Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > Transhuman Space

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-06-2015, 08:02 PM   #1
DAT
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Default Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Below is an idea for a Convention game that has been churning around in my head. It starts with the description that would be posted with the signup sheet. What do folks think?

Description:
The Transhuman Space setting is a hard science (no known physical laws are broken) setting with genetic engineering (human genetic upgrades, transgenic parahumans, and biogenesis formed bioroids (biological androids, assembled from cloned tissues)), nanotechnology manufacturing, cybernetic implants, biological to digital interfaces, artificial intelligences, and digital consciousness (there is NO Faster-Than-Light travel, reactionless drives, psionics, or aliens). The date is January 1, 2100.

Your characters are prototype state-of-the-art bioroids being developed by a secret organization for surveillance, sabotage, and assassination. You have enhanced physical and mental attributes, cybernetic implants, and advanced training in surveillance, infiltration, demolitions, and combat. But your batch has been scheduled to be tested to destruction, to plan the next generation bioroids, starting next week. You have a long four day holiday weekend to develop and execute a plan to escape your fate. Can you do it?

Did I mention your bioroid forms are that of small woodland mammals: raccoons, possums, armadillos, hedgehogs, weasels, flying-squirrels, skunks, porcupines, and otters?

Name:
Option 1: Transhuman Space – Over the Hedge
Option 2: Transhuman Space – The Escape
Option 3: Transhuman Space – Over the Hedge: The Escape
Option 4: Transhuman Space – The Escape: Over the Hedge
Option 5: Transhuman Space – …?

The idea came from the vignette on page 90 of GURPS Bio-Tech (thanks to Vicky for reminding me where I saw that). The characters are different Neo-animals. They will have implanted encrypted communicators (which one of them figures out how to enable unknown to the humans around them) that will allow them to talk among themselves and knowledge of security measures, guard routines and other information necessary to generate their escape plans.

So I will need templates for each of the creatures, map of the facility, the security measures in place, and list of knowledge items that different characters will know (including the way to access the secure comms, different elements of the security plans, and an outsider who will hide them once they get out).

Am I missing anything?

Anyone know where I can find templates for creatures other than the Neo-Coons?

-Dan

Last edited by DAT; 03-08-2015 at 08:59 AM. Reason: Address johndallman points in post #2
DAT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2015, 12:57 AM   #2
johndallman
Night Watchman
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Quote:
Originally Posted by DAT View Post
... with genetic engineering (human genetic upgrades, transgenic parahumans, and biogenesis formed bioroids), nanotechnology, cybernetic implants
Since bioroids are the keystones of the scenario, explaining that concept a little better is wise. Perhaps something like this:

Quote:
bioroids (biological androids, assembled from cloned tissues)
Also, the nanotechnology of THS is a lot less spectacular than some settings and semi-scientific speculations, and leaving it out may be better than giving the audience misleading ideas.
johndallman is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2015, 02:54 PM   #3
Keiko
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Very quirky, fun and original scenario
Keiko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2015, 06:58 PM   #4
AOTA
 
AOTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Olathe, KS
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Sounds like a lot of fun and a great idea for a convention game.
__________________
Bob Gilson
Mib#3477
Formally Bobzilla
GURPS Checker for Prime Directive
AOTA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2015, 09:07 AM   #5
DAT
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keiko View Post
Very quirky, fun and original scenario
Thank-you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AOTA View Post
Sounds like a lot of fun and a great idea for a convention game.
Thank-you
DAT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2015, 09:15 AM   #6
DAT
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

What do folks thing of the name options?

Option 1: Transhuman Space – Over the Hedge
Option 2: Transhuman Space – The Escape
Option 3: Transhuman Space – Over the Hedge: The Escape
Option 4: Transhuman Space – The Escape: Over the Hedge
Option 5: Transhuman Space – …?

I sort of want the potential players to do a double-take with the last sentence of the description, so I almost don't want to give it away in the title. But knowing how some people read, or don't read, game descriptions, I don't want to leave it as a surprise at the table either.

I'm currently leaning to using option 4. Any thoughts or alternatives?
-Dan
DAT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2015, 09:37 AM   #7
johndallman
Night Watchman
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Short and snappy is good for this kind of thing. I'd tend to something like:


GURPS Transhuman Space
Over The Hedge
johndallman is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2015, 09:44 AM   #8
Keiko
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Default Re: Help/Thoughts on a THS Adventure for A Convention

Quote:
Originally Posted by DAT View Post
What do folks thing of the name options?

Option 1: Transhuman Space – Over the Hedge
Option 2: Transhuman Space – The Escape
Option 3: Transhuman Space – Over the Hedge: The Escape
Option 4: Transhuman Space – The Escape: Over the Hedge
Option 5: Transhuman Space – …?

I sort of want the potential players to do a double-take with the last sentence of the description, so I almost don't want to give it away in the title. But knowing how some people read, or don't read, game descriptions, I don't want to leave it as a surprise at the table either.

I'm currently leaning to using option 4. Any thoughts or alternatives?
-Dan
I'm torn. I like the idea of keeping it simple like the "The Escape". Its compelling and makes the reveal have a nice "What the- ?" impact. OTOH, you're right that some people might resent the "surprise" if they don't read the description (even though its right there).

"Over the Hedge" might imply a connection to the cartoon movie or a comedic game. That could attract or dissuade potential players.
Keiko is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
convention, ths

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.