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 Post subject: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:32 pm 

Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:07 pm
Posts: 18
Hello all,

I have been playing RPGs on and off for over 30 years now. While I love looking at new RPG rule systems, my current group and I have gotten to point where we'd like to find a single system that we could use for multiple genres. Years ago I looked at GURPS 3 and recently at Fate, Savage Worlds among others. While all are certainly good in their own ways, for me they all seem to be missing something.

Sometime ago I came across Arcanis RPG. I finally broke down and bought the PDF a couple days ago. While I won't know until we play, I really like what I've read. So a thought I've had is to use the system as a base for a universal system. While it would be a considerable undertaking I imagine I could add races, backgrounds, skills, talents etc. for different settings. Similar to how Savage Worlds works. I would also need to add rules for advanced gear.

So I have two questions to the community.

1. Provided I did the above, do you think the system would be a good fit for other genres? Specifically sci-fi (space opera/gritty post-apoc/somewhat gonzo post-apoc)?

2. Has anyone else done anything along these lines?

Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:35 pm 
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First, glad you found Arcanis and welcome to the boards!

I can't answer #2, but PCI itself has recently released "Rotted Capes" which is very similar to the system used in Arcanis. It's made a bit more streamlined and they've introduced some additional elements. It is more sci-fi/zombie/superhero based, so maybe give it a look?

In a more general sense and for a home game, the rules system itself would work well for any setting that emphasizes versatility of character generation. With some 'renaming' of things, it would play out pretty well, though it might be some work to rename everything.

John

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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:45 pm 

Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:07 pm
Posts: 18
Harliquinn,

Thanks for the info.

And I'll take a look at "Rotted Capes". I probably never would have thought to look, since I've never been a fan of the super hero genre.


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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:01 pm 

Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:07 pm
Posts: 18
davout wrote:
And I'll take a look at "Rotted Capes". I probably never would have thought to look, since I've never been a fan of the super hero genre.

Certainly more interesting than your typical super hero setting.

Is there a preview or light version that can be downloaded? I can't find any reviews.

Thanks again.


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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:45 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:40 am
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I thought there was a free fast play set of rules. I'm not sure where it is though.

John

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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:07 pm 
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I also recommend the a rotted Capes engine wich is similar to A:RPG but different in important ways. I would not have picked up Rotted Capes either but for it being a PCI product. I was pleasantly surprised by it.

Yes I believe with some work for vehicles it (or Arcanis) would be a good unit for multiple genres.

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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 3:25 am 

Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 3:19 am
Posts: 10
I would suggest checking out the d6 engine by West End Games. It's ogl and can be downloaded for free from sites like drivethrurpg and rpgnow.

I've been using the d6 Fantasy system (and the Psionics from d6 Space) to run my groups game set in Arcanis since we can't get access to the new system and one half of the group isn't a fan of it. The old Star Wars d6 used the system to great effect.

It's very very maleable, flexible, and setting neutral. Since the rules are multigenre and simple it's really easy to adapt a whole setting with less work than you'd think.

Not that Arcanis isn't any fun though :P You should totally support Arcanis to keep the PCI fires burning, I know I do.


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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:40 am 
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Funny you say that,

I have been playing around with doing a generic version of the Arcanis system (kind of the old True 20 book that came out some time ago) as a soft cover product...

I would streamline some rules though (advancement for example) if anything it would look like a hybrid of Rotted Capes & Arcanis....

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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:43 pm 

Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:07 pm
Posts: 18
PCI_StatMonkey wrote:
Funny you say that,

I have been playing around with doing a generic version of the Arcanis system (kind of the old True 20 book that came out some time ago) as a soft cover product...

I would streamline some rules though (advancement for example) if anything it would look like a hybrid of Rotted Capes & Arcanis....


Cool. So we can expect to see this released by Christmas 2013 :)


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 Post subject: Re: My quest for a universal RPG and then I found this.
PostPosted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:04 pm 

Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:12 pm
Posts: 609
I was working on some stuff for using the rules universal. I don't have anything concrete down yet. But the system isn't that difficult to convert into something else. The hardest part is spell, since magical traditions will probably be different in your world.


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