The official PARANOIA Dev Blog posted about Petri Wessman’s blog where you can dig up all manner of PARANOIA book reviews. I’m reasonably sure I’ve mentioned it before – largely because the review of ‘The Underplex‘ came over as entirely reasonable:
This is by no means a “must have” book for Paranoia, but neither is it bad.
I’m not going to argue with that. The blog contains numerous other reviews on all manner of books, games, films and other sundries – so, well worth surveilling.
I managed to completely miss the GM Day offers over at RPGNow/DriveThruRPG. I think it might have been for the best, because I almost definitely have stuff downloaded from there a while back unread (but not unwanted).
However, I’m happy to say, for PARANOIA fans, that the whole range (almost every sort of treason in word and deed) from the original XP rules to the present day likes of IntSec has some sort of discount (with the odd exception here and there). In many cases, Mongoose has discounted by as much as 50% (or thereabouts), which can’t be sniffed at. Handy for anyone who wishes to avail themselves of the recent Forms Pack (which certainly lends itself to the PDF format for each of GM access – just print and terrorize!).
I have been flicking through ‘Black Missions’ over the weekend, because I haven’t, as of yet, familiarised myself with the changes (around Treason Points, for example). Alas, I hoped to read a lot, but managed to read only a smidgeon before other matters distracted me. As it happens, some distracting material may land up on this site in the near future; but, I dare not make any promises about what, when or how.
I’m on holiday at the moment and intended to use some of the time to get writing done. Out on the picturesque coast of Anglesey, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally finish writing my 14th century Avignon-based PARANOIA mini-supplement.
Alas, fickle fate has interceded. I have teenage sons to contend with and no wife to keep them distracted (as she stayed at home nursing a broken toe). My time has not been my own and the apartment only has one room with an inspirational sea view. On top of the that, I’ve been plagued with headaches and sleeplessness, which contribute to a general lack of concentration. Just writing this blog entry involves a considerable act of will.
To add insult to injury, I also intended to run some roleplaying sessions in the evening, simply to keep my oar in. Alas, I have struggled here, too. I’d rather watch a DVD or play a boardgame after getting home dog-tired from walking and preparing dinner.
More pep-pills for me, please!
I notice that Gareth H. (@mytholder) has been muttering – well, tweeting – about having a problem with the end of a PARANOIA mission. I have been keeping an eye out for his posts and Tweets because I’m interested in how the new edition of the game might be developing. I’m not sure whether this mission has anthing to do with the new rule set, or if this is something completely separate.
Having been quite involved in the game for the last five years, I take an interest in these things. My contributions may have been small… But that doesn’t mean that I stop caring. Indeed, I have been working hard on my own mission this weekend – keen to keep my oar in so as not to forget exactly how it is done. I like the creative process, though I’m not especially quick or decisive about it. I do have my moments, but they’re woefully unpredictable.
I’ll try to lay off taking too much interest in what other people are doing, and concentrate a little harder on my own projects. I’m sure Gareth will get the job finished just fine…
So, if you want a print copy, get over to Mongoose and buy one. Or, you could always depend on the perennially reliable online auction sites for secondhand copies.
And there are always PDF copies if you’re keen on preserving precious shelf space…
Bill’s fine Criminal Histories injected a wonderful thrill to PARANOIA character generation that had been missing from the system all these long years. Why should Traveller players be the only ones perched on the edges of their seats with each and every dice roll on yet another character generation chart? I know Allen Varney – writer and designer of PARANOIA (2004 edition) – relished the opportunity to format and layout dozens upon dozens of pages containing nothing but tables.
For my part, I wrote The Underplex as my first full-length project – me and my laptop against the world (or, more precisely, the ever approaching deadline). I appreciate the opportunity to add a little something to PARANOIA lore and hope that the passing of this book will not see ‘The Underplex’ forgotten like it’s namesake.
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