Monday, February 13, 2012

Star Wars Birthday and The Challenge of The Super Friends

So, yesterday (as of about a half an hour or so ago) was my birthday. Normally an event I dread, I actually really enjoyed it for once. I had breakfast/brunch with my Mom, my Sister, my Brother-In-Law and my Nephew. It was my Nephew's idea to throw Uncle Adam a Star Wars themed party, complete with paper plates and cups covered with images of Yoda and Darth Vader. It was very cool and I felt like I was his age for a bit (He's 5), instead of my age (Not 5).




Afterwards I went to Brooklyn to run my D&D-esque game for the kids at the Learning Center and review the RPG Journals they have to keep in order to make sure they are doing the learning assignment part of the deal. Some great, some not so much but I see progress in many so I'm happy and so is my ex-wife (whose Learning Center it is) and the parents.

This topped off a pretty cool Saturday (Feb. 11th), birthday of my pal, the oft-mentioned Dave.

We got to play a bit of our Champions game, though we had a slow start and an all to quick finish before we had to go our separate ways.

Two of the best parts of what was essentially an only OK game outting were...

The New Guy! Corey joined us for the very first time and I swear it was like we'd known and gamed with this guy for years. As Dave remarked, "Is it me or was he always a part of this group?". Definitely felt that way. The only bad news is that in two weeks he won't be available, although there is a silver lining. Before I tell you what that is I will go to the second awesome part of Saturday.

An Old Guy! Teasing 'Rad. My old pal Conrad got to join us. Turns out Conrad's schedule has changed somewhat enabling him to game with us on an irregularly regular basis.

Now wait...Conrad can't be there all the time and Corey can't be there all the time and sometimes it won't be the same time. Argh! Hold on...*RING*...here's that silver lining I promised...NEW INCREDIBLE IDEA!

When all are available (Me, Dave, Marcus, Conrad and Corey...and maybe even Jeff and/or a another possible player to be named later), we play Champions.

When only three or four are around we play a new campaign specifically designed to have players pop in and out. Very episodic. If you're there you play and at the end of the session the story is over. Next time, new story and if you're there you play, etc.

The vote is in for Mutants & Masterminds 3E, with the world being another pet project idea of mine. This time it's a twisted alternate history of a combined Timely/Atlas Comics (Pre-MARVEL Marvel) and National Comics (Pre-DC DC) universe. The idea was inspired by my love of Golden and Pre-Silver Age comics, the recent resurrection of many Public Domain Heroes by Dynamite Comics and Marvel and a firecracker-down-your-shorts crazy idea by one of the players (Marcus actually).





I think we have met and bested the conundrum of how to get more players and what to play and come up with something truly epic. The Challenge of The Super Friends has been won!

 


Stay tuned,

AD
Barking Alien






5 comments:

  1. Happy belated birthday, Adam. May the Force be with you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks man. At least somebody loves me. '_'

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yep, birthday nods from here too.

    So you're running two campaigns: Champions, and Mutants and Masterminds.

    First Reaction: little jealous ... I'd be happy with one ... now you're just showing off ...

    Second Reaction: Any thought towards picking one system or the other and using it for both games? Might cut down on the mental overhead involved in running two supers games.

    Third thought: Looking forward to hearing more about how this works in play and about the background too - are you going retro for time period too (game set in the 50's or 60's?)or just the background concept (set in the now)?

    ReplyDelete
  4. The story is set in the now with a slightly retro-modern feel. I intend to hint at the look of things seeming both advanced and golden age-y. Clothes, cars and architecture in some cities will appear to be from the 40's, 50's and 60's even though it's set today.

    I personally find the two systems, both of which I love, to automatically generate a different attitude in my story creation and gaming style.

    Champions is more detailed and technical and as such the campaign feels that way too.

    Mutants & Masterminds is faster and more abstract and feels a bit more 4-color, even when I am doing a darker setting.

    I am really excited about this campaign...wait until you learn about Batman. COOLEST PC BACKSTORY EVER!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think I've heard of that Batman guy before...

    ReplyDelete