Thoughts on Episode 2

[Judge Sam]

Episode 2 was more of a transition episode I think. The first four days had been so hectic and so dramatic (especially with that tie vote at Exile #1) that everyone just needed a rest in the main game. And I needed a rest too!


But I didn't get one because in Secret Mission land, things were going full speed with the AIM names. It was funny for me because I had you all under the same category on my AIM buddy list. So I'd see 2-3 people on in the main game, and 3-4 people chatting in secret and I always thought it was funny. I had to be very careful with my IM's.


A few times people from the main group would IM me saying "there's only 1 other person on, I'm bored." Then I'd look at the list and 3 or 4 secret missioners were online talking and I'd laugh haha. Or the other way around. The two different groups was interesting.


Tyler's inactivity kind of hung over the Exile because most people assumed he wouldn't vote and be self-voted out. Oddly enough, he decided to return one night and talk with 2 people and do the Race! But not vote apparently. Thank God he didn't. =) Did I tell you that, 4 hours after he was Exiled, he sent me a PM saying he regretted he didn't have enough time for the game and had to "quit"? haha couldn't stop laughing from that one, he really was clueless. But he was nice about it though, there was nothing mean or impolite there. Actually I think I posted that in the Losers Lounge. Speaking of, that will be revealed bit by bit like Spy HQ and the Burg. No one really said too much in there for Episodes 1 or 2 so you aren't missing anything.


So after Tyler came back I think maybe a few people assumed he'd voted so things were back on. Unfortunately Carrie became suspected. I really thought that after Episode 2 she wouldn't be as suspected as much and she might go through to the main part of the game but I guess that didn't happen. =/ Especially after that bonus Citizens got when Tyler was Exiled instead of helpful Citizen Carrie.


We also had the Race which was frustrating. I put tons and tons of hours over 2-3 weeks preparing every part and double checking it for difficulty, length, etc. I had 4 testers lined up. I gave each of them literally 3 weeks advance notice to do the race. That's why that "Test Forum" was up, so these people could test the race. Otherwise I would have just kept it hidden haha.


Yeah so 3 separate people assured me they'd have time to test run the race and that they would love to do it and would enjoy doing it. Each one of them told me they'd do it on one day, then not respond for 4 days, then I'd PM and they'd PM me back that they were sorry and had a busy day and would *definitely* do it in 2 days. Repeat that cycle 3 times over three weeks. Total bummer there, I was really disappointed in them. =( It's not like I was asking them to do something tedious, it was a fun activity that they enjoy doing for fun, agreed to do, had plenty of time to do, and then just did not do it without any explanation. I was frustrated, and not happy with those people lol. >< One tester ended up doing it which was nice though and I thanked them very much for doing it.


Yeah but that elian part.... sucks how one tiny puzzle can just throw such negativity onto the whole thing. Bleh. I liked how the rest of the race ran though. =) It was fun and I enjoyed making it and there were no other hangups.


Then we of course had the moments before the Big Reveal... I found this from the Spies 2 Finale Chat just today:



Sorin the Seeker (10:17:03 PM): already the twists are in place...
Sorin the Seeker (10:17:10 PM): Spies 2 had it's fair share of medium sized surprises...
spies2Davoni (10:17:16 PM): medium sized?
Sorin the Seeker (10:17:17 PM): but Spies 3 promises one gigantic one.





Sorin the Seeker (10:15:03 PM): Spies 3 takes us back to a harrowing era
spies2Davoni (10:15:04 PM): -_-
spies2Davoni (10:15:08 PM): DINOSOURS !
spies2tyson (10:15:08 PM): SPIES 3 - SALEM?!
spies2Rodney (10:15:11 PM): Medieval?
spies1Soraya (10:15:12 PM): SALEM!
spies2tyson (10:15:12 PM): YEAH!
spies1Soraya (10:15:14 PM): WITCHEs
spies2Rodney (10:15:16 PM): Oh yeah, Salem
spies2Adriana (10:15:19 PM): What else burns?
Sorin the Seeker (10:15:24 PM): an era where it wasn't terrorists who were on the forefront of America's mind
spies2Rodney (10:15:24 PM): MORE WITCHES!!
spies2Adriana (10:15:26 PM): LOL
Ngwego (10:15:27 PM): oh snap
spies2Davoni (10:15:29 PM): oh....phooey lol
spies1Soraya (10:15:30 PM): WITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorin the Seeker (10:15:31 PM): to an era where anybody could be accused of being...
spies2Davoni (10:15:33 PM): I couldve been a witch !
spies2Adriana (10:15:35 PM): A terrorist?
Ngwego (10:15:36 PM): Warewolves?
spies1Soraya (10:15:39 PM): soraya is a witch
spies2Karl (10:15:42 PM): Monkeys?
spies2tyson (10:15:42 PM): Mafia?
spies2Davoni (10:15:43 PM): hehe
spies1Soraya (10:15:44 PM): and a bitch
spies2Rodney (10:15:47 PM): lol
Sorin the Seeker (10:15:47 PM): a communist! The Red Scare is back in Spies 3: The Collective!


But that's episode 3. Also I had planned for a long time to do a tease for the reveal... but ended up not doing it because I thought it might give it away. I'll post that sometime soon though. =)

[Bebe]

You and I played in an Amazing Race game back in February. Did you have the idea to incorporiate a Race as a challenge before or after our game finished? Just curious.

I thought the puzzles were pretty good. Phil would've been proud.

[Judge Sam]

after definitely, I had so much fun with that I wanted to try it out myself. I'm lucky though that I got the opportunity to do so and I didn't have to create a whole separate game! =)


also I don't know if I mentioned it, but the countries I picked all had a similar theme:


-Russia (well... kinda... turns out I'm just dumb so this doesn't fit the theme as well as the others)
-Vietnam
-Cuba


They're all communist countries! (well Russia was socialist ;D) I thought it was cute.

[Claire]

cute? sam i love you!