Who Should Make The Next Star Wars TTRPG, And What Should It Look Like?

[Reynard]

I agree with the bold part, and therefore the challenge of making it work. In some ways its similar to the problem of High Elves in Middle Earth games.

YES.

"Balancing" Tolkienesque elves against humans, hobbits, whatever is a mistake. They are intentionally superhuman.

I do think there could be some paths for making PC Jedi work:
- High cost/risk to using force powers, which lessen as experience increases. (One such risk could be similar to "Eye Awareness" in The One Ring.)
- Roleplaying constraints: sort of like old-school Paladins, Jedi players have restrictions that mean you can't just go around mind controlling and telekinetically strangling NPCs at will. Or that you can, but you'll regret it.

Both?

 

[Aldarc]

There are game systems that I think could work well for adapting Star Wars, depending on what sort of emulative focus one wants out of Star Wars. However, what would make a good Star Wars TTRPG is not necessarily the same as what would make for a commercially successful Star Wars game. I think there are those who basically want a bog standard 5e D&D experience, those who want crunchy sim GURPS, those who probably want something more narrative-focused, or those who simply want Star Wars with their go-to system of choice (e.g., SWADE, FitD, 2d20, BRP, etc.).

This is where the "which source material" question really matters. In the OT, Vader WAS more powerful than everyone else, and Luke, by the end, went toe to toe with him. You can't be true to that source material without embracing jedi as special and more powerful.

Do note that there are narrative superhero systems where Hulk and Thor share equivalent narrative space as Hawkeye and Black Widow. The idea that having objective power levels are somehow required in the mechanics to emulate these stories feels a bit disingenuous, IMHO, given the myriad of contrary tabletop games in the market.

 

[Reynard]

disingenuous

That's a little extreme, don't you think?

 

[Aldarc]

That's a little extreme, don't you think?

I believe the exact wording was "feels a bit disingenuous, IMHO,..." Hardly as extreme as you suggest here.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Both?

Yup.

Another constraint could be that it's exceedingly difficult to improve Force powers on your own, but equally difficult (because of the era the game takes place) to find a trainer.

 

[Reynard]

I believe the exact wording was "feels a bit disingenuous, IMHO,..." Hardly as extreme as you suggest here.

Fair enough. it's a peeve. I don't like that word. it is a synonym for "lie" and tends to poison discussion.

Anyway, on the subject of characters having similar narrative weight regardless of their power level: I am generally ambivalent about such mechanics. they CAN work if everyone is in, but they require the kind of storytelling intrusion that I don't think jives super well with player agency and TTRPGs. It is easier just to let the Jedi be more powerful and let the smuggler have more Luck Tokens (or whatever).

 

[Aldarc]

Anyway, on the subject of characters having similar narrative weight regardless of their power level: I am generally ambivalent about such mechanics. they CAN work if everyone is in, but they require the kind of storytelling intrusion that I don't think jives super well with player agency and TTRPGs. It is easier just to let the Jedi be more powerful and let the smuggler have more Luck Tokens (or whatever).

I strongly disagree with the bold, Reynard. Strongly and vehemently. You may as well tell me that my game preferences are only good for railroading, fudging, and other derogatory terms or maybe tell me that these games aren't real TTRPGs because that's how your bit in the bold comes across to me.

 

[Reynard]

I strongly disagree with the bold, Reynard. Strongly and vehemently. You may as well tell me that my game preferences are only good for railroading, fudging, and other derogatory terms or maybe tell me that these games aren't real TTRPGs because that's how your bit in the bold comes across to me.

I don't know why my preferences about the game I play would make you feel that way, but okay.

 

[Aldarc]

I don't know why my preferences about the game I play would make you feel that way, but okay.

If stating your preferences requires insinuating that narrative-focused tabletop games lack player agency or aren't proper TTRPGs, then you should not be surprised that people would take umbrage at your remarks.

 

[Reynard]

If stating your preferences requires insinuating that narrative-focused tabletop games lack player agency or aren't proper TTRPGs, then you should not be surprised that people would take umbrage at your remarks.

I can't help how you feel or infer my meaning. If you don't like the term "intrusion" take it up with Monte Cook games. If you don't like the term "jive" take it up with Airplane.