[SR3] SOTA: 2065 Options

[Sir_Psycho]

I'm not sure the wireless chapter should be the first just because it'll be complex and daunting to flip onto page 5 with.

Does it include rules for piloting and/or sitting in the captains chair completely through the matrix and without a vehicle control rig? possibly like a control slave operation? Sort of like the drones are a part of the security system, and the vcr is integrated into the hardware of the security host.

I always thought it was silly that a corp decker and corp security rigger did different things. I think when it comes to site security they should overlap, the rigger can not only view through the cameras and turrets, he can also control the drones, and his advantage is that he can be mobile on site while performing his tasks, or the decker can do the same thing through the security host, but also can repel matrix intrusions and guard files.

edit: Also, I was thinking of including a new vision mode for goggles and cybereyes. Electromagnetic vision adds a whole new spectrum to our vision, we can see any tech that is currently operating. That spy hiding in the darkened corner may have 6 levels of thermal dampening on his form fitting armour, but his cybereyes running thermographic, imagelink, retinal clock and opticam are glowing like the sun. We'd have to come up with some specific rules of course, and I'm open to suggestion.

[mfb]

[Sphynx]

Sir_Psycho, it won't be the first chapter in the book, but as the most important chapter of the book I want to work on it first. I think the BP system (Magic and resources) will be the first chapter.

MFB: I think the 'logging' rules are imperative to the book. But alot of questions on the other stuff. You want a discussion on it here? New (or old existing) thread? Emails? One of the things I think are definitely needed to the logging rules is the +8's. Much too high of a number there. Maybe instead, use the intruding decker's Evasion rating?

Psycho: Main objective of the Gone Wireless chapter is to put the average person in a wireless setting. The Logging and Decking/Rigging merge stuff should go in a seperate chapter, Advanced Technical Training.

Gone Wireless Chapter: We need a device that can interact with the wireless world. It should have a roller/buttons on one side that let you switch between different Networks in your area. If you walk into a mall, and are bombarded with 20 wireless networks, a way of seeing that on a list (glasses or ImageLink). A touchpad to select things in your menu once you've selected a network. Etc. It'd be a PocketSecretary, Music Downloader/Player, Etc all in one.

Decisions we need to make. What all this device can do. Storage space it has. Costs for different 'levels' of it. What it can NOT do (Decking/Rigging). Artistic representations of different versions. What corps make it, and which corp is the 'world leader' in its design/creation. Devices that go along with it (ImageGlasses, Earbuds, etc). Accessories that can be attached to it (Transducer, Microtransciever, GPS) and their costs. And most importantly, how it helps Shadowrunners who aren't Deckers/Riggers.

As the years progress, we should create a design template to determine a way to get the Wireless of 2065 to the SR4 Wireless of 2070 so that we can include upgrades in our 2066, 2067, 2068, and 2069 to approach the 2070 level.

Ideas/Comments?

[Sir_Psycho]

Ideas? Thoughts? Well first of all, we shouldn't include Augmented Reality yet. That could come in '67 or something.

Off the top of my head are three variations. One is basicly a PDA or laptop with a screen that while it can do all the standard holding notes, images, phone numbers, etc. As a piece of wiz with wireless connectivity, it receives information from the services around it. Pop-up advertisements and special offers are common on most of the bandwidths, usually relevant to where you're standing. You can request maps of the area (eg. a shopping mall), basic directions, streaming music/video, etc. Sound can either be projected from the device's speakers, or through plugged in headplugs

The second version I think of does not have a screen at all, but plugs (wirelessly or via cable) into a set of glasses/goggles (with earplugs attaching to your ears via the "wings" of the glasses frame. This would throw up a holographic projection onto the goggles, providing all the same information, services, communication and annoyances (pop up ads) as the PDA version, but is in the easy form of glasses. The actual broadcasting/receiving unit that the glasses plug into would consist of a scroll wheel and two buttons, and would fit in a sort of small handle shape, with the wheel accessble by the thumb, and the buttons in the trigger position. The wheel would be for scrolling through subnetworks, pictures, text and other options. The buttons would be a simple select/enter/yes button and a clear display/no/off button.

The final version would be cyber, and would do all the aforementioned tasks, but be controlled through DNI and viewed through an image/display link.

This device should also have an address, sort of like an email/phone number. PDA's that share eachothers addresses and are on the same wireless node pop up on a subscriber list, and can share files, have a free instant messaging system, and work the same as a radio between subscribers aswell, including conference ability.

One of the coolest things is, the local nodes are accessible by jackpoint (illegal without advertising/maintenance permits) and can be used by deckers for slightly less-than-conventional means, such as:
"Ok our contact's address just hit the network, he's browsing through the maria mercurial classics catalog it seems... oh by the way, I've got his GPS down, and Ok, he's inbetween the MCT megamart and the dunkin' doughnuts vendor. request visual confirmation. Affirmative. Ok he's making the call, it's encrypted, you'll have to get within eavesdropping range while I work on the encryption."

PS. I've also got a nice idea for an illustration of this basic tech in action in PDA/Goggle and vislink form.

[Kagetenshi]

AR is already out, and has been since SR1. What do you think smartlinks are? Imagelinks?

Anyway, the way I handle the pocket secretary replacement is to declare that the pocket secretary has the equivalent of a cell phone data plan. Simple and easy.

~J

[Sir_Psycho]

By AR I am referring to it in the SR4 Sense, of AR objects visible based on the wireless matrix.

Edit: If I'm not making much sense, I'm sorry, I'm a little drunk.

[Sphynx]

Well, my initial thoughts are visible if you want to see here.

I've been too busy trying to build graphics for the pages (each page has a graphic on top of some monitors with a somewhat relevant picture in a monitor, and each chapter starts with a larger 3-monitor networking image), so if anyone wants to edit that pdf a bit, lemme know.

[mfb]

[Fortune]

[Sir_Psycho]

Anyway, are we going to have some Shadowtalk in this book? It'd be interesting if we opened up the "finished" product some forum members and allow them to chip in some in character Shadowtalk, and we could cull it as SysOps, choosing the best comments/dialogues.

And we don't use any of the established shadow posters, because as it is, SOTA:65 is a copyright disaster waiting to happen.

[Sphynx]

Yes, of course. Shadowtalk is a requirement. I was actually thinking of going extreme on the shadowtalk a bit. What do you think of replacing Captain Chaos with someone like Pax for who is creating this Node/Book? :P

More importantly though, really need someone to work on the story part. Not the actual ShadowTalk, but the dialogue/monologue that the ShadowTalk breaks into.

[Sir_Psycho]

I don't get exactly what you mean by story. Can you be specific?

[Fortune]

[Sir_Psycho]

So we're going to have this written from a perspective? What perspective? The people marketing SOTA? The Neo-A's? It could be done or it could not, doing it without a perspective, and making the information/rule objective descriptions (with flavour provided by Shadowtalk) would probably be a lot easier and less likely to fall flat. It's up to you of course.

If you need some time devoted to something specific then let me know, I'm willing to work on whatever.

And also, I have no feedback on a section on cigarettes as of yet. And I'd want a go ahead, and probably some ideas before I put anything concrete down. There should really be a brand of cigarette called "Lovingfield", possibly produced by Zeta Impchem (filled with awful Z-IC byproducts of course, not to mention the irony of a corp that produces medicines also marketing cigarettes.

The Azzies should have their own cigarette subsidiary, marketing Sangre Fuego as their standard cigarettes and Sangre Quemadura or Sangre Llama (or Llamas in the popular lexicon) as the stronger variant. Trade sanctions placed on Aztlan's cigarette exports could make for some interesting smuggling runs.

At least one japanacorp should have a cigarette subsidiary, though I have no ideas yet.

Any ideas?

[Fortune]

[Sir_Psycho]

My reasoning would be that when Aztlan took over middle america they bogarted a substantial amount of tobacco, and the taxes they placed on tobacco trade from their monopoly drove up some prices of Average Joes cigarettes. Also, any number of strings could have been pulled by a rival corporation. Obviously, if it's way too weak, scrap it, I'm just brainstorming.

[mfb]

[Sphynx]

[Fortune]

[Sir_Psycho]

[Sphynx]

Oh, I don't object to information on smoking being in the book, but where? Admittedly, there's always fluff in the books, but always as part of something useful to Shadowrunners. Best thing I can think of is to include some new Edges and Flaws, of which a flaw can be smoker and chain smoker. But not sure where to put the 'fluff' then since you can't really put 'fluff' in the BP part of a book.

Of course, there will be a 'Year In' chapter that could include major media outlets and trends if a new smoking trend develops. Maybe include a story on a 'new brand' that broke into the 'top 10' brands but had some negative side effects or something else of interest that could involve Runners.

On a side note, I'm thinking of including some 'history' of the past year in the book based on some games. Our own games in 2064 were mostly Denver playing offensive instead of defensive against Aztlan. That may have effected certain markets and trends as Aztlan, in our games at least, took some major hits. Basically a Civil War in Mexico sort of story I was going to write. Hearing what other runners have done in the 2064 year would be good for the book as well.

[Sir_Psycho]

I like where you're going. Edges and flaws for addiction (probably just flaws really), that don't result in outright cancer in 2d6 weeks would be excellent for "grit".

I also think it would be good if a new company came in and started muscling out other established cigarette companies, even bribing/co-ercing governments to impose tobacco sanctions/increased taxes. This would open up some novel Shadowrunning ideas for GM's I think, and plus, I think more runners should indulge in a few filthy habits. And with some extra interest in the "legal" tobacco trade, it'd be worth mentioning on shadowland.

"Hey chummers, I know most of this is nothing new to you, most of you logged in here probably have your meatbods sucking a cancer stick right now. But, of course with recent sanctions slapped on the Azzie's tobacco imports, and some some of the plantations in the CAS and the Carribean league hit by sudden (and completely co-incidental) mana storms, we thought you'd appreciate a little screamsheet put together, especially seeing as none of us know who the frag is running the new pack'o'death nico corp, Lovingfield (feel the love). Sift through the advertising drek, and stick this in your jack and smoke it.

>>>SYSter>>>-Yo-mommas-birthday<<<

[Sphynx]

So start writing up addiction rules (include alcohol and other oddities) and a story as told by a narrator (ex Corp Man for the tobacco company perhaps?). Also, maybe come up with more Edges/Flaws that would be nice. I know personally I've many times looked for an addiction style flaw, so that one is an auto-add of course. :P

[mfb]

[Kagetenshi]