So here is what I have put together for the Game Guide. All of these topics are in various stages of writing (from notes to unedited nonsense). This does not include an introduction, which is planned to explain why things are based around a TV show (cause it's the X-Files baby).

I have to give a shout out to Matt Wilson too for PTA (which is an RPG orgasim). It was instrumental in helping me find the terminology and organizing my thoughts. You the man Matt...

Creating the Game

• Series Bible
• The Premise
• Series Length
• Screen Presence
• Themes

• Betrayal
• Corruption/Temptation
• Doom
• Struggle
• Faith


Using the Conspiracy

• Relationship With The Cell

• Target Organizations

• Merchant Concerns/Syndicates
• Organized Crime
• Organized Religions
• Craft Guilds
• Law Enforcement


• Conspiracy Aims

• Destruction of Cell
• Manipulation of Cell
• False Recruitment
• Set-Up
• Protecting the Cell


• Types of Actions

• Information Gathering
• Infiltration
• Counterespionage
• Programming Assets
• Running Operatives
• Suversion & Takeover
• Disinformation
• Sabotage
• Assassination


• Cell Actions

• Spreading the Word
• Going to the Authorities
• Living With the Secret


Production Design

• Atmosphere

• Important Elements

• Austerity
• Uncertainty
• Isolation
• The Unnatural
• Emotions


• Curses
• Prophecies


• Sets

• Communities

• The Environment
• The Politics
• The People
• The Religion
• The Law
• The Geography


• Dark Places

• Invasion of Evil
• Evil Locations


• Antagonists

• Motivations
• Villains vs. Monsters
• Archetypes


Contructing Episodes

• Questions to Ask
• The Types

• Debut
• Stand-Alone
• Continuity
• Change-of-Pace


• Narrative Focus

• Escape
• Quest/Gauntlet
• Nemesis
• Combinations


• Structure

• Teaser
• The Issue
• The Complication
• The Twist
• Resolution of the Issue


• Pacing/Beats
• Cut Scenes


Rules Revisions

• Destiny Pool
• Weapons
• Cell Creation
• Supernatural Threats



Feel free to comment. This outline is organic in nature and stuff will be added or cut out.

Keith

Looks like a huge wad of great stuff. Was it just PTA, or did something else decide to take you in the TV series direction? I don't remember it really being emphasized in the main book, just a mention of the X-Files as inspiration. Not that I mind; just curious.

I'm curious about the "Types" section, where Stand Alone is listed. Are you going to talk about running CoS as a short-term game? I've had a little trouble figuring out how to pace a game, so that'd be groovy.

PTA just kind of let me express how I had been running my games for a few years. I think I got the idea originally from a Robin Laws article I read somewhere (maybe an old Dragon magazine?). I always had in mind when writing CoS the X-Files, but I never was comfortable articulating it. I'm looking at this Game Guide as a way to put together a bunch of things I feel are missing in the CoS book.

Stand Alone episodes and in the Series bible section will also cover running the game in the short term. In fact the game I am running at Dreamation is built from my notes on running a Stand Alone.

Pacing of the game can be tricky I've noticed. It implies a commitment to the long term, but it really doesn't have to be. Hopefully the Game Guide will address all those things and more.

Keith

In case you don't read my live journal and are interested in this shit, I finished the first draft of the Game Guide. I'm looking for all kinds of feedback on it except grammar, which I will get to at a later draft.

I am also adding a new chapter since I wrote the draft (which I am working on now) which is about Religion and its uses in game, plus a nifty add on mechanic to help stress its importance.

So post your comments. Blast the fucker, compliment it, or preferably do both at the same time

Keith