Oddworld novel series?

uptheanarchos · #1 07-08-2002, 07:47 PM

The world of Oddworld is something one would better grasp in a series of novels, I would think. There are many timelines, plots/subplots, ecosystems, etc. that need to be explained to a better degree, if we truely want to discuss it. I stumbled on this idea a little while looking through the info they give on the site of the different aspects of the game (species, facilities, locations). They give a summary of alot of stuff, but no indepth stuff, and no information to bridge the gaps. The 'Alf' column they have on the site isn't the greatest, since it isn't consistent. I'm sure some of you folks on the fan-fic side of things could probably come up with some unifying ideas, something to actually build upon for the rest of us. Thats all.

Danny · #2 07-08-2002, 08:02 PM

It would also have the added bonus of not having to have any f*cking Spooce (or Vendos etc)...

I think you'll find many avid theory-makers here on the forums, some more coherent than others. Max is, of course, the King of Filling-in-the-Gaps (I am merely the Queen

), but there are a lot of us here. I personally tired of the games long ago, so theories are all the interest Oddworld still has for me, and even that is diminishing...

I have also written a couple of fanfics, but I've kept them more or less separate from my oddworld theories and ideas, as I wanted them to be more good novellas than fanfics...

uptheanarchos · #3 07-08-2002, 08:19 PM

Yeah, the theories you guys have are some good ones, which is what I meant actually. It would include the theories, plus some psuedo-religious style writing, to kinda tie everything together.

Danny · #4 07-08-2002, 08:30 PM

I'm only really interested in Oddworld as a parody of Earth, myself, so I mainly like to focus on the Socio-Political aspect of it (e.g. the Class System of Mudos, which I think I have more or less sorted out now). Consequently, religion hasn't really featured much in my theories, as the only religion we yet know of is that of the native mudokons, and quite frankly I find the native magical stuff quite dull, as it doesn't really reflect anything on Earth.

I like the Industrial lands best myself, for the purposes of theory...

EDIT: Which is why my fanfics are set almost exclusively in the cities.

Kaimana · #5 07-08-2002, 08:31 PM

Well firstly i would like to introduce myself i am Kaimana people call me Kai for short. i have notice that you are particapating in the forums and i admire a new member who visites and participates regularly. to further introduce myself i am the Oddworld theory Generator. that means i make theories and make topics some good others not the same with my theories. there are many other great people Danny for one who posted before me. And many others like Xavier Oddsville Max Khanzumer Mac Alcar.
now for me to respond. the ideas here are amazing we have a brilliant cast of members right now we are in a state of waiting, waiting for the other games that is. so there is not much to disscuss other then theories and specualtion here in GD.

TheKhanzumer · #6 07-08-2002, 09:52 PM

Although I think that official oddworld novels would be awesome I also think that part of the fun of the oddworld universe is creating your own ideas. For example, me and Danny have differing veiws concerning the khanzumerz. But until we learn otherwise we can both be content with our ideas. Same with all the "filling-in-the-gaps" theories. Everyone can form their own opinions.

Jacob · #7 07-09-2002, 12:10 AM

A Novel would be interesting. However, it wouldn't sell very well as the main age group is for 14 - Some of the Fics though *Cough-Specially mine-Cough* could very well be published. I did used to do many stories, mainly about Vampires etc but reading through them a couple of weeks back i realised how immensly crap they were. Its a shame, i mainly focused on the gore and language factor than the main story.

***Xavier*** · #8 07-09-2002, 04:47 AM

I think I don't understand your concept very good...
you wan us to write theories or stories that will be officialy published?

Or just give our idea's to OWI so they can write some official novels and publish it?

uptheanarchos · #9 07-09-2002, 10:17 AM

:

Originally posted by Xavier
I think I don't understand your concept very good...
you wan us to write theories or stories that will be officialy published?

Or just give our idea's to OWI so they can write some official novels and publish it?

What I would prefer is if OWI would hire a few writers to use the theories they have behind the game creation into a story creation, a unifying theory that would connect the entire Oddworld together. The concept of using the Mudokin religion would be best suited for this, since if we have control of the game world, we can actually assume that Oddworld was greated by some deity, instead of the constricting concepts of cosmology that life and planets would have to come from phenomenon in physics. Science can be fun, I'm sure, but it's a lot more romantic to read about worlds that are entirely based on some mother goddess that started the whole thing. If you would read some of the stuff they have on oddworld.com, the designers are encouraged to take up this idea of a central mother that created all life on Oddworld. I just want to see them actually put it into writing!

***Xavier*** · #10 07-09-2002, 10:28 AM

well... hum I dunno.
they have allready enough poroblems to stay coherent.
plus lorne allready have his vision of oddworld, I doubt he will agree that others re-write oddworld like they want.

personnaly I prefer a little number of person who only write the whole oddworld story.

and not some who use our theories (some are realy stupid)

Oddsville · #11 07-09-2002, 10:37 AM

Hmmm, the idea of an OW novel would be cool. But After the games the movies will come and then Im sure there's a possibility for novels. Anyhoo welcome to the fourms, I hope you have a great time here and remember to have fun!

***Xavier*** · #12 07-09-2002, 10:49 AM

yeah but more stories, more possbilities to make some mistakes.
I think it would be a good idea.
but they need to have much relations with each others to not say different things

Oddsville · #13 07-09-2002, 10:53 AM

Yeah, that is true. But mabye they could make a whole new story?

***Xavier*** · #14 07-09-2002, 11:00 AM

yeah, but than it isn't "Oddworld" anymore

TheKhanzumer · #15 07-09-2002, 03:24 PM

I think that the only way Oddworld novels would work is if: A) They are all edited for mistakes and incongruences by the OWI staff, B) Lorne makes sure none of the content goes against what he believes oddworld is, C) They are all written about oddworlds past, not the games and D) They check up with us fans and our theories and try to incorporate some of the better ones into the official novels.

I didn't really phrase those well but I think you get the point. With certain guidlines oddworld novels could be a very good idea.

***Xavier*** · #16 07-09-2002, 04:20 PM

well I agree with you TheKhanzumer.
the only thing I can hope plus is that it will be available in belgium.

Mac the Janitor · #17 07-10-2002, 12:47 AM

Yes, an OW book would be very neat. I think you mean a novel, but I think it would be cool to have an Oddworld Encyclopedia published, like what Max is doing. It would give the most possible detail on every creature and enviornment on Oddworld, and reveal many things that we have not yet learned. Hey Max, maybe you should send that in do a couple of publishers!

ODDBODD · #18 07-10-2002, 01:05 AM

i think that the books will be after the movies.

***Xavier*** · #19 07-10-2002, 01:09 PM

well I would realy like a Official encyclopedia.
I will also like a book full of concept art
all those faboulous pictures

Oddsville · #20 07-10-2002, 01:29 PM

Yeah, like they have on that one Final Fantasy game (not sure wich one). I looked throught that book and thought about how awsome an Oddworld one would be!

Al the Vykker · #21 07-10-2002, 01:56 PM

Note: To Jacob

I would have to admit Jacob your latest stories in the past few months have been alot better, and alot easier to comprehend. So you have advanced on your writing abilities.

kleeng · #22 07-10-2002, 03:07 PM

Or a making of book.

The making of Oddworld
Lorne Lannings vision

I'd definetly buy that

Iantiger · #23 07-10-2002, 03:07 PM

Oddworld Novels? What a great idea! Anything OWI is a great idea!

***Xavier*** · #24 07-10-2002, 04:00 PM

I think nothing can stop me of buy every single official thing about oddworld.

I have just buy the strategy book, even if I finished the game

TheKhanzumer · #25 07-10-2002, 06:16 PM

If/When OWI releases the oddworld movies I can assure you there will probably be scores of books. I can't imagine the movies doing bad sales wise and even movies which aren't very succesful usually are accompanied by books, toys, etc... Just look at how much Star Wars books you can find at a bookstore, even just for the classic trilogy. If the five planned movies come out I wouln't be surprised to see novels, an encyclopedia and even an official "Guide to..." series which would include characters, creatures and places. If Star Wars could do it, so can Oddworld.

***Xavier*** · #26 07-10-2002, 06:19 PM

yeah... that's why I'm afraid.
they will do lots of things in the begin and that will be very good.
but, in StarWars, there are now novels that "aren't" Star Wars andymore, they only have the nimes and the label, but not the history and spirit anymore

all the books who come out, there are sometimes huges mistakes in it

TheKhanzumer · #27 07-10-2002, 06:46 PM

Actually there are almost no incongruences in the Star Wars books, if any at all. LucasFilm makes sure that none of the books contradict. Although there are different characters and stuff, it is still the same universe. LucasFilm actually controls the entire series of books and hires authors to write their storyline. My dad is a huge fan of Star Wars so I know these things.

I think that the same could be done for Oddworld. OWI could control the stories and make sure the books don't contradict anything.

***Xavier*** · #28 07-10-2002, 06:55 PM

hmmm yeah.
I think I found something intresting:
Owi could ask to the writers to write at OWI itself so they can have inspiration with all the pictures and all the crew can give them ideas.
not only one person, but a whole group, like for the games, that will be realy great.

I think I will allready begin to save money for it