PARANOIA

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

Hi! My name is Big Head Zach, and I am an experienced PARANOIA Game Master.

Seeing as how this forum is the place for non-D&D discussion, I just wanted to see how many BG minions were familiar with the game, who plays it, who enjoys it, and if there'd be interest for a play-by-post game.

A perfectly-absurd mashup of Office Space, 1984, Logan's Run, THX-1138, Futurama, Idiocracy, and The Venture Bros, chock full of science fiction fail.

It ain't fun until someone spontaneously explodes.

A game where knowledge of the mechanics borders on a capital offense, color blind people are SCREWED, food comes in tubes, cubes, and pills, everyone's armed (and *think* they're dangerous), and robots have attitudes. Oh, and everyone's got something to hide (except for me and my monkey).

Bring it.

[emissary666]

OHOHOHOHOH PICK ME PICK ME!!!!

[Kari]

I'm sorry, Citizen, but you're not authorized for this thread. Please step into the chamber.

(    Paranoia is fun. But only for one-shots, IMO.)

[Chemus]

Since I'm unfamiliar with the rules, I'm safe if I play, right?

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

Since I'm unfamiliar with the rules, I'm safe if I play, right?

Most definitely. Were I to run something, I'd share a basic background of the world, and whatever rules were necessary for PbP play. To be honest I've never done PbP before but I might take comfort with it compared to the post-it-note-passing-fest that most PARANOIA table games have...

That's 3...6 would be ideal.

[Chemus]

I meant since knowledge of the mechanics is a nigh-capital offense, I'm safe playing since I don't know the mechanics of the rules.

Right?


Right?!1? *sklorch!*

[j0lt]

I've heard of Paranoia...  Isn't it the game where you have like 9 clones because the PC death-rate is so high?
Anyways, I'm already in a few d20 PbP games, but I'd love to join in on this one, too!

[Caelic]

The Computer is my friend, citizen!  If the Computer wishes me to do this, then it will be an honor!  All praise to the Computer for another wonderful day in Alpha Complex!  I raise my Official Bouncy Bubble Beverage Souvenir Cup in a toast to the wisdom and benevolence of Our Friend, the Computer!

(And, yes, I really DO have an Official Bouncy Bubble Beverage Souvenir Cup.

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

I've heard of Paranoia...  Isn't it the game where you have like 9 clones because the PC death-rate is so high?
Anyways, I'm already in a few d20 PbP games, but I'd love to join in on this one, too!

Depending on your clearance level, you may be pre-approved for one or more clones. Most citizens with a moderately-dangerous job get a 6-pack by default, with additional clones available at a premium (sometimes these are automatically purchased on your final death, with your seventh life picking up the monstrously large bill; you won't be allowed to truly die until you work off that loan).

Clones also have MemoMax technology installed, which has three aspects.
1) The citizen's stored brain mapping is continually updated via cortical transmitter, providing TS with a nearly-instant snapshot of their memories and skills. This includes basic vital signs, which alerts TS of a citizen's brain death.
2) Newly decanted clone slugs have their MemoMax receivers (and thus their brains) flash-written with these stored patterns, so as to minimize disorientation when they are re-inserted into the ma^H^Hsociety.
3) "Twiddling" is the term used for when TS manually modifies a citizen's DNA sample or MemoMax snapshot, usually for purposes of behavior correction post-termination. It is never performed for treasonous reasons. It is never performed by unqualified INFRARED personnel because their ORANGE supervisors felt like punching out early.
3a) Friend Computer considers a fresh clone a loyal, fully functional citizen - legally it is not responsible for the crimes of its forebearers (though some citizens may have "not gotten the memo"). Treason dies with the clone. It may or may not remember what its former version did or how it died (all depends on the TS twiddling), but it is not guilty of any crime.

Tech Services wishes to remind citizens that cloning (and the MemoMax technology) is 100% safe and error-free, and does not result in treasonous mutations or super-powers. This does not excuse you from your Computer-given duty of reporting mutant behavior to your nearest IntSec officer.

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

The Computer is my friend, citizen!  If the Computer wishes me to do this, then it will be an honor!  All praise to the Computer for another wonderful day in Alpha Complex!  I raise my Official Bouncy Bubble Beverage Souvenir Cup in a toast to the wisdom and benevolence of Our Friend, the Computer!

OH, STOP, PLEASE *^_^*...THE SIDES OF MY OMNI-PRESENT BROADCAST MONITORS ARE DEGAUSSING.

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

So, it appears there are 5 people interested so far:

Kari, emissary666, Chemus, j0lt, Caelic

If this is in error, let me know. I'll take one more person before I consider going ahead with it.

[Solo]

I have never played before, but am interested.

I have read Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World. Am also a fan of HAL and GLaDOS.

I am completely ignorant of the rules of Paranoia and have never read a single rulebook, which according to the 5th Edition rulebook (Game master's section, chapter one, page 58), makes me the perfect player. Or so I hear.

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

Brave New World is a great way to describe the clearance color system in PARANOIA, its effect on social interactions, etc, with the main exception being that in Alpha Complex (the PARANOIA "world-city"), citizens can advance in clearance, as well as be demoted. It's also much more spectrally stimulating than 5 greek letters.

As for Friend Computer....a cross between HAL and GLaDOS is a great voice to hear in your head, but perhaps with fugues of Spaceship Bob from Tripping The Rift, Marvin The Paranoid Android, SHODAN from System Shock 2, and your overprotective aunt from Minnesota.

Always remember that no matter what, Friend Computer loves you, but it loves Alpha Complex even more, and as many a COPS episode will tell you, "Lovin' you can make me crazy sometimes, baby!"

[Solo]

As for Friend Computer....a cross between HAL and GLaDOS is a great voice to hear in your head, but perhaps with fugues of Spaceship Bob from Tripping The Rift, Marvin The Paranoid Android, SHODAN from System Shock 2, and your overprotective aunt from Minnesota.

But no mention of TRON?

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

As for Friend Computer....a cross between HAL and GLaDOS is a great voice to hear in your head, but perhaps with fugues of Spaceship Bob from Tripping The Rift, Marvin The Paranoid Android, SHODAN from System Shock 2, and your overprotective aunt from Minnesota.

But no mention of TRON?

Master Control Program? Nah, he's too frumpy. Even SHODAN had a sense of humor at times. Gallows humor, but humor nonetheless.

[Caelic]

1984 is excellent source material, but in a lot of ways, I think Brazil is even better source material.  Paranoia is black comedy; depending on how it's played, the emphasis can be on either of those words.  The default leans heavily towards "comedy," but I've also seen it played as a much darker game.

[Caelic]

As for Friend Computer....a cross between HAL and GLaDOS is a great voice to hear in your head, but perhaps with fugues of Spaceship Bob from Tripping The Rift, Marvin The Paranoid Android, SHODAN from System Shock 2, and your overprotective aunt from Minnesota.

You forgot "...as programmed by Senator Joe McCarthy during one of his less reasonable and more paranoid moments."

[emissary666]

No mention of AM?

[HGP_BigHeadZach]

1984 is excellent source material, but in a lot of ways, I think Brazil is even better source material.  Paranoia is black comedy; depending on how it's played, the emphasis can be on either of those words.  The default leans heavily towards "comedy," but I've also seen it played as a much darker game.

Agreed, I almost forgot about that cult classic. In fact, the "Service! Service!" sourcebook does outline an NPC archetype for Tech Services "ninjas" who flout the normal due process of triplicate-form-after-triplicate-form-after-budget-allowance-hearing-after-compliance-review, and simply use stealth and cunning to keep Alpha Complex infrastructure running. They are affectionately known as Tuttles.

[Random]

(    Paranoia is fun. But only for one-shots, IMO.)

If it's more than a one-shot, somebody has failed in their duty. Generally, this "somebody" is the guy whose final clone died in a bizarre, highly improbable accident involving a jackobot, three crates of Bouncy Bubble Beverage, and an incinerator chute, when all his teammates were somewhere else heroically putting down a Commie uprising.