d20 no longer the only Open Source game!

[Swack-Iron]

Not to sidetrack my own thread, but how well does Sengoku do for a less cinematic game? In other words, instead of Lone Wolf and Cub, Zatoichi or The Assassains, would the system let me ratchet down a few pegs, while still staying more heroic than reality? I've threatened to resurrect my Japan game for some time now, but I'm not sure OA really matches the flavor I'm looking for, and neither did GURPS (though that's where the campaign originated from).

Sengoku details three levels of play, "realistic" (Heaven & Earth, Ran), chanbara (Zatoichi, Lone Wolf & Cub), and anime (Ninja Scroll). These levels are enforced by how characters are designed at the outset (how many points you get to spend), as well as through what options/tactics are available to them during the course of character development. The availability of magic and how much supernatural interaction there is in the game is also discussed. Is magic commonplace (anime level) or is it just cultural myths and legends (realistic levels) or is it there some but not a lot (chanbara levels)?

Sengoku's biggest strength is the massive depth of background information. Everything about feudal Japan is in this book: history, what they wore, what tools they used, how houses were laid out, what they ate, what everything cost (the price lists are *very* extensive). There's also a massive filmography in one of the indexes. All of this data is relevant for any game set in feudal Japan, regardless of what system you're using.

 

[Ranger REG]

OFF-TOPIC: Sengoku...

As an owner of Sengoku, this product is more in-depth in reference material than GURP Feudal Japan worldbook.

If you want something less campy than L5R/Rokugan and more traditional chanbara roleplaying (even with the option of three levels of gameplay), I'd go with Sengoku.

 

[Gold Rush Games]

As you can read right here at gamingreport.com , Gold Rush Games has released the Action System as an Open Source PDF, similar to the SRD.

Just a very minor (but important) correction. Actually, the PDFs are of the original release of the Action! System. The OGL version is version 1.1.

I've browsed the PDF, and it's a good system. Seems very reminiscent of a GURPS-d20 hybrid, featuring a little of both,

I love reading the different ways that people describe the Action! System.

"It's like d20 and GURPS."

"No, it's like Fuzion but better."

"It's like HERO System lite."

It's relatively simple yet modular, allowing folks to increase the complexity to suit their tastes, IMO. But ultimately, if people enjoy it and the products that use it, everyone wins.

 

[Gold Rush Games]

You're thinking of FUDGE. Fuzion is from Gold Rush Games, and was the basis of several of their more recent efforts, like Bushido's newest edition.

Just a couple of minor (but important) corrections. Fuzion is owned by the Fuzion Labs Group; GRG is but a humble licensor of the system.

And the new edition of Bushido you mentioned actually became the award winning Sengoku RPG.

 

[WizarDru]

Thanks for the info, all. Sengoku just got pushed up to the 'will look for and buy' list. I like GURPS Japan, and if Sengoku has even more game-related info, but is also reflective of chanbara, then I'm so there.

Thanks!

 

[Kilmore]

So when is the first multi-OGL setting coming out?

 

[Gold Rush Games]

So when is the first multi-OGL setting coming out?

The first one? Hm. We released The Village of Briarton e-book with both d20 and Action! System stats (the book version has just d20 material in it).

We've also released the Action! Classics: The War of the Worlds Sourcebook PDF with both. The printed book version comes out this month.

FYI, we also released the Action! System Conversion Notes #1: d20, which should make it much easier for anyone desiring to convert some previously published OGL material to Action! System.

 

[EarthsShadow]

It's about time another company did this.