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Message no. 1
From: Calvin Hsieh <u2172778@*******.ACSU.UNSW.EDU.AU>
Subject: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 11:52:47 +1100
I know this question sounds weird but here goes:

What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the back
doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
wrapped so I could take a look.

Anyway, is it worth the trouble?

Shaman
Message no. 2
From: Shane Courtrille <hardware@*******.DATANET.AB.CA>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 17:55:18 +0000
>
> What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the back
> doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
> wrapped so I could take a look.
>
> Anyway, is it worth the trouble?
>
Its worth it for sure.. I found the contacts book that came with it
usable, and the screen itself is very useful during game play...
especially for figuring out TN#
Shane Courtrille - hardware@*******.ab.ca
KnightOwl on Efnet
Message no. 3
From: Fro <fro@***.AB.CA>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 18:07:08 -0700
At 17:55 1/28/05 +0000, you wrote:
>>
>> What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the back
>> doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
>> wrapped so I could take a look.
>>
>> Anyway, is it worth the trouble?
>>
>Its worth it for sure.. I found the contacts book that came with it
>usable, and the screen itself is very useful during game play...
>especially for figuring out TN#

I found it less than useable..for the simple reason we play on the floor,
and it sits below us, where you have to either lean down or pick it up to
see it.
Thats more a problem with our playing style than the screen. I love the
art on it, and the contacts book comes in handy, so it was a good purchase,
even though I just use it to hide my notes :)

-Fro
http://www.geocities.com/area51/6112
ShadowRN Assistant Fearless Leader
Yadda yadda brag sheet space here
Message no. 4
From: Lynn Twiss <ltwiss@********.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 17:11:04 +8
Calvin Hsieh <SHADOWRN@********.itribe.net>
on 10 Jan 97 put to email a tale about SR GM screen:

> I know this question sounds weird but here goes:
>
> What precisely does the GM screen package contain?

The nifty fold out GM Screen; a medium sized accessory book of
contacts. (I can't remember if it came with more, that's all I've
still got.)

> The blurb at the back
> doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
> wrapped so I could take a look.
>
> Anyway, is it worth the trouble?

Depends. The contact book is very useful if you don't have Sprawl
Sites. All the contacts listed in the SR2 booklet of the screen are
in the Sprawl Sites. Of course the contacts in Sprawl Sites are SR1
contacts and they still need to be converted.

So if you aren't up to converting; the SRII GM Screen would be a
handy buy for a GM.



Vael's HO, not to mention .02¥
Message no. 5
From: Calvin Hsieh <u2172778@*******.ACSU.UNSW.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 12:28:08 +1100
On Fri, 28 Jan 2005, Shane Courtrille wrote:

> >
> > What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the back
> > doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
> > wrapped so I could take a look.
> >
> > Anyway, is it worth the trouble?
> >
> Its worth it for sure.. I found the contacts book that came with it
> usable, and the screen itself is very useful during game play...
> especially for figuring out TN#


How does it compare with the quickref sheets from Paolo's site? Also, how
up to date is it? From memory, it's an old supplement - does it include
tables etc from FoF, Black Book, Street Sam etc?

Shaman
Message no. 6
From: Calvin Hsieh <u2172778@*******.ACSU.UNSW.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 12:46:36 +1100
On Thu, 9 Jan 1997, Fro wrote:

> At 17:55 1/28/05 +0000, you wrote:
> >>
> >> What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the back
> >> doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
> >> wrapped so I could take a look.
> >>
> >> Anyway, is it worth the trouble?
> >>
> >Its worth it for sure.. I found the contacts book that came with it
> >usable, and the screen itself is very useful during game play...
> >especially for figuring out TN#
>
> I found it less than useable..for the simple reason we play on the floor,
> and it sits below us, where you have to either lean down or pick it up to
> see it.

On the floor? How can you maintain this position for the amounts of time
consumed by the game? Yoga?

This brings another question, for which I should start another thread,
but I couldn't be bothered today.

What do people bring to the gaming table? How do people arrange the
setting? I find there's always too much in too little a place.
Traditionally, I'm a miniature representative combat GM for such games as
Warhammer RPG, RuneQuest and **&*. But I find, with the distances (combat
is mainly at a distance), that I've had to abandon it.

Opinions? Constructive or otherwise.

Shaman
Message no. 7
From: "V.A.L.I.S." <campbellcc@***.HENDRIX.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 20:21:59 +0100
>What do people bring to the gaming table? How do people arrange the
>setting? I find there's always too much in too little a place.
>Traditionally, I'm a miniature representative combat GM for such games as
>Warhammer RPG, RuneQuest and **&*. But I find, with the distances (combat
>is mainly at a distance), that I've had to abandon it.

I live in a dorm. So the guys I play with live all of a meter and a half
away. We play on an old coffee table that was given to me free. I sit on
my (soon to be ex-)roommates bed and smoke too much. (Tough s**t, It's on
the end, and the only place the screen works to hide my evil plan) ((No he
and me get along great, he just has a _lot_ of real hard classes and our
corridor is a little, how shall we say, fun heavy)) The table is great, now
if I can just keep my characters from changeing the numbers on their
sheets...

;->


Sincerely,

Courtney C. Campbell...
(Male-Agnostic-Heterosexual-American)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
* Courtney C. Campbell *
* Campbellcc@*****.hendrix.edu *
* Http://www.hendrix.edu/homes/stu/campbellcc/ *
* ____| *
* |_|__ "I am not mad. *
* | I am intrested in freedom." *
* -James Douglas Morrison *
*---------------------------------------------------------------------*
* "Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." -Buckaroo Banzai *
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Matter is plastic in the face of mind
-Tractates Cryptica Scriptura
Phillip Kindred Dick/VALIS
Message no. 8
From: Spike <u5a77@*****.CS.KEELE.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 02:20:02 +0000
|I live in a dorm. So the guys I play with live all of a meter and a half
|away. We play on an old coffee table that was given to me free. I sit on
|my (soon to be ex-)roommates bed and smoke too much. (Tough s**t, It's on
|the end, and the only place the screen works to hide my evil plan) ((No he
|and me get along great, he just has a _lot_ of real hard classes and our
|corridor is a little, how shall we say, fun heavy)) The table is great, now
|if I can just keep my characters from changeing the numbers on their
|sheets...

Surely you mean the players....

I'd be a little frightened if my character started rewriting himself....
;)
--
______________________________________________________________________________
|u5a77@*****.cs.keele.ac.uk| "Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?" |
|Andrew Halliwell | |
|Principal subjects in:- | "I think so brain, but this time, you control |
|Comp Sci & Electronics | the Encounter suit, and I'll do the voice..." |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|GCv3.1 GCS/EL>$ d---(dpu) s+/- a- C++ U N++ K- w-- M+/++ PS+++ PE- Y t+ 5++ |
|X+/++ R+ tv+ b+ D G e>PhD h/h+ !r! !y-|I can't say F**K either now! >*SULK*<|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 9
From: John E Pederson <lobo1@****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen)
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 22:26:49 EST
On Thu, 9 Jan 1997 19:18:53 -0700 Fro <fro@***.AB.CA> writes:
>At 12:46 1/10/97 +1100, you wrote:
<snip>
>Lets see.. Pile of books on the left, pile of notes on the right,
>players
>scattered around being dorks, yeah, that about sums it all up. I
>suppose
>its partly my fault, I don't GM them nearly often enough to drive some
>good
>habits into them.. Well, maybe this year I can get around to the
>twice
>monthly games.. :)

You and me both...

>-Fro
>The Assistant Fearless Leader who really needs to game more.
>
Why does this sound familiar...

Canthros-the-shapeshifter-mage
Message no. 10
From: John E Pederson <lobo1@****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 22:26:49 EST
On Fri, 10 Jan 1997 11:52:47 +1100 Calvin Hsieh
<u2172778@*******.ACSU.UNSW.EDU.AU> writes:
>I know this question sounds weird but here goes:
>
>What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the
>back
>doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't
>shrink
>wrapped so I could take a look.
>
>Anyway, is it worth the trouble?
>
>Shaman

Well, it's got a bunch of archetypes and contacts (not in the SR2 book,
and not all the archetypes are in Sprawl Sites, I don't believe, and
vice-versa), it contains all the info in most of the SRII book (I think,
can't compare and haven't checked) in table layouts, like thye did on the
back of the Aerotech book I've got (no, it's not SR, but it is FASA:)

Canthros-the-shapeshifter-mage
Message no. 11
From: Bull <chaos@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 03:55:14 -0500
At 11:52 AM 1/10/97 +1100, you wrote:
>I know this question sounds weird but here goes:
>
>What precisely does the GM screen package contain? The blurb at the back
>doesn't describe it well, nor have I found a package that wasn't shrink
>wrapped so I could take a look.
>
>Anyway, is it worth the trouble?
>
Well... It comes with a contacts book with a bunch of cool pre-genned
contacs, plus a bunch of archetypes.

It also comes with a sheet of cardboard pieces that you can punch out and
use in place of miniatures.

Also, the screen itself is nice... it has:

Rascism Table
Social Skill Table
Vehicle Ops Table
Injury Mods Table
Surprise Test Chart
Weapons Range Table
Perception Success Table
3Visibility Table
Language Skills Table
Situational Modifiers Table
Barrier Rating Table
Skill Web
Build/Repair Table
Barrier Effect Table
Combat Turn Sequence
Vehicle Combat Turn Sequence
Ranged Combat Procedure
Melee Combat Procedure
Sample Weapon Damage Codes
Knowledge Skill Table
Perception Test Table
Elemental & Nature Spirits Table
Spellcasting Procedure
Conjuring test
Object Resistance Table
Ice Program Table
Security Code Table
Node Generation Table
Matrix Combat Procedure
Data Value Table
IC Installation Table

In that order...:)

Does that help?

IMNSHO, very worthwhile...

Bull
--
<.sig seperator now included at no extra cost, because I can>
=======================================================
= Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich =
= chaos@*****,com =
= "Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours?" =
=======================================================

"What the heck happened to my superheroes???"
-Me, after seeing the new Marvel Comics revamps of
Capt. America and the Hulk.
Message no. 12
From: Bull <chaos@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 03:56:55 -0500
At 06:07 PM 1/9/97 -0700, you wrote:
>At 17:55 1/28/05 +0000, you wrote:
>Thats more a problem with our playing style than the screen. I love the
>art on it, and the contacts book comes in handy, so it was a good purchase,
>even though I just use it to hide my notes :)
>
I use it to hide notes, and to hide the dice roles so that my players don't
know that I don't bother using dice, except as sound effects...:):)

Bull
--
<.sig seperator now included at no extra cost, because I can>
=======================================================
= Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich =
= chaos@*****,com =
= "Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours?" =
=======================================================

"What the heck happened to my superheroes???"
-Me, after seeing the new Marvel Comics revamps of
Capt. America and the Hulk.
Message no. 13
From: Calvin Hsieh <u2172778@*******.ACSU.UNSW.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 23:46:49 +1100
On Fri, 10 Jan 1997, Bull wrote:

> At 06:07 PM 1/9/97 -0700, you wrote:
> >At 17:55 1/28/05 +0000, you wrote:
> >Thats more a problem with our playing style than the screen. I love the
> >art on it, and the contacts book comes in handy, so it was a good purchase,
> >even though I just use it to hide my notes :)
> >
> I use it to hide notes, and to hide the dice roles so that my players don't
> know that I don't bother using dice, except as sound effects...:):)

Are you using pregenerated rolls? I've tried that, it speeds things up
but detracts from that element of surprise.

Or are you just using the GM is God and can make anything he likes up rule?

Shaman
Message no. 14
From: Bull <chaos@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 09:03:52 -0500
At 11:46 PM 1/10/97 +1100, you wrote:
>On Fri, 10 Jan 1997, Bull wrote:
>
>> At 06:07 PM 1/9/97 -0700, you wrote:
>> >At 17:55 1/28/05 +0000, you wrote:
>> >Thats more a problem with our playing style than the screen. I love the
>> >art on it, and the contacts book comes in handy, so it was a good
purchase,
>> >even though I just use it to hide my notes :)
>> >
>> I use it to hide notes, and to hide the dice roles so that my players don't
>> know that I don't bother using dice, except as sound effects...:):)
>
>Are you using pregenerated rolls? I've tried that, it speeds things up
>but detracts from that element of surprise.
>
>Or are you just using the GM is God and can make anything he likes up rule?
>
>Shaman
>
See, the thing is I don't like to kill characters off unless theyt give me
a good reason to, so mostly I wing it, make up whatever number of success
(or whatever) I think are appropriate for the moment...

No reason for things to be TOO easy, or TOO hard for the PC's... unless
they eitehr
A) Deserve it because of stupidity
B) Deserve it because of bad dice rolls on their part
C) Deserve it because I say so...:)

As you can see, I firmly believe in teh god-like powers of the GM...

Bull
--
<.sig seperator now included at no extra cost, because I can>
=======================================================
= Bull, aka Chaos, aka Rak, aka Steven Ratkovich =
= chaos@*****,com =
= "Order is Illusion! Chaos is Bliss! Got any fours?" =
=======================================================

"What the heck happened to my superheroes???"
-Me, after seeing the new Marvel Comics revamps of
Capt. America and the Hulk.
Message no. 15
From: Peter Coxon <coxoff@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR GM screen
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 20:08:43 UT
>|I live in a dorm. So the guys I play with live all of a meter and a half
<snippety Snip>
>|sheets...

>Surely you mean the players....

>I'd be a little frightened if my character started rewriting himself....
>;)
>Andrew Halliwell
When I was RP'ing it would be me behind a gm screen, computer on my right and
a large stack of books on my left and 10>20 empty coffee mugs scattered
around...caffeine tends to make things easier...
but as I will be going to Uni in September I will be roleplaying
there....((free internet access *heaven!*))
oh yeah forgot about the food things...ie 1/2 eaten burgers pizza's etc.
((Average lasted from about 5pm to about 11am :) ))
tim ntoo

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