So, CyCo part of a crowdfunding campaign for a game. It is HEAT, I was development editor and support designer for it, and you know what?
We really believe it is something special.
HEAT is one hell of a game. For starters, it is a diceless TTRPG. While not the first, it approaches in a different manner; almost every single diceless TTRPG does so my replacing the arbitrary randomizer with a token currency, and thus, tend to be games about metanarrative currency and negotiating for the spotlight.
But that is not case for HEAT, because it is a game about burning relationships, fast-paced action and impulsive drives.
For obvious reasons, I am too involved to ever do a full critical crawl through the guts of HEAT. But let me say: HEAT is an intricate narrative, tactical system; you will be surprised how much game this game is, specially when it is diceless, for this game is extremely ambitious and may actually deliver it. It is all based around making choices that matter, where the choices you make are what matter, and cybernetics “correct” in real-time the flow of the game — all the finicky bits, without burdening your cognitive load.
The core game is fully developed. You can get a sneak peek right now, backers will get the digital pre-release game when the campaign ends. But the game is ambitious, and rightly so. Our ideal version of the base game will include expansions on three modular mechanics for advanced combat, advanced piloting and intrigue; we will be introducing that alongside three settings. Furthermore, we have even more modular rulesets, and each will be tied to a new setting.
I better stop, or I will start going too much into HEAT, too more than I should.
If you are a long-time reader, you know of my opinion on crowdfunding. So you can check and see that there is no bullshit, no hidden precarities, no “pre-sale” shop-front nonsense, no undervaluing for marketing the real-costs. All the costs accounted, no TTRPG Funko Pops, exactly how we can make this game better and how much it would cost, and asking for the generosity and trust of those that would like to make this game a reality.
Give it a look, alright?