[19-Jun-21 08:34 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
So I hate to break it to everyone but im not THE todd howard. Im not here today to announce elder scrolls 6 game play footage. My name is Vincent. Im 32 and ive spent the better part of my entire life always thinking of great ideas for games be it just a simple mechanic for a game, a setting or an entire game in itself. And i finally figured out that if i put my ideas into a book form i can actually make this a game that i can out to people. My Game Is UNDER NEON. Its a table top legacy RPG in a Cyberpunk setting. Think less the actual cyberpunk games setting and more something along the lines of blade runner. Futuristic but real.
[19-Jun-21 08:35 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
My biggest goal was not only to try and create a game that ive been working out in my head for years but also to create a whole new approach to how a tabletop RPG can work.
[19-Jun-21 08:35 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 08:35 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Thanks, @the_toddhoward! The floor is open to questions!
[19-Jun-21 08:35 PM] Eric_E#3204
What is a “legacy” rpg?
[19-Jun-21 08:35 PM] Henry#3418
Do you have a link to your current project? @the_toddhoward
[19-Jun-21 08:37 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
a legacy RPG is a game that carries over from one session to the next. for instance if you play muchins with some friends, your done with the whole game at the end of the night and next time you start over. whereas something like pathfinder or d&d your characters and your main mission can last many many sessions if not years in some cases
[19-Jun-21 08:38 PM] Eric_E#3204
Ok. So standard RPG.
[19-Jun-21 08:38 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
the game is not currently finish in released yet its still in the kickstarter stage but if youd like to check that out and see some artwork for it heres a link to our kickstarter henry https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underneon/under-neon?ref=user_menu
[19-Jun-21 08:38 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Can you describe the setting?
[19-Jun-21 08:40 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so its in the not to distant future. the exact date is intentionally never stated for reasons we can dive into later. But its in the not to distant future after what could be considered the verge of civilizations collapse and now were in the rebuilding stages.
[19-Jun-21 08:41 PM] Henry#3418
@the_toddhoward with a name like Vincent Verdiny are you secretly a super villain? And why are you lying about being a super villain?
[19-Jun-21 08:43 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
there was a plague that devastated humanity(ironically enough i came up with the plague for this game before covid lol) and while this plague is destroying humanity there was a company that was working on the first ever nanotech that could be injected into the bloodstream and in turn help prevent diseases and fight infections and help humanity reach the next stage in evolution. This nanotechnology was released prematurely and ended up doing more harm then the plague it was supposed to suppress.
[19-Jun-21 08:44 PM] Henry#3418
Time is the currency of life. @the_toddhoward Why should people spend their time on your ‘UNDER NEON’? In a flooded market of RPG’s what does your game provide more than any other, what makes your game unique and why should people play it more than any other?
[19-Jun-21 08:46 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
the creator of this nanotechnology who was against its release has sense become somewhat of a recluse. people hear rumors of him making an appearance here and there but no one ever knows if there true. but the one part of every rumor that stays the same is he never seems to age. Now some 20+ years after the great collapse once humanity is finally starting to rebuild he is completely back in the spotlight, by his own design. the players will be given a mission to find out why he has returned and why the sleeping death that nanotechnology originally introduced to the world is coming back
[19-Jun-21 08:47 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
the difference in UNDER NEON from other tabletop games is the game mechanics
[19-Jun-21 08:47 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
in most RPG’s you choose a class
[19-Jun-21 08:47 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and you have rules to follow in that class system
[19-Jun-21 08:48 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
abilities, skills, proficiencies etc
[19-Jun-21 08:48 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
In UNDER NEON there is no limit to what you can eventually do(within reason, your not god)
[19-Jun-21 08:48 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and most RPG’s follow into this trap of you have the main mission and a few side missions but once your done thats it
[19-Jun-21 08:49 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
d&d on the other hand is great because it is so easy to homebrew quests and missions if players want to make a story from scrath
[19-Jun-21 08:49 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
UNDER NEON will have a main mission with many side missions but it also sets the groundwork for this world
[19-Jun-21 08:49 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and has many tools to help people continue after they finish the main mission
[19-Jun-21 08:50 PM] Henry#3418
Can you explain this a little more? Why is that you don’t have limits in Under Neon? Is it just a classless system or is there something else going on?
[19-Jun-21 08:51 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
well theres a couple reasons
[19-Jun-21 08:51 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
for start its because you dont have any set classes correct
[19-Jun-21 08:51 PM] Henry#3418
(oh and once your finished with your question if you could please say done just for other people so they know)
[19-Jun-21 08:53 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
the way you level up i would say is similar to progression in final fantasy 10 with the sphere grid. not exactly that but along those lines. in most legacy games players will level up once every couple sessions. and when they level up they now have to move a bunch of stats around, learn everything new they can do, pick a bunch of different spells or abilities. not only does that kind of leveling restrict you to your class, it also takes a long time in between leveling up and takes a long time to LEVEL UP.
[19-Jun-21 08:54 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
in UNDER NEON you will level up much faster then that in the starting sessions.
[19-Jun-21 08:54 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
the first session you may level up three times
[19-Jun-21 08:54 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but instead of having to do all that other stuff you get one point
[19-Jun-21 08:54 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
you can place that one point along any path you decide in the skill tree
{Attachments}
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/780948065367490590/855989074476924968/IMG_0585.JPG
[19-Jun-21 08:55 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
you can at any point in time when you level decide you would like to progress in a new path, learn some new abilities from a different style
[19-Jun-21 08:56 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and each time you level up and place a point along this skill tree you get ONE thing from it. be it more health, a new ability, a new weapon proficiency etc.
[19-Jun-21 08:56 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so in theory if a group was to play this long enough you COULD have a player who is able to do everything
[19-Jun-21 08:56 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but this is something were talking about years and years and years of playing with the same character.
[19-Jun-21 08:57 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
while possible, not realistic to unlock everything
[19-Jun-21 08:57 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
however, lets say i would like to build a very strong support shotgun build and after a while of this i feel like you know im good at this now, lets get into hacking. i just start progressing along the hacking path now
[19-Jun-21 08:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
thus, how there are no real limits to what you can do
[19-Jun-21 08:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 08:58 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Can you describe the tech level of the setting?
[19-Jun-21 08:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
ignore the terrible artwork for the skill tree, thats part of the reason for the kickstarter.
[19-Jun-21 08:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so not every branch of the skill tree is the same
[19-Jun-21 08:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
tech, is a branch that is pretty different from the rest
[19-Jun-21 09:01 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
some items in the world will require a certain level of tech. if it is a weapon or clothing item it may require a tech proficiency of X. some items such as large machinery or gun turrets etc, might require a skill check where you would now add your tech proficiency modifier to that roll. MOST gear will not require tech to equip it. but some special pieces will
[19-Jun-21 09:01 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:02 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Well, let me rephrase: I’m referring to the overall tech level of the setting. For example, what’s the standard for a sidearm: slugthrower or energy weapon?
[19-Jun-21 09:03 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
im sorry im not sure if i follow exactly. do you mean what kind of tech is involved int he weapons?
[19-Jun-21 09:03 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
in the*
[19-Jun-21 09:04 PM] Henry#3418
@the_toddhoward Is your System unique to this setting?
[19-Jun-21 09:04 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
No, I mean would a person in this setting be more likely to carry a standard bullet-firing pistol or a laser pistol?
[19-Jun-21 09:07 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
well we want most weapons in this game to feel realistic. its not starwars or cyberpunk2077 for that matter which is why i try and avoid comparing to the the “cyberpunk” game. MOST guns will be standard bullet weapons however some might require a specific level of tech or nanotechnology in your blood stream in order to use it. for example imagine a pistol with a biometric scanner in the grip that wont fire for anyone but yourself. but youll need to have at least 1 level of technology in order to use that. just an example for that
[19-Jun-21 09:07 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
nods
[19-Jun-21 09:07 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and yes i believe this system is unique to this type of setting, i haven’t come across any other table top rpg like that
[19-Jun-21 09:07 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
sorry dan im not sure if thats exactly what you ment but i hope i answered your question
[19-Jun-21 09:07 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:08 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
It did, thanks.
[19-Jun-21 09:08 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
👍
[19-Jun-21 09:08 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
What is more common for augmentation: cybernetics or nanotechnology?
[19-Jun-21 09:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so, they are going to kind of be a symbiotic relationship
[19-Jun-21 09:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
you will not be able to have cybernetics without any nanotech in your bloodstream
[19-Jun-21 09:09 PM] Henry#3418
The question must come, why not 5e and if not 5e why not one of its well-known competitors? Such as Power by the Apocalypse, Savage Worlds or Fate? Why put in the massive work that is making a unique system?
[19-Jun-21 09:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
however, there are MANY people in the world who dont like, dont trust and even out right go out of there way to kill people who believe in nanotech in the human body
[19-Jun-21 09:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
5e forces you into a class
[19-Jun-21 09:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
a strict set of rules to follow for your character build
[19-Jun-21 09:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and in 5e when you level up, you level up many things at once like mentioned before
[19-Jun-21 09:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
in this however
[19-Jun-21 09:11 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
its designed so you can level up after an encounter and it will take you all of 10 seconds to “level up” and continue on with your game
[19-Jun-21 09:11 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
it also allows you more freedom to craft your character how you see fit
[19-Jun-21 09:12 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
i dont care about more HP im sitting back away from enemy fire with my sniper rifle. i just want to get REALLY GOOD with this gun
[19-Jun-21 09:12 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
or, my abilities are getting pretty good but i want to learn how to hack now
[19-Jun-21 09:12 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
its complete freedom in character creation and development
[19-Jun-21 09:12 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:13 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
You mention hacking… Does that involve the cyberpunk classic trope of “jacking in” to a VR computer network?
[19-Jun-21 09:14 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
no
[19-Jun-21 09:14 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
well, for the most part no
[19-Jun-21 09:14 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
i want this game to feel as real as possible until someone gets very deep into nanotecho
[19-Jun-21 09:14 PM] Henry#3418
What makes your setting unique? There are many Cyber Punk games, infact Cyber Punk itself, what is the thing that makes yours different? @the_toddhoward
[19-Jun-21 09:15 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
most hacking will be more like actual hacking where its just someone who is very intelligent with a computer for example
[19-Jun-21 09:17 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
the setting is great and creative. But to be honest it is not the most original setting. i dont believe you have to have the most original setting to have a great game or book or movie. star wars is a rip off of several pieces that came before it. but it is much large then those pieces because of how the story was delivered.
[19-Jun-21 09:17 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
now thats not to say im trying to rip off a setting
[19-Jun-21 09:17 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
simply that the world setting is not the original part. its the gameplay mechanics and the character creations that is the most original aspect of the game
[19-Jun-21 09:17 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:17 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Who are the PCs by default in this setting?
[19-Jun-21 09:18 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
by the way i challenge anyone to read dune and not tell me lucas ripped off dune lol
[19-Jun-21 09:20 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so, when you create a character there will be a section in the book to help guide you and craft your starting character. there will be some background ideas to help you pick along with several tables that will be dice roll randomized if you feel like just seeing what the fates give you. for example on a 1d6 roll if you roll a 1 you can be a spoiled wealthy kid, on a 2 you can be a gun for hire etc. randomized is optional though.
[19-Jun-21 09:20 PM] Henry#3418
What is your least favourite aspect of Under Neon?
[19-Jun-21 09:20 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
there are many types of character background you can pick from or simply create your own and talk with your dm to work out how you meet everyone else in the group
[19-Jun-21 09:20 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:22 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
least favorite, good question. like in a job interview when they ask what your weakest attribute is. i gotta think on this for a second. for me id say my least favorite is that it will rely heavily on a actually table top setting for combat.
[19-Jun-21 09:22 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
thats not to say you cant roleplay combat without an actual physical table and minis
[19-Jun-21 09:23 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but youll be at a disadvantage without an actual board. this can be a simple black and white grid board, but still really benefits from a board
[19-Jun-21 09:23 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
where as in most fantasy rpgs if you have a really good dm, a board isnt totally needed
[19-Jun-21 09:24 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:24 PM] Henry#3418
@the_toddhoward Imagine…
Imagine Under Neon has gone triple platinum, people no longer say I am going to play D&D they say Neon instead. People cosplay as characters from your game and people wear merch about Under Neon like Nirvana T-Shirts, and they say things like yeah I like that show… Imaging that.
- How does it make you feel?
- What is the thing that gets you in trouble?
- What is the one thing you loved from your game that now makes you cringe?
[19-Jun-21 09:26 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
well to answer the first part first
[19-Jun-21 09:27 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
it would make me feel great. it would validate that im no the only person who feels like a new type of level progression is not a bad thing. my main concept for the game engine(not the setting) is because as much as i love d&d its not simple to teach to new players and it leaves experienced players limited to what the book tells them they can do. i want to change that. so if this were to become a giant game it would tell me that other people enjoyed this new approach and id be very greatful
[19-Jun-21 09:28 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
as for the second part
[19-Jun-21 09:28 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
do you mean like a skeleton in my closet? lol
[19-Jun-21 09:29 PM] Henry#3418
It is meant to allow creators to think about their creation in a critical way and what might cause backlash and what may or many not be a problem and if they think it is worth it. Just allows people to get into a future mindset.
[19-Jun-21 09:31 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
well. i think the “cyberpunk” setting honestly. but thats the setting i love so im sticking to it. but in this day and age everyone likes to say you stole this you copied this etc. i literally just gave a prime example of this a few minutes ago when i said lucas ripped off dune. and i think alot of people could try and say i ripped of cyberpunk the game and not influenced by cyberpunk the genre.
[19-Jun-21 09:32 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
as far as me as a person im a pretty boring dude other then i like to go fast in cars or on bikes lol. so im not to worried about getting in trouble in a way that could effect the game or brand. just speeding tickets
[19-Jun-21 09:32 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
not sure if that answered your question but i hope i got it right
[19-Jun-21 09:32 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
as for the third part
[19-Jun-21 09:36 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
if i had to fast forward 20 years from now and look back at my game as a whole at launch(when that happens) and pick what i dont like id probably say, that its cyberpunk. cyberpunk is “in” right now and its the cool thing to do. but i grew up reading books like do androids dream of sleep and altered carbon and neuromancer, watching akira and total recall.
[19-Jun-21 09:36 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
this is the setting i love
[19-Jun-21 09:36 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so im sticking with it cus its what i like
[19-Jun-21 09:36 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but i can see how in retrospect it could be like, it was the “cool thing to do at the time”
[19-Jun-21 09:37 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Do you have a character sheet that we can see?
[19-Jun-21 09:38 PM] Henry#3418
@the_toddhoward What is the one thing you wished people asked about Under Neon but haven’t yet?
[19-Jun-21 09:39 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
unfortunately i do not. for play testing i have simply been writing down all stats and abilities on a paper for now and want to get an example character sheet with good artwork done for the book commissioned by an artist who knows what there doing in that department which i do not lol.
[19-Jun-21 09:39 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
one thing ive noticed hardly no one has asked is, what do we do in it.
[19-Jun-21 09:39 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
lol
[19-Jun-21 09:41 PM] Henry#3418
What do the players do in Under Neon @the_toddhoward ?
[19-Jun-21 09:45 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so without giving away the full story elements of the game, your general main mission is to find out why Mishori Tanaka, the father of modern day nanotech has resurfaced after 20+ years of being a recluse and why the sleeping death is making a return. sleeping death is a state that was introduced shortly after the first humans started to receive nanotech in the bloodstream to help fight against the plague. when people would go to sleep there heart rate would dip as it naturally does. but the nanotech would attack the heart to try and jumpstart it causing a heart attack in there sleep. sleeping death has all but been taken care of and there hasnt been a case in almost 20 years. but now its on the rise again and no one knows why. in the book there will be several different ways to kick players into the world of the game and start them along the path of finding out these answers. for instance one of the starting mission options is a quest where a mob boss hires you to break into a tech company research facility and steal a weapon. he does tell you what the weapon is simply what building its in and what floor its on. this kicks player down the path of the main quest
[19-Jun-21 09:45 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but in addition to that
[19-Jun-21 09:45 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
you can overthrow the mob
[19-Jun-21 09:45 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
join the mob
[19-Jun-21 09:45 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
raid tech companies
[19-Jun-21 09:46 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
hostage and ransom, both as the hostage taker and the person looking for the hostage taker
[19-Jun-21 09:46 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
attack rival gang locations which are designed in a dungeon style
[19-Jun-21 09:47 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
corporate espionage
[19-Jun-21 09:47 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
corporate theft
[19-Jun-21 09:48 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
all these things are designed in a way that works with the cyberpunk nanotech setting, but are designed to give players more to do then just go here shoot this and return
[19-Jun-21 09:48 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 09:49 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
What elements make up a PC? (I’m speaking in terms of attributes, skills, quirks, drawbacks, etc.)
[19-Jun-21 09:49 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
there are a couple different things
[19-Jun-21 09:49 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
essentially everyone starts out the same for the most part
[19-Jun-21 09:51 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
outside of background everyone will have a level one human with the same stats(this changes very quickly but yeah). but in character creation you may choose a blood type. different blood types act similar to racial proficiencies in d&d for instance one blood type helps you regain nanotech points faster while another blood type gives you just slightly more health.
[19-Jun-21 09:52 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
moving on from there you will have your basic attributes such as dex, str etc
[19-Jun-21 09:52 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
next youll have abilities
[19-Jun-21 09:52 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
abilities are a bit different from normal games though
[19-Jun-21 09:52 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
they rely mostly on what weapon youll be using
[19-Jun-21 09:53 PM] Henry#3418
@the_toddhoward Final Question. At least for me.
What are people not talking about in the Roleplaying community that should be and why?
[19-Jun-21 09:53 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
for instance anyone can take any ability as the level up, but if your picking a pistol ability and your a bare knuckle brawler who doesnt carry a gun, your not gunna be able to use it lol
[19-Jun-21 09:53 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
ill answer your question in a moment henry
[19-Jun-21 09:53 PM] Henry#3418
all G
[19-Jun-21 09:54 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
unlike in d&d where if you have a 5 dex skill you get a negative to your dex rolls, in under neon every attribute is at 0 when you start
[19-Jun-21 09:55 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
as you progress you choose what you want to become good at and get proficient in those things.
[19-Jun-21 09:56 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
drawback however computers are hard to hack for instance. if your a brawler and you wana hack into a computer you dont just roll a d20 and hope you get 10 or higher and boom your in. if you have trained in that your probably not going to get it
[19-Jun-21 09:57 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
i dont want to create drawbacks for character in there general creation. however there are some abilities that do have draw backs to them. yeah i hit you for a tone of damage but not all attacks on me have advantage for example
[19-Jun-21 09:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so you get your character, all stats are 0 except for health obviously. choose your blood type which just slowly helps you in the long run be better at one specific type of build, choose your weapon “class” and build in that path. that your genreal character elements wrapped up in a small package.
[19-Jun-21 09:58 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
inventory is a big deal as well
[19-Jun-21 09:59 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
you get one big weapon and one small weapon or two small weapons. two pistols for example or a rifle and a pistol.
[19-Jun-21 09:59 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and you get one equipment slot. which can be used for a booster pack(potion)
[19-Jun-21 10:00 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
BUT, if you level up in support you can get more equipment slots. or maybe you find a jacket in your adventures that allows you to carry more equipment
[19-Jun-21 10:00 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 10:00 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
henry now.
[19-Jun-21 10:01 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
i wish people were trying to diversify there games more. i see so many games on kickstarter that are just d&d clones. or d&d campaigns. and while those are great, lets make something new. not to replace the exist games but to branch out and diversify the variety of games
[19-Jun-21 10:01 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 10:03 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Can you describe your task resolution mechanic?
[19-Jun-21 10:03 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
do you mean like how to wrap up a quest?
[19-Jun-21 10:04 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
just want to make sure im understanding the question right before i answer wrong lol
[19-Jun-21 10:04 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
No, I mean what’s involved with taking an action that requires a roll of the dice. For example, what would be involved in jumping over a pit?
[19-Jun-21 10:05 PM] Henry#3418
@the_toddhoward I just want to wish you luck with your game and your kickstarter
[19-Jun-21 10:08 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
ahhh i see. thanks for clarifying. so in the book there are alot of examples for the dm for instance jumping over a pit would be a athletics rolls. player rolls, adds there athletics mod to the roll and if they make over what the dm has chosen then they make it(there is large chunk in the book giving the dm examples to pick from). for instance if the dm discribes a 5 foot pit the book will say the roll should be greater then 10 but this is up the the dm in the long run. for attacking on the other hand its a bit different
[19-Jun-21 10:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so players and npcs will have AC similar to most rpgs.
[19-Jun-21 10:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
make an attack roll and if it exceeds the ac it lands
[19-Jun-21 10:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
then roll for damage
[19-Jun-21 10:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but
[19-Jun-21 10:09 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
cover is a big part of this world
[19-Jun-21 10:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
so everyone has a base ac of 5. so realistically most things are going to hit you if your standing out in the open
[19-Jun-21 10:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
but if you are crouched behind a counter or tucked up against the edge of a wall the gains you an additional 5ac
[19-Jun-21 10:10 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and heres where some more dice rolls come into play
[19-Jun-21 10:13 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
guns have ammo. and there all dice based so for example a base level pistol will be 10 shots. so you have a 1d10 that you can use to keep track of your ammo. starting at ten and every round you attack bring it down one. now you and the npcs will need to reload eventually. you can use your whole action to reload or you can attack and rush a reload where you will roll the ammo dice with disadvantage and the result is how much you reload. but you cant reload again the next turn
[19-Jun-21 10:13 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Nice mechanic.
[19-Jun-21 10:16 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
hacking for example will require you to say i wana hack this thing, then you roll plus your mod and if your high enough now youve hacked it. but just because you in doesnt mean your done. lets say you hack into the computer thats one hack and its the hardest one to do most of the time so the rest of what you do in that computer will probably be with advantage. but if you wana use that hacked computer to turn on or off a turret that this computer normally wouldnt have access to, roll for hacking again this time with advantage cus your already on there network
[19-Jun-21 10:16 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
hacking however takes time and can be done in combat so if you guys are shoot the secruity gaurds and im trying to hack this door open, this turn i hack into the computer, my next turn i turn of the door lock.
[19-Jun-21 10:16 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 10:17 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and thank you
[19-Jun-21 10:18 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the widly cinematic and 1 being bloodbath-gritty, how cinematic is Under Neon?
[19-Jun-21 10:18 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
i think its a 1
[19-Jun-21 10:18 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and a 10
[19-Jun-21 10:19 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
its up to what the players want
[19-Jun-21 10:19 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
it can be and combat based or as story based and the group desires
[19-Jun-21 10:22 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
if your group doesnt enjoy combat, dont give them alot of misisons to go raid this mobsters wearhouse. give them missions to break into a top security research facility and tamper with there findings and maybe, the CEO of the company happens to be present when they do this and this do is a top tier nanotech infused malevolent dude who flips things upside down on them and puts them into a brain induced coma like state where they all share a conciseness with each other and have to figure out how to wake up while hes planning on killing them or holding them for ransom
[19-Jun-21 10:22 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
done
[19-Jun-21 10:23 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Mind a bit of constructive criticism?
[19-Jun-21 10:23 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
go for it.
[19-Jun-21 10:23 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Cool. It’s nothing too bad, really. I would just be leery of comparing your game to D&D.
[19-Jun-21 10:24 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
I know that’s tempting, but there’s a whole wider world of game design out there.
[19-Jun-21 10:24 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
For example, when you say that your game doesn’t have classes?
[19-Jun-21 10:24 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Well, that brings us right up to 1978. 🙂
[19-Jun-21 10:25 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
im sorry im not following with 1978
[19-Jun-21 10:25 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Not having classes is probably worth noting, but I wouldn’t suggest that it’s a big selling point.
[19-Jun-21 10:25 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
1978 was when RuneQuest came out — a fantasy game that didn’t use classes.
[19-Jun-21 10:26 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
ah ok, ive heard of it but dont know much about it
[19-Jun-21 10:26 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
nods
[19-Jun-21 10:27 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
My point being that there are hundreds of games out there that “aren’t D&D”. You’re liable ot turn off some potential backers if you make a big deal about your game being among them, if you get my meaning.
[19-Jun-21 10:27 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
i get what you mean
[19-Jun-21 10:27 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Mind you, this isn’t a criticism of your game. Just a marketing tip.
[19-Jun-21 10:28 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
nah i get what you mean
[19-Jun-21 10:28 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
ive brought up d&d several times because its the gold standard of table tops so its easy to compare similarities and differences with because everyone in nerd world knows d&d lol. but i get what you mean
[19-Jun-21 10:28 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
(I majored in advertising. Not that it ever did me much good. 😄 )
[19-Jun-21 10:29 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
haha
[19-Jun-21 10:29 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
In the time remaining, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?
[19-Jun-21 10:30 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
im all for constructive criticism. when i first started play testing i didnt even think about ammo and i played with a few people and one of them was like, sooooo… i just get to shoot forever?
[19-Jun-21 10:30 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Heh. 🙂
[19-Jun-21 10:30 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
and i was like yeah? and hes said no reloading? and i realized i never even thought about that
[19-Jun-21 10:31 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
then i figured out how to add a ammo mechanic that works and makes sense and to me and other people whove play tested it all feel works
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[19-Jun-21 10:32 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Thank you very much for joining us this evening, @the_toddhoward!
[19-Jun-21 10:32 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Usual reminder: If you’ve enjoyed this Q&A and would like to treat me to a coffee or two, you can do so at https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe. Anything’s appreciated! 🙂
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[19-Jun-21 10:32 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
thanks for having me
[19-Jun-21 10:33 PM] Dan Davenport#6715
Now, if you’ll give me just a minute or two, I’ll get the log posted and link you!
[19-Jun-21 10:33 PM] the_toddhoward#0390
sounds great
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