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?
Cannibal Sector One, which I've already written for SLA Industries and just needs to actually come out, goddamnit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?).
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.
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.
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?
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 :)
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.
Is there not an Elizabethan adventure in that adventure supplement they put out? Dangerous Aeons or something?
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.
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.
I have two ideas.
The first idea is to get Dave Cook and/or Tom Moldvay to write the D&D Companion Rules for the '81 edition of Basic/Expert D&D. The tantalizing hints in the '81 Expert set indicate that a lot of interesting stuff never made it into the Mentzer version of Companion/Master/Immortal D&D.
Or as an alternative I'd give the whole budget to S. John Ross and let him make whatever he wants.
Quote from: jhkimDo 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.
I have those, an they're great! But GURPS Infitite worlds for 4th ed. has already covered them is an alternate worlds setting...It's close to what I want, but I'd rather have a full on book with advice so other people can run an alternate history game.
Mostly because I'm selfish and want to play in one instead of run it.
Quote from: Caesar SlaadGT: First In (that is, a realistic take on planet generation.)
I'm still looking for this book. It baffles me that I can apparently find any of the GURPS Traveller books I don't want, but the only time I've seen this for sale is on eBay for too much money.
Quote from: BagpussThe sort of thing that's been done for Traveller in several editions?
Yes, and no.
GT First In is probably the first tolerably realistic take on it.
I love Grand Census/Grand Survey/World Builder's Handbook with all my simulationist world building little heart. However, those books are layered on top of a system that was built more on simplicity than realism.
For example, for Traveller worlds with a size factor of less than 4, there should
never be a breathable atmosphere. And, in world of any age, there should be NO atmosphere. The relationship between the lightest gas that will be in the atmosphere and gravity is pretty explicit. Traveller 2300/2300AD took this into account, but none of the "Imperium" Traveller games by GDW did. And sadly, since Traveller d20 is painfully faithful to Classic Traveller, it inherits this error.
Quote from: Balbinus... an Elizabethan CoC supplement....
A good sourcebook for the Elizabethan era would be very cool (a CoC version would be fine, but I would prefer a more general sourcebook, maybe something like a GURPS book even though I never play GURPS).
I always thought that a fantasy Elizabethan game would be quite cool. (WFRP doesn't quite do it, as it is historically pre-Elizabeth, and no England analogue exists in the Old World -- 'Albion' doesn't come close.)
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.
Morrigan Press has
Revolution, which sounds like it fits this bill pretty well. Here's a link:
http://www.morriganrpg.com/gm-omni.htm
Quote from: laffingboyMorrigan Press has Revolution, which sounds like it fits this bill pretty well. Here's a link:
http://www.morriganrpg.com/gm-omni.htm
Thanks.
I could swear you were my old buddy Seanr451 from the andy hackard forums....
If I could have any supplement written, it would be a "modern day" sourcebook for Ars Magica. The real question is who to write it. I'm thinking either Jonathan Tweet (no one's better qualified to write an Ars Magica book) or Greg Stolze (who's done some kickass modern day fantasy rpg work).
A Dragaera sourcebook, from Steven Brust's Jhereg books, ideally a GURPS-style complete reference, ideally statted for d20 and Tri-Stat. With Steven Brust contributing.
And bigger than Ptolus.