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Classic Film Noir Roleplaying is Reborn

Started by brettmb2, November 06, 2007, 11:44:25 AM

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brettmb2

Precis Intermedia has released a new version of Mean Streets, the roleplaying game of classic film noir. Go back to the Forties and draw on classic films for your inspiration. Portray Gumshoes, Femme Fatales, G-Men, and more with Mean Streets. Chase down missing persons and investigate murderers, drawing on the staples of film noir grittiness and cynicism. This new edition is a stand-alone product and part of the genreDiversion line of low-cost yet flexible and comprehensive games.

ORDER NOW FOR INSTANT DOWNLOAD!

Mean Streets includes everything you need for exciting Film Noir Mystery and Adventure, yet does so in a tidy and light package optimized for download and printing. It can be used for one-shot adventures or as a foundation for your own campaign based on your favorite movie, television program, or novel. It is compatible with other genreDiversion games like HardNova and Coyote Trail, as well Active Exploits Diceless Roleplaying. The Homefront add-on can even be used to move the setting to England during the Blitz. Likewise, the new investigation, connections, and chase rules in Mean Streets can be applied to other games in the line. The game also features a full-length adventure, numerous story ideas, reference sheets, and ready-to-use character templates. Even Disposable Dice(tm) which can be printed, cut-out, and assembled are provided.

Incorporating one of the first e-publishing RPG companies, Precis Intermedia (formerly Politically Incorrect Games) is known for its diverse line-up of clear and concise roleplaying games, as well as its commitment to developing new ways of working with downloadable content. Precis Intermedia's current game lines include HardNova 2, Coyote Trail, EarthAD 2, and Mean Streets for low-cost, ready-to-play entertainment; Iron Gauntlets for customizable heroic fantasy gaming; Active Exploits Diceless for universal diceless roleplaying with that familiar 'dice' feel; Two-Fisted Tales for thrilling pulp action; Story Engine for scene and adjective-based, collaborative roleplaying; and more. For more information, visit the Precis Intermedia web site.
 
Brett Bernstein
Precis Intermedia

Ronin

I really dig the original Mean Streets. Can you tell me more about the revised genreDiversion i rules (1.1)? Does it roll all the old Mean Streets supplements into this new core book?
Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacré mercenaire

Ronin\'s Fortress, my blog of RPG\'s, and stuff

brettmb2

Are you familiar with the regular GDi rules (HardNova 2, Coyote Trail, EarthAD 2)? The 1.1 rules just simplify combat a bit more, eliminating actions in lieu of close combat and range combat attacks. New material like investigation, connections, and chase rules modify existing GDi mechanics

While this version does draw on material spread across the various supplements of the old version, it does not contain all of it. For example, a little more info is provided for New York; police, PI, and court procedures are included; and story seeds made their way in.

The nice thing about the game is that you can use it with other GDi games. For example, Noir Sci-Fi with HardNova, rural horse chases with Coyote Trail, and Lovecraftian/Hitchcock horror with the upcoming Ghost Stories 2.
Brett Bernstein
Precis Intermedia

Ronin

I am not familiar with the regular GDi rules. But this all sounds very interesting. I'm thinking it maybe worth the five bucks just to check it out.
Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacré mercenaire

Ronin\'s Fortress, my blog of RPG\'s, and stuff

brettmb2

Quote from: RoninI am not familiar with the regular GDi rules. But this all sounds very interesting. I'm thinking it maybe worth the five bucks just to check it out.
The system is actually very similar to the XPG rules -- 2d6 roll under ability+skill. The difference is called the margin, and this is used to determine success when a difficulty other than routine is applied to the task. There's also a conversion document for XPG -> GDi here.
Brett Bernstein
Precis Intermedia

Balbinus

Out of interest, why do you have one physical stat but three mental (IIRC)?

Not knocking it, but it's a very unusual design choice and I don't think I've ever heard you talk through what attracted you to it.

brettmb2

Awareness is like perception.
Creativity isn't so much mental as it is artistic.
Reasoning is mental.
Influence is social.

That's really only one mental ability.

Who is to say that Fitness can't be the sole physical stat? Why must there be three physical stats? This is a quality that has been ingrained in us since the early days of D&D. It's what most people are comfortable with, and that's why it seems odd. But it shouldn't be. To me, it's a very natural way of going about doing things since it's been a part of me for many years now. I think that's about the only way I know how to answer and still make sense ;)
Brett Bernstein
Precis Intermedia

flyingmice

With flairs, you don't need separate stats.

-clash
clash bowley * Flying Mice Games - an Imprint of Better Mousetrap Games
Flying Mice home page: http://jalan.flyingmice.com/flyingmice.html
Currently Designing: StarCluster 4 - Wavefront Empire
Last Releases: SC4 - Dark Orbital, SC4 - Out of the Ruins,  SC4 - Sabre & World
Blog: I FLY BY NIGHT

brettmb2

Quote from: flyingmiceWith flairs, you don't need separate stats.

-clash
Yeah, but they're not available in GDi games. Certain gimmicks like musclebound and sure-footed do the same thing, though.
Brett Bernstein
Precis Intermedia

flyingmice

True! Since I run IG with GDi, I sometimes use the wrong term. :D

-clash
clash bowley * Flying Mice Games - an Imprint of Better Mousetrap Games
Flying Mice home page: http://jalan.flyingmice.com/flyingmice.html
Currently Designing: StarCluster 4 - Wavefront Empire
Last Releases: SC4 - Dark Orbital, SC4 - Out of the Ruins,  SC4 - Sabre & World
Blog: I FLY BY NIGHT

brettmb2

BTW, Clash, did you receive your copy of Sovereign Space yet?
Brett Bernstein
Precis Intermedia