Plans for a 2001: a Space Odyssey RPG?

[johnsemlak]

I've heard a rumor that AEG plans to publish an RPG based on 2001 by Arthur C Clarke. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[MEG Hal]

I've heard a rumor that AEG plans to publish an RPG based on 2001 by Arthur C Clarke. Does anyone know anything about this?

If they do I can be a major player----HAL

 

[Halivar]

Problem with this is that there is not really any over-arching theme or setting that makes 2001 unique. I'm a big Clarke fan (I've read everything I know about except Hammer of the Gods), but his imagination only goes as far as the plot, and little further (not necessarily a bad thing; just a different thing). I could not imagine putting together any set of classes or races from 2001: Space Odessey alone. In the end, they'd have to draw in material from other sources; basically watering any such sourcebook into a generic sci-fi setting with big black monoliths.

Now, set something up in Asimov's Foundation series or Herbert's Dune series, and I am there, dude.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Herbert's Dune series, and I am there, dude.

Oh how I want a Dune d20...as for 2001. It would be tough to do, but I'd love to see it. Big Clarke fan.

 

[Halivar]

Oh how I want a Dune d20...

Dangit, Ankh, don't say things like that to me! I start getting stupid notions in my head like, "TWO of us? But... but... two's enough to put something together! Who in the crap cares about copyrights, anyhow?"

So... do you think level 20 Fremen Fedaykin should get haste at will, or no?

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Dangit, Ankh, don't say things like that to me! I start getting stupid notions in my head like, "TWO of us? But... but... two's enough to put something together! Who in the crap cares about copyrights, anyhow?"

So... do you think level 20 Fremen Fedaykin should get haste at will, or no?

Well...at least 300/day.

 

[Scorpio]

Dave, I feel confident the mission will proceed as planned....

 

[Halivar]

On a mud, long ago, I had the screen name Halivar (all the other admin's just called me Hal), and another implementor's name was Dave Bowman (main character from 2K1:SO). Hal and Dave jokes abounded.

AT <funny-guy> SLAY <funny-guy>

 

[Darrin Drader]

Rather than a 2001 RPG, what I think you are really asking for is a hard sci-fi RPG. While I think the genre makes for cool reading and movies, I'm not so sure that it would make such a cool game. Every character would probably have to be some sort of specialized scientist. There might be room for a military officer, but chances are that there wouldn't be much opportunity for combat. Generally, in order to stay true to the genre, most of the rolls made will be skill checks. In the end what you would have is something fairly tech heavy where the characters explore the solar system. It might work for certain gamers with a background in science, but I think the audience would be way too niche to be of interest to most publishers.

Now something a little more action oriented set in the solar system could have potential. In fact, you should check out RPG Objects' free campaign setting for Blood and Space at the following URL: http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?page=pro&product_id=32

Edit: I just read the news on the front page. I stand corrected.

 

[Blacksad]

AFAIK Arthur C. Clarck did a serie of follow-up after 2001 (2031, 2131 or something like that).

Plus, I can picture the 2001 univers as a nice hard sci-fi setting.

I'm quite impatient to see what will come from AEG