Sorry if I’m posting in the wrong tab or whatever, but I can’t tell where this goes.

Sorry if I’m posting in the wrong tab or whatever, but I can’t tell where this goes.

Sorry if I’m posting in the wrong tab or whatever, but I can’t tell where this goes.

So I was thinking about a favorite movie trope of mine, and I realized it would probably make for an interesting campaign. Problem is, I can’t quite figure out what game would be the best one to use for this idea.

The trope is ubiquitous and transcends genre, but it’s most often seen in crime fiction, especially noir fiction: some down-on-their-luck sap finds and takes a bag full of money that’ll set them up for life. Two problems complicate things: 1) it’s not their money, and 2) there are lots and lots of poor schlubs out there who would also like a big bag of money. Trouble ensues.

The PCs are obviously the down-on-their-luck saps in this case, which opens the door for conflict between them. I’m thinking I would start the campaign just after the PCs take the money, but before they spend it.

I think I could sell a group of players on this premise pretty easily, but I would obviously need to use a system which doesn’t short-circuit the premise through inappropriate mechanics. A game with a reward cycle primarily based on money is out, as is a game where the players are incentivized to make tactically sound but dramatically inert decisions. Finally, I don’t want something GMless.

Any ideas?

18 thoughts on “Sorry if I’m posting in the wrong tab or whatever, but I can’t tell where this goes.”

  7. All good suggestions, but I was thinking something a bit more traditional in terms of expected campaign length and distribution of narrative authority. Not D&D levels of traditional, but definitely in that middle ground between “trad” and “storygame” something like Apocalypse World occupies.

    I should also mention that a genre coating on top of this basic premise is welcome, and that I’d be aiming away from pure fatalistic morality-play miserablism and toward more of an Elmore Leonard feel, if you see what I mean.

  8. All good suggestions, but I was thinking something a bit more traditional in terms of expected campaign length and distribution of narrative authority. Not D&D levels of traditional, but definitely in that middle ground between “trad” and “storygame” something like Apocalypse World occupies.

    I should also mention that a genre coating on top of this basic premise is welcome, and that I’d be aiming away from pure fatalistic morality-play miserablism and toward more of an Elmore Leonard feel, if you see what I mean.

  11. Hm, maybe The Hood, although the PCs would be low level criminals to begin with, the setting at least initially would be your hood and some of the moves wouldn’t make sense i.e “argue the toss” probably shouldn’t be decided by a single roll because it’s the basic premise of your scenario. Also it’s more mission based than what you describe but with some hacking it could work.

    drivethrurpg.com – The ‘Hood: Director’s Cut – Groundhoggoth Games | DriveThruRPG.com

  12. Hm, maybe The Hood, although the PCs would be low level criminals to begin with, the setting at least initially would be your hood and some of the moves wouldn’t make sense i.e “argue the toss” probably shouldn’t be decided by a single roll because it’s the basic premise of your scenario. Also it’s more mission based than what you describe but with some hacking it could work.

    drivethrurpg.com – The ‘Hood: Director’s Cut – Groundhoggoth Games | DriveThruRPG.com

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