From: Troy Gustavel [troy_nevermore@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:21 AM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk Myself I have always thought of Blue Planet like a mix of Waterworld (the movie), Dune (the Book) and Earth 2 (the TV show). Like I said, now that you have pointed it out I definatly see similarities, I think it was all the wide open spaces that spoofed me, I'm always a little claustrophobic in a cyberpunk setting. --- Chris Stilson wrote: > Well, I suppose it could just be the character I played (hot-shot > hacker > with more cybertech than any reasonable person could possibly > require), but > BP has usually seemed to me like a cross between Waterworld and > CP2020, with > a dash of Shadowrun thrown in for good measure. Admittedly it's not > hard-core cyberpunk like those are, but all of the essentials of a > cyberpunk > setting are there (cybergear, greedy corporations, law enforcement > officers > with power of judge and jury, the works). > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Troy Gustavel" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 7:37 PM > Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk > > > > Ya know, I have never thought of BP as having a cyberpunk aspect to > it. > > It doesn't have any of the aspects that charecterize cyberpunk for > me. > > No hopelesness or despair, no urban sprawl, while the incorporates > are > > powerful they are not all powerful. Now that the thought has been > > suggested, I can certainly see how some people would view it as > > cyberpunkish, but for myself, BP is about exploration and > discovery, > > opening a new frontier and taming our own chaotic impulses, all > things > > that are contrary to cyberpunk. > > > > --- Michael Czaplinski wrote: > > > But, one of the beauties of BP's background (for me, anyway) is > > > that it isn't just 'Cyberpunk underwater'. Rather, the creators > > > of BP decided to take some logical extrapolations of current > > > technology (packaged up in cyberpunk-style wrappers) and combine > > > them with some interesting and plausible scientific speculation > > > and SF creativity. > > > > > > Certainly, BP has a cyberpunk feel, but it has an undercurrent > > > of hopefulness that straight cyberpunk lacks. > > > > > > ===== > > Troy Gustavel > > 5825 Bolender Rd. > > Akron, OH 44319 > > (330)882 5468 > > Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com > > > > "Once upon a midnight dreary..." > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! > > http://mail.yahoo.com/ > > > *************************************************************************** > > To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com > > with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. > > > > *************************************************************************** > To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com > with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. > ===== Troy Gustavel 5825 Bolender Rd. Akron, OH 44319 (330)882 5468 Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com "Once upon a midnight dreary..." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Chris Stilson [crazycat@orcalink.com] Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 11:54 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk Well, I suppose it could just be the character I played (hot-shot hacker with more cybertech than any reasonable person could possibly require), but BP has usually seemed to me like a cross between Waterworld and CP2020, with a dash of Shadowrun thrown in for good measure. Admittedly it's not hard-core cyberpunk like those are, but all of the essentials of a cyberpunk setting are there (cybergear, greedy corporations, law enforcement officers with power of judge and jury, the works). ----- Original Message ----- From: "Troy Gustavel" To: Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 7:37 PM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk > Ya know, I have never thought of BP as having a cyberpunk aspect to it. > It doesn't have any of the aspects that charecterize cyberpunk for me. > No hopelesness or despair, no urban sprawl, while the incorporates are > powerful they are not all powerful. Now that the thought has been > suggested, I can certainly see how some people would view it as > cyberpunkish, but for myself, BP is about exploration and discovery, > opening a new frontier and taming our own chaotic impulses, all things > that are contrary to cyberpunk. > > --- Michael Czaplinski wrote: > > But, one of the beauties of BP's background (for me, anyway) is > > that it isn't just 'Cyberpunk underwater'. Rather, the creators > > of BP decided to take some logical extrapolations of current > > technology (packaged up in cyberpunk-style wrappers) and combine > > them with some interesting and plausible scientific speculation > > and SF creativity. > > > > Certainly, BP has a cyberpunk feel, but it has an undercurrent > > of hopefulness that straight cyberpunk lacks. > > > ===== > Troy Gustavel > 5825 Bolender Rd. > Akron, OH 44319 > (330)882 5468 > Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com > > "Once upon a midnight dreary..." > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! > http://mail.yahoo.com/ > *************************************************************************** > To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com > with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ville.Halonen@minedu.fi Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 5:49 AM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions Cjbeiting@aol.com wrote: >How about a "Blue Planet Companion" book? >By "Companion" I mean a kind of miscellaney, a collection of material that would >enhance the whole BP experience, but that would not fit elsewhere. Yes, sounds good... >In particular, much of this material could be collated from people who are players, >rather than inside design team members. This seems a valid option, given how >many imaginitive people BP seems to attract. ...ditto, although there is Undercurrents. I know, it's not as widely available as sourcebooks if you're not on the net, but I think most of the BP players are. But still, a BP Companion wouldn't be a bad idea. >Consider a supplement with things like the following: >-map/seasons/clock of Poseidon There already IS a clock of Poseidon. Okay, in the U/C and the Moderator's screen and there's a nifty -- but unofficial -- time zone chart at http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/BPtables.html , which is of course a bit out of reach for people not on the net. A map of Poseidon can also be found in the core books, or do you mean a more detailed one? That I'd love. More info on the seasons wouldn't hurt, though. Something to add to Field Guide/GEO Survey/whatever or such? >-a set of dive tables Not a bad idea at all. And more of diving-related stuff, even (ohmigod, I'm losing my reputation here) rules. This could also be included in the I-hope-there's-one-coming ocean-related book or Field Guide (the survival part), don't you think? >-sections on rules variants people have made Hmmm...I certainly like to obtain mine on the net, even when I don't have one. If I want new rules, I can go to my friend's house or the library. I'm not much of a rules freak (to the extent that I'd LOVE to pay for them), but of course, a lot of people could find additional rules useful. Damn. I forgot the Player's Guide at home. There actually were a few rules modifications I made. Light ones. >-semi "official" slang from people's games Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't play in English, but still, well worth including. >-some listing of more personalities from the BP universe I'm not much of an enthusiast when it comes to premade characters, although I see the point. They offer a great view to the possibilities of the world at hand, and make the vision clearer. My opinion on premade and fully developed "canon" movers and shakers of the world is not set. On one hand, it's wonderful to see how fully developed the world, and on the other, it takes away freedom from the GM -- who of course can toss the premade characters in the corner. One of the highlights of the Shadowrun Companion was the part of giving more depth to Shadowrunners. I think it's idiotic they expect you only to play runners (or gangsters and such, but only in the supplements), although they got much more depth in the companion and didn't seem like a bad choice at all. To play, that is. >-lists of sources of inspirational books/movies/music Yes. And more than lists, descriptions or reviews even. >-essays for the player or GM, on topics like: I like this one, and in my opinion this should be the core of the book, and would be particularly interesting if they stuck to THEIR opinions instead of trying to be objective. May as well try to figure out what topics I would consider interesting... Forgive the use of "he" instead of "she". It just seems more appropriate, as I haven't seen many women on this list. Possible spoilers should be indicated with Access Denied's. - What does the author (of the essay) think Blue Planet is about, and how has he brought this forward in his games, as a GM or a player? - How has the author handled the different factions of the game, and if he has special -- personal or academic -- experience with the respective factions, it would be interesting to hear how the "experts" have been doing things. - For me, a great deal Blue Planet is politics and societal issues, including ecology. I'd love to read if anyone has incorporated "real world" in Blue Planet to a visible extent -- ranging from recent events to theories maybe a hundreds -- or more -- years old? Same thing with philosophy. I wouldn't mind reading more BP short stories, especially by the players, if they were of the same quality as in the main book(s). The one of the contract killer was terrific, especially the beginning and the auto pilot bit. >I envision a book like this coming out rather late, after people have had a chance >to play around with the systems a little and come up with their own ideas. I would also, although more because of the background, not the system... I once bought Millennium's End, never got to play it and almost certainly never will, at least in it's own setting, as its rather right-leaning view of the world is repugnant. Anyway, I once flipped through the GM's Companion for the game. I remember seeing a bunch of pregenerated interior maps. A big bunch. Restaurants and such, seemingly of above-average quality. Not a bad idea to bring to Blue Planet either. There was also some other stuff, but I just can't remember what it was. No rules, I think. And also having flipped through Fading Suns Companion and after expressing my loathing toward the filthy policy of putting the descriptions of various aliens and more detailed info on the nobles, the priests and the merchants to the Companion instead of the core book but then again, I'm too used to Blue Planet's huge amount of info, I have to say it was nice to see what the different houses', priests' and merchants' clothing was like. There's been some discussion here also on the costumes, and seeing some more PICTURES of costumes, uniforms, logos of the Incorporate and all wouldn't be a bad idea, don't you think? Whew. Now back to "work". Or Bookchin. - Ville *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: jh39 [jh39@ukc.ac.uk] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 6:17 AM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions On Wed, 11 Oct 2000 13:48:39 +0300 Ville.Halonen@minedu.fi wrote: > >-semi "official" slang from people's games > > Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't > play in English, but still, well worth including. Actually, I'd like to see whatever slang turns up in games in other languages too. After all, there are going to be people speaking different languages in the game. Of course, translations for those of us who don't speak Finnish (why does it always remind me of cetaceans when I type that?) might be useful. Jason *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Rusty.Neal@Bull.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 9:45 AM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions I'd love to see most of the things people suggested, but I'd like to see them in Undercurrents. True, that kind of limits them to those of us on the net, but there are already lots of supplements planned already. Rusty *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: David R. Crowell [gpfarm-dave@northnet.org] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 10:36 AM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions Although I am a confirmed Anglophone, I assume that the residents of Posieden include many non-English speakers so I think some non-English slang would be very interesting/useful, to add local colour if nothing else. Perhaps a regular feature of Undercurrents could be a new slang column. --dave ----- Original Message ----- From: jh39 To: Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 7:17 AM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > > On Wed, 11 Oct 2000 13:48:39 +0300 Ville.Halonen@minedu.fi > wrote: > > > >-semi "official" slang from people's games > > > > Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't > > play in English, but still, well worth including. > > Actually, I'd like to see whatever slang turns up > in games in other languages too. After all, there are going > to be people speaking different languages in the game. Of > course, translations for those of us who don't speak > Finnish (why does it always remind me of cetaceans when I > type that?) might be useful. > > Jason > > *************************************************************************** > To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com > with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. > > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: David R. Crowell [gpfarm-dave@northnet.org] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 10:50 AM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions These are exactly the sorts of things that would inspire me to buy a Blue Planet Companion book, none of them I think would support a sourcebook on their own, they could also be given heavier emphasis in future sourcebooks. Or Undercurrents, speaking of which has issue 7 come out yet? I particularly like the environmental/exploration side of Blue Planet and tend to de-emphasize the Cyberpunk aspects, but I do keep the gritty feel, sort of like Outland, or the 1st and 3rd Alien movies. Development of the rest of Human space would be interesting but not at the expense of Poseidon material. I think the universe Biohazzard has laid out is an interesting one and it might be fun to game in other parts of it, but Blue Planet should remain the focus. --dave ----- Original Message ----- From: > >-essays for the player or GM, on topics like: > > I like this one, and in my opinion this should be the core of the book, and > would be particularly interesting if they stuck to THEIR opinions instead of > trying to be objective. May as well try to figure out what topics I would > consider interesting... . > - For me, a great deal Blue Planet is politics and societal issues, > including ecology. I'd love to read if anyone has incorporated "real world" > in Blue Planet to a visible extent -- ranging from recent events to theories > maybe a hundreds -- or more -- years old? Same thing with philosophy. > > I wouldn't mind reading more BP short stories, especially by the players, if > they were of the same quality as in the main book(s). The one of the > contract killer was terrific, especially the beginning and the auto pilot > bit. > > I once bought Millennium's End, , I once flipped through the GM's Companion > for the game. I remember seeing a bunch of pregenerated interior maps. A big > bunch. Restaurants and such, seemingly of above-average quality. Not a bad > idea to bring to Blue Planet either. . > > And also having flipped through Fading Suns Companion I have to say it was nice to see what the > different houses', priests' and merchants' clothing was like. There's been > some discussion here also on the costumes, and seeing some more PICTURES of > costumes, uniforms, logos of the Incorporate and all wouldn't be a bad idea, > don't you think? > - Ville > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: kabael@softhome.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 12:32 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > Myself I have always thought of Blue Planet like a mix of Waterworld > (the movie), Dune (the Book) and Earth 2 (the TV show). Dune? Where do you see Dune? I've never really thought any of the major elements in Dune arise in Blue Planet. - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592 the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: kabael@softhome.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 12:36 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - error on Mike Z's page... I went to http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/ and encountered an error. Each of the links is "http://localhost/blah.blah.blah" The subpages are fine, but those links seems to be messed. I would have sent a note to the webmaster, but I didn't see a link. I thought that either he would be on this list or someone here knows how to contact him. So pass the message on if you can. - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592 the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Gareth Hanrahan [hanrahag@iol.ie] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 1:16 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > > Myself I have always thought of Blue Planet like a mix of Waterworld > > (the movie), Dune (the Book) and Earth 2 (the TV show). > > Dune? Where do you see Dune? I've never really thought any of the major > elements in Dune arise in Blue Planet. Weaagh?! Both works have a mysterious substance which extends life and promotes health, a substance which must be minded under dangerous conditions, and which brings the promise of vast wealth. Dump a lot of water on Arrakis, and you've got a good approximation of Poseidon... > - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder Gar http://www.irishgaming.com/warpcon http://chrysanthemumRoad.tripod.com "In addition," Henry noted, "our University has a fine theozoology department. Few faculty anywhere can rival our professors when it comes to studying and classifying new sorts of God!" "How many kinds of God are there?" "One, so far," Henry admitted, "but the Department has just recently constructed a ministerial accelerator that they believe will give rise to as many as seventeen forms of God heretofore unknown." -from The Life and Death of Henry Serrano, by Emily Chen, as recorded in Nobilis *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Heivilin, Jim [banzai@missouri.edu] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 1:45 PM To: 'blue_planet@lists.ient.com' Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > -----Original Message----- > From: kabael@softhome.net [mailto:kabael@softhome.net] > Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > > > Myself I have always thought of Blue Planet like a mix of Waterworld > > (the movie), Dune (the Book) and Earth 2 (the TV show). > > Dune? Where do you see Dune? I've never really thought any of > the major elements in Dune arise in Blue Planet. > Spice == Long John; ?? Although the entire future doesn't exactly *depend* on Long John. Jim *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Brian_Ferrenz@americanchemistry.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 1:31 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions Ladies and Gentlemen, I wouldn't pay 15-35 bucks for this mish-mash pile of muck. I would, however, frequent a website or JOIN A BLUE PLANET MAILING LIST FOR IT!!!!! Just a thought.... =B= >How about a "Blue Planet Companion" book? >By "Companion" I mean a kind of miscellaney, a collection of material that would >enhance the whole BP experience, but that would not fit elsewhere. Yes, sounds good... >In particular, much of this material could be collated from people who are players, >rather than inside design team members. This seems a valid option, given how >many imaginitive people BP seems to attract. ...ditto, although there is Undercurrents. I know, it's not as widely available as sourcebooks if you're not on the net, but I think most of the BP players are. But still, a BP Companion wouldn't be a bad idea. >Consider a supplement with things like the following: >-map/seasons/clock of Poseidon There already IS a clock of Poseidon. Okay, in the U/C and the Moderator's screen and there's a nifty -- but unofficial -- time zone chart at http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/BPtables.html , which is of course a bit out of reach for people not on the net. A map of Poseidon can also be found in the core books, or do you mean a more detailed one? That I'd love. More info on the seasons wouldn't hurt, though. Something to add to Field Guide/GEO Survey/whatever or such? >-a set of dive tables Not a bad idea at all. And more of diving-related stuff, even (ohmigod, I'm losing my reputation here) rules. This could also be included in the I-hope-there's-one-coming ocean-related book or Field Guide (the survival part), don't you think? >-sections on rules variants people have made Hmmm...I certainly like to obtain mine on the net, even when I don't have one. If I want new rules, I can go to my friend's house or the library. I'm not much of a rules freak (to the extent that I'd LOVE to pay for them), but of course, a lot of people could find additional rules useful. Damn. I forgot the Player's Guide at home. There actually were a few rules modifications I made. Light ones. >-semi "official" slang from people's games Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't play in English, but still, well worth including. >-some listing of more personalities from the BP universe I'm not much of an enthusiast when it comes to premade characters, although I see the point. They offer a great view to the possibilities of the world at hand, and make the vision clearer. My opinion on premade and fully developed "canon" movers and shakers of the world is not set. On one hand, it's wonderful to see how fully developed the world, and on the other, it takes away freedom from the GM -- who of course can toss the premade characters in the corner. One of the highlights of the Shadowrun Companion was the part of giving more depth to Shadowrunners. I think it's idiotic they expect you only to play runners (or gangsters and such, but only in the supplements), although they got much more depth in the companion and didn't seem like a bad choice at all. To play, that is. >-lists of sources of inspirational books/movies/music Yes. And more than lists, descriptions or reviews even. >-essays for the player or GM, on topics like: I like this one, and in my opinion this should be the core of the book, and would be particularly interesting if they stuck to THEIR opinions instead of trying to be objective. May as well try to figure out what topics I would consider interesting... Forgive the use of "he" instead of "she". It just seems more appropriate, as I haven't seen many women on this list. Possible spoilers should be indicated with Access Denied's. - What does the author (of the essay) think Blue Planet is about, and how has he brought this forward in his games, as a GM or a player? - How has the author handled the different factions of the game, and if he has special -- personal or academic -- experience with the respective factions, it would be interesting to hear how the "experts" have been doing things. - For me, a great deal Blue Planet is politics and societal issues, including ecology. I'd love to read if anyone has incorporated "real world" in Blue Planet to a visible extent -- ranging from recent events to theories maybe a hundreds -- or more -- years old? Same thing with philosophy. I wouldn't mind reading more BP short stories, especially by the players, if they were of the same quality as in the main book(s). The one of the contract killer was terrific, especially the beginning and the auto pilot bit. >I envision a book like this coming out rather late, after people have had a chance >to play around with the systems a little and come up with their own ideas. I would also, although more because of the background, not the system... I once bought Millennium's End, never got to play it and almost certainly never will, at least in it's own setting, as its rather right-leaning view of the world is repugnant. Anyway, I once flipped through the GM's Companion for the game. I remember seeing a bunch of pregenerated interior maps. A big bunch. Restaurants and such, seemingly of above-average quality. Not a bad idea to bring to Blue Planet either. There was also some other stuff, but I just can't remember what it was. No rules, I think. And also having flipped through Fading Suns Companion and after expressing my loathing toward the filthy policy of putting the descriptions of various aliens and more detailed info on the nobles, the priests and the merchants to the Companion instead of the core book but then again, I'm too used to Blue Planet's huge amount of info, I have to say it was nice to see what the different houses', priests' and merchants' clothing was like. There's been some discussion here also on the costumes, and seeing some more PICTURES of costumes, uniforms, logos of the Incorporate and all wouldn't be a bad idea, don't you think? Whew. Now back to "work". Or Bookchin. - Ville *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Brian_Ferrenz@americanchemistry.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:02 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions Hmmm... OK, that came out a bit harsher that I intended. Let's just say that I would prefer a thriving player community, that is monitored by the game creators, over buying twenty 15 dollars sourcebooks that are hit or miss. *(re: AD&T Compleat Books)* If you have an idea, throw it out to the list! If you've got a good NPC or campaign hook send it to one of the fan sites! If you've got a completed manuscript, send it to me! I'd love to read more BP fiction!!! Brian....head lowered, quietly mumbling to himself as he wanders down the quay; conspicuously flagellating himself for being rude on the list....Ferrenz Brian_Ferrenz@americanche mistry.com To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Sent by: cc: owner-blue_planet@lists.i Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions ent.com 10/11/2000 02:31 PM Please respond to blue_planet Ladies and Gentlemen, I wouldn't pay 15-35 bucks for this mish-mash pile of muck. I would, however, frequent a website or JOIN A BLUE PLANET MAILING LIST FOR IT!!!!! Just a thought.... =B= >How about a "Blue Planet Companion" book? >By "Companion" I mean a kind of miscellaney, a collection of material that would >enhance the whole BP experience, but that would not fit elsewhere. Yes, sounds good... >In particular, much of this material could be collated from people who are players, >rather than inside design team members. This seems a valid option, given how >many imaginitive people BP seems to attract. ...ditto, although there is Undercurrents. I know, it's not as widely available as sourcebooks if you're not on the net, but I think most of the BP players are. But still, a BP Companion wouldn't be a bad idea. >Consider a supplement with things like the following: >-map/seasons/clock of Poseidon There already IS a clock of Poseidon. Okay, in the U/C and the Moderator's screen and there's a nifty -- but unofficial -- time zone chart at http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/BPtables.html , which is of course a bit out of reach for people not on the net. A map of Poseidon can also be found in the core books, or do you mean a more detailed one? That I'd love. More info on the seasons wouldn't hurt, though. Something to add to Field Guide/GEO Survey/whatever or such? >-a set of dive tables Not a bad idea at all. And more of diving-related stuff, even (ohmigod, I'm losing my reputation here) rules. This could also be included in the I-hope-there's-one-coming ocean-related book or Field Guide (the survival part), don't you think? >-sections on rules variants people have made Hmmm...I certainly like to obtain mine on the net, even when I don't have one. If I want new rules, I can go to my friend's house or the library. I'm not much of a rules freak (to the extent that I'd LOVE to pay for them), but of course, a lot of people could find additional rules useful. Damn. I forgot the Player's Guide at home. There actually were a few rules modifications I made. Light ones. >-semi "official" slang from people's games Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't play in English, but still, well worth including. >-some listing of more personalities from the BP universe I'm not much of an enthusiast when it comes to premade characters, although I see the point. They offer a great view to the possibilities of the world at hand, and make the vision clearer. My opinion on premade and fully developed "canon" movers and shakers of the world is not set. On one hand, it's wonderful to see how fully developed the world, and on the other, it takes away freedom from the GM -- who of course can toss the premade characters in the corner. One of the highlights of the Shadowrun Companion was the part of giving more depth to Shadowrunners. I think it's idiotic they expect you only to play runners (or gangsters and such, but only in the supplements), although they got much more depth in the companion and didn't seem like a bad choice at all. To play, that is. >-lists of sources of inspirational books/movies/music Yes. And more than lists, descriptions or reviews even. >-essays for the player or GM, on topics like: I like this one, and in my opinion this should be the core of the book, and would be particularly interesting if they stuck to THEIR opinions instead of trying to be objective. May as well try to figure out what topics I would consider interesting... Forgive the use of "he" instead of "she". It just seems more appropriate, as I haven't seen many women on this list. Possible spoilers should be indicated with Access Denied's. - What does the author (of the essay) think Blue Planet is about, and how has he brought this forward in his games, as a GM or a player? - How has the author handled the different factions of the game, and if he has special -- personal or academic -- experience with the respective factions, it would be interesting to hear how the "experts" have been doing things. - For me, a great deal Blue Planet is politics and societal issues, including ecology. I'd love to read if anyone has incorporated "real world" in Blue Planet to a visible extent -- ranging from recent events to theories maybe a hundreds -- or more -- years old? Same thing with philosophy. I wouldn't mind reading more BP short stories, especially by the players, if they were of the same quality as in the main book(s). The one of the contract killer was terrific, especially the beginning and the auto pilot bit. >I envision a book like this coming out rather late, after people have had a chance >to play around with the systems a little and come up with their own ideas. I would also, although more because of the background, not the system... I once bought Millennium's End, never got to play it and almost certainly never will, at least in it's own setting, as its rather right-leaning view of the world is repugnant. Anyway, I once flipped through the GM's Companion for the game. I remember seeing a bunch of pregenerated interior maps. A big bunch. Restaurants and such, seemingly of above-average quality. Not a bad idea to bring to Blue Planet either. There was also some other stuff, but I just can't remember what it was. No rules, I think. And also having flipped through Fading Suns Companion and after expressing my loathing toward the filthy policy of putting the descriptions of various aliens and more detailed info on the nobles, the priests and the merchants to the Companion instead of the core book but then again, I'm too used to Blue Planet's huge amount of info, I have to say it was nice to see what the different houses', priests' and merchants' clothing was like. There's been some discussion here also on the costumes, and seeing some more PICTURES of costumes, uniforms, logos of the Incorporate and all wouldn't be a bad idea, don't you think? Whew. Now back to "work". Or Bookchin. - Ville *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: David R. Crowell [gpfarm-dave@northnet.org] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:08 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? I see Dune more in the broad theme of very realistically modeled environmental hard SF. Especially the original novel "Dune". The Fremen are also comparable to Poseidon's Natives as an example of how a culture in isolation from the rest of civilization can evolve and adapt to its environment, again a thematic parallel. And Melange/Long John similarities. Politics play a similar role in each as well, so does religion if you look at the cetaceans. --dave ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 1:31 PM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > > > Myself I have always thought of Blue Planet like a mix of Waterworld > > (the movie), Dune (the Book) and Earth 2 (the TV show). > > Dune? Where do you see Dune? I've never really thought any of the major > elements in Dune arise in Blue Planet. > > - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# > 24193592 > the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion > > "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: David R. Crowell [gpfarm-dave@northnet.org] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:24 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions Ahhh, Now I understand you. A fan supported Undercurrents or other e-zine would be more to your liking for this sort of thing, no? I agree with your point about the 20+ $15 sourcebooks that don't always tell you what you need to know, other game companies are guilty of this too. I was thinking that one well crafted Companion containing truly useful bits that don't fit well into other projects might be a handy reference, save hunting through tons of web pages etc. But on the whole I too would prefer well done themed sourcebooks. Of course there are some themes that you, or I, or some other list member are gfoing to look at and say "a tree should not have died to make this book" as long as that's not the only sourcebook to come out I can live that. --dave ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:01 PM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > > Hmmm... OK, that came out a bit harsher that I intended. Let's just say > that I would prefer a thriving player community, that is monitored by the > game creators, over buying twenty 15 dollars sourcebooks that are hit or > miss. *(re: AD&T Compleat Books)* If you have an idea, throw it out to the > list! If you've got a good NPC or campaign hook send it to one of the fan > sites! If you've got a completed manuscript, send it to me! I'd love to > read more BP fiction!!! > > Brian....head lowered, quietly mumbling to himself as he wanders down the > quay; conspicuously flagellating himself for being rude on the > list....Ferrenz > > > > > Brian_Ferrenz@americanche > mistry.com To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com > Sent by: cc: > owner-blue_planet@lists.i Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > ent.com > > > 10/11/2000 02:31 PM > Please respond to > blue_planet > > > > > > > > Ladies and Gentlemen, I wouldn't pay 15-35 bucks for this mish-mash pile of > muck. I would, however, frequent a website or JOIN A BLUE PLANET MAILING > LIST FOR IT!!!!! Just a thought.... > =B= > > > > > >How about a "Blue Planet Companion" book? > >By "Companion" I mean a kind of miscellaney, a collection of material that > would > >enhance the whole BP experience, but that would not fit elsewhere. > > Yes, sounds good... > > >In particular, much of this material could be collated from people who are > players, > >rather than inside design team members. This seems a valid option, given > how > >many imaginitive people BP seems to attract. > > ...ditto, although there is Undercurrents. I know, it's not as widely > available as sourcebooks if you're not on the net, but I think most of the > BP players are. But still, a BP Companion wouldn't be a bad idea. > > >Consider a supplement with things like the following: > >-map/seasons/clock of Poseidon > > There already IS a clock of Poseidon. Okay, in the U/C and the Moderator's > screen and there's a nifty -- but unofficial -- time zone chart at > http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/BPtables.html , which is of course a > bit out of reach for people not on the net. > A map of Poseidon can also be found in the core books, or do you mean a > more detailed one? That I'd love. More info on the seasons wouldn't hurt, > though. Something to add to Field Guide/GEO Survey/whatever or such? > > >-a set of dive tables > > Not a bad idea at all. And more of diving-related stuff, even (ohmigod, I'm > losing my reputation here) rules. This could also be included in the > I-hope-there's-one-coming ocean-related book or Field Guide (the survival > part), don't you think? > > >-sections on rules variants people have made > > Hmmm...I certainly like to obtain mine on the net, even when I don't have > one. If I want new rules, I can go to my friend's house or the library. I'm > not much of a rules freak (to the extent that I'd LOVE to pay for them), > but > of course, a lot of people could find additional rules useful. > > Damn. I forgot the Player's Guide at home. There actually were a few rules > modifications I made. Light ones. > > >-semi "official" slang from people's games > > Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't > play in English, but still, well worth including. > > >-some listing of more personalities from the BP universe > > I'm not much of an enthusiast when it comes to premade characters, although > I see the point. They offer a great view to the possibilities of the world > at hand, and make the vision clearer. > > My opinion on premade and fully developed "canon" movers and shakers of the > world is not set. On one hand, it's wonderful to see how fully developed > the > world, and on the other, it takes away freedom from the GM -- who of course > can toss the premade characters in the corner. > > One of the highlights of the Shadowrun Companion was the part of giving > more > depth to Shadowrunners. I think it's idiotic they expect you only to play > runners (or gangsters and such, but only in the supplements), although they > got much more depth in the companion and didn't seem like a bad choice at > all. To play, that is. > > >-lists of sources of inspirational books/movies/music > > Yes. And more than lists, descriptions or reviews even. > > >-essays for the player or GM, on topics like: > > I like this one, and in my opinion this should be the core of the book, and > would be particularly interesting if they stuck to THEIR opinions instead > of > trying to be objective. May as well try to figure out what topics I would > consider interesting... > > Forgive the use of "he" instead of "she". It just seems more appropriate, > as > I haven't seen many women on this list. Possible spoilers should be > indicated with Access Denied's. > > - What does the author (of the essay) think Blue Planet is about, and how > has he brought this forward in his games, as a GM or a player? > - How has the author handled the different factions of the game, and if he > has special -- personal or academic -- experience with the respective > factions, it would be interesting to hear how the "experts" have been doing > things. > - For me, a great deal Blue Planet is politics and societal issues, > including ecology. I'd love to read if anyone has incorporated "real > world" > in Blue Planet to a visible extent -- ranging from recent events to > theories > maybe a hundreds -- or more -- years old? Same thing with philosophy. > > I wouldn't mind reading more BP short stories, especially by the players, > if > they were of the same quality as in the main book(s). The one of the > contract killer was terrific, especially the beginning and the auto pilot > bit. > > >I envision a book like this coming out rather late, after people have had > a > chance > >to play around with the systems a little and come up with their own ideas. > > I would also, although more because of the background, not the system... > > I once bought Millennium's End, never got to play it and almost certainly > never will, at least in it's own setting, as its rather right-leaning view > of the world is repugnant. Anyway, I once flipped through the GM's > Companion > for the game. I remember seeing a bunch of pregenerated interior maps. A > big > bunch. Restaurants and such, seemingly of above-average quality. Not a bad > idea to bring to Blue Planet either. There was also some other stuff, but I > just can't remember what it was. No rules, I think. > > And also having flipped through Fading Suns Companion and after expressing > my loathing toward the filthy policy of putting the descriptions of various > aliens and more detailed info on the nobles, the priests and the merchants > to the Companion instead of the core book but then again, I'm too used to > Blue Planet's huge amount of info, I have to say it was nice to see what > the > different houses', priests' and merchants' clothing was like. There's been > some discussion here also on the costumes, and seeing some more PICTURES of > costumes, uniforms, logos of the Incorporate and all wouldn't be a bad > idea, > don't you think? > > Whew. Now back to "work". Or Bookchin. > > - Ville > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: kabael@softhome.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:49 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > Weaagh?! Both works have a mysterious substance which extends life and > promotes health, a substance which must be minded under dangerous > conditions, and which brings the promise of vast wealth. Dump a lot of water > on Arrakis, and you've got a good approximation of Poseidon... hmm, I suppose that Spice and Long John have some similarities, but I don't think it extends that deeply. Long John is not that dangerous to mine, except in the sense that you are more likely to go into debt than strike it rich. And Long John is not as mystical as Spice, being much more limited and grounding. Nor is it a living part of the ecosystem (in most senses) :) Then again, maybe the Great Whites are akin to something else... - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592 the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ml10@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:48 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - error on Mike Z's page... Hi, Well, you used the wrong URL. The real URL is : http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/BPmain.htm What you ran into was the index file that I tossed in there to keep people from dumping the directory. I've updated the index file to point to BPmain.htm so you shouldn't encounter the problem anymore. Mike Z *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Brian_Ferrenz@americanchemistry.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:54 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions Dave, I think we are in agreement! I propose a new sourcebook >>"Flotsam and Jetsam" a handy reference guide to the smaller oddities of the Blue Planet universe. Spiced heavily with a boatload of strange background tidbits, the spaces in-between could even be filled with quality art that didn't make it into the bigger sourcebooks. Perhaps package it like a Fodor's guide, complete with pull-out maps, and I think a great sourcebook will result!!! If FFG doesn't bite, I think I might have just designed my BP website.... =B= "David R. Crowell" org> cc: Sent by: Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions owner-blue_planet@list s.ient.com 10/11/2000 03:23 PM Please respond to blue_planet Ahhh, Now I understand you. A fan supported Undercurrents or other e-zine would be more to your liking for this sort of thing, no? I agree with your point about the 20+ $15 sourcebooks that don't always tell you what you need to know, other game companies are guilty of this too. I was thinking that one well crafted Companion containing truly useful bits that don't fit well into other projects might be a handy reference, save hunting through tons of web pages etc. But on the whole I too would prefer well done themed sourcebooks. Of course there are some themes that you, or I, or some other list member are gfoing to look at and say "a tree should not have died to make this book" as long as that's not the only sourcebook to come out I can live that. --dave ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:01 PM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > > Hmmm... OK, that came out a bit harsher that I intended. Let's just say > that I would prefer a thriving player community, that is monitored by the > game creators, over buying twenty 15 dollars sourcebooks that are hit or > miss. *(re: AD&T Compleat Books)* If you have an idea, throw it out to the > list! If you've got a good NPC or campaign hook send it to one of the fan > sites! If you've got a completed manuscript, send it to me! I'd love to > read more BP fiction!!! > > Brian....head lowered, quietly mumbling to himself as he wanders down the > quay; conspicuously flagellating himself for being rude on the > list....Ferrenz > > > > > Brian_Ferrenz@americanche > mistry.com To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com > Sent by: cc: > owner-blue_planet@lists.i Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > ent.com > > > 10/11/2000 02:31 PM > Please respond to > blue_planet > > > > > > > > Ladies and Gentlemen, I wouldn't pay 15-35 bucks for this mish-mash pile of > muck. I would, however, frequent a website or JOIN A BLUE PLANET MAILING > LIST FOR IT!!!!! Just a thought.... > =B= > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Brian_Ferrenz@americanchemistry.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:57 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? Kintaro Oe wrote: Then again, maybe the Great Whites are akin to something else... Hmmm, a Great White Tooth fighting knife.... If I was an native eco-terrorist-mystic, I'd want one...... =B= *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ml10@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:01 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? In Dune, most of the political manuvering was centered the spice. While the spice was not needed for anything, it did have so many useful applications that it became the most valuable substance in the universe. The Long John is quickly becoming the same thing in BP. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Troy Gustavel [troy_nevermore@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:18 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? Both worlds have a planet with an extreme enviroment to humans with a sizable "native" human population that is very well adapted to their unusual enviroment that really doesn't want much to do with the rest of the galaxy, coupled with an ultra-rare, mine-able compound that absolutly everyone wants that can extend lifespan and result in some pretty extreme genetic changes. --- kabael@softhome.net wrote: > Dune? Where do you see Dune? I've never really thought any of the > major > elements in Dune arise in Blue Planet. ===== Troy Gustavel 5825 Bolender Rd. Akron, OH 44319 (330)882 5468 Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com "Once upon a midnight dreary..." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: kabael@softhome.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:47 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - error on Mike Z's page... > Well, you used the wrong URL. well that would explain it, wouldn't it? :) > I've updated the index file to point to BPmain.htm > so you shouldn't encounter the problem anymore. great, I just wanted to let you know about it. - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592 the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Troy Gustavel [troy_nevermore@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:57 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? --- kabael@softhome.net wrote: > Nor is it a living part of the ecosystem (in most senses) :) > Are we sure about that? > Then again, maybe the Great Whites are akin to something else... Ooh, I like that. ===== Troy Gustavel 5825 Bolender Rd. Akron, OH 44319 (330)882 5468 Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com "Once upon a midnight dreary..." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Heivilin, Jim [banzai@missouri.edu] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 4:11 PM To: 'blue_planet@lists.ient.com' Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > -----Original Message----- > From: Ml10@aol.com [mailto:Ml10@aol.com] > Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > > > In Dune, most of the political manuvering was centered > the spice. While the spice was not needed for anything, > I humbly beg to differ. Guild Navigators used the Spice to fold space and thus make travel between stars possible. So it had rather significant importance. > it did have so many useful applications that it became > the most valuable substance in the universe. > > The Long John is quickly becoming the same thing in BP. > While I don't see Long John as having *quite* that significance, it does grant considerable *power* to it's holders. Jim *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Ml10@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 5:17 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? In a message dated Wed, 11 Oct 2000 5:45:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Heivilin, Jim" writes: << > -----Original Message----- > From: Ml10@aol.com [mailto:Ml10@aol.com] > Subject: RE: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > > > In Dune, most of the political manuvering was centered > the spice. While the spice was not needed for anything, > I humbly beg to differ. Guild Navigators used the Spice to fold space and thus make travel between stars possible. So it had rather significant importance. >> Actually, spice isn't needed to fold space. Humanity had intersteller travel long before Dune and the spice was discovered. How do you think they got to Dune in the first place? In the Dune time line, humanity developed very advanced computers that then turned on their creators. After that war, it was declared that no computer shall be made in the image of a human mind. This lead to the developement of the Mentats. They were trained to be human computers. One of the problems with getting rid of computers was that ships needed them to navigate Fold Space. So the Guide kept them in order to operate their ships. Spice has two properties: 1) It expands the mind and allows greater cognative abilities. 2) It gives some form of future sight. When a Guild navigator uses spice, they become better at navigating Fold Space than the computers were and thus they were finally able to get rid of them. The Spice allows them to seek out the best path though Fold Space by seeing where the accidents could occur by using their future sight. Their enhanced cognative abilites also allowed them to do the needed math as well. By the time of the Dune novels, the Guild no longer had their computers and without spice, going through Fold Space would be like driving at high speed while blindfolded. Mike Z *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Cjbeiting@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 5:19 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement suggestions With regard to the suggestion about the mailing list/Internet being a better venue than a book... My point in suggesting a Blue Planet Companion is to have a little more authority added to some ideas. Case in point--while I can hack mystery/political games pretty well, I know very little about the hard sciences. I could fake some spaceship combat events, but I really enjoyed hearing from all on the list about the realities of space combat in a Newtonian universe, particularly the comments on its feasibility (thanks, Leif). Some things just ain't so. The problem (and perhaps the beauty) with the Internet is that any yahoo can put something on it. Nothing on the 'Net passes peer review. While any BP game is ultimately the work of a GM and players, I was hoping for a venue by which certain elements would indeed pass a kind of "peer review", particularly from the design team (who doubtless have more Evil Surprises to spring on us about the BP world). I'd like to see miscellaneous works that are significant get collected in one place and made more "official". Yes, I am aware of the Posiedon clock in Undercurrents (I don't have the Moderator's Screen) and it's a perfect example--it's really useful for the game, and should be in a rulebook/sourcebook somewhere. Part of my reasons for adopting a "later rather than sooner" time frame for this work is for newbies (like myself) to come up with thing that they think the game needs. Or perhaps come up with enough experience to be able to answer questions like: "How do you keep aboriginies from becoming too powerful?" CJ Beiting CJBeiting@aol.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Jeb Boyt [jeboyt@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 5:39 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk For me, part of BP's appeal has always been the merger of cyberpunk conventions (cybermods, Incorporates, Blight, disparate social conditions) with SF conventions (aliens, new planets, space travel). I imagine that a BP game set on Earth would have much more of a cyberpunk feel than one set on Poseidon. Also, keep in mind that the setting for Blade Runner includes several SF conventions (space travel, etc.) that are not directly present in the movie. Jeb ----Original Message Follows---- From: Troy Gustavel Reply-To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 00:20:57 -0700 (PDT) Myself I have always thought of Blue Planet like a mix of Waterworld (the movie), Dune (the Book) and Earth 2 (the TV show). Like I said, now that you have pointed it out I definatly see similarities, I think it was all the wide open spaces that spoofed me, I'm always a little claustrophobic in a cyberpunk setting. --- Chris Stilson wrote: > Well, I suppose it could just be the character I played (hot-shot > hacker > with more cybertech than any reasonable person could possibly > require), but > BP has usually seemed to me like a cross between Waterworld and > CP2020, with > a dash of Shadowrun thrown in for good measure. Admittedly it's not > hard-core cyberpunk like those are, but all of the essentials of a > cyberpunk > setting are there (cybergear, greedy corporations, law enforcement > officers > with power of judge and jury, the works). > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Troy Gustavel" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 7:37 PM > Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Blue Planet and Cyberpunk > > > > Ya know, I have never thought of BP as having a cyberpunk aspect to > it. > > It doesn't have any of the aspects that charecterize cyberpunk for > me. > > No hopelesness or despair, no urban sprawl, while the incorporates > are > > powerful they are not all powerful. Now that the thought has been > > suggested, I can certainly see how some people would view it as > > cyberpunkish, but for myself, BP is about exploration and > discovery, > > opening a new frontier and taming our own chaotic impulses, all > things > > that are contrary to cyberpunk. > > > > --- Michael Czaplinski wrote: > > > But, one of the beauties of BP's background (for me, anyway) is > > > that it isn't just 'Cyberpunk underwater'. Rather, the creators > > > of BP decided to take some logical extrapolations of current > > > technology (packaged up in cyberpunk-style wrappers) and combine > > > them with some interesting and plausible scientific speculation > > > and SF creativity. > > > > > > Certainly, BP has a cyberpunk feel, but it has an undercurrent > > > of hopefulness that straight cyberpunk lacks. > > > > > > ===== > > Troy Gustavel > > 5825 Bolender Rd. > > Akron, OH 44319 > > (330)882 5468 > > Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com > > > > "Once upon a midnight dreary..." > > ===== Troy Gustavel 5825 Bolender Rd. Akron, OH 44319 (330)882 5468 Troy_Nevermore@Yahoo.com "Once upon a midnight dreary..." __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Jeb Boyt [jeboyt@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 6:05 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement suggestions ----Original Message Follows---- From: Cjbeiting@aol.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement suggestions Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 18:18:50 EDT Yes, I am aware of the Posiedon clock in Undercurrents (I don't have the Moderator's Screen) and it's a perfect example--it's really useful for the game, and should be in a rulebook/sourcebook somewhere. ================================= Actually, I really missed not seeing the clock reproduced in the Moderator's Guide. Jeb _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: kabael@softhome.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 6:23 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > When a Guild navigator uses spice, they become better > at navigating Fold Space than the computers were and > thus they were finally able to get rid of them. Granted I haven't read the books in forever, but the Dune RPG from LUG pretty much explicitly says that they used the spice not because it was better but because it was the only other option. The Butlerian Jihads pretty clearly labeled computers as evil or sinful, so the guild couldn't use them. Then they found an out through the spice. Don't ask how they _got_ to Arrakiss without the computers or the spice, the RPG doesn't bother to explain things like that. grumbe grumble - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592 the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Gareth Hanrahan [hanrahag@iol.ie] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 6:47 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Dune? > > When a Guild navigator uses spice, they become better > > at navigating Fold Space than the computers were and > > thus they were finally able to get rid of them. > > Granted I haven't read the books in forever, but the Dune RPG from LUG > pretty much explicitly says that they used the spice not because it was > better but because it was the only other option. > > The Butlerian Jihads pretty clearly labeled computers as evil or sinful, so > the guild couldn't use them. Then they found an out through the spice. > > Don't ask how they _got_ to Arrakiss without the computers or the spice, > the RPG doesn't bother to explain things like that. grumbe grumble Neither do the books. The best explanation is that there are other awareness-drugs which allow Navigation, but the spice is by far the best - and once you use the spice, you can't go back. To yank the choke-chain of this thread and get it back to BP - what do people think of the ESP stuff? (Don't have my player's guide handy, so I can recall the exact name...) I thought it was a bit jarring - the rest of the setting is all hard-sci-fi, and then suddenly a hint of fuzzy telepathy is added... > - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# Gar http://www.irishgaming.com/warpcon http://chrysanthemumRoad.tripod.com *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Chris Stilson [crazycat@orcalink.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 6:48 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions I was going to start something of this sort on Storm Surge once my dad decides that using his credit card to buy web hosting for me is NOT an incredibly bad idea... ----- Original Message ----- From: "David R. Crowell" To: Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 12:23 PM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > Ahhh, > Now I understand you. A fan supported Undercurrents or other e-zine would be > more to your liking for this sort of thing, no? I agree with your point > about the 20+ $15 sourcebooks that don't always tell you what you need to > know, other game companies are guilty of this too. I was thinking that one > well crafted Companion containing truly useful bits that don't fit well into > other projects might be a handy reference, save hunting through tons of web > pages etc. But on the whole I too would prefer well done themed sourcebooks. > Of course there are some themes that you, or I, or some other list member > are gfoing to look at and say "a tree should not have died to make this > book" as long as that's not the only sourcebook to come out I can live that. > > --dave > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 3:01 PM > Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > > > > > > Hmmm... OK, that came out a bit harsher that I intended. Let's just say > > that I would prefer a thriving player community, that is monitored by the > > game creators, over buying twenty 15 dollars sourcebooks that are hit or > > miss. *(re: AD&T Compleat Books)* If you have an idea, throw it out to > the > > list! If you've got a good NPC or campaign hook send it to one of the fan > > sites! If you've got a completed manuscript, send it to me! I'd love to > > read more BP fiction!!! > > > > Brian....head lowered, quietly mumbling to himself as he wanders down the > > quay; conspicuously flagellating himself for being rude on the > > list....Ferrenz > > > > > > > > > > Brian_Ferrenz@americanche > > mistry.com To: > blue_planet@lists.ient.com > > Sent by: cc: > > owner-blue_planet@lists.i Subject: Re: > [BLUE PLANET] - Re: Supplement Suggestions > > ent.com > > > > > > 10/11/2000 02:31 PM > > Please respond to > > blue_planet > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ladies and Gentlemen, I wouldn't pay 15-35 bucks for this mish-mash pile > of > > muck. I would, however, frequent a website or JOIN A BLUE PLANET MAILING > > LIST FOR IT!!!!! Just a thought.... > > =B= > > > > > > > > > > >How about a "Blue Planet Companion" book? > > >By "Companion" I mean a kind of miscellaney, a collection of material > that > > would > > >enhance the whole BP experience, but that would not fit elsewhere. > > > > Yes, sounds good... > > > > >In particular, much of this material could be collated from people who > are > > players, > > >rather than inside design team members. This seems a valid option, given > > how > > >many imaginitive people BP seems to attract. > > > > ...ditto, although there is Undercurrents. I know, it's not as widely > > available as sourcebooks if you're not on the net, but I think most of the > > BP players are. But still, a BP Companion wouldn't be a bad idea. > > > > >Consider a supplement with things like the following: > > >-map/seasons/clock of Poseidon > > > > There already IS a clock of Poseidon. Okay, in the U/C and the Moderator's > > screen and there's a nifty -- but unofficial -- time zone chart at > > http://www.io.com/~tippy/blue_planet/BPtables.html , which is of course a > > bit out of reach for people not on the net. > > A map of Poseidon can also be found in the core books, or do you mean a > > more detailed one? That I'd love. More info on the seasons wouldn't hurt, > > though. Something to add to Field Guide/GEO Survey/whatever or such? > > > > >-a set of dive tables > > > > Not a bad idea at all. And more of diving-related stuff, even (ohmigod, > I'm > > losing my reputation here) rules. This could also be included in the > > I-hope-there's-one-coming ocean-related book or Field Guide (the survival > > part), don't you think? > > > > >-sections on rules variants people have made > > > > Hmmm...I certainly like to obtain mine on the net, even when I don't have > > one. If I want new rules, I can go to my friend's house or the library. > I'm > > not much of a rules freak (to the extent that I'd LOVE to pay for them), > > but > > of course, a lot of people could find additional rules useful. > > > > Damn. I forgot the Player's Guide at home. There actually were a few rules > > modifications I made. Light ones. > > > > >-semi "official" slang from people's games > > > > Uh-huh. A nice one. Of course it would lose some meaning to us who don't > > play in English, but still, well worth including. > > > > >-some listing of more personalities from the BP universe > > > > I'm not much of an enthusiast when it comes to premade characters, > although > > I see the point. They offer a great view to the possibilities of the world > > at hand, and make the vision clearer. > > > > My opinion on premade and fully developed "canon" movers and shakers of > the > > world is not set. On one hand, it's wonderful to see how fully developed > > the > > world, and on the other, it takes away freedom from the GM -- who of > course > > can toss the premade characters in the corner. > > > > One of the highlights of the Shadowrun Companion was the part of giving > > more > > depth to Shadowrunners. I think it's idiotic they expect you only to play > > runners (or gangsters and such, but only in the supplements), although > they > > got much more depth in the companion and didn't seem like a bad choice at > > all. To play, that is. > > > > >-lists of sources of inspirational books/movies/music > > > > Yes. And more than lists, descriptions or reviews even. > > > > >-essays for the player or GM, on topics like: > > > > I like this one, and in my opinion this should be the core of the book, > and > > would be particularly interesting if they stuck to THEIR opinions instead > > of > > trying to be objective. May as well try to figure out what topics I would > > consider interesting... > > > > Forgive the use of "he" instead of "she". It just seems more appropriate, > > as > > I haven't seen many women on this list. Possible spoilers should be > > indicated with Access Denied's. > > > > - What does the author (of the essay) think Blue Planet is about, and how > > has he brought this forward in his games, as a GM or a player? > > - How has the author handled the different factions of the game, and if he > > has special -- personal or academic -- experience with the respective > > factions, it would be interesting to hear how the "experts" have been > doing > > things. > > - For me, a great deal Blue Planet is politics and societal issues, > > including ecology. I'd love to read if anyone has incorporated "real > > world" > > in Blue Planet to a visible extent -- ranging from recent events to > > theories > > maybe a hundreds -- or more -- years old? Same thing with philosophy. > > > > I wouldn't mind reading more BP short stories, especially by the players, > > if > > they were of the same quality as in the main book(s). The one of the > > contract killer was terrific, especially the beginning and the auto pilot > > bit. > > > > >I envision a book like this coming out rather late, after people have had > > a > > chance > > >to play around with the systems a little and come up with their own > ideas. > > > > I would also, although more because of the background, not the system... > > > > I once bought Millennium's End, never got to play it and almost certainly > > never will, at least in it's own setting, as its rather right-leaning view > > of the world is repugnant. Anyway, I once flipped through the GM's > > Companion > > for the game. I remember seeing a bunch of pregenerated interior maps. A > > big > > bunch. Restaurants and such, seemingly of above-average quality. Not a bad > > idea to bring to Blue Planet either. There was also some other stuff, but > I > > just can't remember what it was. No rules, I think. > > > > And also having flipped through Fading Suns Companion and after expressing > > my loathing toward the filthy policy of putting the descriptions of > various > > aliens and more detailed info on the nobles, the priests and the merchants > > to the Companion instead of the core book but then again, I'm too used to > > Blue Planet's huge amount of info, I have to say it was nice to see what > > the > > different houses', priests' and merchants' clothing was like. There's been > > some discussion here also on the costumes, and seeing some more PICTURES > of > > costumes, uniforms, logos of the Incorporate and all wouldn't be a bad > > idea, > > don't you think? > > > > Whew. Now back to "work". Or Bookchin. > > > > - Ville > > *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: kabael@softhome.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 7:25 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - ESP biomod (I assume) > To yank the choke-chain of this thread and get it back to BP - what do > people think of the ESP stuff? (Don't have my player's guide handy, so I can > recall the exact name...) I thought it was a bit jarring - the rest of the > setting is all hard-sci-fi, and then suddenly a hint of fuzzy telepathy is > added... you mean the ESP biomod? It's not really telepathy or anything like that, it's just re-wiring the brain to draw in a lot more of those things you never notice. It's an increased intuition, not really much more. Basically I see it as an uncontrolled and primitive version of things like spyware. You are instinctually hardwired to notice the shadow out of the corner of your eye or how the skeezy guy's pupils keep dilating whenever he looks at you. Re-read the section, I thought it came out pretty clear as "this is just enhanced intuition, but ESP sounds cooler than 'souped up guy feelings'" And I have to say that the Blue Planet people put it in there either to A) make a joke or B) lay the foundation for something big later on. Me, I'm waiting to see the fireworks when an ESPer meets up with an agitated and "talkative" aborigine. :) - kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael@softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592 the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion "Smiling fishee please don't attack me" - Steven Martini, "Corduroy Penis" *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Atti2dboy@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 10:47 PM To: blue_planet@lists.ient.com Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - ESP biomod (I assume) In a message dated 10/11/00 5:07:46 PM, kabael@softhome.net writes: >you mean the ESP biomod? It's not really telepathy or anything like that, >it's just re-wiring the brain to draw in a lot more of those things you >never notice. It's an increased intuition, not really much more. You are correct. I was mistaken. I'll go back to sleep now. :-) *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.ient.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message.