Megapolis ponderings

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:44 am

BASHMAN wrote:

Well Megapolis YEAR 2 is coming along nicely.

This cover sample for Megapolis: Year 2 looks incredible but raises a couple of questions:

1/ Will the new Megapolis be a self contained book, not requiring the older incarnation. I ask this as the original Megapolis is not nearly as well polished looking as the new Ultimate Edition BASH rules are. Honestly, though I still have it, I’d rather not have to resort to that old book for basic city info. I’d like to see Megapolis: Ultimate Edition completely updated to the new look and feel of BASH (complete with the original Year 1 campaign included).

2/ The image above is suggesting that the Megapolis setting might be released in segments – the Villains Pack #1 being one example. It leaves me wondering how this great city might ultimately be presented. I think it might be cool to have a number of pdfs which offer various elements of the setting in portions that a narrator may (or may not) choose to bother with.

Additionally, Megapolis: Ultimate Edition could be released as a print book afterwards; combining all these separate pieces – complete with updated errata.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:01 pm

How this might appear is interesting to explore:

Maybe book 1 would be a pdf release with the complete city history and details of each of the areas. It would include a nicely made city map, cool artwork displaying a few interesting sites and information on some of the important individuals and locations found within. Only essential npc heroes and villains should be in this book, if at all (and should be really a part of the city’s storyline – I’m thinking a limit of 8-10).

Another pdf could offer the very essential player-needed overview and summary of Megapolis. This e-booklet, something of a tour-guide, would only offer the basic setting info, a simplified map with small numerical references to the important sites, a small set of text that encapsulates the general history and atmosphere of Megapolis. This small brochure (or 2-4 page booklet) could be a free giveaway (to encourage actual sales of the product) or sold for about a buck so that players could have access to basic setting info without having to invest the whole book – and gaining access to all kinds of spoilers. I’m a real fan of this pamphlet brochure idea as a basic player introduction.

The Year 1 and Year 2 campaign story-lines could be made as separate pdfs for a couple of bucks each with every ‘episode’ expanded from a one paragraph bullet post to a quarter or half-page description. Additional years could be added to expand the campaign’s timeline later on (“Megapolis: Year 3”).

Each Year X pdf could have an associated Villain Pack pdf which could be used in conjunction with the Campaign Packs or just as separate BASH villains for other games and settings.

An Ally Pack could offer heroes to be used as optional supers that share the city (or an issue of two – such as when Spiderman ha a guest appearance in an issue of a Daredevil comic). I stress “option” so that Megapolis can feel more like the player’s city rather than bit characters in someone else’s story.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:04 pm

Oh, and lets not forget a large pdf/jpg file featuring the city map done large enough for poster-sized printing. Freedom City and Hudson City have a couple of really great ones. I'd love to see Megapolis treated this way as well.

Post by **BASHMAN** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:53 pm

1/ Will the new Megapolis be a self contained book, not requiring the older incarnation. I ask this as the original Megapolis is not nearly as well polished looking as the new Ultimate Edition BASH rules are. Honestly, though I still have it, I’d rather not have to resort to that old book for basic city info. I’d like to see Megapolis: Ultimate Edition completely updated to the new look and feel of BASH (complete with the original Year 1 campaign included).

You will NOT need the old book. This first book will contain an overview of the city buroughs, major institutions of the city (Newspapers, sports teams, TV stations, Police force, etc), a history of the city, and a summary of the major events in the first Megapolis' timeline.

2/ The image above is suggesting that the Megapolis setting might be released in segments – the Villains Pack #1 being one example. It leaves me wondering how this great city might ultimately be presented. I think it might be cool to have a number of pdfs which offer various elements of the setting in portions that a narrator may (or may not) choose to bother with.

That is what we are doing. This supplement covers the major aspects of the city. Later supplements will cover other areas in more depth. For example, one will go in-depth into the Realm of Arcadia, while another will be more focused on Super Lock, while another will focus on Willow Grove, etc..

As is, it is more than a simple "book of villains". This one will feature 20 Villains, but also has quite a bit of info on the city, and updates the timeline for 3 months into YEAR 2. It will also intruduce some more Ads & Disads for villains for instance. It will be over 50 pages.

Additionally, Megapolis: Ultimate Edition could be released as a print book afterwards; combining all these separate pieces – complete with updated errata.

That is the plan- to ultimately make it a single book for print. As for errata, I don't think there will be any. This is a setting book, not a rules book.

Post by **BASHMAN** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:03 pm

Maybe book 1 would be a pdf release with the complete city history and details of each of the areas. It would include a nicely made city map, cool artwork displaying a few interesting sites and information on some of the important individuals and locations found within. Only essential npc heroes and villains should be in this book, if at all (and should be really a part of the city’s storyline – I’m thinking a limit of 8-10).

You are right on some things here. There is a nice city map, and major NPCs (not just villains) are discussed.

However this first one will just have Villains fully statted out. It may make passing references to other characters, though.

If you want some background on URGENT and the city's main Hero Team (the Defenders), Vengeance is Nigh has that already. HUSH is featured in VIN but also is given more information in this first Megapolis supplement.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:31 pm

Thanks BASHMAN, this sounds awesome! The release plan for Megapolis looks great! I love the idea that future suppliments could expand upon Arcadia, Super Lock, Willow Grove, and other areas.

Megapolis was great but it sounds as if this incarnation will be an even more outstanding addition to BASH! [Can't wait... but will

)

Post by **BASHMAN** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:08 pm

Another pdf could offer the very essential player-needed overview and summary of Megapolis. This e-booklet, something of a tour-guide, would only offer the basic setting info, a simplified map with small numerical references to the important sites, a small set of text that encapsulates the general history and atmosphere of Megapolis. This small brochure (or 2-4 page booklet) could be a free giveaway (to encourage actual sales of the product) or sold for about a buck so that players could have access to basic setting info without having to invest the whole book – and gaining access to all kinds of spoilers. I’m a real fan of this pamphlet brochure idea as a basic player introduction.

An abbreviated freebie isn't a bad idea, but probably better to wait till the full version is done to do this.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:03 pm

I definately agree.

danbuter · Post by **danbuter** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:59 am

This sounds great to me! I really like Megapolis, and would love to have a real color book of it. BASH really does need some print supplements, IMO.