Who owns Paranoia? Mini-game would be cool...

[Emiricol]

Just wondering if anyone knows who owns the Paranoia game property now (and a URL would be nice).

I was just reading the Cthulu thread and got to thinking about all the fun I used to have with Paranoia. I think it'd make a cool mini-D20 (or polybag or whatever they are calling them now).

 

[rushlight]

Hmm, I think West End Games sold the property, but to whom I don't know. Perhaps you could begin your search there.

Second, I don't think Paranoia would improve with a d20 conversion. I love running and playing Paranoia, and do so often. What makes it beautiful IS the system. There's no hard and fast rules to get in the Computer, uh, GM's way of handling the players. Remember - the players aren't supposed to know the rules.

Not knowing what is happening or why it's happening is Paranoia!

 

[Olive]

Second, I don't think Paranoia would improve with a d20 conversion. I love running and playing Paranoia, and do so often. What makes it beautiful IS the system. There's no hard and fast rules to get in the Computer, uh, GM's way of handling the players. Remember - the players aren't supposed to know the rules.

I think that what makes it beautiful is the idea. The system isn't hugely relevent. Note also that emericol didn't say it would be better, just that it would be cool. I also would love to see this as a one off.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I'm sorry citizen. That information is not available at your clearance level.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I'm sorry citizen. That information is not available at your clearance level.

Translation: "No one loves me...please let me play a game with you!!"



And on topic...I'm not sure if d20 would be good OR bad for Paranoia. It'd definatly be interesting to see.

 

[Staffan]

I think the rights have reverted to the original creators (Greg Costikyan and maybe some other folks). Not sure if it was an automatic thing with WEG's bankruptcy or if Greg & Co. bought it back.

Ah, here's the info from http://www.costik.com/ludograf.html :

Paranoia (2nd edition)
Revised (and much funnier) version of the deranged roleplaying game. With Dan Gelber, Eric Goldberg, Ken Rolston, and Paul Murphy. Eric and I finally got the rights back from the now-defunct publishers. Skotos is currently working on a text-MUD version, and we may find someone to bring the game back into print soonish. (West End Games, 1987)

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

I really need to find a copy of that game. I've heard so many stories about it but never got a chance to play it myself.

 

[Emiricol]

Ebay has this:

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...ty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=&from=R2&catref=C3

If you can find a copy, it'd be worth it to check it out! Don't plan on it being a long-running campaign, though (or even getting through the mission briefing alive hehehe)

 

[Chaldfont]

My first experience as a DM at a convention was running Paranoia. I figured it would be easier on a first-time con DM. I spent half the session convincing the players that it was OK, nay, required that they work against each other.

But once they got the hang of it, they quickly took to backstabbing and selling each other out the computer.

One fun thing I got from a sample adventure: I gave each player a badge signifying their job in the group (like "Morale Officer"). It was treason not to wear your badge. As soon as that tape let lose... watch out. The laser guns came out!

 

[rushlight]

I've always thought that Paranoia would be an excelent game to play by post, or by email. I've never really taken part in a PBM game, though I've kept up with a few.

It seems to me though, that if there were a single game written perfectly for that method of play it would be Paranoia. Simple rules, lots of chances for selling out your comrades... Perfect! In a regular, face-to-face game it's usually obvious when someone sells you out. But a PBM game would preserve the mystery! Man, the more I think about it, the more excited I get!

So, I have two questions:

1) Would anyone else be interested in such a game?

2) If so, how would a first-time PBM GM (but very experienced Paranoia GM!) go about setting something like this up?

Thanks for your feedback!!

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