James Bond RPG
- Thread starter TrippyHippy
- Start date
I tried to resist telling a story about how players can feel about hi-tech to the detriment of the game but failed, so here it comes. I guess that it is relevant when thinking about the gadget category of equipment.
In my long since ended Space Master campaign (where I added cybernetics from Cyberspace) PCs began to get surprising high amount of money. Although my games are usually action (and combat) heavy I suddenly noticed that one of the characters wasn't developing any weapon skills. That was sort of a good sign in itself but I still had to ask about that. The player answered:"Why bother when you can raise the skill buying better cyberware."
The answer was valid and it was cool that players advanced technical and social skills instead of shooting skills but that kind of reliability on cyberware (or gadgets) sounds just ... wrong to me.
In my long since ended Space Master campaign (where I added cybernetics from Cyberspace) PCs began to get surprising high amount of money. Although my games are usually action (and combat) heavy I suddenly noticed that one of the characters wasn't developing any weapon skills. That was sort of a good sign in itself but I still had to ask about that. The player answered:"Why bother when you can raise the skill buying better cyberware."
The answer was valid and it was cool that players advanced technical and social skills instead of shooting skills but that kind of reliability on cyberware (or gadgets) sounds just ... wrong to me.
Cleombrotus
Mongoose
Of course the gadgets in James Bond are issued rather than purchased. The idea is that everything is mission-specific to be returned at the end. As with any 'unit' from police to military, you are only going to get the kit that you can justify the need for.
Greg Smith
Mongoose
In the VG James Bond RPG players could spend XP to requisition new stuff, this would be alongside mission specific items.
Standing-Stone
Banded Mongoose
I don't think the James Bond genre as being modern by todays standards.
This is the reason I liked older movies better than the new ones.
No offence intended towards Pierce Bronson ( Even if it would seem like he is best ever choice for the role.) and that fellow who is James Bond in Casino Royal ( A pity this film wasn't done back in it's day as it was supposed to be the first.) and now 'Quantum of Solace.'
'Casino Royal' was modernised, and lost it's charm as a result.
If there is to be game based on the James Bond univerce. I would like to see the older films used as a guide.
Anybody after a generic system that could be used for this proposed game and the more MODERN spy game should just use ther 'SPY CRAFT' rules sold here.
Not that I have read these books myself.
I suspect that a mere James Bond variant could be made as a supplement to these other rules.
I would propose that they be called something ike 'Her Majesty's Secret Service' or 'HMSS' for short if anybody ever bothers to do this.
Greg Smith
Mongoose
So what did everyone think of Quantum of Solace?
I liked it a lot, but it was somewhat lacking in Bondishness. Although there was one very clever nod to a classic Bond movie.
I liked it a lot, but it was somewhat lacking in Bondishness. Although there was one very clever nod to a classic Bond movie.
I will go and see it at Sunday, so I can't say yet 
Anyway, modern times modern Bond. Yes, the old Bond films have their charm (I have all of them in DVD and (the Daniel Craig's) Casino Royal as BD). Still, maybe that "save the world" stuff is not for me.
Maybe I liked Casino Royal so much because it was comparatively low key. Daniel Craig fit the role better than I would have believed (and has currently number one place as a Bond actor in my records).
So, maybe I want a Bourne RPG instead, which is still comparatively low key as those movies focus on Jason Bourne instead of world domination etc.
Anyway, modern times modern Bond. Yes, the old Bond films have their charm (I have all of them in DVD and (the Daniel Craig's) Casino Royal as BD). Still, maybe that "save the world" stuff is not for me.
Maybe I liked Casino Royal so much because it was comparatively low key. Daniel Craig fit the role better than I would have believed (and has currently number one place as a Bond actor in my records).
So, maybe I want a Bourne RPG instead, which is still comparatively low key as those movies focus on Jason Bourne instead of world domination etc.
The King
Cosmic Mongoose
World domination was the central role in all James Bond movie but I always liked the concept of the shadow organization behind the power in place (though in this setting, we can't really talk about a power behind the throne :wink: ).
But again the advantage of a James Bond setting is that the "big game" often occur in the high society and I think this is good to see something else than the super hero- and destroy-everything-on-their-path image of the Special Forces.
But again the advantage of a James Bond setting is that the "big game" often occur in the high society and I think this is good to see something else than the super hero- and destroy-everything-on-their-path image of the Special Forces.
Wheels within wheels is a good concept and I like the fact that not everything is what it seems. In fact it is quite boring game (especially espionage game) where you know exactly who everyone is There should always be someone pulling strings of another one who in turn is a puppet to another.
Maybe a good mechanic to handle that kind of mess would be central part of the campaign design mechanics?
I am not exactly sure what you (The King) meant by the reference to special forces. If it is a reference to Jason Bourne, I can't see much difference in capabilities of James Bond ja Jason Bourne (heck, even their initial are the same) Sure, Bond is more suave and better in social circles while Bourne is more or less a lost kid. Otherwise I would be glad if you explained that a bit more.
There should always be someone pulling strings of another one who in turn is a puppet to another.Maybe a good mechanic to handle that kind of mess would be central part of the campaign design mechanics?
I am not exactly sure what you (The King) meant by the reference to special forces. If it is a reference to Jason Bourne, I can't see much difference in capabilities of James Bond ja Jason Bourne (heck, even their initial are the same)
Sure, Bond is more suave and better in social circles while Bourne is more or less a lost kid. Otherwise I would be glad if you explained that a bit more.
The King
Cosmic Mongoose
I didn't see the movies with Matt Damon (a trilogy, isn't it?), so my argument wasn't a direct contradiction to your post but more an addition to it, excepted when you wrote about world domination because every spy works to achieve such a kind of domination for their country or the company they're working for. It isn't necessarily a world domination but at least a domination over other groups of persons.SnowDog said:I am not exactly sure what you (The King) meant by the reference to special forces. If it is a reference to Jason Bourne, I can't see much difference in capabilities of James Bond ja Jason Bourne (heck, even their initial are the same)
As to my reference to special forces it was in fact a post against the kind of characters like Mission Impossible and the like (e.g. Tom Clancy's novels). Concerning M:I, the TV series is a good example of what I'd like to see in a spy /James Bond game but the movies put the action/ special effects too far away from the discrete intelligence.
But again this is a matter of personal preference, though I want to make it sure that my voice is heard. :wink:
TrippyHippy
Emperor Mongoose
The difference between Bourne and Bond is in political subtext. Bourne is a progressive lefty in effect, but Bond is an establishment enforcer, with a penchent for mysogyny.
Greg Smith
Mongoose
Surely Bond is a womaniser, not a mysogynist.
TrippyHippy
Emperor Mongoose
Many people would equate 'womaniser' with mysogyny, whilst I'm afraid I've seen so many women die horribly after being bedded by the man, that I'm not sure he'd know the difference either! I mean, he knows she'll get in trouble with her boss, but he still goes for it anyway! :wink:
Greg Smith
Mongoose
Misogyny is defined as a hatred of women.
He often goes out of his way to save women from the bad guy, even at risk to himself or the detriment of his mission, hardly a hatred of them.
Now I'll agree there have been a few of his conquests who have met unpleasant ends, but that is true of his male friends and colleagues too.
He often goes out of his way to save women from the bad guy, even at risk to himself or the detriment of his mission, hardly a hatred of them.
Now I'll agree there have been a few of his conquests who have met unpleasant ends, but that is true of his male friends and colleagues too.
Yes, so far it is a trilogy although there have been talks about the fourth film...The King said:
I have to admit that the way you put the world domination to a perspective it got me thinking. Obviously spies are working to benefit their country's interests. Even if that means world domination to greater or lesser degree and that's what big countries do...
Perhaps I have worded my post a wrong way, English is not my native language and the fluence fluctuates greatly depending on how sleepy or distracted I am.
What I wanted to say is that there is yet another plot to destroy the world or hold the world ransom etc. in about every Bond movie. It's a cliche like saving the world in every epic fantasy novel
I could handle that perhaps once in a campaign but if the whole campaign is made of adventures where PCs save the world, again it gets old very fast.Ah, OK got it now, thanksThe King said:
I don't much remember M:I TV series (old or new) but I really like the Spooks show. Even the fifth season (currently airing here in Finland) is very nice, IMHO.
Yes, these are personal tastes but then again who tells about them if not you
As much as I hate to get to a political discussion I have to know why you see Bourne as a leftist.TrippyHippy said:
After all he was military, spec ops even and volunteered to get to the assassination program (I'm talking about the new films here). Then something went wrong, he lost his memory and have been just trying to survive while his former masters have been trying to eliminate him.
It's not like he walked out of the service because he wanted to but because what happened. I don't see any political in that character. But then again I don't see that in Bond either.
Care to shed some light on that one?
Cleombrotus
Mongoose
Issues I'm having at the moment, having been re-inspired to run a James Bond Rpg is the anachronistic nature of a 'modern' game. The Victory Games version, particularly the Q-manual for obvious reasons, are well and truly tied to the '80's. It's like "Wedding Singer - the Roleplaying Game".
So although I want to run something that feels like Bourne/Craig's Bond, I'm currently thinking about doing a retro game set in the '80's. The advantage is that there is loads of history to utilise, not to mention the Cold War. I'm thinking of starting with Iranian Hostage Crisis and moving through Grenada/Libya/Beirut/El Salvador; and all the stuff is on t'internet!
It seems a rewarding alternative to trying to create loads of weapons and vehicles for today.
So although I want to run something that feels like Bourne/Craig's Bond, I'm currently thinking about doing a retro game set in the '80's. The advantage is that there is loads of history to utilise, not to mention the Cold War. I'm thinking of starting with Iranian Hostage Crisis and moving through Grenada/Libya/Beirut/El Salvador; and all the stuff is on t'internet!
It seems a rewarding alternative to trying to create loads of weapons and vehicles for today.
