are no separate universes. It was all simply perception.
Tap wrote:
I was very impressed by the direction the plot took. It was unique and captivating. The addition of .avi movies added to the brilliance of your trial. You, sir, are a genius. Your ideas were fabulous and you pulled them off really, really well.
Now, Tap is not the only reviewer, but this particular part focused on the plot that I made. BBblader commented a piece of the plot as well, but I have addressed it with Case 1-4 explanation in order to show how much I thought about the plot.
Like anyone, I want to be original and unique. To do so, I observed how other fangames were made. I noticed the trends and attempted to avoid them. Now, that is not to say that I haven't limited myself. I am using familiar characters. If I wanted to be more original, I could make a fangame with new chars, and if I want to be more original, I would make my own game. My focus is to use what is there and go beyond the "typical/trendy" (subjective) fangame.
Typical/Trendy wrote:
A quick rundown of my observations:
Phoenix getting his badge back.
Always a murder case, seriously? Is that the only way? The Stolen Turnabout (3-2) was the closest to have a case without a murder. It was just theft, but, noooo, a murder had to happen.
A case always named specifically with "Turnabout." (e.g. no play around with the name)
The person who committed the crime would be found by the end of the episode. If I recall correctly, it was considered to be a feat for Phoenix to be able to get Larry a "Not Guilty" (1-1) and find the killer. The constant finding of the killer seriously devalues that in my opinion. It becomes too formulaic.
The introduction of characters such as "My name is Apollo Justice. I am a defense attorney." or "This is Phoenix Wright, a former defense attorney, and my mentor" and usually done with the protagonist.
There's more you can argue of what is original and what it is not. It is always a societal debate. It's also one that you cannot really win; no one really could win. Now, here's the ironic part from my observations: I am using
Phoenix getting his badge back and
a murder case. Now, it goes to my next point,
execution. It gets harder to be creative when trends are followed (common sense in my opinion), so the next thing is how things are executed. Seriously, if I were to say, oh hai guys, I am bringing Franziska, Edgeworth, Gumshoe, Wendy, and Phoenix for my fangame! It will look like all I care about simple fanservice. Screw that. Make them significant, whether it is for comedic relief or to add more to the story, they should have a purpose for being there which is why I say there are no separate universes with Phoenix and Apollo. They all follow the same grounds of "Ace Attorney." They have some relation to each other.
Part II involves with the plotline of the episode (including backstories) and the cross-examinations (every one of them).
CharactersApollo - I wonder when someone would have noticed the calm nature of Apollo (Ping xD). Sure, there are instances where he was shaking/nervous for comedic effect. Without spoiling my story, knowledge is seriously a confidence builder. Also remember that Edgeworth is very lenient towards Apollo until the very end. Edgeworth basically gave Apollo very minimal stress during the court case which allows Apollo to freely make theories/conjectures at his leisure. Another note; Apollo has read Phoenix's lawbooks (hehe, see what I mean by subtle) which allowed him to learn a few new things, whatever they may be. Then there is his "perfect" record. And, the rest... Well... I wonder what that would be. It's been talked and has even surprised Edgeworth ;). Just when did Edgeworth show his surprised look to Apollo? And through that answer, is it enough? What else has made him a more calm character?
Franziska - I do not want to play a 1:1 ratio in terms of personality. She does have vibrant hints of it though (i.e. whipping habit). If you noticed, she hasn't said "fool" or variations of the word not that much. If you have played with the investigation, you would see that she is a more sentimental character. And even without it, the ending would have shown more of it as well. Out of all the characters, Franziska has a considerable in-depth backstory. One would be the event that happened five years ago. Will you ever see it? You may never know.
Phoenix - He got his badge back. So what? We (and by we, I mean you), don't understand based on the first episode. This is for pacing purposes, hehe, and it is my way of poking fun and say, hey, I can slap Phoenix with a badge too! Phoenix keeps his "snarky" personality as well as retaining his act as a lawyer. Oooooo, wonder what it would be like to do a CE with a snarky Phoenix in court?
Edgeworth - He seems to be the least changed, or rather, I expect that you are unable to tell, due to his passive nature in that trial. Consider why he is in the trial and what has happened to Gavin. Consider the reason for his actions other than the blatant. He acted in unusual ways, just like his reappearance in 2-4. Even so, why is Edgeworth truly back?
Gumshoe - Chief Detective?... HOW? What is funny is that if you noticed the previous Chief, you would see a similar relationship in terms of character of the two. Brings an unusual humor, I would say, and a possible reason. Gumshoe, like Edgeworth, is a character we do not know of at the moment. 8 years has passed, and yet, we still don't know what has changed as a character.
Oldbag - Relatively minor character, intentionally used for comedic relief. Will she ever reappear? Never know.
Trucy - Now, this one is an interesting character. As compared to other characters, her role is pretty minor in this episode. She was not even suppose to be in the court for various reasons. One of them was that she was practicing the new magic tricks that she has inherited. As to her role in the fangame overall, it'll be significant.
Alexander Ethos - Pay attention to his name; it is very significant. First, let's look at his last name:
Ethos (ee-thos) - the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period
Without saying much, the significance of his character becomes greater. His name is an embodiment of the game itself as well as myself and you indirectly. I am assuming that you played the game. You realize that Alexander is an Interpol Agent which reflects a bit on Franziska's character. I hope that you wondered what has Franziska been doing for the past eight years.
Now his first name. Alexander an indirect reference to Alexander the Great. Emphasis on great. Great can be taken metaphorically in how the game may have affected your perspective or emotions. Great can be taken as a characterization of this character. Now, what is so great about Alexander Ethos?
Another thing, what's funny is that Alexander Ethos was not the first name, the other name was Price Zephyre. I decided to change the name when I thought about the embodiment of what the game represents.
Sophie - The major spoiler. Woot. Now, I will talk little of her. I wanted to partially bring the spirit of a certain character, but at the same time, bring up a new character. It also brings more backstory for not only Phoenix but for another character. I thought long and hard, should I bring that character I originally want from one of the AA games or bring a new character? I was looking through some stuff for inspiring ideas and I came across an idea that someone (MiaFeyFan) has made. It popped. Freakin' genius. Seriously, the clear idea that was needed for the development of the story. I decided in respect to her great idea, I kept the name that was created as well as other ideas, and then I began to develop her character. Not like you will know it right now. Seriously, if it weren't for MiaFeyFan, the effect of Episode 1 would not be as great as well as the entire game itself. I really owe it to her for even able to do this. So, to sum it up, here's one question, how the hell Phoenix knows her?
Thank you for reading Part I of the Episode 1: Whipping Turnabouts DevDiary. I hope you enjoyed it. Please comment if you have any other questions. The next stuff I will talk about is the plot development of the Episode. To be ahead of the game, I was developing the plot for Episode 2 while making Episode 1. This DevDiary section is very brief and will be discussed in a later DevDiary, but I will try to give the most out of it.
Name choiceTurnabout this; turnabout that. I understand, respect to the games, but in my opinion, a limit on the potential creativity of oneself.
Allow me to briefly talk about Episode 1: Whipping Turnabouts. Whipping Turnabouts has a rather large influence over future episodes. Whipping can be taken metaphorically as well as subtly hinting character(s). The metaphor can be taken on multiple scales, depending on the interpretation of the person. Now Turnabouts is an interesting one. If you have noticed, there is an "s" in Turnabouts. That being said, that "s" is suppose to describe the game in a "plural sense" if that makes any sense. To make it easier on yourself, basically, this Episode affects all the future episodes.
Now, the name choice of Re:tracer. No, I did not get that idea from Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. End of story. Re:tracer is the name of a story that I have made over seven years ago. The original name of Episode 2 was suppose to be
Episode 2: Rise of the Ashes II, but while developing the story, I realized how much you will go back in time, hence the Re: in Re:tracer. Tracer is to reference two things. One that I will not discuss and for the other, it describes the "memory lane" that you will experience.
I wanted to be a little more creative with the name choice, expand the potential of my creativity that I can have for this fangame. Remember, I do understand why people has Turnabout in the episode name and I respect that, but I still cling to my opinion.
PlotFragmented... Resolute... Re:trace all memories...
"Re:trace Everything."
This is highly experimental, but I hope it may bring something interesting to look at. First of all, a murder may not happen. I want to expand on that and bring something just as effective.
You will experience something that could potentially be incoherent, but this Episode is largely focused on bringing the backstories of the introduced characters. It's designed to be "flashbacky" in order to develop the characters.
You will most likely play multiple perspectives, that much I will say.
That concludes the brief Episode 2: Re:tracer DevDiary. Thank you for taking the time to read it!