Chronopia Adventures: A Dungeon Crawl Hack 'n' Slash RPGoid

[historian]

Hi all
This my first post in this forum and it is about one of my most promising game designs.
This is a game I've been working loosely for the last 4 years and as it is nearing completion I would like some more opinions other than my regular gaming group. I'd find it especially helpful if anyone could care to playtest it with his own group.

This is an light RPG/Boardgame set in the world of Chronopia (A tabletop miniatures game). For those who are not familiar with the setting, in a few words, it is fantasy with a very dark and gritty feeling.

Anyway, the game is inspired by Warhammer Quest by Games Workshop, although the rules system is all my own design.
The general concept of the game is that you take preconstucted characters (with a ready advancement table) and take them on dungeon crawls. You, and your party gain exp and treasure which you use to gain levels and take on harder quests etc. until you either die or max out in level. Sort of like a tabletop Diablo multiplayer.
The interesting part is that it doesn't need a GM, and it is designed to be played by 4+ players.  

I've tried to make the rules as simple as possible while also staying close to the rules of the tabletop game and to create a pseudo-RPG that can be set-up and played without any former preparations from the players.

I would be very interested in any comments you have about the system and ways to make it quicker.

Unfortunately, as I don't have any web space available, the only way I can send it is by email. Any who are interested in checking it out, please mail me and I will happily send it out to you.

Thanks for your time.

[andy]

Sounds interesting-- I'm always looking for a good GMless RPG. How does your game differ from Warhammer Quest and Hero Quest?

Andy

[historian]

CA VS WHQ
- More variation. It has 4 settlements (1 per race, 2 PCs aligned to each settlement)
- Free-action. Each character has a number of actions and can use each to perform different tasks. No more moving and fighting in different turn phases.
- Imho, better setting. It avoids the vanilla fantasy or the "...and the kitchen sink" WH Fantasy setting.
- Better magic system. You're not limited to a random roll and you're not almost helpless when encounters occur, if you're a spellcaster.
- Continuously updated! So long as I have new ideas and I find more imbalances that is.
These are just some of the things I think it has better than WH.

I can't really compare it to HQ since they have an almost different playstyle.
For one thing CA doesn't need a GM and pre-made dungeons. It has character advancement and many, many more options.

[Ron Edwards]

Hello,

This is another example of using licensed material.

Everyone: you cannot discuss game designs based on licensed materials in this forum unless you have acquired the license already.

Posting in this forum (unlike Actual Play, for instance) is literally stating your intent to publish, and quite frankly, if you are using licensed material as your basis for the game, this is actionable by anyone who decides you're infringing on their IP.

I strongly recommend that people consider the following:

- RPG Theory for "how would you make a game based on X" or "Here's how I'd make a game based on X" posts

- Actual Play for "here's how we play our homebrew system using a setting based on X" posts

- Indie Design for "this is the game I'm intending to publish, strongly influenced by X" posts

Best,
Ron

[historian]

Are you talking about licensed compared to WHQ or to Chronopia?
I just like to note that I don't use anything from WHQ. The rules are all my own making and the only thing I use from Chronopia is the setting, (and even that loosely) and that can be changed too.

Anyway, I have already asked the appropriate persons if it is ok to use their setting as a basis for the game and there was no problem.

Still, I mostly wanted some more people to check the game out since I can only playtest it so much and I need some more opinons.

Hope I didn't cause any problems

[Ron Edwards]

Hiya,

No problems, but these things do require clarification. I was mainly concerned about Chronopia.

Unfortunately, verbal permission is rarely enough to hold up when people get testy about intellectual properties. I suggest that if you really want it to be the actual, official Chronopia, that you work out a contract in writing. Or alternatively, if you are happy just being "influenced by Chronopia," then you're all cool - just don't use the name for the setting, and maybe say something nice about your Chronopia sources in the text somewhere.

So armed with either of those, you are all Spiffy here in this forum.

Best,
Ron

[historian]

Great!
I'll probably ask for some support from the Designers once the game is complete. My dream is to make a game so good that it is actually licensed by the company and produced...but that's just a far dream. :)

Now
[Background sounds of whips cracking and with a voice more natural to a Death Metal Band]
Check the Game out!
[/voice][/sounds]

:)

[NeuroZombie]

Hello,

You said that you would be able to email the game out to interested parties?  I am an interested party that has been looking for just such a game for off-campaign nights with my family.  I would very much appreciate an email :)

neurozombie at comcast dot net :)

[historian]

Done!
Keep me posted

[Callan S.]

Warhammer quest has a special place in my design heart. Could you send me a copy as well, please.

callans at comcen dot com dot au

(I wrote it out like the other dude to avoid address finding bots)

[historian]

Done!

[Kirk Mitchell]

Looks interesting. I am holding a gaming 24hrs soon so I'll bring this along for playtesting.

the underscore guy underscore next underscore door at hotmail dot com

kirk

[historian]

Done!


PS: Ok, OK, enough with the spam fear already! :)
Just forfeit the @ and you should be fine.

[Callan S.]

I got it in my e-mail, but it has a '.rar' extension. I don't even know what that extension is for or have anything that can read it. Do you have it in any other format?

[historian]

I got it in my e-mail, but it has a '.rar' extension. I don't even know what that extension is for or have anything that can read it. Do you have it in any other format?

I've already sent it to you in .zip format.

.rar is for WinRar, a more powerful archiver than winzip
http://www.rarlab.com/ , check it out.