A couple days ago I promised to give an overview of some of the unique
features of Biohazard's upcoming RPG, Blue Planet. Check out the summary
below if you would like to learn more about this cool new game:
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1. Blue Planet's strongest feature is its premise. The background for Blue
Planet was designed intentionally to fit the specific, quirky necessities
of a compelling, playable RPG. There are continuous background plot lines
and multi level conflicts that give an air of continuity, context and
consequence to the player's adventures. The world has been carefully
described and presented to immerse players and empower gamemasters, but
there remain dark corners and unexplored ideas that maintain the sense of
mystery so key to a compelling RPG. 

2. An air of mystery is probably the single most compelling aspect of any
roleplaying adventure. Nothing interests players and provides story ideas
like the promise and threat of the unknown. The Blue Planet premise is
based on a strange and threatening enigma around which many of the
background plot lines revolve. Intended as motivation for players and
inspiration for gamemasters this mystery is key to the premise. It will
also serve as a key component of the entire Blue Planet line. 

Starting with the first release, the main world/rule book, the first clues
to the nature this unknown will be revealed. In subsequent releases, as the
advancing plot lines of game world background unfold, more hints and
details will become known. We also intend on making certain information
classified and available only to gamemasters, through a sort of newsletter,
helping them to maintain the air of mystery for their players while
designing their adventure backgrounds to slowly reveal their own hints and
 clues. 

3. Another major strength of the game is its emphasis on true roleplaying.
So often gamers play characters that are just faster, stronger, cooler more
dangerous versions of themselves. In Blue Planet players are encouraged to
challenge themselves and to create characters that are truly unique and
interesting. A major component of character generation in BP is something
called the Character Profile. Here players make entries for a list of
variables that include items like origin, background, goal, motivation,
attitude, etc. Each selection provides the characters with certain
advantages and disadvantages. Quality roleplaying is then encouraged by
awarding players Character Improvement Points (ChIPs) based on how well
they roleplay their profile selections. 

4. Blue Planet is intended for the true science fiction fan. The technology
is advanced but reasonable, and the storyline is founded in scientific
possibility. We have created a classic adventure in a stunningly alien
world but have attempted to support a natural suspension of disbelief 
without using contrived force.

5. Few RPGs have pushed genetic engineering to the limits, truly exercising
its potential as an roleplaying element. There is vast opportunity for
unique story elements, technological applications and character originality
in a background where the power of DNA is subject to scientific will. BP
attempts to truly exploit this potential, giving the game an original slant
not seen in other RPG projects. With the availability of this technology
not only will the face of humanity change, but also the fundamental way
humanity views its existence as a single species. This creates unique
elements in the social and cultural structure of the BP story. 

6. A defining feature of the BP background is the nature of life on a harsh
frontier. There are physical and social challenges unique to the boarders
of civilization that have begged to be incorporated into the background of
a role playing game; man against nature, mystery of the unknown, rampant
"he drew first" lawlessness, etc. In the classic style of the old westerns
there are plots and plot lines in abundance, and ready adventure in a world
where survival is always in question but the rewards are high for a quick 
gun or a quicker wit. We have attempted to give BP this frontier nature to 
add both to its story originality and the adventure potential couched in 
the background. 

7. There is a major environmental theme running though the BP storyline, a
definite "save the whales" thing. Not only will this serve as a motivating
story element, we also hope to use the BP line as a vehicle to promote
awareness of our own marine environments and the problems they face. We
are making plans to contribute a percentage of the profits from the BP line
to the Nature Conservancy, an effective and well respected environmental
organization. Though only a drop in the bucket this will help BP stand for
something more than a simple game and perhaps lend the project a bit of
true relevance. 
 
8. It seems like sometimes gamers would rather argue over mechanics than
play the game. We feel that the game mechanics must be good, but must also
be secondary to plot, imagery, excitement and fun. Therefore we have made
every effort to create a simple and intuitive yet realistic system for BP.
We have worked very hard on this and are very pleased with the results. 

a. The mechanics are intuitive; reading through them they are easy to
understand and remember. Playtesters seldom refer to the rules once having
read them. This is vital to the flow, tension and excitement of an RPG. 

b. Character generation is simple but the result is a very realistic
persona. The process is straight forward and has none of the tedium of
comparably realistic systems. Templates for over thirty different character
types are provided, which serve as basic frames from which players build
their personas. Guidelines are also provided for creating new templates. 

c. The system uses percentile dice only, for everything, without exception.
This helps make the mechanics simple yet robust. 

d. In BP experience is actually an attribute and is initially based on the
characters age. Players can use their experience in common sense
situations, and as they are awarded character improvement points their
experience attribute increases. 

e. The combat mechanics are wholly unique. They are broad enough to handle
simple abstract encounters for those interested mainly in the outcome and
story. They are also specific enough to handle detailed, firefights for
more combat oriented players. In fact the mechanics are robust enough to
be used as a very effective miniatures combat system. 

The damage mechanic is wholly original. Weapons do damage on a sliding
scale, and unlike in so many other games even a small, light weapon can be
a deadly threat. The game also uses expanded versions of the injury tables
form our Killer Crosshairs, which makes for a deadly realistic system.
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If reading this short overview prompts more questions/comments please e-mail
them and I'll be happy to do what I can to address them. 

- Jeff Barber