shaylon
First Post
rowport said:My one big critique of the book was your use of substitute names throughout the text; I found it quite jarring, and did not understand the reason for avoiding real names (at least for countries- I guess I can understand people). Is there a 'translation' index somewhere, even unofficial? Most of the people were identifiable, but some not, and even some countries were tough for me. Since a big part of the premise is a alternate history from the real world 1970s, I would think that using real names would help the versimilitiude.
I had a lot of trouble with this going through the book as well. It took me a couple of times to figure out who was who, and where things were.
I am interested to know if there is a translation piece out there, but my guess is not yet.
As far as why it was done this way, my best guess is because we live in a world that loves to sue. If he used any names, even the names of real countries, then Nixon's family might sue over Spobeck, D.B. Coopers long lost cousin could come out of the wood work, and Leonard Nimoy could throw a Vulcan neck pinch on on of the Green Ronin guys down and the San Diego Comic Con.
Another thing that I believe Rob mentioned in the book is that some of the characterizations of the NPC's mentioned are gross exaggerations. It seems to me that to make a game with believeable villians that is based on real life people you have to exaggerate their flaws. For example, Spobeck clearly resembles Nixon in a lot of ways, but mostly only the bad parts. There are many people out there who loved Nixon, even through his faults. From what I have read, Spobeck doesn't have that love from a section of the people. So the point of all of that is that if you are going to exaggerate or exploit flaws in people it is not a good idea to use real names! Some people feel very strongly about politics, religion, etc, and it would have been a much harder book to get out there I would imagine.
Anyway, I am sure Rob will be back to answer, those are just my thoughts.
-Shay
P.S. I forgot about Mork! I am going with Fez the alien!