We have some unusual requirements and restrictions that regular players do not have to contend with in picking a role-playing gane to learn, train, and run.

We are still accepting submission recommendations. Please read through the Criteria and Restrictions section before making a suggestion.

Currently Evaluating

• Champions Complete, Hero Games. (ordered)
• Heroes Unlimited, Palladium Books. (Hawke has 2 copies to use for evaluation)
• Villains & Vigilantes 3rd Edition, Monkey House Games. (ordered)
• Squadron UK, Simon Burley Productions. (ordered)
• GURPS Supers/Powers, Steve Jackson Games. (Hawke has Supers, needs to order Powers next)
• BASH, Basic Action Games. (ordered).
• Capes, Cowls and Villains Foul, Spectrum Games. (ordered)
• Masks A New Generation, Magpie Games.

First Evaluation Round Results

Heroes Unlimited

GM John ran Heroes Unlimited. Results, they found the character generation and game play clunky and confusing. Hawke was not available to evaluate (Hawke has a penchant for more complex systems and making them more accessible to those not used to such systems.). Recommendation, try re-evaluation with Hawke. For now the first group did not like.

Sentinels RPG (early preview)

Was easy to pick up and play. Typical current modern very light rules system (for better or worse). Encouraged heroic play. Not yet a complete system, pending a Kickstarter planned down the road later in 2019 (at earliest). So not a complete system we can use yet. Players liked well enough. Hawke was there too. Scored okay for potential. Will re-evaluate if a more complete version becomes available.

GURPS Supers/Powers

Haven't played yet, but reading through the Supers book, doesn't look like built-in behavior mods in system anywhere (or in GURPS in general of course). Only chance might be using the Style setting of conforming to the Comic Book rules outline as the campaign style to help limit to only heroic play. Will investigate further.

Squadron UK

Pending first round of evaluation (on order)

Villains & Vigilantes 3rd Edition

Pending first round of evaluation (on order)

Second Round Evaluation

Heroes Unlimited

Will give Heroes Unlimited another try at a later date, perhaps when Hawke can GM since he is used to more complex systems.

Sentinels RPG

Will consider Sentinels RPG system further if it comes to fruition beyond the current early draft release.

Removed From Evaluation

Champions (Hero System), Hero Games. Reasons: out of print not available in physical print or PoD. Added back evauluation list, available as Champions Complete standalone in PDF & PoD.

Mutants & Masterminds (d20 system), Green Ronin. Reasons: Green Ronin prohibitive licensing.

Icon, Green Ronin. Reasons: Green Ronin prohibitive licensing.

FASERIP, Gurbintroll Games. Reasons: Not available in physical print or PoD.

Marvel Super Heroes, TSR. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Marvel RPG, Marvel Entertainment. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Marvel Super Heroes RPG, Margaret Weiss Productions. Not available in physical print or PoD.

DC Adventures (See M&M).

DC Universe RPG, West End Games. Not available in physical print or PoD.

DC Heroes, Mayfair Games. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Smallville RPG, Margaret Weiss Productions. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Batman Role-playing game, Mayfair Games. Not available in physical print or Pod.

Big Eyes Small Mouth RPG (BESM). Not available in physical print or PoD.

Blood of Heroes, Pulsar Games. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Brave New World, PInnacle/Alderac. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Big Bang Comics RPG, Big Bang Comics. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Challengers, Ragnarok Enterprises. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Crimefighters, TSR. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Dragonball Z Action Adventure Game, R. Talsorian Games. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Enforcers RPG, 21st Century Games. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Cartoon Action Hour, Spectrum Games. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Godlike: Superhero Roleplaying in a World on Fire, 1936-1946. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Golden Heroes, GDW. Not available in physical print or PoD.

Inou Tsukai, Enterbrain, Brainfield. Not available in English? Not available in physical print or PoD.

Maybe Evaluate (Again) in Future

Sentinels RPG, .... (only partial system so far).

Criteria

• Must be currently in physical print (PDF is nice addition but not sufficient if no printed or PoD option available).

• Focused on "heroic" play and preferred if includes some kind of behavior modification rules built in to the system (as AiMe/TOR, NTYE, & Dr Who have in various ways), though not mandatory it makes it "safer" to use with our at-risk populations. Otherwise will have to be considered for Tier 2 games instead.

• Track record of staying in print for long period of time. Don't want to train GM's on something that will be out of print by the time they get the hang of it, and can't refer new players to buy it.

• A rules system, at least a basic introductory version, that allows fast game play and completion of one introductory adventure within a 3 hour game session for all new players.
• Offers both "one shot" and ongoing campaign options.

Restrictions

Can't use any Green Ronin products since their licensing is prohibitive for organizations trying to use their games in a public venue, whether a non-profit or for-profit organization.