Pulp Gamer Out of Character
The Pulp Gamer Crew
Tucson, Arizona
Description: Listen to table-top gaming and community news in a morning show format.
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PGOC 134: Speculative Gaming |
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A listener asks about science fiction games, and we answer. We talk about the sub-genres of science fiction and introduce a number of games such as Eclipse Phase, Paranoia, Diaspora, Mission Red Planet, Race for the Galaxy, Space 1889, Twilight Emperium, and Cthulhu Tech.
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Released September 09, 2010
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PG crew, ahoy!
Great episode, and the discussion about introducing players to the setting can get its own episode.
A few notes, though:
1) you can listen to an in-depth interview I'd done with Rob Boyle, lead writer of Eclipse phase here:
http://pod.icast.co.il/c85550df-d473-4d2b-8f38-f6f8e2dad244.icast.mp3
2) Whoever said he can't see anything less interesting than transhumanism as it's not human: shame on you. You missed the point. First listen to the interview (above) then, understand that it's not about inhuman things- it's all about exploring where the line is between human and inhuman- how do all these changes and technologies (alternate bodies, brain backup, implanted computers) alter the human experience?
3) That said, I was told by people who played the game that EP isn't really ABOUT transhumanism, but more of an action game set in a futuristic backdrop (a la the superspies mentioned). For a game about TH, you might want to check Luke Crane's FreeMarket (who I'll be interviewing net month).
4) One of the coolest points of the EP game that you failed to mention is that the core book is under Creative Commons!
5) Regarding a remark made about space 1889: There really IS a Far Side to the moon, sir. Do your homework.
See ya!
Hey folks,
This was a good show. I have a few comments.
Mission Red Planet is one that I need to play. Several people in my game group like it a lot and say that I would too.
Savage Worlds is chock full of science fiction. Along with the mentioned Space 1889: Red Sands (which is cool.) there's Savage Mars (John Carter-esque setting), Slipstream (Flash Gordon), Evernight (steampunk meets alien invasion), Hell On Earth, The Day After Ragnorok, and several others I'm forgetting. I have SM and hope to play it soon.
Diaspora - My rpg group is currently in the middle of a Diaspora game. It is awesome fun. The system creation mini-game is sweet as is the character creation (very SOTC like). The system is FATE with some tweaks. The social combat system is VERY interesting and the part that I like the most so far. We are rotating GMing and that makes an interesting game. I recommend Diaspora and wish you would do some longer content on it at some point. For that matter how about a FATE show.
I should mention Merchant of Venus, Perry Rhodan, Blue Moon City, Space Hulk, BSG, the list goes on and on.
Go Forth and Game,
tomg (tomgurg.wordpress.com)
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Thanks PG crew. Do NOT call and I didn't know I was living vicariously through Don's voice, that's kind of freaky.
"What is humanity?" seems to be a rich theme to explore in a transhuman/cyberpunk game. It kind of puts that theme in a Sci-fi framework like Whitewolf WOD games do with horror. The thing I like most about Eclipse Phase and Transhuman Space by SJG is the exploration theme.
Cthulhu Tech sounds interesting. It sounds to me like WW Mage's Sons of Ether gone wild in space.
In SJG Transhuman Space there is a reading list of books that influenced the authors. I've bought many books from that list and have been reading them with another of the group. I guess I should try to get the rest to read some of them to gauge the interest level.