Credits:
List of Forum Members currently playing as “active” role-players in FTL Online:
- Antony as Capt. Antony StarKiller III
- VanguardOfValor as Lieutenant Vanguard
- Kieve as Ensign Sean “Mac” McAliber
- Stacie as Stacie the "Slug Princess" (Companion of Capt. Antony StarKiller III)
- Milkshake as the Ship Computer
- DryEagle, Createx, ShadowStar & Alex_ in various non-crewmember roles
List of Forum Members helping behind-the-scenes:
- Antony - Writer / Director / GM / IRC Operations
- VanguardOfValor - Writer / Co-Director
- UltraMantis - Producer / Editor / Programmer
- Crimsonsabre - Editor / QA
- DryEagle - Graphics, Tech Consultant
- Shakis - Writer
- Zitkovich - Graphics
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Active Crew Waiting List:
List of Forum Members waiting to join The Kestrel as an “active” Crewmember when availability permits:
-Milkshake
-Coregamer4
-animandan
-Ronnie
-Shakis
-ShadowStar
-DryEagle
-Crimsonsabre
-EchoesofOld
Note:
If you are present in the room during a role-playing session, you will
be invited to participate in some manner, shape or form. If
a new crewmember is added to the ship, a roll-call will be made from
the above list of members from top to bottom. If you are present, you
get the spot!
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Summary:
What is "FTL Online"?
"FTL
Online" is a multiplayer version of the single-player FTL game that
enables multiple participants to role-play the journey from Sector 1 to
Sector 8. The cast includes 8 ship crew (4 officers and 4 crewmen), 4
Officer “Companions”, other ships’ captains and crew and almost ANYTHING
that your imagination can think up. The game is facilitated by
“D&D-style” ship and character sheets as well as role-playing dialog
via an IRC chat room. One player running the single-player game will
serve up the events to the players and decisions will be made as a group
as how to proceed…”blow-by-blow”.
Each jump to a Beacon will
represent one game turn. Role-play dialog, screen-shots and information
will be updated in THIS thread until the journey is complete (ending
the first of many planned seasons using different ships). The current
ship, The Kestrel (Type A) has taken off with 3 human players, however
new role-players can join once the game simulation allows for new
acquired/purchased crew. You can always play a series of other
characters until you are able to join the actual crew (4 officers, 4
crewmen, 4 Officer “Companions”, 1 Ship Computer and 1 sarcastic talking
Door System).
Where can I participate in and/or view "FTL Online" role-playing when being played?
The #FTLOnline chat room: http://webchat.quakenet.org/?channels=FTLOnline
When is "FTL Online" role-playing played?
Anytime
a role-player enters the #FTLOnline IRC “chat-room” and decides to add
their narrative and/or "role-playing" talents to the adventure.
What must I do in order to keep the "FTL Online" role-playing game in continuity?
Be familiar with the story thus far. That means reading THIS thread and checking back for the latest updates.
If interested, how can I actively participate in one of the major roles?
Please post a reply in THIS thread!!!
What should I do if I have any further questions?
1) Post a reply in THIS thread
2) Send me a PM here in the FTLgame.com forums
3) Hit me up in any one of the following IRC chat rooms:
- #FTLOnline chat room: http://webchat.quakenet.org/?channels=FTLOnline
- #ftlgame chat room: http://webchat.quakenet.org/?channels=ftlgame
- #fasterthanlight chat room: http://webchat.quakenet.org/?channels=fasterthanlight
Role-playing Guidelines When in the #FTLOnline IRC Chat Room:
The IRC channel features a new recording device with new conventions (in the examples below, do not type in the quotes):
1)
When you are in the #FTLOnline IRC Chat Room you can choose to be in
either "role-playing" mode or "lurking/passive" mode. You are only
assumed to be in "role-playing" mode if you change your "nickname" ( the
IRC command is: /nick newnickname ) to that of a "role-playing
character". For example, as "Antony", I am not "role-playing", but as
"Capt_Antony", I am.
2) When you want your character to talk, simply type and hit enter.
3)
When you want your character to do something, first type in "/me" and
then proceed with describing what your character is doing. For example,
“/me holsters his blaster and sits down.”
4) When you want to
add general narrative to the scene that isn't related to your specific
character, first type in "/me" and enclose said narrative in "[...]" 's.
For example, “/me [The crew head back to the shuttle and take off.]”
5)
When you want to slip out of character and ask a question that won't be
recorded in the story, enclose said chat in "(...)" 's. For example.,
“(Hey, what should I say?)”
6) When you want to talk for a cast
member not present (or another character), type in "sub
<character_name> <character dialogue>". For example, "sub
Enemy_Captain I'm going to get my revenge!" (Note: You Must use an "_"
to connect names that require spaces.)
7) When you want to do
something as another cast member not present (or another character),
type in "/me sub <character_name> <character action>". For
example, "/me sub Enemy_Captain heads to weapon control."
8) When
you want to talk as The Kestrel's Ship Computer, type in "sub Computer
<dialogue>". For example, "sub Computer Captain, I don't think
that is such a good idea!"
9) When you want to post an image, type in "img <img url>". For example, "img http://snag.gy/C7slp.jpg".
10) Certain nicknames and sub <nicknames> have been registered for turbo formatting:
Capt_Antony (sub Capt_Antony)
Lt_Vanguard (sub Lt_Vanguard)
McAliber (sub Ens_McAliber)
Note:
Your nick must be one of the registered nicknames for turbo-formatting
(and, like-wise, you must use one of the registered sub
<nicknames>)
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Detailed Info:
FTL Online has embarked on an 8 (possibly 9) sector journey in an altered and enhanced format of the single-player game.
The
ship that has been selected in our first season is The Kestrel (Type A)
with enhancements (a 3 deck layout with extra systems and vehicles).
The ship has left with the designated 3 human crew, starting weapons and
scrap as per the single-player game. The game experience is being
"Dungeon-Mastered" by the single-player FTL program and screen-shots (at
the pre, mid and end turn) are being posted in the IRC chat as image
links and later HERE in THIS thread as actual images once the session in
progress has adjourned.
Since
The Kestrel begins with 3 human crew and we had the 3 necessary to
launch to our first beacon, the game has already begun. Written
role-playing dialog and adventure events are being recorded in this
thread so that those interested can tune in. We can take
on extra crew if/when the game itself allows the opportunity. The first
4 active role-playing players have Officer titles and Officer quarters
and have the option to bring aboard an inconsequential Officer
"Companion" (this can be a character of any race, a pet, a droid
side-kick or anything that you can imagine).
If
you are interested in actively participating as a later added
crew-member, please reply in this thread so that you can be added to the
waiting list. In the meantime, tune in to the IRC channel and
participate by creating a character that is not on the ship (i.e the
Captain of a nearby vessel in need of assistance.) If we notice you in
the channel during a session, we will extend everyone an invitation to
participate. Simply say nothing if you wish to observe.
Through
this process, we are attempting to flesh out the story of FTL's past
(i.e. the origin of The Kestrel). Of course this is all "fan-fiction".
The goal is to have fun and create a positive experience for both those
participating and those "tuning in" to the IRC channel and THIS thread
to watch what ought to be entertaining role-play.
In order to create some interest, I will provide screen-shots/copy-pastes below of:
1) The Kestrel's (Enhanced 3 Deck Layout)
2) The current "Ship Stats and Summary Info" page
3) The current "Crew Stats" page
4) The current "Ship Scrap Accounting" page
5) The current "Captain's Log"
6) Some BONUS animations from the up and coming "FTL: 8-Bit Comic"
Note:
This is a work in progress, but the adventure is underway as we tweak
certain game mechanics . As an active role-playing character, you will
have the ability to make decisions that will affect the outcome of the
journey. The process will take place in "slow-paced time" in order to
allow reasonable participation by all willing role-players (active crew
AND random alien ships).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to Participants (sent Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:49 pm),
I
want to first thank-you for showing an interest in "FTL Online"! I
wholeheartedly believe that FTL is ripe for role-playing and I have
faith that we will make a fun, entertaining and informative show of it.
First-off, this is a game…something that you do in your leisure
time to have fun and relax. Participating in “FTL Online” SHOULD NOT
take precedence over "RL" (Real Life) activities (i.e. going out on
dates, spending time with a spouse/partner, kids & family). THIS
game is not THAT important. So, I would like for all of us to put this
"project" into its proper perspective - Live First; Game Later. Having
shown interest and given participation in "FTL Online" will never be
taken as a commitment to the game, the project, and/or the group.
The game is designed such that it can be played with ANY single player
present (I shall demonstrate below). That being said, we all have
things that we do when we're not gaming AND we don't all live in the
same time zone. These hurdles CAN be solved with some planning and
forethought.
For when we wish to be "in character", we will have our own IRC room called #FTLOnline on the quakenet.org server. Entering
the #FTLOnline IRC chat-room AND changing your nickname to a
role-playing character indicates that you are able and willing to
proceed with game play. Although any non-activated
crewmember is welcome to come in and listen and/or role-play, it is
appreciated that you only "role-play" if you (1) Have been activated as a
crew-member (or Officer Companion) on the ship, (2) Are not DECEASED as
a character that you played (If an untimely death does happen, you can
be worked back into the game as a new character once the opportunity
arises) and (3) you have been invited by a cast member to play a
character of your own imagination that fits within the story’s context.
So
as it stands, we have several active role-playing participants and 1
passive Officer “Companion”. Always omni-present, of course, is the
voice of the "Ship's Computer" and can be interjected into the story by
changing your nick name to “Ship_Computer” and enclosing all dialogue
with quotations ("…”) . Of the several active role-playing participants
we have, only 3 have been activated in the story as actual crew. Our
4th player, and 4th officer, will come aboard at the earliest
opportunity when the "Dungeon Master" (the single-player FTL game)
presents the opportunity to the ship. Players that are non-active are
welcome to voice enemy Captains & Crew, aliens encountered during
the crew’s exploration of planets, space-stations, etc., the Ship
Computer and when "Drone Control" has been purchased, any interior ship
robot (i.e. sys droid, anti-personnel/boarding drone, etc.) when
purchased. The ship also has “servo-drones" (think of robots smaller
than a sys droid), however, all they can do is perform cleaning and
maintenance actions and beep like R2-D2.
So
to reiterate, if you are in the #FTLOnline IRC room and you are an
invited game participant (cast members will invite you; if they don’t,
simply ask to participate), you can interact with the crew and if
"interacted with" by another role-player, you will have the choice to
actively respond or be passive and assumed to be "day-dreaming".
Some
of the game participants will have extra-duties in administering the
game in order to facilitate smooth, enjoyable and entertaining
game-play. Game-play exists whenever one willing role-playing
participant is in the #FTLOnline IRC chat room; however, there are
different "modes" of play: “At a Beacon” -and- “In between Beacons”.
"At a Beacon" Mode:
This
mode is switched on whenever the "Dungeon Master” operator is present
and actively serving up game events and vital ship data to the players.
This is "action time" for the crew of The Kestrel. Those that are not
present will be set to "passive/auto-pilot" mode until they enter the
chat room to take over the "hosting" of their character. Only activated
crew-members aboard The Kestrel can talk (and act) for a cast member
not present during a session.
"In Between Beacons" Mode:
This mode is switched on whenever the "Dungeon Master” is NOT present to serve up game events and vital ship data to the players.
Players can roam/explore the ships interior, engage in
non-life-threatening activities and engage in idle banter. If the game
was last left at a beacon where there is a planet, space-station,
science research vessel, Zoltan research facility, derelict ship, or
even the remains of a ship or ship debris after battle, etc., said
locales can be explored via interesting role-playing text. Remember, we
have space-suits, shuttles and rovers for a reason. You will earn
"Level Points" for using said vehicles and having positive interactions
with those you encounter. I will remain in the FTLOnline chat room at
all times in order to save any role-playing dialogue, but I will try to
indicate in my nickname when I am AFK (Away From Keyboard), busy or
sleeping. If I do not respond please leave me a private chat message
and if you disconnect from the IRC server, a means to contact you. You
can always post a reply in THIS thread and/or PM me using this forum’s
messaging system.
Now let's talk about how the game events will
be served up to the players. Currently, vital screen-shots will be
presented as links in the #FTLOnline IRC chat-room during game time.
All this will be refined more and more as we proceed. The ultimate goal
of the game is for us all to have a fun and enjoyable time. Most of us
have seen most of the events during our single-player FTL game
sessions, so what is most important of all is that we embrace suitable
imagination techniques assisted via rich dialogue within the #FTLOnline
IRC chat-room. This experience is more about the role-playing than it
is about dominating the single-player FTL game as a group. We are
looking for rich, quality content and participation by a diverse
user-base.
For example, we may be served up an enemy that is
ready to engage us in battle. We will need to employ our sensor systems
(i.e ask probing questions) to figure out what weapons the enemy ship
appears to have, etc. This can also be accomplished more accurately
when the "Dungeon Master” operator uploads and gives the group a link or
the game screen and/or game-sheet screenshots. Once the enemy
engagement has begun, the "Dungeon Master" operator will need to focus
their skills in playing the scenario with the goal of minimal losses
(hull, expendables and life) whilst pausing often allowing for the
insertion of role-play. Expendables are our pool of missiles,
drone-parts and scrap (by way of minimizing hull repairs).
Periodically, the "Dungeon Master" operator will update the game-sheets
to represent accurate information about the current state of the ship
and crew as they sit in the "Dungeon Master" operator’s "game-server". It is important to note that the richness in role-playing will happen BEFORE, DURING and AFTER ship-to-ship battles. We
will certainly see how sophisticated we can evolve this. I will be
saving and "turn-time-stamping" all screen-shots to later upload into
THIS thread so as to keep those interested "tuned-in" to the adventures.
So with that, I look forward to seeing fellow participants in #FTLOnline !
-Antony
