Moments of Genius, Which little things in SR made you glad you are a fan? Options

[Bashfull]

For me, the famous Acme Ritual Circle pic, a ripoff of Jackson Pollock. A moment of genius by Tim Bradstreet.

http://www.volny.cz/shadowrun/files/bradstreet_25.jpg

http://www.monroegallery.com/showcase/imag...sonPollock2.jpg


Then there's the section in one of the histories in which Arnie runs for president: SR called this before Arnie even went into politics!

Two highlights in an already amazing game. I also love the integrity Catalyst have had in staying true to the original feel of FASA while still keeping the game ahead of current tech.

[Draco18s]

I think Dunkelzahn's Will captured me, hook line and sinker.

Of course, the image that accompanied last year's Runner's Companion section on dragons (a dragon at a table performing some magic herbal stuff) would be one of those impressive moments of sheer genius.

[Stahlseele]

Ancient History more or less.
Yes, the last Will.
BattleRun ^^

[ICPiK]

I really really loved the novels in the preying for keep series with Jack Skater and team that was just the finest example of SR for me. But The big d becoming pres then nuking himself kinda takes the cake.

[Ancient History]

Ancient History more or less

Aw, shucks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarrassed.gif)

[the_real_elwood]

I don't know, I love all of the Shadowrun metaplot. I love how it takes the real world, and then goes off in a completely different direction. I like the idea that there's a sense of mystery behind places I've been to or know of. I love looking through the Bug City sourcebook, reading about places, and thinking "Frag, I've been there!". No other game but Shadowrun keeps that connection to the real world, but then twists it around in such a delightful way.

[paws2sky]

For me, the famous Acme Ritual Circle pic, a ripoff of Jackson Pollock. A moment of genius by Tim Bradstreet.

http://www.volny.cz/shadowrun/files/bradstreet_25.jpg

http://www.monroegallery.com/showcase/imag...sonPollock2.jpg


Then there's the section in one of the histories in which Arnie runs for president: SR called this before Arnie even went into politics!

Two highlights in an already amazing game. I also love the integrity Catalyst have had in staying true to the original feel of FASA while still keeping the game ahead of current tech.

So much of the 1st edition art still sticks in my mind as being, especially all the Tim Bradstreet pieces. I'm probably in the minority, but I still love Jeff Laubenstein's work too.

The descriptions of the original archetypes and especially the monologues - I really miss the monologues - really resonated with me. Still do. At the point that I picked up SR1, I'd never played a RPG that had that sort of grab-and-go character system.

The flavor-packed vignettes and short stories they've used throughout the editions... so many good ones that just set the mood.

-paws

[knasser]

The terrified look on the policeman's face as the van he is strapped upside down on the front off is recklessly sped by the gun-toting shadowrunners who stole it. The cover of Harlequinn also made a big impression on me when I first saw it as a kid.

Oh, and there's a "Six Demon Bag" in one of the books. Made me laugh out loud.

[KCKitsune]

What got me was the gear books. There would be the picture of the item, the rules for it in the game, and then all the commentary from the Runners talking about it like some sort of demented knitting circle.

I most especially liked the byplay of Smiling Bandit and Wolfman in Shadowtech, when they were talking about the lung bioware that increased capacity... and then Wolfman wanting to kill Bandit because of dog breath (on the Toxin Exhailer page). That was priceless.

[knasser]

Actually, if I'm really to pick a moment of genius, I'm going to say the "Corporate Shadowfiles" book. It's a bit long to call a moment, but from cover to cover that book was one of the best books I had ever read. It was rich in information, in atmosphere, in tantalising clues. I tracked down a copy years later and read it all over again. Chromed Accountant, you are missed!

[GreyBrother]

Deus Storyline. 'nuff said, i just love it.

[Uli]

Hatchetman's story about becoming a CZ. Absolutely incredible.

[Angelone]

The BBS-like older books. Where you had people injecting their views throughout.
Hatchman's story, still hits me today.
The Sega game. It's what actually got me into the PnP rpg.
Shadowbeat, they pulled that off so well. Really brought the world to life for me.
There's more but all I can think of right now.

[ravensmuse]

Oh god, where to begin...

Probably my favorite game moment is the one where my girlfriend, completely on a whim, pushed a mob bosses' grandma into oncoming traffic and having to deal with the repercussions of that. It lead to a trip to Tokyo and assassinating fashion models while they were on the runway. Games like that make me really appreciate Shadowrun.

Gamewise, I would have to say the fact that the metaplot is this constantly evolving thing. Storylines from years ago pop up when one of the writers gets the urge or has a favorite character or plot and you get some really fascinating things from it. I'm a huge fan of SURGE (go on, stone me now) and how that was introduced in Year of the Comet; Dunkelzahn's Will, because I think SR was the first game to treat dragons as people - machiavellian, power-playing, constant one-upping people with a short fuse and loaded nuclear warheads for natural weapons - people with hopes, dreams, wants and needs. Dunkelzahn was my hero, and he still is; SOTA '64 and orxploitation; Peregrin from Renraku Shutdown - I was so happy to see that they kept her alive post RS; Pax from RS, who I think is still out there running plots; my most especial favorite though was Bug City - holy god, that book grabs you by the balls with its post-apocalyptic introduction and just keeps this grip on you as you keep reading. There's this real Aliens meets Terminator 2 feel to it that just sets off something wonderful in my head. I wouldn't have minded if the CZ had stuck around (keep in mind that I haven't read Feral Cities yet).

I also want to say that part of what really pulls the above books and metaplot off is how well the writers have always emulated online conversation. The message boards and shadow talk feel like real people commenting on today's news and weather and chance of being shot in the face, and you get distinct personalities from each of the shadow posters. I do miss the more "open range" feel of Shadownet, but Jackpoint's pretty good at keeping things together too.

And as much as I bitch and complain about the constant negativity around here, I love Dumpshock. You guys are funny, smart, and always hold my interest when I'm looking for five minutes to blow online. The devs actually talk to us like human beings and my fellow posters all sound like folk from Shadownet. There's conspiracies, hate-ons, in-jokes, rumor-monging, and just screwing around that makes this place just a fsking joy to be in.

[darthmord]

What got me was the gear books. There would be the picture of the item, the rules for it in the game, and then all the commentary from the Runners talking about it like some sort of demented knitting circle.

I most especially liked the byplay of Smiling Bandit and Wolfman in Shadowtech, when they were talking about the lung bioware that increased capacity... and then Wolfman wanting to kill Bandit because of dog breath (on the Toxin Exhailer page). That was priceless.

That is what I miss the most in SR4... the Shadowtalk byplay between all the commenters. There's not nearly enough of it.

[MYST1C]

Then there's the section in one of the histories in which Arnie runs for president: SR called this before Arnie even went into politics!

Lenina Huxley: I have, in fact, perused some newsreels in the Schwarzenegger Library, and the time that you took that car...
John Spartan: Hold it. The Schwarzenegger Library?
Lenina Huxley: Yes. The Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn't he an actor when you...?
John Spartan: Stop! He was President?
Lenina Huxley: Yes! Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment which states...
John Spartan: I don't wanna know. President...

Demolition Man (1993)

[Uli]

After the "funny" Shadowtalk added to the German 3.01 books, you can't stand it anymore, trust me...

[Demonseed Elite]

Oh, and there's a "Six Demon Bag" in one of the books. Made me laugh out loud.

I couldn't write the Hong Kong setting without working a Six Demon Bag in somewhere. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Stahlseele]

you could, you are just too much of a nerd not to do it ^^

[Ancient History]

Then there's the section in one of the histories in which Arnie runs for president: SR called this before Arnie even went into politics!

Lenina Huxley: I have, in fact, perused some newsreels in the Schwarzenegger Library, and the time that you took that car...
John Spartan: Hold it. The Schwarzenegger Library?
Lenina Huxley: Yes. The Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn't he an actor when you...?
John Spartan: Stop! He was President?
Lenina Huxley: Yes! Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment which states...
John Spartan: I don't wanna know. President...

Demolition Man (1993)

Bandersnatch entry:
>>>>>(You into old movies? Pre-simsense, I'm talking. Check out an old classic, Predator, with Arnold Schwarzeneggar before he went into politics. That's what the bleeder looks like, pretty close.)<<<<<
--Bladerunner (13:58:02/3-26-51)

Paranormal Animals of North America (1990)

[Demonseed Elite]

you could, you are just too much of a nerd not to do it ^^

Inconceivable!

[InfinityzeN]

Shadowtalk always did it for me. And the bandit was the man. I actually used that as my nick on IRC for years.

[knasser]

I couldn't write the Hong Kong setting without working a Six Demon Bag in somewhere. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yes, but what's in it?

[BlueMax]

Lenina Huxley: I have, in fact, perused some newsreels in the Schwarzenegger Library, and the time that you took that car...
John Spartan: Hold it. The Schwarzenegger Library?
Lenina Huxley: Yes. The Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn't he an actor when you...?
John Spartan: Stop! He was President?
Lenina Huxley: Yes! Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment which states...
John Spartan: I don't wanna know. President...

Demolition Man (1993)

Normally, I turn off large portions of my brain to watch this kind of movie. Its not a bad thing, just suspension of disbelief. I wish I had noticed her last name was Huxley years ago.

[DWC]

Normally, I turn off large portions of my brain to watch this kind of movie. Its not a bad thing, just suspension of disbelief. I wish I had noticed her last name was Huxley years ago.

It wouldn't be a really, really loose interpretation of Brave New World otherwise. It's also why everyone keeps calling Spartan a savage.