Upcoming Projects from Keck Publishing

[Jamfke]

Hi folks. I posted in the Dissension Out of Character thread about needing to put the game on hold due to all of the other projects that I've been working on. I figured I'd share a list of the games, and supplements, that have been taking up most of my time lately.

The main project has been my magazine, Threat Record. I dropped the ball last year when I failed to deliver issue #2 on my projected release date. It was going to be a bi-monthly magazine devoted solely to the 4 Color System (a retro-clone of the old Marvel Superheroes FASERIP game), but I hit a snag in my personal life, and simply failed to perform. I eventually released issue #2 on the first of December (last day of November actually), and have been working on issue #3 ever since. It is almost ready for release, and I hope to have it out before the end of this month. I've changed the magazine's focus somewhat by including material for use in other open gaming systems, and independently published games. In fact, I just finished the first half of some short fiction that includes characters based upon three new character templates I've designed for use with D6 Space (half of the story will appear in issue #3, and the other half in issue #4). Other goodies include NPCs for use with the 4C System, and a multinational anti-terrorism strike force (also written up for 4C) that is a mash up of GI Joe, Marvel's SHIELD, and Mission Impossible. There is also a new feature that I'm adding for Goblinoid Games' Mutant Future (another retro-clone based on the old Gamma World games) called Mutation Station. It will offer new creatures, societies, and ancient treasures for adventurers to stumble upon in the bad lands. There are also a handful of other good trinkets that I've tossed in, and I hope to be getting an article from a friend on his own 4C based fantasy setting. It may be in this issue, or the next, time permitting.

The second project is another 4C System product, 4C Mecha. This game will offer rules for randomly generating a character, and his/her mech, or you can use a point buy method to get exactly what you are envisioning. There will be two settings offered. The first is a post apocalyptic setting where Earth was blasted back into the dark ages after reaching a technology level where mechs were developed with a limited form of artificial intelligence. The people of this new age have discovered the underground hangars where a few of these goliaths were in storage when the bombs dropped. They've dug them out, and are using them as noble steeds for use by the "knights" of the kingdoms that have formed out of the ashes. Yeah, I've still got some work to do on that one.

The next setting is in our distant future, where Earth has been stripped of its natural resources, and man has gone to our neighboring worlds, moons, and asteroids to scrounge for the precious metals and minerals available there. Mechs were developed as mining tools, and as the mines on the other planets began to peter out, the mechs were converted into fighting machines for sport, and war. Characters work as teams that pair off against other mech fighters, and battle it out in the old, irradiated cities of Earth, the plains of Luna and Mars, and between the asteroids. Still working this one out as well.

Finally, 4C Mecha will be able to be played in a one on one fashion. Simply roll up a character, and mech as usual, and then duke it out using the standard combat rules for use in the role playing rules. You can have fights between two players, or how many ever you can squeeze around the table. I really like this concept personally.

Another project is also slated for 4C, and I'm really liking how the rules are fitting so well with the concept. The game is called Heroes of Legend. I was originally going to create a system specifically for the game, but after working with 4C so much of late, I feel that it is perfect for what I want the game to do. The setting is modern day, magical, post apocalyptic. The story revolves around Merlin the Magician, and King Arthur. While still in Camelot, Merlin foresaw a day when all of the world's mythical monsters, and villains, would be brought into existence by an evil sorceress with the intent of conquering the world. He also foresaw that it would be his fault for allowing it to happen. He cast a spell to bring his, and all of the mighty heroes/heroines of myth and legend back into the world some time before these events, and the Heroes of Legend were "re" born. The player characters are born with Aspects of their former lives. One might have mighty strength, like Heracles, while another may be deadly accurate with a bow, like Robin Hood. You can build your character with a point buy system, or roll him/her up randomly. You'll battle dragons, trolls, goblins (lots of goblins), and even some unique monsters and notable villains while trying to destroy the sorceress' schemes. Much fun ensues!

Some projects have been shoved back on the shelves for a while; D6 Tales of the West, D6 ACES, and my Take 1 game I'd mentioned long ago. I've also got another sci-fi idea that I'll possibly also use with the 4C System, since the theme I have in mind works best with it too. So, all in all, my plate is pretty heapin' full! Needs me some side boards for the sucker.

Thanks for taking the time to read this shameless plug. Let me know what you think of some of these concepts, if you like them, or if you have an idea of how they could be made better.

Thanks!
Your loving Admin

[hobbes]

No wonder you have been so busy.


I like the idea of the last one. (Robin Hood, Merlin, heroes, dragons, and so on)

[Jamfke]

Yup. Still hammering away too. I just released Issue #3 of Threat Record on Monday. So far, sales have been good! It's got a few items written up using the D6 Space rules (a starship, a couple of suits of powered armor, a vibr-er-stutter knife, and a maintenance robot), and three new character templates. The mag also has a lot of stuff for the 4C System that I had a blast coming up with.

Heroes of Legend is coming along fairly quickly. I'm really pleased with how it's all meshing together with 4C. I'll be doing some play testing before long, once I get a few more wrinkles ironed out. If anyone here would like to give the game a whirl, let me know!

[hobbes]

Congrats on getting your magazine out!

stutter knife?

Speaking of templates, I remember when I first started star wars role-playing I made a character for every interesting occupation I could think of. (maybe 75+?) I have that old notebook somewhere... I found out in a hurry that in huuyor's games (our GM back then), you had better have a decent strength or armor, cause you are going to get hit, and are likely to die otherwise. (so most of those characters never played) The first one got dropped pretty quick, I think the next one died right off-the-bat, and I only played like 2 other characters after that. I can't remember how many years we played, quite a few for sure.

heh, back in the good ole' days...

I am glad your Heroes of Legend game is working out for you. So when you test it, are you talking about GMing the Legend game? If so, is that instead of, or in addition to the current one?

[Jamfke]

For true play testing, I'll be letting someone else do the dirty work. I'll observe, and be there to answer questions/fill in information about the setting, etc. I will be coming back to my Star Wars games soon though.

[hobbes]

Whats a stutter knife?

I don't mean to come off sounding impatient. Take care of your important real-life responsibilities. We will all be here whenever Darth Real Life sets you free for a spell.

[Jamfke]

LOL

A stutter knife is basically a crude version of the vibro blade from Star Wars. My version has a serrated edge that is vibrated back and forth by sonic waves. When you're cutting through material, the blade makes a "d-d-d-d-d" sound, sort of like a stutter.

[hobbes]

gotcha