Game terminology in PUNK

[Cemendur]

I was considering calling the GM "The Man" as in "the Man's trying to bring us down!". . .

This would work for a Gamist RPG.

I have a Direct Action Role-playing game (DARP) on the backburner. Its pre-release name is SNAFU. I can see some parallels in our games. I was experimenting with having the GM modeled on the Facilitator role for consensus decision-making. The "players" would be self-organized into affinity groups/cells/collectives/crews/gangs. The GM's role in dispute resolution becomes that of a facilitator, not a ruler. . . SNAFU: The Direct Action Role-Playing game is a mix of Simulationist and Narrativist play. Its  based on Situationist thought, a neo-dada movement that influenced the punk rock movement.

By having the GM called "the man", you create a Gamist tension of Us (players, characters) vs Them (DM, the man). This would be the underlining characteristic of the game. It really depends on whether you want an antogonistic relationship between players and GM, or not.

[ross_winn]

First of all a lot of great comments from different people. They undoubtedly color my own comments, so thanks a lot collectively.

BEEF  Physical strength and toughness. Beef is relevant during physical actions requiring brute force, stamina or endurance. The stat also comes into play when fighting off diseases and poisons or healing injuries.

Is beefiness really the right adjective? There are many kinds of strong, but is size/mass (which comes to my mind when someone says beef) the only one you want to reinforce? Would Power be better? I did like the raw power reference to the stooges, but I think stats should have one name, not two. Just a personal preference I know, but I thought I would mention it.

GREASE  Physical speed, agility and dexterity. Grease is relevant when dodging, fighting, running, handling delicate items, or using sleight-of-hand. In a fight, grease might come into effect when determining how fast you can physically react.

I can't find fault with this, I really like it.

BRAINS  Intellect, memory, willpower and general education. This is relevant in actions requiring you to learn, study, or apply something from your reservoir of knowledge. It also applies to when you're trying to solve out mysteries, puzzles or problems. This also comes into play when your character is attempting to withstand mental strain from torture, brainwashing or, what the hell, psionic attacks.

Again, I like this insofar as it applies, but if we see the hacker subculture as an extension of the original punk ethic. The personal action, the 'DIY' attitude, the struggle and the rewards that this brings then I think it should be BRAINZ.

SKILLZ  Quickness of thought, mental reflexes, sensory acuity. This stat is relevant using your senses, thinking quickly, and keeping your focus in stressful, chaotic situations.

Again, I see the hacker culture as an extension of the punks, so I like it.
Besides, I gots m4d ski11z

FACE  Appearance, personality and social adeptness. Face is relevant in social situations like intimidation, fast-talking, lying, diplomacy, manipulation or bargaining. It is also relevant in situations requiring expression and empathy. This stat only represents your character's personality insofar is he might use it to do something. Personality is the province of role-playing, not game terms.

Since, again to me, the social aspect is the most significant part of punk culture. If that is the case would more than one value be neccesary? This of course depends on the resolution system, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

JUICE  The intangible traits that don?t fit into the previous stats but which nevertheless afford your character a certain amount of respect, admiration, animosity or fear from her peers. In realistic settings, your character's juice might be vast wealth, being a royal heir, connections to a network of powerful people, or the loyalty of a gang. In more fantastic settings, juice might be superhumanity, access to advanced technology or outright magic.

This appears to modify FACE, which somewhat explains or expands on my comment there.

coolio,

see you guys at GENCON.