Links
About PARANOIA
- "Why It's Fun to Get Shot Six Times" (Gamegrene.com)
- Actual Play: Mister Bubbles
- Actual Play: Mister Bubbles (another run)
- Actual Play: Trouble With Cockroaches
- Actual Play: Origins 2006
- Actual Play: Story Games for Everybody
- "Troubleshooter" (PARANOIA fanfic by ReverendSpencer)
"Sell me on PARANOIA"
- RPG.net forum 01/2006
- RPG.net forum 08/2006
- RPG.net forum 11/2007
- Paranoia-Live.net 09/2005
- Mongoose forum 09/2005
- Mongoose forum 11/2005
- Mongoose forum 03/2006
Fan sites
- Paranoia-Live.net
- Omega Complex
- FriendComputer.net
- Traitor Recycling Studio
- CPU Central
- ""Mutant Maker" character generator (screen)
- Another character generator (.PDF)
- Mission blender
- "Mr. Bubbles" briefing
- Standard equipment list
- "New player" tournament handout
Reviews of the Mongoose Publishing PARANOIA rulebook:
Reviews of Mongoose PARANOIA supplements:
- Traitor's Manual:
Evan Waters, Cedric Chin, JamPaladin, Neil Lennon - Crash Priority:
Evan Waters, Cedric Chin, JamPaladin - The Mutant Experience:
Matthew - PARANOIA Flashbacks:
Neil Lennon, Matthew - STUFF:
Matthew - WMD:
Seafloorian - Extreme PARANOIA:
David Graffam - Service, Service!:
Matthew, Neil Lennon, Seafloorian - Criminal Histories:
Matthew - The Underplex:
Neil Lennon - Gamemaster Screen:
Neil Lennon - The Little RED Book:
Neil Lennon
Archives
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Official development blog for the PARANOIA roleplaying game. No description is available at your security clearance. The Computer is your friend.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wheel of Tics
Loyal Paranoia-Live.net citizen Max has created an online PARANOIA tic generator for the visible behavioral twitches exhibited by Alpha Complex citizens. Just spin the wheel (well, click-and-drag the wheel) to get a generous selection of odd speech patterns, fixed convictions, and general annoyances. Max is also seeking 800+ more tics to add to his wheel (though his request is in P-L.net's GM-only forum area, so it may be above your clearance).
The PARANOIA character-creation rules expansion, Criminal Histories, features an extensive list of tics. As the discussion there observes, ideally a tic is somewhat annoying but doesn't get the character instantly executed -- whereas it looks like Max's first batch of tics would show up prominently in the "Reason" blank of any Termination Request Voucher. But you know, is that so bad? Whatever works.
The PARANOIA character-creation rules expansion, Criminal Histories, features an extensive list of tics. As the discussion there observes, ideally a tic is somewhat annoying but doesn't get the character instantly executed -- whereas it looks like Max's first batch of tics would show up prominently in the "Reason" blank of any Termination Request Voucher. But you know, is that so bad? Whatever works.
Halloween costume idea: Bouncy Bubble Beverage machine
Ten days ago you probably heard about the Japanese vending-machine costume intended to camouflage subway passengers who fear muggers. But thanks to citizen El for passing along the Pranks.com version, which goes into more detail about the paranoid psychology behind the weird idea.
In the published PARANOIA missions, of course, we've frequently made trouble for Troubleshooters with Bouncy Bubble Beverage vending machines. Anecdotes, anyone?
In the published PARANOIA missions, of course, we've frequently made trouble for Troubleshooters with Bouncy Bubble Beverage vending machines. Anecdotes, anyone?
Labels: b3
Sunday, October 21, 2007
World's lamest nightmare
Last night I dreamed I'd forgotten to repair two wristwatches owned by US Vice President Dick Cheney, until some anonymous angry functionary from the VP's office called me and swore that, owing to my negligence in repairing the watches, he would see to it I never worked as a game designer again. I woke in a sweat, convinced for a long moment, even after waking, my career was over.
When I got my breath back and my heart stopped pounding, I thought this stupid nightmare hinted at a style of PARANOIA we have not yet explored sufficiently, if at all.
Later I got back to sleep and became Britney Spears's roommate, but we didn't get along.
When I got my breath back and my heart stopped pounding, I thought this stupid nightmare hinted at a style of PARANOIA we have not yet explored sufficiently, if at all.
Later I got back to sleep and became Britney Spears's roommate, but we didn't get along.
Friday, October 19, 2007
PARANOIA in the Real World: Robot cannon revolts
During a live-fire military exercise in Kimberley, South Africa, "A female artillery officer risked her life on Friday in a desperate bid to prevent members of her battery dying from their own anti-aircraft gun," reports The Star (South Africa). "But the brave, as yet unnamed officer was unable to stop the wildly swinging computerised Swiss/German Oerlikon 35mm MK5 anti-aircraft twin-barrelled gun. It sprayed hundreds of high-explosive 0.5kg 35mm cannon shells around the five-gun firing position.
"The rogue gun began firing wildly, spraying high-explosive shells at a rate of 550 a minute, swinging around through 360 degrees like a high-pressure hose. The unknown officer tried to shut the gun down but she couldn't because the computer gremlin had taken over. "
More at Wired magazine's Danger Room blog, and Gizmodo offers video of a similar incident from some years back. (Caution: Comments on that Gizmodo blog entry include frequent profanity.)
Of course it would be tasteless to compare the unnamed soldier's genuine heroism to the far different situational goals that would motivate an Alpha Complex Troubleshooter. But it's safe to highlight the strong difference between this real-world tragedy and the PARANOIA equivalent: namely, that in the real world, people were surprised this happened. Whereas Troubleshooters....
"The rogue gun began firing wildly, spraying high-explosive shells at a rate of 550 a minute, swinging around through 360 degrees like a high-pressure hose. The unknown officer tried to shut the gun down but she couldn't because the computer gremlin had taken over. "
More at Wired magazine's Danger Room blog, and Gizmodo offers video of a similar incident from some years back. (Caution: Comments on that Gizmodo blog entry include frequent profanity.)
Of course it would be tasteless to compare the unnamed soldier's genuine heroism to the far different situational goals that would motivate an Alpha Complex Troubleshooter. But it's safe to highlight the strong difference between this real-world tragedy and the PARANOIA equivalent: namely, that in the real world, people were surprised this happened. Whereas Troubleshooters....
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
PARANOIA equipment list
Some years back I happened upon Arthur Boff and Kevin Sigmund's venerable PARANOIA Geocities site, while I was designing the current Mongoose Publishing PARANOIA edition. Sharp-eyed citizen Saul Resnikoff has noticed some comparatively recent (post-Mongoose) additions to the site, including this useful PARANOIA standard equipment list arranged by security clearance. The list partakes of both earlier and current editions.
Citizens Arthur and Kevin have also worked like switch engines to update the "Reboot Alpha" metaplot continuity West End Games introduced into its late-1980s and early '90s adventures, after the departure of founding line editor Ken Rolston. The "Restart page" and "Restart Secret Societies" tell what happened to Alpha Base, Clem Unger, Elizabeth-R, Randy the Wonder Lizard, and many others.
In my biased view, the labored quality of this retrofit validates the new edition's smoother approach. Instead of wrestling with the Gordian Knot of continuity, the new edition severs it. From Day 1, Hour 1, Minute 1 of my design work on the current PARANOIA edition, like an HPD&MC History Remaker, I was determined to retcon those old West End books right out of existence. I summarily, not to say cockily, declared they had never happened. Another validation: No one -- not one single player -- has ever complained. Though I haven't heard from Arthur or Kevin....
Citizens Arthur and Kevin have also worked like switch engines to update the "Reboot Alpha" metaplot continuity West End Games introduced into its late-1980s and early '90s adventures, after the departure of founding line editor Ken Rolston. The "Restart page" and "Restart Secret Societies" tell what happened to Alpha Base, Clem Unger, Elizabeth-R, Randy the Wonder Lizard, and many others.
In my biased view, the labored quality of this retrofit validates the new edition's smoother approach. Instead of wrestling with the Gordian Knot of continuity, the new edition severs it. From Day 1, Hour 1, Minute 1 of my design work on the current PARANOIA edition, like an HPD&MC History Remaker, I was determined to retcon those old West End books right out of existence. I summarily, not to say cockily, declared they had never happened. Another validation: No one -- not one single player -- has ever complained. Though I haven't heard from Arthur or Kevin....
Labels: continuity, equipment
Saturday, October 06, 2007
PARANOIA license renewed
From here:
Mongoose Publishing is pleased to announce that we have agreed the renewal of the Paranoia RPG licence, guaranteeing you more (mandatory) Alpha Complex goodness over the next few years.
Alpha Complex Nights, a collection of brand new scenarios for Paranoia, is due for release later this month, and STUFF 2 from the Traitor Recycling Studio, is shipping this week.
2008 will see lots of exciting new titles for the game, such as the Big Book of Bots and the Thin Green Line, which will take players away from the ranks of the Troubleshooters and place them squarely in the Vulture Squadron.
The Traitor Recycling Studio will also be pursuing their own Paranoia projects, ensuring Alpha Complex will never be safe from a new wave of terror and bonus fun!
Mongoose Publishing is pleased to announce that we have agreed the renewal of the Paranoia RPG licence, guaranteeing you more (mandatory) Alpha Complex goodness over the next few years.
Alpha Complex Nights, a collection of brand new scenarios for Paranoia, is due for release later this month, and STUFF 2 from the Traitor Recycling Studio, is shipping this week.
2008 will see lots of exciting new titles for the game, such as the Big Book of Bots and the Thin Green Line, which will take players away from the ranks of the Troubleshooters and place them squarely in the Vulture Squadron.
The Traitor Recycling Studio will also be pursuing their own Paranoia projects, ensuring Alpha Complex will never be safe from a new wave of terror and bonus fun!
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