Post-holocaust speculation
A few weekends ago, the Game Bandits were discussing the shape of a post-holocaust role-playing game. The very word post-holocaust conjures up visions of Mad Max and its copycats on the widescreen... but would that really be what it would be like? Would civilization fall so hard and so low that roving bands of marauders would war against those who tried to keep civilization together?
While most of us had a somewhat optimistic view that humanity would continue on somehow... the big question was how far would the situations devolve? Would all the important knowledge for keeping civilization's gears just vanish? Would someone be able to keep the generators running? What about the gasoline that's used to keep those generators running? Would there be anyone qualified to run those refineries?
I suppose a large part of the speculation must be: how did civilization fall?
And that brings me to nuclear war.
Growing up in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s instilled in me a healthy respect for the atom bomb. While recent movies like T2 & T3 and the more recent Paycheck showcase the awesome power of a nuclear payload dropped on a large urban center... few really focused on the horror that followed...
I remember movies like The Day After causing me nightmares. If you didn't die from the blast, then you had to endure the radioactive fallout. Not to mention having to deal with all the little things we take for granted... like finding clean water and food. Well, you could find the water and food easily... they'd be glowing. *Nervous laughter* But they wouldn't be clean.
Assuming you survived the nuclear bombardment, or are one of the lucky few that's immune to a biological holocaust... what do you roleplay if you set your game in the few years immediately following the crisis? Well, aside from fighting panicked and insane looters and would-be warlords...
How about the joy of avoiding epidemics of typhoid fever, cholera and dysentry?
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection characterized by diarrhea, systemic disease, and a rash -- most commonly caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. S. typhi are spread by contaminated food, drink, or water. Early symptoms are generalized and include fever, malaise and abdominal pain. As the disease progresses, the fever becomes higher (greater than 103 degrees Fahrenheit), and diarrhea becomes prominent. Weakness, profound fatigue, delirium, and an acutely ill appearance develop.
A few people can become carriers of S. typhi and continue to shed the bacteria in their feces for years, spreading the disease, as in the case of "Typhoid Mary" in New York over one hundred years ago.
Cholera is an acute illness characterized by watery diarrhea. The toxin released by the bacteria causes increased secretion of water and chloride ions in the intestine, which can produce massive diarrhea. Death can result from the severe dehydration brought on by the diarrhea.
Cholera occurs in epidemics when conditions of poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine are present. Endemic areas include India, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and more recently, South and Central America, and Mexico. The infection is acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Where would all this contamination arise from? Aside from the nuclear radiation, the huge death toll would result in hundreds of thousands of bodies. These bodies would ideally be disposed of properly to prevent the spread of disease and contamination of food and water sources... but since the survivors would be focused primarily on finding food, shelter, and clothing... these would likely be left out to rot.
No wonder all these post-holocaust games are set when some kind of status quo and rudimentary infrastructure has been set. It gets really depressing to role-play day-to-day survival.
Thank God for civilization. And as far as I'm concerned, I don't think that beauty queens wishing for world peace is THAT funny... I used to pray for world peace every single day.
Astro City returns!
I'm quite fond of Astro City - and here's a snippet of an interview of Kurt Busiek regarding the latest installment of the series...
KB: Okay, as I noted, the next big arc is The Dark Age, which will ultimately take 12 issues to tell. It's our biggest, longest, most sprawling epic to date, following two brothers -- one an Astro City cop, one a criminal -- as they deal with personal tragedy and with life in Astro City throughout the Seventies and the Eighties. This is the story that was originally going to be Marvels II, though we've changed it around a lot -- a lot! -- as we've developed it into an Astro City tale. It's also the story that deals with how things went dark for superheroes and for the city in the Seventies. It'll finally reveal the story of how the Silver Agent died, and why he's got that memorial statue with the strange epitaph.
So that'll be a big story, but since it's all set in the past, and since many of the Astro City heroes that people have been asking to see didn't exist yet or weren't active then, we're going to be interspersing Dark Age with some standalone extra-length specials, focusing more directly on the big heroes. That way, we can do the big story everyone seems like they're itching to see and get a look at some of the more popular characters that haven't gotten the spotlight recently.
So Astro City: The Dark Age will be broken up into four three-parters, each telling one crucial story in the lives of Charles and Royal Williams, and in the history of Astro City. And we'll alternate those with what's currently planned to be five hero-focused specials. We'll do a special, then a Dark Age arc, then another special, then another Dark Age arc, and so on, wrapping up with one last special after the Dark Age’s conclusion.
Confusing as hell? Yeah, kind of. But keep in mind, this'll all take a couple of years to get through. Shaking it up will give us breaks where we can catch up on the schedule, and change the focus regularly, so Brent doesn't go for my throat after drawing Seventies hairstyles and cars for too long.
I'm quite fond of Astro City - and here's a snippet of an interview of Kurt Busiek regarding the latest installment of the series...
KB: Okay, as I noted, the next big arc is The Dark Age, which will ultimately take 12 issues to tell. It's our biggest, longest, most sprawling epic to date, following two brothers -- one an Astro City cop, one a criminal -- as they deal with personal tragedy and with life in Astro City throughout the Seventies and the Eighties. This is the story that was originally going to be Marvels II, though we've changed it around a lot -- a lot! -- as we've developed it into an Astro City tale. It's also the story that deals with how things went dark for superheroes and for the city in the Seventies. It'll finally reveal the story of how the Silver Agent died, and why he's got that memorial statue with the strange epitaph.
So that'll be a big story, but since it's all set in the past, and since many of the Astro City heroes that people have been asking to see didn't exist yet or weren't active then, we're going to be interspersing Dark Age with some standalone extra-length specials, focusing more directly on the big heroes. That way, we can do the big story everyone seems like they're itching to see and get a look at some of the more popular characters that haven't gotten the spotlight recently.
So Astro City: The Dark Age will be broken up into four three-parters, each telling one crucial story in the lives of Charles and Royal Williams, and in the history of Astro City. And we'll alternate those with what's currently planned to be five hero-focused specials. We'll do a special, then a Dark Age arc, then another special, then another Dark Age arc, and so on, wrapping up with one last special after the Dark Age’s conclusion.
Confusing as hell? Yeah, kind of. But keep in mind, this'll all take a couple of years to get through. Shaking it up will give us breaks where we can catch up on the schedule, and change the focus regularly, so Brent doesn't go for my throat after drawing Seventies hairstyles and cars for too long.
A Healthy Dose of Escapism
May I direct your attention to the MMORPG titled City of Heroes?
It's currently in its Beta testing phase and allowing pre-orders. The graphics are impressive, the rationale for cordoning off sections of the city is acceptable, and the assigning of "missions" in the superhero genre is also plausible and fun. It really makes you feel like you're part of a group of super-powered heroes working together to fight the enemies of the citizens of Paragon City.
The costume creation mechanics are neat - they really give you a wide variety of body shapes and costume colors, patterns, and "flair". The fact that you retain that distinctive look during gameplay is all the more impressive.
A friend of mine mentioned that the term "kill-stealing" doesn't really apply to the world. Given the "super-hero" setting, it didn't make sense for the champions of the city to argue "HEY... that guy was mine!" Well, maybe sometimes... but not ALL the time. You're supposed to be heroes! So, they've just agreed on certain protocols (such as offering help, or saying things like "thanks... but I could've taken him myself!" to keep things friendly) for now...
As for character creation - it's very versatile and allows for a wide variety of superpower combinations, but keeping the power levels low initially... and then growing as the hero gains experience.
May I direct your attention to the MMORPG titled City of Heroes?
It's currently in its Beta testing phase and allowing pre-orders. The graphics are impressive, the rationale for cordoning off sections of the city is acceptable, and the assigning of "missions" in the superhero genre is also plausible and fun. It really makes you feel like you're part of a group of super-powered heroes working together to fight the enemies of the citizens of Paragon City.
The costume creation mechanics are neat - they really give you a wide variety of body shapes and costume colors, patterns, and "flair". The fact that you retain that distinctive look during gameplay is all the more impressive.
A friend of mine mentioned that the term "kill-stealing" doesn't really apply to the world. Given the "super-hero" setting, it didn't make sense for the champions of the city to argue "HEY... that guy was mine!" Well, maybe sometimes... but not ALL the time. You're supposed to be heroes! So, they've just agreed on certain protocols (such as offering help, or saying things like "thanks... but I could've taken him myself!" to keep things friendly) for now...
As for character creation - it's very versatile and allows for a wide variety of superpower combinations, but keeping the power levels low initially... and then growing as the hero gains experience.
Rumors, Threats, and Scares: Holy Week in the Philippines
It's Holy Week again here in the Philippines, and the rumor mill is in full swing. There are rumors that a terrorist attack by various groups is imminent. Possibly explosives placed in a public area such as a mall or on a crowded public road, various text messages and concerned friends declare. Which terrorist group? No one can say for sure.
Still, that won't stop most people from braving the malls or the roads. The rumors are more or less the same every year.
But it IS an election year, and one that will probably get quite heated as election day gets closer. It is also very close to the tragic terrorist bombing in Madrid. These two circumstances may certainly cause many to think twice about dismissing the rumors.
Another rumor flying around is that the bombings are not necessarily going to be by terrorists, but by the current administration or one of the other parties interested in taking power in the Philippines.
The current administration (one friendly to the current interests of U.S. Presidential incumbent George Bush), may be considering a Plaza Miranda-type move to remain in power... given that for all their Social Weather Station surveys showing PGMA in the lead... it's likely she's only ranked 3rd or 4th nation-wide. For those of you who don't know what Plaza Miranda is...
On August 21, 1971 (only 12 days after I was born), Plaza Miranda was bombed. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was blamed, and this was the basis for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in 1971 and the imposition of martial rule in 1972.
Other parties may be considering such a tactic to throw shame into the current government, or to further destabilize the country, or as a prelude to yet another coup. ("Come to our beaches, stay for the coup! WOW Philippines!") I don't think I need to explain what a coup is. Every minor and major incident seems to be viewed as the prelude to one.
Or these may all be part of the propaganda and psychological warfare between the increasingly fragmented and self-absorbed political factions of this country.
And who pays the price?
Perhaps we can go to the streets and ask where Juan de la Cruz is. Perhaps he's already decided to take his chances in places like the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Better than starving or being caught in the crossfire between people who worry where their next million pesos will come from.
It's Holy Week again here in the Philippines, and the rumor mill is in full swing. There are rumors that a terrorist attack by various groups is imminent. Possibly explosives placed in a public area such as a mall or on a crowded public road, various text messages and concerned friends declare. Which terrorist group? No one can say for sure.
Still, that won't stop most people from braving the malls or the roads. The rumors are more or less the same every year.
But it IS an election year, and one that will probably get quite heated as election day gets closer. It is also very close to the tragic terrorist bombing in Madrid. These two circumstances may certainly cause many to think twice about dismissing the rumors.
Another rumor flying around is that the bombings are not necessarily going to be by terrorists, but by the current administration or one of the other parties interested in taking power in the Philippines.
The current administration (one friendly to the current interests of U.S. Presidential incumbent George Bush), may be considering a Plaza Miranda-type move to remain in power... given that for all their Social Weather Station surveys showing PGMA in the lead... it's likely she's only ranked 3rd or 4th nation-wide. For those of you who don't know what Plaza Miranda is...
On August 21, 1971 (only 12 days after I was born), Plaza Miranda was bombed. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was blamed, and this was the basis for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in 1971 and the imposition of martial rule in 1972.
Other parties may be considering such a tactic to throw shame into the current government, or to further destabilize the country, or as a prelude to yet another coup. ("Come to our beaches, stay for the coup! WOW Philippines!") I don't think I need to explain what a coup is. Every minor and major incident seems to be viewed as the prelude to one.
Or these may all be part of the propaganda and psychological warfare between the increasingly fragmented and self-absorbed political factions of this country.
And who pays the price?
Perhaps we can go to the streets and ask where Juan de la Cruz is. Perhaps he's already decided to take his chances in places like the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Better than starving or being caught in the crossfire between people who worry where their next million pesos will come from.
PVCOMICS: Full of Indy Comics Goodness
No, not PVP Comics... PV Comics! Some of their comics you have to subscribe to, but a lot of the free ones you can see at www.pvcomics.com.
I really enjoy Lint McCree and the creative and mysterious (and a bit funky to navigate) Invisible Forces.
No, not PVP Comics... PV Comics! Some of their comics you have to subscribe to, but a lot of the free ones you can see at www.pvcomics.com.
I really enjoy Lint McCree and the creative and mysterious (and a bit funky to navigate) Invisible Forces.
Ocean's Eleven: Say What?
There's a lot of slang in Ocean's Eleven, and here's my take on one line loaded with slang...
"You'd need at least 12 guys doing a combination of cons. A Boesky, a Jim Brown, a Miss Daisy, two Jethroes, and a Leon Spinks, not to mention the biggest Ella Fitzgerald EVER."
Okay. So these are the names of the cons... each one obviously alluding to what each of these folks are famous for... but what the heck do they mean?
Boesky: Could refer to Ivan Boesky, responsible for one of the biggest insider trading scandals in the U.S. The scam for getting lots of insider information was performed by their resident tech guru. On the other hand, Reuben, the guy who bankrolls the heist also knows a lot about the vault and about casinos in general... but it's not really a con, is it? However, my vote goes to Frank Catton was the planted inside man WHO WAS CAUGHT. Boesky was caught doing his thing and so was Frank... so that they could steal the codes from Terry Benedict.
Jim Brown: Could refer to Jim Brown, a legendary running back in American football. Bigger, better, and fast fast fast. Also an activist. Since he's black, many folks chalk this up to Frank Catton's "it's all because I'm black" scene. Still, a running back carries the football during a running play... so which con is this? I thought this might actually be Saul's performance as the bigshot "Lyman Serge" (sp?). He carries the attache case that could be thought of as his "football" and doesn't let it go until it's in the end zone (the vault).
Miss Daisy: Miss Daisy was a rich white person driven around by a chauffer. Could be Saul again, but as a con... it could be the con of getting someone else to "drive" the Amazing Yen into the vault.
Two Jethroes: The two scenes of two idiots fighting each other, causing a disturbance. Gee, who did these? Obviously, the two idiots of the team...
Leon Spinx: Delivers a knockout punch. Probably Basher, who was there to engineer the blackouts.
Ella Fitzgerald: Some folks believe that that's supposed to be the fake vault tape. This is because of a Memorex tape commercial wherein a taped Ella managed to break glass. For me, it's either this or the performance of Linus... who had to improvise all the way through a tough and shrewd Terry Benedict.
Feh - I'm not really all that sure... but what do you think?
There's a lot of slang in Ocean's Eleven, and here's my take on one line loaded with slang...
"You'd need at least 12 guys doing a combination of cons. A Boesky, a Jim Brown, a Miss Daisy, two Jethroes, and a Leon Spinks, not to mention the biggest Ella Fitzgerald EVER."
Okay. So these are the names of the cons... each one obviously alluding to what each of these folks are famous for... but what the heck do they mean?
Boesky: Could refer to Ivan Boesky, responsible for one of the biggest insider trading scandals in the U.S. The scam for getting lots of insider information was performed by their resident tech guru. On the other hand, Reuben, the guy who bankrolls the heist also knows a lot about the vault and about casinos in general... but it's not really a con, is it? However, my vote goes to Frank Catton was the planted inside man WHO WAS CAUGHT. Boesky was caught doing his thing and so was Frank... so that they could steal the codes from Terry Benedict.
Jim Brown: Could refer to Jim Brown, a legendary running back in American football. Bigger, better, and fast fast fast. Also an activist. Since he's black, many folks chalk this up to Frank Catton's "it's all because I'm black" scene. Still, a running back carries the football during a running play... so which con is this? I thought this might actually be Saul's performance as the bigshot "Lyman Serge" (sp?). He carries the attache case that could be thought of as his "football" and doesn't let it go until it's in the end zone (the vault).
Miss Daisy: Miss Daisy was a rich white person driven around by a chauffer. Could be Saul again, but as a con... it could be the con of getting someone else to "drive" the Amazing Yen into the vault.
Two Jethroes: The two scenes of two idiots fighting each other, causing a disturbance. Gee, who did these? Obviously, the two idiots of the team...
Leon Spinx: Delivers a knockout punch. Probably Basher, who was there to engineer the blackouts.
Ella Fitzgerald: Some folks believe that that's supposed to be the fake vault tape. This is because of a Memorex tape commercial wherein a taped Ella managed to break glass. For me, it's either this or the performance of Linus... who had to improvise all the way through a tough and shrewd Terry Benedict.
Feh - I'm not really all that sure... but what do you think?
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