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Author Topic: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?  (Read 2622 times)

The Thing
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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2021, 01:57:27 PM »
I got a lot of good ideas from the first d20 WoW sourcebook.

Come to think of it, the D&D material that got turned into video games and had some new stuff created just for those games translated back into tabletop D&D nicely. If that counts.
>

I suppose it can.

jeff37923

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2021, 07:37:58 AM »
I got a lot of good ideas from the first d20 WoW sourcebook.

Come to think of it, the D&D material that got turned into video games and had some new stuff created just for those games translated back into tabletop D&D nicely. If that counts.

Greetings!

Interesting! Jeff, what are the things that you really liked about the WOW RPG sourcebook? What elements do you think are especially cool for using in a D&D game?

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SHARK

First, let me preface by saying that I don't like video games.

A computer program cannot be nearly as creative or thoughtful as a human being, because once the game program is finished and you buy it there can be no action or reaction except what is already programmed into the game,  which I find far too limiting to be fun. Now I understand that some games have expansions (usually for a price) but everything is still limited by the program of the game itself. I also understand that there are PvP servers and places to meet other gamers using that particular game - but even then the choices of actions and possibilities is still limited by the game's programming.

I do love the artwork and settings of some video games. I don't know how many times I've cribbed some artwork from Halo to show Players what a piece of equipment or character looks like in Traveller  or d6 Star Wars.

The first WoW book captured my attention with not just new Feats, new Spells, and new Prestige Classes, but with the rich background history of the setting and how these were woven together into the History of the setting. The formatting of the geography gave me a good example on how to do my own in the future. It was not just utilitarian, it was inspiring. Kalimdor became real to me, who had never played the video game.

I know that is half-assed answer, but it is the best way for me to convey the value to me of that book. It wasn't just one thing, it was a lot of little things, and more importantly it was how all of those things fit together to make the whole. I felt that a lot of love went into Warcraft.
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Ghostmaker

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2021, 08:57:22 AM »
First, let me preface by saying that I don't like video games.

A computer program cannot be nearly as creative or thoughtful as a human being, because once the game program is finished and you buy it there can be no action or reaction except what is already programmed into the game,  which I find far too limiting to be fun. Now I understand that some games have expansions (usually for a price) but everything is still limited by the program of the game itself. I also understand that there are PvP servers and places to meet other gamers using that particular game - but even then the choices of actions and possibilities is still limited by the game's programming.

I do love the artwork and settings of some video games. I don't know how many times I've cribbed some artwork from Halo to show Players what a piece of equipment or character looks like in Traveller  or d6 Star Wars.

The first WoW book captured my attention with not just new Feats, new Spells, and new Prestige Classes, but with the rich background history of the setting and how these were woven together into the History of the setting. The formatting of the geography gave me a good example on how to do my own in the future. It was not just utilitarian, it was inspiring. Kalimdor became real to me, who had never played the video game.

I know that is half-assed answer, but it is the best way for me to convey the value to me of that book. It wasn't just one thing, it was a lot of little things, and more importantly it was how all of those things fit together to make the whole. I felt that a lot of love went into Warcraft.
I disagree that the answer's half assed, for what it's worth. Being an avid video gamer, I completely agree that computer games (CRPGs) simply cannot duplicate the sheer insanity that a living player or GM can supply.

Brad

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #18 on: May 12, 2021, 09:39:20 AM »
The Everquest RPG is oddly enough pretty good...it's super high powered nonsense, but as an actual RPG I'd say it's fairly effective at getting across the Everquest paradigm. Which is funny because Everquest is nothing more than some hyperbolic version of D&D with some anime thrown in. It's certainly one of the best d20 versions of the game, at least for high fantasy; I'd say the Conan d20 is the best on the swords & sorcery side.

I have converted a couple classes from Wizardry to Castles & Crusades and Labyrinth Lord (samurai, bishop), but Wizardry is pretty much just D&D, anyway, so beyond the specific abilities there's not much to them.

There was a Kickstarter for a tabletop version of ADOM that I missed out on, then another one came up that I backed...and was consequently refunded and the whole KS shutdown. Which sucks ass because that looked like it was going to be awesome.
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Torque2100

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #19 on: May 13, 2021, 01:06:11 PM »
I know it's gotten some flack elsewhere on this site, but I absolutely adore the Witcher RPG by R Talsorian.  Interlock in all of its incarnations remains one of my favorite systems.  It manages to really hit that sweet spot for me of just crunchy enough to keep me interested but fluid enough to encourage heroic realism.  Plus the system does not pull punches.  If you do something stupid, you can find yourself in a world of pain really fast.  The Witcher in particular encourages a very dynamic combat style.  While DnD derivative games reward very static gameplay, The Witcher encourages and rewards positioning, with combatants Dark Souls rolling all over the place.  Also the Fast attack/Heavy Attack action economy gives punch and variety to melee that's sorely lacking in other systems.

Pat
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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #20 on: May 13, 2021, 01:18:51 PM »
The Everquest RPG is oddly enough pretty good...it's super high powered nonsense, but as an actual RPG I'd say it's fairly effective at getting across the Everquest paradigm. Which is funny because Everquest is nothing more than some hyperbolic version of D&D with some anime thrown in. It's certainly one of the best d20 versions of the game, at least for high fantasy; I'd say the Conan d20 is the best on the swords & sorcery side.
That reminds me, GURPS Myth was pretty decent for many of the same reasons. It does a good job of adapting the third edition magic system to a very high powered setting.

Omega

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #21 on: May 14, 2021, 05:48:25 AM »
Conversions have been few and far between officially due to the IP licensing costs. Same for Movie to RPG conversions. And Board games too really.

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.
Everquest seemed to get good reviews when it came out. Then poof. Gone.
Warcraft got a lukewarm reaction seems and then also poof. gone.
Dragon Age heard nothing on.
Didnt gurps do one specifically for Alpha Centauri?

Deathnet for d20 Modern was set up to allow emulation of various video games. Much like gurps and BESM, the DM has alot of work to do to make it so.

Wntrlnd

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #22 on: May 14, 2021, 09:35:27 AM »

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.


I really should find my copy and use it for a WoD adventure. Vampires and werewolves and mages but using the streetfighter rules..

HappyDaze

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #23 on: May 14, 2021, 10:25:14 AM »

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.


I really should find my copy and use it for a WoD adventure. Vampires and werewolves and mages but using the streetfighter rules..
So Darkstalkers then?

This Guy
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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #24 on: May 14, 2021, 11:42:03 AM »

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.


I really should find my copy and use it for a WoD adventure. Vampires and werewolves and mages but using the streetfighter rules..

been some prepwork done for you already if you find a copy of WoD: Combat, couldnt tell you if its better or worse than just using Street Fighter RPG straight
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Chris24601

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #25 on: May 14, 2021, 02:48:20 PM »

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.


I really should find my copy and use it for a WoD adventure. Vampires and werewolves and mages but using the streetfighter rules..

been some prepwork done for you already if you find a copy of WoD: Combat, couldnt tell you if its better or worse than just using Street Fighter RPG straight
WoD: Combat is pretty much the whole of Street Fighter’s combat system with some extra bits added for supernaturals. If you have that, you won’t really need the Street Fighter books for doing that sort of campaign.

Ghostmaker

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #26 on: May 14, 2021, 03:52:21 PM »
Huh, I can't believe I forgot Street Fighter. Still, White Wolf's take was gloriously gonzo and if you didn't take it seriously, you'd have a LOT of fun.

Mr. Welch actually reviewed it a few years back. https://youtu.be/tQk_7Jo7ipg

Money quote: "Remember, fights can break out anywhere in this game. So if you're in a dark alley, you're in an abandoned warehouse, you're in the Macy's Day parade, you're in the Presidential Inauguration, there's always room for more ninjas."

C'mon. Don't tell me that a fight scene on parade floats wouldn't be fun to do.
« Last Edit: May 14, 2021, 04:06:58 PM by Ghostmaker »

Wntrlnd

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #27 on: May 14, 2021, 04:05:44 PM »

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.


I really should find my copy and use it for a WoD adventure. Vampires and werewolves and mages but using the streetfighter rules..

been some prepwork done for you already if you find a copy of WoD: Combat, couldnt tell you if its better or worse than just using Street Fighter RPG straight
WoD: Combat is pretty much the whole of Street Fighter’s combat system with some extra bits added for supernaturals. If you have that, you won’t really need the Street Fighter books for doing that sort of campaign.

This probably don't make sense, but I think Combat is more Streetfighter rules applied to WoD rules, whereas I was more looking for WoD rules applied to Streetfighter rules.

Huh, I can't believe I forgot Street Fighter. Still, White Wolf's take was gloriously gonzo and if you didn't take it seriously, you'd have a LOT of fun.


Ah yes. only played it once but we had a Sumo wrestler hiding in a open field with 5 successes and didnt get spotted.
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« Last Edit: May 14, 2021, 04:10:03 PM by Wntrlnd »

Omega

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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #28 on: May 15, 2021, 11:20:54 AM »
The Demon Hunter X book for WOD has some small elements that could be applied as well. Its essentially about either normal humans, or supernaturally trained humans battling the WOD critters. Reads as more geared for Kindred of the East. But certainly applicable elsewhere. I know of this one because WW "borrowed" some text from my own book and practically copy pasted it in.

This Guy
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Re: Video game to TTRPG conversions, were any good?
« Reply #29 on: May 15, 2021, 01:08:15 PM »

White Wolf did a Street Fighter RPG way back. One of my players local has it I believe.


I really should find my copy and use it for a WoD adventure. Vampires and werewolves and mages but using the streetfighter rules..

been some prepwork done for you already if you find a copy of WoD: Combat, couldnt tell you if its better or worse than just using Street Fighter RPG straight
WoD: Combat is pretty much the whole of Street Fighter’s combat system with some extra bits added for supernaturals. If you have that, you won’t really need the Street Fighter books for doing that sort of campaign.

This probably don't make sense, but I think Combat is more Streetfighter rules applied to WoD rules, whereas I was more looking for WoD rules applied to Streetfighter rules.

It doesn't but my desire to know more has intensified. You mean like vampire and garou fighting styles in street fighter or something else?
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