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Post by krashenbern on Dec 30, 2016 21:30:45 GMT -5
My wife is currently at a loss and wants to know the resolution, wants proof of the happy ending, hates the ambiguity. Do Amy and Brian get back together in the same time? What do you folks think?
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Post by thegenii on Dec 30, 2016 22:59:50 GMT -5
You are left hanging unless you can decipher the star chart (the artifact) and see some evidence that the female scientist is able to make her way there. . I don't believe any of us were able to accomplish that.
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Post by Beckett on Dec 31, 2016 8:45:40 GMT -5
Do Amy and Brian get back together in the same time? What do you folks think? I should think so, although possibly not within our lifetime. If you wish for a definite conclusion, I am afraid that you must manufacture one yourself. A short letter of gratitude, notifying her that Amy has found the artifact in the location she would keep it, perhaps next to a partial rubbing of the surface of the artifact, as if she came to your house and retrieved the information?
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Post by krashenbern on Jan 3, 2017 10:14:35 GMT -5
Yeah, that's basically what I figured. I'm perfectly fine with it being unresolved. I choose to believe we're doing our part, and it will all work out for the best, years from now.
There's no resolution because it hasn't happened yet, for us.
That said, I do think that she gets the artifact in a few years, and goes back to the 6th century to get him, and they both get stuck there. It's for the best.
Maybe they locate and preserve the original meteorite and make it a sacred object which draws the attention of the Smithsonian in the first place? Thanks, all!
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Post by dmikester on Jan 10, 2017 1:47:12 GMT -5
I have to admit, having received the artifact when I got home this evening, this whole experience did ultimately leave me a little underwhelmed, which seems to be the feeling among people here. I'm totally fine with an ambiguous ending to stories in general, but I don't think this specific one is done particularly well. I think the issue is with the artifact itself, namely that there's very little narrative setup for the star chart other than I guess the meteorite being astrologically themed in nature. The second mailing is so impressive and dramatic with the documents spread across time that it seems like the artifact would be much more focused on another complicated message like that rather than just an abstract star chart.
I was hoping the artifact would be something like a family photo album with many generations of people represented or a journal that spanned hundreds if not thousands of years with a hidden message inside, which I think would have been more in keeping with the overall theme and could have maintained ambiguity while perhaps providing a more satisfying ending. It's certainly a unique item though, and quite an odd talking point for curious friends.
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Post by thegenii on Jan 10, 2017 12:27:08 GMT -5
I agree: it really needs one more item that gives the customer some satisfaction. It's the same problem with The Century Beast, but those who got it through Kickstarter received a tabloid newspaper that really helped to give the customer a feeling of bringing all the loose ends together.
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Post by dmikester on Jan 10, 2017 13:34:57 GMT -5
You know, thegenii, it's funny with The Century Beast compared to Tempus Fugit. I've been highly enjoying the CB mailings so far (I think I have three left to go) and I don't have the same kind of narrative expectation for the artifact with CB the way that I did with TF. CB, while technically a mystery, feels more atmospheric than TF did and therefore I don't feel needs something to narratively pull it all together in the end. I'd be satisfied with something more abstract with the artifact for CB, which would be in keeping with the Lovecraftian theme. TF is more of a straightforward love/mystery story, and much more character driven than CB, so to leave things totally ambiguous feels off.
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Post by Beckett on Jan 10, 2017 17:34:08 GMT -5
I believe that Tempus Fugit seems to involve the recipient more than most other Experiences while it actually does not. While the recipient does mostly serve as a confidante of sorts to the other protagonists, who more often than not bestow upon them A Terrible Secret for their own reasons, the protagonist of Tempus Fugit relies on the recipient for the rescue of her beloved. Those classic horror stories may leave the recipient feeling marked by otherworldly forces, but in the end, they may rest easy, as all is said and done and there is (almost) no chance that The Horror would come knocking at their door. Tempus Fugit is comparatively more procedural in its narrative, and I can imagine how some feel left out of that final beat in their own adventure story. thegenii, I must admit that while I liked the newspaper of The Century Beast, I found the item you received as part of your Diamond Bespoke pledge at least equally fitting as an epilogue. When you shared the pictures, I thought it made perfect sense (Century Beast spoilers follow): I thought that Sarah had never made it out to sea, but had been arrested and committed to that dreadful asylum after trying to hire a crew of mercenaries; although the newspaper seemed to contradict this timeline, and according to that she was lost at sea after sending you The Artifact. I found it very fitting to the entire Lovecraftian flair that she would end up losing her mind to her mad search for The Century Beast, and the idea that The Artifact might or might not be genuine with no way to know but go yourself and perform The Ritual fit nicely with the way The Mysterious Package Company like to style themselves. I am happy to hear that you are enjoying The Century Beast so far, dmikester. The Experience was not as well received as the earlier ones by everyone, for a variety of reasons, so it is good to know that someone finds this as engaging as I did. If you would like a peak at The Epilogue once your story is complete, I could certainly get my hands on that... As for interactivity, I am really tempted to requisition The Demon Jar for myself. Perhaps in March or April...
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Post by mollee on Aug 8, 2017 18:02:40 GMT -5
I love the idea to add one last letter at the end saying thank you for holding onto it...etc...- - and I think I even have some old stamps somewhere....or better, I could probably manufacture something looking futuristic. (This was a gift, we are on the second mailing).... thank you thank you!
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Post by Beckett on Aug 25, 2017 4:40:12 GMT -5
So, mollee, did you get around to it? I should love to see your handiwork, if you would be willing to share.
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