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Archive => RPG Theory => Topic started by: Emiricol on July 02, 2004, 11:27:51 PM

Title: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the others
Post by: Emiricol on July 02, 2004, 11:27:51 PM
I'm interested in a game in which the participants lurk off-camera mostly or entirely, pulling the strings of events and others, and thwart the plans of the other participants.  Those being controlled may not even be aware of it.

This might not be a traditional RPG, but I don't really want a board game either.  Genre is less important than execution.

Anyone have ideas or can point me to existing games, either indie or major label, that address this style of play?
Title: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the others
Post by: Trevis Martin on July 03, 2004, 12:15:56 AM
Universalis (http://universalis.actionroll.com/index.html) seems custom made for your request.

Trevis.
Title: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the others
Post by: Emiricol on July 03, 2004, 08:16:01 PM
Hmmm.  I've been looking for a reason to buy that game, since what I hear seems so interesting, but never considered that it could apply to this.  I should have, of course :)  I'll have to buy it soon, methinks.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Title: Re: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the othe
Post by: Jere on July 03, 2004, 09:47:47 PM
Quote from: EmiricolI'm interested in a game in which the participants lurk off-camera mostly or entirely, pulling the strings of events and others, and thwart the plans of the other participants.  Those being controlled may not even be aware of it.

[...]

Anyone have ideas or can point me to existing games, either indie or major label, that address this style of play?

Much of the play (especially Missions) in Age of Paranoia has gone this way. It is well worth taking a look at.

Jeremiah
Title: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the others
Post by: Shreyas Sampat on July 04, 2004, 12:53:02 AM
I have a concept for such a game. If you're interested, I'll discuss it in greater detail in this thread, sometime later when I have the opportunity to write it up properly.

(The essential idea behind this game is that the social impact of actions is the only effect one needs to be concerned with.)
Title: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the others
Post by: Emiricol on July 04, 2004, 04:49:41 AM
Quote from: Shreyas SampatI have a concept for such a game. If you're interested, I'll discuss it in greater detail in this thread, sometime later when I have the opportunity to write it up properly.

(The essential idea behind this game is that the social impact of actions is the only effect one needs to be concerned with.)

I'm interested, definitely.  I'll check out Age of Paranoia, too.
Title: Players pull strings from shadows, plot against the others
Post by: Drew Stevens on July 04, 2004, 03:38:02 PM
That's one of the goals of Touché (http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gte049v/Touche/Touche.html) as well.  To at least capture the big sweeping plots and ploys, although the camera's focus still tends to linger on the Nobility (although, depending on what scenes you participate in, your noble could be entirely off screen...)[/url]