Let me start off by saying why I am looking for what I am. Everybody looks for something in games that they can't in real life. Adventure for some. Romance for others. Some look to Adult games for intimacy (polite way of saying it *wink, wink*) because they can't get it in real life for whatever reason.

I find myself in an a similar situation these days. I used to be a fighter. Boxer, kickboxer... you name it I did it and I can't anymore thanks to a mostly useless leg. What I want is to be able to play that. To be able to play something I know and love. And I'm not asking to be a ninja or fly around wires either. I'm not asking to be a Roman gladiator. So let me lay out what I want.

I want to play in a Western Styled martial arts game focused around professional fighters working towards a championship. Inspired by such classics as Rocky and Raging Bull as well as newer sources like Warrior and the anime Hajime no Ippo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F...g_Spirit_(manga))Let me start off by defining what I mean by that.

When I say Eastern or Western I am not referring to the actual martial arts involved but rather the tone of the game. I am speaking of the Eastern take being heavy on the mystical, chi, and mind-over-matter, of-course-our-fight-is-on-a-wire-rig-but-we-won't-say-that styles, etc, and Western being heavy on the physical work of mastering the moves and warrior-succeeds-despite-all-odds-through-sheer-grit-and-determination-as-opposed-to-mastery-of-some-mystical-skill resolution.

System wise I am open to suggestions. I would suggest Contenders but no one ever wants to play or run that except for me. Wushu could be cool. Burn Legend (Shards of the Exalted Dream) would work nicely. Gurps 3e (I don't have 4e) would do it well. Street Fighter could do it if you cut out the mystic elements. NWOD could it if Fighting Styles were used. Maybe use a few options from Mirrors. But I'm open to most anything that isn't Hero, Palladium, or 4e.

Setting is harder. A modern setting would be preferable but I could see a steampunk or sci-fi setting working too. Pure fantasy... not so much. I want to keep the characters and the fighting as down to earth as possible. Cinematic but not beyond the realm of human accomplishment.

Now I have asked for games like this before but never once have I actually gotten to play it without being a gm in it. Not a single time and I would dearly love to do so. The martial arts and fighting were my life. Now I can't do it and I would like to reconnect with it in some way through a game like this.

Would Exalted's Burn Legend count?

I've thought about getting a league started up on here for some fun.

It's listed in my games I'd consider.

I only have the 24-hour version of Contenders, and have been itching to try a game like this ever since its ancestor stabbed me in the eye back on the Forge.

For the setting, I'd like Poland or other East Europe in the 60s or 70s. Cold war, secret police, underground fights mixed with "formal" events, doubtful alliances and choices. For some reason the Protagonists can't get a red party book (German ancestry? Jewish? Sang a nationalistic song while drunk?) so boxing is the only way they can claw their way up.

That's a setting I wouldn't be that interested in. It just doesn't fit my tastes nor is it a setting I have any knowledge of.

*bump*

*bump*

Now dont get me wrong, I love 2nd ED. ADND. I really dont think it would work with this game...

Have you ever looked at d20?

There is a martial arts supplement called Blood and Fist.

Ummm... who suggested AD&D? And I have d20 Modern with those supplements. I could play a game with that system but it wouldn't be my first choice.

*bump*

In reply to deadmanshand (msg # 10):
I remember that contenders game I did with you... I have internet on my phone now but it is wonky... I might be able to do something... but I can't exactly promise the quality of posting that a keyboard ensures. For example I keep  saying "yhat"

So I have been putting some thought into this. I have an idea to send your way.

I know d20 is not everyones number one choice, I get that. What I am throwing out is this. We have a gym. the players can choice thier roles. Fighter, Trainer, Coach, Doctor, What-ever else they want o think of that works.

We then get the game underway, With players haveing differnt roles during a fight it will allow the players that are not fighting to still have something to do.

I know you want a basic true to life game, that focuses on ring time. How do you feel about bringing in a few fantasy techniques to spice up the combat? I am not talking about throwing fireballs or lightning bolts. I am thinking more along the lines of Rock Lee using Taijustu. Just want o get your thoughts on this ieea.

Sorry about my delay in responding to you. I've been rather extraordinarily sick.

I am not opposed to d20 as long as Blood and Fist is used. But the fantasy techniques are not my cup of tea. Not Street Fighter ones or Rock Lee flying through the air at 3000 miles an hour and superhuman strength ones. Real life fighting techniques are more than exciting enough without adding in fantasy techniques and - to be honest - there are more than enough games on RPOL with such martial arts.

So a true to life fighting game.

Now are you looking for ?
A gritty feel, a fighter from the streets.
Adventures, maybe a bit of modern day high seas antics.
Tournament, Just a bunch of fights with  same training time in between.

Setting;
I know you said modern but your steam-punk/sci-fi is that human only.
Are you thinking to add other races. If so like what? Standard DnD races like; dwarf, gnome, halfing, elf, half-elf, half-orc. Then comes the slippery slope of Drow, Orge, Manutaur, followed by the  heap of players that want to be a half-dragon, well I want to be a Half-demon.

Then there is Tech;
With great Tech come great wants.
Robot arms (Steam or what-ever powered).
that's all I got right now.

Players;
Are you thinking Solo, Duo, Small posse, Merc. group, Gym.

What I am looking for

A focus - at the very least for my character - on advancing through the career of a professional fighter. Adventures outside the ring are cool but I'd prefer a more street level of action. Less high seas antics and more noir style adventures.

Setting

A vast preference for modern but if I must settle for sci-fi or steampunk I would prefer a human centric style. Make other races rare.

Tech

I don't care as long as it is not used in the fights. Less fantasy and more realism is what I want from the fights. I don't like fights between roided up freaks in real life and I don't like fights between cyborgs for this wanted game.

Players

A gym always seemed the easiest way but I'm flexible here. If everyone are cops I'll be a cop who fights. If they are mercs I can be a merc who fights. I do want other players in the game. I've never liked solo games.

Level:

Just starting (2-4)
I got a few am. fights under my belt (3-6)
The first rule is we don't talk about fight club (5-8)
Been there, Done that, Got the belt (7-12)

5 or so would work. Enough to be good. Someone who has amateur fights under his belt and maybe a decent background in another combat sport (amateur boxing, collegiate wrestling, bjj tournaments, and the like)

I will start work and get back you soon.

Is Rmail ok, or would rather a wanted ad?

Rmail works.

i posted in the ides thread to see just how many would think about joining.

I just need to weed out he nondescriptive fights.

I personally can not stand the I swing my fist and +roll dice+ hit them.

Still looking!

I'm still interested too

 I would be willing to play the game here, just a no nonsense, gritty fighting game, like blood sport, or Mortal Kombat without the fireballs and spears from the hand.

 Anyone wanna form a tag-team?

*bump*

I'm still interested as well.

*bump*

I'm still interested in a Contenders game too. IF there's another system some one wants to use to play out the same kind of stories I'd be interested in that as well.

*bump*

*bump*

*bump*

*bump*

*bump*

*bump*

Not holding my breath but *bump*

*bump*

Still looking!

Hope slowly starting to wither but *bump*

I've just come across Contenders, and I'd be willing to give it a shot.

Really? Umm... awesome!

Yeah, I've been hunting around for something like this for the purpose of capturing the drama and excitement of sport. Contenders is what I found! So how do we got about setting this up? Is it just you and me?

My suggestion would be putting up an interest check thread in Game Proposals. Lay out what your concept and setting is for the game. See who else is interested. Give it a couple of days then open the actual game. I say that because while I am obviously eager for this kind of game to open I would rather do so with a strong group of players.

I'll do that, but I can't decide what I want in the game. I know I want a realistic setting, modern day or not. I just can't decide anything after that.

Well... what kind of game appeals to you? Gritty, poorly lit matches in a grungy bar with shady backroom deals? Million dollar Vegas battles with sponsors and media coverage? Do you want it to be boxing or kickboxing?

Basically what part of the game and the kind of stories around do you like?

I'd like it to be boxing. I'm thinking of going fairly gritty, but the PCs don't necessarily have to be gangsters or thugs.

So regional boxing promotions... dimly lit bars with a couple dozen drunks watching the fights... just enough money on the line to remind you how broke you are... working hard to get big enough to get noticed.

That kind of thing?

I like the regional level struggles- it's not a worst case scenario for the fighters, but it's without the glamor and glory they could aspire to.

Do you think we could do modern New York for the setting, or something similar?

Sure. Works for me.

Just to let you know, I'm still here. I'm waiting for my real life to get out of the way long enough for me to set up a game.

That's cool. I can be patient for this game.

*bump*

*bump*

No one will ever run it but I might as well try bumping it.

*bump*

*bump*

Would you consider playing it in Gurps Lite(The 4th edition one)or 4e?

I'm all about a gritty, noir-like boxing setting. I'm a big boxing/MMA fane.

I'm not familiar with Gurps 4e (and it's been years since I played any Gurps) but I could give it a shot. I already own the Martial Arts book for 4e.

*bump*

Not holding my breath but it's time for a *bump*.

Time for a hopeless *bump*

Your "hopeless" bump brought the game (Contenders) to my attention. I just finished reading through the free version, and I'll run it if you'd like. Send me a rMail and we can start figuring it out. I'm also open to other systems, if you'd prefer that.