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Message no. 1
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 03:49:41 -0500 (EST)
Hey guys, what do you think of this idea? Now, I know it's not Shadowrun,
but....

What about using the Shadowrun Rules System to play an RPG based on the
movie Aliens?

Ok, another idea? Since FASA's mixing space into the game now, so what
about incorporating them into the game? Granted, this would definately NOT
be anything remotely official, or even close, but...

Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?

<ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>

Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?


#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"You do more damage out of simple irritation than most
men can do in a towering rage."
-David Eddings, "Demon Lord of Karanda
Message no. 2
From: "Gurth" <gurth@******.nl>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 11:48:51 +0100
Steven Ratkovich said on 3:49/29 Sep 96...

> What about using the Shadowrun Rules System to play an RPG based on the
> movie Aliens?

That's easy enough... Just figure out the game stats for the aliens,
androids, weapons, and vehicles, and you should run into little trouble.

> Ok, another idea? Since FASA's mixing space into the game now, so what
> about incorporating them into the game? Granted, this would definately NOT
> be anything remotely official, or even close, but...
>
> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?

It looks a lot more like the bugs are based on the aliens -- just look at
the similarities. The Horrors feed off the negative emotions they
themselves induce in their victims (*Bob Ross voice (inside your head)*
"You know, it would be really cool if you were to cut your hand up with
that knife. Do it, I know you want to...")

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
It's going to hurt if you fail to miss the ground.
-> NERPS Project Leader & Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version 3.1:
GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+ PE
Y PGP- t(+) 5+ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------
Message no. 3
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 15:30:56 +0100
In article <199609290849.DAA18635@***.ncweb.com>, Steven Ratkovich
<chaos@*****.com> writes
>Hey guys, what do you think of this idea? Now, I know it's not Shadowrun,
>but....
>
>What about using the Shadowrun Rules System to play an RPG based on the
>movie Aliens?
>
Painfull, isn't it easy enough to kill people with bugs now, without
introducing xenomorphs with concentrated acid for blood?? :-)

>Ok, another idea? Since FASA's mixing space into the game now, so what
>about incorporating them into the game? Granted, this would definately NOT
>be anything remotely official, or even close, but...
>
Space Above & Beyond, is based in a similar timescale to Shadowrun (I
believe there is only a few years in between them), Aliens is set a
considerable way into the future, and at this time, we don't have multi-
billion dollar interplanetary refineries and stuff. However, I have
been using Space development and exploration for a little while in SR,
with colonies on the moon and a "mining/industrial" complex on Mars
(though there are other reasons for the presence on the red planet :-)
I, tend to agree with the view that SR would be spoiled by the
introduction of "aliens" (in any form), some of the creatures we have
now are alien enough. As for ancient alien civilisations, yes, I can
live with that, but I'd much rather that SR didn't head off into the
Conspiracy X/Hard Core SciFi realms.

>Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?
Apparently (?**?) these things are pan-dimensional beings from some
metaplane, their exact origin is a mystery, I don't personally like the
"alien from another world" idea, they are bad enough as they are in raw
form, without introducing alien technology, this was already covered in
a strange form in GDW's "Dark Conspiracy", which I felt was ruined as a
result of the involvement of interplanetary/trans-dimensional Cthulhu
style intelligence and terror. I sincerely hope that FASA will deal
with this in a sensible form that will complement SR rather than
rewriting the core of what is an excellent game.

The Horrors *are* aliens, they are alien to our "dimension", as is
anything from the metaplanes. But aliens as portrayed in any movie
involving "aliens" is more than I want to deal with.

I don't mind the occassional discovery, like John Carpenters' "Thing",
and may use something similar in the game one day, but I *really* don't
want flying saucers, and "greys" etc. running around in SR.

After introducing colonies on the moon, mars, a manned explorer for our
solar system, several new space stations, slightly rewriting the orbital
concept from FASA to fit in with a "spacer vs earther" view, and
introducing the Dead Zones, mapping North America and placing the
"zones" I don't want to even consider the concept of an alien invasion,
or to be honest a Horrors' invasion. Earth Dawn and Shadowrun should
IMHO remain seperate games, although I don't mind connective references.
There has always been speculation that we are descended from a race of
superior beings in Earth's distant past, but that we have forgotten much
of the previous technology, and are only now slowly relearning it. I
can live with these references, but a full crossover is quite
frightening.

I can safely say, that this is an area of Shadowrun I am having to
consider very carefully, mainly in order to decide just how much of this
I will use in *my* game.

>
><ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>
Not necessary from to hide from me. I prefer blasters to flamers, and
seeing as blaster haven't been invented yet.... no problem.
>
>Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?
see above ^^^^^^^ (not from here)

TTYL
Pete
--
Pete Sims
Heroes or Fools? That's a determination others will make in hindsight. But by
being here now, we make that determination for ourselves, and it's neither.
Lt.Col.T.C.McQueen
Message no. 4
From: Loki <loki@*******.com>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 14:39:40 -0700
Steven Ratkovich wrote:
>
> Hey guys, what do you think of this idea? Now, I know it's not Shadowrun,
> but....
>
> What about using the Shadowrun Rules System to play an RPG based on the
> movie Aliens?
>
> Ok, another idea? Since FASA's mixing space into the game now, so what
> about incorporating them into the game? Granted, this would definately NOT
> be anything remotely official, or even close, but...
>
> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?
>
> <ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>
>
> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?

About six years ago, while we wre still playing 1st Edition a player and
I sat down and put together the stats for a Predator alien in S/R.
Mostly at his prodding, and since he was an experienced DM in @*&D, I
went along with it. I think it was right after seeing Predator 2 when it
was out. I only used the NPC in one game and then retired him as a
stupid idea, but it can be done.
@>-,--'--- Loki

CLARKE'S THIRD LAW:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

*********************************************
Poisoned Elves
http://www.netzone.com/~loki/
*********************************************
Message no. 5
From: Guardian <s777317@*******.gu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 09:25:33 +1000 (EST)
> What about using the Shadowrun Rules System to play an RPG based on the
> movie Aliens?
>
> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?
>
> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?

*scared look* Try playing the Aliens RPG before you say nasty things like
that! *grin* The game's supposed to be pretty much as how Alan Dean
Foster thought the aliens were supposed to be... REALLY FRAGGIN HARD TO
KILL! I remember our party going through 23 characters in 5 rounds
(about 30 seconds, think) game time, and about 5 hours real time... and
that was only 18 aliens, no queens, no facehuggers etc. AND we were all
happy gunners...

If that's the way FASA's taking Shadowrun, I think I'll go play with
force ten manta spirit queens instead... safer...

Guardian

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's called tourist season, so why can't we shoot them?"
Adam Treloar aka Guardian
s777317@*****.student.gu.edu.au http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1900/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 6
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 00:11:11 -0500 (EST)
>*scared look* Try playing the Aliens RPG before you say nasty things like
>that! *grin* The game's supposed to be pretty much as how Alan Dean
>Foster thought the aliens were supposed to be... REALLY FRAGGIN HARD TO
>KILL! I remember our party going through 23 characters in 5 rounds
>(about 30 seconds, think) game time, and about 5 hours real time... and
>that was only 18 aliens, no queens, no facehuggers etc. AND we were all
>happy gunners...
>
Well, I've heard a few things about the Aliens RPG, and none were
good,unfortunately. And I wouldn't wantthem impossible to
kill,butdefinately make thema threat along the bug catagory. Plus, I
wouldn'tusethem in a real setting <welll,maybe...>, but in a straight Aliens
based game... I think FASA's combat and skill system would work well for
this...:)

>If that's the way FASA's taking Shadowrun, I think I'll go play with
>force ten manta spirit queens instead... safer...
>

<grin>
Ahhh,the 10's are easy... And I'm on real good terms with the leader of
the Mantis hive...:)

Hi Beckky and Adrienne!:)



#######################################################
# -Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich #
# chaos@*****.com #
# Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours? #
#######################################################

"I say we go back to the ship, and nuke the
site from Orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
-Ripley, "Aliens"
Message no. 7
From: "Sascha Pabst" <Sascha.Pabst@**********.Uni-Oldenburg.DE>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 1996 13:37:45 +0000
On 30 Sep 96 at 0:11, Steven Ratkovich wrote:
[Aliens and Bugs]
> >If that's the way FASA's taking Shadowrun, I think I'll go play with
> >force ten manta spirit queens instead... safer...

> <grin>
> Ahhh,the 10's are easy... And I'm on real good terms with the leader of
> the Mantis hive...:)
>
> Hi Beckky and Adrienne!:)
"Hello, Lunch! Err...."

Sascha
--
+---___---------+------------------------------------+------------------------+
| / / _______ | Jhary-a-Conel aka Sascha Pabst |Things that try to look |
| / /_/ ____/ |Sascha.Pabst@ | like things often do |
| \___ __/ | Informatik.Uni-Oldenburg.de | look more like things |
|==== \_/ ======|*Wearing hats is just a way of life*| than things. Well known|
|LOGOUT FASCISM!| - Me | fact. - E.Weatherwax |
+------------- http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~jhary -----------------+
Message no. 8
From: Joker <s1057948@*******.gu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 15:07:15 +1000 (EST)
> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?
>

If FASA is shitty enough to do that, then I am going to give up playing.
It would ruin the entire mythos of the game.

> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?
>
Won't flame you, the thought had occurred to me too.

It'd be a shame, because I've been playing the game since it came out in
1988.

Sigh.....

Bleach.
Message no. 9
From: Joker <s1057948@*******.gu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 15:17:38 +1000 (EST)
Perhaps someone ought to get on to FASAMike and ask for confimation that
this isn't going to happen..... Unlike TSR, Fasa have always been
reasonably receptive to new ideas from the people that play their games.

(Remind my to tell you about the orichalcum bullets; My one moment of
FASA fame)

If someone from the list asks whether aliens are going to be incorporated,
and explains our concerns they may even give us a straight answer.

Bleach.
Message no. 10
From: chaos@*****.com (Steven Ratkovich)
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 01:45:09 -0500 (EST)
>> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?
>>
>
>If FASA is shitty enough to do that, then I am going to give up playing.
>It would ruin the entire mythos of the game.
>
Agreed, very much agreed. That would be a cheap cop out, and would piss me,
you, and whole hordes of fans off, so I doubt they will.... BTW, when is
FASAmike gonna get on the list? This is the kind of stuff that designers
need to hear...:)

>> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?
>>
>Won't flame you, the thought had occurred to me too.
>
>It'd be a shame, because I've been playing the game since it came out in
>1988.
>
I've only been around since '93, but... It would still be a shame...:)



****************************************************************************
*******
-Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich
chaos@*****.com
Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours?
****************************************************************************
*******

"I say we go back to the ship, and nuke the
site from Orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
-Ripley, "Aliens"
Message no. 11
From: big_jake@****.com (big_jake)
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 17:05:43 -0500
>> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?

> If FASA is sh*tty enough to do that, then I am going to give up playing.
> It would ruin the entire mythos of the game.

First, this idea came up at a GenCon panel discussion back in '90 or '91.
The FASA folks (a slightly different crowd than today, granted) showed
unanimous distaste for the concept. I don't know? I always thought Atlantis
and UFOs kind of go together.

Naah, you're right, it's a bad idea.

Second, how often does this need to be said: "Why give up playing a game
you enjoy? Just don't use the stuff you don't like!"

<sigh>

> It'd be a shame, because I've been playing the game since it came out in
> 1988.

Hmm? good trick. It debuted in 1989.

// - - - - - - - john jacobsma <big_jake@****.com> - - - - - - -
// for geek code & pgp public key, visit my web page:
// http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/flying_dutchman/
// - - - - - - - f - - - n - - - o - - - r - - - d - - - - - - -
Message no. 12
From: Jamie Houston <s430472@*******.gu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 16:59:15 +1000 (EST)
On Sun, 29 Sep 1996, Steven Ratkovich wrote:

> Hey guys, what do you think of this idea? Now, I know it's not Shadowrun,
> but....
>
> What about using the Shadowrun Rules System to play an RPG based on the
> movie Aliens?
>
> Ok, another idea? Since FASA's mixing space into the game now, so what
> about incorporating them into the game? Granted, this would definately NOT
> be anything remotely official, or even close, but...
>
> Maybe the Horrors ARE aliens, similar to the movie aliens...?
>
> <ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>
>
> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?
>
I wouldn't mind seeing that game system made...you play the marines like
from "Aliens" and go around wasting the aliens...sounds good to me :)

Has anyone read the Predator vs Alien books? I think that would make an
interesting game...the Predators would be so cool to play!

Hamish

______________________________________________________________________
Jamie Houston * "If a kid asks why it's raining,
aka Bollox, Hamish,(and * a cute thing to tell him is "God is
lots of other unmentionable * crying"...And if he asks why God is
pseudonyms) * crying, another cute thing to tell
s430472@*****.student.gu.edu.au * him is "It's probably something
Griffith Uni * you did!"
______________________________________________________________________
Message no. 13
From: GRANITE <granite@**.net>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Fri, 04 Oct 1996 02:29:34 -0700
Steven Ratkovich wrote:
> <ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>
>
> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?

Well since you obviously know you deserve it.....

This is a...
) ( ( (
( ) () @@ ) (( (
( ( )( @@ ( )) ) (
( ( ( ()( /---\ (()( (
_______ ) ) )(@ !O O! )@@ ( ) ) )
< _____) ) ( ( )( ()@ \ o / (@@@@@ ( ()( )
/--| |( o| ( ) ) ((@@(@@ !o! @@@@(@@@@@)() (
| > \___| ) ( @)@@)@ /---\-/---\ )@@@@@()( )
| /---------+ (@@@@)@@@( // /-----\ \\ @@@)@@@@@( .
| | FL \ =========______/|@@@@@@@@@@@@@(@@@ // @ /---\ @ \\@(@@@(@@@ . .
| \ \\=========------\|@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ O @@@ /-\ @@@ O@@(@@)@@ @ .
| \ \----+--\-))) @@@@@@@@@@ !! @@@@ % @@@@ !! @@)@@@ .. .
| |\______|_)))/ . @@@@@@ !! @@ /---\ @@ !! @@(@@@ @ . .
\__========== * . @@ /MM /\O O/\ MM\ @@@@@@@. .
| |-\ \ ( . @ !!! !! \-/ !! !!! @@@@@ .
| | \ \ ) . . @@@@ !! !! .(. @. .. .
| | \ \ ( / .( . \)). ( |O )( O! @@@@ . ) .
| | / / ) ( )). (( .) !! ((( !! @@ (. ((. . .
| | / / () )) )) .( ( ( ) ). ( !! )( !! ) (( )) ..
| |_< / ( ) ( ( ) ) (( ) )).) ((/ | ( | \( )) ((. ).
____<_____\\__\__(___)_))_((_(____))__(_(___.oooO_____Oooo.(_(_)_)((_
--
-------------------------------GRANITE
=================================================================
Lord, Grant Me The Serinity To Accept The Things I Cannot Change,
The Courage To Change The Things I Can,
And The Wisdom To Hide The Bodies Of Those People I Had To Kill
Because They Pissed Me Off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ShadowRunner's Serinity Prayer
Message no. 14
From: "Gurth" <gurth@******.nl>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 12:39:28 +0100
GRANITE said on 2:29/ 4 Oct 96...

> Steven Ratkovich wrote:
> > <ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>
> >
> > Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?
>
> Well since you obviously know you deserve it.....
>
> This is a...

It looks better in a non-proportional font, I guess... Pretty good ASCII
art, though, after I switched to Courier :) Where did you find it?

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
"You can ground supercalifragilistic ammo through elven illuminati!"
-> NERPS Project Leader & Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version 3.1:
GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+ PE
Y PGP- t(+) 5+ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------
Message no. 15
From: GRANITE <granite@**.net>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Fri, 04 Oct 1996 05:20:01 -0700
Gurth wrote:
> It looks better in a non-proportional font, I guess... Pretty good ASCII
> art, though, after I switched to Courier :) Where did you find it?
>

Oh I didn't find it it found me..I got that one several years ago..I started
collecting net art like that one and sometimes share it with others..That
carp I toss around is another one that found me..As for the flamethrower..I
redid that one a couple of different ways..One shoots paintballs..I kinda
like that one..
--
-------------------------------GRANITE
=================================================================
Lord, Grant Me The Serinity To Accept The Things I Cannot Change,
The Courage To Change The Things I Can,
And The Wisdom To Hide The Bodies Of Those People I Had To Kill
Because They Pissed Me Off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ShadowRunner's Serinity Prayer
Message no. 16
From: Pete Sims <petesims@********.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Sat, 5 Oct 1996 02:21:39 +0100
In article <3254D8FE.6BD0@**.net>, GRANITE <granite@**.net> writes
>Steven Ratkovich wrote:
>> <ducks into an asbestos bunker, just in case:)>
>>
>> Ideas? Comments? Questiions? Flames?
>
>Well since you obviously know you deserve it.....
>
>This is a...

[snip flamethrower]

<Cackle, giggle, choke cough> almost as good as the giant Twaps that
float around here sometimes.

Funny that, my team used to run with a Mage who *loved* Flamethrowers,
he didn't have enough confidence in his magic abilities to cast spells
at bady guys, just in case he pissed them off instead of killing or
immobilising them, so - he flamed them instead. He had pretty much
every type of flamethrower that was on the market - one type for each
style of run. What a nutter :)

Pete
--
Pete Sims
Heroes or Fools? That's a determination others will make in hindsight. But by
being here now, we make that determination for ourselves, and it's neither.
Lt.Col.T.C.McQueen
Message no. 17
From: "Loki" <loki@*******.com>
Subject: Re: New Idea: Aliens
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 1996 12:29:04 -0700
> Gurth wrote:
> > It looks better in a non-proportional font, I guess... Pretty good
ASCII
> > art, though, after I switched to Courier :) Where did you find it?
> >
>
> Oh I didn't find it it found me..I got that one several years ago..I
started
> collecting net art like that one and sometimes share it with others..That

> carp I toss around is another one that found me..As for the
flamethrower..I
> redid that one a couple of different ways..One shoots paintballs..I kinda

> like that one..

I've got a prett good assortment of ASCII art (though I rarely use it). If
Granite or anyone would be interested in it, give me your personal e-mail
address and I'll send it via attachment. Don't want to put tag it on here
on the list, cuz I don't know how everyone's mailers handle attachments.

@>-,--'--- Loki

CLARKE'S THIRD LAW:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

*********************************************
Poisoned Elves
http://www.netzone.com/~loki/
*********************************************

Further Reading

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