So this thread inspired me to watch Ready Player One and I have to say I thought it was pretty fantastic. It's definitely a love letter to the 80's and geek culture in general, so if you can't get on board with that you're likely not to have the best of times,. As a child of the 80's, however, I had a blast watching it. I thought it did a great job of paying tribute to geek culture while also creating some very interesting characters unique to the movie. Two thumbs up from me.
@faraday I could not agree more. In my eyes the only real failure I've had in a long time if H&V and I've explained why that failed. For the other games I spin up, most last 3-6 months and I have a blast on them. I have no regrets about the "micro-games" I bring up and eventually shut down. That said, the 80s horror game that I've been playing on with those 3-5 people is so much fun that we're actually working on fleshing it out, stabilizing it, and hopefully opening it.
@Ganymede I love collaborating and I've done so with several people on this board on games that I think have gone on to be quite successful! I'd love to work with you sometime to when we get a chance. If you ever have ideas or want to discuss things feel free to PM me. 
I get that as well. I like the idea of c-gen tiers and alternate incentives (possibly in the forms of background dots or something; territory, cool retainers, or unique items).
@fatefan My unsolicited opinion? Do what you want, what you love, treat it with respect and care, and provide support for players who may not be familiar with it and players will come!
So the PDF for the first book came out the other day for backers and I've been pouring through it. Man, I really want to love this game. I do. Like to the point where I'd love for it to inspire me to wanna make a MUX using it. For some reason, however, I just can't get on board with it. This is far from a comprehensive review but here are a few of the issues I'm having trouble with.
1: Character creation seems unnecessarily complicated. Choose these paths, prioritize these paths, assign dots according to prioritization...if that's too many dots in 1 skill put it where ever...Same with attributes and arenas. Part of me likes it, it gives a reason for points to be in certain places, and it makes it easy to play a non-scion (want to be a Satyr? Just take the Satyr path instead of a divine path). That's pretty cool but the overall process just seems complex, especially given the more narrative approach they seem to be going for. That said, I have yet to actually make a character. Gonna get together with a few people tonight or tomorrow to try that out.
2: Scale. This is a bigger pain for me. I like it. I think it makes sense and i like how it cuts down on potentially ridiculous ranks in attributes and skills. I just don't like how there is seemingly no mechanical method to assigning scale. In their example it makes sense that Hogzilla is Scale 1 or 2 or whatever it was when facing Sigrun because he's so much bigger than she is. But in the same paragraph they say that Sigrun would be scale 1 when fighting Joe Generic Scion...just because. As far as I can see there are no knacks that set you at Scale 1 in fighting or speed or leadership, it's just decided.
Then there's the scale example chart. According to that being a manager at a 7-11 entitles you to the benefits of, like, Scale 2 in Leadership rolls. I can get behind the c-gen, especially since I haven't tried it yet, but the hand wavy implementation of scale (they even use that phrase when describing how to use scale) really puts me off.
3: I could not find a way to replicate Donnie Rhodes as depicted in the opening fiction in the book. He's not done up as a sample PC and I wanted to see what kind of Knack would be in use for the "universal love and adoration" he receives. Except...there isn't one. I'm a huge believer that you need to be able to emulate whatever you depict in your book using the rules in said book and...well I couldn't. Unless I missed something (which is entirely possible).
So that's my stance on Scion as of right now. I was curious how other people were finding the game? It's better than First Edition, I do think that, at least so far but...still not quite playable. At least based on what I've experienced so far.
One thing I learned running Clone Wars MUX(which ran on TinyMUX and used the D20 Saga rules) was that people like seeing their gear. It's like an extension of their character. I think the thought is "If we're gonna use X system why aren't we using ALL of that system?" I initially had no intention of having gear or sheets for starships but ended up adding them due to incredibly popular demand. We did not see an increase in the +roll system at all after we added it. As I said, I think people just like seeing their gear/armor/weapons/ship stats.
@apu Oh man, that's a brilliant idea. My wife and I only stream occasionally but I think we'll still do that. Honestly, I'm more afraid of getting swatted and one of my dogs being shot than anything else. I'd be devastated if that happens.
Okay, I think I've gone about as far as I can go on my own. If you're interested in stopping by and giving what I've got up a look then come on over. I just want anyone who does to keep a few things in mind...
1: I wouldn't even call the game beta ready. The code isn't as well tested as I'd like, I'm not happy with the grid (and there are no hangouts built yet), and the wiki isn't quite finished yet. So if any of that bothers you it would likely be best to avoid the game for the time being.
2: This is less of an "opening" and more of an open house. What I'd like is for some people to come over, give the place a look, test out c-gen, etc. and so on.
3: While I'm fine with people creating characters and even exploring a bit of RP if it helps test the waters and stuff just keep in mind that it will all likely get retconned when we do finally go live.
That's really it. At this point I'm really looking for some external motivation and some thoughts on the direction that the game is going. I want to be sure I'm creating a place that people will want to play at. If you're up for helping in those areas then, please, stop by! I'm Captain Crunch on the game.
SIte: muxmadness.com
Port: 2014
Game Kastle seems to have gotten the codes for your 5E pdfs. If you preordered from them and haven't gotten the code yet I'd drop them an email. I'm psyched to get to reading!
I think this discussion has taken a weird turn where we seem to be talking about whether there are two factions of MUers? One who require RPGs and stats and those who do not? I could be wrong but that's how it's reading to me.
The actual initial statement in regards to the FFG plugin for Ares and my subsequent experience with Star Wars D20 wasn't that people needed a system it's that if you're going to use that system then people expect you to use all of that system, not just part of it. With the FFG plugin there is no gear plugin, which is why the people I know who were thinking of doing a Star Wars Ares game decided against using that plugin. With my Saga game, people came expecting that the Saga system would be fully represented and all I had was a basic +sheet and a +roll command. Which people would have still been fine with I think if push came to shove but there was still an overwhelming desire to see the rest of the system done out for them to enjoy.
I don't think in either situation it came down to these players would have only played at a game that used an RPG system. With my game I think almost all the players would have played on any well made Clone Wars game. It's just that since we were using a system they wanted ALL of the system represented if for no other reason than to see their shiny toys displayed in a +gear command.
@Ganymede What you've done is fantastic, thank you! And absolutely invest no more time in this. You've already done more than I could have asked and I thank you for that!
I've been looking to try Arx out. This sounds like it may be a good way to do that.
@Auspice @Lithium I avoided Solo for the longest time after The Last Jedi turned me off of all things Star Wars related and, I have to say, I actually enjoyed it. It wan't the best movie I've ever seen but it rekindled my passion for Star Wars. Even if just a little bit. And for that I'm thankful.
@Ghost I think you're absolutely correct. Take this OC superhero game some people are talking about. If he decides to go with System A then there will be X number of people who will play there and give the system a shot even if they aren't familiar with it, there will be Y number of people who play there because he chose System A, and there will be Z number of people who will opt not to play there for the same reason. There will also be a general expectation that if he uses System A than all of the various bits and pieces are supported in some way via code. Choosing to use an RPG system for your game is a huge decision and it's just the first one. Choosing what system to use is just as huge a decision.
Conversely, if you decide to use a "narrative trait" system there will be some people who opt not to play there for that reason. Or they may check you out to see how much information you require for an application. I know many people who are tired of the "write a thesis about the character you want to play" style of apps and who will not play on games that use that type of a system anymore (I'm one of them). So deciding NOT to use an RPG system will obviously also have consequences.
The only thing you can do as a game runner is making the game you want to play at with the system you enjoy and will be able to support and teach.
There are two systems that I like for their social systems. One is Savage Worlds, which I just love all around. It's quick, simple, and can be tailored however you need.
The second is the Song of Ice and FIre RPG. The intrigue system is fairly simple but still complex enough to give it some meat. It's very much a "social combat system". The SoIaF RPG is a great RPG all around but I especially love the intrigue system.
To update the thread it looks like the game is happening. Unfortunately I have been sick the last few days so we've gained little traction but I have the next few days off of work with nothing to do but watch old Buffy eps and work on the game.
As for when we will be opening...that's a tougher question. The short answer is "when we're ready", which we are hoping is sooner rather than later. I'll keep people updated as we go, however.
@faraday Kids gotta grow up sometime! Just kidding. The diversity of the SW universe really comes through in the FFG series of RPGs. I think they did a good job of capturing the feel of "Scum and Villainy", "War", and "Struggling Young Jedis" with their series of games.
If not for the fact that the last time I tried to do a game using that system two of the first character requests I got were just awful I'd totally be running a SW game using Edge of the Empire and Force and Destiny. For those interested one was requesting a Star Destroyer for their base and the other wanted to represent the "future of the Jedi" with various lightsabers built into their advanced cybernetics(and they even had a new system for "super attributes" that we could use for them!)
I don't know that there's been a pure GI Joe MU but there is Transformers Universe MUX that has both GI Joe and Transformers.
@wildbaboons I think most systems utilize some sort of "social combat" also give tools to ensure that something you absolutely do not want to happen doesn't happen. Let's say you're character is at a bar with the intent of socializing, leaving them open to being seduced by someone they may find attractive. You lose the rolls but just don't want your character to go THAT far...in WoD spend a willpower point, in Game of Thrones spend a destiny point, in Savage Worlds spend a benny, in Fate spend a fate point to redirect the outcome in some way. They resist at the very end, they get a phone call that calls them away, the other person gets a phone call, or whatever. Similar systems generally exist for combat after all. Struck with a death blow? Spend a benny to reduce it to just knocking you out.
Close! I have some friends testing the systems by making their characters now. I have a bit of last minute tidying to do and then I'm hoping to post the address after dinner. So just a few more hours.