Hackmaster: Funny or not?

ColonelHardisson · December 19, 2006, 10:44:39 PM

Quote from: jrientsI think HackMaster is funny but overdone. A boxed set with 64 pages of Basic HackMaster rules and a 32 page module would be completely awesome.

Naw, the whole point of HackMaster is that it's overdone. That's what HackMaster is. Streamline it and all you'd have is a D&D basic set, and that already exists; you can buy any given version in print or as a pdf. What would be the point?

What could be done is a book to be published that contains all the HackMaster-specific stuff, which could be applied to any given iteration of D&D, thus "hacking" one's favorite version of the game.

But that's extremely unlikely to happen.

Sosthenes · December 20, 2006, 02:45:09 AM

Quote from: ColonelHardissonNaw, the whole point of HackMaster is that it's overdone. That's what HackMaster is. Streamline it and all you'd have is a D&D basic set, and that already exists; you can buy any given version in print or as a pdf. What would be the point?

Well, if I read the Hackmaster TNG discussions the right way, a streamlined version is what we'll actually get for the next edition.

Bradford C. Walker · December 20, 2006, 03:15:57 AM

Not. Funny.

jrients · December 20, 2006, 09:17:57 AM

Quote from: ColonelHardissonNaw, the whole point of HackMaster is that it's overdone.

I firmly believe a good designer can fit 10 pounds of awesome in a 5 pound bag. And what I want from a Basic HackMaster is not the endless rules, it's the attitude.

ColonelHardisson · December 20, 2006, 08:01:13 PM

Quote from: jrientsI firmly believe a good designer can fit 10 pounds of awesome in a 5 pound bag. And what I want from a Basic HackMaster is not the endless rules, it's the attitude.

I guess it could be done, but in such a short format there isn't a lot of wiggle room. Again, you likely would end up with something not appreciably different from the basic D&D rules. If someone took a stab at it, I'd take a gander.

daeler · December 21, 2006, 10:10:28 AM

I personally think hackmaster can be a very funny game. I mean they have a vorpal bunny (monty python anyone?) plus many of the monsters can lend themselves to alot of humor even in deadly situations for your characters. If you dont like alot of the rules just remember most of them are set there for sanctioned play for tournaments at cons and the like so if you dont intend on playing there use your own judgements on the rules. I think the biggest place where the humor can be applied is in roleplay while in towns and using certain social skills.

rcsample · December 21, 2006, 02:01:51 PM

Quote from: daelerI personally think hackmaster can be a very funny game. I mean they have a vorpal bunny (monty python anyone?)

You are absolutely correct.

I wish more fantasy roleplaying games (and gaming groups) referenced Monty Python and the Holy Grail more often. It's strange, but I hardly ever hear anyone quoting Monty Python and the Holy Grail in gaming groups, comic stores, hobby shops, conventions, work, interweb boards.

Maybe Hackmaster could include stats for the following:

Tim the Enchanter
Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch
The Black Knight
The Monty Python and the Holy Grail Historian
King Arthur (Graham Chapman version, of course)
Brave Sir Robin
Zoot

Man, having all those funny references would put it somewhere between Carrot-Top and Pauly Shore on the funny meter.

James McMurray · December 21, 2006, 02:06:05 PM

Rolemaster had a vorpal bunny, one of its few nods towards humor.

rcsample · December 21, 2006, 02:19:15 PM

Quote from: James McMurrayRolemaster had a vorpal bunny, one of its few nods towards humor.

Yeah well, Rolemaster was released in 1980 and MP&THG was released in 1975. I guess it is grandfathered in the 5 year window of "can use for funny reference"..

Additionally, I would add that Rolemaster's humor is more "Easter egg" style than "Keep it coming/Hackmaster" style.

For all those reading, I do realize humor is subjective.

Carry on.

daeler · December 21, 2006, 02:32:23 PM

I suppose for someone who hates/is tired of monty python jokes and refferences that was a bad example. take it out and the game is still funny. Mostly for the attitude you get while roleplaying, plus the books as a read are fairly amusing on thier own. however if that humor is not for you it just wont be funny for you.

Melan · December 22, 2006, 05:12:53 AM

Quote from: James McMurrayRolemaster had a vorpal bunny, one of its few nods towards humor.

Fuck, Paul Jaquays' Dungeoneer fanzine produced cca. 1976-1977 had vorpal bunnies.

Bradford C. Walker · December 22, 2006, 05:23:17 AM

Holy Grail is way played out. That's why you're not hearing quotes and seeing references as much as you used to, thank God.

Sosthenes · December 22, 2006, 06:07:17 AM

Well, it's much more likely that a lot of the teenagers never saw the movie in the first place.

rcsample · December 22, 2006, 09:56:31 AM

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerHoly Grail is way played out.

Grail was played out around 10 years ago. You are preaching to the choir.

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerThat's why you're not hearing quotes and seeing references as much as you used to, thank God.

My above post was brought to you by the sarcasm council. I still hear gamers in all of the places mentioned in my above post, still quote Grail all the time and giggle like schoolgirls. Dude, move on to the fucking "Princess Bride" or something, at least that's 10 years more recent.

James McMurray · December 22, 2006, 11:24:00 AM

Quote from: MelanFuck, Paul Jaquays' Dungeoneer fanzine produced cca. 1976-1977 had vorpal bunnies.

Who's he? What's that? And why does it matter in reference to Rolemaster also having them?