Comments on: Fiasco, It’s Not http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:43:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Do the Evolution : Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-75797 Do the Evolution : Critical Hits Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:03:06 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-75797 [...] My time on this planet has allowed me to explore all sorts of games. I played computer games such as Adventure, Venture, Temple of Apshai, The Bard’s Tale, and so on, up to modern games such as Fallout 3 and Dragon Age. Working among a fine gaggle of geeks has allowed me to learn other games, such as Savage Worlds. I’ve also dabbled in indie roleplaying games such as 3:16 Carnage Amongst the Stars and Fiasco. [...] [...] My time on this planet has allowed me to explore all sorts of games. I played computer games such as Adventure, Venture, Temple of Apshai, The Bard’s Tale, and so on, up to modern games such as Fallout 3 and Dragon Age. Working among a fine gaggle of geeks has allowed me to learn other games, such as Savage Worlds. I’ve also dabbled in indie roleplaying games such as 3:16 Carnage Amongst the Stars and Fiasco. [...]

]]> By: Chris Sims http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73286 Chris Sims Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:39:06 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73286 @Bartoneus: I must admit lack of familiarity with the tropes of the genre, even though I enjoy the movies. It just felt weird to me from a non-genre standpoint. @jown: Glad you enjoyed it. I'm sure Bully Pulpit Games is, too. @Bartoneus: I must admit lack of familiarity with the tropes of the genre, even though I enjoy the movies. It just felt weird to me from a non-genre standpoint.

@jown: Glad you enjoyed it. I’m sure Bully Pulpit Games is, too.

]]> By: jown http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73285 jown Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:08:18 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73285 I hail to you as a recent discoverer of Critical Hits. Reading about Fiasco made me so anxious to try it that I bought the PDF instantly, read through it, did some more research and read more reviews and then mailed my RP buddies that we had to play this as soon as possible. By that time it was 5 AM :-) We played for the first (of hopefully plenty) time today and it was, as expected, tons of fun. No GM and no preparation are, to us non die-hards, a breath of fresh air. Although I'm a bit scared of death-by-repetition, has anyone had any experience with this? It seems to me that this could work with people with no RP experience (if guided a little) and would be really fun. I'm even had a funny thought about trying a session with my sister and parents :-) Anyway, we played the ice. Two of us were drug smugglers, the other two were rivalling researchers: one successful, the other one envious. Everybody ended up dead (or more or less) but only just before the game ended and the surviving smuggler got on a boat with all the cash, stolen nitroglycerine and illegal seal-meat. One of the montage scenes was the smuggler convincing his fencer that he would take the place reserverd for my character (the other smuggler, now half-dead in the harbor). My character had bought and paid for a new life in China, this was gonna be his last heist. There was, of course, much more to the story. A little more flavor/introduction to the settings wouldn't hurt. F.e. on 'The Ice', halfway through the story we realized it must be either permanently light or dark, depending on season. Also the size of the huts, the temperature, the existence of bars, ... Someone got hit over the head by a frozen 55 gallon plastic urine container. And several people with a cricket bat. And a stalagmite of puke stands outside of one of the canteen. Well worth the 10 bucks for the PDF. Love, all the way from Belgium I hail to you as a recent discoverer of Critical Hits. Reading about Fiasco made me so anxious to try it that I bought the PDF instantly, read through it, did some more research and read more reviews and then mailed my RP buddies that we had to play this as soon as possible. By that time it was 5 AM :-)

We played for the first (of hopefully plenty) time today and it was, as expected, tons of fun. No GM and no preparation are, to us non die-hards, a breath of fresh air. Although I’m a bit scared of death-by-repetition, has anyone had any experience with this?

It seems to me that this could work with people with no RP experience (if guided a little) and would be really fun. I’m even had a funny thought about trying a session with my sister and parents :-)

Anyway, we played the ice. Two of us were drug smugglers, the other two were rivalling researchers: one successful, the other one envious. Everybody ended up dead (or more or less) but only just before the game ended and the surviving smuggler got on a boat with all the cash, stolen nitroglycerine and illegal seal-meat. One of the montage scenes was the smuggler convincing his fencer that he would take the place reserverd for my character (the other smuggler, now half-dead in the harbor). My character had bought and paid for a new life in China, this was gonna be his last heist.

There was, of course, much more to the story.

A little more flavor/introduction to the settings wouldn’t hurt.

F.e. on ‘The Ice’, halfway through the story we realized it must be either permanently light or dark, depending on season. Also the size of the huts, the temperature, the existence of bars, …

Someone got hit over the head by a frozen 55 gallon plastic urine container. And several people with a cricket bat. And a stalagmite of puke stands outside of one of the canteen.

Well worth the 10 bucks for the PDF.

Love, all the way from Belgium

]]> By: Bartoneus http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73119 Bartoneus Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:17:28 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73119 Chris: Though I still haven't played Fiasco, I think the idea behind having more dice (either white or black) is in the same vein - those types of movies don't seem to care if what you're doing is good or bad, it's just the more effort you put into it the more likely you are to "succeed". It definitely seems like surviving is the root of this type of themed story, good or bad isn't so much of a factor - though the bad guys tend to die more gruesome deaths! Chris: Though I still haven’t played Fiasco, I think the idea behind having more dice (either white or black) is in the same vein – those types of movies don’t seem to care if what you’re doing is good or bad, it’s just the more effort you put into it the more likely you are to “succeed”. It definitely seems like surviving is the root of this type of themed story, good or bad isn’t so much of a factor – though the bad guys tend to die more gruesome deaths!

]]> By: Chris Sims http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73117 Chris Sims Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:20:05 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73117 Bartoneus: Yeah, that could work--surviving characters continue on. Eventually, they'll get theirs. ;) Bartoneus: Yeah, that could work–surviving characters continue on. Eventually, they’ll get theirs. ;)

]]> By: Dixon Trimline http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73090 Dixon Trimline Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:40:14 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73090 Man golly, this sounds absolutely amazing. I couldn't imagine how the guts of the system worked, and then it all started clicking when I read Logan's comment (relationships, object, location, etc.). I think you're absolutely right, Chris, that this would be a great stretching exercise for roleplaying. Man golly, this sounds absolutely amazing. I couldn’t imagine how the guts of the system worked, and then it all started clicking when I read Logan’s comment (relationships, object, location, etc.). I think you’re absolutely right, Chris, that this would be a great stretching exercise for roleplaying.

]]> By: Bartoneus http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73085 Bartoneus Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:38:03 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73085 Phil / Logan / Chris: What I would probably end up doing (keep in mind I haven't played Fiasco yet, but plan to very soon) for something close to "campaign" play is have a character that survives a game end up showing up or being re-played by a player in a different game. Essentially I see it like in Pulp Fiction each individual plot would be one Fiasco adventure, but clearly some of the characters show up in different stories or are even involved in multiple plots. I think this could really be something quite special and incredibly fun! Phil / Logan / Chris: What I would probably end up doing (keep in mind I haven’t played Fiasco yet, but plan to very soon) for something close to “campaign” play is have a character that survives a game end up showing up or being re-played by a player in a different game. Essentially I see it like in Pulp Fiction each individual plot would be one Fiasco adventure, but clearly some of the characters show up in different stories or are even involved in multiple plots.

I think this could really be something quite special and incredibly fun!

]]> By: Chris Sims http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73083 Chris Sims Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:22:21 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73083 Chatty: What Logan said. 1) I felt the game was intuitive for experienced roleplayers and DMs. 2) Since sharing the narrative is all you really do, I'd say it was fun. We had a lot of (morbid? gallows?) laughs. 3) This isn't a game I'd use as a stand-in for a D&D game, unless you know your players will love freeform roleplaying and dark subjects. The game has no result-determination structure except for the aftermath. The players have to make everything up and agree on it. (We had no trouble, though.) 4) You could modify the aftermath options to support episodic play, mostly to ensure character survival and continuity. I don't know if I'd bother. Chatty: What Logan said.

1) I felt the game was intuitive for experienced roleplayers and DMs.

2) Since sharing the narrative is all you really do, I’d say it was fun. We had a lot of (morbid? gallows?) laughs.

3) This isn’t a game I’d use as a stand-in for a D&D game, unless you know your players will love freeform roleplaying and dark subjects. The game has no result-determination structure except for the aftermath. The players have to make everything up and agree on it. (We had no trouble, though.)

4) You could modify the aftermath options to support episodic play, mostly to ensure character survival and continuity. I don’t know if I’d bother.

]]> By: Logan Bonner http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73082 Logan Bonner Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:17:23 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73082 For the curious, I'll list our details (the relationships, stuff, needs, and places of the game). Each set of adjacent players shares two details (so each player starts with 4 total details). This might not be 100% accurate. Chris can correct any errors he sees. Toby and Gerry shared * Relationships> Family> Parent / child or stepchild * Object> Weapon> A Klingon sword Gerry and Alex shared * Relationships> Romance> Former lovers * Needs> To Get Lost> ...before they figure it out and arrest you (didn't come up) Alex and Rory shared *Relationships> Family> Weird / distant relatives *Needs> To Get Rich> ...through hurting somebody who needs hurting Rory and Max shared *Relationship> Community> Society (Masons) *Locations> Historic Downtown> The Well Dressed Lady Max and Toby shared *Relationship> Work> Professional supervisor / employee *Need> To Get Respect> by becoming famous For the curious, I’ll list our details (the relationships, stuff, needs, and places of the game). Each set of adjacent players shares two details (so each player starts with 4 total details). This might not be 100% accurate. Chris can correct any errors he sees.

Toby and Gerry shared
* Relationships> Family> Parent / child or stepchild
* Object> Weapon> A Klingon sword

Gerry and Alex shared
* Relationships> Romance> Former lovers
* Needs> To Get Lost> …before they figure it out and arrest you (didn’t come up)

Alex and Rory shared
*Relationships> Family> Weird / distant relatives
*Needs> To Get Rich> …through hurting somebody who needs hurting

Rory and Max shared
*Relationship> Community> Society (Masons)
*Locations> Historic Downtown> The Well Dressed Lady

Max and Toby shared
*Relationship> Work> Professional supervisor / employee
*Need> To Get Respect> by becoming famous

]]> By: Logan Bonner http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73080 Logan Bonner Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:01:36 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73080 Chatty: 1) Most of the learning is really done during set-up, as you create a web of details that tie characters together. 2) By the second or third turn of the first round, we had the hang of it. 3) Depends on your players! (It's for 3-5, btw.) 4) Seems distinctly ill-suited for campaign play. Part of the fun is having new characters and stuff for them to interaction with. But with some modification it might work kind of like a dark humor TV series. Chatty:
1) Most of the learning is really done during set-up, as you create a web of details that tie characters together.
2) By the second or third turn of the first round, we had the hang of it.
3) Depends on your players! (It’s for 3-5, btw.)
4) Seems distinctly ill-suited for campaign play. Part of the fun is having new characters and stuff for them to interaction with. But with some modification it might work kind of like a dark humor TV series.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73079 ChattyDM Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:12:44 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73079 I'm flattered that you borrowed from my style. Thanks! I thought I was a fan of YOUR stuff man! :) I'm curious about a few things about the game: 1) How does the "discovery" phase of the game go for you all? You know, the part where no one gets the rule but explore the game in its rawest form? 2) Once people became competent players, how fun was it to share narratives? 3) Should I buy the game and play it on days we can't get the D&D crew up and running? 4) Campaign play? I so look forward to making this in a Guy Ritchie movie game! I’m flattered that you borrowed from my style. Thanks! I thought I was a fan of YOUR stuff man! :)

I’m curious about a few things about the game:

1) How does the “discovery” phase of the game go for you all? You know, the part where no one gets the rule but explore the game in its rawest form?

2) Once people became competent players, how fun was it to share narratives?

3) Should I buy the game and play it on days we can’t get the D&D crew up and running?

4) Campaign play?

I so look forward to making this in a Guy Ritchie movie game!

]]> By: Tourq http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73073 Tourq Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:41:03 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73073 I started reading this in a "what the...?!" manner, but ended up in a "hmmm, maybe I'll check it out." So thanks, -Tourq I started reading this in a “what the…?!” manner, but ended up in a “hmmm, maybe I’ll check it out.”

So thanks,

-Tourq

]]> By: Bartoneus http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73067 Bartoneus Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:31:53 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73067 Wow, thanks Chris, now I have to play this ASAP! Wow, thanks Chris, now I have to play this ASAP!

]]> By: Timsmartini http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73064 Timsmartini Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:21:36 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73064 A parody of an RPG would be something more like "Kill Puppies for Satan" ;) Chris - high white result is a good ending, mentally/socially while high black result is good ending physically. Kinda odd but lots of guidelines on the aftermath table. I think it _is_ a genre thing - think of movies like Snatch, where things keep going worse and worse and worse for the main characters - then all the sudden at the end, everything works out (either through dumb luck or because they've been doing something 'behind the scenes') I grabbed it based on a few reviews and hope to play it sometime soon - gotta recruit some of my acting geek friends instead of the less-roleplaying usual crowd though. A parody of an RPG would be something more like “Kill Puppies for Satan” ;)

Chris – high white result is a good ending, mentally/socially while high black result is good ending physically. Kinda odd but lots of guidelines on the aftermath table.

I think it _is_ a genre thing – think of movies like Snatch, where things keep going worse and worse and worse for the main characters – then all the sudden at the end, everything works out (either through dumb luck or because they’ve been doing something ‘behind the scenes’)

I grabbed it based on a few reviews and hope to play it sometime soon – gotta recruit some of my acting geek friends instead of the less-roleplaying usual crowd though.

]]> By: LordVreeg http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73063 LordVreeg Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:03:25 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73063 I think that was great. I like the ridiculous neature of the game; and I almost look at it as a stretching of the Roleplaying muscles. Our brians and bodies actually grow the most when forced out of routine. Fiasco seems quite good at that. I think that was great. I like the ridiculous neature of the game; and I almost look at it as a stretching of the Roleplaying muscles. Our brians and bodies actually grow the most when forced out of routine. Fiasco seems quite good at that.

]]> By: Zachary http://critical-hits.com/2010/07/15/fiasco-its-not/#comment-73060 Zachary Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:46:19 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=14276#comment-73060 It reads like a parody of an indie RPG. Definitely not for everyone, I guess! :) It reads like a parody of an indie RPG. Definitely not for everyone, I guess! :)

]]>