Since I have the pleasure of the company of so many professional and amateur historians on this site, I wanted to bring up a topic I've been thinking about for a bit.  We've already discussed elsewhere what eras of human history you'd like to see in RPG setting form, but what about those that would be hard to do, or difficult to give a good feel for?

I think, first and foremost, there's the Holocaust.  Doing any sort of playable setting for this would run into a lot of problems.  I seem to recall some Scandanavian person came up with some thematic game on it at some point, but I know nothing else about it.

Now this one is weird, but I always thought it might be fun to set a game during the Tulip Mania of Holland of the 17th century.  Of course, it has grown in the popular retelling, but I think it would make a fantastic beer n' pretzels game, but how to go about it I have no idea?

So what other historical periods/eras might be tough to do well as an RPG setting?

Quote from: Zachary The FirstNow this one is weird, but I always thought it might be fun to set a game during the Tulip Mania of Holland of the 17th century.  Of course, it has grown in the popular retelling, but I think it would make a fantastic beer n' pretzels game, but how to go about it I have no idea?

I'm unfortunately stumped at the moment, and I think I am because if you dig deep enough into any era, you are likely to find the types of conflicts fun adventures can be made out of.

I also want to say that Tulip Mania could make a great board or card game.

Quote from: JamesVI also want to say that Tulip Mania could make a great board or card game.

Seconded.

Second World War.

EDIT Crap, this post was off-topic.  I didn't mean to say it would be tough to do pirates, but I was looking for input. Putting it into a new thread now.

Quote from: SettembriniSecond World War.

That's a bold statement!
I gotta head for work, so I won't be able to respond, but I'd love to see what doesn't work for you re: WWII.

The moral and political implications. Especially when playing germans, but playing allies is also strange thing for a german to do. So it's basically a catch-22.

Quote from: JamesVI'm unfortunately stumped at the moment, and I think I am because if you dig deep enough into any era, you are likely to find the types of conflicts fun adventures can be made out of.

Tulip Mania was a time of much turmoil. Turmoil is action. Action is adventure. Although it might not be iconic, basically it was a high stakes gambling.

A time when relatively huge wealth is changing hands is going to be rife with opportunities and intrigue. You'll have swindlers, and thieves, and other skulldugery along with social climbing new money.  Ok, so they're bunch Dutch farmers and that doesn't strike much excitement into one's heart normally. But these are rich Dutch farmers gambling a lifetime's fortune or more.

Quote from: JamesVI also want to say that Tulip Mania could make a great board or card game.

Damn right! Settembrini, get off your ass and start talking to your fellow germans! You guys are the masters of making wierd board games about bizzare subjects; this time, you get to do that and mock the dutch at the same time.
Congrats.

RPGPundit

Quote from: SettembriniThe moral and political implications. Especially when playing germans, but playing allies is also strange thing for a german to do. So it's basically a catch-22.

And here we have the reason why Germans make wierd board games about wierd subjects, and not, say, Axis and Allies.

Which, frankly, I think is better for all concerned.

RPGPundit

The subjects/themes for german games are oftentimes added afterwards, way after testing the mechanic to death.

That's just nuts. But what else could you expect from the Land where Marzipan is considered a tasty treat and everyone is secretly involved in filming wierd leather fetish videos?

:germany: :spank:

RPGPundit

Wow Pundit, Germans are totally not into s/m. It's the english who are. But you're right with the Marzipan.
I heard Edmontonians like stale beer, for whaterver masochistic reasons...

Quote from: SettembriniWow Pundit, Germans are totally not into s/m. It's the english who are. But you're right with the Marzipan.
I heard Edmontonians like stale beer, for whaterver masochistic reasons...

Indeed, why do you think WFRP is so popular here in Britain?

Quote from: BalbinusIndeed, why do you think WFRP is so popular here in Britain?

Oh, well played! :killingme: