Sputnik Lost

Submitted by Chainsaw Aardvark on Wed, 2007-05-09 15:59. Feedback | Playtesting

Its been a while since I submitted anything. Not sure why I'm in such a rut, I've got plenty of outlines, and half typed rules.

Well, at least something has surface. A one page game based on the idea of a failed Soviet moonshot. Its a pseudo-historical document, a declassified radio transcript from the Zond program. The Zond, LK-3, and N-1 Rocket are all real, though the latter blew up every time it was launched, scrubbing any chance of a landing.

I think the game has a lot of atmosphere (bad pun, I know) but I'm not sure how well it might play. A real list of whats in a lunar module is hard to find, and the game leaves off on a cliff hanger. Does the lay out work and can you follow the directions all right? Any suggestions for what to put on the back? (Its all 10 point font, .5 inch margins)

Edit: replaced the original PDF with a revised one that corrects a few glitches. Thanks to ErrinF!

» Chainsaw Aardvark's blog | add new comment | by Chainsaw Aardvark | 1168 reads

What's wrong with cliffhangers?

Submitted by Gentleman John on Thu, 2007-05-10 02:47.

You have six hours to find out what's going on on the moon. After tha, your oxygen runs out. It's a brilliant idea for forcing the action.

The layout works. Well, I can read it on my laptop without getting a headache.

As for what to put on the back ... How about another adventure game? What happens when the orbital capsule returns to Mongolia? I think I'll go and watch my copy of Quatermass again ...

» reply

Zond!

Submitted by ErrinF on Wed, 2007-05-09 17:34.

Love that word... and love this game! Really cool, Jason. The layout is great, and the creative way you put forth the rules is very engaging and well done.

I better get the ball rolling on my one pager 'Leave The Bronx'... we keep getting such cool entries for the 2007 character sheet challenge that I need to catch up.

Great job, my man! Thanks for the Sputnik Lost one page RPG... another cool addition for my pdf RPGs.

Peace, Errin : )

http://www.1km1kt.net/Errin-Famiglia.htm

Adventuria Online RPG

» reply

p.s.

Submitted by ErrinF on Wed, 2007-05-09 17:42.

I *think* I understand this game... but it's testing my Mental Acuity. When I get a little more time, I may have a question or two for you about Sputnik Lost.

Peace, Errin : )

http://www.1km1kt.net/Errin-Famiglia.htm

Adventuria Online RPG

» reply

I got it after all

Submitted by ErrinF on Sat, 2007-05-12 15:04.

Okay, Jason, I did get this game after all, though in the early stages I was not sure I was grasping everything. Now, it's pretty solid... everything in the grey highlighted box is a definite rule, while everything else is a clever description of those rules. What I'm not quite sure of is how the items effect the game. I see how they can be accrued and only so many may be carried, but I'm not sure what they specifically do. I'm guessing that's what the GM/Sasha is supposed to do.

One thing, though... the pdf I have of Sputnik Lost has some typos. In the introduction to the adjectives you can use, it says 'describer' instead of 'describe'. The last paragraph about the Apollo 13 mission says 'recored' when it should say 'recorded'.

And there was one other thing I was wondering about... the general description of BioMed ranks says that having the right adjective appropriate raises your odds from 1 in 3 to 50/50 (or 1 in 2). But then, in the grey section of rules, it says having the proper adjective means a roll of 3-6 (3 through 6) succeeds. A roll of 3-6 would be 66/33 odds, not 50/50. For 50/50 odds, it should say a roll of 4-6 succeeds instead of a roll of 3-6. Not sure if that was a typo, or if I was reading the 50/50 thing wrong.

Regardless of those few little mistakes, Sputnik Lost is a great concept well designed all in the space of one page. Excellent work, Jason.

Peace, Errin : )

http://www.1km1kt.net/Errin-Famiglia.htm

Adventuria Online RPG

» reply

Dyslexia Strikes Again!

Submitted by Chainsaw Aardvark on Sat, 2007-05-12 15:32.

No really - I have a degree in English and writing, and still can't spell. You are quite right about all the typos. It is supposed to be 4-6 (50-50)

Yes, it up to Sasha to decide what equipment does. (and what other equipment they might have.) I'm thinking they are probably just enablers for various types of action. (ie you can't break rock with your bare hands, a hammer lets you, but doesn't make it easy.)

Thanks for the Comments!

There is a fine line between hobby and obsession. I seem to have lost sight of it some time ago.

» reply