Jake

My first suggestion would be this. Make the rules simple, keep the Godai elements and elemental dice from PE and CDM. Those already give you a good starting point. Then give a few examples of different types of anime settings like cyberpunk (Ghost In the Shell type), Ninja (Naruto/Ruroni Kenshen type), Spiritual (Bleach), Superpowered (DBZ). Don’t use the actual anime as examples, but describing similar things. Then give a list of suggested powers and traits for each setting, and a few examples of kinds of characters you might see there. The “Special Techniques” rules for CDM actually give you a good starting point for anime powers/combat rules. All you do is give them more powers and have the traits relate more to the setting, and a general anime game is created.

When you say “straight anime” do you mean an anime version of Classroom Deathmatch and Panty Explosion (with anime style art), or do you mean a game that’s similar in style and approach as PE and CDM that allows you to play “anime style games”. A kind of Atarashi Games BESM?

In the case of the first, our influences for CDM, and to a lesser extent PE, were largely live action film. We did our best to emulate the more “realistic” style of these films, and because of this I designed the art to have a more realistic look. I think you could easily play both games as “anime games”. Matt and I have considered putting out a new version of Panty Explosion with a manga look and art style that emulates Kare Kano, Azumanga Daioh and some of the games other major influences. That may or may not happen in the future.

If your asking whether we’ll do an all purpose anime game in the tradition of BESM, my answer is that I don’t think we will. Both Matt and I would rather focus on specific genre then try to tackle something as amazingly diverse as anime. I can’t even begin to imagine a game that could do justice to Pokemon, Last Exile, Kite, Nadesico, Colorful, Gundam Wing, Cowboy Bebop and Paranoia Agent all at the same time. And that would only be the tip of the iceberg!

I’d rather concentrate on a few genre that I’m really interested in. then try to make a universal game that covers everything. We’ve done psychic schoolgirls (which turned into schoolgirl comedy/drama). We’re currently working on a yaoi game, a street fighter/rumble roses style tournament fighting game and a sekai-kei game. I have ideas that I like for a 0083 style squad based mech combat game, and Matt and I have been talking about another game exploring Japanese horror a litte more then PE did.

But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe a universal anime game could be both fun and well done. I’m not sure how to approach it though. Anyone care to share any ideas?

jake

jake

The rules of Classroom Deathmatch don’t really address the problems you’re speaking of. I’ve found the best way to deal with this kind of stuff in any game is to sit down with the players before hand and talk about what kind of game you want to play and what your expectations are. You may have to explain to the players that they shouldn’t act things that they know but that their characters don’t. Having a pre-game conversation lets everyone say what kind of game experience they want.

Classroom Deathmatch can be a little crazy if everyone just starts shooting each other and running in different directions. Again, you should talk to your player before hand and figure out what kind of game you want. If your players want to just fight each other and run around the Battleground like crazy, knowing that before the game starts will make it a lot easier for everyone. In games like this it might be fun to let your players play multiple Students instead of just having them face students that you control. This way even if every scene is just a fight between students, at least more then one player gets to participate!

I like to tell my players that the game is more fun if you try to team up with one or two other characters. Even if you end up betraying them in the end, having team mates to help you out is a real tactical advantage and much smarter then trying to go it alone. It’s also a lot more fun!

hope we were able to help you.

Jake