Diversity in Alien Computers

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

In the last edition, computers were only described in the most vague terms, lending very little detail to GMs and players. There is plenty of room for improvement here.

Computers vary by numerical base, number of digits per operand, physical representation of operands and data in hardware, external connection systems, and general construction. How systems of different origin interconnect, interact, interoperate, or fail to, should be outlined. Computers of differing origin may also be particularly vulnerable to one another, based on the cultural assumptions they were built upon.

Computers should generally be able to emulate one another at two levels of additional complexity, allowing players to run exotic software without actually requiring the platform it was written for. The Imperium, being a rather blended culture, probably has a Java-like Imperium Standard Virtual Machine, which can allow software written on it to run on whatever system the Virtual Machine can run on, and has been potted to. Software written for this Virtual Machine generally runs at one level of additional complexity, but runs with quirks dependent on the computer's actual construction, such as slower operation or a lack of precision.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

What should be taken out of the rulebook to make room for your description?

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

This isn't strictly a rulebook question per se; parts might better fit in "Central Supply Catalog", or as part of the Alien modules. Regardless, alien computers are different, and, therefore, there should be consequences. These descriptions help outline what those consequences should be.

 

[CosmicGamer]

For me, the different origin issues have been worked out for the Typical races because they have been in contact for quite some time. Look how interconnected our devices are today after less than a century of computing. Systems they want to interconnect, like comms, do so.

For me, what I often throw into the game is TL creating some issues and solving others. A low tech comm system might be problematic when communicating with someone with an incompatible device but if the comm is of a high TL then a computer is built into the comm and it can be running translation and/or other programs as needed.

For me, if it is a true alien race then I throw all kinds of unique issues, including computer issues, at the characters.

 

[simonh]

In the last edition, computers were only described in the most vague terms, lending very little detail to GMs and players. There is plenty of room for improvement here.

When I was a kid I'd have been all over this, but a career in IT later it's too much like my day job. That's why I use Fruit Company computers at home, I want something that just works. Although I do program in my spare time, so don't expect me to be completely consistent on this.

I'm sure you're quite right about everything you say, but I'd just say all that is abstracted by the rules as they stand. Dealing with unfamiliar or alien tech can just have a negative modifier. I'm not sure much more is really warranted in a core rulebook.

If you can formulate a useful set of rules in a compact form though, touching on some common situations, that would be great.

Simon Hibbs

 

[Garran]

Cross-compatibility would be less of an issue given that the setting is often dealing with computer tech that has some degree of intelligence and problem-solving built into it or at least available to it as programs, but to the extent that it remains relevant I'd rather it continue to be handled abstractly (-DM/Bane when appropriate).

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

For me, the different origin issues have been worked out for the Typical races because they have been in contact for quite some time. Look how interconnected our devices are today after less than a century of computing. Systems they want to interconnect, like comms, do so.

For me, what I often throw into the game is TL creating some issues and solving others. A low tech comm system might be problematic when communicating with someone with an incompatible device but if the comm is of a high TL then a computer is built into the comm and it can be running translation and/or other programs as needed.

For me, if it is a true alien race then I throw all kinds of unique issues, including computer issues, at the characters.

The closest examples in our history have been PowerPC vs. X86 incompatibility, and a more modern example of ARM vs. X86 incompatibility. Unless it's Java, or another virtual machine language, software written for one platform can't run on the other without being entirely recompiled for the new platform, or run in comparatively crippling emulation. And we're just one planet's species. There's no reason to think it wouldn't be even more complicated across the entire Imperium, or even other parts of known space developed by other species. Besides, it's a great excuse for an "alien tech puzzle". At least formalize it so the challenges are quantifiable, and not a hand-wave.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Don't know many role-players that want to do computer programming during a game session.

 

[Condottiere]

Intel seems anxious to close the gap on mobile devices, to be precise, making the x86-64 small and energy efficient enough to be used in smart phones, and probably the Internet of Things.

Moore's Law indicates they'll achieve that, eventually.

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

X86 is an inherently wasteful architecture; closing that gap requires unnecessary cost; it will be dethroned eventually.

Regarding "programming during gameplay"; this is patently false for gadgeteer types, computer hackers, and even some agent types. The difficulties involved in how different computers interact should be present in the system, because it improves on this sort of gameplay.

 

[Condottiere]

Intel operates on the principles of good enough, and buying off the purchasing managers.