Author Topic: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic  (Read 3081 times)

Offline wotmaniac

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Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« on: April 21, 2013, 12:49:59 AM »
I'm back to fiddling around with my own game system (in progress), and I'm wanting to introduce some sort of hard-wired mechanic for perpetuating intra-party social conflict (IPSC, for short).
I'm thinking that there will be a dedicated block on the base character sheet -- said conflict will arise directly from, and resolved using, the IPSC block (I'm assuming that there will be some sort of GM adjudication matrix involved; but who knows).

Goal:
The IPSC system would serve as a character development tool, providing an actual game mechanic to adjudicate situation-driven IPSC; the resulting resolution of which will have lasting consequences by affecting the nature of the relationship between 2 or more party members.
-- I was thinking of having some sort of GM-determined "conflict point"; but, without further development, this seems a little too arbitrary and nebulous -- if this could be a "thing", let me know how.

Premise:
"The Game", in its current stage of concept and development, really boils down to not much more than a system with which to negotiate a series of "monster-of-the-week adventures".  What I want is a sub-system that focuses plot on the social dynamics resulting from intra-party relationships; wherein external elements simply serve as a catalyst for said plot.

Assumptions:
The game assumes that the party are thrust in to a "crisis situation" (alien zombie robots from the future invade the town ... or whatever) which they will have to negotiate.
There will be *some sort* of <thing> on the character sheet that drives how a given character reacts to various situations and to various types of characters.  This will also serve as a trigger for IPSC.

Systems of note:
The game uses kind of WoD-like dice pools and skill-based character advancement.

Inspirational Note:
In a very general sense, the one thing (and pretty much only one) that I like about Apocalypse World is the fact that there does indeed exist an intra-party social development thingy ... I just really hate all of the specifics. 
And thus the above concept is born.


note: if any part of this post seems to be unintelligible non-sense, please let me know exactly what it is that I need to clarify.


Awaiting input/ideas. :)

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2013, 07:55:58 PM »
I've figured that Mafia Wars and Farmville would
be useful ports into the game.  Mostly for the
purpose of filling in the rest of the workday.

But yeah, intra-party = new territory.


LotR had Elf v Dwarf rivalry into friendship.
Don't cheat on your Elf Wizard girlfriend.
2 Halfling bromances + rambunctious partying.

"Dude, you would not believe what you said last night."
"Yeah I was totally wasted.  Look!  ORCS !! "
this causes what:
Morale checks - I don't really like this guy anymore, what's with the "orcs".
a disbelief check - dude cries wolf again, and I like this sandwich
Wisdom v Insanity -- oh he's crazy ignore ignore
semiCharisma check --- our lives depend on each other now = Fight Orcs

Star Trek Next Generation had mostly G rated stuff.
( rather too soft for my tastes )
What would be acceptable adult fair - without going zexy overboard?

Your codpiece is a mimic.

Offline wotmaniac

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2013, 09:21:03 PM »
Yeah, you got the general gist (I think) ... just more complex.

The game is shooting for about an R rating for gore; but for all other content, I'm thinking about a PG-13 as the default assumption, maybe a really weak R (but adaptable enough to suit upwards of an NC-17 if the group decides such).

As far as specific content .... I'm thinking more of a generic framework that can be used any which way you want.

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2013, 07:59:11 PM »
Conan The Barb had the Arnold + Wilt partnership, and later a fight.

Pre Darth Vader with his "master" and "mistress".  And after.

X-Files slowly turned Gillian from non-believer to believer,
with the new guy taking her old role.  The bit characters
had more interaction and development (imo).  They did try
to make the show scary, at best pg-13 ish, at worst cartoonery.
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Offline wotmaniac

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2013, 10:57:19 PM »
Conan The Barb had the Arnold + Wilt partnership, and later a fight.

Pre Darth Vader with his "master" and "mistress".  And after.

X-Files slowly turned Gillian from non-believer to believer,
with the new guy taking her old role.  The bit characters
had more interaction and development (imo).  They did try
to make the show scary, at best pg-13 ish, at worst cartoonery.

Yeah, that seems like what I'm basically looking for .... I just haven't the slightest idea how to construct that.

I sprung this idea on a buddy of mine, and he basically said that it seems like it would be a case of the game system playing your character for you.
I get what he's saying ... ... I'm gonna have to figure out a better way to codify what I have running around in my mind.

Offline wotmaniac

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2013, 04:51:10 AM »
Eureka!  (maybe .... I think ..... I don't know)

So, here's what came out of some brainstorming tonight:
For the game that this would be for, teamwork would be a central theme (well beyond the pretend nod given by D&D).  So, I'm thinking that I need to build a robust "teamwork" sub-system.  At which point, the the "conflict" could be "teamwork vs. self-preservation".

Go.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2013, 04:55:30 AM by wotmaniac »

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2013, 08:17:00 PM »
Prisoners Dilemma might be a mechanical starting point.

Party Goals don't require dudes to get along.
Pro Basketball teams will have guys that hate
each other with a passion, but want to win,
so they play together.  The "Leader" (coach)
often gets a screaming match with a player.
Next day they go out an win together.
US Military used Drill Sargeants with violence.
US Military uses Drill Sargeants with potty-mouths.

The 3e Diploma(n)cy rules don't hold much use to this.
But maybe massively tightened up, creates a basic dynamic.

 :???
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Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Trawlling for ideas -- intra-party social mechanic
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2013, 02:51:17 PM »
As an aside to the aside ...  ;)


What do you think of this:
4.0e as launched
4.1e the errata carpet bombing + skill challenge changes
4.2e is Essentials
4.3e more erratas + Unearthed Arcana mostly unvetted by C.O.
4.5e is called Next/5e (but we ought to know better)
Your codpiece is a mimic.