So this is a bit off topic, but since it's in the general subject of non-mainstream gaming, I figure I'd plug my own project



I'm running a tabletop Firefly RPG over the net starting in two weeks. The ruleset is brand new, published in April by Margaret Weiss Productions (MWP). It is based on the Cortex Plus mechanics, also by MWP.

For those of you familiar with D&D-style tabletop RPGs, Cortex Plus is less-crunchy (less numbers based). D&D and friends function as a simulator, like most other RPGs out there. Everything is based (even if only loosely) on natural physics and probability. "How does this work in reality?" "How would this happen in a real-world situation?"

Cortex Plus focuses more on tone, mood, and overall feel of the genre, allowing narrative and genre to dictate the events. "What would this character be able to do in the setting?" It rewards roleplaying and collaborative storytelling.

Firefly, for those of you who don't know, was a TV show that ran in mid 200s on Fox, but was canceled after one season, though after its cancellation it became a cult classic. It is a futuristic scifi setting where humanity has emigrated from the Sol system after Earth was was used up. It's often called a scifi western, due to border worlds that have been terraformed being depicted as similar to frontier settlements in a classic Westerns.

If you're interested in joining the game, pop on over to the campaign website. We're running Thursdays 10am - 2pm EST. We;re playing online using the Roll20 Virtual Tabletop software and Google Hangouts for live audio and video.

Game Link: https://app.roll20.net/lfg/listing/13561...oes-of-war
Information site: https://firefly-echoes-of-war.obsidianportal.com/

• Official Manual
  
• Strategy Guide
  
• Wiki
  

• Website: http://www.rollingthunder.com/supernova/
  
• Rules (PDF): http://www.rollingthunder.com/Downloads/...20v250.pdf
  
• Forums: http://www.rollingthunderforums.com/inde...owforum=14
  

There's been much discussion on the forum and several articles in S&D that discuss this self-identity crisis that PBM seems to be suffering though. Amber's "What's In A Name?" (S&D #4, p44) in particular summarizes Phoenix's struggle with this identity crisis.

We all have our idea of what a PBM game is when you remove the mail, but how that's different than any of the myriad of online turn-based games out there day is a unclear.

These games are wildly successful. Today's gamers are playing these games, not PBMs. What can we learn from them?

I want to highlight a game that most of you probably won't consider of PBM ilk, to be honest, I probably don't either (though I do really enjoy the game). Nonetheless, it is a fun game, and interesting from a game design perspective. It uses new technology (3D graphics, mouse drag'n'drop controls, etc) in a classic turn-based format, and its available on every platform.

Frozen Synapse

Quote:Frozen Synapse is a thrilling PC, Mac, Linux and tablet (iOS/Android) strategy game. It brings the simultaneous turn-based strategy genre bang up-to-date and lets you give detailed, accurate orders to your squad. Classic gameplay with a modern interface!

• One minute intro - note that the game isn't near as fast paced as this video makes out. It is a slow tactical game, not a fast run and gun.
  
• Longer introduction with commentary - good depiction of order entry phase.
  
• Gameplay with commentary - a game is played turn by turn while the player strategizes out loud

• turn based asynchronous play
  
• order entry phase distinct from results phase
  
• turn preparation requires mindfulness and thought
  

Of late, there have been several different issues which, taken collectively, have noticeably impacted my availability with both the site and the magazine.

A disk issue and upgrade issues are impacting me on the computer level. On the personal side of things, a variety of different things are gobbling up huge chunks of my free time. Even though I took last week off, I actually ended up with a net deficit, in terms of progress on the magazine and things PBM-related.

I haven't even accessed my e-mail for several days, now.

I don't have an actual time frame for getting back to what you might call normal. On the personal end, things have actually been far worse for my wife than for myself. One of her relatives broke a bone, and another passed away, both within the past week.

I've also had to reallocate time, in order to deal with repairmen and to go shopping for various appliances that have decided to become defective in rapid succession. I also had to attend a field trip with my son, one day this past week.

Bear with me, if you will, and my PBM and magazine efforts will resume (hopefully) within the next few days. I'll see what I can do about making the publication deadline for Issue # 6.

Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

- Charles -

Submissions for Issue # 6: Reminder!

I sent out a Call for Submissions for Issue # 6 via e-mail on April 11th, 2014. I post this, as a reminder to any and to all who might be interested in submitting an article, an advertisement, a photo, or some other material for our next issue of Suspense & Decision magazine.

Each issue is published on or near the last day of the month, so you've still got a week to send something in. We would love to have you participate in making Issue # 6 all the more interesting, by including something from you to share with our readership.

If you have anything that you want included, be sure to send it to me at: GrimFinger@GrimFinger.Net

Submissions for Issue # 6: Don't get left out!

‘Quest is a great fantasy adventure through a world of powerful gods, strange magic and dream cities, of mystical beasts guarding untold treasures. Take up your spellbooks and swords and begin your Quest.’

http://www.kjcgames.co.uk/quest/quest.htm

Just to make things clear I am not connected with KJC in any way but simply a player that enjoys this particular game of theirs.

I run friendly Alliances in Naralia (31), the Chaos Isles (33) and Quest Unlimited (20). Focusing on helping players get to grips with the Rules and the development of their Groups.

At its heart Quest is all about creating and developing an effective Fantasy Adventuring Party consisting of Humans, Elves, Dwarves and Halbloods. All available as Fighters, Priests, Mages and Thieves further split into various sub-classes. You begin with 6 characters capable of taking on a few weak Goblins working your long way to a full party of 15 able to defeat mighty Giants, Dragons and Godly Servants.

Feel i should also note for any people planning a return that Quest had a massive update in 2012 fixing bugs and adding many features players had requested over the years. So much has changed.

Mike

New York in the 21st century is a city on the edge of collapse. The mobs are about to take control. To survive you have
to become the leader of the meanest, toughest, gang ever.

Away from the main streets and boulevards, in the narrow alleys and derelict tenements the street gangs have taken control. Illegal weapons and incendiary bombs are the tools of their trade as they fight each other and the woefully undermanned New York Police Department.

The Gangs are winning!
Protection rackets, drug pushing, muggings and robbery are common place, even the mob are taking an interest in Gang activities.

Do you have what it takes to survive?
As a player you are the leader of a small street gang. Your gang consists of approximately 20 members. A few will be street wise pro's, the backbone of your gang. The other members are punks or 'cruits, the kids recently initiated. Your gang's turf consists of a single city block.

Your task is to become the meanest, biggest, toughest gang in the city. Eventually you may even join organised crime and compete to become Godfather of the city - before someone else does.

With over 100 other gangs competing, this will not be easy."


Game 87 has launched and is free to play for standard turns.

Who is currently playing in the Estra Galaxy?

I am Nicademus (Mike Hart, Nicademus@sbcglobal.net)
I am playing a miner
I played in the old galaxies of Tarkia

For all those playing the game the Input Program web link should have been given to you with your setup. As I had to scramble to write a modern version it inevitably does not measure up to the old one. However that one was written in 1997-98 and Microsoft decided not to support 16bit programs when they moved to 64bit. If you have questions please ask them here. As a quick start here are few pointers. I'll put a help button on the screen when I get some time in the next few days with full instructions or at least instructions.

Buttons at the top:

Action Codes. Clicking on this button gives you all the action codes with examples on how to fill them out.

Load Turn Results:

First click on the browse button to it's immediate left and choose your last turn results file sent to you by Takamo. Then Click on this button to load your last turn. Additionally you can then click on the following links.

Show Turn Results:

Click on this button to read you last turn results file.

Planet List:

Click on this to show all the planets you own.

Fleet List:

Click on this to show all your fleets and there locations.

Load Turn:

First click on the browse button to the immediate left and choose a file you saved previously. Then click on this button. Your current work will be cleared from the form and the turn you selected will be loaded into the form.

Save Turn:

Click on this to save your turn so you can email it to Takamo. You should keep the file name as is. Changing the extension to something other than TAK will cause a little issue as Takamo looks for files with that extension so it can run your turn. Also do not name it with a TXT extension as some email programs embed those files in the body of the message and it cannot be read by the Takamo program.

Some helpful hints.

Use the tab key to move from field to field. I tried to block out the Return key and Backspace key but web browsers will respond to those commands in their own way if you're not careful. For instance hitting backspace will take you to your previous web page you might have been browsing. To avoid this always open a new browser window and type in the web address for the input program or select it from a bookmark. Backspace will then not delete all the work you've done.

The action code box has a search function built into it. If you start typing a number it will bring up all numbers that start with it. For instance 2 will bring up 2, 20, 21, 22, etc. You should select the action you want with the mouse or up and down arrow keys and then tab to select the one you want. If you type in a word it will bring up all action codes that have that word in it. Really helpful to find an action code when you don't remember the number. For instance if you wanted to install a Fort type in the word Fort and you'll find action code 13 is the action code for installing Forts on a world from a fleet. Not to be confused with building them on the world which is a build code.

I will have further help for build codes both for planetary builds and ship builds as well as soon as I get time.

Things of note. Please fill in the top of the form with your player ID so Takamo knows who is running the turns. The Empire Name and Turn Number field is for your own use but also helps the moderator identify players and to make sure turn numbers line up. Your last turn number is always in the top header of the Turn Results.

And last but not least save your turn routinely when filling it out. It won't hurt anything and prevents the loss of your entire turn if something crashes or you inadvertently close your browser or whatever.