The following sections will detail different aspects of a shared-continuity universe spanning several different campaigns, goals, and styles. While the shared-continuity approach is emblematic of the source material (comics, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe), it is entirely optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most faithful approach to shared continuity is using multiple Narrators and players. This is similar to the multiple writers and artists, or screenwriters and film directors that help build upon the ground that others have broken before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s likely to also be the most challenging. It requires the Narrators to be in constant contact, sharing and shaping the larger universe together. From a gameplay standpoint, it also requires that each Narrator adopt similar approaches to mechanics, leveling, and player safety. It adds a level of cooperation and sacrifice that is surplus to a standard TTRPG game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trade-off is that it allows multiple Narrators to identify their corners of the universe and develop them with greater individual care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWhile building continuity between multiple games in a larger overworld is a challenge, Absolute Overpower believes it\u2019s an important part of the superhero\/comic book RPG experience. It should never be a burden, however. Narrators and players can find the best way to include it (or not) for them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Ping Pong<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
An alternate option is the \u201cping pong\u201d method where the same group of players and the Narrator rotate titles and plots as necessary or desired. The advantage of this approach is that it allows for total control and understanding by a single party and Narrator. It also gives players the chance to see how events from one campaign impact the other and vice versa. It\u2019s a full 360 view of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it puts a much larger burden on a single Narrator and actually complexifies the preparation needed to essentially run several games inside a larger universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can also be distracting and distancing for players. Throughout different missions and plots, players will naturally gain a preference for individual characters. Asking them to then jump into a different character, playing through a story that does not immediately address the plots they\u2019re partial to can be a dissatisfying experience. It also multiplies the amount of notes they\u2019ll need to take!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solo Campaigns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
TTRPG games are often built around the concept of \u201cteam.\u201d The party is often the focal point of campaign design. However, comic books and movies thrive on singular stories and how they reflect or build up to these larger team moments. Absolute Overpower encourages Narrators to run and integrate solo (or small team) stories, much like its source material. It\u2019s entirely possible to start with several solo campaigns that intertwine, building an Avengers team, just like the MCU!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
External Continuity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Note that while the internal continuity of the universe\u2014and the campaigns within it\u2014are important, external continuity is not. This means that players are not required to have extensive knowledge of either Marvel Comics or the Marvel Cinematic Universe at all. Campaigns can play with as much or as little external continuity as intended by the players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If players are more familiar with an MCU version of a character\u2014like say, Valkyrie (as portrayed by Tessa Thompson)\u2014let them play that version. Even if it\u2019s part of a Night Shift team that has Shadowland as a Hub, which doesn\u2019t exist in the MCU. Ultimately, this is all minutiae that won\u2019t impact the game. Players should play heroes as they want to play them and only need to acknowledge what is important to their backstory, and the internal continuity that will come from the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because we’re following the plot of Marvel Rivals, where the teamstream and multiverse have been torn apart, it is not only possible, it is entirely likely that players and teams will encounter other versions of the same characters, so there isn’t a concern about making adaptations based on the players playing them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There are countless details and aspects of a shared-continuity universe spanning several different campaigns, goals, and styles. While the shared-continuity approach is emblematic of the source material (comics, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe), it is entirely optional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[148,149,90],"class_list":["post-541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gameplay","tag-butterfly-effect","tag-continuity","tag-gameplay"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=541"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1659,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541\/revisions\/1659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblackpudding.com\/overpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}