Podcast, 2100 EDT tonight, Frank Frey, Twilight 2000

[cavtroop]

Also pretty disappointing. I think the T2013 rules are excellent, and there's nothing stopping those who don't like it's backstory from using that rules set with the original T2K timeline. At least it sounds like Frank took a look at T2013. I'm disappointed that Scott would voice strong negative opinions about something he's never personally read.

This drives me insane (I'm sure it drives those involved with 2013, such as Tegyrius, even more apoplectic). The rules for 2013 are great IMHO. People bash the background and end up throwing away the baby with the bath water. I'm also on record as saying the background isn't so bad, just that I grew up with the v1 background and would prefer to use that. There is no reason you can't use the rules with whatever background you wanted to use them with. How many people that bash 2013 ever gave it a fair chance?

And Frank wishes he could use something like Savage Worlds? UGH. I loathe Savage Worlds. Played several different games with that system (Fantasy, Noir, Deadlands Reloaded etc) - it's so milquetoast its boring. All characters essentially feel the same, none of the various magic systems inspire anything but abject boredom for me, and the system seems so dumbed down and generic. Just not a fan at all. I prefer crunch in my rules, thank you

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by cavtroop

This drives me insane (I'm sure it drives those involved with 2013, such as Tegyrius, even more apoplectic). The rules for 2013 are great IMHO. People bash the background and end up throwing away the baby with the bath water. I'm also on record as saying the background isn't so bad, just that I grew up with the v1 background and would prefer to use that. There is no reason you can't use the rules with whatever background you wanted to use them with. How many people that bash 2013 ever gave it a fair chance?

I agree that a game shouldn't be judged solely on the merits (or lack thereof) of its system OR on its story alone. From what I've read, the reflex system is pretty darn cool. But, we're all already initiates to the T2K world here, and most of us are flexible enough to be able to marry a system from one game to the preferred backstory of another. On the other hand, for someone just getting into T2K-style roleplaying, a bad story can be a total nonstarter. If I'd known nothing about T2K and saw T2013 on a shelf, I most definitely would have checked it out (because I like military stuff and RPGs). But I probably wouldn't have bought it after reading the backstory. It can make or break a game, especially if its the consumer's first exposure to the product/concept.

As to Savage Worlds, I know nothing about the system or setting so I can't comment on the validity of what Frank said.

[Targan]

Well I just watched the podcast and I found it pretty frustrating. A number of times I found myself shouting at the screen "Just let Frank talk". When you've got Frank Frey in a webcast and he's willing to reminisce about Twilight: 2000, let him talk! Hell, let him ramble, there'll be gold in there.

[Jason Weiser]

Yeah, Here is what I think of the Podcast

• The podcast did not need a video element.
  
• The hosts talked over Frank.
  
• Have a plan - Watching what I could (some connection issues there) it was way too "do whatever feels good man!" kinda talk. An interview isn't freewheeling. I've done interviews. You ask questions, you let the guy answer. Then, if he says something interesting in his answer, you ask a followup.

If I had a better internet connection, I'd do my own T2K podcast, we sorely need one.

[Olefin]

Missed the podcast

Love to have asked him things like:

Where did the extra tanks come from in the RDF compared to the US Army Guide and solve did they come from the Saudis, the French or did some get shipped from Europe along with the men - i.e. was there a second convoy besides Omega?

How did he see the future of the RDF area going - he dropped some obvious hints that some of the Tudeh might turn against the Soviets and possibly de-stabilize the entire Soviet postion there

More details on Lions of Africa and would he consider actually doing the module as the ultimate "fan" module?

[Adm.Lee]

I find it odd that I can see it on my desktop, but when I try to stream it to my TV, it's "episode not found."

EDIT: just watched it. I endorse the commentary of Raellus, Targan and J.Weiser, and don't see much to add to it.

I did appreciate that Glancy was a serious fan of the game, perhaps it would have been better to have separate interviews with Glancy and Frey. They could have brought Frank in for just half of the show, and done it much better.

I can't recall which one first said it, but Frank touched on it again in the closing words: T2k's universe got "medieval" pretty quickly. I think that was one of the themes that kept me interested in the game-- a captain with 80+ soldiers under his command can turn into a warlord, for better or worse. Later reading in the slow-motion collapse of the Roman Empire brought this to me again.

[Olefin]

Did Frank say he approved of how quickly the modules had the world basically rapidly going down the toilet - i.e. medieval? His modules seemed much more where the warring armies are reduced but are still modern armies fighting a war against each other - not the Wiseman modules where you are lucky to be able to have a single tank still in operation in a 100 miles situation.

[Tegyrius]

Originally Posted by Raellus

I agree that a game shouldn't be judged solely on the merits (or lack thereof) of its system OR on its story alone. From what I've read, the reflex system is pretty darn cool. But, we're all already initiates to the T2K world here, and most of us are flexible enough to be able to marry a system from one game to the preferred backstory of another. On the other hand, for someone just getting into T2K-style roleplaying, a bad story can be a total nonstarter. If I'd known nothing about T2K and saw T2013 on a shelf, I most definitely would have checked it out (because I like military stuff and RPGs). But I probably wouldn't have bought it after reading the backstory. It can make or break a game, especially if its the consumers first exposure to the thing.

I will not comment on this, save to say that my previous comments (including my frustration with the line of reasoning Rae describes) are a matter of public record for anyone who is very bored and wants to use the board's search function.

As to Savage Worlds, I know nothing about the system or setting so I can't comment on the validity of what Frank said.

Savage Worlds is a setting-free system that has had various settings published for it to be "powered by" it. I consider it a progressive, simplified evolution of the house system that originated with Deadlands and, IIRC, morphed into its Great Rail Wars minis spin-off. To me, it feels like a fast-paced skirmish-level miniatures game with the addition of roleplaying mechanics. It is a much lower level of complexity than any edition of Twilight: 20xx, and I don't think it offers the degree of tactical verisimilitude that most of the player base on this forum would prefer.

Having said that, I will confess that I've occasionally considered what a T2k powered by Fate would look like. The Diaspora variation, in particular, has me thinking about a post-apocalyptic gaming experience that would be a lot less simulationist and a lot more story-driven. But I think just about everyone here would hate it.

- C.