In Part 2 we covered a basic match, which handles when, what and why to roll dice - in the confines of a match. The basics really cover any match type, where there are a few extra things you can do in different match types, but a match is a match.
The same abilities and rolls are used in other instances throughout any given wrestling card. If you look at any wrestling show, you’ll see a few different things other than wrestling matches. You’ll have interviews, pre-taped packages, vignettes, all of these “non-wrestling” segments can be labeled as “promos.”
One thing you’ll probably never see on a show is the backstage business side. There may be “kayfabe” (ie: storyline) reasons to see a meeting, but those aren't real, it’s apart of the storyline. WWWRPG, however, handles these “real” meetings with Creative in interesting ways.
We’ll touch on promos first - it’s easier to explain.
Anytime The Rock stood in front of the camera with a microphone, he was cutting a promo. This usually boiled down to one thing: his opponent was a ruddie-poo candy ass while he, The Rock, was the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. You suck, I kick ass. That’s what every promo is about. Yes, sometimes you’ll get someone calling out a champion, but even then it’s “You’re not good enough to be champ, but I am.”
In WWWRPG, promos can be handled in a very broad spectrum of ways, but in the end, the dice with modifiers decide how the promo went.
A promo can have one wrestler, two wrestlers or the whole roster. Promos can be a backstage interview, an in ring soliloquy, a press conference, a video package, onscreen infographs, and the list goes on. Actually lately, a lot of wrestling programs is a lot of filler promos. Triple H is known as the King of 20 minutes promos at the beginning of RAW.
In WWWRPG, promos are handled very much the same way as in ring matches. A player decides what he wants a promo to be and he rolls to see how well the promo goes. Either +Real, when the player wants a match, +Audience when the player is playing to the crowd for a reaction, +Heat when calling out a wrestler, +Look when you’re just trying to stay relevant. Let’s take a look at an example.
On the last show Justin Moshe became the champion by pinning Doc Williams. Doc had been booked for months as unstoppable because he was technical and even underhanded when he needed to be, but Creative thought Moshe would make a good face champion and he beat Doc. Moshe wants to start the show with a promo and Creative thinks having the new champion open the show is a great idea.
Moshe’s player isn't the best improve guy so he says he just wants to “Work the Audience” +Audience, gets a 7, gains +1 Momentum (because he isn't in a match) “Cut a Promo” on Doc, which is +Look, he gets 11, +1 Momentum and +1 Heat with Doc. Doc’s player decides to interrupt the promo, but because it’s not during a match he doesn't have to roll +Heat, Creative just gives the ok. Doc “Cuts a Promo” on Moshe, saying he wants a rematch. Rolls +Look and gets a 5, a botch. Because there’s no failure to rolling a botch promo, Creative decides to take an Audience away from Doc, showing the crowd is a little sick of him.
Iceman’s player thinks Doc shouldn't get a return match and wants to be apart of the promo. Creative is all in favor of Iceman adding to the promo. He interrupts, “Cuts a Promo” on Doc, 7, saying he doesn't think Doc deserves a title rematch, that HE should get the shot. Doc says he’s too green to get a title shot, +Heat roll, 9, decides to gain a +1 Momentum and gives Iceman the chance to rebuttal. Iceman decides he doesn't want to talk anymore and goes to attack Doc. +Heat roll, 12, Iceman gets a +1 Heat to Doc and Creative decides to cut the promo by sending security to break up the fight before it gets messy. Creative books tonight’s main event: Iceman vs Doc Williams and the winner will get a shot at Justin Moshe at a later date.
As said before there can be a ton of different things that could have happened, or not happened, during this promo. Moshe’s player could have said he just wanted a video package of his win which would have changed the whole scape of the night... or would have it?
Creative is the driving force behind most long term decisions in WWWRPG. Yes, players have a lot of decision making to do, but Creative has the last say. Decisions with Creative can be as simple as him saying “This is my plan, how do you guys see yourself in it?” or deeper as “What are your ideas?” or even “This is how things are going to be, because I’m Creative.” The last option really won’t be fun for anyone, not even Creative. A lot of what happens outside of matches and promos are before and after events.
Before an event Creative is going to outline how he wants the show to flow. Promo, match, promo, match, match, etc. Creative will also make long term plans, but plans can always go astray (ie: a player goes against Creative’s booked finish or a better idea comes into play). Creative controls all Non-Player Wrestlers (NPW) and subs in as match play-by-play commentator when one isn't available. Creative also chooses match types, aids in suggesting player direction, and a dozen other things.
In other words: Creative does a ton of stuff.
For a more diverse and fun game, players should work with Creative to build storylines, all the while still keeping things to themselves to surprise players and Creative alike - sometimes planning everything out is boring and tends to take away fun.
In my next post I’m going to finish off my WWWRPG ramble of posts with a list of ideas I have for you to bring to the table when you play - match types, storylines, starting suggestions - a whole potpourri of ideas.
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