Explosm: The Outbreak

[Crabstick]

This is my idea for a new interactive forum game. Think werewolves, but less basic and more user interaction (hopefully).


There has been an outbreak of a strange viral infection in the laboratories near Explosm City. The local media has reported it as nothing more than a minor influenza strain, but inside sources suggest it to be so much worse. The infection stays dormant in the body for a period between 24 and 48 hours, after which time it causes the infected individual to turn into a penguin.

The virus is being transmitted by several carriers, who were test subjects in the laboratory. It is believed the virus was originally intended as a vaccine against avian influenza, but, obviously, went horribly wrong. The carriers themselves were genetically altered to be immune to the mutations, so carry no visible signs of contamination, but are able to infect others.

The scientist responsible for developing the virus has gone missing. Rumors abound that he is hiding amongst the citizen population, attempting to hunt down the carriers and put them to death, thereby righting his wrongs. The carriers are still technically human, so still possess all the vulnerabilities of mortality.

But there is also hope for the citizens of Explosm City. Researchers from the laboratory have developed a cure for those who are infected, and a vaccination for those who believe they are at risk. However the cure must be combined with the viral strain inside the body within 24 hours of contamination, and the vaccine is only effective for a maximum of 5 days. If both the cure is taken while the vaccine is in effect, the virus has an instant reaction and the individual mutates. Additionally, only one of each treatment can be produced per day due to the nature of the virus, so the researchers must make the tough decision of who to treat.

As is often the case during times of mass hysteria, mob rule has taken over. Angry citizens are forcing people to be detained, questioned and punished, although some more extreme groups are days from setting up their own citizen's militia and executing people on the spot. In coming weeks, Explosm City will become either a town torn apart by violence, or the setting for Happy Feet 2.


I'm still working out some fine details, but basically the people will be split into two main groups - carriers and citizens (specifics will depend on numbers, but there'll be fewer carriers).
- The carriers decide who to infect, and those people are notified by PM that they are infected. They have a set time limit to convince the researcher to provide them with the cure, but cannot tell them they've been infected (ideally, everyone should be posting a reason why they should get the cure, but only one is chosen).
- If an infected person doesn't get a cure, they will be mutated, and can take no further part in the game (aside from the occassional WAK WAK WAK of the penguin)
- The two researchers won't know who each other are, and the citizens won't know who either one is. Requests for cure/vaccine will be made publicly in the thread.
- The citizens (in typical mob fashion) vote on someone to be killed.
- The mad scientist's identity will be a secret. They can kill off anyone except the researchers, but is also able to be killed. Unsure of whether they will receive any clues or not.
- The game will hinge on everyone acting like a citizen in the thread

------------------------------------------------

Let me know what you think and if you're interested, and I'll sort out details. I'll leave registrations open for about a week, but places are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

------------------------------------------------

Currently signed up:
Shadowpriest
green_rubber_bands
ShaggMuffin
Mr. Tea
die_hard03
jewishjosh
Werty66
BKS
Zephyrus
CharlieH
Hats of!
Froz3n
Deimor
Zebbs
History
davidmanman
blltmssgy
Grim
Baal Ial
Mirrorboy
Con-Con
savotage
GCBC
Robo-Sexual
Coconuts
alrightDARLING
Dauntasa
WTF
Benjaman
RabidMonkey

I'm looking to start the game around the 13th (when my last exam finishes). If you sign up, make sure you're going to be active. You'll get a PM from me, telling you who you are and please, make sure you reply. Until then, start thinking of how you'd convince someone to save your life.

[Shadowpriest]

It seems fun, im in. Though I think the gameplay needs some work, im still a little confused on it.

[green rubber bands]

Yeah, this looks like it has some real potential, but for god's sake, get the rules straight before launching it...oh, and I'm in.

[Shagg]

Sure, this seems like fun.. I'm in.

But one thing; if all the citizens are asking for a cure, couldn't we easily point out the researchers being the ones who don't ask for the cure themselves?

[green rubber bands]

Maybe there should be a pool of 5-10 citizens suspected of infection, but they still participate in mob rule and can be killed; as opposed to 20-25 (depending on how big you want this) citizens all screaming for a cure with no reliable basis for determining who needs it, therefore preventing it from turning too random.

[Mr.Tea]

I'm in, but the thing is, if you don't have the infection, there is no motive to get the cure. Maybe receiving the cure is something that can be saved and used at other times. :beat:

[DieHard]

Count me in man

[jewishjosh]

I'm in. Looks good, but I wouldn't recommend starting it until you've thought about all of the loose ends from every angle. The set up looks great but could you explain it in a way that makes a bit more sense in terms of gameplay?

But one thing; if all the citizens are asking for a cure, couldn't we easily point out the researchers being the ones who don't ask for the cure themselves?

The researchers will ask for the cure to throw the mad scientist off the scent, durr :ahe:

[Crabstick]

I'm in, but the thing is, if you don't have the infection, there is no motive to get the cure.

But there is a motive to get the vaccine, so either way people should be arguing for something. I'm thinking about making the vaccine/cure just a general medication, so whether you use it as a vaccine or a cure depends on your infection status.

Maybe there should be a pool of 5-10 citizens suspected of infection, but they still participate in mob rule and can be killed; as opposed to 20-25 (depending on how big you want this) citizens all screaming for a cure with no reliable basis for determining who needs it, therefore preventing it from turning too random.

The idea is that people by creative and come up with their own arguments as to why they need it. Obviously if you've got 10 people saying "because I want it" or "because I'm infected" the game won't be as effective. I'm assuming people who sign up will be creative.

Also, depending on numbers, there will be more than one person infected at a time (for various lengths of time), so there should at least be competition for the medication.

[Werty]

I'm game. I think you should wait a bit and get your shit together first, though, ya know?

[BKS]

I'm in. Interested to see how this plays out.

[Crabstick]

I'm game. I think you should wait a bit and get your shit together first, though, ya know?

Yeah, I've got to finish up with exams at the moment, so will find some time to iron out the kinks. Right now I'm just throwing the idea out there and seeing what kind of response I get.

If anyone sees any problems with this, please actually post something or PM me so I can work out how to fix it.

[Crabstick]

CITIZENS: You are the backbone of this game. For your main role, you get to kill off one member of the game per round, and it is chosen by a majority vote. Use your power wisely, make the most of the clues you are given and try to follow some sort of reason. Try not to kill the researchers.

If you receive a PM telling you that you have been infected, you have two options. You can attempt to argue for medication in the thread (you cannot tell anyone you have been infected), or you can roll over and die/mutate. The PM will tell you the number of rounds you have before you mutate (and will be decided by a random number generator). I suggest you try to make a convincing argument – be creative, be funny, be different. Give the researchers a reason to notice and pick you.

If you are not infected, you can attempt to argue for medication to be used as a vaccine. Again, the duration of the vaccine will be decided by a random number generator. Try to come up with better reasons than “I don’t want to mutate”.

CARRIERS: You will know who each other are. I suggest you use PMs to keep in touch with each other and organise yourself well. If someone seems to be interpreting the clues well, go after them. You can infect a few people per round (will depend on the numbers we get), so try to have some sort of organisation (I suggest electing some sort of leader amongst you). Join in on the mob discussions, try to point them away from your own kind if you can. You get to vote like every other citizen, so if you play your cards right you can hurt the citizens hard.

Also, try to argue for reasons to get the medication. The more you guys can get, the less the citizens can get, so are more vulnerable to your attacks.

RESEARCHERS: There will be two of you. You will not know who the other one is. You cannot give the medication to yourself (obviously, because it will be useless to you.) Although you cannot be mutated, you are still able to be lynched by an angry mob, or killed by a crazy scientist. Try to maintain your cover, so post your own reasons for wanting medication in the forum. Make your decisions wisely, reward people for coming up with cool or individual reasons. If you play your role effectively, you can essentially hand the game to the citizens. Play it poorly, and you will likely die at the hands of a mob.

MAD SCIENTIST: You get to go nuts. You can kill anyone you choose, regardless of their role. Like the researchers, you can’t mutate, but you can be lynched. You will receive an additional clue via PM each round, and I suggest you make the most of the extra info. Try to point the mob in the right direction. You can technically be considered to be on both sides, so the way in which you play will depend largely on how effectively you interpret the clues and kill the carriers.

[Zephyrus]

I'm in. this sounds like fun

[jewishjosh]

Wait.

Citizens are trying to lynch the mad scientist? The carriers?
Carriers are immune to dying from the virus but can infect citizens with a lethal dose?
Researchers are trying to save carriers? Infected citizens?
The mad scientist is trying to kill who again? Carriers, right?
If the researchers and the mad scientist can't be infected, what does an ordinary citizen have to gain by getting cured?

[Crabstick]

-Citizens are trying to lynch the carriers. So is the scientist. Chances are they'll end up lynching each other.

- Yes, but the dose is not instantly lethal. If the infected gets medication in time they'll survive

- Researchers are trying to save citizens. Only people trying to save carriers are the carriers

- Mad scientist is trying to kill carriers, but doesn't know exactly who they are

- They get to live and stay in the angry mob. Better than death.

[jewishjosh]

Okay, thanks for clearing that up. In werewolves the villagers, even the dead villagers, won if all the wolves were killed, and the wolves, even the dead wolves, won if all the villagers were killed. So I'd say that in this game, if the civilians manage to kill all the carriers, only the living civilians should win because they succeeded at convincing the researchers to give them a cure/vaccine.

So, civilians win if they live and lynch all the carriers.
Carriers win if they infect all the civilians.
Researchers win if the civilians win (all the carriers die).
Mad scientist wins if the civilians win (all the carriers die).

Am I right?

[Crabstick]

Essentially, yes. It's the carriers vs. the rest, but they've got the advantage of knowing exactly who's on their side and being able to work in secret. They don't have to infect all the civilians to win, they just need to have all the civilians dead or mutated.

[CharlieH]

This is the first time i will have taken part in something like this. Count me in.

[Hats of!]

Me are in.

[Fr0z3n]

I'm in. Sounds like you put some thought into this.

[Demoir]

Yeah, I'm in.

[Zebbs]

sounds good, I'm in.

[History]

Count me in too.

[davidmanman]

I shall join.

[Shadowpriest]

Do the people that get mutated, after they die, join the carriers? or do they just die and are out of the game?

[blltmssgy]

I am in, and I am already brainstorming ideas to get me a cure.

I think they turn into penguins and go WAK WAK WAK if they want to talk at all Shadow.

[jewishjosh]

Do the people that get mutated, after they die, join the carriers? or do they just die and are out of the game?

I'm under the impression that they are out of the game. The set-up states that they mutate, but essentially they are dead. It's like with werewolves, the dead do not join the wolves' team. (Though technically a werewolf bite should turn you into a werewolf.)

But, if I'm wrong, it's Crabstick's call.

[Grim]

I guess I'm in.

[Crabstick]

I'm under the impression that they are out of the game. The set-up states that they mutate, but essentially they are dead. It's like with werewolves, the dead do not join the wolves' team. (Though technically a werewolf bite should turn you into a werewolf.)

Correct. If you mutate, you are out of the game.

I'm looking to start the game around the 13th (when my last exam finishes), so anyone else who wants to sign up has 5 days to do so. If you sign up, make sure you're going to be active. Until then, start thinking of how you'd convince someone to save your life.

[Holocaustits]

I would like to join in, too.
Yet I have one last question:

- The mad scientist's identity will be a secret. They can kill off anyone except the researchers, but is also able to be killed. Unsure of whether they will receive any clues or not.


Does this mean he knows who the researchers are?
Otherwise he ought to be able to kill them, as it would be quite a give-away to tell him:"You didn't succeed at killing your target" or suchlike.

[Mirrorman]

Count me in.

[Crabstick]

Does this mean he knows who the researchers are?
Otherwise he ought to be able to kill them, as it would be quite a give-away to tell him:"You didn't succeed at killing your target" or suchlike.

No, he doesn't know who they are. If he inadvertently finds out by trying to kill one of them, then he'll know, but it won't make a difference to the game. He's not trying to kill the researchers.

Or I could blow it all to hell and just say he can kill them. I'll flip a coin.

[Fr0z3n]

Or I could blow it all to hell and just say he can kill them.

That would be cool. It gives him a reason to wait until he is certain, rather than going around killing everyone to make sure the infected are dead.

[Con-Con]

This looks really good.Every one seems to think I'm guilty in the trial.So maybe I can get a fresh start in this game.

[Penis_Captivus]

Hhhhmmmmm. If it's not too late I do say I would like to sign up.

[GCBC]

I'd like to do it, if there's still room.

[Crabstick]

I'm gonna cap the number of entries at 30. GCBC makes 23.

[Robo_Sexual]

I would like to join... I promise to be active. ^^

[Con-Con]

Also,Far if there's people who sign up and aren't active thet deserve some sort of a TO because it's so annoying.

[Zebbs]

As long as someone has something to do, this won't turn into a failure.

[Coconuts]

This looks like a lot of fun! I hope it turns out well, I'm in. Why would you convince someone to give you a cure? That only helps people who are infected so, therefore, by saying you need a cure, it automatically means you're infected.

[Fr0z3n]

Also,Far if there's people who sign up and aren't active thet deserve some sort of a TO because it's so annoying.

I like that idea, except that a TO would only make them more inactive... infractions would be better.

EDIT:

by saying you need a cure, it automatically means you're infected.

Or you are a carrier trying to keep the cure from someone else, which is why one should be careful when looking for a vaccination.

[Crabstick]

Or I could just kill them off.

[DieHard]

Or I could just kill them off.

Yeah, why would you give them infractions for not playing?

Maybe they have a life or computer broke, that wouldn't be really fair

[Crabstick]

Before we start I plan on PMing everyone who's signed up. Those who don't respond within 2 days won't be allowed to take part. Anyone think that's unfair?

[Fr0z3n]

Before we start I plan on PMing everyone who's signed up. Those who don't respond within 2 days won't be allowed to take part. Anyone think that's unfair?

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

[alrightDARLING]

Sign me up.

[jewishjosh]

This looks like a lot of fun! I hope it turns out well, I'm in. Why would you convince someone to give you a cure? That only helps people who are infected so, therefore, by saying you need a cure, it automatically means you're infected.

The cure can double as a vaccine for future use, right? If so, maybe it should go bad after two or three rounds so you don't win one in the first round and then ride it to an easy victory.

[Con-Con]

Before we start I plan on PMing everyone who's signed up. Those who don't respond within 2 days won't be allowed to take part. Anyone think that's unfair?

Sounds Perfect.

[Crabstick]

The cure can double as a vaccine for future use, right? If so, maybe it should go bad after two or three rounds so you don't win one in the first round and then ride it to an easy victory.

If you successfully argue for a vaccine it last for between 1 and 3 rounds, so in that time period you can't be infected. You can still be killed by the mob though.

[Dauntasa]

I'll join.

[Robo_Sexual]

Does this game start after you get exactly 30 people or do we still have to wait until Tuesday?

[WTF]

I want in

[Benjaman]

I'll join.

I want in

Sign me up.

Me too! I'll join.

[Crabstick]

Does this game start after you get exactly 30 people or do we still have to wait until Tuesday?

Still have to wait, I'm not starting it until I finish exams. The 30 people is just the limit.

[Crabstick]

PMs have been sent out. Your role may change, depending on numbers of people who are good to go. You'll be updated if such is the case.

[jewishjosh]

Just make sure you don't turn a carrier into anyone else - they'll know who all the carriers are.

[Crabstick]

Just make sure you don't turn a carrier into anyone else - they'll know who all the carriers are.

Don't worry, I won't. The carriers were outnumbered to begin with and two can't take part anyway. So there'll be some civilians changing roles.

[Hats of!]

So, when will it begin?

[Crabstick]

About 40 hours from now.

This thread will be closed and a new one will be created. Far/whoever the other mod is, feel free to delete this once it's closed.

[Hats of!]

Finetastic.

[Shagg]

Alright, now we just play the waiting game until the official Outbreak begins.

[Fr0z3n]

Do we know how many carriers there are?





Alright, now we just play the waiting game until the official Outbreak begins.

I can't find a thread for that game...

[Kokonut3]

it says one space left, put me in
:)

[RabidMonkey]

Please let me play, I'm very active. But I'm probably too late hey. :(

EDIT: Just saw you sent the PM's out already, fuck.

[jewishjosh]

I can't find a thread for that game...

I was just gonna ask, what are the rules? Is the waiting game like the quiet game where you're not supposed to talk and the last one left who hasn't said anything wins?

O SHI-

[Shagg]

Umm.. The waiting game is when we "wait" for the Outbreak to begin. Some people also like to use the words "Rest" or "Interval". :ahe:

[Werty]

This looks like a lot of fun! I hope it turns out well, I'm in. Why would you convince someone to give you a cure? That only helps people who are infected so, therefore, by saying you need a cure, it automatically means you're infected.

Meh, not necessarily. I mean, I'm pretty sure vaccine = cure which means that the humans who aren't infected would want the vaccine as well as those who are and the infectors themselves. Basically I think it's just free for all.

Oh, and, Crab, you might wanna make the main game topic 'cause this is just a sign up, innit?

[Shagg]

Werty, he is really soon. But he needed to finish exams or something.. so it'll prob be up tommorow.

[Werty]

Meh. I really don't read through threads throughly, I'm not gonna lie. But, at least it'll be up soon.

[Crabstick]

Please let me play

You squeezed into the last spot.

[green rubber bands]

How are you going to fit into all of this Crabstick? Are you going to be God or something?

[Crabstick]

How are you going to fit into all of this Crabstick? Are you going to be God or something?

As much as I'd like divine powers, I'm the mayor of the town.

And just to clarify, there is no distinction between the vaccine and the cure. You are arguing for medication. How you use said medication depends on whether you've been infected or not. (You can't hold onto the medication, when you get it you use it straight away).

[Con-Con]

Did much people not PM back or is every one playing

[Coconuts]

As much as I'd like divine powers, I'm the mayor of the town.

And just to clarify, there is no distinction between the vaccine and the cure. You are arguing for medication. How you use said medication depends on whether you've been infected or not. (You can't hold onto the medication, when you get it you use it straight away).

Can you use medication on another person then?

Do we know who gets the medicine and what they used it as? Do we know if someone's been vaccinated so we don't cure them etc...

[JOHNNY V]

CAN I PLAY? how do i sigh up?

[Shagg]

CAN I PLAY? how do i sigh up?

Wow.. Just Wow.

Go lurk some more, k? :ahe:

[Crabstick]

Can you use medication on another person then?

Do we know who gets the medicine and what they used it as? Do we know if someone's been vaccinated so we don't cure them etc...

No, medication is for you only. For the most part, it won't be public knowledge (ie I'm not going to say who got vaccinated each time), but if the carriers try to infect someone who is vaccinated, or if someone who is infected gets cured, then it will be announced in the update. You won't know if someone's been vaccinated, but if they have, they probably won't need to ask for more medication. The two researchers don't know who each other are, so it's possible they may double up. Not likely however.

Did much people not PM back or is every one playing

I got 27 replies from 29 PMs. That's more than enough to go with.

Game starts in about 8 hours

[Shadowpriest]

I got 27 replies from 29 PMs. That's more than enough to go with.

You got mine right? I never really use the PM sistem so im not sure if i sent it right.

[Crabstick]

You got mine right? I never really use the PM sistem so im not sure if i sent it right.

Yeah, you're fine. There was no reply from Mr.Tea or Robo_Sexual, and savotage has disabled PMs.

[Crabstick]

New thread posted, just need to wait for approval from mod