Posts made by Lotherio

@SG said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

Steve Jackson Games is so weird. They have a bizarre idea of what a mush is versus online play http://www.sjgames.com/general/online_policy.html

They seem to think that mushes are professional games rather than a form of chat room. I guess kudos to people who create mushes for leaving that impression.

Yeah, I'd blame this on the 90s. It was a weird, wild time of the frontier days of internet. Like everything involving RP boiled down to copyright, like everyone thought they were developing to be professional game developers, or authors, or both. I remember being on RP listserves (email RP, talk about slow) and there was policies on what was copyright protected or not. I guess in fairness, a number of players from then did grow up to publish/self publish. Some places (more than some) did think they'd grow up to be pay-to-play and having exclusive 'rights' to run a MUSH in established IP was big. Folks would e-mail authors and such to request permission and all that. I think this is just a remnant byproduct of that Era, sort of like the GoT place and being the only endorsed place by the author or whatever.

I prefer OC, not because of the ^^ weirdness, just cause IP is already done, world building done, stories told and such for me. Like next edition, half of them will change something up theme/fluff wise anyways to sort of outdate the prior edition(s). Play what you want shall be the whole of the law; except where prohibited?

@Sparks said in Hosting and codebase recs:

PennMUSH

I am good with Ares and FS3, but I'll put a plug in for Penn as well. As pointed out for WoD and Rhost, you can find a few skills/game systems ready to drop in for Penn too, including WEG/Open D6 (there is love/hate for this, but the D6 (not Dahan Skill System) is easily customizable once its loaded in). Penn supports web socket, can do web client at least (not fully integrated portal as with Ares).

@Ghost said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

@Lotherio said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

@Ghost said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

New idea:

A game set in the "WARRIORS" universe where groups of themed street gangs set in a dystopian NYC where gangs have assumed rule of law, thus cutting the boroughs off from the mainland.

CAN U DIG IT MUX

Mix in Manhattan Penal Colony (Escape from New York) and some other classics.

Who runs everything east of 53rd n 3rd?

SHONUFF!

I seriously think this idea has legs, especially if you add some modern concepts in like Roller Derby Girls, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and EXTREME VAMPIRE LARPERZ

This is also a good time to plug a game made by a guy I met. It's called "Wild in the Streets" and is a Mordheim-styled small squad minis game about street gangs duking it out.

Wild in the Streets

They have gangs such as: Roller Derby Girls, skinhead punks, black metal corpsepaint guys, Goths, etc...

I once pondered if a Thundarr style game could be fun, and I like Zard Oz (even with Sean Connery whistling his s's). Much of the theme behind Thundarr is roughly the same, crazy gangs of humans/mutants in some post-apocalyptic setting.

I'm more the story telling type over wanting game/dice/system. I think the concept, or some variation, could have traction both ways. Politics between the gangs, reasons for conflict for turf and resources. I think it could have some traction.

@Ghost said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

New idea:

A game set in the "WARRIORS" universe where groups of themed street gangs set in a dystopian NYC where gangs have assumed rule of law, thus cutting the boroughs off from the mainland.

CAN U DIG IT MUX

Mix in Manhattan Penal Colony (Escape from New York) and some other classics.

Who runs everything east of 53rd n 3rd?

SHONUFF!

Would be nice to see an OC game.

A couple of thoughts. I think if the system is meaty, potential new folks lose some interest in a supers game (if an OC Champions game opened, I'd have no interest). Inversely, I think while stateless works/hadsworked, there are quite a few folks that want some dice, but more action (fast combat) oriented not loaded down in powers/feats/abilities. KISS - a system folks can grab easily without needing 3+ books to understand the mechanics is good. Simpler the better, which makes it hard with powers I know.

As for Sky High/Academy, this is what we did three'ish years ago with Coral Springs. But to be different it was in the water, not floating in the sky. It had a good run. That said, I think the city idea would be good. It could have some meta/mutie/Sky high but not be limited.

While you have a lot of lore ready to go, I'd ponder lessening it to simply the essential stuff. Let players build into the lore. You don't need a Legion of Doom (Villain group), but what's wrong with a player apping into the Academy side trying to do good despite Legion of Evil Parents being at their back. I'm thinking, and could be me, but in an OC game, players like to contribute that sort of stuff, its their char BG/development, but contributes to a growing OC world. Secondary to that, its good you have a solid basis of world but check for potential collaborators too, a few other sounding voices at least could help contribute to a theme more inclusive.

From Coral Springs, I can say there are plenty of imaginative players ready to play OCs, given the right tools to create what they want, just be ready to stick to guns on the weird/banned concepts (like if you don't want time manipulation or completely invulnerable).

Another first for me lately, here is a Netflix series I recommend: Jinn

Only two episodes in but its great so far. Sad about the backlash its receiving. I've said way back and talked with folks about a non-western dark urban fantasy would be good (cause I'm over vampires, wolves, fey). This is pretty spot on (this or Halfworlds). Also, I'm sure the producers had a tight budget, good thing they're FX gurus, and the acting is pretty damn good considering the actors never acted before, they showed up with enthusiasm when the producers were casting locally.

No spoilers, I can't binge watch, I'm only 2 episodes in (of only 5).

@Arkandel said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

@Ghost said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

You can make new games or poll for what people want to play all day long, but if those 10-15 unique IP logins aren't staying, it likely isn't because of the choice in game itself.

I'm not one of those 10-15 players but the thing is creating a new game compared to using more generic codebases is hard. Very hard. Almost anything that requires custom code alone takes a long time to do it justice - and if you don't do it right but cut corners (not saying @ZombieGenesis did!) then once the game fails was that really because the theme didn't work out or because there were important features and customizations missing?

And on the flipside of that... with so many games failing to attract players past the launching date is it a wonder more game runners don't invest too much work upfront? We could be looking at a chicken-and-egg situation.

I think both of these concepts contribute (not meshing with staff/game/meta and not having the right features even); and yes, the number of games failing to attract does contribute to less wanting to launch something new I think but that's another issue maybe.

I think with the two ideas mentioned and the idea of silo building which is more popular (one or two people doing most of it, and probably not by choice to do it staff thin) all obstacles sort of mingle together. I think its a matter of fewer new players coming, more older players thinning out and they all know what they want.

Look at the Deadlands discussion in this thread, it was popular but two different takes on the theme/setting. If a couple folks want central California deadlands (Zorro the zombie slayer) but others want Dodge Kansas (The Boothill Nightwatch), attrition will factor in and it'll go the way of ghost town. Even the want of SW but in another sector not featured in the books so the players become the heroes of the rebellion or whaterver was brought up here, but @Skew has that one going on Ares, using FFG(?).

Its not just want of IP or OC, but game system/location/theme of the game itself within all that is a factor. I think we're just picky people and though few games are sprawling these days (literally a few outside of MUD'dom), and I think most potential players are sitting in shell games working on their own idea of a good game? I really don't know just food for thought.

@Kay said in What Types of Games Would People Like To See?:

I'd kill for an all original concepts superhero game. All OCs, no DC universe or Marvel or anything.

I had one up, all originals, a couple months back. It got all of two people that showed up, one completed CG even.

It was an Andromeda strain meets Wild Cards meets WoD feed the beast mentality.

A bio terrorist attack hit Detroit, over 50% casualty rate. 75% of the remaining in a certain vicinity were just mutants (blue skin, or three arms, or grotesque, just some visible mutation). Two years after (present) some others showed signs they had powers. (PC's mostly, and villains). They had powers but if they didn't use their abilities, they grew melancholy (gained apathy), too much of that and they gained a rage (uncontrollable desire to use it), and too much rage they became primal/raw power (I was watching gun sword a lot, it was fitting).

Lots of meta to deal with, but basically 10 years back there was an incident in a town called Ten Ravine (Wyoming, actual town is like Ten Sleep). Andromeda strain, it pretty much killed everyone. So there's bits of this stuff out there, 2 years ago some Nutter fired it on Detroit (Wild Card when the alien agent was first released). Players begin as basically victims that have to feed the beast and use their abilities as they are awakening.

I don't like mega power can't be hurt (my ability is phasing, no one can touch me, or force field, no one can tough me, or zero energy super power no one can touch me), everyone was good in some aspects and vulnerable in others. It used FS3, I coded in a switch that checked the five choices and gave bonuses as appropriate in opposed resolution.

OC super game sounds fun, but I think it need not be made in silo, the silo ones aren't making it. OC supers needs a team of developers, theme and otherwise.

I don't know if I've ever thrown in for a game but past RP with @bear_necessities and @krmbm has been good, they're great players all around, it was great to see them throw down on a collaboration like this. Gray Harbour gets my vote of confidence.

I'm not sure about the sandboxy part. Only because, to me, sandbox is more 'we have this game and there are evil dragon lords as part of the meta' and players in private don't like the meta so are using the system/game to play their version of the take down of the evil dragon lords or something.

Its more PRP friendly forward (for a positive label) but there is meta and Admins will help with hooks and leads to more RP for players if they ask; which they're saying but I've seen how well they weave it together.

Second on the RP searching. I know some places you go and try RP chan and don't get much, but the folks are all good here from what I've seen. Ask and ye shall receive, at least bites. Like crazy good collection of players that are responsive to RP seekers (like: I can't now, but later, lets work something out -- and they follow up/through on it).

@Arkandel said in Random funny:

Interviewer: not even close. It's 121
Me: It's 121

Funny, but then the punchline puts the Blade Runner 2049 baseline test in my mind, I'll be repeating that all day in my head now, thanks.

@Alamias said in Empire State Heroes Mush:

Trucker Hat Wearing

Is that what that is, I thought it was a fuzzy vodka drinking hat to indicate he was a leader among the proletariat.

Two cents. If its multi-verse, crossover, any comic any version ... then I don't see why people can't fathom Roy Harper being a genius, its pointed out he was pretty dang genius in one run. I don't see why people can't fathom Hulk Hogan being Superman Strong either.

That said, I think the best tool for comic genre staff would just be to make/work with players to establish what is feasible (if staff want to avoid saying no or making concepts seem ridiculous, just make the charbits for people to grab to app into).

I imagine it would be helpful for players to grab a character off the shelf (roster), already stat'ed and just bring up some back story for the version they like. It could even have a few notes (Any Steve Rogers but the one from this verse/timeline/whatever). Would help folks decide if they want to take it or not. Takes out a lot of the negotiation, well in this 12 issue run, this character was better than god-villain.

@SG said in GMs: Typical Player/GM Bad Habits:

@Pyrephox said in GMs: Typical Player/GM Bad Habits:

No-selling character skills and abilities. I don't want or expect a single PC ability to be an instant win button on any scenario, but the times when GMs have shut down or bent over backwards to decide a character's extremely relevant skills/abilities Just Don't Work because they didn't think about them when building the challenge is kinda silly.

OMG this is so frustrating. My current TT GM does this. Like 5e, rolling above 15 is supposed to be good for many things, but he constantly only gives good info for spots or history checks with 20+. Ugh.

Unless its the bid war/ability auction during CG for Amber diceless RPG?

And now we come to strength, the most important stat in the game. If you don't want to be bested by your friends, I mean opponents, clearly you need to a good strength ... Really Joe, you're going to let Bill outbid you, that clearly means if you too met in the forest an he has it out for you, Bill will beat you hands down, that's how important strength is.

20 minutes later

And now we come to willpower, clearly the most important stat in the game...

Heh, I stand corrected. Just those names look like every third kid joining Minecraft or Roblox, I did not think those where player names on a MUSH. Sorry about that.

Now, should said misogynstic asshole (who will remain totally nameless)

Redacted and Redactedare made up names as far as I know. Used as a proxy to see where one would use names when utilizing those commands in TinyMux.

ETA: Names redacted so I do not perpetuate any slights.

@Scorn I don't think anyone was named in this thread as a 'bad actor', and this is meant as a reactive measure for when dealing with certain players. I get what you mean, branding with a scarlet letter and all, but there are nonetheless some trolls that will simply troll to troll, as well some players after breaking rules and getting to the point of ban do not like to take a no means no.

@Auspice said in Good or New Movies Review:

I want more shit like Logan, myself. Fantastic story that's so obviously steeped in comic lore without the need for a huge CGI budget to prop it up and support it.

The story in the movie Logan was so good that differences in comic lore made no difference to me.

Taking for granted it usually doesn't make a difference for me. I like Nightcrawler, don't care for super monk holy version, but still got to seem him bamf around the white house, showing how tough he actually is, I liked the movie version, scars and all. But Logan and with Caliban being part of that story, barely registers as anything different then the arms dearler in age of apocalypse or the comic version; and he was a good fit for the movie regardless what anyone knows about the character.

I like me some CGI mutant/super fights, but yeah, the human side is way better. Logan was great.

@Ghost said in X-Cards:

I just had a bit of meditative thought over my FOURCHATA

I can't argue four shots of espresso, but I'd prefer it in some iced coffee of some sort.

@Ghost said in X-Cards:

...could it be said that for the same reason people are uncomfortable with the use of social dice there could be some correlation to the reasons why they would be comfortable using the X-Card, but aren't paying enough attention to the fact that on some level the X-Card is in the same category of the very thing they hate about social dice?

One quick thing, I think everyone has moved past the fundamental concept of 'no questions ask free pass' of the X-Card. I think there are a couple things on the table, players flagging likes/dislikes on them (hey, it works on the adult MU's, people know what's fair game and what to avoid by checking them), and putting in the warning X-content for an event to help players signing up understand whats involved.

The thing I like that has been sort of mentioned is some flagging system to help get to the RL communication thing to help players and staff alike.

RL communication is not an RPG that requires an icon on a table and a coordinating Google writeup on how to use the system

Its not an RPG, but knowing MU's do want to attract others, giving them (new players, visitors, anyone) the tool to say I'm not comfortable sounds helpful. To facilitate between players and staff alike whether its an issue of the player needing to know when to bow out to comfort level (Hey, its WoD, darkness is a part of it, we'll not include you in the one part, whatever) or if staff is going beyond perceived them (hey, this is harry potter verse, the house evles did not all wear bondage gear nor was it common place to refer to them as the gimp, can we stop having that show up in every scene even if you think its funny, its just creepy).

Can we stop going back to anyone wanting to ponder how to enable (and engage with) RL communication despite comfort levels is trying to get a free pass nope with an X-card. Its moved on?

@Ghost said in X-Cards:

You don't go to a Catholic church and demand sermons on Xenu
You don't go to AA and demand them not to talk about alcohol
You don't go to a Magic: The Gathering night and demand everyone plays Yu-Gi-Oh instead

This summarizes the stance against the concept, but there is a lot of middle ground. Like if you see a certain theme for a game, adult horror, you can expect there to be varying levels of horror (not just dark fantasy, but real horror). If there was no horror, players would probably be let down. But if someone goes to like Star Trek and some game runner wants horror night event (horror planet was discovered or holodek went crazy), does someone opting out or saying its out of them get discounted? And if one staffer or staff approved ST keeps trying to do horror events that don't jive with theme? While we assume most are comfortable talking about this on the community level, what about the players that feel its wrong to bring up weekly slaughter fest on the Star Trek Game with head staff or the other players (like, I see you guys love horror star trek, ever think going GOMO, I'd probably play there cause it sounds fun, but this might not be the place to do that).