Poll

Made-up words or English words?

English
3 (33.3%)
Made-up
6 (66.7%)

Total Members Voted: 9

Author Topic: Should we use invented words over English words in item names?  (Read 1843 times)

Pourquoi

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Should we use invented words over English words in item names?
« on: September 12, 2012, 06:06:54 am »
So Aero and I had a debate about this issue recently.
I said that the made-up words that he uses to name powerful items (Matta, Ziiv, Arvaveizda, Crystool, etc...) do not sound epic in any way, and we can also make unique names from normal English words, but he refuses to believe it.
Compare:
- Matta vs. Armour of Divine Will/Juggernaut Plate/Armour of the Sentinel
- Quijon vs. Dragon Orb/Lifegiver
- Gagga vs. Ring of the Deceiver
- Arvaveizda vs. Golem Shell Armour/Clamshell Plate Armour/Dragon's Aegis
- Ziiv vs. Eye of the Storm
- Chillers vs. Ashen Gloves
- Haamna vs. Crystalline Flame Medallion
- Laijsla vs. Stormchaser Armour
So here we are again, calling upon the judgement of the members to help us.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2012, 06:55:35 am by Yggdrasill »
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
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hamza_tm

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Give some examples of unique names from normal English words first so they can be compared

Doomlord

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Tbh I don't like the make-up words one bit. They don't make sense and, as Yggy said, make the items lose their epicness.

Therefore I voted for normal English words.

hamza_tm

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It really would depend on what names you are thinking of with normal english  words.

I mean Crystool vs MegaUltraEpicStaffofPwn... I vote Crystool in that one :D

Anyway jokes aside made-up as well as original English could be good. Lets have some examples!

Aeroblyctos

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Yea, tell an item name and tell your better version of it.

Pourquoi

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I put several examples in the OP. Feel free to contribute.
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
TCO Item List

Flecky

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Another poll with voters revealed... Phew, where's the incognito mode?

It's true that with English names it's always a safer bet, but you can still do it wrong and create another clich?.

I agree though that those example made-up names are just terrifying... However, in the end a succesful made-up name would probably win over an English name, so I vote for the made-up names, assuming the previous. Most of them in the campaign would just need to be re-thought.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2012, 09:53:18 am by Flecky »

Pourquoi

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Quote
However, in the end a succesful made-up name would probably win an English name, so I vote for the made-up names, assuming the previous.
The main point of this topic however, is to consider if the CURRENT ones in the campaign should be replaced by normal English names. And, looking at the made-up names for items in the campaign, I don't dare say that Aero can invent a successful word for use as an item name.
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
TCO Item List

hamza_tm

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Hmm both have advantages I suppose.

With English names you know what the item actually is, what it does. But with made up names just for some select ultimate items, it lets you know that these items are "the shiz". Gives them a sense of epicness and differentiates them immediately from normal English names.

can't decide

Flecky

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The main point of this topic however, is to consider if the CURRENT ones in the campaign should be replaced by normal English names. And, looking at the made-up names for items in the campaign, I don't dare say that Aero can invent a successful word for use as an item name.

Yes.

And if Aero can't invent anything, someone else might.

Aeroblyctos

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Hmm. I think by using both styles is the best.

However, if you think some items does have a bad name come to me.

I always start to laugh when I see that "Gagga" name. It's just so damn epic!

Spoiler (hover to show)


And by the way, those new item names were quicky created. I haven't even added the items to the campaign meaning they're not final.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2012, 12:39:28 pm by Aeroblyctos »

hamza_tm

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I've decided. Using made up names is IMO better for the ultimate items. You know immediately that they are something special and it gives each one an epicness and unique personality.

And Aero's names are fine, improve them if you like. It doesn't matter what the names are as long as they aren't instantly repulsive. Any name will grow to have an epic connotation after you've used the item in a playthrough. If you experience the works of professional writers, you will find that some of the made-up words used sound utterly strange to you at first. But after you have experienced them a few times it becomes second nature. And then the more they stand out the more they are unique and epic, which is exactly what we want.

After pulling off my Gaomdo ****, the item Haamna is now awesome as fk there is no way I can forget it. Yet at first I thought the name sounded daft.

Something like Armour of Divine Will/Clamshell Plate Armour tends to lack that oomph!

Pourquoi

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Or we can actually fit both a made-up word AND some English words in a single item name. Of course, the made-up word must be good enough, or else it would be bad... And most made-up item names do not sound good enough.
Quote
Using made up names is IMO better for the ultimate items.
What about the expensive items then?
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
TCO Item List

hamza_tm

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Good suggestion.

Probably for expensive items only if they are late-game worthy (will be equipped late game about 7 times out of 10 as they are so good) then for those mix the names.

So basically, regular and synthesis items are English, next step up is unique items almost ultimate-worthy, we can mix English and made-up for them, and have only the VERY best ultimate items with completely made-up names to ascertain their ridiculosity.

Pourquoi

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So we have finalised the names for the new expensive items (which, according to Aero, will be added in the next minor version):
Spoiler (hover to show)
Let us know if you can think of better names.
Also we still need your opinions on these names: Labbela, Arvaveizda, Haamna, Crystool, Chillers, Zandiolo, Elexorien, Exepede, Ziiv and Laijsla.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2012, 06:45:26 am by Pourquoi »
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.

Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
TCO Item List