I've wanted to base a series of role-playing adventures on the old sci-fi TV show that aired in 1967-68. I was even thinking about setting the game in the early 1970's instead of modern day.

For those that haven't seen the show, it is about an alien invasion of Earth. The aliens want the Earth because their own world is dying. Instead of an invasion force that takes over militarily, the aliens are infiltrating all levels of human society by passing themselves off as human beings. The aliens take on human forms and their bodies have to be "recharged" every so often (can't remember how long - a week?) or they will die. Once the aliens have control of the world's governments, they will arrive in force.

In the show, an architect stumbles across an Alien saucer landing and he discovers the alien presence. The show is about his effort to stop the Aliens from their objectives as well as convince as many people as he can about their existence and threat. Naturally, this is difficult because most people think he is a crackpot. To make matters worse, the Aliens realize that he knows about them and thus he is as much a target of the Aliens as the Aliens are of him.

Now, as far as a game idea goes, the game would assume that the PCs are a group of people that see a saucer landing or other sufficiently bizarre event, which shows them the truth. The PCs must try to convince others and/or stop the Alien threat from achieving its goals.

The Aliens are noticeable if one knows what to look for:

1-Most of them have an issue with their hands where the pinky finger can't bend.
2-They have no pulse.
3-They have no emotions.
4-An X-Ray would reveal that they are not human at all.
5-They do not bleed when wounded.
6-When they die; they heat up and disintegrate, taking whatever they are carrying with them (no evidence).

Some of the aliens have already infiltrated government agencies, making contact with the authorities problematic at best. Most authorities wouldn't believe the PCs anyway.

Provided that enough variety can be created in the sessions, does this sound like a cool premise for a game?

That was an awesome show. The remake with Scott Bakula was poor in comparison. It is perfect for a campaign.

That does sound like fun.

One of my favorite settings is Dark*Matter, so this is right up my alley.

Netflix has the series on DVD

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Invaders_Season_1/70092979
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Invaders_Season_2/70109982

(and some may recognize Roy Thinnes from The X-Files)

Quote from: brettmb;272859Netflix has the series on DVD

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Invaders_Season_1/70092979
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Invaders_Season_2/70109982

(and some may recognize Roy Thinnes from The X-Files)

Yes. I think they have the first season. The second (and final) season comes out next month. I may actually pick up both boxed sets when the second season is released as I really liked the show. I saw around fifteen episodes from seasons one and two when Nick was having a marathon of it.

The Invaders was an excellent series, and would make a top-notch modern RPG campaign. I would think you'd want some fairly gritty system for it: GURPS comes to mind.

RPGPundit

The Invaders was an excellent series, and would make a top-notch modern RPG campaign. I would think you'd want some fairly gritty system for it: GURPS comes to mind.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPundit;273081The Invaders was an excellent series, and would make a top-notch modern RPG campaign. I would think you'd want some fairly gritty system for it: GURPS comes to mind.

RPGPundit

Maybe, but I am not a GURPS GM or player.

I'm leaning towards True20 at this point. I have the Damnation Decade sourcebook that has info on the early 1970's in it. If players decide to have their PC lose (or have stolen) a critical piece of evidence then they will earn an extra conviction point. It would work with FATE 3.0 as well, with an extra FATE point being awarded. It is an idea someone gave me over on TBP.

I've considered picking up Conspiracy X but I don't know much about it.

If you don't already have it, you can also use CORPS for reference.

Quote from: brettmb;273107If you don't already have it, you can also use CORPS for reference.

How did I miss that one? I already have Coyote Trail and Hard Nova ][.

I've had no time to do anything other than watch the series. I still plan on basing a game on the show's premise. It might be a tough sell for my group though, but we will see...

The aliens have done some wicked crap, like killing their own kind when they think it is neccessary!

What if the PCs were the Invaders?

Quote from: Spinachcat;292758What if the PCs were the Invaders?

There's a thought. Heh... It would certainly be a change of pace.

I'd throw in a religious theme into the game. Have the aliens slowly working to build up a political/religious figurehead all the while the PCs battling them every step of the way.

It would be cool if the last surviving PC (if all goes well :evillaugh:) at the shocking denouncement gets to scream - "Where's your messiah now"....

Regards,
David R

Oh yes, the religious angle is almost a must.  Another show with a similar theme and worth looking at for inspiration is First Wave from the Sci Fi network and of course a number of Twillight Zone and Outer Limits episodes.