Precinct Omega
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Precinct Omega Podcast - Design Discussion #3 - Cyberpunk
🕑 Added 2020-12-25 12:00:05 +0000 UTCAfter seeing all the hype about Cyberpunk 2077, and also watching the Tabletop Minions video about wargaming cyberpunk, I thought the subject deserved a deeper analysis of the challenges involved in designing tabletop cyberpunk experiences.
I also take the opportunity to wax just a little bit philosophical about the year we've all had, and why I think there's reason, on this day of all days, to be optimistic about the future.
Wishing all of my patrons a very merry Christmas, wherever you are. This extends to those who've had to drop off for whatever reason. I appreciated the support you felt you could give more than words can say.
The fact is that, despite - to some extent, one might say, because of - the chaos that gripped the world this year, Precinct Omega has enjoyed an incredibly successful year and at least some of the credit for that goes to you, my patrons. Your support has kept up my morale, your feedback has encouraged my productivity and your ideas have stimulated my imagination.
I remain humbled and astonished that so many people are so interested in my work as to pay for the chance to see behind the curtain.
For those for whom 2020 has not been a good time, I wish you a far better year in 2021. I, for one, am looking forward to the convention season that looks like it might still take place from mid-2021 onwards in the UK. And if things continue to improve at the rate that they are, I have ambitions to visit the US in 2022 to get to see my American friends and supporters face-to-face.
Comments
Precinct Omega
The world of 3d-printing has revolutionised the Subuteo hobby. People are printing and painting their favourite teams, from local heroes to world champions! However, what you describe also sounds a lot like what I've been trying to make with Ballmonsters. I'll get back to that eventually!!
Jonathan Lupton
I see your point on Subuteo, but I see that as more of a dexterity game. It's also pre-painted so lacks the hobby aspect of building and painting miniatures. I think I need to do some more searching on the net...
Precinct Omega
For a non-combat oriented miniatures game, I would refer you to the giant that is Subuteo. However, to the other idea, there was a board game that was launched some years ago but never took off and the name of which escapes me (it wasn't HINT) in which the board pieces were double sided with one side being the real world and the other being a virtual world into and out of which the characters could slip to do very much what you describe. I've asked around and I seem to be the only one who remembers this game, so it could be a Mandela Effect thing.
Jonathan Lupton
I know I'm way behind on podcasts, but I'm making an effort to catch up this week after having a break over xmas/new year. Over the holiday my usual miniature gaming space, the dining table, got reserved for non-gaming uses... such as eating meals and things. So I ended up playing more board games and computer/xbox games instead. This got me thinking about how there is far more variety of console/computer/board games than there are miniatures games. While all of the different types of games have a good selection of combat/wargames it seems that miniatures gaming is almost exclusively focussed on these areas. Even where miniatures based sports games exist they tend to be very combat/violence oriented ones, eg. Bloodbowl, Guild Ball. I tried to think of some idea of where it would make sense to have a miniatures game that wasn't so combat focussed. Perhaps there are some opportunities to expand miniatures gaming to a wider audience. Beyond racing games I was struggling to think of a game type that would work, so I gave up. I listen to this podcast today and the discussion on Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality struck me as worth exploring. Typically wargames take the augmented reality approach and, while it makes sense from a tabletop point of view it actually makes little if you think about how we use the internet today. I don't need to fly to Seattle and stand within 10 metres of Microsoft's building to be able to interact with their products and services. The mention of Android Netrunner makes me thing of virtual worlds like the ones in Neuromancer, Snow Crash, Ready Player One where the geography of the virtual world bears no relation to the real world. I wonder if there is a miniatures game to be made out of this, the tabletop representing the virtual world and the miniatures being the avatars of users or their programs/subroutines. The game could be more of a puzzle/maze game, rather than pure combat. The automated defence programs of the opposition would suit a more solo/co-op game. Hmm...
