Great Power PDF release

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So, as you have hopefully heard by now if you are a backer of the Kickstarter: The PDF edition of the Great Power sourcebook for ICONS is now available! (Along with the various extras like the conversion notes, GM Screen, and Hero Pack 4 featuring the backer characters.)

This is a big step in completing the process that began with launching the Kickstarter at the end of last year. What remains is getting the print copies out to backers who ordered them, once the proofs are in and approved, and getting the 2.0 version of the ICONS Character Folio software out to backers and available for sale.

So far, issues with the PDF roll-out have been minimal: a small percentage of backers (less than 10% I’d say) who didn’t get the coupon codes e-mailed from DriveThruRPG and needed them re-sent in some way, and a minor problem with one of the GM Screen files not downloading properly (apparently fixed by putting all the files in a ZIP archive).

For my part, I’m glad to have the book out there in its finished form and really pleased with how it came out. Playtest feedback was helpful in refining the final text, and Dan Houser’s art and Daniel Solis’ layout really make the book look great. I’m looking forward to seeing it in print and already thinking about future ICONS projects.

ICONS: Great Power Conversion Notes

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As part of the Great Power Kickstarter for ICONS, I mentioned that a set of conversion notes, going over the differences between the ICONS rulebook and the Great Power updates, would be included. I’m making the ICONS Great Power Conversion Notes available as a free PDF, and will also include it in the download package for the final book, when it’s ready. See the Kickstarter page for updates and more details!

WordPress

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With the help of adult education, I’m learning WordPress for site and content management and transitioning my site and blog over to that format. It’s got a lot of exciting potential; even after the first class, I want to spend all this time playing around with WP and ignoring all the other stuff I need to do (which is probably not the best plan ever). Looking forward to learning more of the software’s potential!

I’ve migrated a lot of content from my prior websites and blogs (on MobileMe, LiveJournal, and via Adobe PageMill) to this site, but it’s still a work in progress as I “backfill” some of the posts/content. Fortunately, WordPress tags and categories should keep the archives easily searchable so you can find particular things. Keep an eye on the tag cloud for subjects of interest.

ICONS Scale Adjectives

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Toying around with adjectives for the ICONS 1–10 ability scale:

  1. Weak
  2. Poor
  3. Average
  4. Fair
  5. Good
  6. Great
  7. Fantastic
  8. Incredible
  9. Amazing
  10. Supreme

The mid-range (2–7) matches Fate Core for the most part (although ICONS knocks out the “Mediocre” level, having just two below Average). Overall, I like the contrast between the “normal” (3–6) and “super” (7–10) adjectives.

Re: Animated • Justice League “Paradise Lost” – Part 2

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jl11This blog takes a look at episodes from the Justice League animated series from a tabletop roleplaying game perspective, both in terms of game design and game play.

Obligatory Spoiler Warning: I will be discussing the events of the episode in the post. If, for some reason, you’re interested in the show and this blog and have not seen the show, go and do that first. The blog will make much more sense, and you won’t have your enjoyment of the show spoiled. You Have Been Warned.

“Paradise Lost” – Part 2

In spite of the pretty serious beatings from last episode, Superman and Wonder Woman recover almost immediately from their fight, ready for action again.

In addition to the cute Dr. Strange homage, the investigation scene of Faust’s “sanctum” is primarily exposition and comic relief (with Batman’s “Don’t touch anything!”). One challenge is how this information is passed along to the players to relate to the other players; perhaps Batman’s player gets an “off-stage” briefing or notes. In some systems, this exposition might even be improvisation, declared by the player rather than the GM, based on the GM’s previous foreshadowing that Faust is working for some infernal being.

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Re: Animated • Justice League “Paradise Lost” – Part 1

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jl10This blog takes a look at episodes from the Justice League animated series from a tabletop roleplaying game perspective, both in terms of game design and game play.

Obligatory Spoiler Warning: I will be discussing the events of the episode in the post. If, for some reason, you’re interested in the show and this blog and have not seen the show, go and do that first. The blog will make much more sense, and you won’t have your enjoyment of the show spoiled. You Have Been Warned.

“Paradise Lost” – Part 1

A hurricane strikes “Beach City” (the news report has Snapper Carr reporting from “Beach City Pier”). This preamble is the classic “heroes vs. disaster” scenario, which tends to get limited treatment in superhero RPGs compared to combat.

Diana’s monologue on her way back to Paradise Island is classic and any player who came up with Wonder Woman saying these things to prepare for a confrontation with her mother should get some type of award!

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Re: Animated • Justice League “Injustice for All” – Part 2

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jl09This blog takes a look at episodes from the Justice League animated series from a tabletop roleplaying game perspective, both in terms of game design and game play.

Obligatory Spoiler Warning: I will be discussing the events of the episode in the post. If, for some reason, you’re interested in the show and this blog and have not seen the show, go and do that first. The blog will make much more sense, and you won’t have your enjoyment of the show spoiled. You Have Been Warned.

“Injustice for All” — Part 2

So now that Luthor’s Injustice Gang has caught Batman, what are they going to do with him? Note that Batman is intimidating to most of the villains in the room while chained up and not even trying! That’s some “passive” intimidation score!

A “stasis field” prevents J’onn’s telepathy from locating Batman, the same technology used to restrain J’onn in Secret Origins. Nice consistency in the application of plot devices.

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