Don't get me wrong. I love the Star Wars movies and had a blast with all of them. I loved everything Star Wars growing up too. I still have a couple of Boba Fetts (one I had to save proof of purchases for, one I bought) sitting on my desk. I went from being a hard-core fan to a more relaxed one. I did like the newer movies despite HUGE plot holes (the first movie was about a trade agreement?? really??) and my kids love them. My adult tastes went more for Star Trek.
I really enjoyed the d20 Star Wars game. I know "heresy"! How dare I say anything was better than the d6 West End Games version. I have (or rather my son has) the Revised d20 version. It is a bit like D&D 3 and so we have been adding it off and on to our regular D&D game.
To me, d20 and Star Wars seemed a perfect match. I think back to the late 70's and early 80's and what my obsessions were; Star Wars and D&D. Having played the game a bit I can see why some people don't like it and why some still prefer the WEG d6 version (I don't), but to me it just works. Stars Wars and D&D share history, they share a common place in the Gen X collective sub-conscious right there next to video games. To me, D&D/d20 and Star Wars just belong together.
Not only was it out at the same time (more or less) I discovered D&D. It became so much a part of my experiences as a kid that is hard to tease out where one influence begins and the other ends.
This movie has: A boy who would be the hero, a swashbuckling rogue, a princess to rescue, a wise old man/wizard/jedi, an evil warrior, an impenetrable fortress, magic, fights, side-kicks, monsters, sword fights and epic battle. Everything here IS D&D. They even meet the rogue in a bar!
Yes this another retelling of the monomyth or The Hero with a 1,000 Faces. That's why it works so well.
Also, I have a long history of dissatisfaction with Sci-Fi games. It's odd really. I love Sci-Fi, but the RPGs I have tried (Traveler, Star Frontiers, Alternity) have left me feeling flat. Star Frontiers was my favorite. So I guess to me then, the perfect Sci-Fi game would have elements of Star Wars, Star Frontiers and Alternity all powered by the d20 system. That is also easy to do. I am a touch surprised I have not tried that yet.
I was talking about this with my wife last night in fact. We are not going to see Star Wars right away, but we are much more excited for the new Star Trek movie to be honest. She also suggested I pick up the hardcover of White Star and play with that for a while, or even stick with Starships & Spacemen. Though it is more "Trek" to White Star's "Wars".
Maybe what I need is a solid hook first for some good Sci/Star Wars/Star Trek gaming.
You might look at Savage Worlds Sci Fi, it's what I've decided I would use. There's a good fan sourcebook for Savage Star Wars as well.
ReplyDeleteThe new Star Trek trailer only just made me mad....I have no desire to see it. The White Star system is fun and light, I like it better that S+S. I have seen Star Wars TFA and I loved it, I will be seeing it again tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteDamn...tired, lite not light...
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'll be seeing the new SW film. I've only seen the first 3 back in the 80's and missed the more recent ones. I guess I'm just not that into the series.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I think part of it is I am 100% spoiler free for this and plan to stay that way.
ReplyDeleteSo in order to do that I have not read anything about it, watched the trailers or anything.
It has kept me out of the loop and I think my excitement is low for that reason.