Mythic American RPGs

[justbeast]

The other day, I happened across a Strange Maps entry - Map of the USA, Made in Japan.

Now, take a look at this map. Just gaze, let it soak in.

Comments

[kenllama]

cool map =) thank you!

::"This map is basically what would happen if you got a bunch of Japanese guys in a room, got them drunk, and then asked them to draw what they could remember about America on a bar napkin. Hell, that’s probably how this game was originally designed."::

be that as it may, i'd like to see a bunch of drunk americans do anywhere near that good a job with Japan. "it's sort of shaped like california, only backwards. and tokyo is there, and hong kong too, right? and there's that okinawa island from karate kid. oh, and hiroshima and nagasaki, but i guess they must not exist anymore. and kobe -- the place with the steak."

[justbeast]

*laughs* That's right! I'd be surprised if some of them would even know what hemisphere or ocean to put Japan into.

This very much reminds me of the Fool's World Map project.

[qos]

Would you consider "Deadlands" to be American myth?

You make an excellent point. I'd enjoy playing a mythic America game.

[justbeast]

I do consider Deadlands to be based on American myth, yes. And in fact there are many pen-and-paper RPGs like it, out there. It's the lack of computer RPGs that's the trouble :)

[insheepsclothng]

You are so right - America has a rich mythos that would be great in an RPG. But I can't think of any existing ones that aren't modern day.

There are so many great settings that are unused or underused, locations and historical periods. Every time I see another game come out with a generic medieval or ancient China setting I just want to smack someone. Though Jade Empire did a good job of the latter.

[justbeast]

Amen! The big 3 medieval settings are way overused.

I want medieval Africa! Or a hardcore medieval Middle Eastern setting, though I can see the political reluctance in doing that. And especially mythic america.

(You mention that you can't think of any that aren't modern day. Can you think of modern-day RPGs set in America?)

[insheepsclothng]

Indigo Prophecy was more of an adventure game but it was definitely New York and pretty good... Parasite Eve was also in NYC, Earthbound was US-ish - set in "Eagleland" with enemies like the New Age Retro Hippie...

A Middle East setting would be great - I'd actually like to see a Bible-based game that isn't religious, but draws off the history, like the various pagan tribes vs Israelites and their respective brands of magic. Classical setting would be fun - there are a couple ancient Rome games but you could do more with it. Ancient Egypt. A lot of Japanese games draw on Norse mythology but don't go all the way - THAT would be fun.

Yeah, anyway, anything that's not medieval.

[bleakenigma]

Good day to you!

I was browsing who had me on their friends list this afternoon and noticed you were there. I certainly look forward to getting to know you better, so I added you back as an LJ friend. Feel free to add me to any and all filters, I am a voyeur at heart, after all (or something).

[justbeast]

Hi there! Welcome! (added to filter).

[justbeast]

I was JUST thinking about this -- in fact, I was talking to Cat, saying, I wish the gaming industry had more serious writers -- just think of what they could do!

(And yes, outsiderness is often a bonus! Whatever people may think of Gaiman and American Gods, you have to at least commend him on having excellent grasp of americana, as an outsider.)