- At first, I expected this to be a very specific kind of Lasers & Feelings scenario, and I wouldn't begrudge anyone who made the same type of snap judgement. But I'm really glad I didn't pass on it.
- It wasn't until I saw the sample ship diagram that I understood the difference between Systems Trouble and Scenarios. Based on the example, it seems like Systems Trouble deals with causes (Uneven Stairs, Beer Instead of Coolant, Exposed Wires) while Scenarios deal with effects ("Because of Exposed Wires in the Cargo Hold, it does not get cool enough to refrigerate the meds we're transporting.") I feel like that distinction wasn't clear enough in the rules-as-written.
- I'm a pretty dedicated fan of the space trucker/smuggler tropes that influenced this , and I like that it fits a very particular type of narrative set-up. It has a clear, well-defined niche within the broader space opera TRPG sub/genre that includes Lady Blackbird and Never Tell Me The Odds.
Viewing post in Stuck Out in the Black jam comments
Thanks for your feedback, Paolo! I think you're basically right about causes vs. effects, though that's different from how I conceptualized the distinction. Scenarios (as well as major complications) represent the major problem facing the characters - why is the clock ticking as they drift out in space? Broken systems represent problems they have to solve before they can succeed (of which at least one should relate to the scenario). And dangers represent additional obstacles that you can leverage for complications and challenges while they are trying to get the ship going again.
If you get a chance to play Stuck Out in the Black, please let me know how it goes!