GameDev: Figuring out Griffin Bright

The actual *first* scene of OtherSpace MUSH is still a work in progress (and we’ll probably close it out this weekend). But the second scene, between Griffin and Tilsworth, became the first finished scene to be published on the new site.

Chronologically, it occurs right after the first scene, once the two men finish their conversation with Pablo and depart for the operations deck of Meriwether Station.

I’m still sort of working out who Griffin is. I’ve played a lot of characters on OtherSpace over the years: good guys, bad guys, anti-heroes. This new character is close to half my real-life age, comes from a super-rich family (I grew up middle class), and takes a lot for granted. He’s self-centered – but, then, we all are in some ways, right? As this narrative begins, Griffin Bright finds his comfortable life of luxury and narcissism interrupted by an inconvenient episode of responsibility and familial obligation. His father’s missing. But what we put across in this scene, where I wanted Griffin to start, was a sense of absolute selfishness. Griffin isn’t on Meriwether Station because he’s worried about his father. If anything, Griffin seems to consider Arjun Bright more of a burden than a benefit, and a threat to Brightstar Industries’ bottom line. His guiding light isn’t the desperate need to save his missing dad; it’s to save his meal ticket as fast as he can so he can get back to being a lothario Bruce Wayne-wannabe back on some sunny Earth beach.

Previously, I’ve played heroes that always try to do the right thing. I’ve played villains that always try to do the right thing *for themselves*. And I’ve found that, really, the latter method is the key to writing any of my characters, whether they’re good or bad at the core, with the understanding that the focus of one’s self-interest may (and probably will) change with time.

Griffin’s got issues with his father. With this scene, we set a baseline for how Griffin and Tilsworth feel about the target of the rescue mission. I’m eager to see, over time, how each man’s views morph after coming into contact with the reality of whatever’s happening down on New Amundsen – and what’s liable to happen in the coming weeks aboard Meriwether Station.

If you want to join the journey, character creation is easy and free!

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