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Message no. 1
From: William Gallas <wgallas@*****.FR>
Subject: Other players during matrix runs (Re: Signal to Noise)
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 18:02:09 +0100
>Now I understand, and this is true. But those types are the ones
>the deckers are going to for help with code, new toys, etc.
>And even Sysop's are occasionally users on somebody elses system.
>In my campaign, I haven't had anyone interested in deckers inawhile,
>so most of it is handled by NPC's. Also, depending on who
>runs a system, and where it is, most deckers would still probably
>not hack the site. Its bad protocol. (Remember the story
>from the original VR book).

This arises a new question :
How do you (people on this list) to make the other players participate
during a matrix run ?
Most groups refuse to have deckers because players get bored of the time
spared by the GM for the decker. VR 2.0 was fine for this because it
accelerated the duration of matrix runs but that's not sufficient.

I used to give constructs to the players for them to play in the matrix but
that didn't really function...

The last idea I had (in fact, I just have it :) is to have the players play
two groups. The first would be constituted by the usual runners and the
other one would only have deckers which could be contacts of the other
players.
This could be fine because I think most pirates do run the matrix together
(it's far easier). The main problem would be that matrix runs could become
too easy... :(
If one of the players already has a decker, he would play him during the
two sessions. The difficulties he has during the usual runs would be
balanced by the karma he would gain from matrix and normal runs.


Cobra.

E-mail adress : wgallas@*****.fr
Quote : "Never trust an elf"
Message no. 2
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Other players during matrix runs (Re: Signal to Noise)
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 13:29:42 -0500
On Mon, Jan 12, 1998 at 06:02:09PM +0100, William Gallas wrote:
> >Now I understand, and this is true. But those types are the ones
> >the deckers are going to for help with code, new toys, etc.
> >And even Sysop's are occasionally users on somebody elses system.
> >In my campaign, I haven't had anyone interested in deckers inawhile,
> >so most of it is handled by NPC's. Also, depending on who
> >runs a system, and where it is, most deckers would still probably
> >not hack the site. Its bad protocol. (Remember the story
> >from the original VR book).
>
> This arises a new question :
> How do you (people on this list) to make the other players participate
> during a matrix run ?
> Most groups refuse to have deckers because players get bored of the time
> spared by the GM for the decker. VR 2.0 was fine for this because it
> accelerated the duration of matrix runs but that's not sufficient.
>
> I used to give constructs to the players for them to play in the matrix but
> that didn't really function...
>
> The last idea I had (in fact, I just have it :) is to have the players play
> two groups. The first would be constituted by the usual runners and the
> other one would only have deckers which could be contacts of the other
> players.
> This could be fine because I think most pirates do run the matrix together
> (it's far easier). The main problem would be that matrix runs could become
> too easy... :(
> If one of the players already has a decker, he would play him during the
> two sessions. The difficulties he has during the usual runs would be
> balanced by the karma he would gain from matrix and normal runs.
>
Couple problems with this. VR2 helps, but the system still requires
you to have some type of interested in computers. Some players don't.
I've always gotten the impression, most deckers solo on runs.
I used to play the matrix part, a couple hours before the rest
of the players arrived. Then decker then kept his mouth shut, and
would interact via cameras,alarms etc, but the rest of the group
would only know the final results of the run, and were kept from
being bored. This took more effort on the GM's and decker part,
but players change, so this isn't always a good solution.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Some people are alive, only because its illegal to kill them.
Message no. 3
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Other players during matrix runs (Re: Signal to Noise)
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 14:52:27 EST
In a message dated 98-01-12 11:59:32 EST, wgallas@*****.FR writes:

> The last idea I had (in fact, I just have it :) is to have the players play
> two groups. The first would be constituted by the usual runners and the
> other one would only have deckers which could be contacts of the other
> players.
> This could be fine because I think most pirates do run the matrix together
> (it's far easier). The main problem would be that matrix runs could become
> too easy... :(
> If one of the players already has a decker, he would play him during the
> two sessions. The difficulties he has during the usual runs would be
> balanced by the karma he would gain from matrix and normal runs.
>
This is actually a variation of what we have done here. But we combined it
with some stuff that most people would never want to touch..

Virtual Operating Decks (do you have the "VOD" for the job?), which are
basically similar to smart/dumb frames and/or even sprites, which when
accessed by a person using a simdeck, do perform like a deck, but the entire
hardware is actual "Virtuaware".

It let players start getting into things without the cost of cyberdeck
hardware (software is annoying of course), and all one needed was an
"Interactive-X" Simplayer for the person to use. Higher variations (more
powerful sourcecode) only needed Datajacks. Then all the players wanted in on
the matrix action to an extent. Hell, this would even let the Ghoul get in on
things (hiya Durand!!!).

The primary deckers became the source code for everyone, and they got the
"passcodes" to make everyone else's "decks" link-up. Hell, it became
more
like a BattleTAC setup than a "Matrix Run".

When combined with Encephalon (which is a par-for-the-course implant here it
seems), then a deck can be run on "cool-mode", and people can still interact
to an extent in the physical world.

Everyone is still scared of matrix, for they've seen the Otaku and Older
Deckers player-characters go at it hard and heavy with anything under-the-
sun...but now they have discovered the ability of "Team-Tasking" a given
operation.

-K
Message no. 4
From: ceedawg <ceedawg@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: Other players during matrix runs (Re: Signal to Noise)
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 23:41:30 -0600
William Gallas wrote:

> This arises a new question :
> How do you (people on this list) to make the other players participate
>
> during a matrix run ?
> Most groups refuse to have deckers because players get bored of the
> time
> spared by the GM for the decker. VR 2.0 was fine for this because it
> accelerated the duration of matrix runs but that's not sufficient.

I use the matrix simulator shareware called CyberSpace Matrix Simulator
v2.5.It's very nice, even includes a matrix design unit, & a deck
configuration editor. Runs in either real time or turn play modes, and
best of all it is compatible with the character files generated through
Paulo's character generator & with SRMCP 3.0 for combat & turn
resolution.

Using this on a laptop, player decker can make a run on a system &
actually have somebody roleplay meat watch on them. It's a hoot to
watch somebody panic & jack the bird out just as they blow the killer IC
& start the data download. With two or three people using the program
on different machines allows for multiple runs to occur with roleplay of
matrix meets. I have heard from some sources over in Gurth's neck of
the woods that the gentleman responsible for this lovely tool is working
on one that is networkable => INet play capabilities similar to
mechwarrior. This has not been verified, however (I hope the rumor mill
is true this time!)

Here's the URL: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5245/index.html
Go there for more info & a few screen shots.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. It supports sculpted environments. So those
of us who are crazy enough may insert our own demented IC images or
variants of the Fuchi Star interior :)


ceedawg
Message no. 5
From: BulletShower <nmatausc@****.CIP.FAK14.UNI-MUENCHEN.DE>
Subject: Re: Other players during matrix runs (Re: Signal to Noise)
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 11:25:24 +1000
Asked William Gallas <wgallas@*****.FR>:

> How do you (people on this list) to make the other players participate
> during a matrix run ?

No problem: make them play the ICE. How? Let them act like PCs.
Worked fine with us.


:)
BulletShower
_______________________________________________________________________________________
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Thwap!