This was probably one of the first properly sandbox games I ever played. Several incarnations of this game existed, on DOS, the C64 and the Amiga with a stripped down version released later for Megadrive/Genesis.

It is an SSI game. SSI being the video games wing of TSR, the guys who put out Dungeons and Dragons back in the day. As a result, CtD uses a hybrid combat system using old D&D 2nd Edition rules, with a few ‘made up for the universe’ rules thrown in to allow for elements specific to the Buck Rogers universe.

(For example, all D&D games have “Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Wisdom, Intelligence and Charisma as a characters base attributes. CtD adds a rather arbatary 7th attribute: ‘Tech’, described in the manual as: “a special mix of intelligence and wisdom that measures affinity for machinery and equipment.” Begging the question as to why ‘Tech’ skills aren’t split up among the Int, Wis and Dex skills, but there I go applying practical solutions to a rules set that used D&D 2ndEd as a base.)


BACKSTORY

Spoiler:

1990-2050 Remnants of the old-time Soviet hardliners launch the space weapons platform: Masterlink. U.S. strategists send the American ace Anthony "Buck" Rogers to destroy Masterlink. Buck is sent up in an experimental space plane outfitted with a new cryogenic system for high altitude ejection. Masterlink is destroyed, but Buck Rogers' plane is heavily damaged and his frozen body floats in space. When Masterlink is destroyed, the Soviet extremists fire a salvo of ballistic missiles at the U.S. The resulting conflict enters history books as the "Last Gasp War." World govemments look in horror at the insane danger of escalating arms races and maintaining nuclear arsenals. Governments around the globe disassemble their war machines and power shifts from the national governments to large international alliances, such as the Russo-American Mercantile (RAM), the Euro-Bloc faction, and the Indo-Asian Consortium. 2051-2100 The System States Alliance forms to represent the three big power blocs and fringe Earth nations to help ensure the survival of a depleted and polluted Earth. Nuclear fusion propulsion technology allows mankind to move out into the solar system. The System States Alliance forms an organized effort to exploit the nearby planets. RAM, having the most clout, grabs rights to Mars, while Luna goes to the EuroBloc, and the Indo-Asians take Venus. Initial interest in the planets is for resources. True colonization is slow at first, as mankind both adapts to alien environments and adapts the environments to mankind. 2101-2400 Trips to the planets become commonplace, and terraforming technology has transformed the surfaces of Mars and Venus to become more habitable for humans. Genetic engineering skills develop new life forms, called Gennies, that can be tailored to nearly any environment or function. In 2275 RAM, groaning under an increasingly repressive Earth government, rebels. Venus signs a nonaggression pact with Mars, and ten years of war follow. Earth falls into barbarism with her major population centers left in ruins, and cut off from much needed extraterrestrial resources. At the end of the war, RAM completely dominates the remains of old Earth. In 2310 refugees from Earth, and others who are discontent under RAM domination, begin a crash program to colonize Mercury. Asteroids are moved into orbit around the planet, and moveable cities are built on the surface. Mercury develops an economy based on mining and solar power. 2401-2455 Mars and Venus, once forbidding alien wastes, have been terraformed and now support populations in the millions. Bases have been established on Mercury and Luna, Colonies float in the edges of the Jupiter gas clouds and cities have been carved out of asteroids. RAM rules old Earth with cruel efficiency and an iron hand, its brutal Terrine combat gennies roam and enforce the planefs exploitation. A daring band of Rebels called the New Earth Organization (NEO) is formed to combat RAM domination. 2456 The figure of Buck Rogers has been elevated to nearly mythical status by media hype--he has become a symbol as the last martyr of old Earth's foolish political struggle. In a strange twist of fate Buck Rogers- the myth - is recovered alive from his frozen sleep! With his tactical genius and fearless daring, Buck Rogers joins NEO in its battle against RAM. NEO, and Buck Rogers, form a dangerous plan to subvert RAM control of the Earth, The cornerstone of RAM's dominance of the planet is "Gauntlet", an orbital weapons platform originally constructed by the old Systems States Alliance. Gauntlet had been designed to act as a watchdog against nuclear weapons. Under RAM administration, the station was upgraded to both watch the subservient Earth and completely control all traffic to and from the planet. Buck steals a squadron of RAM's latest spacefighters, a squadron slated for Gauntlet's defensive force, and attacks the station, The surprise attack is a success. Without Gauntlet, Simund Hoizerhein, the head of RAM, decides that overt control of Earth is too expensive and orders RAM troops off of the planet. The mood on Earth and in NEO is a combination of excitement and dread. The victory seems easy... too easy. 2456(Now) Earth is under the control of NEO now, but the shadow of RAM is still present. Occasional attacks by RAM military are explained away as "acts of overanxious officers and "unfortunate lapses of judgement." NEO scrambles to rebuild a shattered planet and build the forces required to fend off the RAM attack it feels is inevitable.

Tl;dr

The good guys (NEO) have recently freed the Earth from the Space-Nazis (RAM) but are still in a rather fragile condition, with RAM sending in terrorist attacks every now and again. As such NEO is accepting applications from people who want to be freelance space-adventurers.

So... First things first: We have to build our team.



There are six places to fill and character designs will go to the first six people to post their suggestions. In your post, you will need to include the following:

1, Race.



There are 6 races to choose from, each has their own set of attribute adjustments. Note that not all races can take all careers.

TERRANS

Quote:

Terrans are the last of the unengineered humans in the solar system. While the other civilized races have undergone genetic adaptation to suit new planets and environments. the human population on old Earth takes pride in their pure strain. Suffering under the yoke of RAM tyranny has taught the Terrans determination and patience. Allowable Careers: All Ability Modifiers: CON +1, WIS +1

MARTIANS

Quote:

Martians have developed under RAM auspices the oldest and most advanced civilization in the solar system. The Martians themselves tend to be proud to the point of arrogance. Because of the lower Martian gravity and oxygen content, Martians are slightly weaker than Terrans, but about average for other civilized races. Allowable Careers: All Ability Modifiers: STR -1, DEX +1, CON -1, WIS -1, CHA +1

VENUSIANS

Quote:

Venusians are a divergent lot. Venus has three distinct cultures beneath its billowing atmosphere. The Aerostators float above the lands, and make their living primarily as tradesmen and herders. The ground-dwelling Aphroditians are farmers, miners, and shrewd traders. The dominant culture on Venus is the theocratic Ishtarians. They control New Elysium, Venus' only major spaceport. Allowable Careers: All Ability Modifiers: DEX -1, CON +1, WIS +1, CHA -1

MERCUDANS

Quote:

Mercudans are a unique and rough mixture of cultures. Originally,Mercury was the site of large solar energy collection stations called Mariposas. The Mercurian Sun Kings are descended from the original Mariposa owners, and are quite wealthy. The Sun Kings are renowned for decor that is both fabulously expensive and totally devoid of taste. The remaining three cultural groups on Mercury are descended from the refugees that fled to the planet to escape the turmoil in the rest of the solar system. The Miners inhabit large subterranean warrens shielded from the intense heat. The Musicians are the Mercurian merchant class. The Desert Dancers live on the planet's surface, continually following the shaded side of the planet. Allowable Careers: All Ability Modifiers: STR -1, DEX +1, CON +1

TINKERS

Quote:

Tinkers were originally bioengineered to include attributes from small anthropoid species, such as lemurs and gibbons, to work in cramped spaces. They are very clever with tools and all manner of technology. Allowable Careers: Engineer, Medic Ability Modifiers: STR -2, DEX +3, CON -2, TECH +3

DESERT RUNNERS

Quote:

Desert Runners are one of the oldest of the bioengineered races, and are bred for the savage Martian surface. Their original purpose was to care for the large herds of animals that were seeded onto the planet during the late stages of terraforming. The Desert Runner engineering adds a mix of canine and feline attributes to the basic homo sapien stock. They can run long distances on all fours, and fight viciously with their retractable claws. Desert Runner's claws allow them to do an extra point of damage if they fight barehanded. Allowable Careers: Rocketjock, Warrior, Engineer Ability Modifiers: STR +2. DEX +2, CON +1, CHA -1

2, Career



As you can see, there are 5 available careers.

Rocket Jock

Quote:

Rocketjocks have what one twentieth century author called "the right stuff." They are only truly at home when they are clutching the controls of some type of space vehicle. They pride themselves in their ability to out fly and out romance anybody in the galaxy, and too often they're right.

Warrior

Quote:

Warriors dedicate their lives to mastering the skills of combat. Even with the development of fantastic new weapon technologies. battles are still won and lost by men. Warriors train hard, and study strategy and leadership in addition to combat skills.

Engineer

Quote:

Engineers are what hold the world together--without them the artifices of technical civilization would crumble. Engineers aren't as cocky or flashy as Rocketjocks, but they have a similar arrogant pride in their abilities. Engineers love machines and fine workmanship. They prefer the company of a cranky ship's power plant to the hubbub of a port bar.

Rogue

Quote:

Rogues live by wit, cunning, and oftentimes, the misfortune of others. Rogues have talents for fast talking, and bypassing pesky security systems. Because of the nature of their work, and their ability to make lasting enemies. Rogues who live to any noticeable age tend to have very fast reflexes.

Medic

Quote:

Medics seem to be very popular whenever a team sees any action. When the Warrior develops work-related injuries (usually laser holes), or the engineer gets too close to an engine that blows up, the Medic puts them back together. The advancements of medical technology will never remove the need for the human touch in healing. Medics learn skills such as treating wounds, counteracting poisons, and operating shipboard Medical Centers.

3, Gender



4, Then, you need to pic an Icon for your character.



Here’s the grid. If you would please imagine the numbers 1 to 6 running from left to right, and the letters A to F running top to bottom, so to select the icon pictured, you should tell me that you want Icon 3,F.

And finally, give the poor soon-to-be space-meat snack a name.

Ideally, a team needs one of each profession with, usually, an additional warrior. But in this game, it’s all going to be up to you!

So, I'll update when I have 6 posts looking something like this:

Race: Martian
Career: Rocket Jock
Gender: Male
Icon: 6,A
Name: Flash Laserblaster


It's all up to you now! The universe awaits!

Race: Mercudian
Career: Rogue
Gender: Female
Icon: 5,B
Name: Charlotte Stabbington. I'm assuming there's a character limit, will that fit?

Race: Tinker
Career: Engineer
Gender:Female
Icon: 4c
Name:Kiritz Dee

C. Stabbington works for me!

C'mon guys! We've got a Rogue and an Engineer! We need a Rocket Jock, a Medic, and two others, that can literally be anything, and we can get started!

I'm bored out of my skull at the moment, guys, I need something to do...

Ooh! Ooh!

Erm,

RACE:- Terran
CAREER:- Engineer
GENDER:- Male
ICON:- 6F
NAME:- Lemmy Barnet

Can't pass up a chance to reference Journey into Space.

Okay..

So far we've got a Rogue, an engineer and, um, an engineer.

We need: 1 Rocket Jock and 1 Medic minimum.

I'm going to work on part 1 this Saturday evening, so if the remaining slots arn't filled, I'l throw together some NPC types.

Note that the player party can be edited and characters can be swapped in or out at most points in the game (mostly to replace dead characters) so if you decide you want to join the party late, you can, I'll drop one of the NPC's and pop your proxy in instead!

Cheers!

Is it just me, or does icon 2B look like Picard? Anyways...

RACE: Terran
CAREER: Medic
GENDER: Male
ICON: 6F
NAME: Aldebert Kleiner

I was...inspired by a guy who's best known for saying: "ARCHEMEDES! NO! It's FILTHY in zere!"

No, he is not best known for saying that.

Well... This all went to hell, didn't it!

I had some family, health and home problems shortly after starting this, and never really got it back going again.

But, everything has settled back down again now, and I have started this back up, although with a few changes.

The team has been designed by my old mates from Southampton, and the LP will now be hosted on a blog I've set up.

Please visit and comment here:

http://kevplays.wordpress.com/category/buck-rogers-countdown-to-doomsday/

Episode 1: Chicagorg should be up later today!

Enjoy!