| From: | Sommers sommers@*****.umich.edu |
|---|---|
| Subject: | skillsoft chips |
| Date: | Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:50:09 -0500 |
>I recently made a new charecter, and he has a skill chip system (wires,
>jukebox, etc.) I'v never had one of these, so I have some questions.
>
>#1- Whate shape and size are the "chips"?
From the descriptions, not very big. Maybe a half inch by half inch, about
the size of your thumb and a cm or 2 thick. There was a really nice picture
of it in the first edition book.
>#2- How dose a jukebox work?
Instead of slotting the chip into the jack in your head, you put it into a
little box that you carry on your belt (for example). Then a wire runs from
the box to the jack in your head. It lets you keep a lot more chips ready,
although you can still only run one iirc.
>#3- How do you make a chip?
No specific rules for it. For a knowsoft, it would just be like writing an
encyclopedia. for knowsofts, I assume that there is a lot of simsense work,
along with computer imaging of the person doing the action. Then the
company translates that into commands that are given to the skillwires to
talk the muscles into producing the desired effects.
>#4- What's the difference between a knowsoft and a skillsoft chip in
>terms more elaborate than, "a skillsoft gives you active skill, a
>knowsoft gives you knowedge skills."
A knowsoft is like a reference book, it just gives you the facts that you
can access. An activesoft tells your body how to do something. So a pistols
knowsoft would let you identify that model as a Ruger Thunderbolt, tell you
what its cyclic rate was, and how many rounds it normally carries. An
active soft would let you pick up the weapon and use it.
>#5- Where is a good chip dealer in Seattle?
Corner of 4th an Lexington? :)
Depends on the chip. Rule of thumb, for knowsofts treat them as a book.
Where would you go if you needed a book on subject X? For activesofts, go
to the same place. There would also probably be stores that specialize in
those products, an the old favorite Radio Shack. But, many of the higher
rated active softs will only be available with a special licence (like the
firearms ones). And there's always your local electronics black marketer.
>And finaly
>#6- Is it possible to become dependant or addicted to chips? (I.E. he
>becomes afraid to do anything new if he dosn't have a chip for it...)
That's really a role-playing thing. As cannon, there are no rules for
becoming addicted to these kind of chips. But it would make an interesting
twist for a character concept.
Sommers
Homepage here now!
http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~sommers/shadowrun.htm
