From:	Dark Elf <VESPOSIT@****.SUNYSB.EDU>
Subject:	Alpha/Betaware and shadowtech
Date:	Thu, 20 May 1993 14:41:39 EDT

In the campaign I'm currently involved in, the GM has ruled that shadowtech
cyber and bioware, along with alpha and betaware do not exist at character
creation time. He sees them as things currently being developed.

So, basically, Alpha and Beta grade cyber will be very difficult to find, and
will cost lots of Nuyen. Having these upgrades is a rare thing reserved for
PC's that have been around quite a while and the occasional exceptional
NPC (a very rare occurance)

He sees shadowtech stuff as being currently in development, and getting any
of the cool little things in there would be nearly impossible to locate on the
streets, and is more likely to be the target of a particularly difficult run.
Basically, by the time our characters have been in business long enough to
retire, they just may have a little alpha/betaware, and maybe one will have
a piece of shadowtech.

I personnaly like this setup, it makes you rely more on your skills and role-
playing prowess than on the chrome you've stuffed in yourself. Success in this
campaign is dependant on guile and cunning more than anything else. Not to
say that this is not true in campaigns where access to advanced tech is more
common, but it helps and adds a little atmosphere as far as I'm concerned.

DE