CRPGs as the foundation for a TTRPG Campaign

[Reynard]

I am currently playing through Divnity orginal Sin 2, and it got me thinking about using a CRPG as the foundation for a TTRPG campaign. I have done this to a limited degree way back in the day, using the officla prima guid for Fallout 2 as my campaign "module" and doing whatever conversions I needed along the way. That experiement did not last, but I don't think because it was an inherently bad idea -- my execution just wasn't great.

I don't know if they still make those Prime Guides with the full, detailed walkthrough of a game (the last one I purchased was probably FO4) but there are obviously tons of online resources for any given CRPG.

I do recall thinking upon purchasing and running Rime of the Frostmaiden for 5E that it was laid out very much like a "tabletop CRPG." I appreciated that structure as a GM, since it was kind-of a open world ish.

Anyway, what do you think? Have you ever tried to use a CRPG's setting, plot and/or quests as the foundation for a TTRPG? If so, which game(s)? How did it go? What game(s) would you like to turn into a TTRPG campaign?

 

[payn]

I have been trying to insert RPG elements into my Battletech games for sometime. I have long been a fan of the 2001 video game Mechcommander II. It has an intriguing plot that takes place on a planet thats is contested by numerous factions. After each mission the story progresses as does the faction that hires the mercs (you). It does a good job of showing off some of the setting and giving detail on its major players, all in a same single planet story of a vast universe.

Anyways, I developed a system where I run the Opfor like a traditional GM running NPCs and my players each run a single mechwarrior that levels up after each mission. We are currently on mission 12 of 15. It, so far, has been received very well by my players. A lot of them are not necessarily the lore and RP types, but they are digging in and im enjoying that.


I was working hard on adapting D&D 4E to Mass Effect (shields armor down is bloodied, healing surge is medi-gel application, etc..) Though, I never got it off the ground. I knew only a couple of ME fans and they didnt jump at the idea.

 

[jdrakeh]

Yup. And, more specifically, there have been four published TTRPG treatments of Aden/Thunderscape that I know of. World of Aden: Thunderscape started off as a PC game, then had a Masterbook/D6 conversion published by WEG. More recently, it has been released as a Pathfinder book, Savage Worlds book, and Tiny D6 book. So you have a plethora of systems to run your Thunderscape campaign with.

I own the old WEG stuff and the Tiny D6 treatment. The Tiny D6 book is great. The WEG stuff less so (it suffers a bit of an identity crisis, committed fully to neither the Masterbook system or D6 System). I've run a Thunderscape campaign based loosely on the CRPG plot back in the late 90s using the WEG books. It was... OK. I'd love to run that same campaign again using the Tiny D6 book. I think it would be better.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The old Prima Guide to the Majesty fantasy village builder/RTS was practically a mini campaign setting. I've stolen place names from it over the years ("Squagin Hill" is too great to be consigned to the dustbin of history) but never went all-in on Majesty as an actual settings.

 

[zakael19]

The BG1 setup would make a pretty solid linear adventure, something I’ve had sitting in the back of my head for a good chunk of time. In fact one of the BioWare writers made a kinda “post-game” campaign that hits a lot of the same beats and with a similar structure.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The BG1 setup would make a pretty solid linear adventure, something I’ve had sitting in the back of my head for a good chunk of time. In fact one of the BioWare writers made a kinda “post-game” campaign that hits a lot of the same beats and with a similar structure.

I wonder if it's kosher to put such an adventure up on the DMs Guild. Baldur's Gate and illithid are obviously kosher, but signalling that it's inspired by Baldurs Gate 3 feels like it might cause some trouble.

 

[zakael19]

I wonder if it's kosher to put such an adventure up on the DMs Guild. Baldur's Gate and illithid are obviously kosher, but signalling that it's inspired by Baldurs Gate 3 feels like it might cause some trouble.

First, I was talking about BG1. Second, the module by the former BioWare dev that uses a bunch of stuff (places, NPCs) from BG1 & has some customs (gorgeous) map of the sword coast region etc is in fact available on DMSGuild.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

the module by the former BioWare dev that uses a bunch of stuff (places, NPCs) from BG1 & has some customs (gorgeous) map of the sword coast region etc is in fact available on DMSGuild.

That isn't necessarily the same as the general public being able to get away with it. WotC can make exceptions on enforcement if they want -- none of this is likely to get tested in a court of law.

 

[TheHand]

I’ve run adaptations of the gold box Pool of Radiance game, often as a starter campaign for players new to the hobby or new as a group. The game does have an official module (Ruins of Adventure), but my adaption is more heavily influenced by the Crpg. I’ve used the journal props the game came with and referenced numerous walk thru’s I’ve found online. Twice I’ve also adapted its sequel Curse of the Azure Bonds, but I feel less successfully so.

Not unlike Payn, above me, in the BattleTech/Mechwarrior setting I’ve adapted the old computer game, Crescent Hawks Revenge, as a I’ve found it’s a great story framework for those new to the universe as it covers a lot of important “historical” moments. In the case of this game, it’s more of an outline and framework than a true 100% adaption, as the original game was just a series of linear battles played across 20 years of game time.

I think something like the Baldur’s Gate games or Divinity 2 would make great adaptions, and there’s a lot of guides and material online, including maps and art. Running Fallout 2 sounds really intriguing, but I imagine it would have taken a lot of work as it’s a fairly large campaign!

 

[thullgrim]

I started to put together and run a game based on Pools of Radiance using the game chest book from back in the day, various maps from the game, and the published supplement TSR did for it, Ruins of Adventure.

It had all the elements I’d want from a sandbox style game including several ways to hand out hooks.

I ran about three sessions and then we got distracted by something else. I’ve still got my notes though, and I occasionally bring them out and think about running it again.