gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (DM Laughs)
Douglas Berry ([personal profile] gridlore) wrote2004-06-27 08:29 pm

Game fodder!

USA is advertising a TV movie called The 4400.

Basically, 4,400 people who have vanished over the last 60 years (since the dawn of the UFO era) suddenly, publicly reappear. None have aged a day, and most seem to have picked up an odd ability. I'm going to watch (not expecting much) but already I'm thinking game:

Conspiracy: The players are some of the 4,400, drawn together by a feeling of attraction they can't explain. They feel compelled to do.. something. When the 4,400 breakout of quarantine, they are pursed by the government, and a mysterious group. This would be a good episodic campaign, like all those "hero on the road" shows like The Fugitive or The Incredible Hulk.

Superheroes: The 4,400 comeback, and they are powerful! The aliens took selected humans to prepare them to serve as defenders against a looming alien or extra-dimensional menace. Alas, some of the 4,400 see the chance to use their abilities for personal gain. And since some of the grabbed folk were from WWII.. super-nazis! A few of the 4400 would be given the ability to create amazing devices. This would be a fun setting since Earth has never had superheroes before. No UNTIL, no Viper.. just a world getting used to the powerful in their midst.

Fantasy: These people weren't grabbed by aliens, but by the Seelie. They are sent back to fight magical threats. This is a sort of dark urban fantasy, a low-powered combination of the first two. Along with trying to reintegrate to the world of 2004, they also have to learn to deal with magic, the unSeelie, their Seelie masters.. Think of the Friday the 13th TV series.

Science Fiction The 4,400 weren't released, they escaped.. somebody "left the door unlocked." They were supposed to be used to conquer the Earth, now they are the key to its defense. Using their knowledge, Earth quickly builds up a high-tech fighting force. and learns to use psionic powers. The game starts when the aliens come to do by force what they failed to do by stealth. For real fun, set this in the 1950s! Fewer abducted, but more flag-waving! Colonel Chuck Yeager leading the First Orbital Interceptor Squadron, with Major Ted Williams by his side. Scientists with pipes and lab coats!

[identity profile] bunyip.livejournal.com 2004-06-27 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting ideas here
seawasp: (Default)

That's typical...

[personal profile] seawasp 2004-06-28 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
... people talk about cool game ideas who won't be running ME in them. :(

Re: That's typical...

[identity profile] gridlore.livejournal.com 2004-06-28 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
You're more than welcome to wander out to San Jose... :)

[identity profile] psychoticdreams.livejournal.com 2004-06-28 10:19 am (UTC)(link)
Those are some great ideas. I really like the Superheroes one. May have to steal that if I get a chance to run a superhero game. :)

[identity profile] johno.livejournal.com 2004-07-12 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I almost turned it off after 45 minutes. I thought it was going to be a soap opera.

Then the powers started manifesting. Very slow build up and no instant control. Very cool.