| From: | Sebastian Wiers m0ng005e@*********.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Otaku questions |
| Date: | Mon, 6 Sep 1999 00:17:06 -0700 |
> > > pool?
> >
> > The certainly get one, and it is calculated as normal, based off MPCP
and
> > Int. That means it will be large, by hacking pool standards.
> Actually, given the range of attributes vs. cyberdecks in a the hands of
a
> regular decker, Decker's should win out here on the Hacking Pool.
That depends on the decker and Otaku. You are right- the diffrence isn't
big (either way) as I had though. In fact a "normal" decker will often
have a higher hacking pool, especially if they have the (expensive) cyber
that specifiacally boosts it. They can also (eventually) get decks with an
MPCP higher than an Otakus living persona would have. Still, a good
starting otaku character can have a hacking pool of 5 or 6, which is
respectable, and once they can get good cyber, it (might) go higher.
> > Kieth is likely "expanding" the rules a bit. You could do this, but
DINAB
> > is not inteded to work this way- what tests would it perform? Theres
no
> > rules covering that, unless you write them yourself. I don't think it
> > would do any good, myself- what you'd be trying to do is make a SKB,
not a
> > cyberdeck.
>
> Actually Mongoose, in the case we are using is the "MPCP" is becoming the
> "Core" rating for a given frame. The DINAB becomes the "Frames"
actual
> computer skill. And it does do good for some tasks, like anything you'd
want
> a Frame to do for example.
I figured that was what you meant. An MPCP is not a frame, though- a
frame is a very large program with some very special capbilties and it
still has some stiff limits on what it can do. If given DINAB, it has some
limited autonomy, but still requires commands from the decker. A MPCP has
totally different tasks (and is also a big program), but it does not have
the facilty to be a frame (or really do anything useful that I can see)
just because it has DINAB.
If the deck DID function as a frame, at the very least it would require a
lenghty "loading" process whenever you wnated to change its persona ratings
or utilties at all. I can't see why just using a frame (or sprite) is not
equally handy, or (coversely) why a DINABed deck would offer better
performance.
I'm not saying its not an interesting idea- I just think a MPCP with DINAB
is not (nearly) sufficient to making a self directed deck. On the other
hand, that has GOT to be one big chunk of code, and the idea of a "drone"
deck with a "pilot" rating is pretty cool- but you will notice, theres no
rules on programming a pilot rating, either... [ And certainly, the idea of
applying programming options to chipsets is an interesting one. (-: ]
Now there's a wacky idea- why not create "robot" that can control a deck?
On second thought, I don't really wan't to go there- that is, again, what
an SaKb is, in effect. [Oh, but wouldn't THAT be "fun"- a SaKb as a
"drone", with a decker "jumped in" and controlling it... I'm not sure
what
the stats would be, but it would probably be ugly...]
> > And no, you can't have one shot forms. Cute idea (it would let you
get a
> > few more at character creation) but it goes against the concept of a
> > complex form. A lot of options are pointless on forms- they shrink
actual
> > size (which Otaku don't care about) but increase the amount of code
that
> > must be written (which is what your Otaku would have to do).
>
> Very true on the restriction here. There is something however that we'd
like
> to make sure is understood. The concept of "Karma" and "Forms"
is now
> seperated with regards to the Otaku.
Is it? Otaku don't pay karma for forms they start the game with (they
never did), but they must pay karma when creating new forms (equal to the
forms rating), afaik. What do you mean by "seperated"?
> And as for Size of something, if it were code, they would of course be
> concerned. They still don't have "Resonant Memory" per say, as such they
> have to have external/internalized memory sources just like everyone
else.
Forms don't require memory of any sort, right? A "big" one does take
longer to create, but once created, it is always considered "in active
memory" if the Otaku so wishes it. At least, that is how I see it...
An Otaku's chip based memory (implanted or external) is there for
downloads (or uploads, or whatever "outside" data they have), and not for
forms. They don't have active / storage memory because thay do not need
any sort of memory for thier persona. Or am I missing something?
Otaku also can't "store" thier forms and loan them to friends- in fact,
the inabilty to swap software seems a major limit on Otaku as a group.
Groups of deckers can become quite powerful by programming as teams or each
working on seperate componants of a deck and then sharing code.
> Everything that Mongoose says is accurate, and I'll give him credit in
> that he does like to do the math.
Can I put that on my resume, Kieth? :-)
Mongoose
