[19:06] <+IvanBVanNorman> Hello! My name is Ivan Van Norman and I am one of the co-developers/marketing manager for Hunters Books.
[19:06] <+IvanBVanNorman> We recently just released a Kickstarter for our new Stand Alone Game Outbreak: Deep Space which is our first successor from our Award Winning Title Outbreak: Undead.
[19:07] <+IvanBVanNorman> Outbreak: Deep Space is a Sci-Fi Survival Horror RPG which pulls from various sci-fi thriller suspense tropes, allowing you to build on a wide variety of Outbreak: Scenarios.
[19:07] *** Oddysee has quit IRC: Disintegrated: (Link: http://www.mibbit.com)http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client
[19:07] <+IvanBVanNorman> Including Invasion Horror (zombies in space, using viral rules)
[19:07] <+IvanBVanNorman> Sorry…. that’s Infestation Horror =D
[19:08] <~Dan> (Zombies could invade…)
[19:08] <+IvanBVanNorman> INVASION horror are sentient or semi-sentient aliens with intent to harm
[19:09] <+IvanBVanNorman> and Trans Dimensional horror, for scenarios so deep into the realm of the human consciousness it breaks the level of near insanity.
[19:09] <+IvanBVanNorman> (aka Doom, Event Horizon, etc)
[19:09] <+IvanBVanNorman> *Done*
[19:09] <+DragonGoddess> That sounds absolutely fantastic.
[19:09] <+Abstruse> Do your zombies run?
[19:09] <~Dan> Thanks, Ivan! The floor is open to questions!
[19:10] <+IvanBVanNorman> Zombies can run, swim, crawl on walls, ceilings, whatever you think will scare the pants off your players.
[19:10] <+maxmahem> So… I see there is some booster decks avaliable on your kickstarter, to what extent do cards play a part in your game?
[19:10] <~Dan> I’m assuming that there’s no default setting here, correct?
[19:10] <+IvanBVanNorman> How you ‘introduce’ the virus is up to you.
[19:10] *** DWeird has quit IRC: Ping timeout
[19:10] *** BlasterKyubey210 has joined #rpgnet
[19:10] *** ChanServ sets mode +v BlasterKyubey210
[19:10] <+IvanBVanNorman> Oh thank you, the link is here btw if you’d like to field questions from it. (Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/186293494/outbreak-deep-space-a-sci-fi-survival-horror-rpg/comments)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/186293494/outbreak-deep-space-a-sci-fi-survival-horror-rpg/comments
[19:11] <+IvanBVanNorman> Cards are primarily for reference, but can be used to help organize combo’s keep track of what we call ‘descriptors’ which is a storytelling kind of way of obtaining bonuses for encounters.
[19:11] <+IvanBVanNorman> not unlike ‘Keywords’ on blogs posts or other SEO tags.
[19:11] <+IvanBVanNorman> *to keep track of
[19:12] <+maxmahem> cool
[19:12] <~Dan> Actually, let me refine my question a bit: Regardless of setting, are there any built-in assumptions regarding, say, tech level?
[19:12] <+IvanBVanNorman> They are not needed to play, but are fun… especially when you slap a ‘bone injury’ in front of your player when that small round disc you thought was scrap metal comes alive and bites you
[19:12] *** Serami_ has joined #rpgnet
[19:12] *** ChanServ sets mode +v Serami_
[19:12] *** Serami has quit IRC: Ping timeout
[19:12] <+Abstruse> So is this game stand-alone, or do we need Outbreak: Undead to play?
[19:13] *** Serami_ is now known as Serami
[19:13] <~Dan> (Question pause.)
[19:13] <+IvanBVanNorman> Nope! Our Tech System is COMPLETELY modular, you can be as low-medium-high tech as you want. It’s build using a basic ‘chassis’ that you then apply modifiers and means of power to.
[19:14] <+IvanBVanNorman> For example, if you have a ‘pistol’ chassis, you can make it 2 tech, which just means it uses cartridges and maybe has a laser sight on it. Or it can get up to 8 tech and require a small fusion battery but shoots plasma.
[19:14] <+IvanBVanNorman> We’ve had our beta testers make some wacky stuff. But it all usually comes with a cost.. That plasma pistol likely does not have many shots, and overheating it could be REALLY painful.
[19:15] <~Dan> (I’ve got a follow-up there, but I’ll let you address Abstruse’s question first.)
[19:15] <+IvanBVanNorman> Finally, you don’t need OU to play, it’s stand-alone. Players who are familiar with OU may find lots of great things they remember, but its’ not required to play.
[19:15] <+IvanBVanNorman> *done*
[19:15] <~Dan> Ah, there we go. π
[19:15] *** Ettin has joined #rpgnet
[19:15] *** ChanServ sets mode +v Ettin
[19:16] <~Dan> (Howdy, Ettin!)
[19:16] <+maxmahem> Whats the intended format for the print book?
[19:16] <+IvanBVanNorman> You mean beyond a bunch of papers bound together with glue?
[19:16] <&Silverlion> What’s the base mechanic/dice?
[19:16] <~Dan> What about some of the “kewl powerz” aspects of scifi? Are there cybernetics, genetic augmentations, mutations, and/or psionics?
[19:16] <+Abstruse> Are there aliens outside of the traditional “zombie” archetype? I’m picturing kind of a HALO thing with the Covanent and the Flood…so you’ve got aliens and zombies and then possibly ZOMBIE ALIENS!!
[19:16] <~Dan> (Question pause.)
[19:16] <+maxmahem> well as in softcover/hardcover/color/b/w/size/format…
[19:17] <+IvanBVanNorman> Silverlion, the base die is D100
[19:17] <+IvanBVanNorman> and the system using DoS and DoF for basic checks (degrees of success/failure)
[19:18] <+IvanBVanNorman> but the system is our own, and hails a unique Stronghold Mechanic as well a way to make unique/simple/complicated characters.
[19:18] <+DragonGoddess> -On an unimportant side note- I feel terrible for not saying thank you and hello Dan. And well as that to Ivan. (That is all.)
[19:18] <~Dan> (You’re quite welcome, DragonGoddess! π )
[19:18] <&Silverlion> Might I have an example of a in game test of this mechanic?
[19:18] <+IvanBVanNorman> In Outbreak: undead we were really well known for allowing YOU to play YOURSELF as a character *we even had a 40 Q personality test on our website*. We wanted to keep that same feeling of gritty realism in this.
[19:18] <+IvanBVanNorman> Absolutely, let me pause a moment to answer another question, and then i’ll happily give an example.
[19:19] <&Silverlion> No worries
[19:19] <+IvanBVanNorman> Dan the “kewl powers” are available as different mods that can be put into the tech system, we are holding back on Psyonics for the moment so that we can explore that more in a DIGITAL terror expansion.
[19:20] <+IvanBVanNorman> and finally maxmahem the books will be a Hardcover Color Book at around 240 + pages
[19:20] <+IvanBVanNorman> for 44.99 MSRP
[19:21] <+IvanBVanNorman> Abtruse, the game is not limited to zombies, there is INVASION, INFESTATION, and TRANS DIMENSIONAL terror as well. I am happy to say you could do Covenant AND flood in the same ambitious campaign if you wanted to.
[19:21] <+Abstruse> Perfect!
[19:21] <+IvanBVanNorman> Ok so Silverlion, our basic stat line is called SPEW (stregnth, perception, empathy and Will)
[19:22] <&Silverlion> SPEW..I like that π
[19:22] <~Dan> (Oh, on a related note, do you have a character sheet posted that we can reference?)
[19:23] <+Abstruse> This looks nicely official: (Link: http://outbreakdeepspace.com/O-DS_CharacterSheet.pdf)http://outbreakdeepspace.com/O-DS_CharacterSheet.pdf
[19:24] <+IvanBVanNorman> Abstruse this is a old version from the Module
[19:24] <+IvanBVanNorman> it’s getting a refix, i’ll post it in a second. if you enlighten me how to link
[19:24] <+IvanBVanNorman> Say you exploring the dark corridors of a derelict space ship, and you hear a noise. You start to look It’s PITCH black your perception is 35 but it’s -4 difficulty from the darkness
[19:25] <+Abstruse> (Just copy and paste the website address, it links itself)
[19:25] <+IvanBVanNorman> you want to roll under a 35 but the -4 difficulty will take you down to a target number of 15 (5×4)
[19:25] <+IvanBVanNorman> each difficulty is a -5 to your target roll you see.
[19:25] <+IvanBVanNorman> So you see nothing… with a roll of 50
[19:26] <+IvanBVanNorman> With a bead of sweat running down your forehead you turn on your build in NV goggles in the HUD system on your helmet
[19:26] <+IvanBVanNorman> it has a lvl 4 descriptor (DARK) which will negate any of the difficulty the darkness the GM may deem worthy to instill upon you.
[19:27] <&Silverlion> So you use low numbers times 5 to mark difficulties instead of flat percentages?
[19:27] <+IvanBVanNorman> You make another check 34. You barely catch the flick of a tail as it bends around the corner behind you. You raise your Assault Rifle with ’10’ blinking on the side of your gun
[19:28] <+IvanBVanNorman> the idea is that each descriptor could provide a bonus to negate GM difficulty.
[19:28] <+IvanBVanNorman> we use it to track how ‘proficient’ a person could be with a fire arm as well too. One of the mistakes we made in OU is basing to much on the caliber of the bullet when determining a kill.
[19:29] <~Dan> So degree of success affects damage?
[19:29] <+IvanBVanNorman> A untrained person with a gun is more likely going to waste ammo/dryfire/miss. We only compensated for that with a flat percentage in the last system.
[19:30] *** LW` has quit IRC: Disintegrated: (Link: http://www.mibbit.com)http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client
[19:30] <+IvanBVanNorman> DOS are a baseline for damage yes. You have to get base a creatures ‘toughness’ (we call it something else) basically before it can be hurt. Same with humans.
[19:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> “zombies” basically have 1 health, but if you don’t get past the “damage threshold” it won’t count as a kill.
[19:31] * ~Dan nods
[19:31] <+Abstruse> “Remove the head or destroy the brain”
[19:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> that means you can still shoot the shit out of it.. even disable it.
[19:31] *** MonkofLords has joined #rpgnet
[19:31] *** ChanServ sets mode +v MonkofLords
[19:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> but it won’t necessarily be a kill.
[19:31] <~Dan> (Howdy, MonkofLords!)
[19:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> Does that help Silverlion? or were you needing more?
[19:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> I’m going to find that character sheet quick
[19:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> *Done*
[19:32] <+Abstruse> So this is a completely overhauled ruleset? Kind of a Outbreak: Undead 2nd Edition almost? Can I retrofit the rules updates to a modern setting?
[19:32] <+maxmahem> Am I missing something or is there not an electronic only tier? And does the print version come with the pdf?
[19:32] <~Dan> Is degree of success based on the roll or on the amount under the target?
[19:33] <+Abstruse> maxmahem: While Ivan’s looking, I’ll answer that for him. There’s no PDF because Outbreak: Deep Space was originally a module for Outbreak: Undead. The PDF currently up on Drive Thru will be updated after the book is published I believe, and hopefully Ivan will correct me if I’m wrong.
[19:34] <+Abstruse> (In the next AICN Tabletop, we’re featuring Outbreak: Deep Space and I clarified that point with Ivan too before I sent it to my editor)
[19:34] *** TwentySix has joined #rpgnet
[19:34] *** ChanServ sets mode +v TwentySix
[19:34] <+maxmahem> so no electronic version avaliable via kickstarter? π¦
[19:34] <~Dan> (Howdy, TwentySix!)
[19:34] *** Storytelleress is now known as Lioness
[19:35] <&Silverlion> Interesting. I’m not sure its clearer, but it makes sense. I think I’d need to see it used in “action” essentially
[19:36] <+IvanBVanNorman> boom god it
[19:36] <+IvanBVanNorman> (Link: http://outbreakdeepspace.com/ODS-CharacterSheet.pdf)http://outbreakdeepspace.com/ODS-CharacterSheet.pdf
[19:36] <+IvanBVanNorman> *got it
[19:36] <~Dan> Cool. π
[19:37] <+IvanBVanNorman> Abtruse you are correct, O:DS was a module that we originally felt needed it’s own expansion. We will be updating each person who purchased the Module for free however.
[19:37] <+IvanBVanNorman> Also, we have WAAY cooler art now, and it’s gonna be a pretty color book.
[19:37] <~Dan> That’s very cool of you guys!
[19:37] <+DragonGoddess> Okay, so I have an honest question from the perspective of being someone who thinks this all sounds remarkable, but has absolutely no experience with RPGs. Where do I start?
[19:38] <+IvanBVanNorman> Yeah, they BOUGHT Outbreak: Deep Space… in theory you could but it on DTRPG now and we’d update it when its finished too.
[19:38] <+IvanBVanNorman> haha! Well said DragonGoddess
[19:38] <+Abstruse> (The link’s (Link: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/112204/Outbreak-Deep-Space?affiliate_id=36142)http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/112204/Outbreak-Deep-Space?affiliate_id=36142 if you want to…but if you do, please consider supporting the Kickstarter for a few bucks at least.)
[19:39] <+IvanBVanNorman> You start with the book, a willingness to learn! That being said we are going to providing a LOT more GM tools in the realm of GM Screens, the reference cards, and a few sample adventures that will likely be a result of our Free Content Friday
[19:39] <+Abstruse> Free Content Friday? I did not know about this…
[19:39] <+IvanBVanNorman> FCF (or Free Content Friday) is thing we do at Hunters where we give away free content on the First Friday of every single month.
[19:40] <+IvanBVanNorman> we’re at 46? Editions at this point.
[19:40] <~Dan> As an aside, DragonGoddess, please feel free to hang out with us here any time. You’ll find plenty of people eager to help a newcomer to the hobby! π
[19:40] <+IvanBVanNorman> *and a willingness to learn* just saw that π
[19:40] <+maxmahem> Sorry to keep coming back to this, but I’m confused, $45 level, print book, but no PDF?
[19:40] <&Silverlion> Alas, if it last a week longer…
[19:40] <+IvanBVanNorman> Maxmahem, the link for the PDF is above that Abtruse posted.
[19:41] <+IvanBVanNorman> but that is for a OLDER version, but it will be UPDATED as soon as the book prints.
[19:41] <+Abstruse> Speaking of teaching new players to roleplay, Ivan, aren’t you working on something about that as well as on Outbreak: Deep Space?
[19:41] <+IvanBVanNorman> So absolutely a PDF version will be available, we are even going to do Downloadable GM screen Sheets which you can use with one of our 3 Panel Vinyl GM Screens that we sell directly.
[19:42] <+IvanBVanNorman> Hahaha, Abtruse… that $20 I gave you before this Q&A is not disappointing me.
[19:42] <+Abstruse> (That works better if you read it in the bad acting delivery they used in Ghostbusters when making the fake commercial)
[19:42] <+IvanBVanNorman> lol
[19:42] <+IvanBVanNorman> We have another project called “Saving Throw”, which is a instructional web series on how to play RPG’s. It’s already funded and should be shooting in June.
[19:43] <+IvanBVanNorman> Oh! has anyone here actually played Outbreak: Undead before?
[19:43] <~Dan> Not I, sorry.
[19:43] <+IvanBVanNorman> It’s all good… I was just going to mention we have a perk that includes a Primer for Outbreak: Undead 2nd Edition on it.
[19:44] <~Dan> Ah! Cool.
[19:44] <+IvanBVanNorman> We are starting the initiative with a intended release of GenCon 2015
[19:44] <+IvanBVanNorman> *done*
[19:44] <+IvanBVanNorman> Probably should have done that a while ago
[19:44] <~Dan> So on the character sheet in the skill section, I’m assuming that the first column is the governing attribute and the third column is the skill points applied… What’s the middle column?
[19:44] <+DragonGoddess> Thank you IvanBVanNorman. I definitely am willing to learn. No one I know is into this kind of stuff, but I always found it fascinating. Dan, that would be amazing. I shall certainly look into coming here more often then. I heard about Outbreak: Undead a while back and have been lurking about ever since. haha.
[19:44] <+Abstruse> So with all the rules updates, would you consider O:DS a second edition of O:U?
[19:45] <~Dan> DragonGoddess: We also frequently arrange online games.
[19:45] <+IvanBVanNorman> First Abtruse. I’d call Deep Space more of a *1.5*
[19:45] <+IvanBVanNorman> +D
[19:46] <+Abstruse> So this is like Outbreakfinder?
[19:46] <+IvanBVanNorman> PThb!
[19:46] <~Dan> π
[19:46] <+IvanBVanNorman> i’m keeping that one in my pocket
[19:46] <+IvanBVanNorman> DragonGoddess where did you hear about Outbreak: Undead?
[19:46] <+DragonGoddess> Hmm. Sounds nifty Dan! How might I find out about these games?
[19:46] <+Abstruse> (Wow, I thought that one would fall flat…)
[19:46] <~Dan> DragonGoddess: Join #rpgnet2 and I’ll explain. π
[19:47] <+IvanBVanNorman> Also Dan, the Middle Column is usually for a WILL Bonus or a PER bonus. These can often be lost due to “Panic” or “Pain” or other mitigating factors, it usually represents the ‘tens’ digit of your major SPEW skill it represents.
[19:47] <+IvanBVanNorman> is Jordan or Austin in this room currently?
[19:47] <+Abstruse> (If I might suggest, DragonGoddess, I run a podcast called Gamer’s Tavern that has an episode all about getting started in roleplaying games (Link: http://gamerstavern.org/episode-26-how-to-get-started-in-role-playing-games/)http://gamerstavern.org/episode-26-how-to-get-started-in-role-playing-games/ that happens to have one Ivan Van Norman as a guest)
[19:48] <~Dan> Ah, I see. Also, I can’t help noticing the lack of an agility/dexterity attribute. What’s the thinking there?
[19:49] <~Dan> (brb — please continue)
[19:49] <+IvanBVanNorman> Agility and Dexterity are more broken down in the “brawl” “Grapple” and “Martial Arts” basic checks.
[19:50] <+IvanBVanNorman> The idea that anything that has the ability to overpower you would probably need these skills, and anything slower will likely fall into “grapple” once you are in a certain range.
[19:50] <+IvanBVanNorman> Even though i’ve played a monk, i’ve never been a fan of ‘diving out of the way of explosions’ elements when trying to do realism.
[19:50] <+IvanBVanNorman> Shockwave would still stop your heart
[19:50] <+Abstruse> What’s “Gestalt LV”?
[19:51] <+DragonGoddess> I must admit to it being around the time of KotN, IvanBVanNorman. I enjoyed your spunk and when you mentioned your work on developing the game I thought it was phenomenal. I looked into buying it but quickly realized I was a bit in over my head.
[19:51] <+IvanBVanNorman> Gestalt is a ‘Character Knowledge’ attribute that we have expanded on from Outbreak: Undead… It’s the closest thing we have to ‘character level’.
[19:51] <+DragonGoddess> Sweet, thank you
[19:51] <+DragonGoddess> * Abstruse; you all are so kind.
[19:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> Haha, well YW DragonGoddess, i’m happy that it was able to inspire you to join us.
[19:52] <+Abstruse> Would you say the game’s well-suited to campagin play or more of a one-shot thing?
[19:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> Hooray for TableTop geeks on National TV!
[19:53] <~Dan> (back)
[19:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> I’d like to think it’s both… I enjoy doing more one-shots. But I can see you doing a planetwide mission, to space exploration mission, to any other thing that fits the Sci-fi Survival horror trope.
[19:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> We wouldn’t be doing very well if we favored one or the other =D
[19:53] <+Abstruse> Horror is a tough genre to do ongoing…
[19:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> I think it’s just us now, I scared away Silverlion and Maxmahem π
[19:54] <~Dan> They’re still here somewhere. π
[19:55] <+IvanBVanNorman> oh yeah just idling
[19:55] <+IvanBVanNorman> I see now hehe
[19:55] <+maxmahem> just didn’t have any more questions.
[19:55] <+Abstruse> Do you have any plans in place for people who want both the physical and the digital copies of the game, but don’t want to feel like they’re paying twice for the same thing?
[19:55] <+IvanBVanNorman> that’s no problem
[19:55] <+IvanBVanNorman> lol
[19:55] <~Dan> How do you keep the “horror” element in place, regardless of the abilities available to the PCs?
[19:55] <&Silverlion> No.
[19:56] <&Silverlion> You didn’t, my friends called.
[19:56] <+IvanBVanNorman> I’d like to offer a package after we release, but I want to make sure we honor our OG PDF purchasers first. I also really like to clear things with DTRPG before I start ‘giving’ away copies of PDF first.
[19:56] <+IvanBVanNorman> and that involves a few conversation
[19:56] <+IvanBVanNorman> Does tagging you guys ping you?
[19:56] <+IvanBVanNorman> because that was fast!
[19:57] <+IvanBVanNorman> Dan the ”
[19:57] <~Dan> Depends upon the program being used, re: pinging. π
[19:57] <+IvanBVanNorman> “Horror” elements are pretty much how the GM best uses them. I won’t say that Outbreak: Deep Space should be played for a one-year-long Swords and Sorcery type of campaign.
[19:58] <+IvanBVanNorman> But in the same way that you keep “walking dead” (more so the comics then the TV show at this point), you can do it.
[19:58] <+IvanBVanNorman> It involves good PC’s, a harsh environment, overwhelming odds, and very little time to breath between terrors.
[19:58] <+jinkim> scare tactics?
[19:59] <+IvanBVanNorman> In what way jinkim?
[19:59] <+jinkim> Figured that would be an interesting way of using the game. Zombies, enemies, people tainted with madness.
[19:59] <+jinkim> The DM using scare tactics to make the game really fun.
[20:00] <+jinkim> Things popping up or say… um…
[20:00] <+IvanBVanNorman> totally. That’s the INFESTATION, INVASION and TRANS DIMENSIONAL parts we covered a bit.
[20:00] <~Dan> Hmm… To be more specific, are there fear and/or sanity mechanics?
[20:00] <+IvanBVanNorman> We have “Virus” for the Infestation. “Tech” for Invasion, and “Sanity” for Trans dimensional.
[20:01] <+IvanBVanNorman> Oh man, Yup!
[20:01] <+jinkim> yay
[20:01] <&Silverlion> Interesting.
[20:01] <+IvanBVanNorman> Sanity works the same way as Virus does actually… it just leads to a more ‘interesting’ type of death.
[20:01] <+IvanBVanNorman> Aka self mutilation, insanity, homicidal tendencies, etc.
[20:01] <+Abstruse> I’m getting vibes of CoC there….
[20:01] <+jinkim> aka fun
[20:02] <+IvanBVanNorman> Paradigm shifts *we don’t really explore classes as much as we do ‘Paradigms’*
[20:02] <+IvanBVanNorman> A person who was a total bad-ass military field medic could become *useless* after a paradigm shift
[20:02] <+IvanBVanNorman> lose ALL those bonuses and benefits
[20:03] <+IvanBVanNorman> I just realized I could totally run a “hunter (predator bascially)” Scenario.
[20:03] <+IvanBVanNorman> that… sounds awesome actually
[20:03] <+IvanBVanNorman> with a set of PC’s that have WAY lower tech then the one monster who stalks them.
[20:03] <+IvanBVanNorman> yay
[20:04] <+maxmahem> I see some of the appeal of the Outbreak: Undead is some of the sub-rules systems, like managing a stronghold or what not. Does this have anything similar in that regard?
[20:04] <+IvanBVanNorman> We will re-introduce the Stronghold System again in Outbreak: Deep Space.
[20:05] <+IvanBVanNorman> It’s my favorite honestly… and the way you actually ‘finish’ campaigns is usually tracked by SP (or scenario points).
[20:06] <+IvanBVanNorman> See everything players do in the game actually generate a type of currency called “risk” which GM’s can use to throw some terrible stuff to his/her players
[20:06] <~Dan> I guess Predator would be an example of something I’d have to wonder about when it comes to the Invasion scenario: How you make a tech-armed enemy scary, rather than just something to be blown away.
[20:06] <+IvanBVanNorman> Likewise the players can generate SP to work towards their end game or get benefits
[20:07] <+IvanBVanNorman> I don’t know, do you find being hunted by something vastly superior to you tech wise scary?
[20:08] <+IvanBVanNorman> On another note. We did also announce today that we are doing a Stretch goal that will include a AUDIO DRAMA at 20k
[20:08] <~Dan> Well, to be specific, is that the premise of the Invasion scenario? That the aliens have an overwhelming tech advantage?
[20:08] <+jinkim> niiice
[20:09] <~Dan> Abstruse mentioned HALO earlier. I’d consider the Flood to be a horror enemy. The Covenant? Just aliens to shoot.
[20:09] <+Abstruse> Dan: The Covanant are the enemy you know. They have motivations and can be sympathetic. The Flood are the Unknowable Enemy. Their motivations are beyond our reasoning.
[20:10] <~Dan> Right, I follow you there.
[20:10] <+IvanBVanNorman> I would consider the Invasion Scenario to be akin to the “Raider” situation in Zombie Genre stuff
[20:10] <+Abstruse> (For the record Ivan, I haven’t talked to you since that announcement, but you know that I will happily volunteer my services and I’m sure Ross would be thrilled to as well)
[20:11] <+IvanBVanNorman> So in Outbreak: Undead, the living were terrifying because they KNEW what they were doing.. and did unspeakable horrors.
[20:12] <+IvanBVanNorman> I don’t see why the Sci-Fi genre could do anything different.
[20:12] <+IvanBVanNorman> It could be covenant or it could be “Hostel” in space π
[20:12] <~Dan> Well, let me put it this way: Are invasions in Outbreak: Deep Space the equivalent of “Earth vs. the Flying Sauces” and the like? You’ve got high tech, THEY have HIGHER tech that you don’t understand?
[20:12] *** BPIJonathan has joined #rpgnet
[20:12] *** ChanServ sets mode +v BPIJonathan
[20:12] <~Dan> (Howdy, BPIJonathan!)
[20:12] <+IvanBVanNorman> @dan no. ot
[20:13] <~Dan> (Another of our local game authors, and creator of Eldritch Skies, the Lovecraftian scifi RPG. π )
[20:13] <+IvanBVanNorman> *no, it’s not about the Tech, that’s just ONE angle I would play if I wanted to run a Invasion horror scenario
[20:13] <+BPIJonathan> publisher, not creator
[20:13] <+IvanBVanNorman> Hello good sir!
[20:13] <+BPIJonathan> Hello Mr. Van Norman. I hope things are well.
[20:14] <+IvanBVanNorman> We are discussing the different ways of making ‘Invasion’ horror something beyond the ‘I have a bigger gun then you’ scenario.
[20:14] <+IvanBVanNorman> Since Outbreak: Deep Space explores Invasion, Infestation, and Trans Dimensional types of Sci-Fi horror.
[20:15] <+IvanBVanNorman> Theoretically a “Invasion” horror could be Formicks, or Aliens, or even Starship Troopers.
[20:15] <~Dan> Formicks?
[20:15] <+IvanBVanNorman> Enders Game
[20:15] <+GenoFoxx> Cybermen, Daleks
[20:15] <~Dan> Ah, gotcha.
[20:15] <+maxmahem> Is space vehicular combat covered?
[20:16] <+Abstruse> DOOM would be a combination of Invasion and Trans-Dimensional then?
[20:16] <+IvanBVanNorman> Yeah! GenFoxx, I had completely forgotten the AI route, though that dips a bit into the “DIGITAL” Terror expansion we are slating to be next after Outbreak: Deep Space.
[20:16] <+Abstruse> The original games I mean.
[20:17] <+IvanBVanNorman> Maxmahem to be totally honest with you… writing space travel/vehicle rules… is really rough. But we do cover it, it just may not be a robust as you would consider.
[20:17] <+IvanBVanNorman> *you may like* sorry
[20:17] <+Abstruse> Is there computer hacking in the game and, if so, does it grind everything else to a hault like it does in most editions of Shadowrun?
[20:17] <~Dan> How realistic/cinematic do you make space combat?
[20:18] <+IvanBVanNorman> hacking is pretty much relegated to the Engineering skill, though you could get a “Paradigm” that would allow you bonuses for interfacing with electronics like that.
[20:19] <+IvanBVanNorman> We have taken a ‘bit’ of a step back from Outbreak: Undead which we felt bordered on “Simulation” level. That being said, by a ‘bit’ I mean only that. We made it much more streamlined to tell good stories using descriptors.
[20:19] <+IvanBVanNorman> I need some water, feel free to keep throwing questions.
[20:19] <+IvanBVanNorman> I would almost pose to you is to WHAT type of campaign you would run if given the genre of “Sci-fi Horror”
[20:21] *** GoldenH2 has joined #rpgnet
[20:21] *** ChanServ sets mode +v GoldenH2
[20:22] <~Dan> I guess I’m just wondering how you make an invasion by sapient, tech-wielding beings something scarier than “merely” a battle. I’d consider it the difference between, say, the Bugs in the Starship Troopers novel vs. their movie counterparts.
[20:22] <~Dan> The latter I would consider outright monsters.
[20:22] <+GenoFoxx> I don’t know if this has been covered or not but how do you distinguish the different tech levels between say ‘Aliens’ and ‘Star Trek’?
[20:22] <+AWOLJoe> For me, I’d probably run something with some sort of System Shock influence, to be honest. Possibly going with more of a biotech horror feel than AI gone out of control.
[20:22] <~Dan> The former are just bad guys.
[20:24] <+BPIJonathan> Or even the Necromongers from Riddick
[20:24] <+Abstruse> I’d like to do something similar to Reavers in Firefly personally…
[20:24] <+IvanBVanNorman> @dan I guess you’d have to consider how you’d want to present them to your Players. As a system we had a lot of requests to do more ‘sentient, living’ counter parts, and we felt it was our duty to include them in this new StandAlone system.
[20:24] *** GoldenH has quit IRC: Ping timeout
[20:24] <+AWOLJoe> (and I have to go AFK for a bit)
[20:24] <+IvanBVanNorman> Ooo Reavers
[20:24] <+GenoFoxx> The problem I had with the movie ‘Bugs’ is how the heck do they have interstellar travel
[20:24] <~Dan> IvanBVanNorman: To be clear, I’m not saying it can’t be done. I’m just trying to get a handle on your approach.
[20:25] <+Abstruse> Or HALO…start off with your standard alien threat like a standard action sci-fi, and halfway through THEN you add in the scary zombie monster Giger stuff.
[20:25] <+IvanBVanNorman> GenoFoxx, the tech is modular so we aren’t basing it off any particular psudo science that may be featured in sci-fi
[20:25] <+BPIJonathan> Geno: It was the invisible Skinnys
[20:25] <+Abstruse> That shift in paradigm being the interesting thing…
[20:25] <+IvanBVanNorman> the idea is that you could build whatever you want, be it a SmartGun from Alien or a Covenant Plasma Rifle
[20:26] <+IvanBVanNorman> Or a Mass Effect HeatSink magnetic pistol
[20:26] <+IvanBVanNorman> We just want to give you the tools to do them all π
[20:26] <~Dan> Excellent. π
[20:26] <+maxmahem> invincibile invaders from beyond the stars meet humanities last line of defense… hrm… but thats more disater/war than horror… but I suppose the two crossover…
[20:27] <~Dan> Staying on the subject of the enemy’s capabilities, do you have special magic-like abilities for extradimentional horrors?
[20:27] <+DragonGoddess> Depends on your perception of horror I suppose.
[20:27] <~Dan> Or for their cultists?
[20:27] <+IvanBVanNorman> Personally I would work invasion like this… Small colony is invaded by sentient being who LITERALLY want to harvest humans and flay them like we do cattle or sheep.
[20:28] <+IvanBVanNorman> Small Group of ‘Survivors’ on the ship try to escape, and end up using what they can/their enemies own weapons to escape.
[20:28] <+IvanBVanNorman> Not unlike that book “Prey”
[20:29] <+IvanBVanNorman> Dan, i’d like to leave the Extra dimentional stuff as a surprise, but let’s just say we have “horror traits” that cover how to lose sanity for sure. π
[20:29] *** Gar has joined #rpgnet
[20:29] *** ChanServ sets mode +v Gar
[20:29] <~Dan> (Howdy, Gar!)
[20:29] <~Dan> Fair enough. π
[20:30] <~Dan> Would it be safe to say that there’s more to them than just grabbing and munching, at least? π
[20:30] <+IvanBVanNorman> So for anyone who is just joining we are talking about Outbreak: Deep Space, which is a new Sci-Fi Survival horror RPG that is now on kickstarter
[20:30] <+Gar> Hello Dan π Hello all.
[20:30] <+IvanBVanNorman> By Hunters Books, who made “Outbreak: Undead” the Zombie Survival Simulation RPG.
[20:30] <+IvanBVanNorman> hey Gar!
[20:30] <~Dan> (Gar: Just fyi, #rpgnet2 is open for general chat during Q&As, if you like. π )
[20:30] <+IvanBVanNorman> dan, i would hope so.
[20:31] <+Abstruse> Kickstarter Link: (Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/186293494/outbreak-deep-space-a-sci-fi-survival-horror-rpg)https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/186293494/outbreak-deep-space-a-sci-fi-survival-horror-rpg
[20:31] <~Dan> Well, you did mention Event Horizon, so clearly there are some reality-warping abilities involved. (I know, I know, you don’t have to confirm nor deny. π )
[20:31] <+IvanBVanNorman> hehe yup
[20:31] <+Gar> Thank you very much for the infos IvanBVanNorman and Dan! As always, a hearty welcome…Thx!
[20:32] *** Acenoid has quit IRC: Disintegrated: ChatZilla 0.9.90.1 [Firefox 29.0.1/20140506152807]
[20:32] <+Abstruse> So you talked about the various tech levels but similar chassis…how do those rules interact?
[20:32] <~Dan> Oh, I noticed that you didn’t mention robots as enemies. Will they show up in that Digital supplement you mentioned?
[20:33] <+IvanBVanNorman> yeah, so you can have a ‘kit’ chassis, which could end up being everything from a universal tool kit, to a Stimpak.
[20:33] <+Gar> Thanks Abstruse. I’m curious and will take a look now…
[20:33] <+IvanBVanNorman> We are still fleshing out the Digital Suppliment, but we are definitely going to explore AI in it.
[20:33] *** DWeird has joined #rpgnet
[20:33] *** ChanServ sets mode +v DWeird
[20:33] <~Dan> (Howdy, DWeird!)
[20:33] <+IvanBVanNorman> hello DWeird
[20:34] <+IvanBVanNorman> I’ll remind people that we are also going to host a Stretch Goal that is going to offer some nice posters of the Art that we are putting in the book, free to backers.
[20:34] <~Dan> Do you have any sort of bestiary of pre-built adversaries, or are all of the creatures do-it-yourself?
[20:35] <+IvanBVanNorman> as well as at 20k we’ll produce a Audio Drama that will be “a series of short stories in the realm of Sci-Fi Survival Horror:
[20:35] <+IvanBVanNorman> There will be some prebuilt adversaries… and even some OBM (one big monsters)
[20:35] <+IvanBVanNorman> My favorite is actually the Chimera, which is a “Infestation” creature that posses as one of your team members.
[20:36] <+Abstruse> In game terms, what’s the difference between a modern-day 9mm pistol and Han Solo’s blaster?
[20:37] <+IvanBVanNorman> Modern day pistol would be 1 or 2 tech, and requires physical ammo. While Hans Solo’s blaster may be 5 tech (Pistol Chassis, with a heat modifier, battery power source, and two tiers of ‘deadly’) if I were to build it.
[20:37] <+IvanBVanNorman> Because blasters always left that little bit of flame when they hit stuff π I always assumed they were superheated
[20:38] *** Jetrauben has joined #rpgnet
[20:38] *** ChanServ sets mode +v Jetrauben
[20:39] <~Dan> (Howdy, Jetrauben!)
[20:39] <+Abstruse> I assumed they fired plasma myself…it’s never stated, except that they can’t be lasers because they move slower than C and oh my god have I really put that much thought into this?
[20:39] <+IvanBVanNorman> Haha
[20:39] <+IvanBVanNorman> yup!
[20:39] <~Dan> π
[20:39] <+IvanBVanNorman> You could add ‘plasma’ as a modifier though.
[20:39] * +Abstruse repeats the MST3K Mantra to himself
[20:40] <+IvanBVanNorman> I once made a ‘servo suit’ that had minimal defense capabilities but could take apart anything
[20:40] <+Jetrauben> (Hello!)
[20:40] <+IvanBVanNorman> I was at some point ripped apart by some space age ghoul while trying to flay it alive with my digital arm suite lol.
[20:40] <~Dan> How much attention do you pay to the creation of alien environments? It seems like those tend to get short shrift in a lot of scifi horror movies.
[20:40] <+IvanBVanNorman> *suit
[20:41] <+IvanBVanNorman> As in pre-build worlds?
[20:41] <+IvanBVanNorman> *built?
[20:41] <~Dan> Well, or as in providing rules for the creation of worlds.
[20:42] <+IvanBVanNorman> We aren’t trying to make a ‘established’ lore in our games. It’s don’t like limiting our players when we provide them the means to do whatever they want.
[20:42] *** StormBringer has quit IRC: Ping timeout
[20:42] <+IvanBVanNorman> But we do provide GM support for building your ‘standard’ encounter creature, while allowing you to build off it.
[20:43] <~Dan> Yeah, that’s kind of what I mean, I guess. Sci-fi horror settings seem to be rather one-note affairs, with the only creature being the one threatening the heroes.
[20:43] <+IvanBVanNorman> Well we have an ‘encounter’ system
[20:44] <+IvanBVanNorman> which essentially allow you to roll on a chart to either encounter “Standard, Unique, etc” when moving about your world.
[20:44] <+AWOLJoe> Yeah, with your ‘Prey’-inspired Invasion game, I’d expect the environment itself to be hostile.
[20:44] <+IvanBVanNorman> These charts can be different for each location your player visits. be it a ship, or homeworld, or whatever.
[20:44] * ~Dan nods
[20:45] <~Dan> Cool.
[20:45] <+IvanBVanNorman> AWOLJoe I know wouldn’t that be fun? Conveyor belts that lead to god-knows where.. or lifts or endless chasms of storage… who knows??
[20:45] <~Dan> I note that your page mentions alien PCs. To what degree to you offer support for that?
[20:46] <+AWOLJoe> The wall opens up, and it turns out to be a mouth and a tentacle-tongue comes out to grab a party member and tries to drag them in to be devoured.
[20:46] <+IvanBVanNorman> Encounter Charts are something that we like to provide in the GM screen, in Outbreak: Undead they broke down to OL 1-3 (outbreak level) but in this case it could be anything.
[20:46] <&Silverlion> I may have missed it, but does the game cover swarms?
[20:46] <+IvanBVanNorman> I’m Actually not to sure about that to be honest with you.
[20:47] *** LW has joined #rpgnet
[20:47] *** ChanServ sets mode +v LW
[20:47] <+IvanBVanNorman> in outbreak: undead we had swarm rules, and if I remember correctly we will be using similar rules for them in Outbreak: Deep Space
[20:47] <+IvanBVanNorman> hello LW
[20:47] <~Dan> (Howdy, LW!)
[20:48] <+IvanBVanNorman> So did anyone have anything specific about the Campaign or Stretch goals they would like to know?
[20:48] <+IvanBVanNorman> Because I may have to wrap it up here soon. I still have to get prepared for my meeting with the “Saving Throw” gang tonight. We are in Rehearsal currently.
[20:49] <+Abstruse> What are your plans beyond the Kickstarter for the Outbreak series?
[20:49] <+IvanBVanNorman> Well there is the Audio Drama if we hit 20k
[20:49] <~Dan> Ah… Well, that being the case, please feel free to bring up whatever you like that we havent’ covered in the time we have remaining, Ivan.
[20:50] <~Dan> Also, I’d like to let you know that you are always welcome to hang out here and/or to promote your games. π
[20:50] <+IvanBVanNorman> We also have a few card games currently in the work that are our first products outside of the Outbreak: Series
[20:50] <~Dan> A Q&A just means that it’s your “show” for the duration.
[20:50] *** StormBringer has joined #rpgnet
[20:50] *** ChanServ sets mode +ao StormBringer StormBringer
[20:50] <~Dan> (Howdy, StormBringer!)
[20:50] <+IvanBVanNorman> Thanks! I don’t have to leave immediately, I just wanted to let you know that I don’t have *a ton* of time left lol
[20:51] *** Serami has quit IRC: Ping timeout
[20:51] *** Serami has joined #rpgnet
[20:51] *** ChanServ sets mode +v Serami
[20:51] <~Dan> Ah, gotcha. π
[20:51] <+IvanBVanNorman> The card game ideas are really fun, but they’re still in prototype now.
[20:51] <+IvanBVanNorman> Also, I should let you know that we did at least raise another 300 while doing the Q&A today π
[20:51] <~Dan> Oh, also, before I forget, do you have an image you’d like me to use for the link to your site in the chat log? A logo or the like?
[20:51] <~Dan> Great!
[20:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> yes please
[20:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> Should I just send it to you like this?
[20:52] <~Dan> Sure.
[20:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> (Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/958347/photo-main.jpg?1398960681)https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/958347/photo-main.jpg?1398960681
[20:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> There you are
[20:52] <+IvanBVanNorman> I have some cool KS avatars if people would like to show their support that way as well.
[20:53] *** Guest48 has joined #rpgnet
[20:53] *** ChanServ sets mode +v Guest48
[20:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> (Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/005/093/63e59c66b27f62ac87194c09a283b1cb_large.jpg?1400004984)https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/005/093/63e59c66b27f62ac87194c09a283b1cb_large.jpg?1400004984
[20:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> (Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/005/092/3a55a12d54e0b169acafa8e287f32028_large.jpg?1400004968)https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/005/092/3a55a12d54e0b169acafa8e287f32028_large.jpg?1400004968
[20:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> (Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/005/089/1053a33d0a77c08c7497ba621c61266c_large.jpg?1400004957)https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/005/089/1053a33d0a77c08c7497ba621c61266c_large.jpg?1400004957
[20:53] <+IvanBVanNorman> Hello! Guest48
[20:53] <+Guest48> Hello Ivan! Huge fan.
[20:54] <+IvanBVanNorman> Oh, thank you.
[20:54] <+IvanBVanNorman> Thanks for joining us π
[20:54] <~Dan> WElcome, Guest48! You can set your name with the /nick command. π
[20:54] <~Dan> Ivan: Did you see my question about alien PCs?
[20:54] <+IvanBVanNorman> Yeah and Sadly I didn’t have a good answer for you on that. I would have to check with Chris to see if we’ve covered that in the core set or not.
[20:55] <+DragonGoddess> I personally love the second one. As well as the last.
[20:55] <+IvanBVanNorman> I don’t imagine it would be too hard to use the system in place to do it. But I don’t think we advertise it at all.
[20:55] <~Dan> Hmm… I could have sworn I saw that.
[20:56] <+IvanBVanNorman> Well if you find it let me know!
[20:56] *** Guest48 has quit IRC: Disintegrated: (Link: http://www.mibbit.com)http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client
[20:56] <~Dan> Looks like the details aren’t on the website anymore. Strange…
[20:56] <~Dan> Ah, well! π
[20:56] <+BPIJonathan> This seems interesting, but I am heading off to watch Alien in honor of HR Geiger. I will catch up with the link. π
[20:56] <+IvanBVanNorman> Good man
[20:57] <~Dan> ttyl, BPIJonathan!
[20:57] <+Abstruse> (Probably the most-watched film on Netflix today…)
[20:57] <+IvanBVanNorman> He was a deviant master that made us all realize the beauty of our ugliness)
[20:57] <+IvanBVanNorman> Not suprised. I didn’t even think about that TBH
[20:58] <+IvanBVanNorman> Oh Giger… and his series of doors that look like Vaginas
[20:58] <+DragonGoddess> Such true words.
[20:58] <+DragonGoddess> lol
[20:58] <+BPIJonathan> I have it on Blue Ray…
[20:58] *** BPIJonathan has quit IRC: Disintegrated: (Link: http://www.mibbit.com)http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client
[20:58] <+IvanBVanNorman> Alien was ruined for me on blu ray sadly
[20:58] <~Dan> How so?
[20:58] <+IvanBVanNorman> It’s too clear, it loses all of its mystery. It just becomes a set with such hi-definition for me.
[20:59] <+Abstruse> What would you say is the biggest selling point for Outbreak over the glut that is zombie games on the market now, aside from being either best or second best (depending on one’s personal opinion of All Flesh Must Be Eaten).
[20:59] <+IvanBVanNorman> The fact that we allow you to play YOURSELF as a character, to test your Zombie Survival Plan.
[20:59] <+IvanBVanNorman> *done*
[20:59] <+IvanBVanNorman> lol
[20:59] <+Abstruse> (It fares far better than stuff from the 90s in HD…at least they were physical sets with practical effects…)
[21:00] <+IvanBVanNorman> agreed, it just was hard to watch it on BluRay is all.
[21:00] <+IvanBVanNorman> I bought the whole damn Quadrilogy
[21:01] <+DragonGoddess> The play yourself aspect is certainly something that set it apart for me and got me interested in the idea of a Zombie Survival RPG
[21:01] <+IvanBVanNorman> We just updated the SPEW-AI to so now you can do it on mobile… we are planning on updating the entire test as a whole for 2nd Ed to.
[21:01] <+IvanBVanNorman> Again, primer on the KS.
[21:02] <+IvanBVanNorman> Ok guys, I think that’s it for me. I really appreciate you taking time to listen to me ramble about Zombies and Aliens and stuff
[21:02] <~Dan> Thanks very much, Ivan!
[21:02] <+IvanBVanNorman> Dan and Abtruse, thanks for being so helpful and such good people.