When I initially started with the "Daria-the adventure game" project I did it based on the assumption that people would be anxious to contribute ideas. As everyone has probably noticed, it didn't happen (yes, there were a few, and I appreciate that). I won't give up the idea, yet, but in its current form the project will be put on hold indefinitely. Without lots of other people helping, the whole project has to be scaled down. The most notable changes are a) The all-around-the-world idea is dead. The new D-tag will be restricted to Lawndale. b) The different teams idea is dead. Daria is the PC. Jane is the NPC sidekick. End of story.
It goes without saying that I still accept any ideas for the all-around-the-world plot. Postponed doesn't mean cancelled.
The new plot that I am working on will be a crime story. Daria and Jane become private investigators. This involves solving several small puzzles in side-plots as well as the main crime. I'm still thinking about what kind of crime would be appropriate. It must be complex enough to give the whole game a main plot, yet it should not be too extreme.
(Side note: At first I considered actual murder, but from that point my mind started drifting in a Twin Peaks like weirdness and suddenly I had the plot for an X-rated nightmare that included Jane being raped and/or slaughtered, Daria almost sacrificed as a virgin by a cult, everyone slowly turning mad and Daria dying in the end. Maybe I will write that someday under the title "Quinn Peaks" if that isn't alread taken by some fanfic, but currently I'm thinking more about a game suitable for all ages.)
At the moment I'm considering arson (in Lawndale High). It's an interesting crime for which there are many possible motives. Additionally there is always the possibility of making it turn out to be an accident in the end. I haven't decided about that, yet. Maybe I'll just let Mr DeMartino go mad like in the Daria Database. Setting the school on fire would fit his personality, I think.
Any suggestions are welcome, even if they differ completely from my crime story plot. If someone has a better idea I will be happy to dump my plot and start a new one.
Ending this message I want to elaborate a bit on the crime story idea. It may turn out to be too complicated in the end, but I am considering giving the player control over the conclusions D&J draw. I imagine a notebook where the computer would note important and unimportant facts that D&J have found out. The player has to connect these facts to reflect the conclusions he has drawn. This would influence D&Js progress in the game. Let me give you an example: When asked about the time of the incident, Mr DeMartino states that he was at home all the time. After a while, D&J get hold of a surveillance tape from a shop that shows Mr DeMartino. The player would have to activate the notebook and mark Mr DeMartino's statement as a lie. After doing that, D&J can confront Mr DeMartino with it. If the player does not make the connection, the respective dialog line remains unavailable. MSB