Tag: download

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Bunk – Downloadable .blend File

With the first of the planned updates out, I’ve improved some of the visual elements that were just sort of roughed in for the initial release. (Because if you wait until everything’s perfect, you’ll never ship.) I wanted to share a little of my process.

Really, Lillie. Make your own bed.

Here is the ZIP file. Everything is modelled in Bforartists, the UI-focused fork of Blender, and the file is 100% compatible with the mainline app. I use proxy Materials in Bforartists, as they’re easily replaced with native URP Materials in the .fbx file import dialogue. I find it more reliable to place unused/support items into a separate Scene Collection, and export the Active Collection from the .fbx export dialogue, rather than selecting items manually. Normally I do the bevelling by hand, but on the bunks I tried out the Bevel Modifier, followed by a light Decimate Modifier, to clean up unnecessary flat geometry. It works okay, and it’s quick, but the polygon count ends up higher than necessary. Because of the way Unity handles animations, the curtains are separate files.

The bunks are based loosely on photo references from the New Brighton Lighthouse. They’re meant to feel friendly and cozy, as they’re Lillie’s first sanctuary after the disastrous boat trip. In my head cannon (which I guess makes it the official cannon) we’re playing through Lillie’s memories, fears and anxieties. In “real life” she succeeded at all of these tasks the first time, but–like many of us–obsesses over what could have gone wrong. (Which are our in-game failures and resets.)

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Admiral Bulletin 2.0

Admiral Bulletin is a storytelling game. Players choose locations and follow prompts on Event Cards to collaboratively tell a ’30s pulp adventure story. Players can reward one another for especially entertaining additions. The game is 100% free and can be printed at home, as well as supporting online play over video chat.

Players:

2+ (ages 12 and up)

You’ll Need:

  • 16 Character Cards (Gold)
  • 32 Event Cards (Blue)
  • 3 Chapter Sheets (Acts I, II & III)
  • A handful of counters (glass beads, coins, etc.)
  • A pen
  • A bit of scrap paper, or your phones

Setting Up:

Give everyone 3 counters, and leave the rest in the center. Put out the Act I Chapter Sheet.

If there are Characters people don’t want to use in this story, remove them from the deck. Pull the Character Cards for Bulletin and Miranda out, as they’ll be required in Chapter 2. Shuffle the rest of the Character Card Deck.

If there are Events people don’t want to use, remove them from the deck. Shuffle the Event Card deck.

Everyone now writes down 3 Locations:

  • 1 specific (Paris, Asia, Tiffany’s, etc.)
  • 1 vague (at sea, on a train, etc.)
  • 1 more of the player’s choice

The starting player is the person who most recently finished a novel.

Beginning a Chapter:

Unless the Chapter already has a Location filled in, the starting player chooses one of their Locations, adds it to the space on the Chapter Sheet, and announces it to the other players. Locations can be used more than once.

If the Chapter has one or more empty Event Card slots, draw cards from the Event Card deck to fill the slot(s). Many Chapters come with Event “Cards” of their own. If Event Cards say to add Characters, draw the appropriate Character Cards and add them to the Character Pool before starting the Chapter. Otherwise, the Event Cards will guide your storytelling during the telling of the Chapter.

When ready, the starting player slides their first counter forward and begins speaking. Until the end of the Chapter, the only spoken words should be story content.

Telling:

When it’s your turn, you push the first of your 3 counters forward, and begin speaking. Each counter represents one natural, speaking breath (roughly a sentence). You speak all 3 breaths, and then take your 3 counters back as the next player begins.

If playing over video chat, you can hold the counters in your hand, or just use your fingers as “counters.”

The Character Pool reminds you of the recurring characters in the story, all of which are available for use. One-off characters and henchmen are yours to invent as you go, but shouldn’t persist beyond the current Chapter.

1 Up:

If you particularly like what someone adds, you can reward them with an additional counter (from the center). They can use this on their next round, though it doesn’t come back after they’ve spent it like the original 3 counters do.

On video chat, type the person’s initial into the chat window to give them a 1 Up.

Ending a Chapter:

When the Chapter reaches a good stopping point, push all three of your counters into the center without speaking. The Chapter ends.

The next player now becomes the starting player. They select a Location, draw cards as needed, and begin.

Keep in Mind:

  • Have fun! It’s not a competition.
  • Let the story decide where to go.
  • Don’t race to the end.
  • This is improv: “Yes and…” one another.
  • Use the cast.
  • When in doubt, character quips.
  • You’re doing better than you think.
  • Have fun!

Download

Admiral Bulletin v2 beta 1