Preview Troika's other game

[Vault Dweller]

I am not into goth, I really don't like horror, and unless it does atmosphere better then SS2 I will probably dissapointed.

I agree with most of what you said, given a choice I too would prefer another setting, but things being what they are....I'm trying to see a half-full glass, without trying to force my likes/dislikes on you, of course. At this not-really-informed point I have two arguments:
1. It's not a FPS, it's a RPG thus all references, postive and negative alike, to Deus Ex and SS2 are invalid.
2. There is no reason to assume that it's a scary/horror game filled with goths and weirdos and angsty vamps seeking redemption

I will quote Calis with whom I agree:

I ran a game for a while, and at one point I didn't even need to prepare anymore because of inter-player plans, politics and powerplay

 

[Lemon]

The problem is that Vampire: The Masqarade draws Goths and fuckwits ONLY.

...I made this point on DAC, but I'll repeat myself.. If they're trying to hide from humans, why dress gothic and have the funky gothic look if you're trying to blend in? It's really silly.

They are fitting in, just with the loser bench from high school .

 

[triCritical]

I am not into goth, I really don't like horror, and unless it does atmosphere better then SS2 I will probably dissapointed.

I agree with most of what you said, given a choice I too would prefer another setting, but things being what they are....I'm trying to see a half-full glass, without trying to force my likes/dislikes on you, of course. At this not-really-informed point I have two arguments:
1. It's not a FPS, it's a RPG thus all references, postive and negative alike, to Deus Ex and SS2 are invalid.
2. There is no reason to assume that it's a scary/horror game filled with goths and weirdos and angsty vamps seeking redemption

I will quote Calis with whom I agree:

I ran a game for a while, and at one point I didn't even need to prepare anymore because of inter-player plans, politics and powerplay

After reading Leon's interview I feel a lot better. It was kind of nice that he reassured his fans that this was going to be an RPG not some knock off.

 

[Megatron]

I don't think the whole vampire=goth freaks argument is fair. It's like saying dnd=greasy fat dorks or consoles=kids

Vampires just dress up in all the black shit because it's tradional mabye, and goths imitate vampires anyway?

I'd have preferred a b-movie zombie type of game, but who knows this could be good for a chuck

le

 

[Vault Dweller]

After reading Leon's interview I feel a lot better. It was kind of nice that he reassured his fans that this was going to be an RPG not some knock off.

Yep, as long as it's a good, well written RPG I don't care what setting its in. We don't have that many good RPGs to be picky anyway

 

[Chadeo]

I completely agree with huh (funny name to use in a sentence .

Have any of you ever been to a d&d convention before? Have you read all of the clichéd, juvenile, and just plain goofy plots and stories that have been created for d&d? Have you ever seen http://www.ifilm.com/filmdetail?ifilmid=220487 (Yes, I have been to conventions that have people who do EXACTLY this at them. Complete with "can I roll to see if I am drunk yet").

The world is full of people who cannot role-play, but do not bash a setting as a result of that. Horror and darkness are very hard to pull off, but personally I love it when it is done right. This game has a huge amount of potential, but really none of us can make a judgment about it until we see exactly how they did things. As they say the devil is in the details.

When you stop and think about it, the first Fallout was a bit horrific in places. The trick to making it work is to not over do things.

As far as the FP perspective, it is far more immersive and engaging, and I think you will find that such a style will become more and more common as people get used to it. No it will not in and of itself make a great game, but it also will not make a bad game either. In fact, assuming no cut scenes, it is actually more conductive to role-playing because you never see yourself, so you can picture yourself any way you choose.

Still, the one thing I want to know is if I can play a good guy =)

 

[Elwro]

I had really different experiences with Vampire: the Masquerade PnP. I was quite young reading the rulebook for the first time, and I felt that the history and the whole idea of the Masquerade was very original and interesting. I played many scenarios which were far from being Horrible Horrors and had really a well-developed plot. Most often the setting was Cracow, the city I live in - and I always find it deepening the experience when my character is in a place I know. [Me & my friends had much fun converting Cracow of 1990s into Shadowrun] Our adventures never had any punk- or goth- elements. {Thank God, what a horrible idea.)

But I think that the first rulebook was great, and then WWolf screwed up the whole thing. Take for example the Player's Companion - just look at the cover and you know it's something faaar, far behind the core rulebook in quality. Same with the Sabbath. I had played a few years before I saw those books and was truly surprised. So, to sum up this incoherent mumbling, V:tM in it's heart is nothing to draw goths and fuckwits only.

PS. I think that it was some guy called Mark Rein \cdot Hagen who invented the whole thing, and when WWolf decided to go in the wrong direction, he left them. But I'm not sure.

 

[Spazmo]

There are some valid points here. There's nothing wrong with some dark fantasy (vampires, even in a modern setting, makes fantasy), and I'm willing to give this game the benefit of the doubt because of Troika's mad skillz. Still, I would have preffered a somewhat different setting.

 

[udarnik]

Most often the setting was Cracow, the city I live in - and I always find it deepening the experience when my character is in a place I know. [Me & my friends had much fun converting Cracow of 1990s into Shadowrun] Our adventures never had any punk- or goth- elements.

My experience matches Elwro's. Vampire has several levels of greatness. One is the fact that it is an rpg equivalent of Grand Theft Auto. Put the player in a familiar location and encourage them to perform anti-social acts. It is easier for the GM to set up the world and more instantly engaging for the players. Second is that Vampire offers a lot of crutches for the role-playing impaired. Don't know how to play your character? Here's a stereotype, follow it. Yet underneath that is a loose and easy skill based system for those who like to customize.

If I were to make sweeping generalizations about fans, though, I'd have to say I like D&D fans a lot more than Vampire players. Dungeons and Dragons players are more of the socially-oblivious type, charmingly disconnected with the world around them.
"I cast MAGIC MISSILE!"

That Summoner Geeks movie rules.

 

[GreenNight]

The optimist in me has got a vision! It holds the Truth! It says you must love Troika and the games they make!!!

Well, this is what I've deduced. Most of you like alternative pasts (D&D and others), and most of you would like a possible/alternative future (FO3, space opera). But we need something in between. Yes, the alternative present, and VTM fills this niche.

Not convinced? Well I'll give you another "reason".

You like CRPGs, hardcore CRPGs. You know it's a relativelly small market, but you want more and better and more hardcore CRPGs. And you say it's ok to cover turn based and real time to appeal all the audiences (just not both in the same product please). Well, now we have a product that is not covered by all the D&D games out there. It's very different from the mainstream CRPGs that have been medieval fantasy for a long time. Cheer up.

:shock: Another reason you say? Well... wait till september and if ToEE is as good as it seems renew your faith in Troika.

Ah... 8) time to sleep. good night and dream about wonderful places, and may your visions come true.

Be happy and trust Troika (at least while they deserve it).

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Alternative modern is fine by me, really it is. However, I'd much, much rather have a unique alternative modern than one based on White Wolf's Vampire. Hell, something along the lines of 1970s TV show Night Stalkers would be much, much cooler. Basically, it was the precursor to X-Files, and I thought it was much better.

Or, if you want to be slicker, imagine something like a CRPG set in 1920s Chicago where instead of Italian mobs running the crime, it was voodoo shaman? How about something like 1960s Dragnet with alien visitors? Or 1980s style Dirty Harry cop movies with Lovecraftian dimensional rifting?

Things like that would be much nicer, IMHO, than the whole gothic-punk styling of Vampire: the Masquerade.

 

[Dan]

I agree about the setting... I don't really like all that vampire shit, I would really have prefered a sci fi setting.

The other problem I have with the game is the genre... not being my favorite 2D, turn based CRPG.
I don't really enjoy action games as much as RPG's, but I'm still looking forward to this game.
If it will be a good action game, then why not? I'm sure I'll like it better then other action games out there... It's still Troika, and still should have at least some RPG elements.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Or 1980s style Dirty Harry cop movies with Lovecraftian dimensional rifting?

That's a good one. Dirty Harry has this over the top personality and a superpower (of .44 magnum ) that would fit perfectly into "Lovecraftian dimensional rifting". Good call, Saint.

...being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?

Every other cop in this city is satisfied with a .38 or .357, whattya have to carry that cannon for?
'Cause I hit what I aim at, that's why

:D

 

[huh]

lol. actually, a Film Noir / the 20s styled crpg would be sweet. twist it a bit with paranormal and stuff, and it'll be good. stiffs, femme fatales, clean shaven smooth talking characters called 'Sam' and 'Dirk', floozies, whiskey glasses, fedora hats and .44 magnums. the closest in atmosphere I've seen was an obscure action game called "Nocturne".

but then again, something like Blade Runner developed into a free style CRPG wouldn't suck either.

 

[Major_Blackhart]

I need to know, is this game gonna be horror based (have a good amount)? Personally I love horror. Vampires in black though I think is way too stereotypical. If I were one I'd dress up in a white suit (the real expensive kind) and wear a White fedora with black trim (kinda like the opposite of what you'd expect for a Vamp.) Also, did anyone ever play Clive Barker's Undying? Personally I enjoyed that game. It creeped me out more than a few times. And I love to be terrified and I love the darkness and evil crap, could be cause Im a Slayer fan, could be cause my fathers the Devil :evil: Who knows? I heard somewhere that the church thought that Vampires were really posessed human beings, during the medieval period. Also, does anyone know anything about Voodoo? Im interested in how they make Zombies.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

That's a good one. Dirty Harry has this over the top personality and a superpower (of .44 magnum ) that would fit perfectly into "Lovecraftian dimensional rifting". Good call, Saint.

I always liked this one:

• Mayor: I don't want to have any more trouble like you had last year in the Filmore District, understand? That's my policy.
  Harry: Yeah, well when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That's my policy.
  Mayor: Intent? How did you establish that?
  Harry: When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross.