Is there going to be a 5th edition version of Justice Inc.? Pulp Heroes maybe?

[championsguru]

I was just wondering. Its on of my all time favorite genre's.

Just wondering,

Da Guru

[Lord Liaden]

Steve Long has said repeatedly that he is also a big fan of pulp-era gaming, and very much wants to write the 5E Pulp HERO genre book - he's been collecting research material on it for years. IIRC from remarks posted by Steve and Darren Watts, Pulp HERO will probably be the next major genre book after the relaunch of Dark Champions. I'm afraid that won't be before 2005 at the earliest, though; the publication schedule for the rest of this year and all of 2004 is booked solid. :(

[Steve Long]

LL's recitation of the facts is correct.

At a guess, I'd say the earliest we could do Pulp Hero is late 2005. But that's a long way off, and things could change for many reasons I cannot now predict.

[Enforcer84]

But... I can't wait that long....

[Steve Long]

Well, unless I somehow develop the ability to not sleep, I'm afraid you're gonna have to. And maybe even then. ;)

[Alibear]

Not so expensive really Steve, perhaps you could sell back some of your less useful skills to help pay for the life support?

What are you doing with your KS Law anyway?

[Steve Long]

Unfortunately, in real life, the Big GM controls all one's XP expenditures.

For example, I've probably spent at least 10 points on KSs and PSs related to practicing law. The whole point of doing that was to earn money. Left to myself, I'd've just spent the 10 points on a Money Perk and saved myself the time and effort. Unfortunately, I ain't allowed to do that...

...or else I definitely would spend points to buy Diminished Sleep. Time's the most valuable thing anywhere; it's the one thing you can never get back. ;)

[rowport]

I actually read once that Winston Churchill only took cat naps of three hours or less, because he thought that sleep was a waste of his time.

Knowing about how my judgement gets affected by lack of sleep, I am not sure whether to be impressed by this dedication, or frightened by the long-term implications of his decisions..!

:)

[Steve Long]

Some people just don't need that much sleep -- they function fine without it. Thomas Edison was like that, I understand. There was a guy who was governor of Maine in the 1970s who was like that, too; I remember reading a magazine article about him and being thoroughly impressed.

Sadly, I lack the "needs less sleep" gene. If I don't get at least five or six hours a night I get cranky. ;)

[Toadmaster]

Sleep really is over rated, sure it takes awhile to get past the sleep deprivation halucinations, and you get some strange looks from passerbys when you start wandering about talking to those same halucinations or take a quick cat nap in your soup, but after a few weeks your mind really expands and you can get some great inspirations from conversations with your dresser, bathroom towel rack or the dog next doorrrrrrrr......ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ


For those who really need a fix for Justice Inc, I often see the old one on ebay pretty cheap, you can find FGU's Daredevils occasionally, CoC is still one of the best resources for 1920's RPGs and GURPS has re-released Cliffhangers.

Winston Churchill must have been quite a guy, no sleep and lots of booze, maybe we need to elect a president that not only admits to inhaling but is proud of it, I can see the next inauguration, as the president elect arrives in a smoke filled limo blaring Bob Marley, snow boards down to the stage and has to brush the dredlocks out of his face to read the speach.

[SCUBA Hero]

Originally posted by Steve Long
Some people just don't need that much sleep -- they function fine without it. Thomas Edison was like that, I understand. There was a guy who was governor of Maine in the 1970s who was like that, too; I remember reading a magazine article about him and being thoroughly impressed.

Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison, Empress Marissa III De Valiere...
:p

[Rage]

It was just them figuring out the power nap. It works, it can be unfun but it works.

Lousey Steve not prepared to wreck his physical and mental state to give us qaulity products... MURG

:Shakes fist angrily:

:p

I think im getting sick of smileys.

[Dr Rotwang!]

What if I gave you a million bucks to write Pulp Hero, Steve?

Not sayin' I'm gonna. But if I did...?

EDIT: Tesla Rulz. Edison Drulz.

[Steve Long]

If you give me a million bucks, I will be happy to revise the production schedule to move Pulp Hero to the head of the list. ;)

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Steve Long
If you give me a million bucks, I will be happy to revise the production schedule to move Pulp Hero to the head of the list. ;)
Well there are 1,200 of us on the message board. I guess that means each of us needs to come-up with $833.00. :)

[Blue]

Okay, but for $833 it better be one hell of a supplement.

[JmOz]

Originally posted by Steve Long
If you give me a million bucks, I will be happy to revise the production schedule to move Pulp Hero to the head of the list. ;)

Is that for ANY book? I mean if I game you a million would you right "Cute Fuzy Animals Hero" :D

[Dr Rotwang!]

Well, I do fully intend to become an insanely wealthy filmmaker-type-guy, throwin' money around for the Good of Mankind.

And if anything is good for mankind, it's pulp RPGs.









And cream soda.

[The Monster]

Well, I can't cough up as much as $833, but would it help if I made reaaalllllly big puppy eyes and said "Pleeeeeeeeease?" in my cutest cartoon-kid voice?

[Steve Long]

No, that's not going to do much, I'm afraid. Cold, hard cash direct to me personally is the only way. :)

[Prometheus]

Originally posted by Steve Long
No, that's not going to do much, I'm afraid. Cold, hard cash direct to me personally is the only way. :)

Really? 'Cuz I remember talk- waaaay back when- about a date with Eliza Dushku as possible compensation....

[Peregrine]

Originally posted by Prometheus
Really? 'Cuz I remember talk- waaaay back when- about a date with Eliza Dushku as possible compensation....

No, no, no; that would only distract him, making it an even longer wait...

[austenandrews]

Let's see, if each of us must contribute $833, and we each know at least ten gamers who don't post here, that's only $83 a person. Sounds doable!

Oh, who am I kidding? That's a month's discretionary budget for half the gamers I know, all of which is earmarked for Dr Pepper and manga. :)

-AA

[Agent X]

Originally posted by SCUBA Hero
Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison, Empress Marissa III De Valiere...
:p Don't forget Michael Landon!

[nytflyr]

Originally posted by Toadmaster
For those who really need a fix for Justice Inc, I often see the old one on ebay pretty cheap, you can find FGU's Daredevils occasionally, CoC is still one of the best resources for 1920's RPGs and GURPS has re-released Cliffhangers.


Another nice one is Adventure! from White Wolf

[M-3]

One of the old Daredevils Adventures books (Lost World Tales I believe) even has conversion notes for Justice Inc.

Although I'd almost certainly pick up a 5th Ed. Pulp HERO, I don't really need it. Between FRED, Daredevils, 1st ed Justice Inc., Gangbusters, Adventure and possibly one or two others that have slipped my mind I think I've got the genre and period pretty well covered!

(The old Daredevils Adventures are highly recommended BTW. Converting from Daredevils to HERO is pretty easy and some of the adventures are pretty good.)

M.

[Dr Rotwang!]

A familiar face. What a delight.

[BishopofB&W]

Steve,

If you haven't already, try to find Yesterday's Faces by Robert Sampson. It covers the entire pulp genre from westerns to mystery men. For example, turn-of-the-20th-century detective Nick Carter wore the prototypical crimefighter's utility belt. Also, the old pulp villains could match Iron Age villains atrocity for atrocity any day. Sampson called them "maimed madmen, deformed monsters, and foreign crazies".

[tinfish52]

I happen to have an extra copy of justice inc. that needs a home. I also have lands of mystery. The Justice inc. game i am talking about has never been opened. i think picked it up in a hobby shop's bargain bin. my email is wayner2d2@yahoo.com Again, I never had to open it because I already owned the game. That means it has been sealed now since what ? '84 ?

[Vondy]

Originally posted by Agent X
Don't forget Michael Landon!

Eugene Orowitz?

[Barghest]

Well, I'm back in the saddle again for my Pulp Hero game. Here's what I own and what I know of for materials. I always appreciate additional info if any of you have it.

I own:

Justice Inc
Lands of Mystery
Pulp Adventures (I.C.E Rolemaster supplement for those that don't know)
Places of Mystery (GURPS book)
Almost every AC Quarterly. I really need to figure out which one or two I am missing)

I am aware of:

Adventure!
Cliffhangers
Daredevils
Two-Fisted Tales
Gear Krieg?

So the question is, what else is out there? We've talked about Call of Cthulhu (and since we play at Hastur Hobbies that should be a big one). I'm more interested in period materials than in CoC's horror. If anyone knows chapter and verse on the books that would help here, I'd appreciate you posting it.

Am I missing any past or present pulp game resources in my list?

Thanks much

[Vondy]

Consider tracking down a copy of Mercenaries, Spies & Private Eyes from Flying Buffalo (?) Games. They had some excellent pulp style adventures IIRC. And Adventure of the Jade Jaguar had notes on how to play it with HERO.

[Barghest]

Hmmm..I don't recall MS&PE having anything too overtly pulpish but my memory could be failing. I can contact Loomis or Stackpole and ask on that one unless someone here remembers specifics. Thanks for the idea. I'll look into it.

Any others, folks?

[Vondy]

Originally posted by Barghest
Hmmm..I don't recall MS&PE having anything too overtly pulpish but my memory could be failing. I can contact Loomis or Stackpole and ask on that one unless someone here remembers specifics. Thanks for the idea. I'll look into it.

Any others, folks?

The system itself wasn't terribly pulpy, but the adventures were. You can find descriptions of the adventures at the Flying Buffalo site.

[Barghest]

Ah, okay. That would be why. I never looked at the adventures. Thanks D-Man. I'll trundle on over there now.

[Barghest]

Pacific Clipper I already own. I managed to forget that it was MSPE and didn't include it in my list.

The descriptions for Stormhaven, Raid on Rajallapor, and Adventure of the Jade Jaguar are rather vague. Anyone out there have these? Do they offer any pulp value?

[Dr Rotwang!]

I have Stormhaven and Jade Jaguar, but they're at home on a bookshelf and I'm at work. Gimmie a couple'as days and I'll give you an answer you'll never forget.

[gewing]

Damn, And just yesterday I was wondering how to write up DOC SAVAGE!

One of my favorites.

[rayoman]

Is that a 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 point disadvantage?


Originally posted by Steve Long
Sadly, I lack the "needs less sleep" gene. If I don't get at least five or six hours a night I get cranky. ;)

[rayoman]

I'd rather get me a new computer. I can wait for Justice, Inc.


Originally posted by Monolith
Well there are 1,200 of us on the message board. I guess that means each of us needs to come-up with $833.00. :)

[Dauntless]

Was Daredevils that old game from Fantasy Games Unlimited?

Oh man, does that bring back memories, including Villains and Vigilantes and Space Opera. Man, I knew I'd regret selling that stuff one day....

I do miss a good pulp action story, although I'd like to see a time period from about 1870-1930. It's a big span I know, but there's just so much interesting stuff happening in that time frame.

[Fur Face]

I have Stormhaven and Raid on Rajallapor. Stormhaven is like a "mysterious old mansion on an island" setting. Not necessarily Pulp, but since it was done when computers weren't prolific, it could easlily make a base for an adventure sponsor, things of that nature.

Raid on Rajallapor is kind of Indiana Jones-ish, and could easily be made into a Pulp adventure by downgrading/changing some of the technology. As a little bonus it also has a one of these adventure stories where you read a small numbered paragraph then "if you fight the guard, go to #49".

Both have good settings, polt suggestions, backgrounds and maps, and are easily convertible to Pulps. In fact, that was my initial impression when I first read thru them.

[Barghest]

Thanks Jim. Much appreciated.

Got my copy of Places of Mystery in. A nice book overall.

[Edsel]

Originally posted by Barghest
Well, I'm back in the saddle again for my Pulp Hero game. Here's what I own and what I know of for materials. I always appreciate additional info if any of you have it.

I own:

Justice Inc
Lands of Mystery
Pulp Adventures (I.C.E Rolemaster supplement for those that don't know)
Places of Mystery (GURPS book)
Almost every AC Quarterly. I really need to figure out which one or two I am missing)

I am aware of:

Adventure!
Cliffhangers
Daredevils
Two-Fisted Tales
Gear Krieg?

So the question is, what else is out there? We've talked about Call of Cthulhu (and since we play at Hastur Hobbies that should be a big one). I'm more interested in period materials than in CoC's horror. If anyone knows chapter and verse on the books that would help here, I'd appreciate you posting it.

Am I missing any past or present pulp game resources in my list?

Thanks much

Well, once upon a time there was Gangsters by FGU and Gang Busters by TSR. As the titles suggest they have gangland background information.

TSR also put out a briefly lived Indiana Jones RPG. Flying Buffalo put out a solo adventure called Tales of the Jade Jaguar that was pulp-era though I do not remember which game system it was for.

[Edsel]

Did a little bit of remembering.

Mercinaries, Spies and Private Eyes was a pulp-era RPG put out by Flying Buffalo. Of course this is the game system that Tales of the Jade Jaguar was meant for. I never played the system but heard it was good.

[BoloOfEarth]

Stormhaven, by Michael Stackpole, has writeups for a mansion, island, security, and characters which are decidedly modern (at least, for 1983). However, the front cover, with an autogyro on the cover and Cthulu-esque stormcloud over the mansion, does seem very Pulp-ish.

IMO it wouldn't be that hard to change the mansion into a 1930s pulp setting. Scratch the underground lab entirely and pare down one or two elements in the actual basement level, and you're set.

Some background stuff (Prohibition-era history) could be used for plot seeds, and most characters could be modified to fit a pulp game without horrendous effort.

[st barbara]

Another "pulp" RPG (well, not really an rpg) that you might think about is "Crimson Skies", a great resource if you want to create a dashing aviator hero. It has an interesting "alternate history" background as well with a U S A where The Great Depression was much worse than we know it and the nation "balkanized". The rail system has ceased to exist (or is at least unreliable) and the skies are used for transport, and also piracy ! The creators (forgotten the names now, darn it !) did suggest that they were going to produce an R P G version of what is designed as a game for miniatures or counters. Novels set in the world of "C S " exist a;so and might be worth finding for research.

[Toadmaster]

Originally posted by BoloOfEarth
Stormhaven, by Michael Stackpole, has writeups for a mansion, island, security, and characters which are decidedly modern (at least, for 1983). However, the front cover, with an autogyro on the cover and Cthulu-esque stormcloud over the mansion, does seem very Pulp-ish.

IMO it wouldn't be that hard to change the mansion into a 1930s pulp setting. Scratch the underground lab entirely and pare down one or two elements in the actual basement level, and you're set.

Some background stuff (Prohibition-era history) could be used for plot seeds, and most characters could be modified to fit a pulp game without horrendous effort.

I had this many years ago and recall it had lots of notes to adjust it from horror to espionage, change the time periods etc. So it should be easy, from what I remember it was a pretty good module.

[Toadmaster]

Originally posted by Barghest
Well, I'm back in the saddle again for my Pulp Hero game. Here's what I own and what I know of for materials. I always appreciate additional info if any of you have it.

I own:
I am aware of:

Daredevils


Edited for space


Daredevils was well done and includes good period info. I recently picked up the Daredevils bonus pack (new still in the shrinkwrap on a dusty back shelf of a game store).

If you can find that version it includes the whole run for the game in one box set.

Daredevils (rule book)
The menace beneath the sea
Lost world tales
Deadly coins
and
Supernatural thrillers

Each of the adventure modules focuses on a particular type of pulp adventure.