Gaming Post: Writing for ICE, Dennis Sustare (Bunnies & Burrows, Swordbeaerer), Computer Games

[tcpip]

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.

Comments

[tzunder.livejournal.com]

So basic 8 year old geography? ;-)
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.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yes, basic geography, and basic bontanty, zoology and sociology. IN this edition I'm also doing basic theology and cosmology as well!

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'...

[tzunder.livejournal.com]

No, it was a rather dry tome.. and I remember that you didn't go for it.. although for many a roleplayer it was a cold calm look at creating some religions.. it lacked the mystery that true religion creates.. even in the the non-divine congregation.