Designing an open 2020 setting

PTTG · 01-14-2017, 07:12 PM

What research or resources would be useful for playing a game set in 2020 USA? Of course, if I was starting this thread on a BSS in 1999, the answer would usually be "ultra-tech," but being realistic we should probably shoot for firmly TL-8 stuff.

That said, I've given the players freedom to create 300-point characters with limited disadvantages and, while supernatural traits are disallowed, semi-cinematic ones are fully accepted (For instance, while a highly cinematic "bottomless magazine" advantage would not be allowed, I do presume they will all purchase Luck). The setting will adapt to fit these characters into the group, which might be a bit of a contrivance.

The fantasy will arise in the political side. Note that in order to avoid a civil war on the forums, I will not use proper names. The story is that the 2020 presidential election is highly controversial, and in the end both sides claim victory, the point of contention being clear evidence of vote tampering in key southern states. The conflict grows deeply divisive, and while police forces clash with protesters from both sides throughout the nation, the US' armed forces are compelled to back one government or the other.

While the Army backs the incumbent, the Air Force broadly backs the challenger, and the Navy splits, with Pacific admirals broadly backing the challenger and Atlantic admirals, the incumbent. National Guard units tend to favor the same person as the state they originate from.

The naval split in particular provides an opportunity for secessionists throughout the western regions of the nation to push for separation. At the time of the game's start, everything remains in the "cannot confirm or deny" stage, but a 300-point character in the right place at the right time pull the nation back from the brink, or push it over.

With all that in mind, I have to construct the next four (or more) years of history, including, ideally, a few tweaks to make the potential game as interesting as possible. Suggestions, personal insults, or corrections are quite welcome, but I ask that everyone avoid using proper nouns when discussing the political individuals so as to avoid starting a fight that should happen only in-character for this setting.

01-14-2017, 07:12 PM	#1
PTTG Join Date: Feb 2011	Designing an open 2020 setting What research or resources would be useful for playing a game set in 2020 USA? Of course, if I was starting this thread on a BSS in 1999, the answer would usually be "ultra-tech," but being realistic we should probably shoot for firmly TL-8 stuff. That said, I've given the players freedom to create 300-point characters with limited disadvantages and, while supernatural traits are disallowed, semi-cinematic ones are fully accepted (For instance, while a highly cinematic "bottomless magazine" advantage would not be allowed, I do presume they will all purchase Luck). The setting will adapt to fit these characters into the group, which might be a bit of a contrivance. The fantasy will arise in the political side. Note that in order to avoid a civil war on the forums, I will not use proper names. The story is that the 2020 presidential election is highly controversial, and in the end both sides claim victory, the point of contention being clear evidence of vote tampering in key southern states. The conflict grows deeply divisive, and while police forces clash with protesters from both sides throughout the nation, the US' armed forces are compelled to back one government or the other. While the Army backs the incumbent, the Air Force broadly backs the challenger, and the Navy splits, with Pacific admirals broadly backing the challenger and Atlantic admirals, the incumbent. National Guard units tend to favor the same person as the state they originate from. The naval split in particular provides an opportunity for secessionists throughout the western regions of the nation to push for separation. At the time of the game's start, everything remains in the "cannot confirm or deny" stage, but a 300-point character in the right place at the right time pull the nation back from the brink, or push it over. With all that in mind, I have to construct the next four (or more) years of history, including, ideally, a few tweaks to make the potential game as interesting as possible. Suggestions, personal insults, or corrections are quite welcome, but I ask that everyone avoid using proper nouns when discussing the political individuals so as to avoid starting a fight that should happen only in-character for this setting. Last edited by PTTG; 01-16-2017 at 01:48 PM.