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Post by Admin on Apr 13, 2016 2:01:22 GMT
As you may be aware, there is another game being started in Edmonton some time in the near future. I have been contacted about turning the game into a shared universe. I'm not against this but I do have some reservations and I would like to get the players opinions as at the end of the day, this game belongs to the players.
As far as I can tell, the shared universe will have some major benefits:
With the extra players there will be more options for political machinations - this is the bread and butter of any vtm game.
The story will be much more dynamic as the events in one city may well have ramifications in the other.
The players will be given the ability to visit other courts and play their character more often if that is their wish.
I'm sure there are more. Feel free to add to the list.
As for my worries:
I don't really know Matt's ST style so as of yet I have no idea how the stories will mesh.
There is a power imbalance as the Edmonton game starts with much stronger characters than we do and I do not know how much xp they will be handing out.
Major plot twists between the two games may cause unexpected side effects in the other games.
Again, I'm sure there are more and feel free to bring them up so we can discuss them.
As a starting reference point, I'd like to put this poll forward. How close do we want to align the games?
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Mack
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Post by Mack on Apr 13, 2016 2:05:17 GMT
I like the concept, at least, and having the option to visit an Edmonton game would be interesting, hough I doubt I could ever actually make one.
From what I recall, Matt runs VtM a lot closer to the way DnD is usually run, the player base against NPCs, mostly. I don't have an issue with that, but I am worried about how large a gap in XP we're talking about. So long as the whole court doesn't show up and slap us around however, I doubt it will ever be much of a problem.
EDIT: Also, as far as his plot lines go, they do tend towards the grandiose and fantastical, he also likes to draw from other books in the setting, which may pose issues currently, until said books are made in this mechanical update.
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Post by Raphael De La Cruz on Apr 13, 2016 2:06:08 GMT
The power inbalance can be mostly solved by making any dangerous interaction consensual between players.
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Mack
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Post by Mack on Apr 13, 2016 2:08:09 GMT
If you mean by forgoing the mechanics entirely and having the players agree to narrate any conflict, then yes, I agree.
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Post by Raphael De La Cruz on Apr 13, 2016 2:14:36 GMT
That is certainly possible, or if both parties go ooc, understand the possible imbalance and wish to throw they could do so. But only if they both completely agree ahead of time. Whatever is the most fun and tells the best story.
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Mack
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Post by Mack on Apr 13, 2016 2:17:55 GMT
Mhmm, exactly. "Let's forget the dice and sort out something cool" is great, and encouraged anyways. "Let's save us both some time and assume I (physically/mentally/socially) beat the snot out of you" is what I've seen to cause problems.
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Post by KuroNecko on Apr 13, 2016 2:22:06 GMT
So I do have a question about this, do we go to Edmonton for a game or do one over the broads?
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Post by Raphael De La Cruz on Apr 13, 2016 2:24:04 GMT
There is going to be a phyisical game up here Steph, you could drive to Edmonton and play if you wished
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Inara Shepard
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Post by Inara Shepard on Apr 13, 2016 2:33:54 GMT
Oooorrrrr we could not do it, and the people who play in the Edmonton game and the red deer game can make different characters for each? I'm sorry if I sound bitchy about the whole thing, but if you want to run a different game, then run a different game. there should be no connections between the two.
again Yeah, I know this is going to come off as catty, but I really dont care at the moment.
You should if you are ST'ing, be able to come up with your own lore and plot lines and so on and so forth. I know that Matt used to run the red deer game, but he doesn't anymore, and things have changed hands so many times, and so many characters are gone that it's not even relevant really. I don't see why you guys NEED to have any connection.
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Mack
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Post by Mack on Apr 13, 2016 2:47:41 GMT
Hehe. I'm trying to help people inform themselves on their options and what they may mean. It's true, if it doesn't work, it's a downright horrendous thing, painful for everybody involved and full of spite and malice. But the thing is, if it's done well, it can be a downright magical experience, and one that you'll share with players for decades to come. Personally, I worry that the STs won't be able to communicate enough, and the playstyle of the two different cities won't mesh, but I'm also willing to give it a shot, because if it does sour, it tends to do so for both parties, so it's pretty easy for us to just say "know what? This isn't working", and go back to completely different games without any additional hurt feelings.
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Inara Shepard
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Post by Inara Shepard on Apr 13, 2016 2:51:04 GMT
I see what you're saying Brendan. I don't know. I mean, I'm not saying I will quit the game, but I'm still one on side of the fence lol. If it happens, fuck it. Whatever. If it doesn't happen, fuck it whatever. LOL
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Post by Raphael De La Cruz on Apr 13, 2016 2:52:24 GMT
Kyle explained the benefits, and no dangerous action or world/character changing event would be non-consenual.
We thought it would a nice thing is all.
Our goal is to tell interesting stories and this is an additional way to do so.
If it doesnt work then its easy to cut the cord. Trying it out cant hurt.
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Post by Jack McVitie on Apr 13, 2016 3:08:08 GMT
I've voted for full crossover but do harbor slight concerns about the scale difference between one court and another. Funnily enough I've seen such power imbalances with Red Deer and Edmonton players. In fact I was the storyteller who had to deal with the tards that came down and screwed with the game. I like the idea of crossover but I do believe Cory although allowing your player base to be somewhat stronger I would recommend you scale back their growth to reflect their apparent age. Putting brakes on players characters is never the answer a storytellers should manipulate the players environment to reflect the consequences of there actions. This fact should be made evident to any player in either game so that they understand kill someone in another court doesn't mean that the problems another game away.
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Post by Raphael De La Cruz on Apr 13, 2016 3:15:30 GMT
I believe xp will be sigicantly lower that Red Deer yeah. Like 3 to your 5 iirc As a side note I belive that even our strongest character would have a fair fight with Jack  |
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Post by Kaspar Alsergrund on Apr 13, 2016 3:43:46 GMT
I was part of the Shared Universe (SU) back in the heyday of MET. It was a multi-city (20+) endeavour that was amazing. Inter-city travel was a lot of fun.
There were also more hurt feeling and downright hatred then you can imagine.
And it is a LOT of work for the STs.
My concerns are as follows:
1) If the STs can't agree on a starting value for characters then what else won't they agree on?
2) It doesn't sound as if Matt and Kyle have talked about it much, it sounds more like Matt to Cory to Kyle. There is a LOT of co-ordination between STs required
3) Be prepared for players to try and effect the other city...it is inevitable and in fact, encouraged, if not, what is the point?
4) The STs would have to agree on large plots (Camarilla-wide, Hunters, Garou etc). Small plots are fine.
5) Did I say it is a LOT of work for the STs?
6) I remember the manuals we had for the SU to ensure things like Status and Lores were done consistently (oh God the problem with Lores *shudder*)
7) Did I say that if the STs can't decide on a starting value for characters, then what else won't they agree on...it's kind of fundamental
8) Who will run the big NPCs (Justicars, Archons etc).
If it could be made to work, it is a LOT of fun, unfortunately, the risks of implosion are great.
I have voted no. There just doesn't appear to be enough communication or consensus on the basics of the game, which does not bode well.
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