Already time for a new update. It's been a busy month at Biohazard HQ, and there's lots to share.
Art
If you follow over on Twitter you may have seen the various iterations of the GEO logo upgrade about which I asked for opinions. In the end I settled on this cool take that pays tribute to the original, but gives it a new style that fits well with the aesthetic of the Incorporate logos we previewed way back in the September 21 update. There is the basic organizational logo, as well as badges for each of the High Commissions. James has a unique talent for evoking just the right intent with his graphic design.
Speaking of logos, the last of Pawel's six art donations is one of my favorite for many reasons. In this case it's because after the aforementioned Incorporate logos were created, Pawel went back to his artist and re-commissioned him to incorporate (ah...get it?) a couple of those logos in this image. The result is awesome.
Words
Graeme Barber (still no relation unfortunately) produced two of my favorite campaign archetypes, one of which I teased way back in the November 21 update. Operation Polypod is perfect for players who are into military action thrillers but also appreciate the drama in choosing the right side of history. Hope you want to play it as much as I do. (Note this is the raw text and has not been to the editor yet.)
I am excited to say that playtesting on the stretch goal campaign Storm Surge is spinning back up. I have run various versions of the first third of the campaign three times now, and will be diving into the middle third for the first time by the end of the month. I have ambitions to structure the game to be played from three different perspectives - native insurgency, Incorporate security and GEO - with the players playing a single party, or rotating through three different groups of characters respectively. So far so good, but we'll see if I can ultimately pull it off within the 20k word count...
Avatar: The Way of Blue Planet
I finally saw Avatar: The Way of Water, and for reasons anyone who knows me or Blue Planet would probably understand, I have some strong and complicated feelings. Warning - spoilers follow, so if you've not yet seen the movie you might want to stop here.
I recognize the problematic elements of the series - the white savior, “blue-face” cultural appropriation, and now the addition of toxic fatherhood. These issues bothered me more in the sequel and I guess they are good reasons to not seen the film. Given my relationship with Blue Planet however, I don't imagine that was ever really an option for me.
I know some think both Avatar movies are soulless, intrinsically bad films for their uninspired storytelling. I understand this less, but admit I'm pretty simplistic when it comes to narratives. I also admit that I, perhaps unsurprisingly given the setting, love Avatar. Which leads me to the point of this self-indulgent note.
Point for point - background, plot, characters, motivations and action - The Way of Water is the Blue Planet movie that would otherwise never have been made. All that really needs to be done to make the Way of Water 100% Blue Planet is replace the Navi and Tulkun with BP's natives and nereids. That's it! From the return of colonial newcomers from a desperate Earth, to the uncanny ecology and sapient sea creatures, to the native insurgency and, most blatantly, the economic engine of a priceless natural resource that prolongs human life, the new Avatar movie is a beat for beat Blue Planet film. The Tulkun even have four part jaws and multiple eyes? WTF Cameron?
I know there are no new stories under the sun, and I know I took inspiration from lots of obvious sources when I created Blue Planet, but I'd love a look at JC’s bookshelf. The truth is, I sat through the second half of the movie a little bored, not because the film itself was boring, but because I had already imagined that story a hundred different ways over the past 25 years of working and playing on Poseidon.
I guess I wrote this note to clarify what I think about Avatar, and I guess it comes down to two things.
First, parts of the production are problematic and that is unfortunate. There were many ways to have better honored such themes and characters and the telling of their stories, even hidden as they were under layers of CGI.
Second, if you like Blue Planet, you'll never see a more spot on, cinematic portrayal of its core setting, conflict and narrative arc than The Way of Water. It's a stunning visual achievement, a gloriously aquatic, sci-fi action film, and a must see for any fan of the game.
Oh...and does anyone know a good copyright lawyer?
