InSpectres
 InSpectres (1st edition PDF) cover | |
| Designer(s) | Jared A. Sorensen |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Memento Mori Theatricks |
| Publication date | 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Indie, Comedy, Horror |
| System(s) | Custom |
InSpectres is a paranormal investigation-themed role-playing game by Jared Sorensen, independently published by Memento Mori Theatricks.
System
Like most roleplaying games, InSpectres has a method of conflict resolution using dice. However, InSpectres uses an adversarial system in which the player describes what happens if the result is good and the game master if the roll is bad. If the player succeeds, they earn "franchise dice", and when enough are collected the current case is solved. Players can at any time use confessionals, in the style of reality television, to add traits to other players' characters or steer events their way.[1]
InSpectres was written as a solution to the whodunit problem in role-playing games.[2] In any kind of investigative adventure, the players follow a series of clues provided by the game master, which eventually enables them to find out what happened and "who done it". Managing the injection of clues into such a game can be quite difficult; if they come too fast or easy, the players will get bored or simply sit back and enjoy the game master unrolling the plot for them, if the clues are too hard to find, the players will become frustrated and spend their energy following dead ends. InSpectres deals with this problem, by allowing the players to invent their own clues, while the game mechanics regulate the flow of clues to give the players time to develop them and come up with an interesting story.
Setting
The player characters have just started a franchise in the supernatural investigation and elimination company InSpectres. They investigate paranormal phenomena, hunt ghosts, and kill vampires, depending on their company's niche.
Supplements
Three pdf supplements (termed 'micro-supplements') have been released which present alternative settings for the InSpectres game. All three microsupplements are available for free download.
What do little kids want to be when they grow up? Police officers? Firefighters? How about InSpectres?
With this supplement, you'll be able to run In-Speckers: a series of adventures where grade-schoolers across the country fight the Forces of Darkness in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.
An InSpectres micro-supplement of Lovecraftian horror, madness and mystery. This microsupplement is written to accommodate weird tales of horror, madness and woe in the vein of H.P. Lovecraft (and his admirers).
The basic play structure is that of InSpectres, except flavored with a 1920s setting. Rather than agents working out of a company, the characters are people who have been called together to investigate the Unknown.
Beyond man's small blue world a vast cosmos awaits. What wonders of the universe are yet to be discovered? Is space more grand or terrible than we even imagine? Are we alone?
This supplement lets you explore the mysteries of space and play games in the style of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris, Contact, Ringworld, or Forbidden Planet.
Other Media
InSpectres inspired a feature-length film from Reactor 88 Studios. The official release date is September 6, 2013 with the film premiering at an initial theatrical release through Muvico.
Notes
- ↑ Davenport, Dan (2004-10-11). "Review of InSpectres". RPGnet.
- ↑ Darlington, Steve (2003-02-12). "InSpectres (Review)". RPGnet.
External links
- InSpectres homepage
- InSpectres movie site
- IMDB page