Witwat.net

One of my biggest mandates in working on this was to divide the rules from the theme. I want to create a generic system and an example setting and flavor which can be adapted, modified and replaced by anyone with the time and inclination.

Engine versus Content. Form versus Function. Meat versus Potatoes.

Ok, maybe not that last one. Whatever the case, there's two distinct parts to the development: Making a rule set which can be used for any sort of game desired and making a specific game using that rule set, to serve as an example and to help define and test things to see how well (or poorly) they work.

So, finally, here we arrive at the latter part of the equation: Theme.

SteamWorld (the first game using the SteamWorld rule set... Like I said, they're working titles and one of them will need to change at some point) is a game of exploration and acquisition in a fantastic world of colonial expansion. Each player takes control of an empire vying for resources in an inhospitable land.

At their disposal, they have armies of fantastic inventions - powered by steam, clockwork, alchemy and black powder. Steam-powered tanks rumble across the plains while clockwork gyrocopters clash overhead and musketeers cover the flanks. Meanwhile the native inhabitants are taking a stand against the intruders with the bizarre creatures of the deepest jungles at their side.