From: Adam Lewis [adamswork@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 12:15 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: RE: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News --- "D. Baughn" wrote: > In > reality, for example, most of > the technological development in BP could be easily > achieved in the next > thirty to fifty years, tops. For there is every > indication that humanity's > own form of nanotech alone will most likely fit into > that timeframe, with > it really taking off in the 2020s. I would say that is highly unlikely. It would take the U.S. Supreme Court at least that long to make it legal. Hydrogen fuel > cell cars are being > debutted for the consumer market starting in 2003. > They've tried that every year, in one form or another, for the last decade. Still pumping petro. > It is said that 70 percent of all scientists that > ever lived are living > now. Not only are there millions of active > scientists, but also a > well-honed research, development & archival > institutional framework. The > rate of scientific growth is accellerating on a > geometric scale, not a > linear one. The only thing stopping it now would be > our own early 21st > century blight, but not a 22nd century one Good point. As far as communications go, I believe everything portrayed in BP will be available in my lifetime. With the exception of implanted uplinks... Even if the nanotech is available, I don't believe humanity is ready to deal with it. The distribution is bound to be limited to the the upper class, distancing them in even more ways from the masses. Adam __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Andy Wills [andywills@home.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 12:13 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Storm Surge Updated Just thought I'd let everyone know, I did a mini-update on Storm Surge today. The main thing I added was a the first page of a Knights of the Dinner Table-Blue Planet comic strip. There should be more stuff up real soon now (TM). For those who don't have it bookmarked(shame on you), its at www.members.home.net/andywills/ -Andy *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Eva [c718678@showme.missouri.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 2:33 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Two Books I know this topic has been hashed and rehashed to a fine creamy paste, but I'm going to add my two cents anyway. I agree that it's a good idea to make sure the game is playable with only one book, without too much improvisation needed on the part of the GM. Buying two books for a game you already know you like and have already joined the mailing list for is one thing. Buying two books for a game because you've heard it's good or because it looks good on the shelf is another. Admittedly, I'm not a big spender, downright cheap compared to many gamers, but I don't think I'm the only one who would want to buy one book first to try out. If it was obvious that both books were needed, I wouldn't bother. If it wasn't so obvious and I bought just the player's book and then got an incomplete picture of the game or had difficulty playing, I wouldn't buy the other book and I might badmouth the game to my friends, yadda yadda. Somehow shrinkwrapping changes that whole feeling, makes ya feel like you're getting a package deal (and would also ensure that stores stock both books), but adds the problem that a prospective buyer can't leaf through the book, so I wouldn't buy that either (in the sceanrio where this is a game I'm not already a fan of, of course). [needless repetition of already stated points follows] How your life would be different if BP had two required books a year and a half ago: BP1 scenario: Girl walks into gaming store, discovers strange man running a game demo, plays demo, has fun. Strange man pitches BP and supplement archipelago and their special twofer price. A few days later, girl buys main book and two d10's. Girl joins emailing list. BP2 scenario: Girl walks into gaming store, discovers strange man running a game demo, plays demo, has fun. Strange man pitches BP player's and gm's books at a special twofer price. Girl momentarily wonders if she could convince any of her friends to play something other than AD&D. A few days later, girl buys real chairs. Girl never joins mailing list, and you don't read her endless drivle. Hmm, maybe the two-book thing is a good idea after all ...:) Later, Eva @@@(* > *)@@@ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Christopher Gribbon [c.gribbon@dundee.ac.uk] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 4:35 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Technological advancement >I and my players have never >had a problem with the technology advance in either 2300 AD or Blue Planet. Me neither. I don't much care if the projected date for Hydrogen Fuel Cell cars is off by a few years; it doesn't really matter. And as for Nanotech, AI and other more speculative technology - they are, as far as gaming goes, more useful as a setting/plot tool than as a resource for PCs (they're *much* cooler that way) >Some of my players are gear heads (at least when it comes to role playing >games) but they tend to view the game as just that, a game, subject to >differences with the real world. Absolutely. I mean - if it turns out that Nanotech (or some similar quantum leap in technology) is commercially available in 20 years time, then we can just update BP as and when that happens. I mean - people *do* still play Traveller, but no-one in the game nowadays has to program their flight computers with punch-cards, do they? And no-one really minds that the game *used* to say that's what you had to do, do they? >I have played with the same players in >fantasy setting and none ever question the existance of magic in the game. Precisely. >None believes in magic outside the game. Well - a couple of the players in my group would argue with that one ... Christopher Gribbon Vision Research Laboratories Medical Sciences Institute University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH UK (01382) 344 229 ____________________________________________________________________ "A scientist is meant to be disinterested, pure; his ambition merely to descry the cement of the universe. He isn't meant to use it to start laying his own patio!" - WILL SELF, The Quantity Theory of Insanity *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Auberon [jskln1@uas.alaska.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:16 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Greg Benage wrote: > > Interesting. Good time to ask a question, here: Should we update the > timeline, or just assume that we're dealing with an alternate universe > after 1997? For example, Saddam probably won't get whacked this > year... It's a long year coming, but yes, I think updating the timeline could be good. It's doing to diverge for sure in the year when the wormhole is found, but until then, it would help to update things if new prints come out. It looks sloppy, lazy or silly if the timeline's off, particularly on small things. > I'd suggest the "Future Tech" Access Denied on BP 104, and of course > some of the material on Dyfedd's...er...automation discussed in > Archipelago. And the heavy use of drones by everyone for everything, plus all the other supercool stuff coming in FluMech, no? > Well, there were a lot of companies like Zyvex "gunning" for Turing AI > and atomic-powered flying cars in the 50s. And yet, we're not > especially close to either one half-a-century later. I consider > Zyvex's work to fall rather squarely into the "speculative" category, > though of course your mileage may vary. I'd settle for computer routed and driven cars where I can play chess with the person in the passenger seat like the '60's world fair concept cars. They can't possibly drive worse than the people here in Juneau. > Yeah, Australia was one of the least affected. Its mortality rate was > only around 47%, or roughly 28 million casualties. As was the case > elsewhere, the government and economy collapsed, though the Hydrospan > and LavOrg city-states that emerged helped on a local basis. Maybe we > didn't effectively communicate how really *bad* the Blight was... You didn't have much room, but I do have to say that my estimates of the effect of the Blight come more from technological development than the death statistics. I'm expecting a clearer picture in _A World of Hurt_; so far I've been telling my players that Luna is not a bad place to live, Mars is harsh and nasty, and Earth is the sort of place you move away from. Kinda Mad Max-ish is a lot of places. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Auberon [jskln1@uas.alaska.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:20 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Greg Benage wrote: > > >Some of us would buy it not only for the new content, but because > when it > >really comes right down to it, the only way you can support this > hobby is > >putting your money where your mouth is.... I refer to this as "Capitalist voting; casting ballots with my dollars." I get a lot of funny looks from my friends. > Sure, but hopefully you realize that you are Biohazard's best > customers, and that this attitude isn't prevalent across the hobby in > general. We certainly realize it. There are reasons that some games > (even really good games) die and others find a new lease on life. You > are one of those reasons. Without an enthusiastic and dedicated fan > base, BP would have been a much less attractive license ("Great > setting...too bad nobody cares"). We owe you all a big thanks...so, > Big Thanks! Yer welcome, but a big chunk of the credit goes to The Official Biohazard Games Folks (or former members thereof) for having this list, and the list members themselves. Without this forum for talking with the game's creators, and intelligent conversation with other owners of the game, I wouldn't be nearly so dedicated a fan. All that free stuff on the web site helps too - not in the least by showing that the game's creators are interested in more than our $$$, but want to have a fun, playable game. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Auberon [jskln1@uas.alaska.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:35 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Technological advancement Christopher Gribbon wrote: > > >Some of my players are gear heads (at least when it comes to role playing > >games) but they tend to view the game as just that, a game, subject to > >differences with the real world. > > Absolutely. I mean - if it turns out that Nanotech (or some similar quantum leap in > technology) is commercially available in 20 years time, then we can just update BP as and > when that happens. I mean - people *do* still play Traveller, but no-one in the game > nowadays has to program their flight computers with punch-cards, do they? And no-one > really minds that the game *used* to say that's what you had to do, do they? There's also a wonderful bit in GURPS Traveller about why NOT to include nanotech in the game. It really drives the point home. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Auberon [jskln1@uas.alaska.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:36 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Tech Growth Ml10@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 1/18/00 5:34:46 PM Central Standard Time, > dbaughn@cadence.com writes: > > << The only thing I have against BP -- the exact same beef I had with GDW's > Traveller and 2300AD -- was the lack of realistic technological growth > given the time frames involved. >> > > Given the lack of historical data, it is also unrealistic to assume that the > current rate of scientific advancement will continue. Advancement will slow > down, most likely due to a shortage of qualified labor. A current example is > the computer industry. Even though there is amazing growth in that area, > companies are having a hard time finding qualified people and despite huge > earning potential, the number of students entering college for computer > related degrees has shown little growth. My company is so desperate for > qualified people (5+ years of experience) that they have a $5000 bounty and a > $3000 bounty for entry level geeks. And it's a game. If tech is going to interfere with my stories, it goes bye-bye. That's the big reason I'm happy with the retarded tech in BP. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Auberon [jskln1@uas.alaska.edu] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:39 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News EndersWAR1@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 1/18/00 8:16:20 AM Central Standard Time, > banzai@missouri.edu writes: > > << I try to keep the rules transparent to my players, and it's > >pretty easy under the current system. >> > In many ways that makes life easier Basically all ways. No arguing about why it's a two level penalty vs one, or how this skill is supposed to be modified by that stat - they just read the setting bit and play their characters. That's the other nice thing - if they don't completely understand the way skills add up, they just skip those bits reading the professions and pick something fun to play, not something numerically advantageous. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Xols [xolsco@retemail.es] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:41 AM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Hi I'm a newbie here, and probably one of the few Spanish roleplayers who knows Blue Planet :-). I will surely buy the new edition if it ever reaches Spain, but I was wondering which rule changes (if any) you plan to do on this new edition. I think that a new look for the BP main rulebook was necessary; after all we're living on the era of image (if White Wolf had not done its books so well-published it wouldnt be where it is), and if you put 100 or plus pics on the book you're attracting lots of potential costumers that would otherways flee from a 300 page book with no pictures... Bye Xols *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: D.A. Schepers [daschepers@itsyourturn.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 12:02 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Hi, Xols- Sorry to bug you on the list, but I've been wondering what the Spanish phrase for "Jacob's Ladder" is in Spanish. I'm starting my players off on Earth, and taking them for a whirlwind tour of the Solar system--a stint on Luna, Mars, and the Belt--before pushing them through the wormhole. I'm calling Earth's space elevator "Jacob's Ladder"--a reference to the biblical story where Jacob has a vision of a giant ladder ascending into the heavens, with angels and devils ascending and descending (respectively, IIRC). Since the space elevator on Earth is grounded in a Spanish-speaking country, I'd like to add flavor by referring to it with a name a bit more multicultural than mere English. I'm assuming that it's not a simple transliteration like "Escala De Jacob", no? Thanks in Advance- -Alan > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com > [mailto:owner-blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com]On Behalf Of Xols > Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 12:41 PM > To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com > Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News > > > Hi > > I'm a newbie here, and probably one of the few Spanish > roleplayers who knows > Blue Planet :-). I will surely buy the new edition if it ever > reaches Spain, > but I was wondering which rule changes (if any) you plan to do on this new > edition. I think that a new look for the BP main rulebook was necessary; > after all we're living on the era of image (if White Wolf had not done its > books so well-published it wouldnt be where it is), and if you put 100 or > plus pics on the book you're attracting lots of potential costumers that > would otherways flee from a 300 page book with no pictures... > > Bye > > Xols > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Xols [xolsco@retemail.es] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 12:25 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - [BLUE PLANET] Jacobs ladder Hi >country, I'd like to add flavor by referring to it with a name a bit more >multicultural than mere English. I'm assuming that it's not a simple >transliteration like "Escala De Jacob", no? Well, in fact that's morelesss what it is :-). It should be "La escalera de Jacob". See you, Xols *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ml10@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 12:26 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Pictures In a message dated 1/19/70, 11:41:07 AM, blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com writes: << I think that a new look for the BP main rulebook was necessary; after all we're living on the era of image (if White Wolf had not done its books so well-published it wouldnt be where it is), and if you put 100 or plus pics on the book you're attracting lots of potential costumers that would otherways flee from a 300 page book with no pictures... >> I just picked up several Japanese RPGs during my vaction in Tokyo. I was amazed at the lack of pictures in them. They make BP look like a graphic novel by comparison. Mike Z *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Rachel Kronick [rachelkr@ms35.hinet.net] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 2:09 PM To: BP List Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Chinese names Hi all! I've just put up a basic list of names in Mandarin Chinese on my web pages. It's designed with gamers in mind, such as for generated NPC or PC names. The list is at . Please check it out and give me any constructive criticism you may have to offer. Sincerely, -- Rachel Kronick *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 6:03 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News Hey Auberon, You write: Luna is not a bad place to live, Mars is harsh and nasty, and Earth is the sort of place you move away from. Kinda Mad Max-ish is a lot of places. >>>>You are not far off. Luna is a jewel, if you can survive the intrigue. Mars is harsh and dusty - not nasty. And Earth runs the gambit from fully recovered technoloical paradise, to hopelessly uncivilized barren waste - Arcologies to Freezones. Kinda Mad Max-ish is a lot of places. >>>>Ooooooh yeah...I have...1...2...3...er...7 different Mad Max posters hanging in my office ; ). I am *very* much looking forward to WoH, certain parts especially. He he he... Jeff "Rocketanski" Barber Biohazard Driving School *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 6:03 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Advanced tech in sci-fi Someone wrote: The only thing I have against BP -- the exact same beef I had with GDW's Traveller and 2300AD -- was the lack of realistic technological growth given the time frames involved. >>>>IMO, the limiting factor in creating plausible advanced science and technologies in sci-fi is our technological baseline. If a technology is unrelated to current theories, models, processes, etc, then it smacks of science fantasy. If it is based in current knowledge, even loosely, then it seems primitve in the far future. IME, it is extremely difficult to bridge the gap that exists between the plausible extention of current knowledge, and the first stages of science fantasy, in any satisfying way. I intentionally created the Blight in the BP backstory not only as a genesis for the current socio-political situation, but also as a explaination for why the setting's technological level was essentially stunted. I could not effectively project "non-exitent" future technologies into the game setting with any kind of plausibility or playability. Just my $.02 scrip, Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 6:03 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: The Big News Hey Alan, You write: You have created such a detailed, wonderful campaign world. It draws from so much great material (Brin, K.S. Robinson), SeaQuest >>>>Would you believe me if I told you that I had never read anything by Brin or Robinson before I came up with the premise/setting for BP. BP had actually been out a while when Kai suggested Red Mars to me. And I hated the continuously aweful plots that ruined SeaQuest and what might have otherwise been a decent show. I only just finished reading KSR's Mars trilogy, and I can see why people might make the connection. His work is amazing, and would be great inspiration for anyone running BP. I highly recommend it. Later, Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 6:03 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Two Books Eva, You write: walks into gaming store, discovers strange man running a game demo HEY! I resemble that remark...should I be insulted, or just be glad we got your $27.95 instead of the funiture store? ; ) Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Halley1682@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 6:25 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - KSRobinson (Mars series) KSR has another book linked to the Martian saga titled Icehenge. I just finished it. Rather good, more neat ideas for BP. Joe D. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: EndersWAR1@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 6:50 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [fwd] Re: [BLUE PLANET] - The Big News In a message dated 1/19/00 11:23:45 AM Central Standard Time, jskln1@uas.alaska.edu writes: << Biohazard Games Folks (or former members thereof) for having this list, and the list members themselves. Without this forum for talking with the game's creators, and intelligent conversation with other owners of the game, I wouldn't be nearly so dedicated a fan. All that free stuff on the web site helps too - not in the least by showing that the game's creators are interested in more than our $$$, but want to have a fun, playable game. >> This is very, very true "Come on, Ceasar, if your going to be stupid, don't be half-assed stupid...Be stupid all the way!"-187 x) <---Dead Cyclops Enterprises "In the land of the two-eyed blind, the Dead Cyclops is king." EndersWAR1@aol.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Tun Kai Poh [t_poh@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:51 PM To: blue_planet@lists.imagiconline.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Chinese names >I've just put up a basic list of names in Mandarin Chinese on my web >pages. It's designed with gamers in mind, such as for generated NPC or >PC names. The list is at >. Please check it >out and give me any constructive criticism you may have to offer. Wow, I like it. Seems authentic enough to me, but then I haven't studied Mandarin since I was a kid. I supposed you _could_ be more complete but it wouldn't be necessary for any gamer except somebody setting a whole campaign in China or something... for casual use it's just right. Kai Malaysian Lagomorph of Hakka-Taiwanese descent ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message.