Making an RPG Options

[Large Mike]

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.

[Digital Heroin]

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

[Large Mike]

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.

[Siege]

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. :grinbig:

[Nikoli]

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.

[Large Mike]

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.

[Nikoli]

Also, I can open any MS Word compatible format.

[Large Mike]

That's definatly a good thing.

[Siege]

[Siege]

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

[Large Mike]

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

[Stumps]

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

[Large Mike]

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.

[kevyn668]

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

It has a compelling storyline. :spin:

[Large Mike]

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.

[Stumps]

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.

[Large Mike]

Stumps, welcome, welcome.

So, writers, editors?

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

[Fortune]

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

[Kagetenshi]

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

[Large Mike]

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.)

[rlemansky]

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

[Stumps]

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!!!

[Stumps]

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

[Nikoli]

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

[Stumps]

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