Serenity Roleplaying Game Review by varden

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Serenity Roleplaying Game Review

POSTED BY: VARDEN
UPDATED: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 03:53
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 8893
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Wednesday, July 6, 2005 5:40 PM

Link

See pictures from the games, including deckplans, character sheets, handouts and us gamers:

http://www.geocities.com/vardenkenzei/serenityrpg.html

http://diceclub.ws/serenity.html

Intro

Margaret Weis Productions is going to publish the Serenity Roleplaying Game, to be released at GenCon Indy in August. They ran several preview games at the Origins game convention in Columbus, Ohio on July 2. I played in one game and sat in on another.

If you're a gamer and a Browncoat, you'll wanna read this...

Summary

I think we're gonna like this game just fine. The task resolution system is straightforward and pretty simple. The game seems to stress role playing because they've written in rules to reward you for playing your weaknesses and quirks. Also, the scenarios they ran at Origins had a perfect Firefly feel to them.

System

The game mechanic is based on the Sovereign Stone system, which reminded me of the old TSR Alternity system. Basically, the GM gives you a target number to tie or beat, and you throw a bunch of dice at it. The better you are at something, the bigger the dice and the more you get. Characters' six attributes are rated as dice, like d4 or d10, not numbers. They also have a list of skills, also rated as dice.

For example, in my game I had to fix the water purifier. I had an intelligence of d10 and a repair skill of d10. I rolled d10+d10, hoping to roll over the target number the DM gave me. I also had an agility of d6 and a guns skill of d4, so I knew I was gonna run and hide when the bullets started flying! They did.

The shooter rolled an attack with his agility die plus his guns skill die. I made a defense roll (agility + dodge). The shooter beat my roll by one so he just hit me. That point came out of my body points. Those consisted of 18 wound and 18 stun points. The difference between the attack roll and the defense roll is split between wound and stun, the odd point going to stun. On top of that, the shooter rolled a damage die, d10 I think, and that went to my wound points. As those wear down, you take penalties to all your actions, pass out, or just die.

Realstic, deadly, and a bit more complicated than, say, a D20 System attack where there's one die roll to hit, one for damage, one set of hit points, and the defender doesn't have to roll anything. Still, I'm ready to try it because a Firefly-style game has to be deadly.

I didn't get hurt, though, because I spent a couple of plot points to raise my defense roll.

Plot Points

Plot points are those rewards for roleplaying your weaknesses ('complications,' as Serenity RPG calls them) that I mentioned before. You can spend them before or after a roll to raise a die roll or even change the story itself, like buying yourself a convenient coincidence.

My character had the complications of 'Honest to a Fault' and 'Pacifist.' If I had used Honest to a Fault to, say, pay more for a piece of salvage than I had to because I didn't want to cheat to junk dealer, that would have complicated our captain's plan to save money, but it would have earned me a plot point.

'Doing something cool' also earns you a plot point.

In the game we played, instead of shooting at the guys trying to hijack our ship, I caught one in the airlock, vented the air and knocked him out. That's the way a pacifist would deal with someone and that's how I got a plot point.

I saw guys spend five or seven at a time to make sure a shot didn't miss, or to make a piloting roll through an asteroid field.

I loved having that kind of control over my actions. Plus, that'll get the worst min-maxer or hack-n-slasher to at least try some role playing.

Scenarios

Without spoiling the games for the Browncoats at GenCon and DragonCon, I can say that the scenarios we played were smart and fun. They fit Firefly perfectly, and finished up well in their 4-hour blocks.

They were written by gaming demi-god James M. Ward, whose resume goes back to the original “three little books” version of D&D.

Each game had plot elements you might recognize from Serenity (the TV pilot), Ariel, Bushwhacked, Shindig, Objects in Space or Safe. We had to get a job, fly the clients and/or their cargo there, deal with double-crosses, shoot bad guys and keep flyin’. There was plenty of dice rolling to get us used to the system, and each crew member seemed to have a part to play.

I’m going to contact the Serenity RPG crew, and see what kind of details I can reveal.

Wrap-Up

I can tell you that watching the second game with the original crew was almost like watching an episode of the show. When I was playing the first game, I almost felt like I was IN the show.

Now, they didn't have anything published for us to look at, except deckplans for Serenity and Aces & Eights, but I'm really fired up about this game. It looks like it's gonna be flexible and cinematic. It's going to give the characters a lot of control over what happens and encourage them to role-play well and come up with a Joss-worthy story along the way.

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Wednesday, July 6, 2005 8:53 PM

11THHOUR

Excellent review! Appreciate the time and care you took to write such a detailed and thoughtful analysis of the Serenity Role Playing Game.

Just wanted to mention though that the black and white character sheets in your photo montage are the old, preliminary pages. The actual "Quick Draw" game is being completely redesigned. The basic info and such stays the same, but the "look" will be extra shiny special.

I'd like to share some pics right now, but I'm not sure if okay to do so yet. But the plans are to have examples of the "Quick Draw" RPG available at ComiCon.

Thanks again for the great review.

11thHour

________________________________________________

"Because teenage pranks are fun when you're about to die!" - Hoban Washburne

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Wednesday, July 6, 2005 10:09 PM

RELFEXIVE

Quote:
Originally posted by varden:
See pictures from the games, including deckplans, character sheets, handouts and us gamers:
[url] http://www.geocities.com/vardenkenzei/serenityrpg.html

Ai-yah! Interesting things to look at and read... on a site blocked by the gorram net gateway where I work!! AAAAIIIEEE!!!

"My God - you're like a trained ape. Without the training."

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Wednesday, July 6, 2005 10:42 PM

DAIKATH

Quote:
Originally posted by RelFexive:

Ai-yah! Interesting things to look at and read... on a site blocked by the gorram net gateway where I work!! AAAAIIIEEE!!!

"My God - you're like a trained ape. Without the training."

Maybe they want you to work?

(sorry, sorry, couldt resist).

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Wednesday, July 6, 2005 10:56 PM

RELFEXIVE

Hah, a likely story!

I just have nothing to do right now... and a look at that stuff would kill some time and be interestamacating too.

BAH! I say again, BAH!!

"My God - you're like a trained ape. Without the training."

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 12:46 AM

SAFFY

Argh! This looks amazing!

I wanted to sit in on this demo so bad, but I couldn't get enough time away from my booth. (I was the chick at Mongoose, if you happened by...)

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 3:12 AM

G1223

Quote:
Originally posted by Saffy:
Argh! This looks amazing!

I wanted to sit in on this demo so bad, but I couldn't get enough time away from my booth. (I was the chick at Mongoose, if you happened by...)

See you at Gen Con Indy then.

TANSTAAFL

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 5:12 AM

BLEYDDYN

Quote:
Originally posted by 11thHour:
But the plans are to have examples of the "Quick Draw" RPG available at ComiCon.

Do you know if there will be any Serenity games being run at Comic-Con? I know there's a panel but haven't read anything about games. I've never actually attended any of the gaming sessions at Comic-Con, but I would definitely make time for Serenity!

I agree it was a great review. The plot points sound a lot like something that was in the James Bond RPG I used to play, many years ago, and they usually ended up being the best parts of the games, largely because they required (and brought out) the most creativity in the players.

--Bleyddyn

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 5:18 AM

JAMIECHAMBERS

I'm hoping to at least run one or two tables of Serenity at ComiCon next week. Since we didn't make the "official" scheduling, I'm hoping to work out a location in an open game area or somewhre else and perhaps sign people up right out of our booth. We should hopefully have some shiny items to show people next week as well!

** Jamie

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 5:33 AM

BLEYDDYN

Quote:
Originally posted by JamieChambers:
I'm hoping to at least run one or two tables of Serenity at ComiCon next week. Since we didn't make the "official" scheduling, I'm hoping to work out a location in an open game area or somewhre else and perhaps sign people up right out of our booth. We should hopefully have some shiny items to show people next week as well!

** Jamie

Awesome! I'd skip anything but the Serenity panel and the hours I volunteered at the fan table

Speaking of which, the fan tables (spaces A11 and A12) are supposed to have a white board, which might be a good place to advertise once you have a time and location.

--Bleyddyn

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 8:13 AM

JAMIECHAMBERS

FYI to all Browncoat gamers. Margaret Weis, myself, and possibly one or two others involved in the development of the Serenity RPG will be speaking on the following panel:

SERENITY ROLEPLAYING GAME
SUNDAY, JULY 17
10;30-11:30am
ROOM 4

I hope to see some of you at the show!

** Jamie

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 9:04 AM

BLEYDDYN

Quote:
Originally posted by JamieChambers:
...sign people up right out of our booth....

Sorry, I completely missed this the first time. So, do you know where your booth is going to be? Or what name it's listed under? I didn't see anything ( http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_exhib.shtml) for Margaret Weis Productions, or Sovereign.

Thanks.

--Bleyddyn

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 10:20 AM

RELFEXIVE

Finally seen your pics of the game and such.

My my... shiny!

Looks simple yet comprehensive enough to do the job. Exactly what I ask for in an RPG system

Definitely can't wait now!

"My God - you're like a trained ape. Without the training."

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Thursday, July 7, 2005 10:41 AM

JAMIECHAMBERS

Hey there!

We are working with artist Larry Elmore for our ComiCon presence, so here is our booth number and "official" listing:

Elmore Productions, Inc. - Booth #4915

We're working to get a nice big banner with the SERENITY ROLEPLAYING GAME logo, along with T-shirts for our booth staffers. See you in sunny California!

** Jamie

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Friday, July 8, 2005 1:26 PM

HARPINGMONKEY

Hi Jamie (and everyone!),

I was lucky enough to get a Saturday morning slot for the Serenity RPG demo at GenCon Indy, and I'm looking forward to it.

I saw up this thread a bit a mention of possibly having some basic rules available at ComicCon. Will they also be available at GenCon? And, will any of you involved with MWP or the Serenity game have a presence at a booth in Indy? Perhaps the Sovereign Press booth?

Looking forward to playing and meeting you fine fellow fans!

Thanks,

Mick, the Harping Monkey

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Friday, July 8, 2005 1:49 PM

JAMIECHAMBERS

"Will they also be available at GenCon? And, will any of you involved with MWP or the Serenity game have a presence at a booth in Indy? Perhaps the Sovereign Press booth?"

Right now it's looking very solid that we will have copies of the Serenity Roleplaying Game on-sale to purchase at GenCon Indy -- the world premiere of the game!

If that weren't enough shiny goodness, both Summer Glau and Ron Glass are Media Guests of Honor at the show -- and we have scheduled them for signings in our booth in addition to their time in the GenCon autograph area!

Yes, we are going to partnering up with Sovereign Press for GenCon -- which makes plenty of sense since the staff is exactly the same!

If anyone needs, I can provide a booth number soon.

We have some very exciting plans for the show, so stay tuned. It's a very exciting launch for the most shiny RPG of them all!

** Jamie

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Saturday, July 9, 2005 5:34 AM

VARDEN

Quote:
Originally posted by HarpingMonkey:
Hi Jamie (and everyone!),

I was lucky enough to get a Saturday morning slot for the Serenity RPG demo at GenCon Indy, and I'm looking forward to it.

Hey Mick,

Who'd you play? I played Ethan, the shepherd/mechanic.

-V-

May have been on the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

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Saturday, July 9, 2005 1:36 PM

HARPINGMONKEY

"Yes, we are going to partnering up with Sovereign Press for GenCon -- which makes plenty of sense since the staff is exactly the same! If anyone needs, I can provide a booth number soon."

Excellent news, Jamie! Thanks for clarifying. I'll look forward to chatting with you at the booth, buying the game, maybe getting it signed, playing in the scenario on Saturday morning, and all the collective geeky goodness.

I suppose these things can change, but right now the GenCon show floor layout has Sovereign Press in Booth 611, prime real estate near the north side of the Wizards of the Coast area. Ought to generate lots of traffic. See you there!

Oh, and Varden, I won't be playing in the scenario until GenCon in August, so I have no idea yet which character I'll end up playing. I imagine any of them will be mighty fun.

--Mick

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Saturday, July 9, 2005 2:29 PM

VARDEN

Right.

"...at GenCon Indy."

I'll read the whole post next time...

Anyway, yer gonna have a good time!

May have been on the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

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Sunday, July 10, 2005 12:30 PM

ROLANDSTONE11

Any idea when the website for the Serenity game will be up and/or when the quickstart rules will be available for download? AS soon as I can get the quickstart rules I plan on running demos of the game for my wife's gaming/book store BookMark.
Would love to drum up lots of pre-orders for it!

Thanks,
Roland

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Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:21 AM

MIGHTYCTHULHU

Quote:
Originally posted by rolandstone11:
Any idea when the website for the Serenity game will be up and/or when the quickstart rules will be available for download?

IIRC, the answer I got from the guy who ran the Demo @ Origins was "Late July."

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Friday, July 22, 2005 10:02 AM

XON2000

Quote:
Originally posted by MightyCthulhu:
Quote:
Originally posted by rolandstone11:
Any idea when the website for the Serenity game will be up and/or when the quickstart rules will be available for download?

IIRC, the answer I got from the guy who ran the Demo @ Origins was "Late July."

Well, it's getting to be late July now. Is anyone else as impatient as I am for news? Any chance Jamie Chambers could sneak us an update?

Shawn

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Wednesday, July 27, 2005 10:59 PM

RELFEXIVE

Any word on the website, the preview/quickplay material, and the rest?

"My God - you're like a trained ape. Without the training."

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Thursday, July 28, 2005 3:54 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

I can tell you that Jamie is pretty swamped right now.

The RPG is off to the printers. Not sure yet what the actual retail street date is, but I imagine it is set to release sometime in September.

Trust me, I am itching to get my copy in the mail to see what all our efforts, time & love have produced.

As soon as I hear anything more I will post it.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

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Monday, August 22, 2005 11:14 AM

ELLYDRAGON

Does anybody have a firm release date on the game? I've heard Aug 28 as a ship date from some people who worked on the book. And then GameReport.com is saying that it's supposed to ship at the end of September as of GenCon this weekend. Since the website's not up to check yet, I wasn't sure if there was anybody here that had more concrete information?

My poor little brain!

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Tuesday, August 23, 2005 3:24 AM

258WESTAUTHENTIC

Quote:
Originally posted by ellydragon:
Does anybody have a firm release date on the game? I've heard Aug 28 as a ship date from some people who worked on the book. And then GameReport.com is saying that it's supposed to ship at the end of September as of GenCon this weekend. Since the website's not up to check yet, I wasn't sure if there was anybody here that had more concrete information?

My poor little brain!

From what I was told it will be mid to late Sep for the RPG. They were selling them at GenCon and will be selling them at Dragon Con as well.

------------------------------------------------

RON GLASS AUTOGRAPHED COMIC COVERS FOR SELL ON MY SITE FOR A LIMITED TIME ( Limited to 258 Copies )

https://258west.com/category/item.php?id=60

Serenity Comics, Action figures, RPG, Books, Trading cards... Everything Serenity can be found at my store.

http://www.bigdamnstore.com

Thanks for you support

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Tuesday, August 23, 2005 3:53 AM

MIGHTYCTHULHU

Amazon says the estimated ship date for my copy is September 10.

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