Slowly but surely... getting it all worked out.  This time taking a cue from the earliest posts about environment modifier values.  Got them dialed in good --hopefully you will think so too when you try it out.

I will also post the expanded GM's booklet tonight around 6pm PST.  All of this should provide plenty for some more detailed play-testing as more setting info is included in that.

It might help to have the address for the PDF...

http://www.orbit-rpg.com/alls_quiet5.pdf

Just some immediate thoughts as I read it. I really enjoy the idea of rolling for the people or things bent on stopping you. On the other hand the large amount of different modifiers I'm finding a bit distracting. I can see how this may be become a done on the fly thing if I were playing for speeds sake.

Also I think I'd like some more setting material. I know it is meant to be in three parts, but a little more on the City of Ruin i would find helpful, especially in the areas of who what when where why of the city and its thieves. Just some extra thoughts at a first read. Love the rewards by the way.

Thanks for the comments, Jason.  To address your questions; I am working on the setting material.  To help with playtesting I want to get the nuts and bolts of the GM's info finished first, and then get a rough draft of the Debris booklet with more setting info, posted.  That should happen during this upcoming week. 

I'm in agreement with you that the mods look to be a bit much --I'm trying to filter it all to be more concise.  It is my hope that after reading the rules, that a short recap of them will create a comfort level for players with the system, since most of the game's preparation is the responsibility of the GM. 
 

I still don't quite get the big difference of rolling for the people who are looking for the thief. I'm presuming it's a sim technique, that has the dice rolls describe the NPC's skills but leaves the thief (the center of the game) to the players imagination rather than to the dice to describe. Thus you are more free to imagine him. Way off?

But here's why I really posted. I responded in I think the first threads about this game. But the thing is, I can't just take a PDF link and respond to it. It could be seen as a flaw of mine, but I like to see it as a feature - unlike the academics of the forge, who read through stuff as easily as they breathe, I need to be excited from the start, to read through the text. Preferably an example of play right at the start, showing a scene which is what the game is all about and how it entertains. Then perhaps followed by a mechanically detailed example of how to get something/some event that's cool (barring any unusual interfearance). In other words, I think my approach matches that of an average customer more than a studious analysis would simulate.

Either that or bring up what you want to discuss about the design here and outline the text involved.

Now this is just me and it applies to the other PDF linkers equally. But I thought that saying this is better than not giving any feedback at all.

I still don't quite get the big difference of rolling for the people who are looking for the thief. I'm presuming it's a sim technique, that has the dice rolls describe the NPC's skills

...but leaves the thief (the center of the game) to the players imagination rather than to the dice to describe. Thus you are more free to imagine him. Way off?

But the thing is, I can't just take a PDF link and respond to it. It could be seen as a flaw of mine, but I like to see it as a feature - unlike the academics of the forge, who read through stuff as easily as they breathe, I need to be excited from the start, to read through the text.

For the modifiers, perhaps you could limit them to a certain number, say three, for example.  In any given situation, there are only three modifiers maximum.  I pick three, because it's generally easy to remember three things.

Of course, I know a lot of people like quite crunchy systems with loads of special modifiers, so you may be better off leaving it the way it is now.

Your ultimate decisions, of course, being governed by your intended audience and how well handling time works in actual play.

The last raises the question, have you been playtesting this, yet?

In any given situation, there are only three modifiers maximum.  I pick three, because it's generally easy to remember three things

...have you been play-testing this, yet?

Hi JS,

I thought so. The PC is kind of like an enigma, in terms of system. System defines everything around him, but he himself is entirely a creation of the players imagination (though the player may choose, if he wishes, to use system results to fill out that - ie, the guard heard me because my theif stumbled, or whatever).

I really like your post that described it so well...is that already in the text of the game? I'd really recommend putting that in, because this is the sort of major feature that really makes your product stand out. Ya need ta really show it off, baby! :) Besides, this feature deserves showing off since its so distinct.

I understand, but I just didn't feel comfortable posting 20+ pages of text.

Yes... at work... very quietly.

I really like your post that described it so well...is that already in the text of the game? I'd really recommend putting that in, because this is the sort of major feature that really makes your product stand out. Ya need ta really show it off, baby! :) Besides, this feature deserves showing off since its so distinct.

t it be cool if play it's self had to be wispered, OR ELSE? Some sort of quiet consipiracy of whispers, or otherwise your screwed mechanically? Nothing that would cut off table chat, but would change it from rowdy socialising to 'were all in this conspiracy together' whispered socialising.