SR Developer Public Q&A Chat, Sat 2/16 10AM PST Options

[Ryu]

And thanks The_Dunner, I appreciate that you fielded my question!

[martindv]

Although I wasn't at the chat itself, I know it was Vairdic that gave us a time frame because there has been an almost complete transcript posted on Dumpshock since right after the completion of the chat itself, well before your acidic and totally unnecessary tirade.

Well, I can't fault him for that. I logged onto DS several times since the chat and yet I never saw that thread. So it's no reason to get your panties in a bunch that he missed it as well.

Second, his point was about Battlecorps, who I happen to notice are not responsible for this transcript. Funny that some user can slap up a text file in a few hours, and yet their time table is a few days. Given the fact that he's ovbiously coming from a perspective where this type of nonsense happens on a regular basis, I wouldn't put a lot of faith in their words either.

[martindv]

It's not the worst time, I mean 5am in the morning for me is pretty bad and I am unlikely to attend unless I have some important world changing question to ask.

But assuming that when you guys shift to DST it changes from 10am PST to 10am PDT, or UTC -7 and my daylight savings will end, for a chunk of the year it should be at 7am, which is much easier to deal with.

The middle of a Saturday tends to be otherwise occupied with more important non-work obligations and schedules than chats is all. Maybe not for you, but it tends to be that way for everyone I know.

[Adam]

Second, his point was about Battlecorps, who I happen to notice are not responsible for this transcript. Funny that some user can slap up a text file in a few hours, and yet their time table is a few days. Given the fact that he's ovbiously coming from a perspective where this type of nonsense happens on a regular basis, I wouldn't put a lot of faith in their words either.

Well, my Saturday, after the chat, was occupied with about 12 hours of finishing a project that absolutely had to be finished by 5AM PST on Sunday, or all the work on it would be for naught. Now I have an obligation of "that laundry pile" and "cleaning my office desk" and after that, I intend to tidy up and post the chat log. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[And yes, I'm aware that BattleCorps has had some weird problems in the past with not getting chat logs posted, but I don't intend that to happen on my watch.]

[martindv]

I did find it interesting to read the explanation about SoLA. I've always thought it was already done. Well, so much for the accuracy of the Dumpshock rumormill.

[Adam]

The chat log has been posted: http://www.shadowrun4.com/wordpress/?p=210

[Ancient History]

All together now shadowkids:

"Thankee Mr. Adam."

[Cardul]

[And yes, I'm aware that BattleCorps has had some weird problems in the past with not getting chat logs posted, but I don't intend that to happen on my watch.]

Does this mean we might actualy start seeing transcripts from the BattleChats? I hope so! I miss them because I am sleeping because I work night shift at a hotel.

[Synner]

I did find it interesting to read the explanation about SoLA. I've always thought it was already done. Well, so much for the accuracy of the Dumpshock rumormill.

You'd do well to look up Adam's previous post on the matter or one of my own - we've said the same thing several times. SoLA was in the editing stage when release was cancelled - had the book been finished it would likely have been released. There are several other steps in production after editing, including another full developer edit of the entire book, layout, artwork, maps, proofing, and final revisions to name the most obvious.

[martindv]

Well, I did stop bothering to read every new SoLA thread. But I don't ever recall any such explanation before yesterday.

[Synner]

Well, Adam's post to the chat is a direct quote from a post on Dumpshock, so I guess you probably missed it.

[KCKitsune]

I don't understand why the Cyber commlink doesn't come with a Sim Module. I mean the Cyber commlink has DNI and I think it is powerful enough to run Simsense. I hope that Unwired will give that option back.

[martindv]

Well, Adam's post to the chat is a direct quote from a post on Dumpshock, so I guess you probably missed it.

That is what I implied, yes.

[Ryu]

I don't understand why the Cyber commlink doesn't come with a Sim Module. I mean the Cyber commlink has DNI and I think it is powerful enough to run Simsense. I hope that Unwired will give that option back.

There is no explanation offered, and it straight out contradicts quite a number of printed and sold main books. This is one of the surprises of the FAQ that you could (and in my opinion should) just ignore.

[Fortune]

There is no explanation offered, and it straight out contradicts quite a number of printed and sold main books. This is one of the surprises of the FAQ that you could (and in my opinion should) just ignore.

This isn't an FAQ matter. The question was asked and answered in this thread. As for contradicting the books, there is no way not to in this situation, as versions 1 and 3 state that implanted commlinks include a sim module, while versions 2 and 4 state the opposite.

[hobgoblin]

the only "problem" problem with the cranial comlink is that the main book editions went back and forth on the small bit of text that said they came with a sim module, without it ever showing up in the errata one way or another.

if they where to update the errata with a "cranial comlinks do not come with a sim module" it would clean up everything. at least in my view, as the errata trumps both whatever book one hold in the hand, and the faq...

[KCKitsune]

Fortune, it still doesn't answer my question. Why is it that a Cyber commlink does not have an integrated sim module? I mean if it's a matter of game balance, make the darn cyber commlink cost more. As for essence... maybe make a commlink with sim module cost .3 essence rather than .2 essence. Yes this a discount, but darn it, the cyber commlink already has a DNI and that's what's needed for sim sense.

[Fortune]

Fortune, it still doesn't answer my question.

Note that I neither quoted your post nor tried to give a reason for the decision.

Why is it that a Cyber commlink does not have an integrated sim module? I mean if it's a matter of game balance, make the darn cyber commlink cost more. As for essence... maybe make a commlink with sim module cost .3 essence rather than .2 essence. Yes this a discount, but darn it, the cyber commlink already has a DNI and that's what's needed for sim sense.

I think that Rob's ruling is the only decision to make. Some people just don't want a sim module, although they do want an internal commlink. If you are willing to pay more money and Essence, then you really shouldn't have a problem, because that is all you are doing with this decision.

[Ryu]

It is an FAQ issue, but it should not. This is just an internet forum, anything we discuss here does not change core rules. Errata are what changes wrongly printed rules. FAQs are supposed to answer questions about the rules, not change the rules. Especially if the person writing the FAQ has power over the errata in question. Bad rules should be fixed.

[Synner]

Per the fourth printing (and future printings) and next batch of Errata, implanted commlinks do not include sim-modules.

The simple answer is that the default hardware of any commlink does not include simsense/ASIST translation hardware (which is in fact far more complex than DNI feedback) because a) not everyone wants/needs it, b) it is more expensive, c) it is readily available as a plug-in accessory or upgrade if implanted. Unwired will not be "giving back" that option. Sim modules (normal or implanted) are always available separately, if so desired. That said, cybersuites packaging commlinks and sim-modules should be relatively easy to find on the market (ie. talk to your GM).

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Well, as long as the implanted commlink can have integral Skinlink for free (essence-wise)...

[Ryu]

I´d really appreciate if that made the errata someday. The FAQ ruling to that effect is over a year old. Did the internal comlink get cheaper when it lost the SimModule? (No big deal for those interested in the first place, just asking)

@Kitsune: SimModules can be chip-sized (BTLs have that function internalised). If you query your GM, ask about having a datajack with plugged-in SimModule. That would run hot Simsense for 0,1/750+ (Assume a somewhat more expensive SimModule due to miniaturisation and pay 0,1/1000).

[Fortune]

Personally, I don't really think a modification to the implanted commlink should cost Essence, although I fully support it not coming as standard. I think a happy medium (which will be my future rulings in my games) is that adding the sim module modification will cost money, but not Essence.

[Fortune]

It is an FAQ issue, but it should not.

I meant that it was (or should be) an Errata issue, and went on to illustrate why.

[swirler]

Personally, I don't really think a modification to the implanted commlink should cost Essence, although I fully support it not coming as standard. I think a happy medium (which will be my future rulings in my games) is that adding the sim module modification will cost money, but not Essence.

I wonder if the essence issue isn't about installation order. If you get the sim mod added into the commlink (price increased accordingly) then no extra essence cost. However if you get it added at a later date, they have to open you up again, so bang, more essence lost.

I also wonder if there isn't another issue here that just occurred to me (which is surprising it did since I am practically half asleep from lack of sleep when I tried to sleep. wow did that make any sense?) Okay here it goes:
Let's think about this, "what does a sim module do?" well this snippet says

"It translates computer signals (simsense data) into neural signals, allowing the user
to directly experience simsense programs and virtual reality

okay so what does that mean to you? To me, it means there is this thing plugged into the brain that makes you feel things. Okay, "plugged into the brain" is kinda scary, and serious, that is if my sci-fi movies and tv shows are any source. okay the commlink makes you see and here things so it costs you .2 essence (right?). well the sim module makes you see, hear, smell, tase, aroused... whatever, as if you are actually there (or whatever the simsense is doing).

So in those rambling terms, the extra essence cost all of a sudden makes alot more sense to me. It's more intrusive than a phone in you head.