200 Word RPGs 2024

Each November, some people try to write a novel. Others would prefer to do as little writing as possible. For those who wish to challenge their ability to not write, we offer this alternative: producing a complete, playable roleplaying game in two hundred words or fewer.

This is the submission thread for the 2024 event, running from November 1st, 2024 through November 30th, 2024. Submission guidelines can be found in this blog's pinned post, here.

"Fusion Core," A Short Game About Mechs for 2+ players

One player is the mech. One player is the pilot. Any remaining players are HQ. (If there are only 2 players, come up with HQ's orders together.)

Players need: at least one d4, notepaper.

Roll for the mission goal: 1. Sabotage 2. Assault 3. Theft 4. Defense

Roll for the target: 1. Belligerent 2. Artifact 3. Outpost 4. Diplomat

Roll for what the pilot wants: 1. Family 2. Love 3. Safety 4. Home

Roll for what the mech wants: 1. Destruction 2. Destruction 3. Destruction 4. Destruction The mech is a weapon. It wants to do its job.

When on missions:

HQ gives an order.

Pilot attempts an action. Will action follow orders? If not, HQ will find a new pilot. Will action further mech goals? If not, mech will not respond. Will action further pilot goals? If not, too bad.

Mech carries out the action. Roll a d4. 1. Great Failure: +2 breakdown 2. Failure: +1 breakdown 3. Success: +1 score 4. Great Success: +2 score

Repeat.

At 5 score you win! Describe how you extract victorious.

At 3 breakdown you lose. Describe how you let everyone down.