Albedo

[cyberpaladin85]

This is the second most odd furry related thing I have purchased (don't ask what the most odd one is). It's about anthropomorphic being in space that were created by humans. But instead of having their creations advance from stone age to space age, they had them start out at space age and then disappeared, without letting the anthropomorphic beings know what happened. Basically, it's low-tech sci-fi. Oh, it a comic by the way; one that has difficulty staying profitable apparently.

The RPG version is kind of ...not good. It gives you skills to ride vehicles, but presents no such vehicles. Armor is ineffective at best. And it's not space opera at all (it's military sci-fi); not much room to be independent adventurers.

[Marcus Starkiller]

That IS odd.

[Binary the Great]

Albedo, by Sanguine, is the predecessor system to Ironclaw/Jadeclaw, IIRC...

Further, I seem to recall it being rather out of print and in a bad need of updating...

EDIT: I just realised that Albedo has gone through several revisions. Which version of it do you have?

[cyberpaladin85]

I have Albedo: Platinum Catalyst, which I think is the newest version available.

[Steedo]

Albedo: Platinum Catalyst is the only version put out by Sanguine. According to thier faq "The two previous editions of Albedo RPG were published by Chessex in 1989 and 1993. The Sanguine edition of Albedo is a completely re-engineered game.".

Well, I'm picking up a few copies of the comic for $.25each. I'll give then a look over. Frankly I don't care if the system isn't complete, I'm more interested in the world and aliens and such. If it's got an interesting coherent tasty world, I can make up the rest as needed.

[cyberpaladin85]

I picked up Structural Integrity at FC'07, which contains the vehicles and such (but no starships, the last time I checked). Interesting, to say the least (and most?).

This game is too un-cinematic for my tastes. I much prefer the West End Games Star Wars RPG. Now THAT is cinematic!

[cyberpaladin85]

Holy...

Well, it seems that the original Albedo rpg has graced the Knights of the Dinner Table magazine in the Lost Game Safari section, which is about out of print games that tend to kick ass.

Son of a...

I had the chance to pick up a copy or two at FC'06, but decided to pass on it. Damn, do I feel stupid now.

[Marcus Starkiller]

cyberpaladin85 said:

I picked up Structural Integrity at FC'07, which contains the vehicles and such (but no starships, the last time I checked). Interesting, to say the least (and most?).

This game is too un-cinematic for my tastes. I much prefer the West End Games Star Wars RPG. Now THAT is cinematic!

I agree. To bad West End Gmaes no longer makes Star Wars RPG stuff.

[Steedo]

^.^ As a matter of fact I just scored a copy of the Chessex Albedo RPG 2nd Edition, or Ebay for $15. I'll let you know once I get it and have a chance to look it over.

For the record the guy I bought it from has 5 more just like it.

[Arkloyd]

Chessex Albedo, from what i have not only heardf, but have seen while looking it over, is almost unplayable.

The Sanguine version is very nice. There's a few things that were overlooked or not quite developed properly, but i am playing (well, was, and will be again) with one of (actually the main) writer of Structural Integrity, and he had been play testing quite a number of rules in the game with me, both new rules, and revisions of existing ones... And updates of others that the other writer ended up screwing with to a detrimental result.

[Arkloyd]

Dec 15, 2005 20:43:24 GMT -5 @cyberpaladin85 said:

This is the second most odd furry related thing I have purchased (don't ask what the most odd one is). It's about anthropomorphic being in space that were created by humans. But instead of having their creations advance from stone age to space age, they had them start out at space age and then disappeared, without letting the anthropomorphic beings know what happened. Basically, it's low-tech sci-fi. Oh, it a comic by the way; one that has difficulty staying profitable apparently.

The RPG version is kind of ...not good. It gives you skills to ride vehicles, but presents no such vehicles. Armor is ineffective at best. And it's not space opera at all (it's military sci-fi); not much room to be independent adventurers.

To answer some points I need to know if you picked up the Chessex or the Sanguine version.

The 'awakening' as it was known, was when the Critters (Steve's unofficial term for the Albedo Sentients) became are of the passing of time, of a future and a past.

Which lead them to wondering where they came from.

And to seeking the answer in the stars. I'd consider it a social experiment.
That's why the Net is so concerned about a person's mental well being as summed up in the SPI.
Social-Political Intelligence.

"What would a people be like without the baggage of technological evolution? What would they be like if they were cared for their entire lives and had no worries? No need to work hard?"

The ideas Steve had about his Critters were pretty interesting. They had only just begun to dabble into art, music and dancing during the Erma Felna: EDF storyline.

As for the Military focus: That's where the heroes are to be found!
You can make a Civilian or Home-guard character, however. I think those rules are in the Structural Integrity suppliment along with the vehicles.

I know the one of the writers of that book, and played some Albedo with him. He's a very tough GM, but also very, very good.

If you have the book, and are willing to learn to oporate under his style of play, we may start it back up.

He does something interesting that took me a while to really grasp:

S.O.P.
You're given a briefing, and then you describe how your squad will take care of the situation from start to finish. You also give some imput as to any difficulties you expect and how to bypass them.

He then plays the battle out accordingly, and gives you the results.
This actually works very, very well for a forum based game where each Player can have large squads to command, and playing turn by turn would be murderously long!

But there was plenty of room for RP as well. it wasn't all just missions.

I miss that game.

PS: Armour actually saves your ass. Seriously. My characters got shot at a lot.

[cyberpaladin85]

Heh, I picked up the Sanguine version, but I gave my copies to Marcus here as a gift. But, since you said that you are looking for players, I suppose that I can pick up some replacement copies so as to be able to join in, especially considering that it's Play by Post.

[Arkloyd]

Feb 16, 2009 20:22:15 GMT -5 @cyberpaladin85 said:

Heh, I picked up the Sanguine version, but I gave my copies to Marcus here as a gift. But, since you said that you are looking for players, I suppose that I can pick up some replacement copies so as to be able to join in, especially considering that it's Play by Post.

Hey, sure thing.
It seems everyone's leaning toward freeform, but we all also agree it'll be nice to have sheets.

So get 'em if you like, they're a good game. I may end up using some rules if something comes up though, or even weening it toward system play once we get more involved.