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[M&M] Proposal for a new style of play.
- Thread starter Rybaer
- Start date
Keia
I aim to misbehave
A lower number of superheroes probably means less of a chance of interacting.
An original world sounds alright with me. Within such a world you can still have the templates of the comic worlds that are out there . . . someone can be 'Batman' but not, that sort of thing.
It would be interesting to approach a significant event from several different sides in a game in this style. For example, an alien ship crashes nearby a metropolis. Radiation from the vehicle has mutated some things causing a small town suburban disturbance. Heroes from the metropolis hear the news and investigate. The government sends it's 'specialists' to investigate the situation. All from diferent perspectives and views . . .
Keia
An original world sounds alright with me. Within such a world you can still have the templates of the comic worlds that are out there . . . someone can be 'Batman' but not, that sort of thing.
It would be interesting to approach a significant event from several different sides in a game in this style. For example, an alien ship crashes nearby a metropolis. Radiation from the vehicle has mutated some things causing a small town suburban disturbance. Heroes from the metropolis hear the news and investigate. The government sends it's 'specialists' to investigate the situation. All from diferent perspectives and views . . .
Keia
Rybaer
First Post
Sounds good so far.
So, let's say modern world. Maybe 1 in a million has substantial super powers...enough that there would be a couple in a large metropolis. Maybe a few more than that have minor abilities, but not enough to take up the mantle of hero or criminal. That still sets the number at several thousand world wide. Still too high?
Should we assume that they've been around sporatically over the course of human history? Or has their appearance been a more recent phenomenon? 500 years, 100 years, a decade? Perhaps they've been around since the beginning of recorded history, but over time their powers seem to have grown. Each generation's supers are more powerful than the previous. That could make people both hopeful and fearful. Religions may begin predicting the coming of a messiah, or something more sinister.
I do kinda like Keia's idea of playing a single scenario from multiple angles. It would bring a greater sense of continuity to the independent scenarios. However, it does have the problem of stepping on one anothers' toes, and may be tougher to keep player/GM info separated.
So, let's say modern world. Maybe 1 in a million has substantial super powers...enough that there would be a couple in a large metropolis. Maybe a few more than that have minor abilities, but not enough to take up the mantle of hero or criminal. That still sets the number at several thousand world wide. Still too high?
Should we assume that they've been around sporatically over the course of human history? Or has their appearance been a more recent phenomenon? 500 years, 100 years, a decade? Perhaps they've been around since the beginning of recorded history, but over time their powers seem to have grown. Each generation's supers are more powerful than the previous. That could make people both hopeful and fearful. Religions may begin predicting the coming of a messiah, or something more sinister.
I do kinda like Keia's idea of playing a single scenario from multiple angles. It would bring a greater sense of continuity to the independent scenarios. However, it does have the problem of stepping on one anothers' toes, and may be tougher to keep player/GM info separated.
A low number of superhumans cuts both ways: it has the advantage of suggesting a more coherent setting, and you don't have to explain why superheroes haven't had a much larger impact on the world than you might want.
On the other hand, it makes things much harder for the GM. If there's an expectation of a large number of superhumans, random new villians popping out of the woodwork to assault the hero and cause problems are perfectly understandable - if there's only a few thousand worldwide, the fact that Supraman! has met and fought 50 in 'Big City' alone is suddenly looking a bit strange.
The obvious answer (sharing NPCs between GMs) become ackward when the GMs and the Players are the same people - many NPCs in a superhero game lose their impact if you know everything about them.
On the other hand, it makes things much harder for the GM. If there's an expectation of a large number of superhumans, random new villians popping out of the woodwork to assault the hero and cause problems are perfectly understandable - if there's only a few thousand worldwide, the fact that Supraman! has met and fought 50 in 'Big City' alone is suddenly looking a bit strange.
The obvious answer (sharing NPCs between GMs) become ackward when the GMs and the Players are the same people - many NPCs in a superhero game lose their impact if you know everything about them.
Keia
I aim to misbehave
Toes stepping is generally not wanted. From that stand point, the question would be . . . are we telling a story from many different sides and roleplaying the situations and events as they take place? Or, are we roleplaying and letting the story fall where it may?
With the former, they will be some sharing of information among the GM's, the players will have to separate that information as one big spoiler and deal with it as they would any other spoiler information - separate character knowledge from the knowledge the player has. The story will be more cohesive, timing will be an issue. One GM should have final say in the collaboration.
As far as the sporadic appearance of heroes, what about linking it to the appearance of a comet. More heroes the closer it passes each time (every dozen years or so), and it either has or will pass the closest it ever has in history in the storyline.
How will local heroes, the government, and big time heroes and villians deal with the knowledge that the comet is coming and there could or will be an explosion of new heroes and villians on the horizon?
Keia
With the former, they will be some sharing of information among the GM's, the players will have to separate that information as one big spoiler and deal with it as they would any other spoiler information - separate character knowledge from the knowledge the player has. The story will be more cohesive, timing will be an issue. One GM should have final say in the collaboration.
As far as the sporadic appearance of heroes, what about linking it to the appearance of a comet. More heroes the closer it passes each time (every dozen years or so), and it either has or will pass the closest it ever has in history in the storyline.
How will local heroes, the government, and big time heroes and villians deal with the knowledge that the comet is coming and there could or will be an explosion of new heroes and villians on the horizon?
Keia
Rybaer
First Post
I rather like the comet suggestion, Keia. I think this format would work better for having multiple stories set around a common event/theme, while not necessarily having to overlap with characters and such. With the comet, we could have a story about one character on a manned space mission to study it up close...another story of a public hero dealing with a dastardly plot to harness the energy inherent in its passing...and another from the perspective of a person who just acquired his powers. Lots of interesting possibilities here.
If we go this route, we could establish the effects of this pass of the comet ahead of time. Create a timeline around which the other stories can be told more cohesively.
If we go this route, we could establish the effects of this pass of the comet ahead of time. Create a timeline around which the other stories can be told more cohesively.
The comet sounds a good overall metaplot that wouldn't require too much 'spoiler' seperation - I like it. It also deals with my worries about the otherwise small number of established superhumans.
Yeah, I'm still interested, but I'd have to warn both potential player and GM that I wouldn't be a frequent poster. One or two posts a week is probably all I'm good for at the moment, maybe more during combats and similar.
On the other hand, I should be able to keep up that kind of posting rate indefinately.
Yeah, I'm still interested, but I'd have to warn both potential player and GM that I wouldn't be a frequent poster. One or two posts a week is probably all I'm good for at the moment, maybe more during combats and similar.
On the other hand, I should be able to keep up that kind of posting rate indefinately.
Right! Just to keep things moving:
GM Preferences: My preference would be to run for a 12th PL '4-colour' character with a strong comic book moral code (think Superman/Batman rather than Punisher/Wolverine). An other possibility (but definately second place) would be a 'versus the mob' character (Daredevil, Batman Year 1), probably starting at PL 8 with the 2/1 skill point ratio.
Player Preferences: Again, by preference a 4-colour strong moral code hero, although I would be happy at most levels (as long as I get some mooks to mow down!). As a preference I would prefer not to play in a supernatural based game - supernatural elements are mine, but I'd prefer not to play 'X-files in spandex.'
OK: whose next? We need to start matching players and GMs.
GM Preferences: My preference would be to run for a 12th PL '4-colour' character with a strong comic book moral code (think Superman/Batman rather than Punisher/Wolverine). An other possibility (but definately second place) would be a 'versus the mob' character (Daredevil, Batman Year 1), probably starting at PL 8 with the 2/1 skill point ratio.
Player Preferences: Again, by preference a 4-colour strong moral code hero, although I would be happy at most levels (as long as I get some mooks to mow down!). As a preference I would prefer not to play in a supernatural based game - supernatural elements are mine, but I'd prefer not to play 'X-files in spandex.'
OK: whose next? We need to start matching players and GMs.
Dark Nemesis
First Post
If there is still any space available, I would definitely be interested in participating. I'd prolly be good for 1-2 posts a week, possibly more as I get into a somewhat regular schedule.
Of course, if there isn't space, then this definitely looks like a neat game to watch!
Of course, if there isn't space, then this definitely looks like a neat game to watch!
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