FanPro D Newsletter May 2005 - Dumpshock Forums

FanPro D Newsletter May 2005, Otaku in SR4!

MYST1C View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 04:15 PM Post #1
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 858 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Braunschweig, North German League, Allied German States Member No.: 5,537	The current FanPro D newsletter can be found here (in German, of course). It talks about the new SR4 matrix and gives excerpts from the SR4 core book. Interesting information: Not only hackers manipulate the wireless matrix - the "children of the matrix" (Otaku) still exist. But now they are adults and are called "Technomancers"!

Tanka View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 04:16 PM Post #2
Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715	So no more fading? I dunno, but I think that was half the interest of playing an otaku. Slowly losing your abilities until you had to rely on a deck. It's not even out yet and I'm already missing the "old days."

apple

May 4 2005, 04:25 PM

Post #3

Moving Target

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And a very rough altavista-translation (sounds very funny, but it should give an idea) ;)

QUOTE

Hello of people!

Only times a few information to current products: "enemy of my enemy" (English "Loose Alliances") is translated so well finished and goes soon into lektorat and sentence. The publication date desired of in the middle of June changes thereby in June/July, but it will become later in no case. The "system failure" is meanwhile still in the production of the American editorship. On German the book under the title will appear "system crash" - probably in October, I can call an exact date yet. The German book will contain in addition a 16-seitiges auxiliary chapters with the title "from the net", in which we deal particularly on the effects of the system crash with the ADL. Likewise in preparation is the world book "Shadowrun: The sixth world "with a comprehensive overview of the world of Shadowrun before and behind the window blinds, a list of all Shadowrun products including short description, in addition kurzgeschichten, interviews and much more besides. Publication date is in the middle of August.

And now to the all-monthly view on the 4. Shadowrun edition. As I marked already several times, much will remain with the old, while above all the matrix will substantially change. And thus only the rules are not meant, with which the hackers and technical Oman cerium follow to their job of the data robbery and the system manipulation. Above all the way, in which the matrix is noticed, changes drastically. One takes its forerunner, our current InterNet, and its increasing influence on our society, in the small one as example only as in the large one.

As for example this news type character here. In the year 2070 the matrix does not only represent a firm component of the life - it IS the most important component. Not only for the technically active characters, but also for the Magier and Stammeskrieger. Each kind of data exchange and nearly each kind of communication take place over the matrix. Electronic devices are steered no more with switches or remote maintenance, but directly via the matrix - even if they are in the own trouser pocket.

Such a thing has naturally a substantial influence on the game of roles in the year 2070, which one should not turn simply under the table, if one wants to enjoy the true flair of this Cyberfantasy play.

Therefore I attached an excerpt from the new matrix chapter, which is occupied particularly with the Augmented Reality, here once. The translation rises directly from my feather/spring and not one of our translators, I please therefore around indulgence with evtl. Sentence building defects. --

[note: uhoh, from english to german to english with internet translators ... ]

THE MATRIX IS DEAD - LONG LIVES THE MATRIX!
After the collapse of the traditional, ' verkabelten ' matrix in the year 2065 in the digital shade in such a way some changed. The old matrix with their data sockets, Cyberterminals and kilometer-long optical waveguide cables is not any more. In its place a world of slack communication (WiFi = Wireless Fidelity) is and extended electronic perception (ACRE = Augmented Reality) stepped. In the 4. Edtion of Shadowrun represents to each citizen a firm component of this all-comprehensive data world, realms just like arms, the honest ones just like the Ruchlosen. Those, which run into the shade, learned however to use the slack world for their advantage.

These ' hackers ' specialized to manipulate data to subject programs and machines their will and arrive at information, which was considered as surely stowed away. But the hackers are not the only specialists of this digital realm. ' are technical Oman cerium ' - become children arise for the matrix - able to affect the slack world alone by the strength of their understanding. Both hackers and technical Oman cerium specialized to tap and use slack Wi-Fi-networks. They do not only serve their Shadowrunner team with their ability to overcome safety systems and approach to important data, but also by leading and with their vehicles into a direct connection stepping whole armies from Dronen into the fight, which even a hochvercyberten Strassensamurai lets plae.

Above all hackers and technical Oman cerium are no longer longer to the ponderous Cyberdecks and verkabelten systems bound, with which their predecessors had to fight. They are now highly mobile and completely integrated members of their Shadowrunner team.

PERVASIVE COMPUTER WORLD

In the year 2070 computer-controlled devices are so pervasive that they everywhere are. Each form of electronics is steered by highly integrated processors, which are slackly with other devices and networks around them connected. One finds computers in articles of clothing, car, feuerwaffen, chairs, toilets, doors - everywhere. They are so usual and pervasive that most people already forgot that they are surrounded by computers at each time. Minutes, frequencies and transactions are standardized, so that it represents times a problem rarely to bring two arbitrary devices with one another in the discussion. They want to read your enamels, while you prepare the meal? A problem, you do not projezieren them simply on the Holodisplay of your refrigerator. Or during the run listen to the new favourite Song? No problem, simply the audio data over come left to the loudspeaker the pistol to lead and the dolls dance leave!

PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (pANs)

The average person of the yearly 2070 carries a whole number of computer-controlled devices with itself around, which are combined all into a micro network of this person: the personnel AREA network (PAN). This permits a multiplicity of advantages, like file sharing and data Backups and the comfortable heading for of equipment by another through.

COMMLINK

COMMLINKs on the left of are the ultimative PAN devices, and of jederman are used. They are a combination of slack rout, mobile telephone, video camera, PDA (personnel DATA Assistant), chip reader, Portemonnaie/Credstick and mobile playing equipment, everything in individual, highly integrated equipment, which one can carry or to the belt or the wrist fasten in the trouser pocket with itself. COMM on the left of are available in overwhelming variety of forms, sizes, colors and functions, devices eingewobenen of representative Head sets over decoration up to head implants or into the material of arbitrary articles of clothing.

COMM on the left of the center PAN form and permit the access to all devices connected with the PAN. No matter whether it concerns a telephone call to lead to play a video file taken up before a Cyberware diagnosis to query, the fuel supply of a Drone to examine or the bell place - all that and still much more can be settled comfortably by COMM left. In addition COMM on the left of permit a continuous slack entrance to the surrounding world. Messages cannot only be transferred be sent, is also possible for data and queried in the matrix, slack devices and networks - whether near or far - to head for is it the sales catalog of a shop, the PAN of a friend, from objects of interest radiated routistic information, or the matrix activity of sweet types in the Café.

AUGMENTED REALITY (ACRE) For most inhabitants of the world of the yearly 2070 the matrix is not a place, to which one can go, but rather a digital parallel world, which lies as overlay over the normal senses of the user. Data from the matrix are COMM left selected over and represented then over variety by interface devices. Of the Augmented Reality (extended reality) received data can be selected and/or blocked by the user freely. While both users the virtual bill of fare of a restaurant ACRE can see, only one of them hears the bell clay/tone one for it determined call, etc.. The simplest form of the Augmented Reality visual objects are well-known, also as AROs (= Augmented Reality Objects or also ' Arrows '). Visual data are received from the user and represented over its Cyberaugen, ACRE eyeglasses or contact contacts or projected with the help of a laser directly into his Retina. The data appear as spiritful illustrations or text in the field of vision of the user and can be shifted and/or converted there at will. Current tasks are illustrated in the center of the field of vision (however transparency, so that the material world is to be still recognized behind it), while everything else to the periphery can be shifted, where it is not in the way.

Perhaps someone can translate it more correctly?

SYL

Kagetenshi View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 04:50 PM Post #4
Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,008 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802	I hate the term "WiFi" so very, very much. Definitely seems to support the idea that SR4 is taking a transhumanist turn. I suppose we'll see. ~J

Spookymonster View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 04:52 PM Post #5
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 639 Joined: 22-April 02 Member No.: 2,638	Sounds like they're definitely going with a GITS-like augmented reality. Being able to hack a person's PAN seems very likely. There's even a hint of being able to hack cyberware (thru a headware commlink, at least).

MYST1C

May 4 2005, 05:35 PM

Post #6

Moving Target

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QUOTE (apple)

Perhaps someone can translate it more correctly?

Part One:

THE MATRIX IS DEAD - LONG LIVE THE MATRIX!

After the collapse of the traditional "wired" Matrix in 2065 quite some things changed in the digital shadows. The old Matrix with its datajacks, cyberdecks and kilometers of optical cables exists no longer. Its place has been taken by a world of wireless communication (WiFi = Wireless Fidelity) and an enhanced electronic perception (AR = Augmented Reality).

In the 4th edition of Shadowrun every citizen is a fixed part of this encompassing data world, the rich as well as the poor, the honest ones as well as the bad guys. Those who run the shadows have learned to use the wireless world to their advantage. Those "Hackers" are specialised in data manipulation, controlling programs and machines and obtaining data thought stored safely. But the hackers are not the only specialists of this digital realm. "Technomancer" - the grown-up children of the Matrix - are able to manipulate the wireless world with the power of their mind alone.
Both hackers and technomancers are specialised in entering and exploiting wireless WiFi networks. They serve their shadowrunner team not only with their ability to break security systems and obtain important data but also by leading whole armies of drones into battle and entering a direct connection with their vehicles that make even highly cybered street samurais turn pale.

Most importantly, hacker and technomancer are no longer bound to the inflexible cyberdecks and wired systems their predecessors had to cope with. They are now highly mobile and fully integrated members of their shadowrunner team.

MidnightGhost View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 05:43 PM Post #7
Target Group: Members Posts: 30 Joined: 16-March 05 Member No.: 7,178	heh, The first thing my shadowrunner will do is learn enough electronics to stripout all those "hidden computers" so he can't be tracked by them. Seems like fakeID's just became much more important. ECM devices are now like bombs! Start one up and watch a area go black. No data for you!

MYST1C View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 05:48 PM Post #8
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 858 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Braunschweig, North German League, Allied German States Member No.: 5,537	Part Two: UBIQUITOUS COMPUTER WORLD In the year 2070 computer-controlled devices are so ubiquitous they are everywhere. Every kind of electronics is controlled by highly integrated processors that are wirelessly connected to other devices and networks around them. Computers can be found in pieces of clothing, cars, firearms, chairs, toilets, doors - everywhere. They are so common and ubiquitous that most people have already forgotten being surrounded by computers at all times. Protocols, frequencies and transactions are standardised so it rarely poses a problem to let two random devices talk to each other. You want to read your emails while preparing food? No problem, just project them to your fridge's holo-display. Or listening to the new favorite song while on a 'run? No problem, send the audio data to the pistol's speakers via commlink and make the dolls dance!

MYST1C View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 05:53 PM Post #9
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 858 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Braunschweig, North German League, Allied German States Member No.: 5,537	Part Three: PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS (PANs) The average person in the year 2070 carries with him a bunch of computer-controlled devices which are united into that person's micro network: the Personal Area Network (PAN). This gives a number of advantages like file sharing, data backups and comfortable control of one device through another.

MYST1C View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 06:10 PM Post #10
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 858 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Braunschweig, North German League, Allied German States Member No.: 5,537	Part Four: COMMLINKS Commlinks are the ultimate PAN devices and are used by everybody. They are a combination of wireless router, mobile phone, video camera, PDA (Personal Data Assistant), chip reader, purse/credstick and mobile game device all in a single highly integrated unit that can be carried in a trouser pocket, mounted on the belt or wrist. Commlinks are available in an overwhelming variety of shapes, sizes, colors and functions from stylised headsets and jewelry to cranial implants and devices woven into clothing's fabric. Commlinks are the center of a PAN and allow access to all devices connected to the PAN. Talking on the phone, playback of a video file recorded earlier, running cyberware diagnostics, checking a drone's fuel reserves or configuring the alarm clock - all this and much more can be done comfortably with the commlink. Furthermore, commlinks allow a continuous wireless access to the surrounding world. Not only can messages be sent, data be transfered or requested from the Matrix, it is also possible to access wireless devices and networks - whether near or far - be it a shop's catalogue, the PAN of a friend, touristical information broadcast from sight-seeing locations or the Matrix activities of that sweet guy at the café.

MYST1C View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 06:25 PM Post #11
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 858 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Braunschweig, North German League, Allied German States Member No.: 5,537	Part Five: AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) For most inhabitants of the world of 2070 the Matrix is no place to go to but a digital parallel world that overlays the user's natural senses. Data from the Matrix is selected via commlink and then displayed by a variety of interface devices. Data received from the Augmented Reality can be freely selected or blocked by the user. While two AR users could both see a restaurant's virtual menu only one of them hears his incoming call's ringtone, etc. The most basic form of Augmented Reality are visual objects known as AROs (Augmented Reality Objects aka "Arrows"). Visual data is received by the user and then displayed by his cybereyes, AR goggles or contact lenses or directly projected to his retina by a laser. The data appears as ghostly pictures or text in the user's field of vision and can then be repositioned or converted as he sees fit. Current tasks are displayed in the FOV's center (transparent so the real world beyond is still visible) while everything else can be repositioned to the periphery where it's not in the way.

Guest_Crimsondude 2.0_*	May 4 2005, 06:28 PM Post #12
Guests	I don't know whether or not to be glad there are no surprises so far with this stuff. I mean, commlink, gee, I don't know. I wish I had something like that in my 3e games. Oh, wait...

mmu1 View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:00 PM Post #13
Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,070 Joined: 7-February 04 From: NYC Member No.: 6,058	Is it just me, or does this stuff not seem even remotely plausible given only a 5-year jump in timeline? We're going from a world in which display and image links were different pieces of cyeber to pervasive augmented reality in 5 years? (less really, considering the amount of time that'll inevitably be wasted running in circles screaming when the Matrix goes down and everything goes tits-up?) And runners are supposed to buy into this BS wholesale, never mind the way it all screams "security risk"? Also, does anyone else think that "technomancers" are just about one of the worst ideas you've ever heard of? Making magic and technology more and more interchangeable only serves to undermine the most important thing that actually makes SR different from every other cyberpunk-ish setting... Hey, I have an idea - let's allow mundane "nanomancers" to wirelessly control nanobot swarms that'll let you do all kinds of neat stuff like superheat the air in a given area, or shock someone's nervous system with electricty, or bend the light around you to make you disappear, or dissolve the bullet flying at you in midair, or bond to your body to make you stronger, or attach to someone else and probe their nervous system, reading their mind! Wouldn't that be just fucking awesome? :S

Guest_Crimsondude 2.0_*	May 4 2005, 07:07 PM Post #14
Guests	No, because AR is within the realm of reality. "Nanomancers," as the preceding thread has shown, aren't.

littlesean View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:09 PM Post #15
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 128 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Winston Salem, NC Member No.: 1,359	M¥$T1C, thanks. My German really sucks (I have never had any classes or been to Germany), and I appreciate the translation. My Spanish is decent, which for a white American male is a little out of the norm. I am guessing that those that visit this board are, for the most part, out of the norm in some way. :D Very interesting information. I like/dread what I am seeing. There are definite aspects that are very appealing (virtual overlay) and others that are going to be worrisome to deal with (overabundance of processors and connections via wifi). It will be interesting, and I will reserve final judgment until I get the final product.

mmu1

May 4 2005, 07:13 PM

Post #16

Running Target

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QUOTE (Crimsondude 2.0)

No, because AR is within the realm of reality. "Nanomancers," as the preceding thread has shown, aren't.

Thank you for missing the point...

Halabis View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:22 PM Post #17
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 232 Joined: 19-October 04 Member No.: 6,773	Am I the only one that noticed that Technomancers manipul;ate the matrix with ONLY the power of their brains? No cyberware? How does being able to perform computations like a computer with your brain evolve into the ability to remotely control machines with your brain?!? Doom I say!!! DOOOOOOM!!!!

Edward View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:25 PM Post #18
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,073 Joined: 23-August 04 Member No.: 6,587	The techno manners could still be ok, provided they are actually no more magical than otaku where, then, like the otaku, they will merely be an annoyance. My difficulty is the idea of a pervasive augmented reality. There are several problems with it. One: the cost, in the world of SR there are supposed to be a lot of poor. Anybody that can get an interface unit for the WMI within 5 years and doesn’t sell it is not living a street or squatter lifestyle, many with a low lifestyle will also not be able to afford it (those that do purchased them “used” from a squatter that “found” it. There will also be purists that will shun the technology so rules for people that refuse to have such devises will be needed Two: it doesn’t (in itself) mach the purpose of the matrix, the matrix is a mass telecommunications system, it would cost a lot of nuyen to make something (say a wall menu) an ARO especially considering not everybody will be able to see it. At eth same time doing so dose not allow your customers to access the menu from outside your store. Regardless of what it gains the matrix MUST retain its primary function, that being to share and access data over long distances. Edward

hobgoblin View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:33 PM Post #19
panda! Group: Members Posts: 10,331 Joined: 8-March 02 From: north of central europe Member No.: 2,242	the thing is, this text dont say shit about how the tecnomancers work. most likely its similar to todays otakus in that they can use a simple translator and their brain talks "comlink". basicly a lot of fluff but no meat at this point. this seems similar to blue planet, but i guess that augmented reality and comlinks are being more and more the norm in near future sci-fi. just take a look at the cellphone of today and add a highcapacity bluetooth-like short range link (2-3 meters or so) to the mix. the only problem i have is with the contacts, how are they powerd? but thats kinda the same question i have about cyberlimbs :P as long as the world we all know and love survives all this intact i have a feel that sr4 is going to be a good thing :P

Guest_Crimsondude 2.0_*

May 4 2005, 07:34 PM

Post #20

Guests

QUOTE (mmu1 @ May 4 2005, 12:13 PM)

QUOTE (Crimsondude 2.0 @ May 4 2005, 02:07 PM)

No, because AR is within the realm of reality. "Nanomancers," as the preceding thread has shown, aren't.

Thank you for missing the point...

I got your point. That was the only part of your post worth responding to.

QUOTE (hobgoblin)

the only problem i have is with the contacts, how are they powerd? but thats kinda the same question i have about cyberlimbs :P

I was thinking the same thing, although the fact that they have any interface in them at all is also quite intriguing. I'd sooner than not call bullshit if I hadn't read this and this.

Solstice View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:37 PM Post #21
Moving Target Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 870 Joined: 6-January 04 From: Idaho Member No.: 5,960	that newsletter is not very encouraging but thanks for posting.

Phantom Runner

May 4 2005, 07:47 PM

Post #22

Target

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QUOTE

Is it just me, or does this stuff not seem even remotely plausible given only a 5-year jump in timeline?

We're going from a world in which display and image links were different pieces of cyeber to pervasive augmented reality in 5 years? (less really, considering the amount of time that'll inevitably be wasted running in circles screaming when the Matrix goes down and everything goes tits-up?)

Technology like evolution does not proceed in clearly deliniated paths, rather it can grow by incredible leaps. And how can you define "remotely plausible" for a fictional game based in the future? Hell, functioning cyberlimbs, cybereyes, datajacks, etc could be considered not even "remotely plausible".

Penta View Member Profile	May 4 2005, 07:47 PM Post #23
Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,978 Joined: 26-February 02 From: New Jersey, USA Member No.: 500	Why is it that all the details are being released in German but English-speakers don't get the same love?:-/

mmu1

May 4 2005, 07:54 PM

Post #24

Running Target

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QUOTE (Halabis @ May 4 2005, 02:22 PM)

Am I the only one that noticed that Technomancers manipul;ate the matrix with ONLY the power of their brains? No cyberware? How does being able to perform computations like a computer with your brain evolve into the ability to remotely control machines with your brain?!?

Doom I say!!! DOOOOOOM!!!!

Ok, care to tell me a single thing a human brain has in common with a computer in terms of their methods of processing information, aside from the fact that they both do it?

It's like saying a horse-drawn carriage and a jet powered car are alike because they both move on wheels.

MYST1C

May 4 2005, 07:55 PM

Post #25

Moving Target

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QUOTE (Penta)

Why is it that all the details are being released in German but English-speakers don't get the same love?:-/

Well, you got that Loose Alliances preview PDF, didn't you?

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