The Gallantry - Desk of Xavier
The Gallantry
From the Desk of Xavier
Introduction
This column is written by me,
Xavier, a.k.a Grant Huang. I try to write a few paragraphs every week about what
it's like being the leader of the last great SC campaign, and of things to come.
All issues of this column are archived on this page, ordered from newest to
oldest.
Entry 5 - March 22, 2002
Dear friends and fans of the Gallantry,
I owe you all the deepest of apologies for not having kept you up to date on our
progress these last long months. I was very much occupied with applying to
college, pulling high school matters into place, and with an outstanding
production of the musical Bye Bye Birdie at my school. The addition of a job
which requires my steady attendance during the weekends (which, up until my
getting hired, were my prime time for Gallantry work) complicates matters
further.
However, in my absence, my younger brother Wadsworth, previously of SCLegacy
fame, has been taking up the slack. He has been organizing work on Episode II,
and the team has not been resting on its laurels all this time. Since we plan to
include a significant amount of new material in Episode II, it is taking longer
than expected. My absence has also caused delays, and so the net delay is quite
substantial. But this doesn't mean that we've given up; despite a slow few
months' work, we are now going strong and hope to release the finished episode
within a month or so.
One sad event of note is the departure, for the moment temporary (though
possibly permanent), of our venerable sound engineer Mingvana. As I have stated
before, his presence and leadership has been vital, not only for the Gallantry
SFX Team which he formerly headed but for the entire project. We are hoping that
our remaining members can finish the needed work without him, and Wadsworth,
with my authorization, is currently attempting to find a suitable replacement.
That said, if anyone believes they have the expertise and experience necessary
to fill the tremendous gap left by Ming, they may contact Wadsworth or myself
via email.
Just to whet your appetites, here is a brief list of new features that had not
originally been planned for Episode II: new tileset dooddads, from ancient
Protoss artifacts to the furniture and equipment aboard the Gallantry, a new
critter for the Installation tileset, brand-new, original portraits for all
Nolaran characters and units introduced, original portraits for several
Gallantry characters/heroes, and much, much more.
I myself will be devoting as much time as my schedule allows to the prosperity
of this project. So, until the glorious date of E2's release, bear with me and
forgive me my sins of keeping you folks out of the loop.
Regards,
Entry 4 - January 6th, 2002
No snow, despite the midweek storm that hit the Southern U.S. with several feet of the white stuff. Another storm was predicted for this weekend, but central Maryland, where I live, is just off the storm's path enough to get only cold rain and some sleet. Disappointing for the college-bound senior who doesn't have to make up any school-snow days with summer vacation time. The rain is nasty outside - it's turned the sky gray and overcast and just ugly. I'm feeling down. To be honest, scripting for the final mission of Episode II is a bit troublesome as well; it's the first time I have to write original scripts for The Gallantry, and I'm trying to feel around for the right direction to take the story in.
We release the campaign in an episodic format, with each episode consisting three full-length missions. A few days after we release an episode, we release an audio preview trailer for the next episode.
The time inbetween episodes will be filled with Design Journals to keep the fans apprised of our status every week. I forsee approximately two to three weeks production time, depending on new units/portraits, people's schedules, etc. -- I'll probably be more conservative when setting future release dates, as well.
Desler wrote scripts for two Episodes... after Episode 2, I will be writing the scripts and will be handling where the story goes - a point that I look forward to. How long will we be doing this? Who knows. As long as we have fans, is my personal hope. Maybe a year or so from now, when no one, not even the most hardcore of fans is Starcraft anymore, the Gallantry crew will turn to some other game covered by Campaign Creations. I have a great deal of respect for RCX and his operation of the site, and am constantly impressed by the size and loyalty of the following it has gathered.
So, to all our fans: just sit back in your armchairs, sip that hot drink, and enjoy the holidays as Christmas and Episode I comes hurtling your way!
- X a v i e r
Entry 3 - December 30th, 2001
BahamutZERO and I have slaved all night - it's nearly half past midnight at the moment. We're adding music to the last two missions of Episode I. I'm tired, and I know up in Quebec somewhere, BZ is tired too. The team was stressed out after we missed the Christmas deadline, and there were some bitter words and heated posts, but everyone's cooled down now, and most of Team 2 is asleep, awaiting the release of Episode I, much like you, dear readers.
A long time ago, I started an ambitious project called the Legacy Saga... how I loved every sentence of script I wrote for that beautiful campaign. Alas, a number of real-life issues came up, and I gave it up, certain that I had outgrown authoring campaigns for a dying game. Yet barely two months ago I was sitting at a computer at school, staring at a listless and barren Gallantry Crew Forum. Desler had dreamed great dreams... by then it had become obvious to me that he wasn't coming back. The Gallantry would fade away... those colorful characters and promises of high adventure and warm camaraderie would disappear forever. And I felt a pang of sorrow - the same sadness I felt when I was emailing everyone on the LSAGA team, telling them it was all over.
My fingers started to type, of their own accord, pleading Desler to come back, pleading everyone on the crew to stay on...
Fast forward two long months. I'm here, it's late, I'm tired, winter break's almost over - but I feel happy. Everything is in place, a trusted crew member is tying down the final few loose ends, and the website has been cleaned up. We're releasing tomorrow. I didn't let the dream die this time...
P.S.
I'd like to give a special thanks to BahamutZERO, who has done an
incredible amount of work and put up with a whole lot of crap. His
dedication genuine love for this project has truly touched me. I'd also
like to thank Desler, for he
is the dreamer who returned in spite of
himself, to watch nervously
over his project like the ghost of a dead
general come to guide his
surviving soldiers. Lastly, I would like to
thank RCX, who, despite his
vitriolic sarcasm and biting wit, always
came through for the team,
even though he's not an official member
of Team 2. Enjoy Episode I, tell us how much you love it, so we can
find the inspiration
to continue!
Constructive criticism also appreciated.
You can email me personally
here
- I am usually good about returning
emails, no matter how many I get.
Happy New Year, everyone!
- X a v i e r
Entry 2 - December 14th, 2001
I'd like to discuss the future of The Gallantry after the release of Episode I, as well as the overall fashion in which the Gallantry team will be working.
We release the campaign in an episodic format, with each episode consisting three full-length missions. A few days after we release an episode, we release an audio preview trailer for the next episode.
The time inbetween episodes will be filled with Design Journals to keep the fans apprised of our status every week. I forsee approximately two to three weeks production time, depending on new units/portraits, people's schedules, etc. -- I'll probably be more conservative when setting future release dates, as well.
Desler wrote scripts for two Episodes... after Episode 2, I will be writing the scripts and will be handling where the story goes - a point that I look forward to. How long will we be doing this? Who knows. As long as we have fans, is my personal hope. Maybe a year or so from now, when no one, not even the most hardcore of fans is Starcraft anymore, the Gallantry crew will turn to some other game covered by Campaign Creations. I have a great deal of respect for RCX and his operation of the site, and am constantly impressed by the size and loyalty of the following it has gathered.
So, to all our fans: just sit back in your armchairs, sip that hot drink, and enjoy the holidays as Christmas and Episode I comes hurtling your way!
- X a v i e r
Entry 1 - December 8th, 2001
My first involvement with The Gallantry came along when I saw a promising new project over at Campaign Creations and auditioned as a voice actor. Desler, having known me for sometime in the StarCraft community, accepted me and a few long arguements later, he appointed me as story consultant and script editor.
When I began reading Desler's scripts and editing them, THAT was when I fell in love with the project and really began contributing to Desler's writing with heartfelt earnestness. His creativity and originality impressed me, although his tendency to be stubborn continued to frustrate me. Nonetheless, I believe him to be a person of outstanding creative and leadership ability.
The long months during which the project was put on hold worried me, even though I was quite busy with many other things. In the back of my mind I began to doubt whether Desler would ever return to the Gallantry and finish what he had started. My worst fears were realized when he announced that he was indeed leaving. I posted on the stagnant Gallantry Crew Forum, protesting that to throw away the creativity and writing and passion and intellect put into this project would be a terrible waste.
And I was not alone. I suspect the strong reaction from the other members of the Gallantry team greatly influenced Desler's decision to give US the choice of either continuing or abandoning the project. I know how difficult it must have been for Desler to hand the helm of his great project over to me, to give his work to another, and I fully appreciate the sacrifice he has made.
I intend to complete the project to the best of my ability, and to devote as much energy as I can spare to it. I am giving my best as a leader to this project, and I expect no less than the best from the Gallantry Crew serving under me.
Compared to Desler, I am sterner, and more strict. I am less amiable, and give praise far more sparingly. However, I will get the job done, and everyone on the Gallantry Team can tell you that I have really rallied them together and have just given them a kick to get going. I have made heavy demands of their time and energy, and I have drawn tight deadlines. And the talented people in this group have not failed me. I have been and continue to be, impressed with their dedication, skill, and genuine love for the project. I'm proud of the work they've done, the camaraderie they have shown, the spirit of teamwork they have always exhibited - in short, I am proud of THEM ALL.
Episode I of The Gallantry WILL arrive on midnight, Christmas Eve... and that's a promise.
Happy Holidays,
- X a v i e r
Campaign Creations
