(Mongoose) Starship Troopers! RPG, miniatures and graphic novels!
- Thread starter Mongoose_Matt
- Start date
BrooklynKnight
First Post
Hrm, I'm greatly dissapointed that this doesnt use d20modern as a base (or upcoming d20future which i would have been willing to wait even longer for).
If your Starship Troopers game was based on either, instead of using its own ogl d20 system I would have been sold.
I'm going to have to pass this up though.
In either case, Goodluck!
If your Starship Troopers game was based on either, instead of using its own ogl d20 system I would have been sold.
I'm going to have to pass this up though.
In either case, Goodluck!
Unseelie
First Post
Considering the definition of the two words, I'm not sure how anyone who's read the book could argue that the gov't of Starship Troopers is totalitarian or fascist.
The ST government was clearly described as a Democracy, albeit one with limited citizenship, much like Athens.
ST is unfairly labeled as both because it is guilty of glorifying military service and limiting citizenship to those that had previously served in the military. Not those in service, but veterans.
to·tal·i·tar·i·an
adj.
Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed: “A totalitarian regime crushes all autonomous institutions in its drive to seize the human soul” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).
fas·cism
n.
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.
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[Italian fascismo, from fascio, group, from Late Latin fascium, from Latin fascis, bundle.]
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fas·cistic (f-shstk) adj.
Word History: It is fitting that the name of an authoritarian political movement like Fascism, founded in 1919 by Benito Mussolini, should come from the name of a symbol of authority. The Italian name of the movement, fascismo, is derived from fascio, “bundle, (political) group,” but also refers to the movement's emblem, the fasces, a bundle of rods bound around a projecting axe-head that was carried before an ancient Roman magistrate by an attendant as a symbol of authority and power. The name of Mussolini's group of revolutionaries was soon used for similar nationalistic movements in other countries that sought to gain power through violence and ruthlessness, such as National Socialism.
The ST government was clearly described as a Democracy, albeit one with limited citizenship, much like Athens.
ST is unfairly labeled as both because it is guilty of glorifying military service and limiting citizenship to those that had previously served in the military. Not those in service, but veterans.
to·tal·i·tar·i·an
adj.
Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed: “A totalitarian regime crushes all autonomous institutions in its drive to seize the human soul” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).
fas·cism
n.
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Italian fascismo, from fascio, group, from Late Latin fascium, from Latin fascis, bundle.]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
fas·cistic (f-shstk) adj.
Word History: It is fitting that the name of an authoritarian political movement like Fascism, founded in 1919 by Benito Mussolini, should come from the name of a symbol of authority. The Italian name of the movement, fascismo, is derived from fascio, “bundle, (political) group,” but also refers to the movement's emblem, the fasces, a bundle of rods bound around a projecting axe-head that was carried before an ancient Roman magistrate by an attendant as a symbol of authority and power. The name of Mussolini's group of revolutionaries was soon used for similar nationalistic movements in other countries that sought to gain power through violence and ruthlessness, such as National Socialism.
trancejeremy
Adventurer
How exactly is this "big", though?
AFAIK, the movie was a flop. According to Box Office Mojo, it cost $105 million to make, but only grossed $55 million. That's a net loss worse than Ishtar, though it's not even close to Pluto Nash or Cuthroat Island standards.
And based on this discussion, it sounds like you're not really paying attention to the book.
No offense, but I'm a bit tired of Europeans interpretations of US politics. It gets awfully old.
AFAIK, the movie was a flop. According to Box Office Mojo, it cost $105 million to make, but only grossed $55 million. That's a net loss worse than Ishtar, though it's not even close to Pluto Nash or Cuthroat Island standards.
And based on this discussion, it sounds like you're not really paying attention to the book.
No offense, but I'm a bit tired of Europeans interpretations of US politics. It gets awfully old.
heirodule
First Post
Basicly, its "fascist" if you allegorize it.
if you take it on its own terms, its ecological, and the bugs are outbreeding the humans and it s a battle for survivial.
In the real world, when two humans groups have that kind of relationship, you get fascism: our group or else.
But when its SF and alien bugs, we'll, we'd root for the humans no?
Verhoven had to add elements to make the bugs "sympathetic" to make the earthgov recognizable fascist.
if you take it on its own terms, its ecological, and the bugs are outbreeding the humans and it s a battle for survivial.
In the real world, when two humans groups have that kind of relationship, you get fascism: our group or else.
But when its SF and alien bugs, we'll, we'd root for the humans no?
Verhoven had to add elements to make the bugs "sympathetic" to make the earthgov recognizable fascist.
Zaruthustran
The tingling means it’s working!
Acid_crash said:
Sure, this guy wrote some good stuff about Starship Troopers.
--
Me, I'm happy to hear about the game (though no *way* is ST close to being bigger than Bond). From the press release it sounds like they're definitely going with the movie's satirical tone and over-the-top patriotism. That's okay; that stuff can be fun. I hope the rules go in that direction too: massive damage, extremely high casualty rate, etc.
It wouldn't be hard to write such rules, and would be a refreshing change from other RPGs. You'd have to do away with each player playing a single character/the DM carefully crafting encounters so those characters are challenged but not killed.
Instead, the Platoon would be the "character" played and nurtured by all players. Completing missions gains the platoon XP, which can be spent on training, recruiting, and equipment. Players control individual troopers: one, two, or more at one time, depending on number of players and type of mission. The lives of each individual soldier don't matter as much as the success of the mission.
This core mechanic keeps in line with both the details (high casualty rate) and tone (the needs of the many outweigh the need of the few) of the book and movie.
Rico survived through the entire ST book and movie. But he wasn't a superman, or even exceptional; there were plenty of people tougher and smarter than he was and they bought farms. Rico was just another typical brave soldier who got lucky and lived.
A generic "hero"-based RPG experience would be a big mistake. ST isn't about heroes. It's about normal citizens risking--and occassionally losing--their lives for the good of the state.
-z
scottdunphy
First Post
Zaruthustran said:
That's an awsome idea! Sony should forget Mongoose and give the liscence to you. Or at the least Mongoose should use your idea.
One problem with that approach is playtesting. What you are proposing is a very different kind of RPG. I think it could work and would love to give it a try, but with anything so different you would want to shake it down real hard to make sure it works (i.e. is a lot of fun).
For those who haven't read the book or who have but have forgotten some details, I wanted to point out that in the book government service doesn't have to be military. Basically you apply for service and they tell you what they need you to do. If you turn it down or quit before the 2 years is up, you can't go to another government service job. If you put it in today's equivalent, you could earn your franchise (right to vote) doing 2 years in the Marines or 2 years in the State Department or in the Forest Service. But the government gets to pick which one they want/need you for.
Whimsical
Explorer
I vote for "she". I love women who kick ass and love it. And I enjoyed the movie and TV versions of Dizzy that I used them as character and personality templates for one of my D&D characters.Dana_Jorgensen said:
A male Dizzy? Just another guy. There's already enough guys.
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Sounds awesome, but I have to ask you one thing. Can you please arm the bugs. One of the things that annoy the hell out of me about the movie (and then the Roughneck Chronicles) is that the bugs are not armed with anything other than claws for the most part. In the book the workers were unarmed, but the warriors were suppose to make up for the workers. I would suggest to take the normal 'warrior' bug from the movie/RNC make them the workers and make an armed version of them, perhaps with a lighter version of the tanker bug weapons. Same with the wasp type bug, I would suggest arming it with a toned down version of the plasma bug weapon.
Salcor
Salcor
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