Played Fastlane with three friends, and had an excellent time! We played out the equivalent of a fun heist movie, and although the pace was a bit rushed, we finished in about 2 hours (start-to-finish). I've been asked to try it again some time, taking a slightly slower pace to things, which could be even better. (Perhaps due to the fast pace, but the Lifes didn't factor in so heavily, except for being burned off near the end. I look forward to pushing them up a bit more.)
I found that I seemed to assume a bit too much from the players when just trying to go with a heist movie mileau (judging from their initial attempts to hijack a UFO into the Luxor casino), but I stayed firm to get the tone of play nailed down. Next time, when I have more time, I'll make sure everyone is square with the genre.
Here's my question: are there any good mechanics for a montage? Seriously - there were many times in the game where it was just clear that it was what was needed. I think a once-per-game contest where everyone can put in chips towards meeting the collective goal (and all contributors narrate their little scene). Clearly, all good heist movies should have a montage.
(I had a motorcycle accident the other day, and while I am now home, it was after a 5 day hospital stay, a broken arm, and surgery. Anyway, I'm up on Percocet and typing one handed, but will try to answer as best as possible.)
Hmmm. montage? Well, my immediate gut reaction is that all montages include a collective goal, most likely an obstacle. So, the Croupier sets the level of the obstacle, then everyone bids and throws chips around. Everyone beating the obstacle (on their own terms, recall) means the montage goes off without a hitch. Otherwise, some mistake happens, which can manifest in later scenes.
Depending on the remaining chips and the players/characters, you could use the extra chips to try to screw over your fellow players, much in the manner of many heist movies.
Anyway, a montage just seems a special effect of a given "scene".
I agree that a montage is just an abreviated resolution narration. And they're cool.
That said, I'd say that the mistake should be in there - this is always how they're presented. In fact, usually the montage slows down a bit to make sure we don't miss the mistake.
Then later the mistake becomes apparent to everybody when the bomb doesn't go off at the required time or something. :-)
Mike
Bah. That's what I "meant". The mistake is most definitely described during the montage, but it manifests (i.e. causes complications) in later scenes.
One handed doped designer/moderator signing off.
My mistake, didn't read closely enough. Hope you're feeling better.
Mike