10:12 PM: CCChris: Rich, think we should get started, or wait a few more for Bill?
10:12 PM: guest-Rich: Go ahead, Chris.
10:13 PM: CCChris: OK, great! =)
10:13 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:13 PM: CCChris: Welcome to the GuildHouse!
10:14 PM: CCChris: We're here today with Richard Baker and (in spirit) Bill Slavicsek!
10:14 PM: CCChris: They're here to tell us all about how our favorite RPG, Alternity, came to be!
10:14 PM: CCChris: Lets give them a big hand!
10:14 PM: PhoenixFlame19: lol
10:14 PM: MagicCCC: Yea!!!!
10:14 PM: namcigam  claps
10:14 PM: CCChris: Welcome back to the GuildHouse, Rich!
10:14 PM: PhoenixFlame19 claps
10:14 PM: Ash_Lambert  claps
10:14 PM: Draxon: WooHoo!!
10:14 PM: Brewtss claps
10:14 PM: CCChris cheers. =)
10:14 PM: namcigam  throws confettie
10:14 PM: CCChivalry hands Rich a hand
10:14 PM: PhoenixFlame19: whoraa!!!
10:14 PM: guest-Rich: Good to be back, Chris. Thanks for having me back!
10:14 PM: Fantasia_DM gives a standing O
10:14 PM: *** CCChris has set the topic on channel #RPG-GuildHouse to Come learn about Alternity, with TSR's Rich Baker and Bill Slavicsek!
10:15 PM: CCChris: It's our pleasure!
10:15 PM: CCChris: I'm sure we've all got lots of questions for you, but first, would you take a minute to tell us about yourself and how you came to be so intimately involved on Alternity?
10:16 PM: guest-Rich: Okay...I started at TSR in 1991, and I've been working as a game designer ever since...
10:16 PM: guest-Rich: I'm originally from Ocean City, New Jersey, but I moved to Lake Geneva when I got the job with TSR...
10:16 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:17 PM: guest-Rich: Now, of course, I live in the Seattle area, since Wizards of the Coast purchased TSR and moved us out to the West Coast...
10:17 PM: Fantasia_DM cheers for NJ
10:17 PM: -*NewsFlash*- The future of role playing is Alternity! Discover it now with game designer Rich Baker in #RPG-Guildhouse. Step into the future!
10:17 PM: guest-Rich: I'm married, with two adorable daughters, age 4 years, and 3 months...
10:17 PM: CCChris: I guess you've been all over, then! =)
10:17 PM: CCChris: Congratulations on the newborn, and the whole family! =)
10:18 PM: guest-Rich: I became involved with Alternity in the fall of 1995, when Lester Smith decided to leave TSR...
10:18 PM: Marquis_Elmdor1 has entered
10:18 PM: guest-Rich: Lester was originally slated to be Bill Slavicsek's co-writer for Alternity, so I was brought in to replace him...
10:18 PM: CCChris listens intently.
10:18 PM: CCChris: Wow! Lucky for you!
10:18 PM: guest-Rich: And I've had my hands in Alternity ever since...
10:19 PM: CCChris smiles. =)
10:19 PM: MagicCCC: :)
10:19 PM: CCChris: Thanks, Rich!
10:19 PM: guest-Rich: In fact, I just got promoted last week, and I'm now the Creative Director for Alternity, Star*Drive, and our new Dark Matter setting...
10:19 PM: MagicCCC: Congratulations!
10:19 PM: CCChivalry: WOW!!! Cool
10:19 PM: CCChris: Wow, that's awesome!
10:19 PM: CCChris: Sounds like a big pair of shoes!
10:19 PM: guest-Rich: I'm pretty stoked. I think we've got some great stuff coming up!
10:20 PM: CCChris: I've got some questions about that, too, but first, let's go back...
10:20 PM: MagicCCC: You sure do. I had a chance to peak at some of that great stuff
10:20 PM: CCChris: The Alternity game is incredibly rich with an underlying feeling or theme, with all of its unique technology and the never-before-seen alien species. How did this background evolve into the published version that we can buy in the stores today? Where did it all begin?
10:21 PM: guest-Rich: Wow, that's a good one...
10:21 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:21 PM: guest-Rich: Basically, some of the details were part of the initial proposal for Alternity that we presented to TSR's old management...
10:21 PM: guest-Rich: For example, Bill and Lester had worked out the basics of the die mechanic, the notion of the skill system...
10:21 PM: guest-Rich: And the fraal, weren, and mechalus....
10:22 PM: CCChris: Saved you a bit of work, then?
10:22 PM: CCChris: =)
10:22 PM: guest-Rich: They had some of the elements of the StarDrive campaign setting in mind already...
10:22 PM: guest-Rich: But there was lots of room for me to come in and throw some of my own ideas in!
10:22 PM: CCChris: =)
10:23 PM: guest-Rich: Over the course of a year of design and development, we took these kernels and grew them into the whole game... 
10:23 PM: CCChris: Welcome to all who just joined us!
10:23 PM: guest-Rich: For instance, we refined the core mechanic, added new races, redefined the roles/powers of the old ones, etc...
10:23 PM: CCChris: We're chattign with Rich Baker, co-creator of the Alternity game!
10:23 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:23 PM: CCChris: Which aliens were created first?
10:24 PM: CCChris: And did they ever have different names? =)
10:24 PM: guest-Rich: So, that's the short version of a year of pretty intense work! /ga
10:24 PM: guest-Rich: The fraal were once known as the frael, but we thought that the frael-frail thing was too obvious...
10:24 PM: CCChivalry: hehehe
10:25 PM: guest-Rich: Other than that, most of the early names have remained the same...
10:25 PM: CCChris: I think you told us last time you were here that some aliens were created more or less by Bill or yourself, but I'm not certain.
10:25 PM: guest-Rich: In fact, some of Star*Drive's stellar nations got their start all the way back in the initial concepting...
10:25 PM: CCChris: Oh!
10:25 PM: CCChris: I always wondered how you came up with that name!
10:25 PM: CCChivalry: cool
10:25 PM: CCChris: Makes sense! =)
10:25 PM: guest-Rich: Yes, Chris, you're pretty much correct. The fraal, weren, and mechalus, were the "originals"...
10:25 PM: MagicCCC: Cool
10:26 PM: CCChris: Neat. Who came up with the T'sa?
10:26 PM: guest-Rich: We added the sesheyans and the t'sa fairly late in the process...
10:26 PM: guest-Rich: Both the sesheyans and the t'sa were "mine" more than Bill's, but we collaborated extensively on this stuff.  0:27 PM: CCChris: Very cool.
10:27 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:27 PM: CCChris: OK, I knwo some of our guests would love to get their questiosn answered, so lets open up the floor for a minute, if that's OK?
10:27 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue:: Marquis Elmdor, Nephanor
10:27 PM: guest-Rich: Cool with me!
10:27 PM: CCChris: Marquis, go ahead with your question! =)
10:28 PM: Marquis_Elmdor1: okay
10:28 PM: Marquis_Elmdor1: I was thinking about making a Rpg World.Mix with Greek Myths and medevil times.Could you give me some tips?
10:28 PM: CCChris: Bye the way, folks: because of the very large crowd, we're using a moderated format, so that Rich's answers don't get lost in the activity.
10:29 PM: MagicCCC: :) Hard enough with all the normal goings on in the room
10:29 PM: CCChris: If you have a question, send a ? to CCChivalry, and we'll put the spotlight on you when it's your turn. =)
10:29 PM: guest-Rich: Hmmm...well, I think you might consider doing a little reading up on the topics first...
10:29 PM: CCChris: Type:   /msg CCChivalry ?   to send in your ?.
10:30 PM: CCChris: Education comes first, eh, Rich?
10:30 PM: guest-Rich: The gods divided on which side of the Trojan war to back, for example...
10:30 PM: CCChivalry nods
10:30 PM: guest-Rich: So in a fantasy world that featured the Greek myths, you'd want to define just how active the gods were in your campaign...
10:31 PM: guest-Rich: and that might be very active, compared to most fantasy campaigns...
10:31 PM: CCChris nods. "That makes sense."
10:31 PM: guest-Rich: Secondly, when I think of "Greek" and "medieval" in the same sentence, I think of the Byzantine Empire...
10:31 PM: CCChris: Yeah, the greek gods were almost notorious for their interferance. =)
10:31 PM: guest-Rich: And Byzantium is an extraordinarily cool inspiration for a fantasy setting...
10:31 PM: CCChivalry nods
10:32 PM: guest-Rich: I'd consider reading up on the Byzantines, and see what sort of ideas that gave you for your campaign...
10:32 PM: guest-Rich: Does that get you started?
10:32 PM: CCChris: Thanks, Rich! =)
10:32 PM: Marquis_Elmdor1: yes it does
10:32 PM: Nephanor_of_Fraal: How far along is the Dark matter setting coming along, and is there some place (besides the A-List) where we can find out more on it?
10:33 PM: CCChris: Nephanor of the Fraal would like to speak.. =)
10:33 PM: CCChris: Dark Matter? What's that? ;-)
10:33 PM: guest-Rich: Well, Wolf Baur, the designer, has completed his design turnover...
10:33 PM: CCChris looks hypnotized for a moment.
10:33 PM: guest-Rich: Next, we'll be examining the text for development and starting it through our editing process...
10:33 PM: guest-Rich: So you can look for Dark Matter to hit the shelves late this year...
10:34 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:34 PM: CCChris: Cool, Rich!
10:34 PM: CCChris: You mean in 99?
10:34 PM: guest-Rich: Dark Matter, in case you don't know, is a new campaign setting for the Alterntiy game system...
10:34 PM: MagicCCC smiles innocently she knew that
10:34 PM: CCChivalry did too
10:34 PM: CCChivalry: hehe
10:34 PM: Nephanor_of_Fraal: Mainly I'm looking for information on the settings 'theme'
10:34 PM: guest-Rich: Whoops! Good catch, Chris. You're right, late in 99. 
10:35 PM: guest-Rich: Unfortunately, I can't tell you too much about Dark Matter right now...
10:35 PM: MagicCCC: I can't wait!
10:35 PM: guest-Rich: It's kind of "classified"...
10:35 PM: CCChris: Anything you can tell us about Dark Matter would definately be well received by the Alternity gaming community. We're kinda like ravenous wolves on the subject. ;-)
10:35 PM: CCChris: We're glad you could tell  us this much!
10:35 PM: MagicCCC: LOL that is an understatement around here
10:35 PM: CCChivalry: yes it is...
10:35 PM: CCChris: Can we expect to hear more about it at GenCon? ;-)
10:35 PM: guest-Rich: Well, I don't think I'd give too much away by saying that <<<<< CENSORED <<<<<<
10:36 PM: CCChris: ROFL!
10:36 PM: CCChivalry: hehehehe
10:36 PM: MagicCCC: ROFL
10:36 PM: Nephanor_of_Fraal has frequen flier miles to Area 51, is that clearance enough?  ;)
10:36 PM: CCChivalry: LOL
10:36 PM: MagicCCC: hehehe Nephanor
10:36 PM: guest-Rich: Er, sorry. There are some fellows in black suits here who want to have a word with me...
10:36 PM: CCChris: Notice: Each of you will soon be visited by unidentified agents. Do not resist them. ;-)
10:36 PM: MagicCCC is one of the heads of Insight guess we will just have to find that information ourselves hehehe
10:37 PM: CCChivalry hooks up to the Grid real fast...
10:37 PM: CCChris: Thanks for the info, Rich!
10:37 PM: CCChris: Your creation has such a broad spectrum of technology and information contained within the core rulebooks!  How difficult was it for you to keep in sync with the materials you were writing? Did you ever feel like you were working on two different games?
10:37 PM: guest-Rich: Well, I think it was difficult in some ways...
10:38 PM: guest-Rich: Not so much in the equipment, since stuff is just stuff...
10:38 PM: CCChris nods.
10:38 PM: guest-Rich: But more so in the skill lists. For instance, what a PL 3 doctor thinks about Medical Science is clearly different
10:38 PM: guest-Rich: From what a PL 6 doctor thinks about Medical Science...
10:38 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue:: ALM392, and PhoenixFlame
10:39 PM: CCChivalry: if you have any questions to ask Mr Rich Baker message me with a ? and we will call on you
10:39 PM: CCChris: I suspect, based on your well-researched article in Dragon about archaic firearms, that you probably handled most of the guns. Is that true?
10:39 PM: guest-Rich: Basically, we just decided to downplay the effects of PL on skills, since we couldn't think of a really elegant solution. /ga
10:39 PM: CCChivalry: hmm
10:39 PM: guest-Rich: Yes, Chris, in fact that is true. I did the design work on the equipment section, with some help from Bill.
10:40 PM: guest-Rich: I'm kind of the gun nut in the group, since I served in the Navy and had actually fired a wide array of weapons.
10:40 PM: CCChris: Rich, the way you handled it never gave me pause. In fact, I'd never considered different skills for different PLs.
10:40 PM: CCChris: (PL = Progress Level, for those who don't know.)
10:40 PM: guest-Rich: We hoped most GMs wouldn't notice... <g>
10:40 PM: CCChris: Neat, Rich!
10:41 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue::  Namcigam, Buckinbronco, ALM392, 
10:41 PM: CCChivalry: Phoenix flame go ahead
10:41 PM: PhoenixFlame19:  I already asked
10:42 PM: CCChris: Phoenix, can you retype it? it never showed up on my screen.
10:42 PM: CCChris: One of the filters must have screened it out, somehow.
10:42 PM: CCChivalry: oops
10:42 PM: *guest-Rich* Chris, I'll be back in a moment. Keep 'em busy!
10:42 PM: CCChris: Welcoem back, CCChivalry!
10:43 PM: PhoenixFlame19:  Alternty is quite abit differant from the other TSR RPG's. Why the big change?
10:43 PM: CCChris: While were paused for a moment, I'd like to remind everyone that we have another big event tomorrow at 3PM Pacific Time!
10:43 PM: MagicCCC: *~*~*~*~*~*
10:43 PM: MagicCCC: Calling all roleplayers!
10:44 PM: MagicCCC: Find out what's next for TSR's Alternity sci-fi roleplaying game,
10:44 PM: MagicCCC: straight from special guests Jim Butler and Ted Stark!
10:44 PM: CCChris: Members of the A_team will be on hand to talk about the future of Alternity! =)
10:44 PM: MagicCCC: Saturday, Nov. 7th at 3 pm Pacific Time in room RPG-GuildHouse
10:44 PM: MagicCCC: *~*~*~*~*~*
10:44 PM: CCChris: Phoenix, Rich is afk for just a second, so I'll share my thoughts on that, and then we'll hear what Rich has to say...
10:45 PM: CCChris: When I first picked up the Player's handbook, I couldn't believe how different, and familiar, it felt at once.
10:46 PM: CCChivalry: If you would like to ask our Guest Rich Baker a question type /msg CCChivalry ? and you will be called on in the room
10:46 PM: guest-Rich: Why the big change...
10:46 PM: guest-Rich: Well, we wanted to create a modern game engine, a '90s game engine...
10:46 PM: CCChris listens intently.
10:46 PM: guest-Rich: Something that wouldn't necessarily share in some of the abstractions and drawbacks of the D&D game engine...
10:47 PM: PhoenixFlame19 nods
10:47 PM: CCChris nods, too.
10:47 PM: guest-Rich: And we wanted to build a game that would really support the cinematic/literary style of play, which is where we think
10:47 PM: CCChris thinks "Mission accomplished!"
10:47 PM: guest-Rich: most of the folks playing Alternity really want to be able to go.
10:48 PM: guest-Rich: TSR has created some pretty innovative systems over the years, IMHO, including Saga and Amazing Engine...
10:48 PM: CCChris: Definately.
10:48 PM: guest-Rich: But we wanted Alternity to be a "mechanically neutral" system that would support play without interfering in story...
10:48 PM: guest-Rich: If that makes any sense at all. /ga
10:48 PM: CCChris: I think it does.
10:48 PM: PhoenixFlame19 nods
10:48 PM: CCChris: Thanks, Rich.
10:48 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue: namcigam, hercules, buckingbronco, eddie101
10:49 PM: CCChivalry: namcigam Go ahead
10:49 PM: namcigam:  Good evening Rich, glad to be here with you tonight.
10:49 PM: CCChris: Namcigam, what what would you like to ask Rich?
10:49 PM: namcigam: Does TSR and Wizards of the Coast put out a catolog of games and books, If so how do we get one?
10:49 PM: guest-Rich: Thanks for coming out!
10:49 PM: guest-Rich: Yes, we do put out a catalog, although we normally do so for the sake of our distributors and retailers...
10:50 PM: guest-Rich: If you want to get your hands on one, send me some email next week, and I'll see what I can do.
10:50 PM: namcigam: cool
10:50 PM: guest-Rich: (I'm sure there's someone who handles this, just a matter of finding out who!) /ga
10:50 PM: CCChris will be emailing you. =)
10:50 PM: CCChivalry: buckingbronco go ahead
10:51 PM: CCChris: buckin, the spotlight is yours. =)
10:51 PM: buckinbronco: ok I am totally confused what system is it for?? computer????
10:51 PM: buckinbronco: thank you!!!
10:51 PM: buckinbronco: you are too kind
10:51 PM: guest-Rich: Which system are you referring to, bronco? The Alternity game system?
10:51 PM: CCChris: I can share a macro or two to help you on this one, Rich.
10:52 PM: CCChris: If you like. =)
10:52 PM: buckinbronco: yeah
10:52 PM: CCChivalry: : )
10:52 PM: MagicCCC: :)
10:52 PM: CCChris: I think Buckin my be thinking in terms of video games.
10:52 PM: guest-Rich: Go ahead and give him the spiel, Chris, if you've got it handy...
10:52 PM: buckinbronco: am I out of my league???
10:52 PM: buckinbronco: :-)
10:52 PM: CCChris: A roleplaying game (RPG) is a game of imagination wherein the players portray different characters and their interactions. It's a lot like theatre, but without a script. The object of a roleplaying game is simply to tell a story which entertains the imagination.
10:52 PM: CCChris: A typical roleplaying game is usually played around a table. The players roll dice to determine the outcome of their characters' actions, while one person runs the game by describing the events and environments that surround the characters. 
10:52 PM: CCChris: Character traits and skills are commonly recorded on "character sheets," and tell you what abilities your character has.
10:53 PM: buckinbronco: I know  I like  playing role playing games all the time like FF series
10:53 PM: CCChris: Alternity is the hot new science fiction roleplaying game published by TSR, Inc., the makers of Dungeons & Dragons.
10:53 PM: guest-Rich: Thanks, Chris. Does that help you out, Bronco?
10:53 PM: CCChris: So you can see, Alternity's a bit different from FF7.
10:53 PM: CCChris: Video games are great, but dice-based roleplaying is much more interactive. =)
10:54 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue:  eddie101, bugrum knight
10:54 PM: buckinbronco: I guess so I am still a bit confused um is it a non playing game or cards or ???
10:54 PM: CCChivalry: and Hercules... oops
10:54 PM: buckinbronco: oh so it iscards
10:54 PM: CCChris: Buckin, it's like a boardgame, where the board is in your mind.
10:54 PM: MagicCCC: Its dice system as well as imagination 
10:55 PM: CCChris: If you'd like to learn more abourt TSR's RPGs, you can check out their website at www.tsr.com
10:55 PM: CCChris: Or the roleplaying guild website at http://home.talkcity.com/academydr/roleplayingguild
10:55 PM: buckinbronco: my brother's friends used t play d&d gam and they were "a little on the crazy side" when they played it
10:56 PM: CCChris: Eddie, go ahead with your question. =)
10:56 PM: eddie101: Ho are you guys planing on future suport of the game system book wise?
10:56 PM: eddie101: How even sorry typos
10:56 PM: CCChris: Great question, eddie!
10:56 PM: MagicCCC hands eddie101 a PrianHerald to beat the typo monster with
10:57 PM: guest-Rich: Sure, Eddie...we're continuing to put out sourcebooks for Star*Drive, Alternity, and we'll be putting out a new product line next year.
10:57 PM: CCChris: Welcome to all who just joined us! We're chatting today with Rich Baker, from TSR!
10:58 PM: guest-Rich: In general, we're planning on releasing about 6 to 8 Alternity products and an equal number of SD products each year...
10:58 PM: MagicCCC: Fantastic!!!
10:58 PM: CCChivalry: sounds great
10:58 PM: guest-Rich: for the forseeable future. In fact, we're slated to discuss our 2000 schedule in the next week or two. /ga
10:58 PM: CCChris: Wow! =)
10:58 PM: eddie101: So its not going to be one  of the dropes tsr products
10:59 PM: CCChris: That's more than one/month, so it'll keep me happy.
10:59 PM: guest-Rich: Whatever "dropes" means, no, that's not the plan!!!
10:59 PM: CCChris: =)
10:59 PM: eddie101: Droped i mean i have heard the tsr ine is droping suport of some of the systems
10:59 PM: eddie101: Lie even
11:00 PM: CCChris: Oh, dropped!
11:00 PM: CCChris sees.
11:00 PM: eddie101: line even ok i got it that time
11:00 PM: guest-Rich: No, we plan to go full-speed ahead with Alternity for years!
11:00 PM: CCChivalry is glad to hear that
11:00 PM: CCChris cheers!
11:00 PM: eddie101: Well that is good to hear thanks
11:01 PM: CCChris: Well, looks like we're running out of time. I know some folks will have to be leaving shortly...
11:01 PM: MagicCCC: Stay tuned for some exciting information though from CCChivalry
11:01 PM: CCChris: Rich, think you can aswer a couple more before you go? Or must you be on your way soon?
11:02 PM: CCChivalry says guess what folks?? we are going to be giving away an Alternity Game book!!!! to get a chance to win send an email to CCChivalry@hosts.talkcity.com with Alternity as the subject line.. and a little something about what you love about Alternity.. and the book could be yours!!
11:02 PM: BugrumKnight: greetings
11:02 PM: guest-Rich: You've got me for maybe 10 minutes, Chris. Fire away!
11:02 PM: MagicCCC: Thanks Rich!
11:02 PM: MagicCCC: BugrumKnight your question
11:02 PM: CCChris: Rich, excellent!
11:02 PM: BugrumKnight: um im not sure if this has  been asked but what are the races 
11:03 PM: guest-Rich: Well, the hero races in the Alternity game are the fraal, the weren, the sesheyans, the mechalus, and the t'sa...
11:03 PM: BugrumKnight: can i ask another?
11:04 PM: guest-Rich: The fraal are "Grays", so to speak; the werens are a race of noble savages; the mechalus are cybernetically enhanced; 
11:04 PM: guest-Rich: the t'sa are a race of reptilian tinkerers; and the sesheyans are flying, nocturnal hunters.
11:04 PM: CCChris: Great descriptions, Rich!
11:05 PM: guest-Rich: In addition, there are some not-so-friendly alien races in the Star*Drive campaign setting. /ga
11:05 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue:: hercules, Nephanor, and Phoneix flame
11:05 PM: Hercules```: I was wondering, What inspiriation, motivation,  did you have while making this game? I just wonder what inspired you to do this, Also,  What made you interested in RPG?
11:05 PM: CCChivalry: go ahead Hercules
11:05 PM: CCChris: Ah, the Klicks, and their pals. =)
11:05 PM: CCChris: Oooh, great questions, Hercules!
11:06 PM: guest-Rich: Tough one, Hercules...I'll start with the easy part. I started playing RPGs back in the late 70s, when D&D first came out...
11:06 PM: CCChris: =)
11:06 PM: guest-Rich: I got into it after reading the Hobbit and the Sword of Shannara, and I never looked back!
11:06 PM: guest-Rich: As far as the specific inspiration for the alternity game, well, it's a combination of factors...
11:07 PM: guest-Rich: Bill Slavicsek is a tremendous fan of Star Wars and other SF movies...
11:07 PM: CCChris 's first Fantays book was The Hobbit, too! =)
11:07 PM: MagicCCC: Yes I know you got Diana Duane to do the first Alternity novel
11:07 PM: guest-Rich: So he brought a great sense of the cinematic SF to the game design...
11:07 PM: guest-Rich: While I'm a huge fan of Golden Age SF (Doc Smith, Robert Heinlein, etc.).
11:07 PM: CCChivalry: Question Queue:: , Nephanor, and Phoneix flame
11:08 PM: guest-Rich: So I brought a lot of my "old" SF to Alternity. /ga
11:08 PM: Hercules```: thanks for your time
11:08 PM: Hercules```: :)
11:08 PM: CCChivalry: and vistar oops
11:08 PM: CCChris: Some folks may know that Bill even was a major player in the Star Wars roleplaying game for a while. I bet he'd jump on a Star wars Alternity license if the opportunity came up. (I hope, anyway!)
11:08 PM: Hercules```: Nice to meet you
11:08 PM: guest-Rich: Thanks for stopping by, Hercules!
11:08 PM: Nephanor_of_Fraal: Are there any plans to have sourcebooks or information for tech & items beyond PL 7?  Also, the mysterious PL 8 mentioned in Dataware....what is it called...or have the Gardhyi classifed that too ;)
11:09 PM: guest-Rich: Sure, we're considering various high-tech sourcebooks...
11:09 PM: CCChris: I thought PL8 wa sthe Energy Age, and PL9 was the unknown age? =)
11:09 PM: guest-Rich: For example, the upcoming Starships sourcebook includes a lot of material on PL 6, 7, and 8 starships...
11:09 PM: Nephanor_of_Fraal: Yeah, what CCChris said
11:09 PM: CCChris: Oooo. =)
11:10 PM: guest-Rich: Go ahead.
11:10 PM: CCChris: Phoenix, you're up again!
11:10 PM: PhoenixFlame19:  it's off subject but,I was wondering if a RPG with  anthromorphic PC races would be fezable and is there any plans for a RPG useing anthros?
11:11 PM: CCChivalry: ok the Question queue is now closed: with 2 more on it still
11:11 PM: guest-Rich: Oh, I think it's definitely feasible. It's just a matter of coming up with a reason why your jaded audience will be willing...
11:11 PM: CCChris: LOL!
11:11 PM: PhoenixFlame19: lol
11:11 PM: CCChivalry: last queue:vistar and Namcigam
11:11 PM: guest-Rich: to go along with dog-men, cat-men, etc. For instance, the old Flash Gordon stuff is great, in my opinion...
11:12 PM: guest-Rich: As a science-fantasy setting, sure, I think you can get away with it just fine...
11:12 PM: CCChris really should refresh his understanding of Golden Age sci-fi.
11:12 PM: CCChivalry: : )
11:12 PM: guest-Rich: Just be aware that most of the audience has seen this stuff before, and they want to see a new take on it. /ga
11:12 PM: CCChris: I go about as far back as Buck Rogers with my familiarity.
11:12 PM: PhoenixFlame19 nods "thanks"
11:12 PM: Vistar: are there any plans for any new alien races?
11:12 PM: MagicCCC: Its the greatest CCChris!  I love golden age stuff
11:13 PM: CCChris: Vistar, as in player-character races?
11:13 PM: Vistar: yes player character
11:13 PM: CCChris looks to Rich.
11:13 PM: CCChris: =)
11:13 PM: guest-Rich: Well, we introduce new alien races all the time. Have you seen the Alien Compendium for Star*Drive?
11:13 PM: guest-Rich: Several of the aliens in that book are eminently suitable to be PCs. /ga
11:13 PM: CCChivalry: good book
11:14 PM: CCChivalry: go ahead nam
11:14 PM: CCChris: We were discussing that earlier today, actually, in our regular 3PM Pacific time Alternity discussion.
11:14 PM: CCChris: The general consensus is that we want more Alien Compendiums. =)
11:14 PM: CCChivalry: go ahead nam
11:14 PM: guest-Rich: So noted, Chris!
11:14 PM: CCChris: One for Old Space, specifically. =)
11:14 PM: CCChivalry: oops
11:15 PM: namcigam: What is a good book to read for newbie on Alternity?
11:15 PM: guest-Rich: Game book, or just inspirational reading?
11:15 PM: namcigam: inspirational, one that give us an idea of what alternity is
11:15 PM: CCChris: =)
11:15 PM: CCChris thinks Namcigam is in luck.
11:16 PM: guest-Rich: Diane Duane's "Starrise at Corrivale" is the first of a series of Star*Drive novels...
11:16 PM: guest-Rich: Since it's a novel for a setting designed specifically for Alternity, it's a great place to start...
11:16 PM: MagicCCC: Its a great book too :)
11:16 PM: CCChivalry says guess what folks?? we are going to be giving away an Alternity Game book!!!! to get a chance to win send an email to CCChivalry@hosts.talkcity.com with Alternity as the subject line.. and a little something about what you love about Alternity.. and the book could be yours!!
11:16 PM: namcigam: ok thanks
11:16 PM: guest-Rich: If you want to know what kind of SF I personally like, I'd point you at Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers"...
11:16 PM: CCChris: I heard a rumor, Rich, form a very reliable source (Ahem!-Jim Butler) that you were going to author one yourself! How's that going?
11:16 PM: namcigam  is always lucky except with typo gnomes..
11:17 PM: guest-Rich: Yes, in fact, I have a Star*Drive novel coming out in June!
11:17 PM: guest-Rich: The title is "Zero Point".
11:17 PM: CCChivalry: COOL
11:17 PM: CCChris is looking forward to it!
11:17 PM: CCChris: What's the title?
11:17 PM: CCChris: Ah, great!
11:17 PM: MagicCCC: Alright!!! Great Rich!
11:17 PM: guest-Rich: The fun part with that one is, I was able to set up my PC from the Alternity playtests as the protagonist...
11:18 PM: CCChris: Well, Rich... I guess we've kept you tied up long enough.
11:18 PM: CCChivalry: hehehe
11:18 PM: CCChris: Ya know, I was going to ask you about the playtest characters. ;-)
11:18 PM: CCChris: Ah, well...I guess we'll have to rope you into another appearance to tell us about that! ;-)
11:19 PM: guest-Rich: Yeah, I'm afraid I've got to get going soon...
11:19 PM: CCChivalry: always looking for an excuse to get you guys to come and chat with us   hehehe
11:19 PM: MagicCCC: Thank you for being here Rich
11:19 PM: CCChris: one last little question: What's your playtest protagonist?
11:19 PM: CCChris: Jack Everstar?
11:19 PM: CCChris: Mad Dog?
11:19 PM: CCChris: =)
11:19 PM: guest-Rich: Actually, I've got two characters in the Star*Drive book...
11:19 PM: guest-Rich: Mad Dog Morgan is one of them...
11:20 PM: CCChris listens.
11:20 PM: CCChivalry: Jack is David's character I thought
11:20 PM: guest-Rich: And Pyotr Sokolov is the other. Sokolov is the protagonist of "Zero Point".
11:20 PM: CCChris: Awesome, Rich!
11:20 PM: guest-Rich: And yes, Everstar is David Eckelberry's character...
11:20 PM: CCChivalry: : )
11:20 PM: MagicCCC: LOL yep
11:20 PM: guest-Rich: (whom Mad Dog beat to a pulp one night in a drunken misunderstanding...)
11:20 PM: CCChris: That gives me a good reference point for when I read Star*Drive! =)
11:21 PM: CCChris: Again, that is.
11:21 PM: CCChris: =)
11:21 PM: CCChivalry hacked his teleprompter at the stardrive party hehehe
11:21 PM: CCChris: Thank you SOOOO much for being here with us today, Rich!
11:21 PM: MagicCCC: Hack the Galaxy hehehe
11:21 PM: guest-Rich: Hey, thanks to all of you guys for taking some time to show up!
11:21 PM: CCChris: Tell Bill that we missed him, and hope he can join us sometime soon!
11:22 PM: CCChivalry: yes thank you very much Rich!
11:22 PM: CCChris: I also wanted to let everyone in on a little secret...
11:22 PM: MagicCCC: Thank you Rich!
11:22 PM: CCChivalry hands guest-Rich a copy of the PrianHerald, found at http://home.talkcity.com/AcademyDr/prianherald Updated every weekend!
11:22 PM: MagicCCC: Don't forget tomorrow is Jim Butler!  
11:22 PM: CCChris: Tonight, like right now, we're going to debut a brand new Alternity roleplaying room!
11:22 PM: CCChivalry: to beat Bill with...
11:22 PM: CCChris: It's called RPG-Lighthouse!
11:22 PM: guest-Rich: If you guys have any great ideas for Alterntiy, don't be afraid to email me -- I'd love to hear what you've got to say!
11:22 PM: guest-Rich: The address is roele@wizards.com
11:23 PM: guest-Rich: Goodnight, all!
11:23 PM: CCChris: And each of you can join it to roleplay in character! even if you're MadDog or Pyotr Sokolov. ;-)
11:23 PM: CCChris: Nite, Rich!   
ÿ