Which sourcebook would you publish?

Zachary The First · September 12, 2006, 05:57:28 PM

Let's say, courtesy of the gaming gods, you are given the opportunity to allow one sourcebook for any game, past or present, to be published. For argument's sake, you will also have any RPG freelancer/author alive almost begging for the oppotunity to write it. What sourcebook would it be, for which line, and which author?

GRIM · September 12, 2006, 06:21:03 PM

Cannibal Sector One, which I've already written for SLA Industries and just needs to actually come out, goddamnit.

Dominus Nox · September 12, 2006, 08:07:16 PM

I'd like to do a source for the second american revolution, in which players are american citizens who are fighting to overthrow the fascist regime running america on behalf of the plutocratic corporate oligarchy that has covertly seized power and is reducing america to a third world state.

joewolz · September 12, 2006, 08:50:29 PM

I would like to see a good alternate history game...like a GURPS sourcebook that discusses the genre and attempts to help the aspiring alt-hist GM (or regular History GM) run a fun, realistic game set in a historical period that never was...

Basically, a combination of the Alternate World stuff in GURPS Time Travel and GURPS Timeline, with a heaping helping of basic historiographical help.

Another neat thing you could put in there is advice on how to reach verisimilitude.

Dominus Nox · September 12, 2006, 11:57:25 PM

Quote from: joewolzI would like to see a good alternate history game...like a GURPS sourcebook that discusses the genre and attempts to help the aspiring alt-hist GM (or regular History GM) run a fun, realistic game set in a historical period that never was...

Basically, a combination of the Alternate World stuff in GURPS Time Travel and GURPS Timeline, with a heaping helping of basic historiographical help.

Another neat thing you could put in there is advice on how to reach verisimilitude.

My major idea for an 'alternate earth' is one where Spartacus lead a successful revolt that grew into open revolution and toppled the roman empire, replacing it with a true republic that became the America of the ancient world. Slavery was declared an abomination and outlawed, and the anti-slavery meme persisted in western culture, resulting in a freer world that was also more advanced by the 20th century because slave labor was not allowed, thus automated labor devices and their attendent technology were developed much earlier. for example, in this alternate earth, Hero's steam engine caught on.

joewolz · September 13, 2006, 12:02:10 AM

Quote from: Dominus NoxMy major idea for an 'alternate earth' is one where Spartacus lead a successful revolt that grew into open revolution and toppled the roman empire, replacing it with a true republic that became the America of the ancient world. Slavery was declared an abomination and outlawed, and the anti-slavery meme persisted in western culture, resulting in a freer world that was also more advanced by the 20th century because slave labor was not allowed, thus automated labor devices and their attendent technology were developed much earlier. for example, in this alternate earth, Hero's steam engine caught on.

Cool.

Vellorian · September 13, 2006, 12:06:50 AM

Quote from: Dominus NoxMy major idea for an 'alternate earth' is one where Spartacus lead a successful revolt that grew into open revolution and toppled the roman empire, replacing it with a true republic that became the America of the ancient world. Slavery was declared an abomination and outlawed, and the anti-slavery meme persisted in western culture, resulting in a freer world that was also more advanced by the 20th century because slave labor was not allowed, thus automated labor devices and their attendent technology were developed much earlier. for example, in this alternate earth, Hero's steam engine caught on.

If you bring in gunpowder from China, you could play a "representative republic" with steam engines and gunpowder weapons by the year 1000 (I presume you'd keep Rome around that long with your other changes?).

Caesar Slaad · September 13, 2006, 12:10:02 AM

I'm sure I could think of something that would excite me more, but the simulationist* in me is in it for either a d20 or "all systems" supplement to the tune of GT: First In (that is, a realistic take on planet generation.)

I'm funny that way.

I would be happy to write it myself, if the gaming gods were to grant me the time.

* - recalling, of course, I mean simulationist if the RFGA sense, as always.

jhkim · September 13, 2006, 03:06:37 AM

Quote from: joewolzI would like to see a good alternate history game...like a GURPS sourcebook that discusses the genre and attempts to help the aspiring alt-hist GM (or regular History GM) run a fun, realistic game set in a historical period that never was...

Basically, a combination of the Alternate World stuff in GURPS Time Travel and GURPS Timeline, with a heaping helping of basic historiographical help.

Do you have GURPS Alternate Earths and GURPS Alternate Earths 2, by Ken Hite, Craig Neumeier, and Michael Schiffer? Most of them are occupied by the specific alternate histories -- but good examples go a long way, and there is some discussion of the genre and principles.

Bagpuss · September 13, 2006, 03:46:58 AM

Quote from: Caesar SlaadFirst In (that is, a realistic take on planet generation.)

The sort of thing that's been done for Traveller in several editions?

Mr. Analytical · September 13, 2006, 05:59:27 AM

Purely for shits and giggles I'd like to write a White Wolf city book for a place I've never been to and then fill it with stereotypes and nonsense cobbled together from reading the rough guide. Simply because American writers have done it to the rest of the world so often.

Otherwise,

* A Cthulhu book set during the Cold War.
* An "Enemy within" style supplement based around the US War of Independence.
* A Unisystem light cyberpunk supplement.

One of those

Balbinus · September 13, 2006, 06:24:24 AM

Quote from: Dominus NoxI'd like to do a source for the second american revolution, in which players are american citizens who are fighting to overthrow the fascist regime running america on behalf of the plutocratic corporate oligarchy that has covertly seized power and is reducing america to a third world state.

I'm pretty sure that exists, if I remember the title I'll post it.

For me, a cold war rpg of any stripe would rock or an Elizabethan CoC supplement. I've run Elizabethan CoC a few times and it really works well.

Mr. Analytical · September 13, 2006, 06:27:30 AM

Is there not an Elizabethan adventure in that adventure supplement they put out? Dangerous Aeons or something?

Balbinus · September 13, 2006, 06:32:40 AM

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalIs there not an Elizabethan adventure in that adventure supplement they put out? Dangerous Aeons or something?

Yeah, that's where I got the idea from. Though in mine the PCs were henchmen of a sorceror, basically they were a cult though it took the players a while to work that out.

Mr. Analytical · September 13, 2006, 06:49:10 AM

That's always a fun plot device.

A) Because it nicely plays with genre conventions by having you play the bad guys (this is particularly fun if you have there be a group of goody adventurers be out there too trying to kill the PCs or stop them).

B) Because when they eventually work it out they generally get so annoyed they instantly want to exact terrible vengeance upon the NPC manipulating them. Emotional involvement makes for fun games.