Some of you may not have heard (there might be one or two of you out there who don't actually read my blog, or any other source of RPG news), but Ken Hite and Robin Laws are designing a new version of the Call of Cthulhu RPG, using a new system called the "gumshoe" system.

Until now they've been relatively quiet about exactly what take they're going to have on the whole Cthulhu thing, perhaps in part because they aren't totally decided yet, as evidence by their recent survey wherein they asked gamers what they wanted from a new Cthulhu game.

Ideally, a new Cthulhu game, in being closer to the original material, would be more action-oriented and less focused on chastising gamers who do anything other than totally non-violent investigation; I always found it funny that the Cthulhu Swine insist that any player who has a gun isn't "doing it right" somehow, as if once we complete the investigating part we're just supposed to go up to the ghastly beastly thing and ask it very politely to "please stop being an ineffable monstrosity from beyond the limits of human comprehension".

Unfortunately, I'm willing to bet that the new game will be just the opposite, and go further in that direction.

Sadly, D20 CoC would certainly have been the better product, had it been allowed to live.

Incidentally, does anyone out there know any details about this "GUMSHOE" system that they plan to use?

RPGPundit

QuoteI always found it funny that the Cthulhu Swine insist that any player who has a gun isn't "doing it right" somehow, as if once we complete the investigating part we're just supposed to go up to the ghastly beastly thing and ask it very politely to "please stop being an ineffable monstrosity from beyond the limits of human comprehension".

I don't know about carrying a gun or not, but in the face of an ineffable monstrosity isn't a gun just a fashion accessory?

QuoteSadly, D20 CoC would certainly have been the better product, had it been allowed to live.

So why was such a run-away ultra popular bright and shining future money maker allowed to die? :pundit:

QuoteIncidentally, does anyone out there know any details about this "GUMSHOE" system that they plan to use?

I bet at least one of the posters here does.

The name sure suggests it is detective orientated. I'm more curious about how well it will cover the whole detective genere....which would imply better coverage of the use of small firearms and weapons.

Hrms. I don't know. Usually the guns aren't useful against the beasts, they from the stories were for:

A) Stopping Cultists.
B) Shooting at device/objects that brought more than man was meant to know, usually done by accident but still averting momentarily one's doom
C) Ending your own life.


Now that isn't to say that the guns aren't USEFUL--just that their use isn't much if you get to the point of actually meeting the monsters--except of course for option C.

Quote from: blakkieSo why was such a run-away ultra popular bright and shining future money maker allowed to die? :pundit:

Because it was never meant to live. CoC D20 was an exhibition bit, "look what we can do with this new-fangled D20 system". The same goes for the Wheel of Time RPG. CoC D20 apparently sold pretty damn well, but WotC never meant to support it and the folks at Chaosium never liked the system (Chaosium == BRP &&  D20 == D&D)

It will probably be a whole new system, if Laws gets his hands on it. And it won't work for other game types by the same reason. Now I hear you say that CoC doesn't have just one game type. Well, after the new release, it will.

Um... hate to get in the way of a rant, but I thought he meant that he was adapting Cthulhu for this

Think the timing has anything to do with the release of the new movie*?










*which looks by the trailers like another Dagon. *shudders*

Nothing from the online survey points at a computer game (which, by the way, looks like it stepped straight out of the 80s). Then again, nothing implies that this is a general replacement for the Chaosium game, just a licensed sub-game. Detectives & Mythos. Yet the survey is pretty generic...

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalUm... hate to get in the way of a rant, but I thought he meant that he was adapting Cthulhu for this

Nope.

Ah well... probably just wishful thinking then seeing as there are already 2 CoC games out there.  Who says that it's just videogame companies who know how to milk a succesful license eh kids?

I don't want a successful CoC computer game. This would only lead to a movie made by something beyond even the Old Ones themselves...

CoC already does action perfectly well, most published scenarios depend on it in fact.  The idea it punishes use of guns is a myth.

The main thing that punishes use of guns in CoC is the police in fact.

The new rpg will be investigative in tone, having read into it.  I am suspending judgement until it comes out, though the authors being who they are make me reasonably confident it will be a fun game.

Quote from: SosthenesI don't want a successful CoC computer game. This would only lead to a movie made by something beyond even the Old Ones themselves...

My favourite Lovecraftian flicks are In the Mouth of Madness and that B&W Call of Cthulhu, both of them faithful to the original stories in their own ways.

Quote from: BalbinusThe new rpg will be investigative in tone, having read into it.  I am suspending judgement until it comes out, though the authors being who they are make me reasonably confident it will be a fun game.

  Surely it's completely redundant though?  If they wanted to bring out a proper noir Private Dick game I'd be interested but throwing Cthulhu into the mix immediately makes it seem derivative, lazy and vainly attempting to include fantastical elements in a bid to increase sales.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalSurely it's completely redundant though?  If they wanted to bring out a proper noir Private Dick game I'd be interested but throwing Cthulhu into the mix immediately makes it seem derivative, lazy and vainly attempting to include fantastical elements in a bid to increase sales.

I suspect it's more a labour of love to be honest, the system though was originally developed for a different setting.  This is it being adapted, and I suspect has much to do with Hite's love of the original stories.

As for redundant, I don't know, if it's well executed and fun to play then that's justification enough for me.  Couldn't one just as well ask why create a new fantasy rpg when we already have DnD?

That said, if it's any good I will almost certainly drop the CoC elements so as to focus on a pure investigative game much as you describe, so I guess I don't see those as adding much necessarily either.

On the other hand, at least everyone wouldn't have memorised the damn monsters' stats which can be a problem nowadays with CoC.

Quote from: RPGPunditIdeally, a new Cthulhu game, in being closer to the original material, would be more action-oriented and less focused on chastising gamers who do anything other than totally non-violent investigation; I always found it funny that the Cthulhu Swine insist that any player who has a gun isn't "doing it right" somehow, as if once we complete the investigating part we're just supposed to go up to the ghastly beastly thing and ask it very politely to "please stop being an ineffable monstrosity from beyond the limits of human comprehension".

Yeah, OMG this one time I heard there were these stupid powergaming munchkins that instead of getting eaten or going crazy like proper investigators they stopped Cthulhu by ramming him with a ship.  What stupid wankers, HPL must've been rolling over in his grave.

I only played Cthulhu once, with an awesome GM.  Had a blast, and guns were a part of it.  Horror coming from knowing that you are cursed and hunted by an angry spirit from beyond is much better than 'OMG nothing hurts it.'