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Traveller.
It is simple and slick and evokes a feel, all with one word.

Ooooh, yeeeaaaahh.  Traveller for the win.

I'm fairly fond of "Encounter Critical", because it sounds twice as severe as it isn't.  And really, "Dungeons & Dragons" is catchy, explicit and concise.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!And really, "Dungeons & Dragons" is catchy, explicit and concise.

Totally.

I've always thought that Call of Cthulhu conjured up a certain feeling of dread.

I remember the first time I saw a copy of CoC.  "WTF is Catful?"  :D

Put me down for Shadowrun.  A little bit edgy, a little bit cheesy.  Perfect fit for the game itself.

"Dungeons & Dragons" is pretty good.  

My favorite titles would be "Deadlands", "Spookshow", and "With Great Power..."

Each of them conveys pretty well what the game is simply by the title.

My Life with Master – it puts people off or draws them in just by the title. It feels interesting and evil in the mouth. Close second – kill puppies for satan.

Great choices so far.  All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a perfect name for a zombie game.

Werewolf the Forsaken. Never has an abbreviation been closer to the truth.

Quote from: jrientsGreat choices so far.  All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a perfect name for a zombie game.

I find it too much of a mouth full and AFMBE can't be pronounced in any sensible form. So I personally think "Traveller" is still winning.

Dust Devils is a good name for a western rpg that covers dealing with inner demons.

Quote from: BagpussSo I personally think "Traveller" is still winning.

Oh, yeah.  Traveller is definitely better.  It's elegant and understated.

Interestingly enough, I find that most games have pretty cool or evocative names. I find that when people flip out and are all, "Oh, that Game Name tells us NOTHING about the game, wah wah wah", those are the same kinds of geek extrordinaires of the likes of the folks who sent the BBC death threats because they didn't like the new Doctor Who logo.

Can't please everyone, but I'm easy to please.

If I had to pick, I'd probably roll with Shatterzone, TORG, Obsidian, The Whispering Vault... stuff where the name just looks cool and it really doesn't tell you anything about the game, anything at all.

But it's evocative enough to make the real RPG fans want to know, heck, just a little more...

-Andy

Games I love the names of:

In Harm's Way.
Villains and Vigilantes
Ars Magica

Quote from: Andy KInterestingly enough, I find that most games have pretty cool or evocative names. I find that when people flip out and are all, "Oh, that Game Name tells us NOTHING about the game, wah wah wah", those are the same kinds of geek extrordinaires of the likes of the folks who sent the BBC death threats because they didn't like the new Doctor Who logo.

There are plenty of game names that evoke nothing at all about the game. Conversely, I find people who rationalize how good and evocative a name like "Dogs in the Vineyard" is are often those geek extraordinaires (or "real RPG fans," same thing, I guess) who have spent too much time jumping on the "RPG Net Darling-of-the-Week" bandwagon and don't realize 95% of the game community has no clue what the fuck the name means. There's a difference between being evocative (like say, TORG), and just being purposely obscure to try to look cool.

But I do think TORG is a good name.

I re-read what I said above and it comes off a lot more hostile than I meant it to. Sorry.

Quote from: droogMy Life with Master – it puts people off or draws them in just by the title.

It sounds like a Sitcom title. Possibly British. :p

"Shadowrun" is definately quick and to the point, just like "Traveller".

Generally I'm not a fan of the ____ & ____ format, or really any multiword names. Call of Cthulhu I could take or leave. Although I must acknowledge I like the name "In Harm's Way".

Actually, I thought "Dogs in the Vineyard" works.  But then I recognized the Bible reference immediately.  I once heard a sermon preached on the vineyard passage from the Song of Solomon.

Quote from: jrientsActually, I thought "Dogs in the Vineyard" works.  But then I recognized the Bible reference immediately.  I once heard a sermon preached on the vineyard passage from the Song of Solomon.

Yeah, those who are more familiar with the Bible will get the reference. Those of us who aren't, won't. It's not necessarily a bad title, it's just pretty damned obscure, and doesn't really evoke much of anything in someone who doesn't know the origins of it.

Quote from: jrientsActually, I thought "Dogs in the Vineyard" works.  But then I recognized the Bible reference immediately.  I once heard a sermon preached on the vineyard passage from the Song of Solomon.

That title works for me, as well, but that's because it reminds me of a different biblical vineyard than the one the author actually had in mind.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonThere are plenty of game names that evoke nothing at all about the game. Conversely, I find people who rationalize how good and evocative a name like "Dogs in the Vineyard" is are often those geek extraordinaires (or "real RPG fans," same thing, I guess) who have spent too much time jumping on the "RPG Net Darling-of-the-Week" bandwagon and don't realize 95% of the game community has no clue what the fuck the name means. There's a difference between being evocative (like say, TORG), and just being purposely obscure to try to look cool.

But I do think TORG is a good name.

For telling people what the game is about before they read a quick synopsis it isn't great. But the name definately evokes when you even a bit of the setting. When you know who's vineyard. Maybe it's my misspent youth in bible school on Sundays, but as soon as I knew roughly the setting I knew exactly who's vineyard it was. And it evoked the super creepy feel because that's how guys like this talk. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,224359,00.html?sPage=fnc.national/crime)

EDIT: Hrmm, the posts that happen while you're writing your own. :rolleyes: Anyway Col., it does occationally surface in pop-culture, as per my link, it just doesn't come up that often.

Incidentally "TORG" does nothing for me. Given that it was just a placeholder acronym and that they didn't bother to come up with an actual name? Ugh. Once I found that out it made a whole lot more sense why it did nothing for me.

Quote from: blakkieFor telling people what the game is about before they read a quick synopsis it isn't great. But the name definately evokes when you even a bit of the setting. When you know who's vineyard. Maybe it's my misspent youth in bible school on Sundays, but as soon as I knew roughly the setting I knew exactly who's vineyard it was. And it evoked the super creepy feel because that's how guys like this talk. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,224359,00.html?sPage=fnc.national/crime)

As I said above, not everyone is immersed in the Bible. So it'll speak to a niche audience. Those of us not in that niche just aren't going to have it speak to us.

Quote from: blakkieIncidentally "TORG" does nothing for me. Given that it was just a placeholder acronym and that they didn't bother to come up with an actual name? Ugh.

I'll admit that I'm inconsistent when it comes to TORG. I dunno why I like it. It doesn't really say anything. It could be the acronym thing that intrigued me; I wanted to know what it stood for. Dogs in the Vineyard just came off as some kind of pretentious-sounding name given to a game that was supposed to appeal to those "real" RPG fans out there...

Quote from: ColonelHardissonAs I said above, not everyone is immersed in the Bible. So it'll speak to a niche audience. Those of us not in that niche just aren't going to have it speak to us.

Just read that news article. It's all you need to get the gist of it. ;) It is the creep factor that RPGPundit riles against (although I guess that means he's cool with the Princes' Kingdom version of the game? :mischief: )

Of course you could check out this (http://www.faithpresbyterian.org/sermons/archives/2004/08/the_vineyard_of.php) for the happy-go-lucky, sunshine and rainbows version. :)

Quote from: blakkieJust read that news article. It's all you need to get the gist of it. ;) It is the creep factor that RPGPundit riles against (although I guess that means he's cool with the Princes' Kingdom version of the game? :mischief: )

I'm from Ohio originally, and I remember that guy's case really well. I mean, now that I've read up on Dogs in the Vineyard, I get it, but it wasn't the title that prompted me to check it out. It was someone talking about it in a thread here. Before I saw that thread, I didn't have any interest in finding out about the game. So, for me at least, the title didn't really do its job.

By the way, I'm sorry for the thread derail.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonI'm from Ohio originally, and I remember that guy's case really well. I mean, now that I've read up on Dogs in the Vineyard, I get it, but it wasn't the title that prompted me to check it out. It was someone talking about it in a thread here. Before I saw that thread, I didn't have any interest in finding out about the game. So, for me at least, the title didn't really do its job.

It probably has only a slight "Great Egress" effect going for it.  That's where cover art (http://www.lumpley.com/games/images/dogs.jpg) has to pick up the slack. If we are talking physical book shelves. Which in DitV's case I think it does fairly well.

EDIT: BTW the example name that lead off this thread doesn't tell me much about the game setting either.  "Traveller"? Now if it was "Star Traveller" or "Galaxy Traveller"? Yah, but at that point it has lost it's potency and likely even start dropping back into the blend of names out there.  The last thing I'd ever do is use "Quest" in a game name, or "Sword" or some funked out spelling of magic. Unless my game was so bland that I'd be relying on people to mistake it for another game.


P.S. FWTW I don't think you posts are in anyway a derail. Me talking about cover art though could be, so I'm going to take that to a new thread. EDIT:A quick search tells me that topic has already been covered. So maybe it can wait a while to be recycled. :)

TORG wasn't an acronym was it?  I thought it was the titile of the most powerful badass in all the different universes.  Making it more a random fantasy neologism than anything else.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalTORG wasn't an acronym was it?  I thought it was the titile of the most powerful badass in all the different universes.  Making it more a random fantasy neologism than anything else.

I was under the impression that it was The Other Roleplaying Game and the use of the name came from there.

Quote from: blakkieI was under the impression that it was The Other Roleplaying Game and the use of the name came from there.

That's what I heard also. The wikipedia article backs it up, if that is of any worth.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonBy the way, I'm sorry for the thread derail.

derail is encouraged in all my threads.

Macho Women With Guns!!!
Or her companion, Renegade Nuns On Wheels!!!
Nice, strong sounding and to the point.
BTW,

Quote from: SosthenesWerewolf the Forsaken. Never has an abbreviation been closer to the truth.

...great one, mate. LMAO.

Traveller
Dungeons & Dragons
Macho Women With Guns
Timelords
All Flesh Must Be Eaten

Oh missed another excellent one word title, "Exalted".  I think it hits the mark of what the game is about even better than "Traveller", and sounds decently cool to boot.

Mutants & Masterminds is a great title for a superhero game.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonMutants & Masterminds is a great title for a superhero game.

I'm not sure.  It sounds a bit too 'focused' (esp. the word 'mutants').  Also, whenever I hear 'M&M' I think of either a rapper or candy.

I like the name 'Villains and Vigilantes' better.  It's more 'general'.

The hands down best RPG name is:

Boothill

For example:

Gary: "hey let's play Boothill."

Bubba: "Whats that? Some kinda western game?"

Gary: "Yup."

Quote from: SosthenesWerewolf the Forsaken. Never has an abbreviation been closer to the truth.

I always read that as "Werewolf the Foreskin."

-clash

Quote from: Andy KBut it's evocative enough to make the real RPG fans want to know, heck, just a little more...

-Andy

In this spirit my contribution is Tribe 8 and Over the Edge, the latter pretty much IMO is a good description of the game :)

Regards,
David R

Quote from: flyingmiceI always read that as "Werewolf the Foreskin."

-clash

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Quote from: blakkieOh missed another excellent one word title, "Exalted".  I think it hits the mark of what the game is about even better than "Traveller", and sounds decently cool to boot.

Beaten.  Exalted lets you know exactly what it's all about right upfront.  Very evocative.

I also like Armageddon.  Evocative, descriptive, simple, and has that cool factor.

Quote from: MaddmanBeaten.  Exalted lets you know exactly what it's all about right upfront.  Very evocative.

Really? I always associate that word with a social status, not a divine one. More like a form of address or title. But then again, I'm not a native speaker...
The German translators botched it totally, though.

Quote from: MaddmanI also like Armageddon.  Evocative, descriptive, simple, and has that cool factor.

In a world that never knew Jerry Bruckheimer, that might be true.

Quote from: AkrasiaI'm not sure.  It sounds a bit too 'focused' (esp. the word 'mutants').  Also, whenever I hear 'M&M' I think of either a rapper or candy.

I like the name 'Villains and Vigilantes' better.  It's more 'general'.

I can kinda see where you're coming from, but Villians & Vigilantes has made me think more of pulp-style early comics, where nobody had powers. You know, the late 30s era when characters like Batman and the original Sandman were typical of comics. Not a bad subject for a RPG. But it took me a while to find out that V&V was a supers game. Mutants & Masterminds lets one know right off that it's a supers game - mutants could be in a post-Apoc game, true, but masterminds combined with mutants is almost certainly a supers game.

QuoteReally? I always associate that word with a social status, not a divine one. More like a form of address or title. But then again, I'm not a native speaker...
The German translators botched it totally, though.

It can mean that, but it also has strong connotations of holiness or being raised above.

I hear translations in RPGs are generally pretty bad.  I remember meeting some french canadian gamers who said they get all their books in English because the French translations were horrid.

Quote from: SosthenesIn a world that never knew Jerry Bruckheimer, that might be true.

The bigass angel on the cover you can point at and say "You can have *that* for your PC!" gets any space asteroid nonsense out of players heads real quick.  :p

Quote from: MaddmanIt can mean that, but it also has strong connotations of holiness or being raised above.

I know, but in this mundane world, I first think of the society bit, the theological background comes a bit later. Well, the DB Exalted are raised in society...

Quote from: MaddmanI hear translations in RPGs are generally pretty bad.  I remember meeting some french canadian gamers who said they get all their books in English because the French translations were horrid.

Well, the French and foreign languages are a subject of its own...

The general German translations are pretty okay. But as always, some terms can't be translated without losing meaning, sub-text or simple coolness. And RPG's are just sprinkled with technical terms. I can't remember how they translated charms, but "Exalted" is "Die Hohen" in German, which basically just means "The High Ones". Sounds as stupid here as in English. Part of the theme is that it's not about them _being_ above mortals, but that they were _raised_ above mortals.

Quote from: MaddmanThe bigass angel on the cover you can point at and say "You can have *that* for your PC!" gets any space asteroid nonsense out of players heads real quick.  :p

Meh, angels...

D20 SRD. Hands down the most inspiring, evocative title ever.

My serious vote is for The Riddle of Steel.  Didn't take to the game, but the title captures the spirit of what I want in a fantasy RPG.

Traveller is high on my list, but when I was just a teen, the name RuneQuest grabbed me by the short & curlies and pulled me in.  The name really sold the game well: What do you do?  You quest for runes!  What're runes?  Ancient, cryptic pictograms, often associated with mystical power.  Ohh...right!

!i!

Quote from: TechnomancerMy serious vote is for The Riddle of Steel.  Didn't take to the game, but the title captures the spirit of what I want in a fantasy RPG.

Good call. Riddle of Steel really does evoke exactly what the game is all about. The only thing about it that I guess could be a criticism I could level at it is that it also evokes the Conan movie for a lot of people. But even that's not a bad thing.

Traveller and Space 1889 are both great.

But to be honest, for sheer does what it says on the tin cool factor I have to give Dungeons and Dragons kudos.  It sounds like dangerous adventure, had it been called something else I wonder if I would ever have entered the hobby.

Torg to me is like Gurps, very meh.

Oh, among the indie games I think My Life with Master is easily the best title.

Quote from: BalbinusOh, among the indie games I think My Life with Master is easily the best title.

After reading a review of the game, I have to say that My Life With Master really is a good title. Here's why I think that: I knew absolutely nothing about the game besides the title. My guess, based purely on the title, was that it sounded like it was a game about the minions/assistants of mad scientists. Guys like Igor and Fritz in the Frankenstein movies. I figured that no way was that what the game was about. Turns out, that is what the game is about! A fantastic title. I may even buy the damned thing because of it.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonAfter reading a review of the game, I have to say that My Life With Master really is a good title. Here's why I think that: I knew absolutely nothing about the game besides the title. My guess, based purely on the title, was that it sounded like it was a game about the minions/assistants of mad scientists. Guys like Igor and Fritz in the Frankenstein movies. I figured that no way was that what the game was about. Turns out, that is what the game is about! A fantastic title. I may even buy the damned thing because of it.

Wow.  That's what 'My Life With Master' is about?
:eek:
I always thought that it had something to do with martial arts for some reason.

With the derision I've seen aimed at it and my own personal weirdness I always assumed it was some sort of S&M game.

I am probably biased, but I think that MAGESTRIKE: ULTIMUS (http://www.xorph.com/magestrike/index.php?title=Main_Page) is the best name for a game, ever.

Quote from: James McMurrayWith the derision I've seen aimed at it and my own personal weirdness I always assumed it was some sort of S&M game.

I've always assumed that was the subtext of the game.

Quote from: MaddmanI hear translations in RPGs are generally pretty bad.  I remember meeting some french canadian gamers who said they get all their books in English because the French translations were horrid.

Ditto for Spanish translations.
Ask any spanish-speaking AD&D 2ed player for the x-bow.

Quote from: SunBoyDitto for Spanish translations.
Ask any spanish-speaking AD&D 2ed player for the x-bow.

The German AD&D 1st edition PHB let you believe that medieval shops sold you flashlights -- obviously the translators didn't know the original meaning of "torch"...

So what's up with the x-bow in Spain? ;)

Quote from: James McMurrayI always assumed it was some sort of S&M game.

Hah! Me too.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonA fantastic title. I may even buy the damned thing because of it.

Join usssssss....

QuoteI've always assumed that was the subtext of the game.

QuoteHah! Me too.

Whew! I'm not the only weirdo around here. :)

Kult.

Quote from: LucifugeKult.

Oooh, that reminds me of a classic:  Chill.

Quote from: MaddmanI hear translations in RPGs are generally pretty bad.

Well, after picking up the Finnish translation of The Shadow of Yesterday from the library, I'll have to say that it could have been much more polished.

Someone already posted one of my favorites - Boothill. But a lot of the old school TSR games had nice, short, evocative names - Gamma World, Star Frontiers, Top Secret...

Two of my favorite more recent games: Engel and Orpheus

My favorite game name has always been Paranoia.

Oh, and I've always liked Munchkin and SPANC too. SJG has great game names.

Another vote for Boot Hill.

Despite my love for the game, I've occasionally had problems with players getting the wrong impression of Villains & Vigilantes... the latter desciptor has occasionally had people thinking of the Punisher and other similar characters, when the game is actually very four-color in it's approach.

I'd like to vote for an ancient classic that cries out to be done in a new system, even gurps (Tho I'd hatye to see jackson profit from it...)

Living Steel.

The name comes from the term that an imperial unit used to describe it's attackers the first time they were hit by power armored enemy troops.

Quote from: jrientsGreat choices so far.  All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a perfect name for a zombie game.

That's always been my favorite game title.

Quote from: flyingmiceI always read that as "Werewolf the Foreskin."

-clash

Very appropriate for some of the WTF fans I know.

Quote from: TechnomancerD20 SRD. Hands down the most inspiring, evocative title ever.

My serious vote is for The Riddle of Steel.  Didn't take to the game, but the title captures the spirit of what I want in a fantasy RPG.

Props for the "Conan the Barbarian" reference, too.

Quote from: Andy KI am probably biased, but I think that MAGESTRIKE: ULTIMUS (http://www.xorph.com/magestrike/index.php?title=Main_Page) is the best name for a game, ever.

You can't see it, but I'm throwing you the devil horns hand signal.

Quote from: mattormegYou can't see it, but I'm throwing you the devil horns hand signal.

I think we have a smiley for that.

:emot-rock:

Ah, yes.