Thank you,
Vann, for the nod, and thank you to everyone else for the congratulations.
I've been rather absent for the past year, but recently I've tried to read a few more AARs again. And I've been struck (as I alway am, whenever I return after prolonged absence) just how wonderful a place this forum is. The most polite and mature posters (granted, I don't visit OT), all the volunteering that keeps the place going, and of course the rich pickings of AARs.
I think I've said it before, and even if I haven't, it isn't a very imaginative metaphor, but I always feel like a kid in a candy store. After winning one of those 'free shopping spree' prizes.
Whatever the style, whatever the subject, there's probably an AAR about it. And the thing that really blows my mind is: not only do you get to read all this stuff, and it won’t cost you a thing, you also get to interact with the authors! You can tell them what worked really well, you can tell them when you’re confused, you can ask them to elaborate a point, or give some historical background… And then get a response to your response! Oh, and the authors tend to enjoy the interruptions, as well.
<Shakes head in amazement>
Since I've been given this soapbox (really? I wasn't given it? Well, I have it now, and as they say, possession is nine-tenths of the law...), I'll point out a few examples that have entertained me recently (and not so recently).
I'm not usually very interested in pure gameplay AARs, mostly because I'll never be good enough to emulate some of the more outlandish examples, but even I drop in on
Kanitatlan's efforts some times. Then again, judging by the post and view counts of his
ongoing Magnum Opus, so does everybody else on this forum.
I’m most commonly drawn to history book and/or narrative AARs. There are some very talented people out there, beavering away at their masterpieces, and there’s a lot of entertainment and even enlightenment to be had. For example, I know infinitely more about the political dimensions of the transcontinental railroad in the mid-19th century United States through
Director's AARs than I would ever had otherwise. Likewise, I didn’t know a thing about Mexico’s Santa Ana until I read
So Far From God by
ComradeOm. For a look at an alt-history post-Hitler Fascist Germany with some reasoned speculation as to what would happen (and why), there’s
Yogi’s
current effort. Granted, these examples won’t appeal to everyone, but whatever your interest, chances are someone is writing about it in a very knowledgeable way.
When it comes to story-driven AARs, I’m eagerly <ahem> awaiting updates to both
coz1’s
vampire tale and
Fiftypence’s
The Last Inca.
coz1's effort has some interesting character interaction and development, while the mere setting of
Fifty's makes for a fascinating read - especially if the story ever gets out of the opening posts.
Finally, there’s the comic AAR. I’m particularly partial to
Alfred Packer’s game-spanning chronicle of the Crovan Clan (in
CK) and
EUIII). It’s not highbrow, it does not make me think or teach me about hitherto unknown historical facts, but it is pretty funny and makes for a great quick relaxing read. Geoffrey Chaucer killing the Emperor in the Imperial outhouse had me in stitches, which might reflect more on my poor taste than anything else.
Finally finally, I’d like to drag an old corpse out of the closet. Yes, I know this technically constitutes thread necromancy, but there are so many great old stories out there, languishing at the bottom of their respective sections. In fact, this great old story was written by none other than the Great Old
Storey himself. I apologize for the in-joke, but for those old enough to remember, one mere word should suffice:
Crimea. Ah, fond memories... Truly, half of the AAR rightfully belongs in the OT section, but it doesn't matter: there is nobody who can spin a yarn quite as entertaining as
Storey.
I could go on and on (anything by
Peter Ebbesen,
Heagarty’s Gluttonic Knights,
coz1’s Into the West,
Prufrock451’s To Stand Against The Night, the Macchiavelli multiplayer game in EU2…), but I’m already overdoing it with the links and the misty-eyed reflections. Suffice it to say, there is so much here to read. It’s really easy being a fan of this forum in general and the AARs written on it particular.
Let me close this rambling piece by saying a blanket ‘thank you’ to all the authors writing on the forum, regardless of whether I’ve read your work. You make this a great place to spend some time and I appreciate all your efforts.
And to everyone, whether or not you’re a writer yourself on these boards: read! And comment! It’s the only form of payment we have here, it’s a very small price to pay and it is really appreciated. Oh, and rewarding, too. So do it! It makes everybody happy!