THE SWORD OR THE PEN: YOUR CHARACTER'S WEAPON PREFERENCE IN RPGS

1. What weapon selections are available in your RPG's ?
None. I don't have any games in the works or waiting in the wings where the player gets to choose the characters' weapons. Simeon in Hurricane Simeon uses an umbrella, the leads in Taret Blade wield a hammer (or occasionally, wrench) and a scythe respectively, while the lead in Anything Under the Sky isn't a fighter at all. But AUtS is more of an adventure game than an RPG.

2. Do you plan to break away from the stereotypical “boy with a sword” in your RPG, if so then why. If not why do you believe that a sword is a useful choice of weaponry even in an environment ruled by futuristic technology?
More by accident than anything else. I choose the characters' weapons based on their personalities, and sometimes that means swords. In this case it doesn't.

Not using a sword just because other people have done so a lot in the past is ridiculous. It's like how you run into those writers who try to come up with different synonyms for "said" to pepper into their dialogue ('"Yes!" confirmed Shadowtext.') even though it comes off as forced and awkward. Use a sword when it fits, or when it would be cool. All other considerations are unnecessary.

See my answer to the next part for my response to the latter question.

3. Why do you believe swords constantly appear with RPG's despite the innovation seen in our modern day?
Swords are fairly simple to use with at least a little effectiveness even by amateurs, and they're significantly cooler than most other simple weapons that one might give a young adventurer. Most other weapons have a steeper learning curve, where people who suck at them are basically completely worthless--Bows and Arrows for example. If you're not already a good shot and very strong, giving you a bow is going to leave you completely worthless in combat, unless you've got a whole army of worthless archers firing wildly into the air.

Guns aren't much better--unless we're talking shotguns, people who don't know how to use them aren't going to do anything other than scare people, unless they're at point blank range. And if you let someone get that close to you, you've already lost whatever advantage wielding a gun would give you in the first place. That's not to mention the trouble of reloading (especially reloading quickly).

But this is all unimportant. What it comes down to is this: swords are cooler than guns, because kicking someone's ass with (in large part) your own strength and agility is more badass than letting chemically-propelled projectiles do it for you. You can have a badass wield a gun (Ash Williams comes to mind), but giving them melee weapons makes them even more badass (Ash + Chainsaw). Especially if they're facing a foe with more traditionally dangerous weaponry--a guy with a sword taking out a guy with a gun is way cooler than a guy with a gun taking out another guy with a gun. Always.

And I know someone's about to scream "realism!" But if I wanted realism I'd....uh....actually, I can't think of any medium or situation where I would consider realism an important element. So just screw realism in general.

Nah man, I was just kidding with ya.

1) Just like Harmonic, I am also adopting a slash/pierce/blunt system of classifying weapons.

2) I have a few different sword users, and they are males. They each use unique styles of swordfighting, but I guess this qualifies as a 'yes'. It's not futuristic, but I can understand their popularity. I probably would use 'em even in a futuristic setting.

3) Swords are symbolic. There are many fantastic powers and histories behind RPG stories, medieval and futuristic alike. Think about Earth's history. In all the cultures, what weapon has been used in virtually every ancient civilized culture on this planet? Swords were used by the Romans, Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, Norse, *everyone*. They perfectly represent what they were designed to do; kill, and mankind has been killing for a very, very long time. Because of how deeply ingrained they are into our culture and our history, it's easy to relate swords to instruments of ancient power. Few of us even question this; a powerful cliche, that.

Swords are used in rpgs because they symbolize fantasy, as do Dragon's and Fairy's and so on. This has not changed because it was to perfect! Think about it, Final Fantasy, and Zelda ( I know Zelda is not an RPG) for the nes took us to such a high platform, that certain things could in no way be better. It could just be copied and changed around, and better graphics. A sword symbolizes strength, heroism, and Fantasy and fantasy is what a rpg is supposed to be all about. A character with a gun that saves the world is not as epic, nor heroic, as one that does it with a sword. I'll go with Skywalker, before I go with Rambo!!

1. What weapon selections are available in your RPG's ?

Super high tech guns, and...custom designs <_<
I use all the melee weapons (swords, spears, knuckles etc.) only make them a bit more "futuristic" but I Did remove the bow and arrow and replaced it with a machine...crossbow thing. I like guns!

2. Do you plan to break away from the stereotypical “boy with a sword” in your RPG, if so then why. If not why do you believe that a sword is a useful choice of weaponry even in an environment ruled by futuristic technology?

I...have Ebony and Ivory Sin and Virtue for my "heroine" swords are nice and all but lately I have gun addiction

3. Why do you believe swords constantly appear with RPG's despite the innovation seen in our modern day?

Because swords are cool and bad-ass looking I guess.

Oh yeah, these posts made me think of something else. Before guns came around, a warrior would have to dedicate a great amount of time to mastering swordplay to be at all effective against other warriors. It's also a symbol of pride in this respect, and a symbol of worth. It's unfortunate that there may not have been much renown for boomerang masters.

1. What weapon selections are available in your RPGs?
It depends on the game. In Pimp, it's all guns (except for Xerxes), although a cane-sword is available. In Last Day, the Zweihander sword is central to the Rehy/Argus/Aurum plotline. In Vampire, ALL of the major characters and NPCs use swords, if only to put the a cut above the common crowd. (I can get away with this because A. I'm cool like that and B. I use different sub-types of sword i.e. katana, broadsword, rapier, scimitar, longsword, cleaver, etc.)

2. Do you plan to break away from the stereotypical “boy with a sword” in your RPG, if so then why. If not why do you believe that a sword is a useful choice of weaponry even in an environment ruled by futuristic technology?
Just like everyone else, I call upon the mighty Lightsaber to prove my point for me.

3. Why do you believe swords constantly appear with RPGs despite the innovation seen in our modern day?
It's a representation of power. Swords require more finesse than say, the axe or the spear.
Spears stab. That's it. Maybe beat the guy behind you with the butt end of the shaft (she said). If the enemy, say, ducks within the reach of the spear, there's nothing left to do but back up some or drop the spear.
Axes cut. Admittedly, it would more than likely hurt, but the disadvantage is that it's one-way. You swing the axe down. Now what? In order to do something with your return swing, you'd have to turn the axe around in your hand and pull it up, which really diminishes force on the upswing.

With a sword, the pattern is more varied: You swing, you parry, maybe dodge the fireball (if applicable), You jab here, feint there, and so on. Your options are more diverse: do I run him through with the point, or do I slash him in one big stroke, or do I give him a large number of smaller wounds or this or that or these or...

You see? The sword is self-perpetuating because A). They require skill and talent to use, drawing those who wish to prove themselves, and B) They show that the wearer has said skill and talent (which may be untrue) thus acting as a deterrent, and C) They provide a badge of rank and social status, as they are expensive to make, and finally D)They come in so many flavors, that you know you'll find one to your liking, whether you're an invading Mongol, Christian crusader, ex-SOLDIER, or Jedi knight.

Whew! (Wanders off in search of sustenance.)

1. What weapon selections are available in your RPG's ?

I'll refrain from posting what should be obvious.

Rings: The main character in my game lacks the "Strike" command, thus he uses rings in his weapon slot. Rings in the beginning only raise your stats, but later in the game they will grant entirely new abilities and latent effects (Such as MP regen).

Ether Glove: More of an augmentation than a weapon, the ether glove will enhance the weapon of a certain character (a character who's equipment is locked for the duration of the entire game) the history of the Ether Glove is veiled in mystery. It's rarity does little to veil the weapons undeniable power; as it grants even the most inexperienced user the power to send blades of ethereal energy at the unlucky foe.




2. Do you plan to break away from the stereotypical “boy with a sword” in your RPG, if so then why. If not why do you believe that a sword is a useful choice of weaponry even in an environment ruled by futuristic technology?

Well, as I stated earlier; yes. The previous game had that typical sort of protagonist; and I wanted to break away from the original's character cast. Too many times, far too many times I see sequels that don't deviate from this. Just a new character, with a slightly different costume.


3. Why do you believe swords constantly appear with RPG's despite the innovation seen in our modern day?


Swords are a standard really; it's difficult to explain. They have a certain chivalrous appeal to them. The extension of the soul, the weapon of "justice" all that kind of crap.

Rose I am scared of you.