I made a thing again! Thoughts? Questions?
"Breaking News" — A lighthearted GMless 1-page RPG for 2 to 6 B-list supers and the press that covers them.
This is a "yes, and" game. Each player represents a reporter and either a super hero or villain. Reporters—unbeknownst to the public are the trickster gods of this world—working together to increase the network's ratings. Villains commit crimes, and heroes stop them. Every turn should aim to make the game more fun and the news more exciting.
1. Each person gets three cards—write a superpower on each card, then put 'em in a hat.
2. Draw three powers and write entertaining limitations for them. Put 'em back in the hat.
3. Draw two powers.
4. Declare hero or villain. If one side is outnumbered, the smaller side gets a bonus:
• 2:1 - get +1 to rolls or an extra power
• 3:1 or worse - get both
5. Write the names of your characters on a card and stand it in front of you. Characters should always be referenced by name.
Powers "just work" (within their limits). Powers should always be referenced by their name and limitation.
Contested actions are settled with d6s—highest roll determines outcome (ties go to defender).
Non-contested actions are d6 vs static difficulty (ties maintain status quo):
• 1-2: easy
• 3-4: difficult
• 5-6: "impossible"
Non-contested difficulties and the truth of reporter statements should be generally agreed upon by the table.
A turn consists of a fact-establishing observation by your reporter and/or a cinematic action by your super.
The game starts when the villains decide on a crime and a reporter goes live with breaking news about it.
Turns pass to the opposing super who acted least recently.
Game ends when reporters agree it would be better for ratings to cover the Great British Bake Off.
This is a "Saturday morning cartoon" game; nobody important dies (unless they want to)—they just limp off to fight another day.
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Example powers, limitations:
- Telekinesis, but only works on burger.
- Invisibility, but only when no one is looking.
- Phase through objects, but clothes don't.
- Laser vision, but terrible eyesight.
- Super speed, but horrible motion sickness.
- Shapeshifting, but maintain mass.
Example crimes / targets:
1. Rob / Bank
2. Hijack / Train
3. Destroy / Tech Startup
4. Kidnap / Celebrity
5. Disgrace / Politician
6. Vandalize / Landmark
Example liveplay:
Alice: "Hello PNW-TV 12! We're coming to you live, where we've just learned that Captain Softserve—whose freeze ray is regularly out of order—has teamed up with the Burger Master—the teen who can telekinetically control burger with their mind, and they're in the process of hijacking the 1-line to Cap Hill! I believe we actually have someone from PNW-TV 12 *on* the train now! Over to you Bob; what's going on down there?"
Bob: "Thanks Alice! It's true, I am on the train now, and things are crazy here—" *CRASH* "Oh my! The hero SpeedLimit, the motion-sick speedster, has just caught up with the train and jumped in through a window!"
SpeedLimit: "Don't worry folx, I'll make sure you get there...on time 😉—" [rolls a 2] 🤢 *hurk—*
Carol: "—Aaand we're cutting back in the studio where a psychic has phoned in to tell us they see a raised drawbridge in our train's future."
