TheThan
2011-12-27, 10:22 PM
Well I decided to spoiler this for length
I’m working on a new role playing game based around giant mecha. I’m basing this on the Zoids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoids) franchise. Specifically the Zoids: New Century Zero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoids:_New_Century_Zero) anime. Why you ask? Simple I really like the style of giant robots zoids are, and I like the idea of giant mecha combat becoming a spectator sport (think robot jox ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102800/) but cooler), which is basic premise of the anime. That, and a little bit of inspiration from the mecha thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225974) over in media discussions, has inspired me quite a bit.
Now, this is all well and good but I have a bit of a problem. I haven’t even decided on a system to use for this game. I’ve progressed far enough that it’s time to decide on a system to use. Since I’m too low on cash to go out and buy one. I’m stuck with using what I have, which are D20 modern-future and BESM 3rd edition. I’m equally familiar with both systems.
Both of these systems support the use of mecha. Though they support it in different ways, BESM puts the emphasis on the players, but at the cost of a mechanically strong combat system (grid based movement rules etc). While D20 modern-future puts the emphasis on the mecha the characters are piloting (zoids in this case) and gives a strong combat systems; however it does not allow for a character centric system.
Let me see if I can explain. In BESM, two different characters can take out two identical mecha and you will see a strong difference between the two. That is because most of the mecha’s abilities are tied directly to the character. Now with D20 modern-future these two zoids are identical, they deal the same weapons damage have similar chances to hit (that being about the only real variable) etc. but they have a solid combat system.
Now my situation is that I cannot seem to decide which system to use. I like both systems and could easily adapt the zoids from the franchise to each system. So that is hardly an issue. I’m interested in what you guys think, which of these systems should I use?
TL;dr version: help me decide between BESM 3rd edition and D20 modern-future for a giant mecha game.
I’m working on a new role playing game based around giant mecha. I’m basing this on the Zoids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoids) franchise. Specifically the Zoids: New Century Zero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoids:_New_Century_Zero) anime. Why you ask? Simple I really like the style of giant robots zoids are, and I like the idea of giant mecha combat becoming a spectator sport (think robot jox ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102800/) but cooler), which is basic premise of the anime. That, and a little bit of inspiration from the mecha thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225974) over in media discussions, has inspired me quite a bit.
Now, this is all well and good but I have a bit of a problem. I haven’t even decided on a system to use for this game. I’ve progressed far enough that it’s time to decide on a system to use. Since I’m too low on cash to go out and buy one. I’m stuck with using what I have, which are D20 modern-future and BESM 3rd edition. I’m equally familiar with both systems.
Both of these systems support the use of mecha. Though they support it in different ways, BESM puts the emphasis on the players, but at the cost of a mechanically strong combat system (grid based movement rules etc). While D20 modern-future puts the emphasis on the mecha the characters are piloting (zoids in this case) and gives a strong combat systems; however it does not allow for a character centric system.
Let me see if I can explain. In BESM, two different characters can take out two identical mecha and you will see a strong difference between the two. That is because most of the mecha’s abilities are tied directly to the character. Now with D20 modern-future these two zoids are identical, they deal the same weapons damage have similar chances to hit (that being about the only real variable) etc. but they have a solid combat system.
Now my situation is that I cannot seem to decide which system to use. I like both systems and could easily adapt the zoids from the franchise to each system. So that is hardly an issue. I’m interested in what you guys think, which of these systems should I use?
TL;dr version: help me decide between BESM 3rd edition and D20 modern-future for a giant mecha game.