G.I. Joe
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 147
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, FATE, GURPS
Currently Playing: Isawa Miriko: Split soul made whole again... with memory issues. Homura (Formerly Isawa Kiyoi) - wandering fire Priestess; Girart - a GURPS low-tech combat monkey w/19ST
Currently Running: Fushigina Ronin (L5R 4th ed)
Favorite Species of Monkey: Winston
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Post by G.I. Joe on Oct 18, 2016 10:25:57 GMT -8
Hi all,
So I am posting today because I have signed myself up to run a 3-5 session First Encounter Action Response [yes I know that the name is different in the actual video game series] style game. Problem is, I have never run a horror game and only played in one (which went totally off the rails because of our party's choices). So, I need some pointers for running a horror game.
Secondly, I want to do what Stu did for his Ghostbuster's game where he lulls the party into a false sense of security before shit hits the fan. But for this, I need some help coming up with missions that seem legit enough for the F.E.A.R. organization to actually be called in, but BS enough that it is kind of a joke. I am going to have a throwaway line in the introduction segment (when the two new recruits are being given orientation) about how F.E.A.R. has prevented three zombie apocalypses, and that they were the real reason behind the Umbrella Corporation's destruction. I might also make reference to how they prevented a catastrophe at one Black Mesa research company.
Reading up on the original game, it seems that Psionics are a huge part of the paranormal activity the the F.E.A.R. agents deal with, so I will definitely be including some elements of that.
Oh, I will be running this in GURPS
Thanks for your help in advance!
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Post by OFTHEHILLPEOPLE on Oct 18, 2016 10:34:04 GMT -8
The most recent GM Hangout with Jerrod Gunning talks about some tips for running horror games, even if you aren't playing Savage Worlds. The key focus he mentioned was hitting the players with frightful events when they feel safe and secure and setting up red herrings for when they're 100% absolutely sure the scary things are in the next room waiting. I also think stu will be talking about this very topic on the next show so stay tuned.
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Post by OFTHEHILLPEOPLE on Oct 18, 2016 11:04:42 GMT -8
Oh, I also remembered, if you learn only one thing about telling horror stories remember this: Tension and release. Every single scene of horror hinges on that one core concept the tension that something could happen and the release when something happens, whether it's what they think it is or not. Learn how to hold that tension just long enough that a payoff is either relief as the players laugh it off or the old "oh shit" moment that leads to a different kind of tension.
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Post by uncommonman on Oct 21, 2016 11:05:49 GMT -8
What is most frightening about psychers is that you can't trust your own mind.
The computer game used that many times in small scenes where the player couldn't defeat the problem.
Maby you can use that to your advantage.
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G.I. Joe
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 147
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, FATE, GURPS
Currently Playing: Isawa Miriko: Split soul made whole again... with memory issues. Homura (Formerly Isawa Kiyoi) - wandering fire Priestess; Girart - a GURPS low-tech combat monkey w/19ST
Currently Running: Fushigina Ronin (L5R 4th ed)
Favorite Species of Monkey: Winston
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Post by G.I. Joe on Oct 23, 2016 14:18:44 GMT -8
Any tips on how to do that in a system like GURPS so that the players don't feel like they have lost their agency? Like I could totally give them a roll of some sort to notice they are being tricked, but if they fail, they shoot their friend because they think they are someone they are not.
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G.I. Joe
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 147
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, FATE, GURPS
Currently Playing: Isawa Miriko: Split soul made whole again... with memory issues. Homura (Formerly Isawa Kiyoi) - wandering fire Priestess; Girart - a GURPS low-tech combat monkey w/19ST
Currently Running: Fushigina Ronin (L5R 4th ed)
Favorite Species of Monkey: Winston
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Post by G.I. Joe on Oct 23, 2016 14:20:50 GMT -8
I was also thinking for the first session to have the PCs go investigate the Blair Witch; which is going to turn out to only be a regular murder (see the Film Theory on YouTube for the details), to try and lull them into a false sense of security, and then in later episodes pull out the Mcthulu monsters and psycics
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Post by ayslyn on Oct 23, 2016 18:21:59 GMT -8
Any tips on how to do that in a system like GURPS so that the players don't feel like they have lost their agency? So long as you are accurately conveying what the characters think that they sense, you aren't violating agency. After all, if you give them a piece of information, and they misinterpret it's importance, or meaning, you don't correct them, right?
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Post by zoomfarg on Nov 7, 2016 23:26:50 GMT -8
I mean I've got mechanic ideas, but I dunno if I'm s'posed to be here.
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G.I. Joe
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 147
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, FATE, GURPS
Currently Playing: Isawa Miriko: Split soul made whole again... with memory issues. Homura (Formerly Isawa Kiyoi) - wandering fire Priestess; Girart - a GURPS low-tech combat monkey w/19ST
Currently Running: Fushigina Ronin (L5R 4th ed)
Favorite Species of Monkey: Winston
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Post by G.I. Joe on Nov 8, 2016 11:22:32 GMT -8
I mean I've got mechanic ideas, but I dunno if I'm s'posed to be here. You're not. Lol. Well, now time to plan again so you have no idea what to expect...
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Post by chronovore on Nov 9, 2016 19:16:19 GMT -8
I mean I've got mechanic ideas, but I dunno if I'm s'posed to be here. You're not. Lol. Well, now time to plan again so you have no idea what to expect...
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Post by chronovore on Nov 9, 2016 19:21:10 GMT -8
Your previous idea is still feasible and even fun, just start with something difficult to win, /then/ bring on the red herrings and other small-fish-to-fry. As was mentioned by OFTHEHILLPEOPLE , tension and release is key. You can also work in smaller cycles of tension-and-release within larger tense or relaxed times. Just calling out odd details during what would otherwise be downtime can increase tension: have the phone ring with no-one on the other end, and have no record of the call if investigated; have one person's rations appear withered with no explanation; give them bad dreams.
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sunshine
Apprentice Douchebag
Posts: 69
Preferred Game Systems: Savage Worlds, GURPS, anything with d10s
Currently Playing: L5R - Homebrew
Currently Running: L5R - Homebrew
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Post by sunshine on Nov 15, 2016 11:34:13 GMT -8
Don't be afraid to go with what the players are going with. Often, when the players are feeling the tension, you can tell by what they are doing. Try to keep the pacing a little slow, and don't be afraid to have them make a mental stability/sanity roll BEFORE explaining the creepy thing.
If they encounter a red herring, and they go for it, well maybe that's a good thing, and can lead them down a creepy, if somewhat circuitous path....
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G.I. Joe
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 147
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, FATE, GURPS
Currently Playing: Isawa Miriko: Split soul made whole again... with memory issues. Homura (Formerly Isawa Kiyoi) - wandering fire Priestess; Girart - a GURPS low-tech combat monkey w/19ST
Currently Running: Fushigina Ronin (L5R 4th ed)
Favorite Species of Monkey: Winston
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Post by G.I. Joe on Nov 15, 2016 15:58:15 GMT -8
Hmm. Thanks everyone for the tips! Time to get prepping!
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