Mass effect rpg

[misterecho]

Hi guys i'm new here and im not sure how much you guys play video games (i'm guessing alot)

i really enjoyed Mass effect and its rich universe. i was look for a pnp version when i stumbled on icar (5* by the way rob)

i cant find one, so perhaps i should write one. this is a daunting idea for a dyslexic first timer.
should i hang my mass effect setting on exsisting rules or should i just jump in from scratch?

opinions please

[kumakami]

its more a matter of if you've seen rules that seem to fit/work for the game in question. If you feel strongly that there are no good rule then by all means..make them

[SheikhJahbooty]

This is a really good question because together, we know hoards of stuff about games.

What you should do is:

1) Describe what kind of things players should be able to do with characters and equipment. (eg. advance in a character class, use psionic powers, start a business, gain enhancements, invent devices, tinker with a starship...)

2) Describe what kind of behavior you want players to be rewarded for. (eg. you don't want players to shoot first so maybe there should be some way PCs can earn a buff for trying to talk through a problem before reaching for guns, you want players to think about the outer space setting so it would be cool if there were prospecting or other money making opportunities in asteroid belts or desolate moons...)

Then we can tell you if a system like this exists already or if a system close to that exists that you can tweak, or if you will need a totally new system.

[misterecho]

I would like to make a game where the charactors can work in spacey jobs, trading between colonies, mining, pirate hunting, pirating, freelancing for the alliance navy in merc style missions, freelancing for the Citidel council in espionage style stuff.

all this good stuff.

- i would like to have the different alien species as race choices
- various class choices
- Intense firefights
- Short sharp brutal combat

[Rob Lang]

I'm a computer gamer too but I've not played Mass Effect. Maybe I should? I'm currently writing a guide for the blog about how to write your own RPG so I'm cribbing from those notes.

Release small, release often.
Getting something out there is the most important step. That's why the 24 hour RPG project is so important. It forced people to just do it.

If you can't think of a good mechanic, use a well known one
It sounds like it's the setting and adventures you're mostly interested in rather than designing a new set of mechanics. I'd recommend or it extension as two good example free system you can build upon. It is easier to start rules lite and build than build a huge amount of rules and cut them back.

Try selling it to yourself
Write down your game in 5 words. Do an "elevator pitch": describe your game verbally in 12 seconds. Keep trying until you can.

That should get you started!

[misterecho]

excellent replys

the idea is is evolving away from a strict mass effect pnp conversion. into an amaligimation of science fiction influences.

i need to work on what it is i really want

i would love jason bourne style hand to hand (not sci fi i know)
david brabens elite style space life/economies etc ( )
mass effect style alien races

Rob play Mass effect and tell me the Geth arn't stolen from your pages!

[misterecho]

Someone has done one
glad I found this before I did any work on it

http://www.bozark.com/mass/x/downloads.html

[Jonathan Ridd]

Computer games are a great inspiration for rpg's aren't they. Gives me an idea for a thread. What are you going to write about instead?