ACTA Questions - 'Open Source' and another

[nvdoyle]

1) Am I crazy, or did I read something about the ACTA 2e rules becoming 'open source'?

2) If I wanted to use the ACTA 2e rules to do something non-B5 (submarines...), would the main rulebook give me all the weapon stats and such, or would I need to get the fleet book, too?

 

[Grimbart_Kriegsaxt]

So you think they calculated all FAP and Weapons and stuff based on algorythms? I bet they didnt ^^.

And i never heard of any "open source" rulebook ever ^^.

 

[Sunfire]

I would have thought that you have the basic rules of playing a miniatures game ACTA style available, but if you wanted to add your own ships, weapons, etc then you make up your own (or more likely borrow someone else's). Tournaments / Clubs will have a pre-agreement about the rule sets that they are using - so if you don't like their Gaim variation - tough. Find another club or start your own.

A simple example would be that anyone can produce a set of fleet lists for use with Star Wars, based on the ACTA game mechanics. Whilst there may initially be 100s of different variations, some will become more popular than others (based on fairness, consistancy and perceived accuracy). The most popular fleet lists may even get published - but not necessarily by Mongoose.

So to answer 2, I would expect to find submarines in the appropriate fleet list book, but not the main rule book.

 

[Delthos]

Actually it would be like WoTC did with D20. They will have a SRD for the basics of the rules and such. Then anyone who wishes can build and sell a supplement in what ever setting they like (assuming they have licenses and copyrights to do so).

So yes, someone could produce a set of rules just based on submarine warfare. Someone else could build a set of rules designed specifically for use with the Full Thrust ships and someone else could build a set of rules for their own set of unique ships and universe like Cold Navy or Hostile Intent.

I wouldn't expect to find anything in the main rulebook, except maybe the game mentioned in the Planet Mongoose blog, Emergence.

http://blog.mongoosepublishing.co.uk/?blog=2&page=1&paged=14

 

[nvdoyle]

Perhaps I wasn't clear in question 2...

I am looking for a set of rules to use for a modern/scifi submarine game. This is something that will be played/playtested at home, and perhaps put on at a convention. This particular question is not about using the ACTA 'framework' to publish my own ruleset or setting/fleet book.

What I want to know is, if I want to use/adapt the weapons in ACTA 2e, am I going to need to get the Fleet Book in addition to the Rule Book? This is more of a question of the contents of the books, and in which volume the information is presented.

 

[Foxmeister]

Wouldn't Victory At Sea be slightly better suited for a submarine game?

Regards,

Dave

 

[Court Jester]

You shouldn't need the fleet book. All the weapon rules are in the main rulebook along wth a few ship stats so you can see how ships are loaded out.

 

[lastbesthope]

1) Am I crazy, or did I read something about the ACTA 2e rules becoming 'open source'?

I know Mongoose are considering making the Vo rules open source, but I haven't heard anything about a similar move for the ACTA rules.

LBH

 

[nvdoyle]

I know Mongoose are considering making the Vo rules open source, but I haven't heard anything about a similar move for the ACTA rules.

Thanks, I was wracking my brain (and search-fu). It'd be nice, but like I said, I'm not in this to write/publish a version/supplement, just to run some games.

Wouldn't Victory At Sea be slightly better suited for a submarine game?

I considered it, but the subs of VaS are radically different from the modern/post-modern/alien supertech subs I want to emulate. With subfighters and such, the relationships are much closer to ACTA than VaS.

You shouldn't need the fleet book. All the weapon rules are in the main rulebook along wth a few ship stats so you can see how ships are loaded out.

Thanks, I'll have to get my hands on one, then.