FT Lite

I also agree that a small booklet along with miniatures is a pretty good idea.

A sort of "everything you need to play" in one small package to get new
players up and running as quickly as possible. The sooner they play, the
sooner they'll be hooked - like the rest of us :-)

> Matthew L. Seidl wrote:
}>On Tuesday, April 28, 1998 10:23 AM, Ground Zero Games
[SMTP:jon@gzero.dungeon
> }>.com] wrote:
}>>
}>> I've been having some thoughts recently about a VERY stripped-down
small}>> booklet of just the basic FT core rules (suitably updated), explained
in}>> very simple terms especially for newcomers, young players and
non-gamers -
}>> sort of "FT Lite".
}
}I would second the idea of BASIC contents. The goal would be to make}this
cheap enough for impulse purchase. If you throw in mini's and}the price is
like $20, people will hesitate. But if tis like $8 or}$10, with counters and
maps and all, that would be great. Maybe even}do a $3 or $4 version (a la
Cheap Ass Games) with the total minimium.}Assume people have dice somewhere.
All they really need is 4 pages of}rules, some cheap counters, a turn guide,
and ship sheets. If it was}that cheap, I would expect a number to sell a large
number just on the}name and reviews.

I think this is a great idea. I would suggest the following, too:

1) Use a half full-size page size
2) Have a single page, half with counters and the other half templates (folded
in half, fits in booklet...) 3) The counters should be on cardboard and be
full color, ala EFSB 4) The inside cover could summarize all the rules, &c 5)
The outside cover should be emblazened with "System used with B5
RPG!"
6) Price around $6 7) Include rules for "quick" games ie no plotted movement

That's all I can think of right now...

I'll be happy to provide a few full color (or colour to you Brits..) counters
for the supplement...

Michael Wikan, Game Designer Accolade, Inc.

> -----Original Message-----

Including minis would be nice but I think they would price this type of

 product out of the introductory/impulse price range.  From what I have
seen in the US, miniature gaming is not as popular as board games so the minis
might not be a selling point and extra cost could hurt sales. Though a fleet
of minis and the full rulebook could be the basis for a Deluxe Edition
;-)

I envision the FT Lite product as just a booklet of basic rules priced around
US$5. Ship construction and fighters would not be addressed (but it would be
said that they were in the full rules). Weapons would be beam batteries plus
 maybe 1 or 2 other weapons for a little diversity.  6-10 ship diagrams,

frigate to battlecruiser, maybe a couple of different destroyers. 1 page of
cardboard counters to cut out (full color would be nice if it fit the cost).
Then on the back cover, advertise the full rules and have a great picture of
some miniatures in the middle of a battle. If there would be any artwork in
the booklet, pics of minis would also be appropriate to push the introductory
player towards miniatures.

Hmmmmm. It could come out just before 3rd edition of FT is released so it
would be a great introduction for the new players who would be able to go
directly to FT3 and then most of us old timers would pick it up as another
bridge to FT3.

}I'll be happy to provide a few full color (or colour to you Brits..)}counters
for the supplement...
}

The easiest way is to use visble design similarities (like NAC, ESU and NSL)
wedges or bricks, etc. For that matter, GZG could take retouched top down
phoyos of painted figures for counters... Not that that is a s
good as art...:-)

Michael Wikan, Game Designer Accolade, Inc.

> -----Original Message-----

> Matthew L. Seidl wrote:

> I would second the idea of BASIC contents. The goal would be to make

Hell, if it's only four pages of photocopies, why even charge a single brass
farthing? For all the profit it would make, after the distributors and shops
take their slice out you could just give it away as "freeware" and let the
lazy sods do their own copying.

Likewise a.PDF version to download off the 'net.

FT2 can be summerised on a postcard... I guess the key question is what
exactly do you leave *out* from the basic rules?

While we're yakking about FT-Lite, I'll take the opportunity to
flog those old horses called DS-Lite and SG-Lite... just enough
rules to use your GW-type figures, with the promise of more when
you shell out the spondoolies...

As a suggestion, does anyone think coloured thread/wool could work with
"action" photo's to show beam fire? I don't know if it would show up properly
in B&W though.

'Neath Southern Skies
http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~denian/
*********************
Mary had a little LAM, It's thrusters all aglow; And everywhere that Mary
went, The 'Mechs were sure to blow.

> -----Original Message-----

In article <71834@westmore.demon.co.uk>
> db-ft@westmore.demon.co.uk writes:

> >Matthew L. Seidl wrote:

I think this is the main point, if it is so simple, your more than likely
wasting your time and money trying to sell such a thing...

> distributors and shops take their slice out you could just give it

and I have one 'in progress' ( well, I pick at it every now and then) to give
away here

> David Brewer wrote:

First of all, I love the idea of FT Lite. I have some Heavy Gear sample rules
sets that I use to introduce new players to HG. A similar set of rules would
be a real help to treach new players in to the basics.

> Likewise a .PDF version to download off the 'net.

Didn't Jon mention that he was thinking of setting a GZG web site? If so, then
this would be a great place to distribute a.PDF version of FT Lite.

> FT2 can be summerised on a postcard... I guess the key question is

I'd keep ships really simple, mostly beam weapons with a few special weapons
(pluse torp, needle beam, SMB) for flavor. Cinematic movement only. Maybe
rules for asteriods to make things more interesting. No fighters or
superweapons.

> ROBERTSON,Brendan wrote:
...snip...JTL

Brendan,

Might I suggest nylon fish line, the line will pick up the lighting and not be
so 'fuzzy'.

Change of subject: come back soon the squadron (?) will miss your expert
commentary and sugestions.

Gort Folly, AKA

In article <3546AAC2.46FCADB2@csd.uwm.edu>
> cthulhu@csd.uwm.edu writes:

> Adrian Bruce wrote:

That depends on *lots* of factors, like spare time, office workload, family
and 'just being in the mood'!

> Helios Chronicles background. Now I know. I myself would like to

The list probably isn't the place for this, but work out someway to make it
'complete' in the pages that are in the pdf. A complete, non generic, simple,
fun game in 4 pages or something! I've got more artwork for it, and 2
scenarios... but nothing finished or tested in ANYWAY. It is much easier for
me to make it a small SF artbook with a story with a simple game, than a REAL
game. The art stuff is what I do to relax, and I've got all the tools to scan,
video grab, CG, sculpt, etc, it all into a.pdf file.... given the time and
some incentive to bother to finish anything.

What *I really want* is a playable solo scenario of Angels coming out of
hyperspace and taking out a human transport, or not...

Been looking at RAF, B-17 and 'Londons burning' for approaches, but
have yet to try something, and developing a simple yet playable system
for Angel moment and attack (without writting it in VC++, which is
what I do for a living!) looks like a major project! Tables, cards and dice
could be used, but look like they all get complicated fast..

> --

I'll email you some more story so the above makes a bit more sense..

> Adrian Bruce wrote:

I like it! I was wondering just how far you were going to take your Helios
Chronicles background. Now I know. I myself would like to contribute to your
project. What do you want me to do?

On Wednesday, April 29, 1998 12:37 AM, ROBERTSON,Brendan
[SMTP:Brendan.ROBERTSON@EMPLOYMENT.GOV.AU]
wrote:
> As a suggestion, does anyone think coloured thread/wool could work

Maybe Its a bit of a low tech, why not re-touch the photos
digitally after scanning them? You can then add planets and nebulae etc.

I brought it up just to see what anyone else thought. It's just that all of
the miniature photos you see around, none of them are real "action shots".
They usually just show the basic mini's. The best miniature action photo I've
seen is a castle assault from the "Magnamund Companion", complete with mage
fireballing the defenders (using cotton wool & cellophane).

'Neath Southern Skies
http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~denian/
*********************
NB: I'll be off the email for about a week due to technical difficulties (&
redundancy).
*****

> -----Original Message-----

> As a suggestion, does anyone think coloured thread/wool could work with

Much better to add the special effects on computer after the photos are
scanned, IMHO.

Jon (GZG)
> 'Neath Southern Skies

In article <l03010d02b16c988a3303@[195.188.53.50]>
> jon@gzero.dungeon.com writes:

> >As a suggestion, does anyone think coloured thread/wool could work

Not without looking cheap...

> >properly in B&W though.

Yes, that way they look as good as anything else you will see on video or
film... to the limits of the talent of the person compositing in the effects
that is.

Probably wouldn't work too well in a photo, but I once tried coloured,
florescent mono-filament fishing line. I had some 'day glo' paint on the
ships' engines and weopens. On a fresh, black sheet, in near dark, and with
some black(UV) lights, the effect was pretty intense.

Actually, it was difficult to look at long enough to make tactical
decisions and aimed shots. ;->= Visually, the black background kept
falling away.

The_Beast

PS. The effect was kind of spoiled by lint on the sheet; usually, it
fluoresced brighter than the line. Stupid doped American clothes detergent
with it's 'whiter than white'.

adrian@rinc.or.jp (Adrian Bruce) on 04/29/98 07:54:04 AM

Please respond to FTGZG-L@bolton.ac.uk

To:   FTGZG-L@bolton.ac.uk
cc:   adrian@rinc.or.jp (bcc: Doug Evans/CSN/UNEBR)
Subject:  RE: FT Lite

In article <l03010d02b16c988a3303@[195.188.53.50]>
> jon@gzero.dungeon.com writes:
Yes, that way they look as good as anything else you will see on video or
film... to the limits of the talent of the person compositing in the effects
that is.

One of the earliest beam fire special effects is/was to use a magic
marker on the negative. It is remarkably good looking. Tom Hughes

On Wed, 29 Apr 1998 09:36:50 +0000 Ground Zero Games
> <jon@gzero.dungeon.com> writes: