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Gaming Post: Writing for ICE, Dennis Sustare (Bunnies & Burrows, Swordbeaerer), Computer Games
So whilst everyone else was out having fun at Conquest, I was at home doing gaming-related activities of a different kind. As forewarned, I am now an official co-author for the latest edition of Rolemaster's Campaign Law. I'm currently writing the chapter on world building which includes the nature of the divine, magic, cosmology and the earth sciences (oh, you didn't know I had an interest in the earth sciences as well, did you?). I'm also hoping to contribute (for obvious reasons) on the section on societies and cultures. I'm about half-way finished on what is required of me already. OK, so I can write like a demon.
I do confess to taking the Sunday off writing and playing GURPS Bunnies & Burrows, as is an Easter Sunday tradition (photo from 2005). This years story included the setting from the original author, Druid's Valley, published way back in 1979 in Different Worlds Issue #2 with the additions of a Celtic religious site, and a rabbit buried on the first day of spring - which then rose from the dead. Much fun had by all present. I notice that the original game was reviewed this week. Dennis Sustare is truly one of gaming industries lesser known heroes; this Friday I'll be running a game of Swordbearer the other major work he wrote. Not to mention some absolutely brilliant pieces for Paranoia.
I have mostly finished Medieval Total War. Quite liked until the game AI started to cheat by generating utterly implausible oppositions (like hundreds of armored rebel knights in provinces that have been controlled for generations). It is awful when games do this, it breaks the sense of immersion (and Medieval Total War did have a good historical immersive quality). I seem to recall first reading in Sams Teach Yourself Game Programming that having the AI cheat helps keep a game challenging. Personally, I think it's a game destroyer. Because as with interactive gaming, the shared-world immersion comes first and the challenge (or system) comes after that. Destroying the sense of wonder turns the game from an phenomenal experience to an obstinate thing that's just annoying.
I do confess to taking the Sunday off writing and playing GURPS Bunnies & Burrows, as is an Easter Sunday tradition (photo from 2005). This years story included the setting from the original author, Druid's Valley, published way back in 1979 in Different Worlds Issue #2 with the additions of a Celtic religious site, and a rabbit buried on the first day of spring - which then rose from the dead. Much fun had by all present. I notice that the original game was reviewed this week. Dennis Sustare is truly one of gaming industries lesser known heroes; this Friday I'll be running a game of Swordbearer the other major work he wrote. Not to mention some absolutely brilliant pieces for Paranoia.
I have mostly finished Medieval Total War. Quite liked until the game AI started to cheat by generating utterly implausible oppositions (like hundreds of armored rebel knights in provinces that have been controlled for generations). It is awful when games do this, it breaks the sense of immersion (and Medieval Total War did have a good historical immersive quality). I seem to recall first reading in Sams Teach Yourself Game Programming that having the AI cheat helps keep a game challenging. Personally, I think it's a game destroyer. Because as with interactive gaming, the shared-world immersion comes first and the challenge (or system) comes after that. Destroying the sense of wonder turns the game from an phenomenal experience to an obstinate thing that's just annoying.
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I find that when the game starts cheating that blatantly it's time for me to declare the rest of the game a mopping up exercise. On the other hand, I've won on impossible with everyone save the Holy Roman Empire (never really played them), Sicily and the Kingdom of Aragon. (And that without cheesing the Jihads). The income from sea trade in that game is seriously broken if you build a strong navy (and as my favourite factions are England, Byzantium, and Venice I don't think that going for a strong navy and massive trade routes is out of character for any of them). One thing I notice is that when the computer plays both factions, France always conquers England. Oh, and the Mongols get slaughtered far too easily.
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I was half tempted to hack the game (increase valour, charge bonuses and so forth), but I'm more into editing games to increase their realism rather than cheat for cheating's sake.
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Although I always grin when I read that such games are described as "roleplaying" :-)
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Two small things, both unrelated: Your link about Conquest is missing an http://, and who is that in that photo?
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Fixed the link..
heh
Re: heh
Doug walked in to see six of us so adorned and staying laughing. Rick responded, in all seriousness, "This is an important part of our religion; don't mock it".
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For the time being I'll e-mail the idea to the GHC mailing list.
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Where's our gaming locker being stored now that we don't have a room?
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I'm not sure but I think that the games lockers might be at the current librarian's place.
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In the first couple of years it resided with me.. Then we scored the locker :-)
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No, can't do it, just not number friendly enough for me.. yes I know I am a numeracy cripple.. Good on you though.. I am sure you'll make a god job of it.
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No seriously, sounds good and especially the bit you're doing.
I did some work on GURPS Religion as a proof reader and religion and mythology is my thing.. not so much in gaming sense but in the real world as an interested non-practicing atheist.
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GURPS Religion eh? (Checks bookshelf) Well, there you are! Being completely honest it's not my favourite GURPS books by a long shot...
I really grok the being into mythology and being a non-practising atheist tho'...
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He must have created the Druid class in D&D (OD&D Supplement III Eldritch Wizardry thanks on its first page "Dennis Sustare the Great Druid") and he was also acknowledged for the 7th level Druid spell Chariot of Sustarre in AD&D 1st ed.
Swordbearer has a race of sentient Bunrabs. He also created the mythology RPG Heroes of Olympus (1981).
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It's time a lot of these old games were laid out anew and popped onto lulu.com as a small feed of revenue to the old masters..
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http://tinyurl.com/2n5nxa
Looks like FGU have plans to release a new version of Aftermath too, not my cup of tea but they seem to be reawakwning from their 'quiet' period..
i thought of you when i just saw this
lol
Re: i thought of you when i just saw this
Ahh, the old "papers & paychecks" cartoon has a new lease of life *happy sniff*