How do you create an adventure when it can be about "anything?"

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I've been asked to run a Cypher game for my dad, who is on a big streamlined RPG kick. After we play through the intro adventure in the Cypher intro rulebook, he wants me to make up another.

"Here's the best thing: It can be about anything!"

Ugh. You can tell he doesn't do a lot of creative works. Having no restrictions is kind of overwhelming. Not only do I have to think of an adventure, I have to first start with genre, game world elements, etc.

So, you were in this situation, how would you do it?

 

[MatthewJHanson]

What is something you've always wanted to do, but never had a chance to?

What does cypher really excel at?

The PC is a good ninja in a cyberpunk future who has to fight against evil ninjas that have been trained by evil cooperations.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

What is something you've always wanted to do, but never had a chance to?

... I don't know.

Coen Brothers/Tarantino-style stories, maybe? But I feel like I should probably play Fiasco for that.

What does cypher really excel at?

It's a generic game, and my impression is it's like GURPS, but with the crunch turned down to almost zero. So everything/nothing?

The PC is a good ninja in a cyberpunk future who has to fight against evil ninjas that have been trained by evil cooperations.

I would definitely want to just grab some sort of cyberpunk game for that, rather than having to invent a whole cyberpunk world on the fly.

 

[Zaukrie]

I use a module

 

[Clint_L]

Maybe ask your dad to create a character and give the character a specific want, then build the story out of that.

 

[DrunkonDuty]

Last year, before starting my current campaign in Hero System (same sorta generic, do anything game engine) I asked my players "What do you want to play? It can be anything!" They got back to me with ideas and we went from there.

So I guess the answer is the usual "Talk to your players."

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Last year, before starting my current campaign in Hero System (same sorta generic, do anything game engine) I asked my players "What do you want to play? It can be anything!" They got back to me with ideas and we went from there.

So I guess the answer is the usual "Talk to your players."

So far, I keep getting "whatever you want!" I may have to inject him with sodium pentathol.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I might just ask an AI to create a movie plot in the style of the Coen Brothers and Quentin Tarantino -- and maybe Elmore Leonard and Robert Rodriguez, for good measure.

 

[Parmandur]

A good starting place may be to require a series of top 5 lists (5 shows, 5 movies, and 5 books) from everyone involved, and then see what they like?

 

[DrunkonDuty]

I was about to ask - who are his favourite writers and what are his favourite movies.

Rip off the plot from one of his favourite stories and change the setting. Or use a plot (ripped off or original) in the same setting as one of his favourite stories.