Shadowrun
Catalyst Game Labs => Catalyst's Shadowrun Products => Topic started by: The Laughing Man on <12-18-10/0618:37>
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(Sorry ahead of time if this topic has been discussed before, didn't find a thread.)
So looking over the new War! book, it's awesome. Good fiction and plot hooks while adding new gear too.
But I have to wonder. Have you guys put any thought in creating a space sourcebook in the same fashion? Most of my players are sci-fi nerds(and I suspect most of the shadowrun fanbase are) and I've often pondered a space campaign, but without hard rules on anything space related I've avoided it. The closest thing is Target: Wastelands and snippets from various sourcebooks.
Any word on a Space sourcebook in the near or far future?
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I think that would be a long shot, since Shadowrunning in space is fun, but mostly as an episode. There isn't enough places there to hide for a team from the gravity well...
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Plus not to mention Space mostly excludes at least 1/4 of most Shadowrun teams (Spellcasters and Adepts).
At the end of the day, Shadowrun is not a Sci-Fi game and not really geared toward Space all that well. There have been books that have touched on it a little (Target: Wastelands for 3rd ed, IIRC), and I'm sure it will get touched on again. But I doubt it will ever be a full fledged focus of a book. (at least, I hope not. That's word count better devoted to things that the majority of players will use).
My suggestion, if you want to do Shadowrun in Space, look at West Ends old Star Wars system or maybe the Serenity roleplaying game.
Bull
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Also, due to the effects a signal-free zone has on Technomancers, I'd say it would effect them in a similar fashion as Spellcasters/Adepts. They might have more room to play in space (how far out does the signal go?) but I'd still make them get jittery.
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I think it would be cool to have this is part of another Sourcebook that covers exotic areas (undersea, etc.).
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Like Target: Wastelands did? granted, that was 3rd edition, but most of the information is still valid, and the rules could be adopted to SR4 pretty easy.
Bull
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I would totally write a spacerunners book if I was allowed. Cyberpirates! and the oceanic material from T:W are the most comprehensive writeups on 70% of the Earth's surface and way, way out-of-date (IIRC, Proteus hadn't even met the DF criteria for a self-sustaining aquacology/arkoblock yet). Space is ... Space. The Kilimanjaro mass driver and imminent space elevator (You know why it will happen? Because, magic. If an elf mage can break the sound barrier sans vehicle, a giant mass of cables is nothing) will further increase the amount of stuff in space.
BTW, magic and TMs aren't impossible in space. Just hard and rare. But then again, running against Deus should have been impossible, and I know for a fact that the authors cut stuff that makes what got into RA:S look easy (Dave Hyatt was a classically-trained Bastard GM), but there was a story reason. Now and here isn't the time, but let's just say nothing is off-limits. I can't quite recall if it is the exact quote, but SteveD on rpg.net said many years ago something to the effect of, "No one minds the railroad when the destination is Awesome Town." The only way Brainscan works is that is the RPG equivalent of a transcontinental Super Chief ride, but aside from the forced datajack implantation I've never heard anyone who played it bitch about that fact.
I digress. By a lot. Like the whole point of my High Concept thread, I think there are times when SR just needs to go all-in and embrace its batshit insanity and the fact that reality is even crazier than fiction (If magic was real, SR would be pretty sedate).
Anyway, I am willing to bet that "In Space, No One Can Hear You Run" will be released within five years. I would say three, but I am being cautious. If I was the line developer it would be out by Christmas 2011 after *mumbles*, *mumbles*, and especially *excited mumbling*.
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My suggestion, if you want to do Shadowrun in Space, look at West Ends old Star Wars system or maybe the Serenity roleplaying game.
Bull
:'( I miss WEG Star Wars....I reeeeeeeealy do.
But anyway. Space would also seem to be very limited oppertunity for runners by the very nature its so blasted hard to GET into space on both a tactical and logistical level. And becasue of the logistics of getting into space, it's next to impossible to be sneaky about it. Unless you can come up with some insanely high level cover most likely being provided by Johnson), I just dont see Joe Runner being able to pull it off. Nah, any shadow ops in space is at the least going to be done by high level corp or maybe govt black ops with their own abilities to get there rather than risking hiring out.
Not to mention that I doubt Joe Runner would have the skills necessary to effectively operate/suvive in space. I doubt that there are too many ex-astronaughts runners about.
At least that's my take, but this IS Shadowrun...wierder things have happened.
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I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter. Seriously, I hope the things you're talking about do happen, because it's an idea with a lot of potential.
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snip
I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter. Seriously, I hope the things you're talking about do happen, because it's an idea with a lot of potential.
So would I.
Not to mention that I doubt Joe Runner would have the skills necessary to effectively operate/suvive in space. I doubt that there are too many ex-astronaughts runners about.
True. However, the fact that there are runners in space (Jackpointers Orbital DK and to a lesser extent Rigger X are two) speaks volumes about where SR space has come since System Failure.
It wouldn't be any easier that Findley's Tir Tairngire. Of course, I like the original TT and laugh at people who bitched about it being too hard or unrealistic or some other nonsense. That said, it would be worth exploring, and I think that making it hard but playable is a worthwhile challenge and opportunity to authors and GMs/Players alike.
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Ever since the big D's will I've thought at least an official adventure publication would see the light. With the various references to space (see Augmentation, micrograv adaptation for example) it seems authors have it in mind at least marginally.
After taking a look at Eclipse Phase I figured it would be less likely to see a push in the outer space direction.
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Dont know when dont know where, Ive heard about some Ares research hydroponic stations, where high level initiates seek the way to deep metaplanes being isolated from Earth. Maybe just some kind of urban bullshit but you know...Im always looking for the seeds of knowledge...
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It is in one of the fiction pieces in Street Magic.
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Also, due to the effects a signal-free zone has on Technomancers, I'd say it would effect them in a similar fashion as Spellcasters/Adepts. They might have more room to play in space (how far out does the signal go?) but I'd still make them get jittery.
"Jittery" isn't how I'd describe the effect on awakened characters.
"Weeping blood out of the eyes" is probably a bit closer.
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I know weeping blood makes me jittery. ;)
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I always thought of taking SR to space with an alien abduction... Totally shooting from the hip I know!
If you're looking for WEG Star Wars, including conversions, it's almost completely here: http://d6holocron.com/wiki/index.php?title=D6_Holocron_Wiki (they're in a little disarray at the moment due to a move from wikia after it restructured). They've cleared their content through WEG, WotC, and Lucas.
If your group prefers space scifi then I'd recommend Eclipse Phase: http://eclipsephase.com/ (they have a creative commons license so if you can find the pdf's on a torrent, they're seeding it, it's legal to own).
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Yeah I know a full space sourcebook is just plain wishful thinking on my part at this point. But I could definately see them releasing one in the next couple years. Considering they're in the 2070's now. And with those new ion engines I read about somewhere. (Not sure which book?) Heavier space travel and business becomes an inevitability. And where there's business there's shadow-business. (too corny?)
And as far as mages and adepts go I realize it's hard to get around that whole "going insane and bleeding from various orifices" thing. I'm not sure if I read this or just made it up but I remember something about mages being able to use the mana from self contained ecologies within space vessels. Which would make magic at least possible on space stations and the like.
I also remember reading that the Matrix extends to (at least) low Earth orbit so I think technomancers would be ok. Also couldn't they use a satellite link-up? Might suffer some wierd symptoms from the signal latency at that altitude though. ;D
Space definately isn't a shadowrunner's native habitat but if you look at alot of the location sourcebooks, they're all about extreme circumstances and environments. I'd love to at least see another good write-up like Target: Wastelands to give some updates for the 70's.
I digress. By a lot. Like the whole point of my High Concept thread, I think there are times when SR just needs to go all-in and embrace its batshit insanity and the fact that reality is even crazier than fiction (If magic was real, SR would be pretty sedate).
It wouldn't be any easier that Findley's Tir Tairngire. Of course, I like the original TT and laugh at people who bitched about it being too hard or unrealistic or some other nonsense. That said, it would be worth exploring, and I think that making it hard but playable is a worthwhile challenge and opportunity to authors and GMs/Players alike.
I totally agree. Why get bogged down in what's realistic in a game like Shadowrun? I respect trying to keep the setting "plausible" and "realistic". But isn't the whole idea of RPGs to suspend belief for the sake of fun and creativity?
I always thought of taking SR to space with an alien abduction... Totally shooting from the hip I know!
That sounds great. With all the dangers that runners face everyday, an encounter of the fouth kind could really shake up a jaded team. I've considered something similiar where the aliens turn out to be rogue AIs that emerged from advanced astrogation pilot softs. Then stole a fleet of Ares spacecraft to build their own space colony built out of old de-commissioned orbital habitats and parts from the junkyard at L5.
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I don't know. I mean, yes, there could be situations where a shadowrun team may be blasted off into space, but I'd picture the situations as being like in Armageddon where it really doesn't make much sense.
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I don't know. I mean, yes, there could be situations where a shadowrun team may be blasted off into space, but I'd picture the situations as being like in Armageddon where it really doesn't make much sense.
Except for Lofwyr ;) ::)
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I always thought of taking SR to space with an alien abduction... Totally shooting from the hip I know!
If you're looking for WEG Star Wars, including conversions, it's almost completely here: http://d6holocron.com/wiki/index.php?title=D6_Holocron_Wiki (they're in a little disarray at the moment due to a move from wikia after it restructured). They've cleared their content through WEG, WotC, and Lucas.
If your group prefers space scifi then I'd recommend Eclipse Phase: http://eclipsephase.com/ (they have a creative commons license so if you can find the pdf's on a torrent, they're seeding it, it's legal to own).
If you play more military styled runs, you should make pretty funny remix wars with Warhammer 40.000 RPG...hire a team for the mission, hibernate them and travel them to space and run one-shot for Deadwatch ... then LOL to wannabies and hail to those who survive :)
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I don't know. I mean, yes, there could be situations where a shadowrun team may be blasted off into space, but I'd picture the situations as being like in Armageddon where it really doesn't make much sense.
Armageddon has some great quotes though, could have been some of the games I've been in...
A.J.: Have you ever heard of Evel Knievel?
Lev Andropov: No, I never saw Star Wars.
General Kimsey: If you're trying to make me feel better about this scenario, give it up.
Truman: To tell you the truth, I'm kind of encouraged. This guy Chick here was an Air Force commando for six years.
General Kimsey: We got robbery, assault, arrest, resisting arrest. We got a collection agent for the mob. Two of these guys have done serious time.
Truman: Look, they're the best at what they do.
General Kimsey: So am I. And I'm not so optimistic. We spend 250 billion dollars a year on defense. And here we are. The fate of the planet is in the hands of a bunch of retards I wouldn't trust with a potato gun.
A.J.: You know it's all funny until somebody gets shot in the leg.
Colonel William Sharp: [In response to Rockhound riding the nuclear warhead] Get off... the nuclear... warhead.
Rockhound: I was doing that guy from that movie, you know, Slim Pickens, where he rides it all the way in, the nuclear warhead.
Colonel William Sharp: Now.
Rockhound: Oh, you didn't see that one, huh?
Rockhound: [After getting off of the nuke] I just wanted to feel the power between my legs.
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T:W ... had ... space ...
... whores.
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Ugh, Armageddon.
Stupid movie. It was funny in all the wrong places, and sad everywhere else. The only nice part I remember of it was Bruce Willis' character's flashback of his daughter's life as he pushed the button.
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It's fun reading through all of the goofs and plot holes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/goofs)
-k
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I actually got more enjoyment from watching Battlefield Earth than I did watching Armageddon. Madness I says, madness.
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I don't think it was suppose to be more than catch phrases and one-liners...
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I definitely think there's interest in space material for Shadowrun, but I think the way to release it is through an adventure format. To be specific, a module that is one of several in a line where each covers a specific 'fringer' habitat (out in space, deep water, underground hab, etc). Or, better yet, a anthology format module where each adventure in it covers a unique locale. Think Harlequin or the NAN books for size comparison.
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That sounds like a good idea. Each habitat can have its own set of adventures and info, but perhaps an overall space book would be good, too. Something that lists all the areas out and generalizes them for the GM's who just want to knock something together quickly, and perhaps cover a large area for their players.
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Of course, they could always consider just releasing the setting material in pdf format if they feel there isn't enough to put out in book format.
/cough, this old drone, cough, milspectech, cough 8)
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Wasn't there a book back in 2nd ed that had a bunch of stuff about space, I kinda recall an entery for a sliver gun that said it was used on orbitals
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Target: Wastelands (Third Edition).
I'd say the adventure book has more likelihood of being released given the current slate of books being produced. Given the relative lack of popularity for location books that has always been an issue with Shadowrun, it makes sense that if CGL does pursue this venture (and I hope they will. Maybe I'll propose the book, but right now I'm working on another book idea) it will be similar to how they are incorporating genre/style/background material, rules, storyline, and new (or long-ignored) settings that are especially tailored to a specific idea. A space book would be able to deal with Earth-based locations (launch facilities, the base of the space elevator, etc.) and cover orbitals in general. So, yes, a spacerunning book is possible. There are other considerations, and frankly it would be a while given what's already in production and planning.
Granted, there is enough material and potential that specific (and I'll be honest, cheaper) ebooks could follow suit. I mean ... I have a very basic proposal right now for a 30,000 word ebook supplement for an upcoming book. Although I'm not sure how this works because the ebooks are a separate thing, related but not ... They have their own purpose and own set of goals (which is why they have their own line developer).
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I'd like to see a fleshed out guide to the Shibanokuji station including hot spots, cultures and NPCs. Something with enough detail would be a great springboard for GMs to create their own orbital platforms or flesh out existing ones.
I'd also assume that a tourist station like Shibanokuji would have enough plantlife to produce a (weakened) mana field so as not to screw over mages/adepts (see 'Astral Space and the Metaplanes' in Street Magic). Orbital stations also have Matrix connections so technomancers should be fine so long as they keep themselves buttoned up during flight.
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As far as I know, the only manaspheres in space are one of Ares' stations (probably Daedalus) and maybe Evo's Gagarin base on Mars. (Source: page 84, Corporate Guide)
Also, if I remember Target: Wastelands correctly (I can't find my copy) the largest installations in space only have hundreds of people. I distinctly remember reading that book and wondering why they included a section that basically said: "Here's space, here's all the reasons you can't really run in it."
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Which of course is a genius way to write a shadowrun sourcebook.