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    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007 edited
     # 1
    Here are the rules.

    Pick one element from Column Graham. Pick one element from Column Joe.


    Column Graham:

    * Hey Santiago, Check Out This Watch
    * Join Millions Of Men In The Revolution
    * Exquisite Replica
    * 100mg x 90 pills
    * Stay with us in Las Vegas


    Column Joe:

    * I just started dating a guy I like
    * We are ready to lend you money
    * Ultimate pleasure machine
    * Stacy's monster
    * Notice of suspension


    You have ten days to write a roleplaying game using these ingredients. Games should have no more than 5,000 words. They can absolutely include character sheets and instructive art (boards, grids, scales, diagrams) but should otherwise be free from graphics.

    Submit your games to me at joe.r.murphy@gmail.com by 9am GMT on Thursday 25th October. Any format will do. PDF is particularly excellent.

    I will then mail you one random submission. You will have until Hallowe'en to write a review of this game. (Depending on how many people enter, reviews will either be posted here or emailed to me).

    There will then be a review and voting stage, the rules of which will depend on how many people enter. Most likely, all reviews will be posted to Story Games in order to let writers and reviewers correspond. Having read all reviews, participants will get three votes to vote on their favorite games, winner announced as soon as possible.

    Is there a prize? Not so far. Anyone got any prizes?
    •  
      CommentAuthorGraham
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007
     # 2
    This should be the prize. Personally, I'd suggest everyone entering contribute $2 towards a prize, but it's just an idea.

    I love "Stacy's monster". In fact, I generally love the ingredients, but then I did choose some of them.

    Graham
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007
     # 3
    We should have planned ahead and sent one dollar to each of the people on this list, and within a month, you'll make thousands!
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007 edited
     # 4
    I'm currently imagining Spanish explorers approaching a group of baffled Taino indians and saying, "Hey Santiago, check out this watch... We are ready to lend you money!"
    •  
      CommentAuthorHituro
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007
     # 5
    Quick question, must it be a roleplaying game ... you don't say, but I am assuming so
    •  
      CommentAuthorSabreCat
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007
     # 6
    Join millions of men in the revolution + I just started dating a guy I like = Coming Out Day, the RPG?
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2007 edited
     # 7
    Hehe, sorry, David. It's a roleplaying game *and the original post as been edited.

    *For whatever of definition of roleplaying game you like.
  1.  # 8
    I'm leaning on "Come visit us in las vegas" and "We are ready to lend you money" where every parallel universe has a Las Vegas and a mysterious interdimensional incorporation funds development projects in various worlds.
    •  
      CommentAuthorGraham
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2007
     # 9
    I love Ultimate Pleasure Machine. It's making me go all utilitarian.

    Graham
    • CommentAuthorBlue
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2007
     # 10
    I'm leaning toward "Exquisite Replica" and "Notice of Suspension" for a game about virtual clans of neo-ninjas waging a secret war and who get their missions through coded e-mails.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2007
     # 11
    I'm not 100% sold on it, but something like Contenders except with gambling as the spine. 'Las Vegas', obviously, and maybe 'Notice of suspension' being the reason you do it.
  2.  # 12
    I'm flirting with "100mg x 90 pills" because it sounds like half the resolution mechanic is written for me already and, bonus, it reminds me of 100 Bullets. I'll probably team that up with "Stacy's monster" because the others in that group aren't making my toes tingle.
  3.  # 13
    "I just started dating a guy I like..." Unfortunately, he's an "Exquisite Replica"!

    It's the 1950s, Rock and Roll and affordable cars have enabled unchaperoned dating for American teens like never before.

    Idea A: You are a group of teen girls, each dating a new guy for the first time. One of your boyfriends is an alien/commie replicant/murderous robot from the future.

    Idea B: You are an alien, sent in disguise to engage in physical congress with an Earth female. Your orders are to add her genetic diversity to your own, but perhaps you simply want to be loved.
    • CommentAuthorwundergeek
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2007
     # 14
    Hmm. I think my job is influencing what I'm tempted by.

    "Join millions of men in the Revolution" and "notice of suspension" sound like it could be amusing. Corporate drones who get pink slips for their jobs to move to India, perhaps?
  4.  # 15
    I'll take "Join millions of men in The Revolution" and "I just started dating a guy I like". I know what I want to do. 5000 word limit? Bitchin. I'll crank it out at work tomorrow.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2007
     # 16
    Woohoo!

    I'm hugely looking forward to seeing what games come out of these damn strange ingredients.
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2007
     # 17
    This is insanely awesome. Why must you torment me with insanely awesome?!
  5.  # 18
    * Join Millions Of Men In The Revolution

    +
    * Stacy's monster


    "Alarm bells called the citizens to this green April 20, 1775 to learn of the battle at Lexington. There was indecision until 1st Lt. Stacy stepped forward and said “Fellow soldiers, I don't know how it is with you, but for me I will no longer serve a king that murders my own countrymen.” Pulling out his commission from the crown he tore it to bits and trod it underfoot. Amid wild cheers a militia company of patriots was formed and under the gallant Stacy as Captain marched off to Cambridge. May such patriotism ever be with us."

    From a commemorative plaque in the New Salem village commons, quoted in the Wikipedia entry on William Stacy.

    Somebody needs to make a game about patriotism called 'Stacy's Monster', and maybe that person is me. But probably not.
    • CommentAuthorAdamK
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2007
     # 19
    Could a native english speaker reinforce me in my assumption that "Notice of suspension" could be the title of a cop's walking papers?
  6.  # 20
    Absolutely.
    • CommentAuthorAdamK
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2007
     # 21
    Cool. I'll see if I can get something together with "100mg x 90 pills" and that one then.
    • CommentAuthoralgi
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2007
     # 22
    I'm thinking about "100mg x 90 pills" and "We are ready to lend you money".

    It's going to be ugly - if I make it right.

    Gabor
    •  
      CommentAuthornetwomble
    • CommentTimeOct 16th 2007
     # 23
    Although someone else is already using them, I'm thinking of using: "I just started dating a guy I like" and "Exquisite Replica"

    Basically I'm ripping off "Breaking the Ice"

    You create a character who is your "Exquisite Replica", focusing on what you believe are your best traits, but you don't play that character, you play your partner's character. The idea being to crank these qualities to the point of absurdity.

    It's really meant as a way for friends or partners to poke fun at each other.

    Or else I could use "Notice of suspension" and "Hey Santiago, Check Out This Watch": a game of Time Travelling Gone Wrong set in the heart of South America.
    • CommentAuthorlumpley
    • CommentTimeOct 19th 2007
     # 24
    Dammit, Graham. (Also dammit, Joe, but this is twice for Graham.)

    I'm in. I'm doing some Exquisite Replica and some Ultimate Pleasure Machine, with a big ol' dose of Blade Runner.
  7.  # 25
    I'm working on something. It's probably going to be "100mg x 90 pills" & "Notice of suspension" but it may instead have "Stacy's monster" i'm not sure yet how that will work in.

    i'll post some stuff soon.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 19th 2007
     # 26
    Found my real concept: Dr. Who meets Neverwhere meets The Line in modern Peru.

    What's it called? Transantiago. Better bring your Bip! card.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 19th 2007
     # 27
    The Line! Damn, I remember that thread. Damn.

    Good to have all y'all on board. Five days!
  8.  # 28
    Darn! This morning I was going to work on this seriously, but my 4 year old has a cold, so I'm on point as parent. I'll try to get some time to do something for this contest, but no guarantees at this point. :(
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 20th 2007
     # 29
    Tony,

    If you can't get something done for the contest, send anything you like, whenever you can, and I'll give you feedback myself.
  9.  # 30
    Thanks! I had a brainstorm today that might go somewhere. I may even be able to line up a playtest, so don't count me out yet!
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2007
     # 31
    That's ~three days left, guys!

    And by golly, if I'm the only person entering this contest, it'll look awfully fishy when I co-organise, enter and win.

    Also, I'll be allocating reviews on Friday rather than Thursday. So keep your weekend reasonably free!
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2007
     # 32
    Hey, I'm working on mine. Don't panic yet, Joe.
    • CommentAuthorBlue
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2007
     # 33
    It looks right now like I won't be making the deadline. Work has kicked into high-gear and I haven't had a chance to convert any of my notes into coherent text.

    I will submit if I can, but even if I don't, thanks for organizing and the inspiration guys!
    • CommentAuthormarkv
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2007
     # 34
    I like the spam elements and have been trying to find time to do something with them

    if I have time the next 2 nights, I'll try to use these:

    Notice of suspension, as in “Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature” – wikipedia
    + join millions of men in the [industrial] revolution
    = the scrapings by, crimes, and hangings of the London poor in the late 17th to early 19th centuries.

    with the two main inspirations being

    Henry Mayhew's London Labour and the London Poor; A cyclopædia of the condition and earnings of those that will work, those that cannot work, and those that will not work.
    and Peter Linebaugh's The London Hanged

    my initial thoughts is that characters are apprentices, beggars, thieves, impressed sailors etc who have been or will be sentenced to die. the mood should be rowdy. characters defined by their trades (like lifepaths) and there being multiple modes of play or story circuits such as last will/testament, cost of living, jail break, broadsheet with moral lessons
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2007
     # 35
    Finished the basic subway creation rules for Transantiago.
    •  
      CommentAuthorGraham
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2007
     # 36
    Mark, please, for the love of God, write that game.

    Graham
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2007
     # 37
    Okay, I just started mine. I felt like this contest wasn't getting enough love, so now I'm working on a game inspired by Rifts (specifically, Juicers).


    The game's called Sugarfighter Black, and it's about an experimental drug warrior program being cancelled. 100mg x 90 pills and Notice of Suspension.

    You're this badass drug warrior, and you've gotta convince the world that they can't cancel you. But you're really only effective when you've got pills in your system. And they've stopped issuing you pills.

    The character sheet is 90 pill symbols that get filled in over the course of the game, as you take them. There are three types of pills: Brain Pills, Body Pills and Kill Pills.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2007
     # 38
    I think pills have become my favorite ingredient. Though I'd like to see if anyone uses Stacy's monster. Nice one, Joe.

    And I am _finished_. Slip is a game about people who've fallen out of reality and see the savage machines underneath. And the character sheet is triangular.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2007
     # 39
    Just posted more Transantiago. Still not sure which one of the second batch of quotes I'll use. "Notice of suspension" seems possible, but I'm really attracted to "monstruo de Stacia."
    • CommentAuthorlumpley
    • CommentTimeOct 24th 2007 edited
     # 40
    I've just sent mine off to Joe.
  10.  # 41
    I'm not going to have much more than a concept document with a prospective process flow, but I will have something...
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 24th 2007
     # 42
    Hell, I ran over the word count, so don't worry.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 24th 2007
     # 43
    Didn't find time to polish my game as much as I'd like (what's up with the middle-of-the-week deadline?), but here's the current draft.
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2007
     # 44
    I will be submitting mine within the next 18 hours. Hopefully it gets accepted even if it isn't before that 9am due date.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2007 edited
     # 45
    We have four submissions so far. More are welcome, and I understand there's one other being submitted soon, Joe. So yeah, get it in today if you can. =)

    And don't worry if you have to leave stuff hanging.

    (middle of the week deadline? So the contest intersects as little as possible with Nanowrimo)
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2007
     # 46
    Alright, I have the finished game and its character sheets .

    I'll email them to you too, Joe.

    I have to be up in 4.5 hours for work. Crap.
    • CommentAuthormarkv
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2007
     # 47
    I submitted what I could accomplish
  11.  # 48
    i gave up on this deadline a few days ago. This contest is generating one of the most interesting things i've written in a long time. I'll put it up free on the web soon.

    It's Hamlet in Rural modern Montana.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2007
     # 49
    Posted By: Kevin Allen JrIt's Hamlet in Rural modern Montana.

    Can't wait.

    I really thought about giving up on the deadline and making a better game, but I just promised myself that I'd do that later.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 25th 2007
     # 50
    Righto, Tony! Publish and be damned. =)

    Kevin, I'd love to see what turns up.

    And thankyou to the half dozen submissions. I've read all of them and every single one made me chortle with glee.

    I'll be randomly assigning and sending the submissions out for review in the next day, when Tony's done. If you could reviews posted up here by next Wednesday, that'd be great.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 26th 2007
     # 51
    Everyone should now have their homework for the weekend.

    43% of entrants are called Joe, interestingly. Huh.
    • CommentAuthorJarrod
    • CommentTimeOct 26th 2007
     # 52
    Tears! Why didn't I find this 11 days ago or so? ;_;

    Next time. *shakes fist* I await results with bated breath!
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 26th 2007
     # 53
    So are we posting reviews or mailing them in, Joe?
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2007
     # 54
    Well, I thought we'd post reviews and then vote on which seems like the best game.

    But now I'm not sure what that would achieve. You know how good your work is. And we have stuff like my game, 5,500 words. And Mark's game, 500 words - but 500 damn good words. Transantiago should go into development. Whereas Joe Prince's entry would get sued. =)
    • CommentAuthormarkv
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2007
     # 55
    Joe- my entry was something like 3700 words, although if 500 of them were good, I'd be happy

    I'm fine with just reviewing or also voting - either way
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoey P
    • CommentTimeOct 27th 2007
     # 56
    Posted By: Joe MurphyWhereas Joe Prince's entry would get sued. =)


    No way! Pumpkin Bomb is an homage. Stan Lee would be fine about it!

    If anyone thinks of a better title let me know.

    Joes for the win. If we still can win...
    •  
      CommentAuthorHoho
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2007
     # 57

    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Joe Murphy</cite>But now I'm not sure what that would achieve.</blockquote>Bravo, sir.

    •  
      CommentAuthorJoey P
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 58
    So I don't have to bother doing a review then.
    After all what would that achieve?

    - they know how good their games are and all the games are unique and special flowers blah blah blah, they're never gonna get played anyways.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 59
    Hey, JP.

    I'd like to see reviews happen because I like the conversation that feedback provides. I'd like to know what stuff I did was muddy or unclear. But I don't know *how* to really rate other games for a contest.

    Penny Arcade had a good rant a while back about reviews that sum up a videogame with a final score. I don't know what use a final score would be for these games. Some are quick sketches. Some are much longer. Yours is your usual tight design. Mine is 'wordy' to say the least.

    So can we come up with a unified test of the submissions? Is voting on reviews fair or necessary?
    •  
      CommentAuthorHoho
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 60

    Way to take umbrage about not being pressured to do something, man. <sarcasm>Bravo.</sarcasm>

    •  
      CommentAuthorGraham
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007 edited
     # 61
    To be fair, the original post did mention voting and a winner. Best to follow these things through, I think.

    Graham
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 62
    Well, I'll be writing reviews of as many as I can manage, as they've all impressed the hell out of me. I feel genuinely honored. Sugarfighter Black is my assignment so far, pushes some of the same buttons Agon and Donjon do.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 63
    I think Joe (Murphy) and Graham should just arbitrarily choose a winner, but that's just me. But I like things good and authoritarian.
  12.  # 64
    I'm not sure that my entry deserves a review, being rather pathetic, but I'll definitely write a review for the game I received. It's got quite a bit of coolness and certainly deserves a review.
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007 edited
     # 65
    Joe Murphey, I'm excited about your review of Sugarfighter Black. I got Slip.

    I'd personally love a score contained within the review, too. Numbers are helpful to me.

    But maybe multiple review numbers are much more helpful. Like "Originality */5, Writing */5, Mechanics */5". Things like that help laser-focus me in on areas for improvement.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007 edited
     # 66
    I've got yours, Joe P. I'll see what I can do about numbers.

    Edit: Wait, nevermind, THAT'S A DIFFERENT JOE. SO MANY JOES!
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 67
    Yeah, 3 Joe's is too many in a small contest.

    Next time, 2 Joe limit.
    • CommentAuthormarkv
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 68
    tony, I'm reviewing your entry- I'll make sure to do so recognizing the spirit in which it was submitted (concept draft)
    • CommentAuthorlumpley
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 69
    I've written a review of my assigned game. I'm going to go ahead and post it in its own thread, that's the plan, right?
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 70
    Yes please, Vincent.
  13.  # 71
    Posted By: markvtony, I'm reviewing your entry- I'll make sure to do so recognizing the spirit in which it was submitted (concept draft)


    Thanks, Mark, I appreciate the charitable reading. :)
    • CommentAuthorMcdaldno
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2007
     # 72
    Review of Slip posted here

    I didn't really do a commercial review, but instead a review plus notes on what I'd do differently with the game. Hopefully it's useful and what I was supposed to do.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoey P
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2007
     # 73
    If I ain't pressured I'm not gonna do it!

    Alrighty I'll get me review done, though I'm finding it a bit tricky without any criteria to pin it on.

    Some sort of voting on other games/reviews would encourage me to read them and take note of all the games in the comp. And maybe, just maybe play some of them...
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2007
     # 74
    JP, have a look at Vincent's review of Transantiago - http://www.story-games.com/forums/comments.php?DiscussionID=4673 . That's the sort of format I'll be following.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     # 75
    I'd like to put entries online for others to peruse. Does anyone have hosting they can offer?
    •  
      CommentAuthorGraham
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     # 76
    I'll upload them to catchyourhare.com, if you like.

    Graham
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007 edited
     # 77
    Cheers, Graham. I'll mail them to you right now.

    If anyone doesn't want their entries put online, please let Graham or me know and we'll take them down.
    •  
      CommentAuthorGraham
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007 edited
     # 78
    Actually...could people let me know if they want their entry uploaded? Just whisper to me. Don't want to upload someone's stuff without permission, really.

    Graham
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoe Murphy
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     # 79
    Or that, yes.

    I would like my entry online, kthx!
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     # 80
    Mine's already online.