First, a little technical matter: Paul Dale asks
:... can anybody give me an English word [for?] the included
: the pairs of double letter in a row?
Do you mean a ligature? This is a typsetting term for the single
written or typeface character that represents a doubled letter,
or single sound made from a combination of consonants (dipthong).
For instance, people ofter write "tt" and cross them together.
In classic German, there is a letter that looks like a Greek "beta"
or "ff", but is really "ss". This might be what you mean; the the
term "ligature" invariably refers to the written character, rather
than to the character(s) or sound(s). Usually, we call these
"double letters". :=)
###### Now, on with our regularly scheduled topic #######
For you Johnnie-come-latelies, we're discussing the pros and
cons of a new RPG in which a computer plays and integral part
of the game system.
Mac Liaw says he believes the regular gaming houses have
considered this and have dicarded it because of costs, computer
uncertainties, and lack of market. (Correct me if I blew it.)
I sort of feel like this is really just an excuse for not wanting
to truly investigate the idea. The established game houses are
in the *printing* business, not the computer business. The market
they see, and the products with which they are familiar are books.
I don't blame them, really. The business is very competitive;
RPGs really compete with football and movies for market, rather
than say, other RPGs or books. There are a lot of printers, and
not much margin, and the houses that are making a profit now
understndably don't want to jeapordize their position atop a
small, slipperly, heap.
They might be right, too. I keep rembering that there are only
200 or so TML'ers in the whole world. If this is any indication
of the size of the market, a radical idea like this is doomed.
Paul Dale says that he thinks it's a good idea but that we also
need to pay attention to the down sides, things like maintaining
the data base, portability, transportability, ruggedness and
reliability, weight, etc.
:My personal preference would be tending towards a small portable computer that
:included all this kind of stuff. Having to lug a (huge) PC around just so
:you can play the game is kind of stupid. Then there is the problem of what
:happens when the thing breaks down (sorry guys, the session has to be cancelled
:since the bloody database is broken :-)
I concur. In fact, it would be nice to make the computer *VERY* small
and simple. The gaming equivalent of (almost) the give-away 4-function
calculators. One for each character? The GM's of course, larger.
This way, players could care for their own characters, possessions,
etc. and simply download at whatever campaign they get into. The GM
computer could verify no changes since last game. :=)
This makes the game into two distinct products - one a general-purpose
gaming-aid computer/software "thing", and the other the players' rules
and character "clipboards". By being more general purpose, the more
expensive hardware and software could find other uses.
:>Although it certainly could be [MT or TDR compatible]...
:
:What warts and all?
OK OK - You're right; I shouldn't try to buy off political favors
that shallowly. If it's going to be *good* AND going to be different,
let it be *different*.
- --
Richard Johnson [email removed] [email removed]
Pax Electronica. Propogate.