Quote from: Brand55 on February 03, 2023, 11:17:33 PMI do plan on disallowing cyberware to be hacked, though.

why? Hacking implants is such a stable of the genre?

Kevin Crawford is a fantastic game designer. There's not a lot I see his name attached to that I wouldn't think would be excellent and well-considered.

Quote from: Summon666 on February 04, 2023, 04:08:07 AM

Quote from: Brand55 on February 03, 2023, 11:17:33 PMI do plan on disallowing cyberware to be hacked, though.

why? Hacking implants is such a stable of the genre?

I don't find it fun or reasonable most of the time. If my cyberarm is connected directly to my nervous system, why should someone be able to wirelessly hack it? Besides, there are already a ton of other limitations with cyber; it's not like you need to have parts of someone's body to shut down in combat for balance purposes.

It's much the same way I don't care for level-0 games or PCs that die if they get sneezed on. Lots of fantasy games use easy PC death for the first level or two, but it's never been much fun for me or those I've played with. That's why I typically give PCs max health at level 1 in D&Desque games.

Quote from: Brand55 on February 04, 2023, 10:58:57 AMI don't find it <snip> reasonable most of the time. If my cyberarm is connected directly to my nervous system, why should someone be able to wirelessly hack it?

I mean, play how you like, but this is a case of fantasy being slower than reality. There have been a number of body machinery hacking scandals. From turning pacemakers into spam broadcasting devices and altering heart rhythms. To hacking biolocks and chip implants in high security buildings. Just some googling will show this.

Hacking is a thing, as in ti exists now, and if there is one thing we know about technology..  if it is man made machinery, some hacker is going to work out a way to circumvent it. This is why it is often an integral part to cyberpunk fiction, as it is actually not fantasy.

Quote from: Brand55 on February 04, 2023, 10:58:57 AMI don't find it fun

That is all the reason and excuse anyone needs. I'm not trying to convince you to use it... I was just curious as to why.

Quote from: Brand55 on February 04, 2023, 10:58:57 AM

Quote from: Summon666 on February 04, 2023, 04:08:07 AM

Quote from: Brand55 on February 03, 2023, 11:17:33 PMI do plan on disallowing cyberware to be hacked, though.

why? Hacking implants is such a stable of the genre?

I don't find it fun or reasonable most of the time. If my cyberarm is connected directly to my nervous system, why should someone be able to wirelessly hack it? Besides, there are already a ton of other limitations with cyber; it's not like you need to have parts of someone's body to shut down in combat for balance purposes.

It's much the same way I don't care for level-0 games or PCs that die if they get sneezed on. Lots of fantasy games use easy PC death for the first level or two, but it's never been much fun for me or those I've played with. That's why I typically give PCs max health at level 1 in D&Desque games.

Why would your cyberimplant NEED a wireless connection?

Some might, those should be hackeable wirelessly, the others should require a wired connection IMHO.

As for peacemakers... Well, you can have both ways, either wireless or wired because you need to recharge and maybe reprogram them.

Yes, hacking exists, it's not magic, I haven't gotten to his hacking rules yet, I might be surprized but I still haven't found one of those I liked, even for hacking datavaults.

If the device is wireless, naturally it can be wirelessly hacked. I'm not contesting that at all. But in CWN's setting, wireless has been heavily scaled back due to security concerns; this is really just the justification for having hackers plug in on-site instead of working safely from a secure bunker miles away. But in a high-tech setting, there's actually no need for most cyber to be vulnerable like that. A pacemaker couldn't be hacked so easily if the only way to access it was through a tiny plug on the chest. And given that the technology is so advanced, why would cyberware be specifically left vulnerable to hacking when almost everything else has gone wired? That's the way I look at it. Hacking cyber makes a lot more sense in settings that rely heavily on wireless communication.

QuoteYes, hacking exists, it's not magic, I haven't gotten to his hacking rules yet, I might be surprized but I still haven't found one of those I liked, even for hacking datavaults.

Yeah, I expect what will happen for my group is that I'll present the hacking rules and see if anyone wants to do that. If not, I'll probably use the simpler rules from SWN instead, possibly with a few revisions to fit the setting.

Quote from: Brand55 on February 04, 2023, 12:20:24 PM
If the device is wireless, naturally it can be wirelessly hacked. I'm not contesting that at all. But in CWN's setting, wireless has been heavily scaled back due to security concerns; this is really just the justification for having hackers plug in on-site instead of working safely from a secure bunker miles away. But in a high-tech setting, there's actually no need for most cyber to be vulnerable like that. A pacemaker couldn't be hacked so easily if the only way to access it was through a tiny plug on the chest. And given that the technology is so advanced, why would cyberware be specifically left vulnerable to hacking when almost everything else has gone wired? That's the way I look at it. Hacking cyber makes a lot more sense in settings that rely heavily on wireless communication.

QuoteYes, hacking exists, it's not magic, I haven't gotten to his hacking rules yet, I might be surprized but I still haven't found one of those I liked, even for hacking datavaults.

Yeah, I expect what will happen for my group is that I'll present the hacking rules and see if anyone wants to do that. If not, I'll probably use the simpler rules from SWN instead, possibly with a few revisions to fit the setting.

As an early opposer of the cloud/smart everything/internet of things let me explain the logic behind not having your most valuable data accesible from the outside:

USA had a pipeline hacked by terrorists
We constantly hear how ANOTHER game/site has been hacked and their user's data stolen.

Now imagine you're a megacorp, would you have your most valuable data on machines wired to the internet?

Datavauls make perfect sense from a safety PoV.

Given that hacking isn't magic, most of it should be social engineering (you befriend/seduce someone with the access), then you use that someone to deliver bits of a self ensambling software that'll create a way for your agents to get the data if they manage to get to the vault.

IMHO the hacker is never (or almost) in the field, he's the one providing viruses and cybercountermeasures in exchange of money or work (you retrieve something he wants).

The operators are the hacker's arms/legs/eyes in places he can't access because there's no connection to the internet.

So he's a friendly NPC handled by the GM who makes the rolls to see if it succeeds.

Then the operators physically infiltrate the place to retrieve the data with the needed measures provided by the hacker.

The operators also buy the measures to hack drones (wireless) and other stuff from the hacker. They know how to use it and little more.

Quote from: Summon666 on February 02, 2023, 02:13:05 AM
Unfortunately, he does not use decent printing. There is little reason to get the kicker. You can buy a HC version of the game, but it is only a slight step up from print on demand. He is using slightly thicker paper and stitching instead of page glue at least. That is the kicker deal, but it is still just a print and play solution.

The only reason I buy rpgs and not pdfs is to have a super high quality HC version on my bookshelf to add to the collection. Not having that is a deal breaker for me. I'll just pick it up off drivethrough when it is available.

Quote from: Message To... what is "Offset Print Book"? And will you have an add-on tier for HC versions of Stars and Worlds?

Quote from: Message FromAn offset print book is printed on a conventional press, with four-color
process ink. They're not necessarily better than a digital print-on-demand
copy, but in this case they are because I'm using heavier paper and richer
ink coverage. In addition, these offset copies have a sewn binding with the
pages stitched into the spine rather than the less-sturdy glued pages of a
POD copy.

An addon tier for additional books is regrettably impractical- I'd either
have to pay shipping twice, or else hold off sending the books until CWN
was complete and ready to ship, thus making the patron wait months to get
something they could order right now from my webstore.

With regards,
Kevin Crawford

What's subpar about the Without Number offset print books? They seem high quality to me.

Quote from: Mistwell on February 01, 2023, 09:45:24 PM
I've been curious about all his games.

I do raise a bit of an eyebrow at the number of people saying, "I buy his stuff but I don't run any of the game" comments. Are these just mostly reading material for many people?

I liked SWN so much I bought the hardback copy. Ran it just the once many years ago.

...

I like his stuff, but it's niche within a niche within a niche. RPGs that aren't D&D that have a lot of sandbox support, and not a ton of their own worldbuilding.
I mean, SWN has a very thin setting, but it's fairly easy to ignore. Which is good when you're doing your own campaign, but hurts when someone is looking for a detailed setting.

The system is workmanlike. It will do the job, but it really doesn't set me on fire to GM.

So yeah, it's mostly reading material, but the kind of reading material that will give you ideas about your games.

Just bought CWN since Shadowrun is dead to me. No complaints yet. Magic and hacking with CWN are a fkn breeze compared to the shitshow of SR. CWN does everything SR, The Sprawl and Cyperpunk Red do, just easier. Welcome to the Matrix 

Quote from: GeekyBugle on February 04, 2023, 12:13:19 PM
Why would your cyberimplant NEED a wireless connection?

I actually have two different plausible uses for wireless cybernetics connection.

First, if you have an individual with cybernetic arms, he may be able to surrender control to someone else to basically use him as a Waldo.  A first responder could be a Waldo for a surgeon in a critical medical emergency where even the trip to the hospital might take too long.  I imagine this could be done for many skills.

Second, a soldier that wounded and unconscious might be returned or at least moved from harm by a remote operator.

Quote from: BadApple on September 03, 2023, 09:39:24 AM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on February 04, 2023, 12:13:19 PM
Why would your cyberimplant NEED a wireless connection?

I actually have two different plausible uses for wireless cybernetics connection.

First, if you have an individual with cybernetic arms, he may be able to surrender control to someone else to basically use him as a Waldo.  A first responder could be a Waldo for a surgeon in a critical medical emergency where even the trip to the hospital might take too long.  I imagine this could be done for many skills.

Second, a soldier that wounded and unconscious might be returned or at least moved from harm by a remote operator.

I'll give you the first, yes well thought.

The Soldier? Soldiers are canon fodder, the risk of having them hacked in the battle field and used against me far exceeds the benefit of saving the life of some. Something that could get achieved with automatic stuff inside the soldier's implants without the need for wireless connection.

This is an insta' buy for me.

Quote from: GeekyBugle on September 03, 2023, 10:18:41 AM

Quote from: BadApple on September 03, 2023, 09:39:24 AM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on February 04, 2023, 12:13:19 PM
Why would your cyberimplant NEED a wireless connection?

I actually have two different plausible uses for wireless cybernetics connection.

First, if you have an individual with cybernetic arms, he may be able to surrender control to someone else to basically use him as a Waldo.  A first responder could be a Waldo for a surgeon in a critical medical emergency where even the trip to the hospital might take too long.  I imagine this could be done for many skills.

Second, a soldier that wounded and unconscious might be returned or at least moved from harm by a remote operator.

I'll give you the first, yes well thought.

The Soldier? Soldiers are canon fodder, the risk of having them hacked in the battle field and used against me far exceeds the benefit of saving the life of some. Something that could get achieved with automatic stuff inside the soldier's implants without the need for wireless connection.

Not all soldiers are basic grunts.  Some soldiers have educations that are more costly than a PhD and would be very valuable to retrieve.  Then there's soldiers that are valuable due to them having information, either classified information or gathered intel the CoC doesn't yet have.

Then there's the basic morale boost that soldiers would have knowing there's one more thing standing with them to survive combat.  Believe me, militaries around the world specifically commit large amounts of resources to maintaining morale.  Many battles are won or lost purely on the willingness of a soldier to stay in the fight rather than run. 

Quote from: BadApple on September 03, 2023, 12:01:36 PM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on September 03, 2023, 10:18:41 AM

Quote from: BadApple on September 03, 2023, 09:39:24 AM

Quote from: GeekyBugle on February 04, 2023, 12:13:19 PM
Why would your cyberimplant NEED a wireless connection?

I actually have two different plausible uses for wireless cybernetics connection.

First, if you have an individual with cybernetic arms, he may be able to surrender control to someone else to basically use him as a Waldo.  A first responder could be a Waldo for a surgeon in a critical medical emergency where even the trip to the hospital might take too long.  I imagine this could be done for many skills.

Second, a soldier that wounded and unconscious might be returned or at least moved from harm by a remote operator.

I'll give you the first, yes well thought.

The Soldier? Soldiers are canon fodder, the risk of having them hacked in the battle field and used against me far exceeds the benefit of saving the life of some. Something that could get achieved with automatic stuff inside the soldier's implants without the need for wireless connection.

Not all soldiers are basic grunts.  Some soldiers have educations that are more costly than a PhD and would be very valuable to retrieve.  Then there's soldiers that are valuable due to them having information, either classified information or gathered intel the CoC doesn't yet have.

Then there's the basic morale boost that soldiers would have knowing there's one more thing standing with them to survive combat.  Believe me, militaries around the world specifically commit large amounts of resources to maintaining morale.  Many battles are won or lost purely on the willingness of a soldier to stay in the fight rather than run.

You can acchive the same goals without wireless communication, just give them a failsafe automatic withdrawal mode, if the soldier is heavily wounded or unconscious then the auto pilot engages and takes the soldier to safety.

Now your soldier can't be hacked wirelessly.