Oddball_E8
Topic Author
Posts: 442
Joined: Sat 14 May 2016, 20:13

Quick and simple setting conversions.

Fri 05 Nov 2021, 19:35

I've been thinking about some quick and simple setting conversions that wouldn't require any (or minimal) changes of rules.

Basically, all the GM needs to know is the setting and none of the rules would need to be changed (possibly a very small addition to rules, for contagions and the like).

Here's a few that I came up with today at work (slow day):

Y: The Last Man: Originally a comic book series, but now turned into a TV-series on Stars (Disney+). The premise is somewhat simple; every mammal with a Y chromosome dies in a mysterious disease that happens simultaneously across the globe. The world kinda goes to shit after that (not because "we can't run society without men", but rather because half the population died in an instant).
It's a post apocalyptic story with a twist.
I suppose a similar type of thing could be done with just men surviving. Either way the world is basically screwed and trying to survive is a priority.
Wouldn't require any rule changes at all. You'd just have to read into the background material (And come up wit ha reason as to why the event happened, because I don't think it's ever made 100% clear in the comics, and the show hasn't gotten there yet).

The Last of Us: Zombie apocalypse with a twist? It's a series of games (2 so far) set in a post apocalyptic world where 60 percent of humanity is wiped out by the genus of parasitic fungus Cordyceps. Basically, there are several stages and types of infection that would have to be statted out in the rules, but other than that no need for additional rules or changes.

Zombies: Walking dead, world war z, dawn of the dead, 28 hours later... take your pick. You'd have to come up with rules for zombies, but other than that, not much needs to change rules wize.

Enviromental catastrophe Pick one. Anyone. I know it's a controversial subject to some, but exploring the setting could be fun. Waterworld comes to mind, but that would require a LOT of rule writing for aquatic settings. But you could do any other natural disaster on a global scale.

Modern WWIII Basically the same premise, but set in modern times. Obviously the USSR wouldn't be the antagonist, but Russia is still a threat and China is rattling its sabers. It would require a lot of updated technology, but the rules would most likely not need much changing.

Anyone come up with anything else?

Let us hear your alternate settings.
 
baldrick0712
Posts: 672
Joined: Fri 28 May 2021, 12:29

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Fri 05 Nov 2021, 20:38

MERC. Was done for the original system so would be good to have a conversion for 4e. The players work for a PMC (Private Military Company) doing work such as providing security for reconstruction projects, acting as bodyguards to VIPs, and the occasional "sweet" job such as overthrowing dictators of small islands! Only real rules additions would be things like Contracts, Salaries, Weapons and Explosive Licenses, Armoured SUVs, etc. [EDIT] Maybe also Parachuting rules so we can recreate the movie "The Wild Geese".
 
User avatar
agent_pumpkin
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun 30 May 2021, 18:09

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Sat 06 Nov 2021, 01:43

A MERC game for the new TW2000 sounds great! Throw in some elements from Black Powder Red Earth and that would be great fun!
MERC. Was done for the original system so would be good to have a conversion for 4e. The players work for a PMC (Private Military Company) doing work such as providing security for reconstruction projects, acting as bodyguards to VIPs, and the occasional "sweet" job such as overthrowing dictators of small islands! Only real rules additions would be things like Contracts, Salaries, Weapons and Explosive Licenses, Armoured SUVs, etc. [EDIT] Maybe also Parachuting rules so we can recreate the movie "The Wild Geese".
 
Oddball_E8
Topic Author
Posts: 442
Joined: Sat 14 May 2016, 20:13

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Sat 06 Nov 2021, 07:46

Just realized another one:

CME: A coronal mass ejection from our sun has the potential to overload the entire internet and most of the power grid, causing untold billions in damages and possibly even several nuklear meltdowns.
If that happens, society as we know it will collapse, but it won't involve massive casualties at the time. But the aftermath can produce a lot of chaos and death. Could provide an interesting setting.
Since there's no "pre-made" setting, you'd have to come up with most of the setting yourself, but it might be worth the effort.
 
SykesFive
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue 07 Sep 2021, 21:15

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Mon 08 Nov 2021, 17:02

My 14yo has been using T2K4e for a campaign set in the world of The Postman by David Brin. It's a pretty good fit.
 
mariusbax
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon 01 Nov 2021, 15:29

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Wed 10 Nov 2021, 12:58

Traveller: The New Era

GDWs Traveller: The New Era used the same mechanics as Twilight:2000 2.2ed. Set after the collapse of the Third Imperium there is a lot of potential for post-apocalypitc action, and rules conversion should be doable. I've started running Idol Dreams, a scenario from TNE corebook set on a planet crippled by nuclear strikes 70 years ago. Needed very little conversion in the first place and with som minor adjustments to the tech-level of the printed version it needed even less. If it is a success I'll continue with a full-fledged Traveller:TNE campaign.
 
User avatar
Vader
Posts: 944
Joined: Fri 15 Nov 2019, 14:11
Location: The Frozen North

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Wed 10 Nov 2021, 14:17

The Last of Us: Zombie apocalypse with a twist? It's a series of games (2 so far) set in a post apocalyptic world where 60 percent of humanity is wiped out by the genus of parasitic fungus Cordyceps. Basically, there are several stages and types of infection that would have to be statted out in the rules, but other than that no need for additional rules or changes.

Seeing as it's intentionally been written as a metaphor for the Israel-Palestine conflict, this setting obviously offers a lot of conflict, stress, and skirmish-level combat of the kind that T2k focuses on, apart from all the trappings of the post-apocalyptic environment. And the fungus pandemic zombies.


Other than that:

2300AD: (formerly known as Traveller:2300) Obviously.

Valkyria Chronicles: A story-driven skirmish JRPG, with several titles released by now. The setting is rich enough to demand a TTRPG treatment (if one hasn't already been done in Japan).

Horizon: Would this work? It's obvious that a TTRPG must be made ... question is, by whom, and using what mechanics. Could 4E do the job?

Deus Ex: Another rich setting with deep lore ... but would this be the system for it?

Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone Complex: Another setting that is so obvious that it probably already has half a dozen TTRPG's in Japan. But I have yet to see one released in the west ... begging, once more, the question: would 4E be the system for it?
Last edited by Vader on Wed 10 Nov 2021, 15:47, edited 1 time in total.
Before you use the word "XENOMORPH" again, you should read this article through:

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/aliens-throwaway-line-confusion
 
baldrick0712
Posts: 672
Joined: Fri 28 May 2021, 12:29

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Wed 10 Nov 2021, 14:25

Terminator: The War against the Machines. Set in the future when John Conner leads his motley band of resistance fighters against SkyNet.
 
User avatar
Vader
Posts: 944
Joined: Fri 15 Nov 2019, 14:11
Location: The Frozen North

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Wed 10 Nov 2021, 14:28

Terminator: The War against the Machines. Set in the future when John Conner leads his motley band of resistance fighters against SkyNet.

From an assumption of "official" conversions, that IP is already taken. Nightfall Games is about to publish a TTRPG for the Terminator franchise in the near future.
Before you use the word "XENOMORPH" again, you should read this article through:

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/aliens-throwaway-line-confusion
 
Oddball_E8
Topic Author
Posts: 442
Joined: Sat 14 May 2016, 20:13

Re: Quick and simple setting conversions.

Wed 10 Nov 2021, 18:45

The Last of Us: Zombie apocalypse with a twist? It's a series of games (2 so far) set in a post apocalyptic world where 60 percent of humanity is wiped out by the genus of parasitic fungus Cordyceps. Basically, there are several stages and types of infection that would have to be statted out in the rules, but other than that no need for additional rules or changes.

Seeing as it's intentionally been written as a metaphor for the Israel-Palestine conflict, this setting obviously offers a lot of conflict, stress, and skirmish-level combat of the kind that T2k focuses on, apart from all the trappings of the post-apocalyptic environment. And the fungus pandemic zombies.


Other than that:

2300AD: (formerly known as Traveller:2300) Obviously.

Valkyria Chronicles: A story-driven skirmish JRPG, with several titles released by now. The setting is rich enough to demand a TTRPG treatment (if one hasn't already been done in Japan).

Horizon: Would this work? It's obvious that a TTRPG must be made ... question is, by whom, and using what mechanics. Could 4E do the job?

Deus Ex: Another rich setting with deep lore ... but would this be the system for it?

Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone Complex: Another setting that is so obvious that it probably already has half a dozen TTRPG's in Japan. But I have yet to see one released in the west ... begging, once more, the question: would 4E be the system for it?
I hardly feel that any of these would be "quick and simple conversions".

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests