IC: Spy Thriller Game Test [Year Zero Engine]

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ClosedYear Zero EnginePrivate3 / weekKnighthawke
Playtest/Working out the kinks for a Year Zero Engine based Spy Thriller game.


Aug 9, 2023 2:00 am
Tuxedos and Trenchcoats
"Espionage is a game. A deadly game to be sure, but it is a game, nonetheless. And all games have rules." - from Crimson Tide, written by Michael Schiffer and Richard P. Henrick
Names such as James Bond, Jason Bourne, Napoleon Solo, Ethan Hunt, Loraine Broughton, or even a title such as The 355, bring to mind a genre of storytelling known as the Spy Thriller. Such characters have for generations made us wish to either be them or be charmed by them.

With its roots running back two hundred years, to the publication in 1821 of James Fenimore Cooper’s Spy. Thanks to numerous movie and television adaptations and series, the spy thriller genre covers a large range of settings or themes. They run the gamut from a gritty, "more realistic" approach, used in the John Le Carre novels which feature George Smiley, to a glamorous and more exciting cinematic approach involving gadgets, high-speed chases, and parties with well-dressed, attractive protagonist as exemplified by nearly any of the James Bond films or in the recent Kingsmen feature films.


I am working on a YZE adaptation in the vein of James Bond 007 RPG or Top Secret/Top Secret SI and could use a couple of folks to put it through it's paces in a true gaming environment. I want to make it a system that folks would want to put to use at their own table so I would also be looking for any or all feedback on it.

Would there be any interest in such?
Aug 9, 2023 5:27 am
I do like the YZE and I always like looking at people's homebrew creations, so I would be up for giving this a shot
Aug 9, 2023 5:59 am
Potential interest here. Love YZE and know it well, adore the spy RPG genre if not most of the systems that have been aimed at it. I have a bunch, including the old Bond game, Covert Ops, White Lies, etc. Are you shooting for gritty or cinematic here?
Aug 9, 2023 6:42 am
Did you checked fairly recent Outgunned RPG (it’s QuickStart rules) ? They also use d6s and their "casino like" mechanic could be a perfect fit here. I would play either your game or Outgunned QS job… but probably have to much games already:)
Aug 9, 2023 10:36 am
Hmmmm. Interesting and interested. Most of all because James Bond 007 RPG and Top Secret/Top Secret SI are quite different beasts so, a combo of the two is, at least, a curiosity. Only catch, I know 007 and Top Secret but not YZE.
Aug 9, 2023 2:03 pm
Wow, I honestly didn't expect to get so much interest so quickly. :)
bowlofspinach says:
I do like the YZE and I always like looking at people's homebrew creations, so I would be up for giving this a shot
I definitely would love getting your feedback on it.
Harrigan says:
Potential interest here. Love YZE and know it well, adore the spy RPG genre if not most of the systems that have been aimed at it. I have a bunch, including the old Bond game, Covert Ops, White Lies, etc. Are you shooting for gritty or cinematic here?
Initially I'm setting things up for a Cinematic approach but I do want to include details on making it a bit more Gritty. I'm not familiar with Covert Ops or White Lies, so I thin k you could give an interesting perspective based on your experiences with those other games.
Pedrop says:
Did you checked fairly recent Outgunned RPG (it’s QuickStart rules) ? They also use d6s and their "casino like" mechanic could be a perfect fit here. I would play either your game or Outgunned QS job… but probably have to much games already:)
I was unaware of Outgunned, I'll have to give that a look, thank you. :) Your input would be most welcome.
jmlima says:
Hmmmm. Interesting and interested. Most of all because James Bond 007 RPG and Top Secret/Top Secret SI are quite different beasts so, a combo of the two is, at least, a curiosity. Only catch, I know 007 and Top Secret but not YZE.
I hope I'll be able to give the proper feel to the game and inspire thoughts of those other games. As someone who would be coming in new to YZE, your perspective would be very welcome as I'd love for my game to inspire folks to look into the other YZE games out there. :)

*****
I'll put a game together with a link to the document I'm working on and send invites. Thank you all! :)
Aug 13, 2023 12:02 am
I'm down.

I have just gotten familiar with the YZE, and really enjoy it. Would be happy to help work out the bugs.
Aug 17, 2023 10:19 am
Hello! I am very much interested, thank you
Aug 19, 2023 4:33 pm
Hi! I can't handle playing another game right now but I'm very interested. I would like to join, so I could talk OOC and give you feedback about the system. Do you have an observer spot? Thanks!

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