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Pen & Paper Roleplaying Central => Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion => Topic started by: Koltar on March 26, 2007, 01:12:50 AM

Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 26, 2007, 01:12:50 AM
In honor of a certain show's Season  finale tonight ...here is one of my favorite characters statted up GURPS-style.

Name: THRACE, Kara  "STARBUCK"
Race: Human (or is she ?)

Attributes [80]
ST 11 [10]
DX 12 [40]
IQ 11 [20]
HT 11 [10]

HP 11
Will 11
Per 11
FP 11

Basic Lift 24
Damage 1d-1/1d+1

Basic Speed 5.75
Basic Move 5

Ground Move 5
Water Move 1

Social Background
TL: 11 Cultural Familiarities: Caprica & the 12 colonies (Native) Languages: Colonial common (Native) Advantages [62]
Appearance (Attractive) [4]
Combat Reflexes [15]
Daredevil [15]
Fearlessness (1) [2]
Fit [5]
G-Experience (1) [1]
Gifted Artist (1) [5]
Hot Pilot (1) [5]
Military Rank (Captain) (2) [10]

Perks [1]
Alcohol Tolerance [1]

Disadvantages [-136]
Addiction (Tobacco (but trying to quit)) (Cheap) (Highly addictive; Legal) [-5]
Alcoholism [-15]
Bad Temper (12 or less) [-10]
Code of Honor (Soldier's) [-10]
Compulsive Gambling (12 or less) [-5]
Dependent (Husband Sam Anders) (No more than 100%) (Friend; 9 or less) [-1]
Enemy (Cylons) (medium-sized group, some formidable or super-human) (9 or less) [-30]
Flashbacks (Mild) [-5]
Gregarious [-10]
Guilt Complex [-5]
Impulsiveness (12 or less) [-10]
Odious Personal Habit (Taunting others) (-1) [-5]
Self-Destruct [-10]
Sense of Duty (Her fellow Pilots and warriors) (Large Group) [-10]
Stubbornness [-5]

Quirks [-5]
Distinctive Feature (Tattoos on her shoulder and back (seen often while amongst pilots and others)) [-1]
Imaginative [-1]
Prays and has a shrine in her locker [-1]
Proud [-1]
Uncongenial [-1]

Skills [151]
Artist (Painting) IQ/H - IQ+0 11 [2]
   includes: +1 from 'Gifted Artist'
Astronomy/TL11 IQ/H - IQ-1 10 [2]
Boxing DX/A - DX+0 12 [2]
Boxing Sport DX/A - DX+0 12 [2]
Brawling DX/E - DX+1 13 [2]
Carousing HT/E - HT+1 12 [2]
Computer Operation/TL11 IQ/E - IQ+1 12 [2]
Dancing DX/A - DX-1 11 [1]
Escape DX/H - DX-1 11 [2]
Expert Skill (Military Science) IQ/H - IQ-1 10 [2]
Fast-Draw (Pistol) DX/E - DX+2 14 [2]
   includes: +1 from 'Combat Reflexes'
Fast-Talk IQ/A - IQ-1 10 [1]
First Aid/TL11 (Human) IQ/E - IQ+1 12 [2]
Gambling IQ/A - IQ-1 10 [1]
Games (Cards) IQ/E - IQ+0 11 [1]
Guns/TL11 (Pistol) DX/E - DX+3 15 [2]
Guns/TL11 (Rifle) DX/E - DX+5 17 [16]
Guns/TL11 (Shotgun) DX/E - DX+3 15 [2]
Guns/TL11 (Submachine Gun) DX/E - DX+3 15 [2]
Judo DX/H - DX-2 10 [1]
Karate DX/H - DX-1 11 [2]
Kicking (Brawling) Tech/H - def+0 11 Kicking (Karate) Tech/H - def+0 9 Knife DX/E - DX+0 12 [1]
Knot-Tying DX/E - DX+0 12 [1]
Leadership IQ/A - IQ+0 11 [2]
Lockpicking/TL11 IQ/A - IQ-1 10 [1]
Mathematics/TL11 (Applied) IQ/H - IQ-1 10 [2]
Navigation/TL11 (Space) IQ/A - IQ-1 10 [1]
Piloting/TL11 (Aerospace) DX/A - DX+5 17 [18]
Piloting/TL11 (High-Performance Airplane) DX/A - DX+3 15 [10]
Piloting/TL11 (High-Performance Spacecraft) DX/A - DX+4 16 [16]
Piloting/TL11 (Vertol) DX/A - DX+3 15 [10]
Poetry IQ/A - IQ+0 11 [2]
Savoir-Faire (Military) IQ/E - IQ+1 12 [2]
Sex Appeal HT/A - HT+1 12 [2]
   includes: +1 from 'Appearance'
Shiphandling/TL11 (Spaceship) IQ/H - IQ+1 12 [4]
Spacer/TL11 IQ/E - IQ+2 13 [4]
Sports (Pyramid) DX/A - DX+0 12 [2]
Stealth DX/A - DX+0 12 [2]
Strategy (Land) IQ/H - IQ+0 11 [4]
Strategy (Space) IQ/H - IQ+0 11 [4]
Sweeping Kick (Judo) Tech/H - def+0 7 Sweeping Kick (Karate) Tech/H - def+0 8 Tactics IQ/H - IQ+0 11 [4]
Teaching IQ/A - IQ+1 12 [4]
Theology (Lords of Kobol religion; Ares and others) IQ/H - IQ-2 9 [1]
Vacc Suit/TL11 DX/A - DX+0 12 [2]
Writing IQ/A - IQ-1 10 [1]

Stats [80] Ads [62] Disads [-136] Quirks [-5] Skills [151] = Total [153]

Notes
  Kara Thrace (callsign STARBUCK) is one of the best Colonial Viper pilots in the fleet, she was named Flight Instructor at the Colonial Flight School.

  As a child , she was abused by one of her parents. She was almost bound for glory as a professional Pyramid ball player until her knee gave out and sent her on a military path.                                  

Unbeknownst to her shipmates, Kara has a strong artistic streak. Her apartment is covered with paintings and poetry.
   Loud and boisterous, Kara was an avid card player and drinker. She has recently quit smoking.
   Also recently married a civilian, Sam Anders. Was a colonist on New Caprica  - and now is a pilot with the fleet again.

Starbuck in action : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs09yyuLfzo

So , Anyone going to buy the Battlestar Galactica Role playing Game later this year when Margaret Wess's company releases it ? Its supposed to use the same mechanics as their SERENITY game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5a1ax6Jxzg


- Ed C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Dominus Nox on March 26, 2007, 04:06:28 AM
Just so people won't be confused by the OP's idiotic mistake, nBSG has a SEASON finale, not a SERIES finale.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Christmas Ape on March 26, 2007, 05:47:13 AM
It was series finale for me, anyway.

Third season had been pretty piss-poor anyway, but that episode was actually the worst thing I'd put in my eyeballs in quite some time.

If I meet one of their writers at a con, you'll know. The phrases "six men to restrain him" and "dental records" will appear in the local paper.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: HinterWelt on March 26, 2007, 10:27:30 AM
I would like to see the Viper pilot Henry Winkler statted up as he flies over the Shark Nebula. ;)

Bill
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: C.W.Richeson on March 26, 2007, 10:46:16 AM
That's an impressive amount of attention to detail, Koltar!  It also reminds me of why I'm not using GURPS these days - that must have taken you a while to do!
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Andy K on March 26, 2007, 10:54:42 AM
Quote from: C.W.RichesonThat's an impressive amount of attention to detail, Koltar!  It also reminds me of why I'm not using GURPS these days - that must have taken you a while to do!

That was a very polite way to say the exact same thing I was thinking.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 26, 2007, 11:14:49 AM
Quote from: C.W.RichesonThat's an impressive amount of attention to detail, Koltar!  It also reminds me of why I'm not using GURPS these days - that must have taken you a while to do!


 Not really.

 Geez!! On here and on other boards I swear people exaggerate how long it takes to create a GURPS character.  With a copy of the GURPS Character Assistant (GCA) its a breeze.

 Plus the above version of Kara Thrace was posted on the SJG forums back in the fall - I took input after my initial rough draft of her. It usually takes less than 25 to 30 minutes for me to do a GURPS character.

 Hell, I just statted up Balbinus for posting in another thread.

 If you have a petty long-standing bias against GURPS  , then please just say so . That would make more sense than trying to claim the character creation is "difficult".

 Has anyone tried to do a Galactica role playing game or campaign ? Using  ANY system already out there. ?

- E.W.C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: C.W.Richeson on March 26, 2007, 11:22:39 AM
Quote from: KoltarIf you have a petty long-standing bias against GURPS  , then please just say so . That would make more sense than trying to claim the character creation is "difficult".

Nope.  How about this: for someone only passingly familiar with GURPS who is using only the two core books character creation can be time consuming.  You seem to be quite the GURPS guru!

Seriously, I'm trying to be nice.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 26, 2007, 11:45:06 AM
Quote from: C.W.Richeson.......quite the GURPS guru!

Seriously, I'm trying to be nice.

 So am I  , C.W. , so am I .

 I'm NOT a  "Guru"  -  just fairly comfortable with that game.  Math was never my greatest topic in school, English , History and Art (sometimes Theater) were my best subjects. The GCA made it easier for me to visualize characters quickly . I now think its possible for me to scratch out one with paper and pencil quicker than I did the old days.

 Besides I wanted the thread to be more about Battlestar Galactica as a possible setting for a role-playing game or campaign.  If you have D20/OGL way of portraying a character from that show - please go ahead and post that. I've got the D20 books - not as "comfortable" as I'd like to be. Also own the SERENITY  role playing game . Anyone want to take a stab at portraying one of the show's characters using those rules??
 MWP has the license for nBSG now , so it will probably be the same rules system when the game comes out.

- E.W.C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: RockViper on March 26, 2007, 02:14:29 PM
Quote from: KoltarHas anyone tried to do a Galactica role playing game or campaign ? Using  ANY system already out there. ?

- E.W.C.

I have been thinking about systems to use for a game of BSG. GURPS Traveller/ Space would be high on the list, but Star Wars D6 would probably be my first choice.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 26, 2007, 02:19:22 PM
Quote from: RockViperI have been thinking about systems to use for a game of BSG. GURPS Traveller/ Space would be high on the list, but Star Wars D6 would probably be my first choice.


 RockViper,
 If you adapt some of the stuff in the recent INTERSTELLER WARS book  - could see a nBSG-style campaign being made out of that. There was a system in there for exploring uncharted areas. That kind of covers what a "ragtag Fleet" has to do.


 Even with just SPACE 4th/e that could be possible.  Be a good excuse to use the star system and world generation tables and charts.


- E.W.C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: RockViper on March 26, 2007, 02:31:31 PM
I have been meaning to pick up the IW Book, but my FLGS doesnt stock a lot of GURPS for some reason.


Quote from: KoltarRockViper,
 If you adapt some of the stuff in the recent INTERSTELLER WARS book  - could see a nBSG-style campaign being made out of that. There was a system in there for exploring uncharted areas. That kind of covers what a "ragtag Fleet" has to do.


 Even with just SPACE 4th/e that could be possible.  Be a good excuse to use the star system and world generation tables and charts.


- E.W.C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Dr Rotwang! on March 26, 2007, 04:13:03 PM
Quote from: Christmas ApeIt was series finale for me, anyway.

Third season had been pretty piss-poor anyway, but that episode was actually the worst thing I'd put in my eyeballs in quite some time.

If I meet one of their writers at a con, you'll know. The phrases "six men to restrain him" and "dental records" will appear in the local paper.
What was so bad...?  I didn't see it.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Christmas Ape on March 26, 2007, 04:31:01 PM
Quote from: Dr Rotwang!What was so bad...?  I didn't see it.
Let me summarize. After three seasons of Battlestar Galactica, I have learned...
Spoiler
Death in nBSG is just a vacation. Silly humans, let the toasters help!
All your favorite characters are Cylons or simply bad people.
Gaeta has no fucking integrity after all.
The Fleet's authority figures have a commitment to the rule of law and democratic order best described as schizophrenic.
Robot magic works.
You can resign your commission and still keep all your cool army stuff.
In the depths of interstellar space, sunglasses are still appropriate.
There was some action and emotion at the beginning so you'd watch the absurd soap opera they've got planned.
You can hear acid rock in space, as long as it's loud enough.
Gaius is still alive.
That's pretty much the bulk of it, IMO. If there's something I've missed, I'll come back to this.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Dominus Nox on March 26, 2007, 04:39:23 PM
NBSG was a great series in the premiere and the first couple seasons, but the third was bit of a problem. Still I like it as it is a very gritty show with good atmosphere and characters.

It could have been better but all in all, especially for a SFC show, it wasn't bad and still could pull itself around for a fourth season.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: RockViper on March 26, 2007, 04:44:19 PM
I was somewhat disappointed (surprised in one choice) in their choices for the final 5, most of them didn't even make my top 10 they may be a cylon list.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: John Morrow on March 26, 2007, 05:51:16 PM
Quote from: Christmas Ape
Spoiler
You can hear acid rock in space, as long as it's loud enough.

Spoiler
I think the "acid" in "acid rock" might explain a great deal about that episode.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Balbinus on March 26, 2007, 09:06:35 PM
Quote from: Christmas Ape
Spoiler
In the depths of interstellar space, sunglasses are still appropriate.

I looked at your list, which I really shouldn't have since I'm on season two, but this one struck me as surely fair for any televisual sf.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Dominus Nox on March 26, 2007, 09:54:04 PM
Well, the thing is that Tigh and starbuck can't be cylons because tigh's too old and fought in the first cylon war. Starbuck had a mother who, one assumes, gave birth to her.
Title: And just to threadcrap
Post by: Hastur T. Fannon on March 27, 2007, 03:25:28 AM
Badass Viper pilot: 4
Brawling and carousing: 3
Self-destructive streak, but trying to change for her husband: 2
Might be a Cylon: 1

Total time, 30 seconds and most of that was trying to think up the last cliche
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Stumpydave on March 27, 2007, 04:01:00 AM
Quote from: Hastur T. FannonTotal time, 30 seconds and most of that was trying to think up the last cliche

Which is why I love Risus.

PS Have they still got those flying motorbikes in nBSG:rolleyes:
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: estar on March 27, 2007, 08:04:31 AM
Quote from: C.W.RichesonNope.  How about this: for someone only passingly familiar with GURPS who is using only the two core books character creation can be time consuming.  You seem to be quite the GURPS guru!

Seriously, I'm trying to be nice.

Templates. late 3rd edition and all 4th edition genre books come with templates to make character generation easy. GURPS Traveller (3rd Edition and ISW 4th) makes extensive use of templates as well.

Plus there are fan books out on the net like Historical Folks that also have a large collection of templates.

So you have the best of both worlds.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Dr Rotwang! on March 27, 2007, 08:19:32 AM
Quote from: StumpydavePS Have they still got those flying motorbikes in nBSG:rolleyes:
No.

Wait.

I mean HELL no.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: HinterWelt on March 27, 2007, 10:27:07 AM
Quote from: Hastur T. FannonBadass Viper pilot: 4
Brawling and carousing: 3
Self-destructive streak, but trying to change for her husband: 2
Might be a Cylon: 1

Total time, 30 seconds and most of that was trying to think up the last cliche
I am still waiting for Henry Winkler (call sign: Fonzie)....;)

Bill
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Tom B on March 27, 2007, 02:51:05 PM
Quote from: Christmas ApeIt was series finale for me, anyway.

Third season had been pretty piss-poor anyway, but that episode was actually the worst thing I'd put in my eyeballs in quite some time.

If I meet one of their writers at a con, you'll know. The phrases "six men to restrain him" and "dental records" will appear in the local paper.

Personally, I've been enjoying it more and more.

If you don't like it, that's cool.  More for me to watch.

...wait a second...

Tom B.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 27, 2007, 03:46:20 PM
On topic....maybe ...

 I've seen talk on other parts of the web of using the show's  premise or parts of it for a role playing setting.
 How would any of you guys go about that ?

 One person on another forum had a different Battlestar survive - unbekownst to the show's characters. He and his players are doing things a little differently.. The "ragtag fleet" thats being used in that campaign is half the size of the one on the show.

- E.W.C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Wil on March 29, 2007, 12:54:28 AM
Quote from: RockViperI was somewhat disappointed (surprised in one choice) in their choices for the final 5, most of them didn't even make my top 10 they may be a cylon list.

Is they any incontrovertible truth that they actually are, or is it that they just believe that they are? People make assumptions too quickly with no evidence.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Dominus Nox on March 29, 2007, 03:10:29 AM
Well, I still cannot see tigh as a cylon, too old to have been created by them.

Likewise if the chief's a cylon, then his kid is a hybrid or his wife is a cylon too, and supposedly they can't have kids together.

Likewise, why weren't any of them infected when they brought the infected cylons onboard the galactica?

Now, maybe, they did something to tigh, anders, the chief and what's her name while they were on new caprica, maybe, that makes them hear that music.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: NiallS on March 29, 2007, 06:56:38 AM
Quote from: Dominus NoxWell, I still cannot see tigh as a cylon, too old to have been created by them.

Likewise if the chief's a cylon, then his kid is a hybrid or his wife is a cylon too, and supposedly they can't have kids together.

Likewise, why weren't any of them infected when they brought the infected cylons onboard the galactica?

Now, maybe, they did something to tigh, anders, the chief and what's her name while they were on new caprica, maybe, that makes them hear that music.

I think its meant to be strongly implied that the final five are, if anything, a first kind-of five that pre-date the creation of the Cylons. Series 1 and 2 had much heavier mysticism with the 'all this has happened before' bit. My guess is that the 5 represent a different type of artificial life form from the cylons are presented
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 29, 2007, 07:07:50 AM
If the person in the quote boxes does just a smidgeon of research on the web .... (oh less than 10 minutes via most search engines)  he would discovr that Ron Moore has already answered most of those nitpicks  questions on the Sci-Fi channel message board.

 Also, just like "Babylon 5" - the pcreator/producer of a show may try not to "lie" tpo us and deceive - but they do want us to be surprised from time to time. (Very similiar to what a Roleplaying campaign GM tries to do )  However, the fictional characters on the show might lie quite often and to other characters.  (much like NPCs might)


 So, how would you do a role-playing campaign with a similiar premise as we've seen on "nBSG" during  the first 2 seasons?

- Ed C.




(If anyone feels like browsing the section known as "Other Media" on the big Purple & Pink - many of these question and nitpicks have been answered already by Vipergrrl and others...)
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 29, 2007, 07:26:12 AM
This YouTube video is indirectly thanks to someone known as Vipergrrl :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4T1lrgtx2Y


QuoteENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Okay, Ron, what was with including Bob Dylan's ''All Along The Watchtower'' in the finale?

RONALD MOORE: I had always had this idea of using that particular song in the show as a marker that there were other things going on here. There was this idea developed early in the series, that one of the Colonial scriptures says, ''All of this has happened before and all of it will happen again,'' that certain elements and situations and even people repeat in a cycle of destruction and rebirth and exodus and chase, etc. One of the ideas I wanted to play was, okay, if you found a song that we, the audience, recognize, you realize that you have a connection to this world too, and suddenly other pieces start to fit. Well, why do they wear suits and ties? Why do they look so much like us? What is the connection between them and us? It would put in stark relief the idea that there is a connection between the people on Galatica and our experience on Earth.

That would be a good plot for an RPG campaiugn in general. You've got 6 to 7 players.  They are trying to discover "double agent" or spies during the course of the game.  You've got music CDs playing in the background. During the normal course of the game you pass  3 by 5 cards to 4 of the 7 players. On the cardsw it says when "X" song comes up on the music we've playing in the background , your original memories and personality re-awaken. You ARE one of the spies that you have been looking for .

If you and the players are already in the habit of passing notes this way - it could be a really cool way to shakeup the ongoing plot of a campaign.

- Ed C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: RockViper on March 29, 2007, 10:13:27 AM
Quote from: WilIs they any incontrovertible truth that they actually are, or is it that they just believe that they are? People make assumptions too quickly with no evidence.

There is an interview with Ron Moore that pretty much confirms the 4 people in that room were cylons, but left open the question of the last cylon slot (The Evidence points to Starbuck of course). I will try and find it and post a link.

-Edit-

Found it

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07085/770732-352.stm
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: John Morrow on March 29, 2007, 10:58:55 AM
Quote from: RockViperhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07085/770732-352.stm

QuoteR: When did you decide to make these four characters Cylons and how much did you have to go back and check to make sure that fit with things we already knew about these four characters?

RM: It was something I came up with this season as I worked toward the finale. The conceptual framework in which these guys are Cylons, it all sort of works once we laid down their individual back stories.

Gee, he made that decision "this season as I worked toward the finale".  Making it up as he goes?  It "all sort of works"?  Why doesn't that surprise me?
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Wil on March 29, 2007, 11:49:05 AM
Quote from: John MorrowGee, he made that decision "this season as I worked toward the finale".  Making it up as he goes?  It "all sort of works"?  Why doesn't that surprise me?

It's obvious that's what he's doing, because in Season 1 or 2 he stated that characters that were well known to others (like Tigh and Kara) could not be sleeper Cylons.

I'll revise a little bit - I'm fairly certain that by being part of the "final Five" that Tyrol, Tigh, what's her face and Blanders are not "Cylons" in the same way that the other skin jobs are. Moore kind of alludes to that in the link.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Spike on March 29, 2007, 08:17:57 PM
Not that I'm watching the show (I don't watch TV, but I might pick up the DVD's one day...)

But it seems to me a very bad thing when the creator/writer of a show admits that he's making shit up as he goes along. Now... this might not be so bad in a purely episodic 'no continuity' type of show where you don't have long plot/subplot arcs but it's a killer for shows that DO have them.

See... I'm not adverse to the guy making the stuff up so much. Still think it's bad form, but if he pulls it off, great. But going out there and admitting you have no real creative vision that you are following? Blech...

I think I just lost any interest in trying to track this one.  


Especially if it's conspiracy driven.  ESPECIALLY then.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Tom B on March 30, 2007, 12:46:07 AM
Quote from: SpikeNot that I'm watching the show (I don't watch TV, but I might pick up the DVD's one day...)

But it seems to me a very bad thing when the creator/writer of a show admits that he's making shit up as he goes along. Now... this might not be so bad in a purely episodic 'no continuity' type of show where you don't have long plot/subplot arcs but it's a killer for shows that DO have them.

See... I'm not adverse to the guy making the stuff up so much. Still think it's bad form, but if he pulls it off, great. But going out there and admitting you have no real creative vision that you are following? Blech...

I think I just lost any interest in trying to track this one.  


Especially if it's conspiracy driven.  ESPECIALLY then.
Stracynzski can tell you in loving detail the perils of trying to come up with a multi-year story, and then attempting to stick to it all the way through.  Things change, and as the story develops and you actually see it on-screen, some things that seemed like good ideas may need revising.  Or what if you get an idea that's better than what you had originally planned?

No,  I have no problems whatsoever with Ron making changes as he goes along.  Actually...I can't think of any show that tries to plot out an entire multi-season arc with no changes.  As far as I know, Babylon 5 is the only show to even attempt it.

It by no means implies a lack of creative vision, just the opposite, IMO.  And even though he may be changing and adding details, I have a feeling that he's known his destination from the very beginning.  He's just adjusting the route as he goes.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Spike on March 30, 2007, 01:05:20 AM
J. Micheal may have spoiled me, then... :p

Seriously, I don't need a story arc planned for the entire show in detail, but if you intend to have 'secret infiltrating super secret cylons who are really already cast members'...


... well, that is the sort of thing I'd expect you to plan in advance, and tightly.

I don't know what happened in Alias with the mcguffin peices they were looking for all through seasons one and two, but I damn well expect the writers to at least have a damn good idea what the hell they actually do... and if they don't, then they better not tell me that every episode that they showed up in doing wierd temporal shit was purely the imagination of the guy doing that episode and what ever drugs he had that morning. :D


As far as I can tell the popularity of LOST seriously tanked once people began figuring out that the writers had no more idea than anyone else did. Sure, some people stuck it out (it's still going, right?), but the serious interest dropped off quickly once the speculation that made it all so interesting turned out to be completely worthless.

That's the point I'm lamely trying to make here.  I guess it would help better if I actually watched TV, eh?:raise:
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Wil on March 30, 2007, 01:17:14 AM
Quote from: Spike... well, that is the sort of thing I'd expect you to plan in advance, and tightly.

Just like RPGs...what happens if you plan for a character to be a crucial part of the show to be revealed two seasons down the road, and you tightly wind all of these plot threads and other things around them, and a year later the actor leaves? There's something to be said for playing it a little loose on the plotting.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 30, 2007, 03:04:41 AM
Quote from: WilJust like RPGs...what happens if you plan for a character to be a crucial part of the show to be revealed two seasons down the road, and you tightly wind all of these plot threads and other things around them, and a year later the actor leaves? There's something to be said for playing it a little loose on the plotting.


 Which is the reason to discuss a show in the first place. A lot of gamers compare adventure scenarios to the plots of  action/adventure movies.  The closest thing to an ongoing  RPG campaign is basically an ongoing adventure drama thatr has story arcs.  (Like "LOST", "Babylon 5", "nBattlestar Galactica")

 The creator/producers of these kinds of shows of these shows have a lot of the came concerns and headaches that a GM has.

 This past seson on  "Lost"  - the actor who plays Mr. Ecko said he wanted to leave. The producers had planned on him being there the whole season in their outline for the year.  So, they had to write him out and give him a "death" episode , and they also had to  adjust the storylines of two other characters. Reminds me a lot of a Player suddenly saying they want to quit a campaign and the GM having to scamble to adjust all of the ongoing plots that might be in the works.

- Ed C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: James McMurray on March 30, 2007, 12:10:24 PM
Koltar you stupid piece of shit, it's no wonder players leave your games all the fucking time. They get sick of looking at a toady piece of shit.

No offense intended, and none of those thoughts are my own. Nox is sick today and asked me to cover his shift. ;)
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Spike on March 30, 2007, 12:24:51 PM
Quote from: James McMurrayKoltar you stupid piece of shit, it's no wonder players leave your games all the fucking time. They get sick of looking at a toady piece of shit.

No offense intended, and none of those thoughts are my own. Nox is sick today and asked me to cover his shift. ;)


Y'know, I read this in passing and actually thought it WAS Nox until I came back to it. Once I read the whole thing I had to actually check who the poster was.

Spot on, James..


EDIT:::: Needs some random mispellings though...
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: James McMurray on March 30, 2007, 12:36:41 PM
Yeah. And I forgot to screw with his name. Calling him Kol-toad or something would have fit better.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Koltar on March 30, 2007, 04:34:46 PM
Quote from: James McMurrayKoltar you stupid piece of shit, it's no wonder players leave your games all the fucking time. They get sick of looking at a toady piece of shit.

No offense intended, and none of those thoughts are my own. Nox is sick today and asked me to cover his shift. ;)


 I thought I had him on ignore.... Oh wait its James M.

 Okay never mind.

- E.W.C.
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: James McMurray on March 30, 2007, 05:10:24 PM
Happy to be of service. ;)
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Hastur T. Fannon on April 02, 2007, 03:04:16 AM
Quote from: Tom BNo,  I have no problems whatsoever with Ron making changes as he goes along.  Actually...I can't think of any show that tries to plot out an entire multi-season arc with no changes.  As far as I know, Babylon 5 is the only show to even attempt it.

Even in comics there's only three guys who've ever pulled it off: Alan Moore (Promethea), Garth Ennis (Preacher) and Neil Gaiman (Sandman) and even Neil lost his way during "Fables and Reflections".  And in comics you've got almost complete control over your characters
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: James J Skach on April 02, 2007, 03:33:19 PM
Quote from: Hastur T. FannonEven in comics there's only three guys who've ever pulled it off: Alan Moore (Promethea), Garth Ennis (Preacher) and Neil Gaiman (Sandman) and even Neil lost his way during "Fables and Reflections".  And in comics you've got almost complete control over your characters
Almost?

I'm not being facetious (completely).  I'm interested in what you mean by almost complete control.  I can think of one or two things, but I'm curious...
Title: ["nBSG" RPG] Said the Joker to the Thief
Post by: Hastur T. Fannon on April 03, 2007, 02:45:08 AM
Quote from: James J SkachAlmost?

I'm not being facetious (completely).  I'm interested in what you mean by almost complete control.  I can think of one or two things, but I'm curious...

Firstly there's always editorial oversight, but that isn't quite what I mean

Any serious writer will tell you that the story isn't entirely under your control.  You find out things about your characters that you didn't know when you started (Dean Koontz once wrote a book that just didn't work unless the lead character was Vietnamese-American and, reading it now, I can't imagine him being anything else) or do things to the plot that you didn't intend when you started it (Terry Pratchett comments on this in the intro to "Equal Rites").  Alan Moore still doesn't know how he wrote Promethea #12