Ranger REG
Explorer
If you're referring to the OGL CyberNet book by Mongoose.Gilwen said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you have the VRNet campaign model/web enhancement, I find nothing extensive in the d20 Future book itself.
Web Enhancement for D20 Future
- Thread starter Byrons_Ghost
- Start date
Correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you have the VRNet campaign model/web enhancement, I find nothing extensive in the d20 Future book itself.
HalWhitewyrm
First Post
Nope, and that's actually the problem. Netrunning is one of those things that is instrinsically "future" and it was dropped from d20 Future. Yeah, they released it as a web enhancement, but that's not OGC, so it doesn't really help publishers out (not that Wizards really has to cater to us).
It would be awesome if they released VRNet as OGC in a future update of the MSRD (see Andy's email quote above), and maybe if a whole bunch of us make it clear what we would like to see that material become OGC it would help out, but as of right now I am not holding my breath. WotC has not released as OGC any web enhancement up to now, so I don't see them starting just to please us.
Still, one can hope.
Masada
First Post
I thought VRnet was pretty dry and unimaginative. I felt like they were re-creating Shadowrun's matrix. That game system was cool when it came out, but some of it seems pretty dated.
The internet will not be 100% immersive to every one using it. In fact, this utility is hardly desirable. What is more interesting is how constant connection to the internet would augment a person's day to day actions. Then project what impact this would have on a society where virtually everyone had instant access to the internet from anywhere at any time.
Immersion will certainly be a feature, but not an exclusive one. Publishers could toss out VRnet completely and come up with more interesting mechanics.
The internet will not be 100% immersive to every one using it. In fact, this utility is hardly desirable. What is more interesting is how constant connection to the internet would augment a person's day to day actions. Then project what impact this would have on a society where virtually everyone had instant access to the internet from anywhere at any time.
Immersion will certainly be a feature, but not an exclusive one. Publishers could toss out VRnet completely and come up with more interesting mechanics.
Ranger REG
Explorer
Probably a good thing. The book is already crammed.HalWhitewyrm said:
You know how many other d20 Modern web enhancements I want as OGC? Practically ALL of them, including those prestige classes that were dropped out of Urban Arcana.HalWhitewyrm said:
(And that's not including the many 3e products like OA that I want added to the regular SRD.)
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Ranger REG
Explorer
"They" being Moridin?Masada said:
Masada
First Post
I'm not implying anything about an individual--just the VRnet presentation of the future internet concept.
However, to be fair, the presentation of material usable for full immersion style VRnet play is useful. I just don't think full immersion is going to be a significant impact to society. I think other advances in very large networks will be more interesting and those advances would create a better RPG game mechanic.
However, to be fair, the presentation of material usable for full immersion style VRnet play is useful. I just don't think full immersion is going to be a significant impact to society. I think other advances in very large networks will be more interesting and those advances would create a better RPG game mechanic.
RodneyThompson
Explorer
What might those advances be that have such a significant game impact? The point of the VRNet is to provide you with a new, electronic adventuring locale, one that is a major part of science fiction. Since the cyberpunk genre is a staple of futuristic roleplaying, I felt that the VRNet was integral in providing the tools necessary to play such games. Ironically enough, everyone compares it to Shadowrun's Matrix, but I have to admit (and shamefully so) that I've never played Shadowrun. The VRNet is, in fact, based heavily off of Tad Williams' Otherland, Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, and Tron (more specifically, the recent Tron 2.0 computer game).
Certainly connectivity will continue to impact our daily lives, and a massive global (or interstellar) network that interacts with almost everything will be a possibility. However, such connectivity is really more adequately represented by simply integrating computers (with remote uplinks) into common, everyday items.
Additionally, one major goal of the VRNet is to provide something for hackers to do in d20 Modern/Future other than roll the d20 and add a skill bonus. The VRNet, by integrating it into every computer system in the world, provides a new adventuring locale. If the party's hacker wants to jumpstart a computerized motorcycle, normally he just rolls a skill check and hopes he makes it. With the VRNet, he can dive into the motorcycle's computer system and solve a puzzle or a riddle, which is representative of finding the right commands to start the bike, and just that short encounter has added to the depth of the game and encourages creativity during roleplaying.
If you can think of something better than an immersive visual network to add to the roleplaying experience, I would love to hear your ideas. After all, I don't plan to stop writing science fiction roleplaying supplements any time soon.
Certainly connectivity will continue to impact our daily lives, and a massive global (or interstellar) network that interacts with almost everything will be a possibility. However, such connectivity is really more adequately represented by simply integrating computers (with remote uplinks) into common, everyday items.
Additionally, one major goal of the VRNet is to provide something for hackers to do in d20 Modern/Future other than roll the d20 and add a skill bonus. The VRNet, by integrating it into every computer system in the world, provides a new adventuring locale. If the party's hacker wants to jumpstart a computerized motorcycle, normally he just rolls a skill check and hopes he makes it. With the VRNet, he can dive into the motorcycle's computer system and solve a puzzle or a riddle, which is representative of finding the right commands to start the bike, and just that short encounter has added to the depth of the game and encourages creativity during roleplaying.
If you can think of something better than an immersive visual network to add to the roleplaying experience, I would love to hear your ideas. After all, I don't plan to stop writing science fiction roleplaying supplements any time soon.
Turanil
First Post
Masada said:
I agree with that. I would like to see something more along the lines of what is described in Transhuman Space where impact of internet, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology is concerned. Then, you can do another set of rules specifically for emulating the matrix (as in the movie), but this wouldn't be the most useful rules.
Ranger REG
Explorer
Then use the android (d20 Future), nanotechnology (d20 Future), and the netrunning rules (VRNet campaign model) and combine them.
Then pick up GURPS Transhuman Space for reference source on making a full-fledged or starter campaign setting.
[image placeholder: bored smiley]
Then pick up GURPS Transhuman Space for reference source on making a full-fledged or starter campaign setting.
[image placeholder: bored smiley]
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Masada
First Post
Let me rephrase and pay some respects before responding.
Rodney is a professional writer with years of experience. He holds the respect and admiration of the gaming community (myself included). He has more products and credits than I can name. VRnet is a free enhancement that is well written and provides an excellent setting for VR combat. I personally am thankful to have access to these products and access to Rodney's time. It wasn't my intention to complain about a free product. However, I see some other exciting things in my view of the future. Here's my attempt to show you...
In the United States today there are about 200 million cell phone with access to national and international wireless networks. Those numbers and networks will continue to grow. Where there is Voice, there will soon be Data. Already carriers are trying to deliver multi-meg wireless data service in national foot prints (not just "hotspots"). I would predict that in 100 years, every square inch of the planet will have something conceptually similar to wireless 100 megabit/sec service or at least the developed nations will.
Today, we have the ability to use very low powered lasers to "paint" images right on to the retina. The devices that accomplish this are roughly the size of a clunky cell phone. Today this allows the user to see text, maps and schematics overlaid in their field of vision regardless of where they are looking. In a hundred years, I can easily see this being something like a full blown windows desktop in the users view where the "wallpaper" is actually the real world. Icons and text will be "clickable" by eye movement or mental command. Combine these two concept and look ahead.
Network connections will be placed in nearly everything. People will have identification chips either implanted or carried with them that will interface with wireless security doors, air conditioning, person computing gear, credit cards, etc. When cyberware rolls around, people will have wireless high speed data connections to their internal computer rigs. All these wireless devices will broadcast their presence in order to discover each other and communicate directly.
Now imagine the Hacker character with an operating system in their head and "windows" and icons painted in to their field of view at all times. They will see all of these wireless devices as network objects. They won't need to run attack programs in VR space, they'll need to run them in real space! Certain programs will be controlled like handguns the hacker will have to be skilled at hiding and encrypting their software. Nearly all transactions will be tracked to the users ID chip, scrambling this signature for themselves and the party may be crucial. Each security door will be be "guarded" by security software that could be as simple as wireless unlock attempt or as complex as an animated "guard icon" that must be defeated before proceeding. The entire modern world will be "alive" with network objects interconnected and waiting to be manipulated by the Hacker.
While total immersive VR will be an option, I think a world where VR and reality meet is more interesting. It facilitates "whole party" play rather than only the hacker characters. It allows the hacker to work very much like rogue in party dynamics. I also think it's cool as hell.
Rodney is a professional writer with years of experience. He holds the respect and admiration of the gaming community (myself included). He has more products and credits than I can name. VRnet is a free enhancement that is well written and provides an excellent setting for VR combat. I personally am thankful to have access to these products and access to Rodney's time. It wasn't my intention to complain about a free product. However, I see some other exciting things in my view of the future. Here's my attempt to show you...
In the United States today there are about 200 million cell phone with access to national and international wireless networks. Those numbers and networks will continue to grow. Where there is Voice, there will soon be Data. Already carriers are trying to deliver multi-meg wireless data service in national foot prints (not just "hotspots"). I would predict that in 100 years, every square inch of the planet will have something conceptually similar to wireless 100 megabit/sec service or at least the developed nations will.
Today, we have the ability to use very low powered lasers to "paint" images right on to the retina. The devices that accomplish this are roughly the size of a clunky cell phone. Today this allows the user to see text, maps and schematics overlaid in their field of vision regardless of where they are looking. In a hundred years, I can easily see this being something like a full blown windows desktop in the users view where the "wallpaper" is actually the real world. Icons and text will be "clickable" by eye movement or mental command. Combine these two concept and look ahead.
Network connections will be placed in nearly everything. People will have identification chips either implanted or carried with them that will interface with wireless security doors, air conditioning, person computing gear, credit cards, etc. When cyberware rolls around, people will have wireless high speed data connections to their internal computer rigs. All these wireless devices will broadcast their presence in order to discover each other and communicate directly.
Now imagine the Hacker character with an operating system in their head and "windows" and icons painted in to their field of view at all times. They will see all of these wireless devices as network objects. They won't need to run attack programs in VR space, they'll need to run them in real space! Certain programs will be controlled like handguns the hacker will have to be skilled at hiding and encrypting their software. Nearly all transactions will be tracked to the users ID chip, scrambling this signature for themselves and the party may be crucial. Each security door will be be "guarded" by security software that could be as simple as wireless unlock attempt or as complex as an animated "guard icon" that must be defeated before proceeding. The entire modern world will be "alive" with network objects interconnected and waiting to be manipulated by the Hacker.
While total immersive VR will be an option, I think a world where VR and reality meet is more interesting. It facilitates "whole party" play rather than only the hacker characters. It allows the hacker to work very much like rogue in party dynamics. I also think it's cool as hell.
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