RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Game Proposals, Input, and Advice

21:54, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

Posted by steelsmiter
steelsmiter
member, 1489 posts
GURPS, BESM, Fate, Indies
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 01:34
  • msg #1

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

So a good while back I set out to create a new RPG to run Grand Theft Auto in, and I did reasonably well, but as bad fortune would have it, my laptop's hard drive decided to act up. As a result of either having a hard drive that has failed, or needs to be reseated (and I neither know which nor how to replace or reseat one) I lost all the information I had on the two RPGs I was working on at the time. I also lost all my notes for some Fantasy AGE I was working on. Fortunately I can improvise the latter.

In any case, I now only have Fantasy AGE and FATE Core, but I have been thinking on running a game reminiscent of the GTA, True Crime, or Saints Row games, or maybe some combination thereof. I think I have most or all of the immediate concerns nailed down. So long story short

TL;DR- are 3 or more players interested in playing in a Criminal Sandbox game ran in FATE Core? (Note: suggesting other systems is off topic, and actively unhelpful.)
This message was last edited by the user at 01:35, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
Blazeofglory
member, 81 posts
Part-Time Game Master
Badass Normal
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 01:52
  • msg #2

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

I'd be wiling to try.
WinterRat1
member, 123 posts
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 03:05
  • msg #3

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

I'd be interested, depending on the parameters. I'd be most interested in a true sandbox game where you can actively set the plot/direction/story for your character though, as opposed to the pseudo-sandbox of GTA.
neochivalry
member, 167 posts
DM / GM / ST
Dominion of Storytelling
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 03:54
  • msg #4

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

Worth trying for me.
steelsmiter
member, 1490 posts
GURPS, BESM, Fate, Indies
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 04:01
  • msg #5

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

I use sandbox in a similar context it's used to describe just about any game that lets you loose after a short introduction to either randomly explore or do the predefined story. We can have discussions about what is or isn't sandbox all day long and nothing is accomplished other than to say that I'm not restricted by the quantity of non-storyline quests to serve as a distraction from the main storyline. I might be restricted by my own or other players' boredom. I might be restricted by my own medical limitations. But programming, or "my plans for the game" won't be a limitation on player freedom of action. At least not once players have been accepted into the game (which isn't automatic).

As with any FATE game, it can be said that the objective is "resolve the two issues in a way that they don't create new issues, or present an ongoing problem". Which is not to say that not working toward the resolution of the two issues is the only way to gain Milestones (and by extension, Advancement). Working on the complications your own aspects cause is noteworthy. That could include some interpersonal conflict with other players, although I prefer avoiding outright PVP. In general, I have a few ideas already...

The town is called Broad City. It's based on a smattering of aspects of Chicago, Las Vegas, the Steelport of SR3, and the San Andreas of GTA V (although I don't have a map at the moment). I have the basics of hospitalization and Wanted Levels, including Mod Shops, and SR's cosmetic surgery. By extension, it's noteworthy that I'm using Wealth and Weapon Levels 1-3. There may be some relevant Extras or even source books I'm not aware of at this point.

Regarding Issues, I went with two obvious issues, that I've kind of fleshed out a little deeper than I'll say here:

  • The 5 Families that run Broad City's Underworld.
  • The Feds are closing in.

This message was last edited by the user at 04:40, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
WinterRat1
member, 124 posts
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 05:08
  • msg #6

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

Fair enough regarding sandbox and parameters. The main thing I wanted was to confirm that your plans for the game would not limit our freedom of action and/or ability to pursue our own aspects (and the ensuing complications).

How critical is source knowledge? I'm passingly familiar with hospitalization and Wanted levels from GTA, only vaguely familiar with Mod Shops, and not at all familiar with Saint's Row's cosmetic surgery. The names and implications are fairly obvious, but I'm not familiar with the mechanics as it pertains to those games. I assume they'll be modded to fit FATE Core's mechanics, but I just wanted to check that you don't expect setting mastery.

I do have FATE Core and am reasonably comfortable with the mechanics, for what it's worth.
steelsmiter
member, 1491 posts
GURPS, BESM, Fate, Indies
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 05:38
  • msg #7

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

Regarding Wanted Levels, they'll basically be a situation aspect that can be bypassed with an overcome action, the difficulty of which, depends on the crime(s) committed. The mechanics of bypassing it depends on what you do.

You could just drive until you outrun the cops
Or go to a place like Pay 'n' Spray, or Broad City Customs (canonically Los Santos Customs in GTA V) the conglomeration of which I labeled mod shops for simplicity.
Or (something not particularly canonical to GTA, but appropriate for Saints Row) change your appearance... say by swapping out an aspect.

The first option will be a Drive (or Pilot) roll, the second and third will be a Resources roll.

Regarding Setting and System mastery, I definitely prefer System over setting, because I need to convert those concepts to work with a system the video games aren't set up to duplicate, while I won't necessarily be referring to anything canonical that happened across any one of a half a dozen games from multiple franchises, but I will consistently allude to a particular style of play.

There are a couple houserules though. In particular, I feel like one Stunt completely eliminates the need for the Contacts skill in its entirety, and would honestly rather have just the Stunt. The same way I feel that one Stunt from Burglary eliminates the need for Contacts, especially considering it would be fair to make relevant Contacts stunts extension of that original Burglary Stunt, I also think that hardened criminals are more likely to have Investigate and/or Notice than Empathy. There's a few skill renames too, but nothing major.
This message was last edited by the user at 17:33, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
Jacob_VVV
member, 126 posts
Via Veritas Vita
Savage World's Fan
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 16:59
  • msg #8

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

I'd love to try it out, and would be willing possibly to Co-GM if you ever needed it!
steelsmiter
member, 1492 posts
GURPS, BESM, Fate, Indies
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 21:08
  • msg #9

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

It seems I've garnered enough interest to cook something up, but as noted, I'm at the mercy of my tablet and keyboard dock so I'll get back to you guys as fast as I can...

One last thing before I do though: We're all adults here right?
This message was last edited by the user at 22:07, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
Jacob_VVV
member, 127 posts
Via Veritas Vita
Savage World's Fan
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 23:36
  • msg #10

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

Yep!
WinterRat1
member, 125 posts
Thu 19 Nov 2015
at 06:20
  • msg #11

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

I am an adult.

I'm fine with everything you described regarding house rules. FATE is meant to be customized to different games, so it is to be expected you'll have some changes to the rules as written.
neochivalry
member, 168 posts
DM / GM / ST
Dominion of Storytelling
Thu 19 Nov 2015
at 06:39
  • msg #12

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

I am an adult, yes.
steelsmiter
member, 1493 posts
GURPS, BESM, Fate, Indies
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Fri 20 Nov 2015
at 03:31
  • msg #13

Crime and Chaos [IC] (FATE Core)

The following game is rated ADULT: link to another game
Sign In