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Posted by: Large Mike Mar 4 2004, 08:54 AM

So, after much bitching about what sucked about various RPGs, I was challenged to put my money where my mouth was and make an RPG of my own. Being the stubborn bastard that I am, I'm going to have to see it through to the end, now.

So, although I can't pay anyone so much as a red hot dime, I was wondering if anyone would like to help. I have no writing credits on anything, but if ever there was a DIY industry, this is it. Basically, I would like writers. And and Editor. Oh, God, my kingdom for an editor. Naturally, if this ever makes money (highly unlikely), or even possibly if it ever sees the light of day (slightly less unlikely), whoever has helped me will get just as much out of it as I do (read: probably nothing). But if you want to see your name in print, and are a competant (or even good) writer, tell me.

The setting sci-fi in the not so far fetched future (130 years) in which humanity has not yet found a way to quickly and reliably reach other stars, but as a serious mishap involving the sun has numbered the days of the Sol system, they're going to have to. The system is percentile-based (this is open to debate, but I've a fairly KISS system that I like and so far has proven easy to play).

And all you here that actually have writing credits to your name, yes, I'm one of a billion hacks and *naturally* my project will go nowhere because I have no experience. [/sarcasm] Get off my back. On the other hand, if any of you has anything positive to say, I'd be glad to hear it.

Posted by: Digital Heroin Mar 4 2004, 09:17 AM

I reckon I'll toss my hat in the ring, as scuffed and worn a hat as it may be.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 4 2004, 09:24 AM

Ahh... the first comer is someone I recognize and like, this is a good sign.

All right, this is the thing of it. I need a writing sample. I'll take fiction, but I won't like it. I want to see your ability to write the crunchy bits. Everyone and his dog can write the soft parts. Any subject you want, any length you want. No need for immediatly publishable quality, a first draft will do. So, yeah, impress me.

Also, although game-design wise I'm a nobody, I won't be doing alot of farting around. I've said that I will get this done, and so now I *have* to.

(My computer is dead, so I'm working on a friends computer in the same house, but she refuses to use MSN, so we won't be able to talk in real time until I get a new one, which could be a month or more. Unless you irc. Sorry.)

For all intents and purposes, as far as the game is concerned, the addy I will be using is evilwins@thedigitalsoul.com

So, yeah, anything, any subject, any length, preferably with crunchy bits. Just show me that you're not hopeless as a writer.

Posted by: Siege Mar 4 2004, 04:03 PM

The crunchy bits? Soft parts?

Percentile dice work, but so do d10 and d20 "skill + stat" systems in much the same way, except with smaller number spreads.

-Siege

Edit: And if my name isn't one you know or like, I've been disliked by better.

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 4 2004, 04:45 PM

I'll toss my jester's cap in for the Editorial piece. I'm not much of a long story writer, but I can pick out inconsistencies and peg folks on contradictions pretty easily.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 4 2004, 10:19 PM

Sorry. Soft bits are backround, fiction, plot hooks, that sort of thing. Crunchy bits are anything that deals with rules and numbers.

Seige: Since you're bringing it up, I don't know you that well, but from what I do know, my opinion of you is nothing but positive. And does that post mean you're volenteering? Because if you're volenteering, you may then feel free to try and convince me to change the system, but you'll have to be persuasive. It's been working on percentile since it's inception and that seems to work well. I figure if it's not broken, don't fix it.

Nikoli: Thank god, and editor. I was about to start offering sexual favors for editing. Again, though, we're going to have to make sure your not totally hopeless in that respect, so here's what we'll do. When DH gives me his little bit proving he's not crap (btw, DH, no need to top 1000 words for this, we can keep it small) we'll have you run through and redline it. I'll run over that with a fine tooth comb, and unless it sux0rs, the job is yours.

I love this response.

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 4 2004, 10:21 PM

Also, I can open any MS Word compatible format.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 4 2004, 10:49 PM

That's definatly a good thing.

Posted by: Siege Mar 4 2004, 11:06 PM

Posted by: Siege Mar 4 2004, 11:51 PM

I sent this to the "evilwins" email address, but it was bounced back.

Pros and cons of Percentile-based gaming

Pro:
Allows greater degree of complexity to skill rolls by providing a greater array of situational modifiers.

Example: -1% bonus versus SR's -1 TN bonus. On a scale of 1-100+, a 1% change either way doesn't make much of an impact. On a smaller scale, a -1 bonus can be quite huge.

Con:
Allows greater degree of complexity to skill rolls by providing a greater array of situational modifiers.

Calculating all the possible modifiers to a skill roll detracts from the speed and flow of game play.

Some mechanical questions:

1. How many types of dice do you plan to use?
2. Are you using hitpoints in an open-ended manner (like d20) or a fixed situation (SR, CP)

-Trevor "Siege" Medina

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 4 2004, 11:56 PM

The reason it would have bounced is because I said .com where I should have said .net.

And although I realize it's not highly likely that anyone's going to run off and steal my ideas, we should probably confine talking shop to a less public place. Also, before we talk shop, I think we should iron out whether or not I officially have a volenteer in you, and in what capacity.

So, either email me about that, orbetter yet, come see me on irc. irc.dumpshock.com usually #shadowrun

Posted by: Stumps Mar 5 2004, 01:40 AM

I can help out a little between my other projects with game mechanics.
That's my favorite section to rip apart

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 5 2004, 04:15 AM

Well, show me that you're worth a damn. I love how I can pick and choose (to a certain extent). So, yeah. Impress me.

It doesn't have to be long or elaborate, but prove to me that bringing you on board would be a good idea. Again, I have no incentive for you other than to be apart of this, but I think that's worth it by itself.

Posted by: kevyn668 Mar 5 2004, 04:19 AM

I always have spare time and spare change. For instance, right now I'm watching "Just Bring It".

It has a compelling storyline.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 5 2004, 04:30 AM

Well, it goes like this: You want in, you drop something in my inbox telling me why I should bring you in. Simple as that. I can only see needing an editor and one, maybe two writers. That's all. I already have a guy to run the multimedia/technology end, and we're a long way from needing art, so that's all there is to her. So fight it out among yourselves.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 5 2004, 06:31 AM

I sent my resume' in for game mechanics.
Like I said...I've got a project going myself, so I'll be hopping between the two.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 5 2004, 07:42 AM

Stumps, welcome, welcome.

So, writers, editors?

(Much better response than I expected, btw. Thanks, all.)

Posted by: Fortune Mar 5 2004, 08:19 AM

My writing sucks, and the editorial position is already spoken for.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Mar 5 2004, 09:01 AM

Sent a submission, but it's all fiction; I'll see what I can do for coming up with crunchy bits, but it's kinda hard to write about a nonexistent system, y'know?

~J

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 5 2004, 09:27 AM

You don't need to write about this system for me to be able to guage your ability to write RPG stuff. Hell, re-write a section (or sub-section) for an RPG that already exists. I won't tell anyone.

Fortune: The editor position is still spoken for. When I get submissions from potential writers, I'm going to bounce them off potential editors. So if you'd like, I can add you to the list of those that I send the stuff too. It'd be a cage match for the position, and I understand if you don't want to go through that for a volenteer job, but I'd be happy to add you to the list. (I thought you had some credits behind your name. Oh well, who knew.)

Posted by: rlemansky Mar 5 2004, 11:06 AM

Greetings.

Sounds like a good project.

If you're looking for a simple yet elegant percentile system, check out the old Marvel Superheroes RPG. One main table for most of everyting. Character abilites and powers had Ranks (Good (10), Excellent (20), Remarkable (30)). The table had percentages on the y-axis, Ranks on the x-axis, and the matrix formed was split into Green, Yellow, and Red results. Green rolls were easy, yellow a bit harder, red harder still-looking like a series of stairs. Difficult or extremely easy tasks would result in a column shift to the left (-) or right (+).

I don't know if it's any help, but the game mechanics were inspired-kept any game moving fast, which is a boon with comic heroes.

R

Posted by: Stumps Mar 5 2004, 12:22 PM

I'm not entirely sure yet...but I think that Large Mike is looking to go at it from scratch to completely prove his point.

This is what really tickles me giddy. My fangs are salivating just thinking about all the mechanics I could be wrapping my head around. I mean...from scratch!!??
WEEHEEE!!!

Posted by: Stumps Mar 5 2004, 01:50 PM

Ok...I read yer e-mail Mike, and I gotta a few questions here and there.
Do you have MSN Messenger?

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 5 2004, 01:51 PM

Besides, I have yet to see an RPG with a single editor.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 5 2004, 04:00 PM

personally, I would like to see a manual that is organized like a manual. You know...employing such high tech inovations as Thumb Indexes.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 5 2004, 08:09 PM

Stumps, I don't have MSN at the moment. I have to wait until I get a new computer, because mine cacked. In the meantime, I'm on irc. irc.dumpshock.com #shadowrun. And stumps, that was just the stream-of-consciousness falling-from-my-head bit. I'd intended to shoot you another one once I got back from the corner store, but I fell asleep. I'll elaborate as soon as I get some food in me.

Posted by: Fortune Mar 6 2004, 01:32 AM

Posted by: Stumps Mar 6 2004, 04:42 AM

are you using the same nickname on irc as here Large Mike?

Posted by: Adam Mar 6 2004, 05:36 AM

Posted by: Fortune Mar 6 2004, 06:50 AM

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 6 2004, 09:26 AM

Adam, I've said repeatedly that I can't pay anyone jack squat, but thanks. Somehow, I think your offer wasn't genuine, though.

Stumps: I am indeed using the same name. I had a party spontaneously appear at my house this morning, so I wasn't on at all today. Sorry. Strange things happen when you go out for pepsi.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 6 2004, 09:53 AM

well, if you are still up, I'm on mirc right now...

Posted by: Adam Mar 7 2004, 05:08 AM

Posted by: Stumps Mar 7 2004, 07:22 AM

For all that are involved in this RPG, go to http://www.geocities.com/exigine/largemike/lmrpg.html

I suppose that even if you just want to see what's going on that you could go there as well.

There is a Board on my Forum that I set up for all involved to discuss the game. You can get to the Forum via a link on the site's home page. Only members of the Games Design may view the Board in the Forum concerning the creation of the RPG so all members need to let me know who you are so I can e-mail you the password to get into the Board. Other than that, you will need to take a few seconds to register to the Forum itself.

The Website, at present is pretty much only concerned with the Game Mechanics as that's my job and I made the website.
I'm sure that more sections of the game will find there way to the website later as they appear.

But really, that's all up to Larg Mike.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 7 2004, 11:53 AM

Holy shite!
I've done a good amount of work on the Combat System today.
sheesh, that took alot of extra brain power to come up with, but I feel it was worth it. Hope you like something in it Large Mike.
As stated on the Site...I really am partial to Version 1 of the Combat System. It's so slick and new...well at least I think it's new.
Long hours ... ...going.. .. slowly... ... crazy....

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 7 2004, 12:11 PM

You see, I feel like such an ass. Since Friday morning, I've only been pulling myself away long enough to tell the people that aren't here that I'm not dead. I havn't slept, I havn't eaten, and most importantly, I havn't written a word since Thursday night. I've just been playing the music really loud and GMing, alternatly.

I feel like such an ass. I'm so sorry. I swear, I'll make up the writing. It's a good thing I got a bit extra done through last week.

Now I just need an editor. I don't seem to be getting anyone offering to write and getting me any RPG samples. (btw, Kag, I've thrown a few constructive critisisms into what I did review of your fiction, I could finish them and bounce them back to you once this all winds down, if you like.)

Anyways, Big Kudos to Stumps. (Also, I have someone putting together a forum on a real webserver for us, there's no need for Geocities, but thanks. As soon as he recovers from this, we should have proper forum. Hope you don't mind phpForums.)

Posted by: Stumps Mar 7 2004, 12:20 PM

NOT AT ALL!
I only created all this as a temporary space. I figured you had one in the works as you had said that you had a Media man already.

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 7 2004, 01:22 PM

email is nik-224(at)comcast.net

Posted by: Stumps Mar 7 2004, 01:26 PM

Nikoli...are you the media man? Is that why you listed your e-mail?

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 7 2004, 01:28 PM

I'm the editing man.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 7 2004, 01:36 PM

*Stumps slaps self as he realizes that he even put Nikoli's name on the website as the editor*
Been working a bit to long on the damn rules I'd say.
Hey, do me a favor and proof over the sites listed rules when you get a chance. I tend to be horribly bad at grammer and clarity.

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 7 2004, 01:38 PM

Can you email me the stuff you've got collected in some word compatible format? Otherwise I have to waste time removing website formating from my working copy.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Mar 7 2004, 01:49 PM

Give me a name for the forums and I'll have them up by nightfall tomorrow, if not earlier.

~J

Posted by: Stumps Mar 7 2004, 01:56 PM

I'm guessing "Large Mike's RPG Forum", as I've not heard anything on a name for the game itself...
I mean...hehe, we could use my new sites name that is designed for Game Designing "eXigine" as the Team name for the project and name the Forums Exigine Forums...but you'd have to check with Larg Mike on the name really.
I've just been using Larg Mike's RPG for now.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 7 2004, 09:19 PM

The game's working title is Shattered Sun. It sounds a bit cliche to me, but I can't think of anything better at the moment. Kag, I appreciate the offer of the forum, but my technology and media buddha is on it.

Posted by: BigEvil84 Mar 8 2004, 02:26 AM

I'd like to throw my hat in as a writer. I believe Stumps has sent you some of my work. He pulled me into this and I'm on board 100%

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 8 2004, 02:54 AM

Al right, here's what I'm going to do. People are submitting fiction to me, which is nice, but is a totally different style of writing from creating an RPG, so here's the official release from Evil Wins (working name of the as-of-yet unofficial production company).

"There is a city on Rhea, a moon of Saturn, named Sunshine. It is one of the poorest cities in the solar system. It is composed mostly of miners the working poor of the Little Nations (peoples whos countries were not major space powers when the sun cracked, the include Jamaicans, Swedes, Brazillians, and most other countries. This is not an official designation, but the term Little Nations seems to stick). It is a mixed bag of ethnenticities, with many groups having their own section of town. Little Italy, Haitiville, etc. Please choose one of the ethnic ghettos and write about it.

1500 words. That's a hair under three pages at 12 point font, if it's single spaced.
Other than the fact that the sun is dying a very messy death and there is no longer an earth, mars, or venus, and the human race is stuck in the solar system, don't worry about keeping with canon of the game. This will not be used, but rather is just a way to guage your abilities as a writer.
We will not distribute your work to anyone, and it will not be read by anyone other than Ryan Bartlett, project manager for Shattered Sun.
Please include at least two notable personalities, preferably people in positions of power, be they official or unofficial, within the community.
Please pack in as many plothooks for spacers, criminals, smugglers, anarchiest and/or anyone looking to turn a quick quasilegal dollar."

I know it may be a drag to put together three pages of fresh material that won't be used, except maybe to be scavenged for parts by yourself later. I can sympathize, I really can. But look at it from my perspective, if you will. Would you take on board someone that wouldn't put forward the effort for three measly pages for a project that you (at this point) pretty much honor-bound to complete?

Those that have sent me fiction so far, I'd *love* to have you whip this up if you're still interested in working with me on this. So far, everything I've recieved shows potential.

Also, admins and whatnot: I realize there's a possibility I'm stepping on some toes, concieving one game in another games' living room. As soon as my resident technomancer throws up the forum (very pretty, I'm told) I'll be out of your hair with this. Thanks for your understanding.

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 8 2004, 03:16 AM

Actually, looking at the forum you've set up again, Stumps, it's nearly as geocities as I thought it would be. You win big time, and we'll just stick with what we've got going on there. Thanks.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 8 2004, 08:05 AM

hehe....well, actually that's kind of funny cause I just redesigned my Forum to a cleaner and more powerful Forum using Invision.

Go here...it'll be linkable through the site once I get home.
http://s4.invisionfree.com/eXigine/index.php

I allready created you an account on the forum Large Mike. I've e-mailed you your username and password so that you can get in and change the password to whatever you want.
I also emailed you the password to get into the Shattered Sun threads.

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 8 2004, 04:07 PM

Does that submission guideline go for your editor as well?

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 8 2004, 10:14 PM

As editors clean up writing, rather than make it themselves, no. Prospective editors will be sent a piece of work (with permission of the authors, perhaps the submissions) and be asked to edit. But I already sent you a PM, Nik.

Posted by: Adam Mar 8 2004, 11:49 PM

Posted by: Large Mike Mar 9 2004, 12:03 AM

Well, I figured just in case. But thanks.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Mar 9 2004, 01:55 AM

Offer for forums still open, no ads involved...

Meanwhile, I'll hack something up as soon as I can. Expect it in the next few days, hopefully.

~J

Posted by: Stumps Mar 9 2004, 02:52 AM

You'd be surprised Adam...I visited (leaving their name out) Forum and I posted a thread, in a section for Webdesigners, that announced a contest in which the best webpage submitted would get the position as Forum moderator of the Webdesign section of a Forum.

My thread got locked, and they almost deleted it all together.
They labled the thread as "..spam in my book."
I've yet to understand that at all.
How else are Webdesigners to here of a contest if not in a Forum for Webdesigners?

Posted by: Nikoli Mar 9 2004, 03:27 AM

Sadly many people flit about there entire lives never knowing anything fits out side the box of crayola's they call existence. Anything that doesn't fit all the way inside gets sliced off neatly.

Posted by: Shadow Mar 17 2004, 06:32 PM

Hey LM, is this still happening? I would be interested in helping out with this. I am very familiar with two excellent percentile games: Marvel Super Heroes, and FASA's very own Star Trek game that had a kick but skill system. I am a writer and while I have never done the 'hard bits' as you say I think I could.

Posted by: Kagetenshi Mar 17 2004, 06:35 PM

I was also wondering if this was still happening, what with you going and booting it up and all.

~J

Posted by: Azryl Mar 17 2004, 08:48 PM

If you still need a forum to run off of I can give you guys(gals) a private forum on my message board. Thanks.

Posted by: Stumps Mar 18 2004, 04:01 AM

Yes, Shattered Sun is still going. VERY creatively and at an amazing speed to keep up with actually.

As to you're wanting to write for Shattered Sun. I feel like we need at least one more writer, but you have to send a copy of your work to Large Mike for him to review before you can do the job.
He requests that you write, I think it was 3 pages, in the essence of the Seattle Sourcebook or something of the like.

As to the Forums, we already have them up and running. I set it up and am running the Forum. I don't think that we're planning on moving the Forum anywhere for a while.

Large Mike will be leaving for "booting up", as you put it, but we are going to continue working on the project. It's not an official title or anything, but I'll be pretty muched charged with keeping things managed and going while he's gone. But really, it's going to take the WHOLE team working very hard together to keep the torch going strong while he's gone.

I hope that answers your questions.
-Stumps