A Free Game For You?

[Onix]

I'm looking for playtesters for Jump Temp. I'll be selling the game eventually, but for playtesters you get it free. It uses my Energy System that I've put up various versions of here. The core concepts are pretty basic but there are a lot of options that stem from those concepts.

Specifically I'm interested in GMs that would be interested in running the game. It's been run in my group and one remote group already but I'd like to be as hands off as possible to shake the game out.

[kylesgames]

I have difficulties finding groups to play with, but I'm going to have more free time.

I can't guarantee a test, but I'd be happy to look over it and give feedback, maybe run some testing.

Unrelatedly, is there enough interest around 1km1kt to set up an online testing session once or twice a month where people can submit games and get them tested?

[Onix]

I've already made about a dozen corrections since making this file so feel free to point out errors but I may have already found them. I know the table of contents is wrong, that's been fixed.

As far as testing here, we've usually asked for players and then set up a game in the Play by Post section. We did that when there was a lot more activity. I'm hoping that these lulls are cyclical and that things pick up.

[madunkieg]

I've downloaded the file and will read through it. I don't have a regular group to playtest with, but it sounds like I'm not the only one. I'll let you know if I'm up for a play-by-forum-post game.

[Onix]

Not unusual at all. It seems like a lot of people are moving to online games via things like google groups. It makes finding people a little easier in that you aren't limited by geography.

In any event, thanks! I look forward to hearing your input.

[madunkieg]

I've taken a second glance through the game, and I'm just not getting motivated by it. I'm presented with an idea for a new technology, then the game based around that technology, however you completely forget about the people, both in the game and playing the game. I can recognize this because I've done it numerous times. Here's my suggestion:

1. What are the people in your sci fi universe struggling with? It could interspecies communication and cultural differences or a giant space empire oppressing everyone. There may be secondary issues which only affect some of the people, but the main issue should affect everyone.

2. How do these engines appear in the story? Because, as they sit right now, they're interesting mystery for the technicians to fiddle with, but just background trivia to everyone else, even the captains. There's magical ftl travel. We get it. Don't make the game about it unless it's that mystery that drives the game.

All this goes out the window if your goal was to create an OSR game, but you still need to differentiate your game from Traveller, the original OSR sci fi game.

[Onix]

It is a bit OSR in that the world is purposefully open to allow the GM to develop their own world. To that end, and because I didn't want all the old tropes of evil empires, there's chaos. In the end, survival is the big challenge of the game, I don't beat the reader over the head with that but maybe it needs some emphasis.

I disagree to the point on jump drives, they're the most explored technology in the game. Without them, nothing happens. Again though, this is fertile ground for a GM to dive into if that's their desire. I have a feeling there's something you were looking for with them that you didn't see, do you have a feel for what that is?

[Onix]

Maybe it would help what you're seeing to add some story background for the individual play groups. I'm thinking that the players could pick a story for their ship.

Stolen prototype - extra dice to the ship but a government or corporation is hunting for the ship.
Illegal tech - the ship gets one hidden system that is illegal in most systems (a railgun, a atomic drive, missiles, etc)
Captain has powerful enemies - the captain did some damage to someone dangerous. The captain gets notoriety but many systems are off limits.
Advanced jump drive - the ship's drive is special. It can travel further or in shorter duration jumps but everyone wants to steal it and temp fluctuations are harder to handle.

Maybe some others. They'd be optional but they'd also be story seeds that would get the ball rolling.

[Onix]

[madunkieg]

I've reconsidered my statements. It's not that I think they're wrong, given that you're trying to design an OSR game, it's that I now recognize they're applicable to OSR games, too.

For instance, D&D is all about the characters defeating monsters. The thing I want to point out to you is that it's all about the characters, not the weapons and armor they use to do it. Your game is about the technology. I implore you to fix this.

I'm creating a space fleet wargame, which would make you think it's all about technology, but it isn't. It's about the fleet commanders using the correct tactics. The technology is just a way to promote different tactics.