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Sir_Psycho
So we've been talking about what we've been hoping for in Unwired, mulling over Augmentation and Arsenal, and let's not mention the Runner's Companion preview.

But let's jump into the hypothetical now. What book would you like to have that doesn't exist, and isn't in the works. What book would be deserving of your hard earned scrip, and why?

Personally, I want Fortresses.

"There are some places that can't be cracked. Trained and cybered guards, SOTA Drones, Vicious Paranimals. Closed circuit security, nano-sensors, biometric systems. The Nodes are isolated glaciers, protected by prodigal specialists. There are traps that will identify you, cut you into little pieces and wash you down specially designed drains, where you will be torn apart by cutter nanites, and inserted into the fertilisation system for the hydroponic biodome. Did I mention the facility is hidden in the trans-polar aleut? Shall we?
Fortresses covers specific high-security facilities and targets in the Shadowrun game world, and rules for creating your own. This book contains detailed descriptions, maps and complete physical, magical and matrix security on various sixth world targets, such as-"

The book would have specific locations, eg.
-Zeta-Impchem underground "white-room" chemical warfare facility,
-The secure mansion of a Yakuza Oyabun,
-A deep sea research lab.
-A Panamanian Bank
-A Lone Star facility's Material Link Storage,
-A Gaetronics Power Plant
-AAA Rated gated waterfront living complex
-The Shibanokuji Orbital resort

"As well as rules for secure matrix targets, including-"
-The UCAS System Identification Number Database (What is that anyway? Department of Social Security?)
-The Aerospatiale SA Satellite Constellation
-etc.

"With accompanying rules expansions, aids, NPC archetypes and plot hooks, this is a blueprint every Johnson should bring to the table."


Now, those targets might be a little too Deadly, but they give an impression. It's basically a indulgent B&E book for roof rats and runner teams. A set of Ocean's Eleven style challenges.

Remember the little maps inside the old Sprawl Sites? The lab map in First Run? This would be expanded, detailed versions of that kind of thing. Not missions necessarily, but detailed descriptions of facilities, down to guard patrols and descriptions of the aesthetics of each room. The locales themselves would be quite big, so you could only use sections, and use a different section for another run, and just make up another description for it. The Yakuza mansion could be the mansion of any exec, mafia boss, or politician, you'd just alter the descriptions and change the guard archetypes. You wouldn't even have to include many, if any, more rules, given that the BBB and Arsenal covered a lot of sensor stuff, not to mention the huge back-log of fluff if you check out the Corporate Security Handbook or SOTA 63/64.


So what about you guys? What would you like to see a book about? A new media book? A book that touches us up on all of the changes that the 70's has brought, such as what happened to the Tir? Amazonia? Maybe you want a plot-book? What direction would you like canon to go in? Maybe you actually want a book covering Obsidimen and T'skrang. Wierdos.
DocTaotsu
Actually, I think they do have a book in the pipeline that covers this sort of thing, places that are off the map and totally black. Places runners aren't supposed to be, undersea labs and space stations.

Granted I have no idea what that book was called, but I know they were working on it.
Screamin Demon
Playelf love.gif
Seriously I would like to see a huge atlas/sourcebook for modern Shadowrun complete with points touching all major historical events. Basically all those nice flavor books edited and updated then slapped together in one mighty hardcover tomb with naked elves in the margins. Kinda like how Mongoose Publshing did Conan the RPG, or AEG did Warlord the Accordlands.
Sticks
Auntie H's Book of Secrets, includes such info as where Ehran and Harlequin went to pre school, Aina's Dating tips and photos that prove Lofwyr took part in the German Porn Scene in pre-awakening times biggrin.gif biggrin.gif biggrin.gif
DocTaotsu
My self indulgent book would be a description of the military campaign in the Yucatan. Factions of rebels versus th juggernaut of Aztlan. Highlight some major battles, talk about various points of contention, profile all the big names.

Granted, that might have been in Shadows of South America... wink.gif
krakjen
QUOTE (DocTaotsu @ Apr 30 2008, 09:49 AM) *
Actually, I think they do have a book in the pipeline that covers this sort of thing, places that are off the map and totally black. Places runners aren't supposed to be, undersea labs and space stations.

Granted I have no idea what that book was called, but I know they were working on it.

Ghost cartels ?
DocTaotsu
Nah... it was either going to be a separate section in Feral Cities or another book entirely. I don't think it even had a name.

I think they talked about it during a developers chat 2 months ago.
Sir_Psycho
Isn't Ghost Cartels about the revival of cigar chomping South American druglords?
Blue eyes
An area that imo needs some loving is Middle and South America so the book I'd like to see, fingers crossed since its partly written but caught up in limbo is: Shadows of South America , (Shadows of Latin America, being the right title thanks Grinder), a detailed look on Aztlan and Amazonia, who are the big players in that area, but also some focus on the other nations in the area like Peru, Yucatan etc.

A huge area to cover, with tonnes of conflict, and you got two huge nations and international players in Aztlan and Amazonia that seriously need some focus. Amazonia properly the most powerful awakend nation in the world should be the focus of a book. Would be very interesting to see what equal rights for all metahumans, spirits and others have resulted in and how it influences areas like: demographics, daily life, corporations, enviromental policy, military etc., plus we got a great dragon in charge of it all. An updated look at Aztlan wouldn't hurt either, i'm glad I have the Aztlan old sourcebook atleast.

I'd also like to see an update on the Carribbean League, again I got the old book, but an updated look would be very welcome.
Grinder
The book you want it Shadows of Latin America.
Blue eyes
Indeed, my bad smile.gif
Leofski
QUOTE (DocTaotsu @ Apr 30 2008, 09:58 AM) *
Nah... it was either going to be a separate section in Feral Cities or another book entirely. I don't think it even had a name.

I think they talked about it during a developers chat 2 months ago.


Strange Places is the book you're after. I'm kind of hoping for a zero zone iin one of the books though. So that I can cry at the ridiculously layered security.

I'd quite like a new pop culture book a la shadowbeat.
Stahlseele
Shadowrun: behind the scenes!
stuff that was left out from books because of time/space/money restrictions . . kinda like the riggers stuff with the parrot drone and the wheelchair and the frigging rubber-boat *g*
DocTaotsu
QUOTE (Leofski @ Apr 30 2008, 06:38 AM) *
Strange Places is the book you're after. I'm kind of hoping for a zero zone iin one of the books though. So that I can cry at the ridiculously layered security.

I'd quite like a new pop culture book a la shadowbeat.



That's exactly what I was grasping for.

And yeah, an updated Shadowbeat book would do well to round out 4th edition. Or a Neo Anarchist guide.
ravensmuse
Totally would want another Shadowbeat. I wasn't into gaming when it came out and only recently got a copy and I've been loving it. I would love to see the culture of SR in the 70s expanded on.

I want that German only SR megabook (Die .6 DerWelt) to come out over here. It sounds like there is plenty of chewy information in there.

And a personal wish - Shadows of Boston smile.gif
Fuchs
An updated Shadowbeat would be nice.

I hope for some Mercenary/Pirate/Organised Crime book myself. Something to detail the shadow world outside the "Mister Johnson calls" area.
Blade
Something in the lines of Shadowbeat/Sprawl Survival Guide with a lot of examples and illustrations to show what things look like in 2070.
Fuchs
QUOTE (Blade @ Apr 30 2008, 02:05 PM) *
Something in the lines of Shadowbeat/Sprawl Survival Guide with a lot of examples and illustrations to show what things look like in 2070.


Especially the AR world, and of course examples of how the shadow economy works - especially how fake SINs are used, how shadowrunners cna handle high lifestyles, and so on in this new age of wireless.
deek
I'd actually like to see a GM Source Book that just had hundreds of examples using the current rules out of the existing books. It would be nice to have a reference like that which could give a firm direction on rule interpretation from the devs. Focus on things that are sketchy or things that have strong followings one way or another.

It wouldn't be a tough book to put together, cause all the devs would have to do is read through the already published books and create in-game examples. It wouldn't add to the setting, obviously, but I bet the thing would sell like hotcakes!
Ed_209a
On the topic of "Books that will never be", another game company I follow has a line of e-books for topics that will probably never be popular enough to be worth printing.

There is less art, and simpler layout for the e-book only line, so the only major expenses would be labor for editing and layout, and paying the author.
Hatspur
I would like someone to translate the Hungary Sourcebook out of Magdar.
CanRay
I would love one of the Old Skool-Style Adventures. Not a reprint, but a whole brand new one designed for 4th Edition.
BookWyrm
I have to agree with quite a few posters in this thread.

Shadows of Latin America.

an updated Sprawl Sites/Shadowbeat. I liked those two supplements.

"the Fixer's Black Book", in the same vein as Mr. Johnson's Little Black Book, but from the shadowrunner's POV, from the Fixer on down. Who/what they call, why, putting the team together, the all-important legwork, what NOT to do if the run goes @ss-over-t*ts, the payoff, and maybe a little section about down-time.
Balcon13
A "Critters" book of awakened and mundane ceatures would be nice, shooting at people all the time takes the fun out of it.
CanRay
Well, Paterson is rumoured to be back. I'm looking forward to seeing if that comes real!
Drogos
Rigger 4...done right biggrin.gif
Wesley Street
My dreams:

1.) I'm almost positive I read somewhere that a 4th ed. critters book is in the works. Catalyst is shooting itself in the foot if it isn't. Just combine the North American and European books into one hardback. Those 1st edition guides wasted so much white space. You could easily squeeze 2 or 3 critters on a single page with the right layout. And, of course, non-Western critters would always be welcome along with variants. smile.gif
2.) I like that "Fortresses" idea. I would totally be down with a more detailed description of a Zero Zone-type environment.
3.) A Shadowbeat/Neo-Anarchists' Guide to Real-Life/Sprawl Survival Guide mash-up book done for 4th Ed.
4.) Updated guides for Northern California and Tir Tairngire, the two locales that seem to have had the biggest changes since 3rd Ed.
5.) A "Tribal Nations" book that covers not only the NAN but the Pan-African area and spots like Mongolia.
6.) A "Fun and Sun" book that reveals the seedy and steamy underbelly of Sixth World vacation spots like Miami/Caribbean League, Kingdom of Hawai'i and Sri Lanka. Cards on the French Riviera anyone?
7.) Some kind of guide to non-shadowrunning adventures for Shadowrunners. Like working as a DocWagon Rapid Responder, Lone Star Cop (something tells me their background check process isn't that thorough), UCAS/CAS/UK military contractor (suck it Blackwater & Sandline! Meet BlackSand, Inc.!), or cross-continental truck rigger (chimp emoti-toy included). But maybe that's just silly.
Speed Wraith
Shadowbeat is the first thing that comes to my mind as well. Seems to be a popular choice, and with good reason. I still laugh that it lists the Washington Bullets. I've told my group that the name was changed back to the Bullets because a group of Hermetics became upset with the stereotyping and pushed to have the name changed from Wizards. Go Skins! nyahnyah.gif

Critter book isn't just a want, it is a must have. I'd prefer to see it done in the old style with lots of fluff and pictures and the size-comparison chart too, but I'll settle for a comprehensive Paranormal Animals of the World if need be.

And as CanRay said, adventures, adventures and, oh yeah, adventures. I've been happy writing the current campaign, but I want the adventures back so I can push my group's other GM to run some SR wink.gif
Wesley Street
Ditto. I enjoy writing campaigns as well but some full adventure modules (not just plot guides) would be wonderful.
Kyoto Kid
...Playtroll grinbig.gif

...seriously without a doubt Shadowbeat, along with an NA guide to RL type of supplement. Ohh, and dare I second Drogos...Rigger 4?

(there, I seconded Drogos)
Wesley Street
QUOTE (Kyoto Kid @ Apr 30 2008, 12:06 PM) *
...Playtroll grinbig.gif


I'm sure there are plenty of Deviant Art contributors who could accommodate you on that. wink.gif
CircuitBoyBlue
A new Shadowbeat would be great, but I think it would be so radically different that you couldn't really call it Shadowbeat anymore. The feeling of the game has just changed tremendously. I loved the content of Shadowbeat a million times more than I would probably love the content of the new one, but the concept should be fairly easy to replicate, and would have a lot to contribute to SR4. Punk Rockers might not really have a place in SR anymore, but they could definitely poke some morbid fun at current RL pop culture ("I can't believe the producers of 'Ultimate Betrayal House' let the Yakuza hack this season's cyber-bitch to make her a spokes-zombie for that new sim-thriller they just financed!"). I'm liking the new system, and I've adapted to the new feel of the game, but now that only thing I have left to bitch about is the big gaping hole that was filled in previous editions with the gobs of extra books that were out. Fleshing out the world would probably shut me the hell up.
Aaron
QUOTE (Hatspur @ Apr 30 2008, 08:35 AM) *
I would like someone to translate the Hungary Sourcebook out of Magdar.

How much would you be willing to pay for that?
Earlydawn
I'd love to see a Merc book.. talk about how Merc units operate in 2070, how the targets have changed since the rise of the megas, what kind of specialized equipment they use, how they negotiate contracts, and how they differ from regular runners. It would also be interesting to see how the Desert Wars pull in Mercs like some kind of PMC swamp meet.
SprainOgre
Books on the world in general.
A little more on how AR intrudes and is a part of everyday life.
Books detailing more cities. Maps, people of note, adventure hooks, the whole nine yards (the stuff out so far is a good start, and is all some people want/need, but I'd like some more flesh)
A SOP book for the corps, Lone Star, mobs, etc. What the hell do they normally do when a runner team comes calling?
A book of Dragons again. We all know it would sell.
Some support for secret societies, orders, and organizations. Some names, some MO's, some NPC's, some motivations, and a good format for building more.
Adventures! Yeah! I love running the game and playing it, but sometimes it would be nice to not worry about building the whole thing.
NPC and combat tracking sheets (although, fan made ones always seem better...)
A big book of adversaries, prepped and ready to go. Gear, skills, all the books used. That way I don't have to spend time making a binder full of disposable NPC's, nor do I have to build them on the fly. And if I do want to build one custom-like, I have a good idea what the developers were thinking about game balance and threat level.
Something like Shadowbeat. I've heard a lot about it. A buddy of mine has it. I don't think I've ever seen it, but an updated media in your lives book would be handy.
Screamin Demon
Yeah, strong second on the critter book. Thats a must have.
Not sure we need a Rigger 4 book. What with the heavy customizable vehicles and drone creation rules in Arsenal.
Drogos
Having not seen Arsenal yet (stupid Game shop) I can't say one way or the other, but many, many, MANY people on here have made strong and damning arguments about the giant gaps in the rules as opposed to what was in Rigger 3. Also, the building from scratch (which I understand to be completely left out) is a must have for most real Riggers (because who uses stock except noobs).
deek
QUOTE (Drogos @ Apr 30 2008, 03:28 PM) *
Having not seen Arsenal yet (stupid Game shop) I can't say one way or the other, but many, many, MANY people on here have made strong and damning arguments about the giant gaps in the rules as opposed to what was in Rigger 3. Also, the building from scratch (which I understand to be completely left out) is a must have for most real Riggers (because who uses stock except noobs).

Personally, the best riggers are the ones that only use stock drones. Use 'em then lose 'em is the safest way to rig.

The more customization you have, the easier it is going to be to track them back to you.
Zhan Shi
I agree with many of the above posts. One thing in particular I would like to see is a process for creating your own metamagic techniques, as was done with spells in Street Magic. I don't mind winging it, but it would be nice to have official rules.
Eugene
The "Fortress" book idea sounds awesome!
Method
I want a comprehensive concordance for the SR canon. I want to be able to look up "Ares Predator" or "Desert Wars" or "Halberstam" and see every canon reference with page numbers. That to me would be the most useful book to have, followed by a "Historical Atlas of the 6th World" as has been suggested before in this and other threads.
SprainOgre
I should also mention that the super index sounds really, REALLY useful (best as a web document though that updates with new books). Also, the idea for Fortress also does sound awesome!
Fortune
QUOTE (ravensmuse @ Apr 30 2008, 09:49 PM) *
I want that German only SR megabook (Die .6 DerWelt) to come out over here. It sounds like there is plenty of chewy information in there.


Yep! That's what I want!
martindv
QUOTE (Grinder @ Apr 30 2008, 06:02 AM) *
The book you want it Shadows of Latin America.

Given the circumstances, it deserves to be in this thread.

Also, the OP forgot to include the mage prison in Antarctica.

Anyway, I made a list of locations with news reports on the Jackpoint front page inside the new books. The only ones not covered so far are:

  • Metz/SOX
  • Washington, DC
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Crete, Greece
  • Crater Lake, Tir Tairngire


First off, I want an English translation of the Marseilles chapter added to the French translation of Runner Havens. Translations of everything, in fact, would be just swell.

Given that the French and Germans are writing an entire book on the SOX, I can assume Metz or some other city in or near the SOX will be in Feral Cities or Strange Places*. I'm going to take a swing in the dark and guess that PNG, Greece and TT will all find a place in Awakened Haunts*, and DC in Cities of Intrigue.

Personally, I'm all for secret organizations (Like Secret Societies of Barsaive), but would expect some government and corp entities in there that are so secret/classified that they are off the grid.


* Names are common DS/CGL placeholders only, until otherwise informed.
ravensmuse
*sighhhhhhh*

It's right there. It's a half decent price too. It's too bad that there isn't the same community for translating rpgs as there is manga and anime - but I do see why.

Maybe as a Community Project we can get into building ourselves a big ol' compendium.
WeaverMount
I'm going to have to descent on the Fortress idea. Honestly stating things like allows munchkins to get in. Just like the D&D adage that if it has hit points you can kill it. Also DP sizes vary a ton. Check out all the "how common is a stat of 6" style threads. What this means is some table you should be able to screw with ZO if you have a DPs around 25 for primaries and several secondaries around 15. Some campaigns you just can's screw with ZO. I don't want a cannon answer to what it's security looks like.

I will second the request for a fluff compendium/concordance. Screw Holostreets, I'd subscribe to a site where they uploaded back content in wiki format before somekind of on-line-play-whatever-it-is-thingy. As for a concordance, oh yeah. If they still want to sell SR4-n book, they should higher a programmer to dump all there files into a program get the concordance, then tell you where to buy what you care about.

Honestly about rigger 4, eh I don't think you really need rules for fully custom drones. Just take the existing ones and guild lines and tweak. I don't think explicit rules would save work or increase balance over that.

But yeah in general, I don't feel like there is any real crunch that will be missing is unwired doesn't blow goats. From there just give me another sprawl survival guild.
Redspork
"The Pornomancer's Guide to Getting Everything You Want and More" grinbig.gif
Method
QUOTE (martindv @ Apr 30 2008, 03:53 PM) *
Personally, I'm all for secret organizations (Like Secret Societies of Barsaive), but would expect some government and corp entities in there that are so secret/classified that they are off the grid.


Um... you mean something like Loose Alliances? grinbig.gif

---------

I agree that a "Fortresses" book would have limited appeal. Its kind of like a return to Sprawl Sites or DMZ. Once you've used the location a time or two it really has no further value. Plus it would be beyond the scope of many games that are more "street level" (if that means anything).

I also agree that a Rigger 4 book would be a little pointless. I miss the custom vehicle design rules, but the stuff in Arsenal is all pretty versatile and cool, and if you really miss some old vehicle just have your GM guesstimate the stats you need for SR4 based on similar drones and vehicles. If there were really high demand for custom vehicle design rules, Catalyst could release them as a web resource.

My only complaint with the vehicles and drones in Arsenal is the crappy art work. Most of the stuff that didn't come out of previous Rigger books looks like it came out a Jetsons cartoon, but I just tell my players "It looks kinda like this, but not so retarded" and move on. I don't need a new book to fix that. I'd rather have the devs working on new stuff.
Hatspur
QUOTE (Aaron @ Apr 30 2008, 11:07 AM) *
How much would you be willing to pay for that?


50 bucks
martindv
QUOTE (Method @ Apr 30 2008, 08:09 PM) *
Um... you mean something like Loose Alliances? grinbig.gif

No. I mean something good. That book is a piece of crap that was sold as something it was not.
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