Harlekin Maus May Game - Metal Opera

[Zak Arntson]

Alright, I've written up May's game (with art!).

Metal Opera

Synopsis:
You play Rockers, which are the embodiment of freedom versus oppression, using their abilities to rock and kick ass. It's a heavy metal inspired game. As in the music, not the magazine/movie.

Game Design stuff:
Most games feature a resource that dwindles over time. Metal Opera takes the opposite approach: You start weak and continually improve until the big, flash-bang ending. Your stats are your only resource, and they will improve with use. Once everyone is at maximum effectiveness, the game is allowed to end. This encourages tons of stat-use and ever-increasing effectiveness.

Using a stat determines a flashy outcome with two things (vectors?): Power and Control. Power is effectiveness, from a phenomenal success to a miserable failure (though there is no such thing as a whiff. Even a failure has to move things along). Control is whether the GM or Player has narrative control over the outcome (a la InSpectres).

Anything else? Well, I've tried adding more color than I usually do. There's a skeleton of a default setting. Both supported by text and art.

Anyhow, let me know what you think!

[Bankuei]

I'm not a rocker, but it's some tight shizit! :P  Anyway, three things of note:

1)Since all Rocking scores start at 0, you must be using your Style or a really good roleplaying action to get even 1 die to try at the beginning, right?

2)You might want to do something to clarify that the 5,3,2 split is for your maximums, not your Rocking scores(I had to check back and read it a couple of times to get it right).

3)Have you had a chance to test what the average play time is to reach the Power of Metal(I hear the term in the loud, booming, echo-ey, "God to Moses" voice....)?

Chris

[mahoux]

Zak-

This game kicks ass with a lot of style!  I remember seeing something that was coming to "big-time" publishing from England using this sort of premise, but the rock was all seriously limp noodle arena rock (like Kansas or Boston).

This has Queen rock opera major balls attached to it, and my lighter is out for you Zak.

[xiombarg]

Wow, greatly improved from the LJ version. I particularly like the sketchy-yet-evokative background. And the illustrations are... well... rockin'.

I would love to see a less... er... frenetically goofy take on the "start at 0, get bigger and bigger" concept at some point. (Not that the current version ain't rockin', it's just that not all people all rockers. They don't always want to rock out.)

[Jared A. Sorensen]

They don't always want to rock out.)

So not true. I'm rocking out RIGHT NOW.

Cool stuff, Zak. Nothing else to add, really. Kinda tired.

[Zak Arntson]

Bankuei,
Thanks for the notes. I've clarified the rules. To answer you questions:
1) Yes. You are going to do some sucking and make a LOT of rolls (which means, LOTS of excitement) before getting a 6. In fact, you're going to have to use your Style every time.
2) Done. Thanks! Remind me to put you in the Thanks section. I forgot to do that with my last update of the page.
3) Nope. Would you like to try it out? :)

Mahoux,
Can you keep a secret? I hate heavy metal. Even glammish rock like Queen. Even so, I like the idea of rock opera. So yes, this is the definitive rpg for rocking out.

Xiombarg,
If I changed the system, it would be a different game! The whole game is about starting in the pit and getting exponentially cooler. I suppose you could use Metal Opera to create a setting for another game. Your Rockers could become the heroes of legend of the setting.

Jared,
You truly rock. If it weren't for you pointing me to Iron Savior, the game wouldn't have been.

Thanks for taking a peek, everyone! Now it's off to write up June's game and work on the commercial version of Shadows ...

[RobMuadib]

Can you keep a secret? I hate heavy metal. Even glammish rock like Queen. Even so, I like the idea of rock opera. So yes, this is the definitive rpg for rocking out.

Zak

Just happened to get around to reading the game, seems pretty cool. Like the sketchy background and the idea of escalating mayhem and destruction. Kind of like the Cyberpunk Rocker archetype dude turned up to 11, or something:).

I can just imagine listening to lots of Slayer and Sepultura and like Bolt Thrower to get in the mood. Somehow Thrash and Death Metal seem to fit this game more than lighter stuff like glam rock or whatever. Maybe some old school stuff like Iron Maiden or Sabbath/Early Ozzy, Judas Priest, etc (Breaking the Law, Breaking The Law!).

Oh yeah, I am also reminded of like the movies Kiss made where their persona's all had funky powers, oh and of course GWAR, though they aren't so serious about it:)

Oh, one other thing that you might consider as Part of the escalating storyline is that all the Players have to perform a Solo (think guitar/drum solo) as well before they can finish the adventure. Basically, guaranteeing them some spotlight time.

Solo is just them Successfully whooping ass or something, basically they have to contribute and move along the story while showing off their character's distinctive abilities. (Perhaps some more detail on constructing the "Band" of players or whatever might help, and would also support the group Metal aspect.

Perhaps you could describe the classic Archetypes and abilities typically associatied with them. i.e. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Singer, etc.


Just some random ideas I had about the game. Like the others, I liked it, I am seeing lots of dark spiky clothing, and yelling and massive destruction and death!!!!!!!!!!!!

<Proceeds to head bang>

Rob Muadib