planning Bioshock-based RP (With ponies, of course)

[Steel Accord 6,660]

So, I'm thinking about basing my character off of Sander Cohen. He's going to be a griffin, but besides that I'm still unsure. Do you guys think he would fit well into the story we're trying to weave? I think his gradual descent into insanity (due to lack of appreciation/attention) would be interesting to explore.

 

Ideas and tips would be appreciated.

 

I say go for it. However, I would take care to make him "fit" into the atmosphere Bioshock creates. After all, the original Cohen was always described (mostly by himself) as AN ARTIST! So he should be a Griffon who considers his creations to be utterly beyond the capability of his peers. Hey waaaaaait a minute!

 

 

Eh? Eh? . . . . 

 

I had a reason, but I already forgot what it was. If I had used him and gotten a chance to develop him more it would be a lot easier to come up with a reason, but that's not the case, so... I guess I'll have to get back to you on that.

 

Actually, I guess this is as good a reason as any: His tendency to fly into fits of rage earned him a reputation as a troublemaker, so he left the surface and tried to make a new start in Rapture.

 

That's the best I can come up with right now, anyway.

 

Works for me. It should be noted that not everyone who made their way to Rapture was exactly "invited" there. Nor were they all great creators like Andrew Ryan (shortsightedly) wanted. I mean, great architects need builders. Great composers need musicians. Great inventors need assistants. Everyone needs a staff of some kind of they expect to make a successful venture.

 

That's where you come in. No doubt those in Rapture would need to hire ponies from the surface. Even if you didn't want a job so much as you wanted to get away, nopony says you couldn't stow away on one of the transports to Rapture. Hell you could even work for Fontaine's black market after Ryan (again hypocritically) restricts trade to and from the surface.

[CamRad18 337]

I say go for it. However, I would take care to make him "fit" into the atmosphere Bioshock creates. After all, the original Cohen was always described (mostly by himself) as AN ARTIST! So he should be a Griffon who considers his creations to be utterly beyond the capability of his peers. Hey waaaaaait a minute!

 

 

Eh? Eh? . . . .

 

 

 

Works for me. It should be noted that not everyone who made their way to Rapture was exactly "invited" there. Nor were they all great creators like Andrew Ryan (shortsightedly) wanted. I mean, great architects need builders. Great composers need musicians. Great inventors need assistants. Everyone needs a staff of some kind of they expect to make a successful venture.

 

That's where you come in. No doubt those in Rapture would need to hire ponies from the surface. Even if you didn't want a job so much as you wanted to get away, nopony says you couldn't stow away on one of the transports to Rapture. Hell you could even work for Fontaine's black market after Ryan (again hypocritically) restricts trade to and from the surface.

Yeah, I've been studying up on Cohen's personality pre-civil war to make sure he "fits". He does bear some striking resemblances to Gustave Le Grande but Cohen's just a little less...cheesy, you know?

Edited May 4, 2013 by CamRad18

[evilcorgi 48]

HOLY BUJEBUS sorry for not posting in so long! Been busy, ya know?

 

So, I'm thinking about basing my character off of Sander Cohen. He's going to be a griffin, but besides that I'm still unsure. Do you guys think he would fit well into the story we're trying to weave? I think his gradual descent into insanity (due to lack of appreciation/attention) would be interesting to explore.

 

Ideas and tips would be appreciated.

Hmm... Maybe you should just be Sander Cohen. Seems less round-a-bout.

 

Bioshock and ponies, this looks like it's going to be a rather exciting story!  Might I perhaps join once it begins?

Yeah! Send me an OC link!

 

I tried to make a Bioshock RP a whileback, but it flopped. Glad to see someone else had the idea, if slightly different from mine.
Could I be put down as reserve until I male my mind up?

That shouldn't be a problem. We may start it soon though, so be quick.

 

Oh my celestia I would love to join this I love bioshock so yeah if there a slot open I would like to join my oc is in my sighnature

Your character doesn't seem bad. We could use someone like him. Less of a stuffy businesspony or scientist, or a snobby artist (not that those characters won't be great for the roleplay, flaws and all. My OC falls into the businesspony category). Just a quick question: No offence, but is English your fist language? The grammar on that page is just... eh.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Yeah, I've been studying up on Cohen's personality pre-civil war to make sure he "fits". He does bear some striking resemblances to Gustave Le Grande but Cohen's just a little less...cheesy, you know?

 

A lot of stuff from this show is "cheesy" doesn't mean Gustave doesn't fit the archetype. I'm not trying to strong arm you, I'm just saying we are already trying to reconcile the atmosphere of a kid's show with a city-state we know is about to devolve into anarchy and civil war. 

 

When trying to make a fusion crossover work, you either have to blend the atmosphere's of both well enough that they balance each other out, or have one's themes run as the undertone to the other's more obvious mood. Just for example, having ponies jump around, sing songs, laughing, and playing games is exactly what would happen in the show. We're starting at the New Year's party (which could be remade into the Summer Sun celebration or Heartswarming's Eve even) so that fits right in to the pony side. Then we take something of a  . . . shift in tone and that's when the Bioshock chaos kicks in, rolls on the floor, screams in pain, gets back up, lunges at you, and tries to cave your head in with a wrench.

 

 

 

Hmm... Maybe you should just be Sander Cohen. Seems less round-a-bout.

 

But that just seems like a cop-out. Why would "Sander Cohen" exist in Equestria? I'm not saying it's so alien that someone like him couldn't exist, but one has to consider the nature and nurture of what would make him into that. Why would a Griffon want to be an artist? What happened that he doesn't feel like his work is appreciated? What specifically made him seek out Rapture? Or if he didn't, why was he specifically invited?

 

Just "copy/pasting" Sander Cohen's entire character sheet here is boring and uncreative. I LOVE Bioshock, but I already played it. What I haven't played is a game where Rapture was created in Equestria. If the entire who, what, where, why, and how have just been lifted from the source material with no regards as to how Equestria interacts or impacts them; how is the thread "Bioshock with Ponies?"

Edited May 4, 2013 by Steel Accord

[SilverHeart 741]

So it isn't too late to join this is it? I'd like to apply with either Silver Heart or Snowy Fields, although I think Silver Heart would fit a roleplay with OC interaction more than Snowy.

[evilcorgi 48]

A lot of stuff from this show is "cheesy" doesn't mean Gustave doesn't fit the archetype. I'm not trying to strong arm you, I'm just saying we are already trying to reconcile the atmosphere of a kid's show with a city-state we know is about to devolve into anarchy and civil war. 

 

When trying to make a fusion crossover work, you either have to blend the atmosphere's of both well enough that they balance each other out, or have one's themes run as the undertone to the other's more obvious mood. Just for example, having ponies jump around, sing songs, laughing, and playing games is exactly what would happen in the show. We're starting at the New Year's party so that fits right in to the pony side. Then we take something of a  . . . shift in tone and that's when the Bioshock chaos kicks in, rolls on the floor, screams in pain, gets back up, lunges at you, and tries to cave your head in with a wrench.

 

 

 

 

But that just seems like a cop-out. Why would "Sander Cohen" exist in Equestria? I'm not saying it's so alien that someone like him couldn't exist, but one has to consider the nature and nurture of what would make him into that. Why would a Griffon want to be an artist? What happened that he doesn't feel like his work is appreciated? What specifically made him seek out Rapture? Or if he didn't, why was he specifically invited?

 

Just "copy/pasting" Sander Cohen's entire character sheet here is boring and uncreative. I LOVE Bioshock, but I already played it. What I haven't played is a game where Rapture was created in Equestria. If the entire who, what, where, why, and how have just been lifted from the source material with no regards as to how Equestria interacts or impacts them; how is the thread "Bioshock with Ponies?"

I hear 'ya. I guess the only carry-over characters will be the 100% vital ones (Ryan, Tenebaum, maybe Suchong, and Fontaine)

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

I hear 'ya. I guess the only carry-over characters will be the 100% vital ones (Ryan, Tenebaum, maybe Suchong, and Fontaine)

 

But is that it? Not even their names get changed? If Rapture's founder was a major industrialist, preached the virtues of self-determination and unapologetic ambition, and was named "Gregory Griffon Galt." I don't think it's gonna be lost on anypony who he's supposed to be!

 

I'm not saying my suggestions should be law, all I'm saying is I seem to be the only one thinking of this as an actual crossover. Unless of  course, you don't mean it to be. If it really is JUST Bioshock but with the entire cast just species swapped, then I have been horribly mistaken.

[evilcorgi 48]

But is that it? Not even their names get changed? If Rapture's founder was a major industrialist, preached the virtues of self-determination and unapologetic ambition, and was named "Gregory Griffon Galt." I don't think it's gonna be lost on anypony who he's supposed to be!

 

I'm not saying my suggestions should be law, all I'm saying is I seem to be the only one thinking of this as an actual crossover. Unless of  course, you don't mean it to be. If it really is JUST Bioshock but with the entire cast just species swapped, then I have been horribly mistaken.

I get what you're saying, and why you're saying it, but if there's no name value, it'll just seem like a pony related Bioshock spoof. I mean, there does need to be ponification, like everything you suggested in your first post, but the name doesn't really matter, except for connecting it to the original IP, even if it's arbitrary. Maybe there's a pony first name, and a Bioshock last name...

Nigel! I need you to come take notes for me.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I get what you're saying, and why you're saying it, but if there's no name value, it'll just seem like a pony related Bioshock spoof. I mean, there does need to be ponification, like everything you suggested in your first post, but the name doesn't really matter, except for connecting it to the original IP, even if it's arbitrary. Maybe there's a pony first name, and a Bioshock last name... Nigel! I need you to come take notes for me.

 

 

Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but Fallout Equestria managed to fully ponify the entire Fallout setting and it certainly wasn't a spoof. Far from it, it was a full on crossover. The overtones had the post-apocalyptic bleakness and the feeling of better times passed, but it also had the signature pony feeling of hope and optimism that shined all the brighter because of it.

 

The story also had some characters that were straight copies of characters from the games, but the details were changed enough for them to be satisfyingly new. 3-Dog, the radio host was replaced by DJ-PON3 fulfilling the same function, but as well as becoming the love interest. Then Colonel Autumn Leaf, the Pegasus Enclave's ranking officer in charge of operations in the Wasteland, is a straight send up to Colonel Augustus Autumn with a few changes due to his nature as a pegasus war hero.

 

I'm not nit-picking about the names specifically so much as I am the implication that nothing about the characters changes despite the drastic change in setting. Aragorn, so of Arathorn is not going to be the same person if he was a Starfleet officer. He may have similar temperament and even goals, but his background and how he arrived at who he is will be drastically different.

 

It's your show, I just hate to see concepts not live up to the potential they have.

Edited May 4, 2013 by Steel Accord

[evilcorgi 48]

 

 

Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but Fallout Equestria managed to fully ponify the entire Fallout setting and it certainly wasn't a spoof. Far from it, it was a full on crossover. The overtones had the post-apocalyptic bleakness and the feeling of better times passed, but it also had the signature pony feeling of hope and optimism that shined all the brighter because of it.

 

The story also had some characters that were straight copies of characters from the games, but the details were changed enough for them to be satisfyingly new. 3-Dog, the radio host was replaced by DJ-PON3 fulfilling the same function, but as well as becoming the love interest. Then Colonel Autumn Leaf, the Pegasus Enclave's ranking officer in charge of operations in the Wasteland, is a straight send up to Colonel Augustus Autumn with a few changes due to his nature as a pegasus war hero.

 

I'm not nit-picking about the names specifically so much as I am the implication that nothing about the characters changes despite the drastic change in setting. Aragorn, so of Arathorn is not going to be the same person if he was a Starfleet officer. He may have similar temperament and even goals, but his background and how he arrived at who he is will be drastically different.

 

Hmm... Fair enough! I'm convinced, let's do it. So... Any suggestions for the names, anyone?

You can go now, Nigel.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Hmm... Fair enough! I'm convinced, let's do it. So... Any suggestions for the names, anyone?

 

Well (you must be sick of hearing me by now) if you are going to make Andrew Ryan's substitute be a griffon I have an idea. From the two griffons we've seen, both of their names begin with "G." Gustave's first AND last name even begin with G. Here you have a perfect opportunity to allude Bioshock's source material by sneaking "Galt" into his name.

 

As for Tennenbaun, I still feel making her a Zebra would make the most sense. Tennanbaun was a scientist and Zecora's potion making comes pretty close to that. As for names perhaps something like Zelma or Ziska.

Edited May 4, 2013 by Steel Accord

[CamRad18 337]

Well (you must be sick of hearing me by now) if you are going to make Andrew Ryan's substitute be a griffon I have an idea. From the two griffons we've seen, both of their names begin with "G." Gustave's first AND last name even begin with G. Here you have a perfect opportunity to allude Bioshock's source material by sneaking "Galt" into his name.

 

As for Tennenbaun, I still feel making her a Zebra would make the most sense. Tennanbaun was a scientist and Zecora's potion making comes pretty close to that. As for names perhaps something like Zelma or Ziska.

I knew the name Galt sounded familiar. I absolutely loved Atlas Shrugged! I also somehow forgot that Bioshock was based off of it. Awkward. 

 

Also, I appreciate all of the advice/guidelines/scripture from the holy book of roleplay itself. Any input on what a ponified version of Sander Cohen should be like would be awesome.

[Fluttermena 1,223]

As for Tennenbaun, I still feel making her a Zebra would make the most sense. Tennanbaun was a scientist and Zecora's potion making comes pretty close to that. As for names perhaps something like Zelma or Ziska.

We don't know what most zebras are like, I'd rather not assume that every zebra is an alchemist just because Zecora is one. "Teneighbaum" might work best as just a unicorn scientist. What species the characters are isn't that important.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

We don't know what most zebras are like, I'd rather not assume that every zebra is an alchemist just because Zecora is one. "Teneighbaum" might work best as just a unicorn scientist. What species the characters are isn't that important.

You are correct, we don't know. That being said, I have strong suspicion Zecora isn't unique in her abilities. As before, mine are nothing but suggestions. I just thought her being a Zebra would be a cool idea to make Rapture seem more multi-racial like the original was.

[SilverHeart 741]

A complete ponification of Bioshock shouldn't be very hard. There are more Bioshock crossovers than I care to know. I believe that Steel (Also hello Steel, how's it going?) is right in that if Fallout and all of its factions and some characters were completely ponified so can Rapture.

 

Also before I start to spend a decent amount of time on suggestions for this, could I please get a definitive yes or no to whether I can join the role play?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I am well, thank you for asking. It's also nice to have somepony else in my corner on this issue. Now again, I'm not saying I know how exactly it should be done, merely that is CAN and should be done.

[evilcorgi 48]

Well (you must be sick of hearing me by now) if you are going to make Andrew Ryan's substitute be a griffon I have an idea. From the two griffons we've seen, both of their names begin with "G." Gustave's first AND last name even begin with G. Here you have a perfect opportunity to allude Bioshock's source material by sneaking "Galt" into his name.

 

As for Tennenbaun, I still feel making her a Zebra would make the most sense. Tennanbaun was a scientist and Zecora's potion making comes pretty close to that. As for names perhaps something like Zelma or Ziska.

Ziska. Definatly Ziska.

 

I knew the name Galt sounded familiar. I absolutely loved Atlas Shrugged! I also somehow forgot that Bioshock was based off of it. Awkward. 

 

Also, I appreciate all of the advice/guidelines/scripture from the holy book of roleplay itself. Any input on what a ponified version of Sander Cohen should be like would be awesome.

I haven't even read Atlas Shrugged yet >.<

 

We don't know what most zebras are like, I'd rather not assume that every zebra is an alchemist just because Zecora is one. "Teneighbaum" might work best as just a unicorn scientist. What species the characters are isn't that important.

That may be true, but to be fair, the only pony we've ever seen do alchemy was a zebra...

 

You are correct, we don't know. That being said, I have strong suspicion Zecora isn't unique in her abilities. As before, mine are nothing but suggestions. I just thought her being a Zebra would be a cool idea to make Rapture seem more multi-racial like the original was.

...Plus this.

 

A complete ponification of Bioshock shouldn't be very hard. There are more Bioshock crossovers than I care to know. I believe that Steel (Also hello Steel, how's it going?) is right in that if Fallout and all of its factions and some characters were completely ponified so can Rapture.

 

Also before I start to spend a decent amount of time on suggestions for this, could I please get a definitive yes or no to whether I can join the role play?

Sure! By the way, I'm going to need everyone to start posting OC links now. We're about to get to the point where closing submissions to reduce crowding would be a good idea. That being said, what are your suggestions? 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

I knew the name Galt sounded familiar. I absolutely loved Atlas Shrugged! I also somehow forgot that Bioshock was based off of it. Awkward.    Also, I appreciate all of the advice/guidelines/scripture from the holy book of roleplay itself. Any input on what a ponified version of Sander Cohen should be like would be awesome.

 

Well I'm not reading from any book, I'm just throwing out suggestions. As for Sander Cohen, I still think Gustave should outright substitute for him. Food is also considered a high art in many circles. Gustave could be filling his pastries with poison and having his "taste testers" strapped to chairs while he gives them "samples." All in the pursuit of making good food of course! He's not out to kill ponies, he's just a pastry chef, but if some happen to die in the pursuit of his creations? Well . . .

 

"The artist, would be free from censors."

~Galt the Griffin

 

If not though, he could just as easily be a male version of Gilda with slightly more class. Gilda's "art" was pranks and she certainly didn't care who she hurt for her amusement. Turn that into something that could be called a trade or medium, and you have Sander Cohen, the griffon!

 

 

By the way, I'm going to need everyone to start posting OC links now. We're about to get to the point where closing submissions to reduce crowding would be a good idea.

 

Here's mine:

 

 http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/steel-accord-r1970

 

Name: Steel Accord

 

Reason for going to Rapture: To be rewarded and recognized for his skill with the sword.

 

Possible negative outcome: Capturing ponies to play "parts" in his personal swashbuckling escapades  Like a mad play-write who's also the lead.

[Meteorite 16]

Sorry for responding so late. Yes English is my first Language the reasoning for my back story being so...horrible is that it is my first character but I will a sure you that my grammar has gotten a lot better since then.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Is it too late to ask about joining in?

 

I just saw it on the main page and thought it might be fun

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Windbreaker,

 

 

The more the merrier I say! Though there is a slight caveat. Any character in Rapture must have a reason for being there. We are playing Rapture at the beginning when things go to Hell and people start splitting into two different factions. The pony you are has to have a sort of reason for being there when the trouble starts.

[SilverHeart 741]

Alright well, I haven't thought of too much since I don't know exactly what we still need to ponify.

 

As for my character I'll go with Silver Heart who was tired of the lack of progress in medicine in Equestria sought Rapture to help medicine reach its full potential.

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Steel Accord,

 

Well, I do have an OC, but he doesn't have a backstory or name yet. So I could easily give him a reason to be there.

 

This is what I've got so far:

 

Male Pegasus

Personality: Friendly, laid-back and easy-going. Performance increases when challenged. Generally flexible mentality, though change does not come easy.

Coat colours: White with darker patches on forelegs. Patches are shaped like armor pieces

Mane Colours: Black mane with light pink fringe. Tail is the same colour with a pink stripe through it

Build: Standard Pegasus build, with a less boxy snout

Preferred Vocation: Writer.

Cutie Mark: Shield with a Phoenix (my Halo Reach Emblem). Symbolizes his imagination as a writer, his perseverance as a Pegasus, and his good-hearted nature.

 

I can change parts as necessary

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

Build: Standard Pegasus build, with a less boxy snout Preferred Vocation: Writer. Cutie Mark: Shield with a Phoenix (my Halo Reach Emblem). Symbolizes his imagination as a writer, his perseverance as a Pegasus, and his good-hearted nature.

 

Hey! I'm a pegasus writer with a weapon for his cutie mark too!   Well in Rapture, we certainly would be competitors. Let the best pony win.   

[CamRad18 337]

Well I'm not reading from any book, I'm just throwing out suggestions. As for Sander Cohen, I still think Gustave should outright substitute for him. Food is also considered a high art in many circles. Gustave could be filling his pastries with poison and having his "taste testers" strapped to chairs while he gives them "samples." All in the pursuit of making good food of course! He's not out to kill ponies, he's just a pastry chef, but if some happen to die in the pursuit of his creations? Well . . .

 

"The artist, would be free from censors."

~Galt the Griffin

 

If not though, he could just as easily be a male version of Gilda with slightly more class. Gilda's "art" was pranks and she certainly didn't care who she hurt for her amusement. Turn that into something that could be called a trade or medium, and you have Sander Cohen, the griffon!

 

 

 

 

 

so I made two similar artist-type characters with this advice. Which one do you like better?

 

Gustave is a world famous chef. He goes to Rapture in hopes of finding a culture that would better appreciate and understand his work. He grows bored using the same tired ingredients again and again and begins "experimenting". The amount of patrons at his restaurant dwindles as his food grows more and more disgusting. Gustave, desperate for attention, begins kidnapping ponies and forcing them to eat his deadly concoctions, claiming that he's "just trying to show them true art."

 

or

 

Gustave is a famous comedian but critics claim his humor is to "crude" (Remember, this is the 1940's). He moves to Rapture in hopes of finding people who will appreciate his comedy. His prediction proves correct and he opens a very popular comedy club in Rapture. When the civil war hits, though, no one shows up for his performances anymore. Gustave begins kidnapping ponies and forcing them to listen to his jokes. Those who don't "get" his jokes (they stopped making sense at this point) are killed in comedic ways (i.e. crushed by dropped piano, blown up in a shower of fireworks, etc.)