Comments on: Fiasco: an RPG for collaboratively generating caper/heist stories http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 20:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Mordicai http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506756 Mordicai Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506756 Well, you could argue that the show exists to entertain you.  Not so much the people.  They aren't your monkeys!  Well, you could argue that the show exists to entertain you.  Not so much the people.  They aren’t your monkeys! 

]]> By: Mordicai http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506757 Mordicai Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506757 Yes, whim!  Or well, narrative intuition. Yes, whim!  Or well, narrative intuition.

]]> By: cdr http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506719 cdr Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506719 They did a great job showing what Fiasco is like to play. If you're going to Gen Con this weekend and want to pick up a copy, Indie Press Revolution will have it at their booth.  It's great with 3 or 4 players, OK with 5, and for 6 or more it's best to split into games of 3-4 people each. Bully Pulpit releases a new free playset (scenario) every month at  http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/downloads/index.php?cat=7 -- my personal favorite is Manna Hotel. They did a great job showing what Fiasco is like to play. If you’re going to Gen Con this weekend and want to pick up a copy, Indie Press Revolution will have it at their booth.  It’s great with 3 or 4 players, OK with 5, and for 6 or more it’s best to split into games of 3-4 people each. Bully Pulpit releases a new free playset (scenario) every month at  http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/downloads/index.php?cat=7 — my personal favorite is Manna Hotel.

]]> By: cdr http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506716 cdr Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506716  If you establish your scene (saying where it is, who's there, what's going on), the other players decide if it turns out well for you (white die) or badly (red/black die). If you let the other players establish your scene, you get to choose the outcome. In the first act you give the die to someone else, in the second act you keep the die. At the end you roll all your dice and subtract one color from the other, then look on the Aftermath table for how things turned out for you. A high number is good, low number bad.  If you establish your scene (saying where it is, who’s there, what’s going on), the other players decide if it turns out well for you (white die) or badly (red/black die). If you let the other players establish your scene, you get to choose the outcome. In the first act you give the die to someone else, in the second act you keep the die. At the end you roll all your dice and subtract one color from the other, then look on the Aftermath table for how things turned out for you. A high number is good, low number bad.

]]> By: synesthesia http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506547 synesthesia Tue, 14 Aug 2012 03:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506547 the shut up  and sit down guys did a great review of this game, seems like a lot of fun, im assembling a team of drinkers and rollers, but its proving hard.  http://www.shutupshow.com/post/20406644151/review-fiasco  the shut up  and sit down guys did a great review of this game, seems like a lot of fun, im assembling a team of drinkers and rollers, but its proving hard. 

http://www.shutupshow.com/post/20406644151/review-fiasco 

]]> By: L_Mariachi http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506536 L_Mariachi Tue, 14 Aug 2012 03:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506536 How do you determine whether a character gets a red die or a white die? Rogers seems to be handing them out from the central pile according to whim. How do you determine whether a character gets a red die or a white die? Rogers seems to be handing them out from the central pile according to whim.

]]> By: penguinchris http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506530 penguinchris Tue, 14 Aug 2012 03:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506530 The Anatomy of a Murder titles have been endlessly "homaged" to the point where many graphic designers have no idea where the style came from (though a graphic designer friend of mine learned about it by watching the title sequence in class in college, along with a bunch of others, I don't think that's standard).  The insurance company that uses the "mayhem guy" in their TV ads uses this style - with the pointing hands and everything - in their print ads. The Anatomy of a Murder titles have been endlessly “homaged” to the point where many graphic designers have no idea where the style came from (though a graphic designer friend of mine learned about it by watching the title sequence in class in college, along with a bunch of others, I don’t think that’s standard). 

The insurance company that uses the “mayhem guy” in their TV ads uses this style – with the pointing hands and everything – in their print ads.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506361 Boundegar Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506361  But these people do not exist to have fun.  They exist to entertain me.  But these people do not exist to have fun.  They exist to entertain me.

]]> By: misuba http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506305 misuba Mon, 13 Aug 2012 23:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506305  RPGs aren't meant to produce a final, polished product for an audience; they're meant to produce a fun game for the people playing it.  RPGs aren’t meant to produce a final, polished product for an audience; they’re meant to produce a fun game for the people playing it.

]]> By: LogrusZed http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506281 LogrusZed Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506281 This was the only episode I didn't enjoy. So much actor "business" going on, it reminded me of  the community theater group from season 2 of Party Down. This was the only episode I didn’t enjoy. So much actor “business” going on, it reminded me of  the community theater group from season 2 of Party Down.

]]> By: regondi http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506257 regondi Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506257 I've been gaming since 1979 (1st ed D&D). I've played a bazillion different systems and got rather burned out "dice rolling" rather than "role playing." I've also been gaming with the (more or less) same group of people for about 25 years. We recently started playing Fiasco and its riotously fun. I'm glad to finally play an RPG where I only have to roll dice three times and not consult 47 different tables to try and create some semblance of verisimilitude. No offence intended, but playing with a bunch of writer sounds like there would be a lot of ego at the table. You just need people who you are comfortable with.  I’ve been gaming since 1979 (1st ed D&D). I’ve played a bazillion different systems and got rather burned out “dice rolling” rather than “role playing.” I’ve also been gaming with the (more or less) same group of people for about 25 years. We recently started playing Fiasco and its riotously fun. I’m glad to finally play an RPG where I only have to roll dice three times and not consult 47 different tables to try and create some semblance of verisimilitude. No offence intended, but playing with a bunch of writer sounds like there would be a lot of ego at the table. You just need people who you are comfortable with. 

]]> By: Nagurski http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506215 Nagurski Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506215 "snappy Tarentino dialogue"? Poor Ben Hecht. His writing style has been co-opted by a crap artist, who now stands in as a descriptor for it. “snappy Tarentino dialogue”? Poor Ben Hecht. His writing style has been co-opted by a crap artist, who now stands in as a descriptor for it.

]]> By: MooseDesign http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506134 MooseDesign Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506134 They should be careful with that cover art... Spike Lee was threatened with a lawsuit for their Clockers homage/ripoff (depending on your perspective). This isn't nearly as direct as that was, but still Saul Bass' Anatomy of a Murder work was the first thing I thought of when I saw it. Anywho, cool idea for an RPG! They should be careful with that cover art… Spike Lee was threatened with a lawsuit for their Clockers homage/ripoff (depending on your perspective). This isn’t nearly as direct as that was, but still Saul Bass’ Anatomy of a Murder work was the first thing I thought of when I saw it.

Anywho, cool idea for an RPG!

]]> By: Ewen Cluney http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506101 Ewen Cluney Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506101 You really don't have to be a writer to enjoy Fiasco, but you do need to be reasonably comfortable with improvising. The only times I've ever seen a Fiasco game not work are with people who are just too stuck in a traditional tabletop RPG mindset. You really don’t have to be a writer to enjoy Fiasco, but you do need to be reasonably comfortable with improvising. The only times I’ve ever seen a Fiasco game not work are with people who are just too stuck in a traditional tabletop RPG mindset.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506091 Boundegar Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506091 Anybody got a stat sheet for Walter White? Anybody got a stat sheet for Walter White?

]]> By: Mordicai http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506019 Mordicai Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506019  Ha!  Yes, I said much the same thing before reading your comment.  "Oh, well, then my character Feanor is going to tell his sons to swear a ruinous oath!  Red die!"  Ha!  Yes, I said much the same thing before reading your comment.  “Oh, well, then my character Feanor is going to tell his sons to swear a ruinous oath!  Red die!”

]]> By: Tynam http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506014 Tynam Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506014 No longer unique; GM-light and GMless games are fast becoming design staples of the indie scene.  (See Microscope, Fiasco, Forsooth!, Inspectres, Bliss Stage, etc...) That said, Shab-al-Hiri Roach is a classic and anyone even vaguely inclined to that genre should try it. No longer unique; GM-light and GMless games are fast becoming design staples of the indie scene.  (See Microscope, Fiasco, Forsooth!, Inspectres, Bliss Stage, etc…)

That said, Shab-al-Hiri Roach is a classic and anyone even vaguely inclined to that genre should try it.

]]> By: Mordicai http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1506016 Mordicai Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1506016  Yeah, I think it is better at generating pre-Lord of the Rings.  Isildur & The Ring, Smeagol & Deagol, heck, Feanor & the Jewels...  Yeah, I think it is better at generating pre-Lord of the Rings.  Isildur & The Ring, Smeagol & Deagol, heck, Feanor & the Jewels…

]]> By: Reverend Loki http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505981 Reverend Loki Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505981  So a game where the winner is the one that can pimp out their fellow player's characters most effectively?  So a game where the winner is the one that can pimp out their fellow player’s characters most effectively?

]]> By: Michael Langford http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505959 Michael Langford Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505959 Fiasco specifically is for things going really really wrong. Fiasco specifically is for things going really really wrong.

]]> By: Michael Langford http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505956 Michael Langford Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505956 Microscope is very good for building a setting for other RPGs: http://www.lamemage.com/  I could see using Microscope to build the world, and Fiasco to build the party/villains/initial characters if you wanted really messed up characters Microscope is very good for building a setting for other RPGs:

http://www.lamemage.com/ 

I could see using Microscope to build the world, and Fiasco to build the party/villains/initial characters if you wanted really messed up characters

]]> By: Nick Wedig http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505957 Nick Wedig Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505957 I've played Fiasco with many non-writers.  And they have generally been as awesome or awesomer than what was shown in the video.  Trust in your own ability and your friend's abilities and they'll surprise you with how creative and fun they can be. I’ve played Fiasco with many non-writers.  And they have generally been as awesome or awesomer than what was shown in the video.  Trust in your own ability and your friend’s abilities and they’ll surprise you with how creative and fun they can be.

]]> By: Michael Langford http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505958 Michael Langford Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505958 I've played this with normal people. Still pretty awesome. One player was a little meh on it (she didn't like the on the spot nature), the other 3 of us loved it and can't wait to play again. I’ve played this with normal people. Still pretty awesome. One player was a little meh on it (she didn’t like the on the spot nature), the other 3 of us loved it and can’t wait to play again.

]]> By: BookGuy http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505929 BookGuy Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505929 Skimming this headline, I read it as "an RPG for collaborative gender capitalism."  I don't know what that means, but I'm going to try to create it. Skimming this headline, I read it as “an RPG for collaborative gender capitalism.”  I don’t know what that means, but I’m going to try to create it.

]]> By: Handsome Bob http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505894 Handsome Bob Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505894 The author Jason Morningstar's earlier game,  Shab-al-Hiri Roach, is also quite unique for the RPG genre-- essentially an RPG with no GM.  The game provides a rough outline of scenes that must be narrated by the players.  The author Jason Morningstar’s earlier game,  Shab-al-Hiri Roach, is also quite unique for the RPG genre– essentially an RPG with no GM.  The game provides a rough outline of scenes that must be narrated by the players. 

]]> By: EvilSpirit http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505895 EvilSpirit Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505895 Then you are apt to be less awesome. But, as with all such things, you get bonus awesomeness for doing it anyway. Then you are apt to be less awesome.

But, as with all such things, you get bonus awesomeness for doing it anyway.

]]> By: Robert Baruch http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505886 Robert Baruch Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505886 I watched these episodes when they first came out, and the players were all pretty awesome. The players, though, were all writers of one sort or other. What if you're not a writer? I watched these episodes when they first came out, and the players were all pretty awesome. The players, though, were all writers of one sort or other. What if you’re not a writer?

]]> By: David Goodwin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505873 David Goodwin Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505873 I think Lord of the Rings was actually fallout from a Fiasco game. "So at the end of this game, Numenor sunk , Sauron is living in Mirkwood, Isildur is dead, the magic ring is totally missing, and so are most of the Palintirs. Good game, everyone! I think Lord of the Rings was actually fallout from a Fiasco game. “So at the end of this game, Numenor sunk , Sauron is living in Mirkwood, Isildur is dead, the magic ring is totally missing, and so are most of the Palintirs. Good game, everyone!

]]> By: Punchcard http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505853 Punchcard Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505853 Fiasco is a tremendous amount of fun. Oddly enough, some friends and I have hit on the idea of using a Fiasco session as a way to kick off a new DnD campaign, which makes for an oh-so much better narrative than "You all meet in a tavern....." Fiasco is a tremendous amount of fun. Oddly enough, some friends and I have hit on the idea of using a Fiasco session as a way to kick off a new DnD campaign, which makes for an oh-so much better narrative than “You all meet in a tavern…..”

]]> By: Joseph Francis http://boingboing.net/2012/08/13/fiasco-an-rpg-for-co.html#comment-1505849 Joseph Francis Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=176213#comment-1505849 Can it generate reverse heist stories, like 'Lord of the Rings?' Can it generate reverse heist stories, like ‘Lord of the Rings?’

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