1KM1KT / Free RPG Blog 24 Hour RPG Competition: It's over!

[Drohem]

[Drohem]

[tygertyger]

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

I don't believe you need to re-invent the wheel system-wise. However, I would recommend against open-source rules.

The "" rules state no pre-creation of a system or pre-planning of text. Furthermore, I would add - it is supposed to be your complete RPG, not a supplement to something written by another.

Using a pre-made universal system like FUDGE, Myriad, Fuzion, or anything else meant as a toolkit, strikes me as bit too established for use as a base. These documents alone are longer than most 24 hour games. One day plus several weeks/months of work is outside the realm of this contest.

My call, is that you can borrow systems from your own projects or other 24 hour games - provided you change an element or two. (New attributes that work slightly differently, some differences in modifiers or combat means.)

Either way, honesty probably behooves you to type it again rather than cut and paste.

In short rewritten is ok, but prewriten is not.

As an aside, complete originality in game systems is a matter of degree. Supposedly US copyright law states you can't actually copyright a mechanic. (there are only so many ways to say "roll two six sided dice" after all) However, I'm no legal scholar so take this with a gain of salt.

[Drohem]

Thanks Chainsaw Aardvark!

Yeah, this is my first time so I am just trying to get a sense of my boundaries. Your post helps to clarify things for me, and had good advice which I'll be making use of in my game.

[Peril Planet]

Finding new and inventive ways to use mechanics can often be the spark for an entire game. Likewise you might find mechanics that accomplish a goal that is in line with your own project and reinvent them for your own purposes. This is all part of the design process.
The opposed dice mechanic for Verge was inspired by John Wick's "Schauermarchen" (probably the creepiest game I have ever read), but that game had no character stats (as they are traditionally recognised) and was very vague in regards to combat resolution. I added attributes and a specific combat process, along with the attack and defence pools and wound track. I liked the original premise of Wick's rules because it encouraged all participants to add to the story, as opposed to a standard "I succeed / fail" result - I added a bit of "crunch", which I think a cyberpunk type game should have.
My advice - beg, borrow or steal, but make it your own.

- Nathan

[Riggah]

"I Think I'm a Clone Now", please.

[BortJr]

I too picked "Death Rides a White Pontiac Firebird."

Unfortunately, an unexpected party stole several hours from me, so I never got around to layout or character sheets, or a lot of the flavor text I had in mind.

Should I upload it as a .txt file anyway?

[talysman]

OK, I'm in, at 2pm my time.

Concept: B-Movie Oblivion
Proposed Title: Out of Frame
Proposed Subtitle: The RPG of Cinema Escape

I should have about five hours of writing time right now, plus more if I stay up after everyone goes to bed.

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

Just because you fail the 24 hour challenge, does not mean the 24 hours of work has failed you. Any work that has been completed is still a meaningful step towards completing a game, and there are people who would like to see it. (At the very least, I would.)

If the game still seems playable, feel free to post it here. Or take it over to 1km1kt's sister site - -and get some more feedback. So long as you complete a game by yourself you have a victory, if not necessarily a win.

Of course, there is still time to make another entry. (We haven't established a limit per person yet.)

Speaking of which, so far we have 13 entries declared:

1.Ten Men Called Joe.
2.Into the Wild
3.Great Hamster Rebellion*
4.Schrodinger's Other Pet*
5.Cowboys With Big Hearts
6.Primordial Chicken Soup!*
7.Power Squid!*
8.Magic Pants
9.FANTASYPUNK
10.Death Rides a White Pontiac Firebird*
11.I Think I'm a Clone Now*
12.Death Rides a White Pontiac Firebird*
13.B-Movie Oblivion*

As a judge, I can't make a game, but I am proud to note so far half the people are using my suggestions.