Genres that need more RPG coverage

[Ionstormsucks]

Tired of fantasy rpgs? I am. What other genres need way more RPG coverage and why?

My choice - Modern Horror - gimme that chainsaw!!!

[txa1265]

I like alternative history - things like Lionheart and Arcanum give a great opportunity to look at things differently, and include disparate ideas such as technology and magic. I'd love to see more of that stuff.

[Ionstormsucks]

Made a poll... there you go!

[txa1265]

Made a poll... there you go!

Couldn't vote - because while I can't get enough fantasy, I also want coverage of every other area you list!

[Zaleukos]

History and steampunk. I've always said that I'd like some sort of Mount & Blade in thirty years war Germany, with the war unfolding in the background and your merry little band of mercenaries possibly influencing events, and many alternative careers... It'd be hell to program such a campaign though.

Too bad the poll only allows one choice.

[titus]

I would like to see more coverage of all of them, but there are only few of those games.
I didn'tvote because there was no all options
I voted others now, in lack of better choice for me :)

[bjon045]

I voted science fiction, except I don't really want any more games like KotOR. Games like buck rogers, megatraveller and starflight is more what I am interested in.

[dteowner]

I'm with ISS. The "anti-hero" approach can be fun. Remember Dungeon Keeper?

[curious]

viva la cyberpunk!

system shocks, deus exs, blade runner, neuro hunter, anachronox...and not to many more

[Arma]

Voted other - since I think that all of them can use more RPG aproach.

I can't get enough of fantasy is true, but it's also true that there are far too few fantasy RPGs that don't go the standtard orcs and elves routine. That's one way to approach it, the other being a new insight onto the orcs and elves route.

Science Fiction RPGs are something of a rare kind, there are far too few and almost all of them based on a rather limiting existing franchize like Star Wars and the like and that is getting boring already

I loved Lionhearts alternative history setting, I though it had excellent concept in the whole thing, too bad that the devs were not given enough time to actually develop a great game in it and Interplay released a half-a** game.

Time travelling and the rest of the genres on the list could merit far greater exploration as far as RPGs go since there are barely any of those kind available right now.

On the whole, almost any genre of games in general or setting could use more RPG elements. There are many unexplored options, though some definately interesting games are/were developed. Like the upcoming Puzzle Quest that tries to mix and RPG and a connect 3 style puzzle games. Or the cancelled Weird War, a WWII themed RPG with supposedly 'Allo 'Allo inspired humourous note.

[Alrik Fassbauer]

I'd like to see much more RPG systems fleshed out in C-RPGs. Other systems than the over-dominant (A)D&D.

Recently I thought : "What about an C-RPG with the Tunnels & Trolls ruleset ?" ;) Not to take too seriously, because I actually don't know that rule-set.

Ctulhu I think could also become an interesting C-RPG (although I wouldn't play it, I think. I don't like horror at all). (Headline read a few months ago about such a game : "Ctulhu Ctalls your Ctomputer" - was it in the Knights of the Dinner Table mag ?)

What I'd *really* like to see are what are adventures turned into C-RPGs. I mean things like Keepsake, for example. Or Beyond Good & Evil. Or Indiana Jones. Or Lara Croft ...

[JemyM]

I am interested in "Not the time for dragons". The game can be really bad, but I think the Steampunk genré is quite interesting.

http://jemym.no-ip.com/motivators/motivator8839611[1].jpg

[Cormac]

I'd love a game set in the Middle Ages, and also a Western RPG. A game loosely based on Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian would be great. It helps a game, I think, when the world it portrays has a good share of lawlessness and the period had that aplenty. The many cultures involved, the vast territory only partly civilised, the history too -- coming off the Civil War, the Indian Wars, immigration, the total absence of elves and dwarves, etc., it could be great. But nobody will make it.

[Corwin]

How about a current era game where YOU have to infiltrate a terror cell; lots of moral choices as you rise up the organisation ladder to get closer to its leader. Hmmm... would probably get banned!!!!

[Geist]

Sounds interesting Corwin. I voted for history. While I would never want to forgo the fantasy genre, it would nevertheless be fascinating to be able to explore accurately modeled historical environments and interact with events and characters of the period. Sadly, very few such RPGs are made. The only one I can think of at the moment is Roma Victor and that's a MMORPG (if anyone knows of any others that I may have missed, please let me know).

[GhanBuriGhan]

History. I would like to see some games set in the bronze age, medieval ireland, age of exploration, etc. Nothing wrong with well done fantasy or SF, but I would like to see some more mature and educational material as well.

[Sorcha Ravenlock]

I really prefer fantasy. I loved the genre way before I was playing CRPGs, would devour any fantasy book I could find.

Other genres just don't appeal that much to me. I don't like realism, I like escapism, hehe.
The only other type of RPGs I liked were the KOTOR ones, but they are just fantasy in outer space more then scifi.

Truth to tell, if it has an elf or an orc on the box cover and the words rPG, it will probably end up in my collection :D

[Shagnak]

I voted for "modern horror". Though I would extend it to "any sort of horror".

For me, many of the stand-out moments in even the most mundane rpgs have resulted from the atmosphere and drama that is created by a well crafted 'horror' set-piece. Whether this be part of a BIO epic, old-skool ham like Wizards and Warriors, or even Oblivion [the creepy bits (e.g. parts of the Dark Brotherhood) of which made most of the other quest lines look anaemic (pun only partially intended)], some sort of visceral emotional engagement can heighten the experience.

A notable example of a horror-enfused crpg is Vampire: Blood Lines, which was fantastic when it came to atmos...but imagine this extended to a mediaeval setting. Most fantasy rpgs do not do well at effectively evoking the sheer horror, or at the very least the absolute otherworldness , of encountering the fantastical or spiritual. Effectively sustained amalgams of traditional fantasy rpg tropes with the emotional engagement of classic horror are either very rare or yet to be seen.

[JemyM]

I hope thoose who want History checked out Lionheart. :)

[txa1265]

I hope thoose who want History checked out Lionheart. :)

For just the first 20 or so hours, though ;)

[Alrik Fassbauer]

Western RPG ? ... Hm, yes, I've heard that this genre actually exists, but I've never played a game of this sort ... Sounds interesting, somehow.

[Jaz]

From a visual standpoint, certainly steampunk... the only genre where visuals actually give me the chills.

@Alrik: I remember the Western p&p RPG named Lust in the Dust (a freebie coming with an RPG print magazine). It was fun.

[curious]

@Cormac - forgive me if i'm confusing books but the one cormac mccarthy book i read was i believe blood meridian. it had a judge charcter correct? from what i played of the call of juarez demo it seemed like they took a large amount of inspiration from that book.

[Alrik Fassbauer]

"Lust in the Dust" ? What a weird title ! ;)

[magerette]

History and steampunk for me, as long as I get to battle against technology.:)
I agree that the fantasy genre has become nothing but a stereotype, but hopefully games like The Witcher can prove it doesn't have to be that way.

I was watching development of a game years ago called, I think, The Fatherland, which was supposed to be set in medeival Europe and have absolutely no magic, no magical swords, no wizards, just actual historical conflict. I don't believe it ever came out, though.

[Cormac]

@Cormac - forgive me if i'm confusing books but the one cormac mccarthy book i read was i believe blood meridian. it had a judge charcter correct? from what i played of the call of juarez demo it seemed like they took a large amount of inspiration from that book.

Yes, that's the one, with the immortal Judge. Now I just have to try Call of Juarez.

[Dez]

I'd love to see more cyberpunk. Multinational mega corporations, augmentations, goverments collapsing, secret societies, Psi-monks, post-humanism, cyborgs,...you know the stuff :) And if someone would make a bladerunner rpg,...

[Zaleukos]

I hope thoose who want History checked out Lionheart. :)

Nope. The only titles I've tried are Darklands (sort of history based, set in 15th c Germany with alchemy, folklore, and saints comprising the fantastical stuff, so no magic per se), and Lost Dutchman Mine (which isnt really an RPG but was fun as hell).

As for the steampunk genre I recall 1889 (never got it to run properly on my too fast PC, but the setting is cool), and Arcanum. These genres are really underused.

[narpet]

I voted science fiction, except I don't really want any more games like KotOR. Games like buck rogers, megatraveller and starflight is more what I am interested in.

I'm with you 100% on that. I would love to see more games in the vein of those you mentioned. It's been a long time since we've seen games like that. I suppose Space Rangers II is a bit like starflight (just a bit), but starflight was so much better (IMO).

I doubt that we will see any sci-fi RPG games like those, but it would be great!

[JemyM]

Nope. The only titles I've tried are Darklands (sort of history based, set in 15th c Germany with alchemy, folklore, and saints comprising the fantastical stuff, so no magic per se), and Lost Dutchman Mine (which isnt really an RPG but was fun as hell).

Lionheart is pretty much rewritten history, kinda like World of Darkness is for Vampire except it's based on medieval times. You run into people like Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Nostradamus, Jean D'Arc etc in typical Black Isle fashion. The game engine has it's flaws (the combat is like Diablo and companions feels stupid) but the story is ok.

[Alrik Fassbauer]

*snip*
never got it to run properly on my too fast PC
*snip*

I recently read about a program which seemingly can slow down the speed in modern Windows systems.

Its name is (according to the magazine "PC Welt") "CPU Speed Adjuster, and is available from www.adrianboeing.com

[Jaz]

As for the steampunk genre I recall 1889 (never got it to run properly on my too fast PC, but the setting is cool)Oh, there was a PC game for Space:1889? I GMed this one for a p&p campaign. Game mechanics were so simple it hurt, and the setting was grand. I also remember illustrating a 1889 review for a p&p gaming magazine once.

[narpet]

Oh, there was a PC game for Space:1889? I GMed this one for a p&p campaign. Game mechanics were so simple it hurt, and the setting was grand. I also remember illustrating a 1889 review for a p&p gaming magazine once.

Space: 1889 wasn't a bad game, but it wasnt' great. It got so-so reviews as I recall, but I enjoyed it. You can check out a bit about it with some screen shots at:

Space 1889 at Moby Games (http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/space-1889)