Making Interesting Modern Games...

[Zovc]

Have you come across any interesting modern games/plots/campaigns?

I've went to start writing up a modern campaign, and I can never devise an interesting plot. Am I just uninspired, or are modern times just not inspiring? I mean, I like the idea of playing in and/or running a modern game, but I never am able to create intrigue.

[Rixx]

Think of the obstacles that prevent high adventure in contemporary society, and think of a somewhat unrealistic force that can bypass these obstacles. (Secret organizations that supersede other forms of authority, people with special powers that put them a cut above the normal person, etc.)

[Raum]

Have you come across any interesting modern games/plots/campaigns?

There are several out there but they usually involve adding a 'twist' to reality. Some add magic (Witchcraft, Dresden Files, Supernatural, World of Darkness, Wierd Wars, etc) or super powers (Wild Talents, Necessary Evil, Mutants and Masterminds, etc) while others add conspiracies (Conspiracy X, Agents of Oblivion, etc) or start some form of apocalypse (Armageddon, Day After Ragnarok, Zombie Run, etc). While I can't think of any set in a modern reality without some twist to it, I won't say it hasn't been done. :)

What type of game are you looking for?

[Zovc]

Well, I'd like to find a world without a twist, or at least be able to have a few interesting sessions without having to have things get supernatural.

As contemporary as possible, for as long as possible... while still being interesting.

[Rixx]

Mafia / Gang wars might be an interesting way to go.

[Crow]

Ever seen a good spy movie? Ronin maybe? Stuff like that works wonderfully in modern games.

[TheThan]

Just watch some TV. There are tons of shows you can borrow from.
Here’s a short list of shows that might give you some ideas:

• X-files
• Leverage
• ER
• any “police drama” ever
• Soap operas
• Ghost hunters
• Monster quest
• Destination truth
• Warehouse 13
• Eureka

[Raum]

Well, I'd like to find a world without a twist, or at least be able to have a few interesting sessions without having to have things get supernatural.

As contemporary as possible, for as long as possible... while still being interesting.

It's doable - here are a couple:

• Mercenaries, Spies, and Private Eyes
• Tabloid! (Play a tabloid journalist.)
• Double Zero (James Bond clone.)
• Ninja Burgers (Deliver in 30 minutes or die! )
• Merc
• Modern Ops

It all depends on what you're looking for...whatever it may be, someone's probably written a game for it.

Yes, even that.

[flabort]

Make a plot off of the best show ever:
MAN TRACKER!

somehow, get the player(s) captured, wether D&D or some other game (easier with a brand new game, have 'em wake up captured), and the capturer either gets them trained up, or not, and tells them he/she's board and needs something new to hunt. (wasn't there a short story about this too, only with a shipwreck?)

set 'em into the wilderness, and set the capturer after them. only through cleverness and/or speed can they get away or defeat thier captor, since it's about 10 times as powerful as them.

Or they could volenteer to be the prey, like they do on the show anyways, and get a big reward if they "win"...

Edit: actually, if you've ever seen it, the real thing is non-fatal. he just gets in range, and your "captured" (read: you lose). however, he's really good at looking for the best hidden foot prints, and can see through the arrow in the wrong direction (and even can figure out when it's the right direction!), and altough he gets a horse, and the prey don't, they get pretty far...

[Raum]

BTW Zovc, The player's guide beta for Agents of Oblivion is freely available. It does require the $10 Savage Worlds rule set to play, but may be worth a look. While it does include magic / supernatural by default, you could write that out and use the rest of the rules for a conspiracy / spy genre.

Edit: One other thing, you may also want to look into the Pulp / Noir genre. Spirit of the Century is one example of many.

[valadil]

Improvise! It is so much easy to improvise in a modern game. Even the worlds biggest gamer nerd has experienced infinitely more real world culture than gaming culture. This gives you a massive amount of material to draw on, practically at a moment's notice. Your players will also have this background when building their characters. I say you have them roll up characters with back stories and then just run with them. Prod them to make ambitious characters if possible and have a couple ambitious NPCs of your own, ready to go. The rest will write itself.