Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Making Choices

All right, I give up. Normally, I’m not a guy who likes to quit anything (bullishly stubborn, one might say). But I really don’t have the time to f around with blogger trying to add a poll to the site. I gave it a couple days, and several attempts, on multiple computers, and it’s just not working…and, yes, I have posted polls in the past without issue so I’m inclined to think this is a blogger issue and not “user error.”

SO…folks who read my post yesterday know that I’ve got some upcoming free time to get all obsessive-compulsive with my writing.

[my wife even told me I BETTER do some writing while they’re gone, what with all my usual bitching and moaning of “not having time” to do everything I want]

SO…here’s the deal: as I said yesterday I’d like some feedback from my readers on where exactly you’d like me to turn my focus. Ten days may not seem like a whole lot of time, but I can probably pound out 5-10 good pages a day, and seeing as how some of these projects are already half-way (or further) along, I should be able to finish some of ‘em up. Since I’m giving up on doing a poll, I’ll just ask folks post their choice in the comments section here. Without further ado, here are your choices:

B/X-based Space Opera
B/X-based Supers
CDF (B/X-based cyberpunk fantasy)
DMI – Out of Time (lost world time-warp)
DMI – MDR (post-apocalypse mutants)
DMI – Space Opera
DMI – Supers
D&D Mine
Land of Ash (B/X world setting)
Land of Ice (B/X world setting)
BXC1 (adventure for B/X Companion)
Clockwork (steam-punk Boot Hill)
Other

Now a selection of “Other” should be for something else I’ve previously mentioned or worked on, like one of my one-page micro-games you’d like to see me expand (like Chronicles of Mutation or War of the Mecha) or even an idea I mentioned in passing (like the World War 3, Appleseed-style game, or a B/X-converted Rifts setting similar to Wormwood or Warlords of Russia). Just understand that the choices I’ve listed above are ones that already have some work put into them, so (in theory) they should be easier for me to finish up. And by “finished” I mean, “at least to a Beta format” (worth testing) if not more.

All right, folks, start your commenting.
: )
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37 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 1, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    I would LOVE to see the remaining bits of treasure (plus anything else) from Land of Ice. I LOVE what you did with it for B/X and it is all quite awesome.

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  2. Reese LaundryAugust 1, 2012 at 11:54 AM

    Alrighty then, commented on the other page, but I'll post here too, since you asked nicely...

    First choice: CDF - as noted, there's not enough Cyberpunk/Shadowrun love in the OSR.

    Second choice, if time allows: Land of Ice. A cool little setting and it seems pretty close to completion.

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  3. Timothy S. BrannanAugust 1, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    I have to say that the Land of Ice AND the LAnd of Ash sound interesting.

    We have lots of rule-books we don't have a lot of cool settings.

    "D&D Mine" is a nice vanity project, but in truth a true D&D would be different for everyone. While I'd like to see yours, I am sure it is not exactly what "mine" would be.

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  4. Anthony SimeoneAugust 1, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    I'm still going to vote for D&D Mine. Although, like Tim said above, the settings sound cool. If D&D Mine doesn't pan out, put me in for the settings (either one).

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  5. UnknownAugust 1, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    Personally, love to see, 1)D&D Mine, 2)Clockwork

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  6. UnknownAugust 1, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    B/X Space Opera or Clockwork

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  7. The Angry MonkAugust 1, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    D&D Mine, the B/X world settings, B/XC1. I'm a fantasy snob, I guess.

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  8. Mike D.August 1, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    B/X Space Opera please.

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  9. APAugust 1, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    D&D Yours.

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  10. TomAugust 1, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Land of Ash, BXC1 or Clockwork please

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  11. The Badger KingAugust 1, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    CDF, B/XC1, Land of Ice, Land of Ash, D&D Mine, in that order of preference.

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  12. SimonAugust 1, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    "DMI – Space Opera" - There are a lot of OSR-style 'Imperial SF' games in the Asimov/Traveller mode, and Goblinoid Games are doing BX Star Trek with Starships & Spacemen, but I think there is a lack of really pulpy raygun & space princess space opera. I'd really like a game that lets me create my own universe in the Lensman/Star Wars/Buck Rogers mold; with the kind of pulp influence you see in eg the original Star Wars movie or the Star Trek original series pilot episode, but not tied to an existing detailed setting like that. Rules for starships, some alien races, a menagerie, weapons, armour & alien tech at a BX level of detail - a bit like Mutant Future, but for space opera not post apocalypse.

    And not tied to Stage 1 exploration - plenty of Stage 2 & Stage 3, please. ;)

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  13. xwardukexAugust 1, 2012 at 3:03 PM

    i'd say my first choice would be CDF and my second would be the B/X based supers. if we're allowed a third choice i'd pick the B/X space opera (even though X-PLORERS fits that niche i'd like to see your take on it).

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  14. NecropraxisAugust 1, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    D&D Yours, Land of Ice, B/X Space opera (in that order).

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  15. thekelvingreenAugust 1, 2012 at 3:49 PM

    1: CDF
    2: DMI - Out of Time
    3: B/X Space Opera

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  16. Gothridge ManorAugust 1, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    Mine would be my first selection, but the Space Opera's aria is calling me. I don't think there is a wrong answer up there JB. I think you should have given us a few easy ones to discard like Daises and Doilies, Unicorn Bubbles and Rainbow Giggles.

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  17. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    D&D Mine

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  18. Robert MorrisAugust 1, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Clockwork, Land of Ash, and Land of Ice in order of preference

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  19. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    cdf
    clockwork

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  20. AsarisAugust 1, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    I have to say, mostly, I'm happy to read whatever you want to comment on. But I'm curious to hear what you'd have to say about ACKS. It was mentioned in a comment thread here last week, and it seems like it would fill at least some of what you're looking for -- not necessarily simultaneous domain and dungeon level play, but a reasonable progression between the two.

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  21. frijoles juniorAugust 1, 2012 at 6:49 PM

    clockwork or land of ice.

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  22. GonsterAugust 1, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    CDF pretty please -- cause I really believe SR has a great concept but a horrible impletationof it.

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  23. JoshAugust 1, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    I think I've been in on play tests of all of these that you've tried out except dmi supers, and by far the dmi stuff has been the most engaging. I particularly had a blast with the space opera version, perhaps because I have so much source material rattling around in my head. The possibilities seem so much more open in dmi. It felt more like a story was unfolding and I was helping to shape it than most. I felt more free to try whatever I could think of, unbound by the "there isn't a rule/mechanic for that so you can't do it" or "I know the rule for that and there's no way I'll succeed" syndrome that I didn't know was plaguing me in dnd until I was free of it. The card mechanic is just awesome and clever in so many ways: how all the characters pull from the same deck, so while one character might be an "ace" in clubs/strength, no one else can be, but someone else might have ace resources (diamonds, get it?); how typical rpg character traits are grouped into four suits whose names/symbols actually relate to those traits; how you have to know when to hold 'em and when to, er, play them; and it's just fun to be able to play with stuff your grandma might have laying around: pencils, paper, yahtzee and cards. And this from a guy who considers dnd his favorite rpg (I'm edition agnostic, tho). I don't think the name does it justice: sounds like an 80's game show, and maybe you have to play it (with JB?) to realize its greatness; everyone who has played it has had a great time. JB knows I'm unreliable at best when it comes to showing up on game night, but I was a little pissed when he recently changed his mind at the last minute and played dmi instead of CDF or DnD mine on a night when I punked out.

    Land of Ice would be my #2. Woot!

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  24. faoladhAugust 2, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    Top 3: CDF, D&DMine, B/X Space Opera.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anthony SimeoneAugust 2, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    Question: this may be a dumb question, but your recent musings on the stages of exploration are part of what you're going to try and "fix" in your D&D Mine project, correct? If so, it's for reasons like that that I want to see your D&D Mine. To see what you do to tweak the system. Or maybe tweak isn't a strong enough word.

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    Replies
    1. JBAugust 2, 2012 at 7:41 AM

      @ Drance: Yes, that is a correct assumption.

      Delete
  26. ghostofmarxAugust 2, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    as previously stated D&D Yours.

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  27. Nathan IrvingAugust 2, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    Land of Ice & Land of Ash. As said above, we have lots of rulebooks and very few settings.

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  28. The Jovial PriestAugust 3, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    BXC1 (adventure for B/X Companion)

    I want to see the end game and promote the B/X Companion.

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  29. R.J. ThompsonAugust 3, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    I would love to see this happen:

    Clockwork (steam-punk Boot Hill)

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  30. AnonymousAugust 3, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Ah... all of the above?
    Ok,ok, I'd really like to see D&D Yours because of your thoughts regarding the three stages. And clockwork. Because I need a solid western system for, at least, a one-shot somewhen (?) in the future.

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  31. rainsweptAugust 3, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    B/X-based Space Opera by a mile.

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  32. Anthony N. EmmelAugust 3, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    How did I miss this? The BXC1 adventure is my 1st choice. Everything else is good.

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  33. David WalpAugust 3, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    1. D&D Mine
    2. Land of Ash (B/X world setting)
    3. Land of Ice (B/X world setting)
    4. BXC1 (adventure for B/X Companion)

    ReplyDelete
  34. sevenbastardAugust 3, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    Shadowrun needs a reboot with a fresh simple system and i'm counting on you to do it.

    I'm waiting for you to finish so I can try and trade you some of my Seahawk Season tickets for a copy.

    ReplyDelete
  35. NarmerSeptember 4, 2013 at 1:55 AM

    B/X Space Opera

    ReplyDelete