Systems Failure

Xuc Xac · April 05, 2016, 01:42:36 AM

I'm only familiar with Palladium from Rifts, TMNT, and Robotech and a one shot of Fantasy. Did they seriously make a game called "Systems Failure"?

I think we've found a winner for the "Bitingly Honest RPG Game/Setting Titles" thread.

DavetheLost · April 05, 2016, 06:47:32 PM

Yes, they did. Its premise was that the Y2K bug was actual "bugs" that travelled in energy form through electrical wiring.

The jokes write themselves about this one...

RPGPundit · April 08, 2016, 03:19:14 AM

The premise might seem ridiculous but the game itself was awesome.

DavetheLost · April 08, 2016, 09:12:38 AM

I was amazed on first reading what a great game it is. If you find a copy of it, buy it!

It is a postapocalypse game for those who want a truly different apocalypse. You will never look at a landline phone quite the same way again... And just where are the electrical outlets in the room?

Daddy Warpig · April 09, 2016, 11:27:13 AM

Quote from: RPGPundit;890222The premise might seem ridiculous but the game itself was awesome.

All RPG premises are ridiculous.

Shadowrun: You know how many Utes are alive today? 20,000. NO WAY the Utes (and other Amerind tribes) kick out all the whiteys and still have functioning countries. They'd barely have functioning TOWNS.

So, yeah, the Systems Failure premise (as described above) is more than a little odd. Doesn't matter. If it makes for a great game, GO FOR IT.

kosmos1214 · April 09, 2016, 05:17:29 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;890222The premise might seem ridiculous but the game itself was awesome.

i was going to say some thing.

Quote from: Daddy Warpig;890474All RPG premises are ridiculous.

Shadowrun: You know how many Utes are alive today? 20,000. NO WAY the Utes (and other Amerind tribes) kick out all the whiteys and still have functioning countries. They'd barely have functioning TOWNS.

So, yeah, the Systems Failure premise (as described above) is more than a little odd. Doesn't matter. If it makes for a great game, GO FOR IT.

but daddy beat me to it.

in truth just reading about this game makes me want to play it pretty bad i sounds super cool

RPGPundit · April 12, 2016, 12:47:14 AM

It was just like the perfect model in a single small book of everything that's totally great about Palladium's stuff.

everloss · April 14, 2016, 09:19:11 PM

Man, this is one of the few Palladium games I haven't played or even looked at. I remember when it was announced and thinking that the premise was stupid; a blatant grab at the ridiculous Y2K hysteria.

However, everything I've read about it has been positive, and you guys are making me want to buy a copy, 'cause it sounds fun.

Can someone explain the setting in a little more detail, though? The hows and whys?

everloss · April 14, 2016, 09:28:28 PM

Man, this is one of the few Palladium games I haven't played or even looked at. I remember when it was announced and thinking that the premise was stupid; a blatant grab at the ridiculous Y2K hysteria.

However, everything I've read about it has been positive, and you guys are making me want to buy a copy, 'cause it sounds fun. I like most of Bill Coffins other stuff, so I wouldn't be surprised that it's good.

Can someone explain the setting in a little more detail, though? The hows and whys? The bugs travel through electricity, is that right? Are they artificially created? Wouldn't the act of simply destroying or turning off devices end the bug threat? How does one even fight something like that?

RPGPundit · April 15, 2016, 06:19:10 PM

Quote from: everloss;891825Man, this is one of the few Palladium games I haven't played or even looked at. I remember when it was announced and thinking that the premise was stupid; a blatant grab at the ridiculous Y2K hysteria.

However, everything I've read about it has been positive, and you guys are making me want to buy a copy, 'cause it sounds fun. I like most of Bill Coffins other stuff, so I wouldn't be surprised that it's good.

Can someone explain the setting in a little more detail, though? The hows and whys? The bugs travel through electricity, is that right? Are they artificially created? Wouldn't the act of simply destroying or turning off devices end the bug threat? How does one even fight something like that?

It's been a long time, but I seem to recall that the bugs are a type of alien race. The setting is post-apocalyptic, but very shortly after the apocalypse, which gives it a very different style from RIFTS. You can play normal average people trying to avoid being captured or killed by the bugs, or there are also classes to play agents of the remaining human government, including some types of super-agents.

everloss · April 17, 2016, 08:39:29 PM

Are the bugs trying to enslave humans, or use them as food?

I guess I didn't even realize it was a post-apoc game. I don't know why that didn't occur to me before. I guess I thought it was like Nightbane with secret wars going on while everyday life continued.

Vic99 · April 17, 2016, 09:18:44 PM

Sounds great. Love post apoc.

I've been inspired and ordered a used copy on amazon.

Shawn Merrow · April 19, 2016, 12:45:09 AM

Quote from: everloss;892386Are the bugs trying to enslave humans, or use them as food?

I guess I didn't even realize it was a post-apoc game. I don't know why that didn't occur to me before. I guess I thought it was like Nightbane with secret wars going on while everyday life continued.

They had people enslaved and one type of bug called the Silkworms that could take over a human body.

Apparition · November 08, 2018, 11:46:39 PM

Systems Failure is now available in PDF on DriveThruRPG.

Abraxus · November 09, 2018, 08:30:14 AM

I know Rifts pays the bills yet between Splicers and System Failure sad to see both not getting enough support. Actual support. Not a grouping and rehashing of old Rifter articles than publishing it as a sourcebook like Palladium did recently with the Splicers sourcebook.