Matrix Improvements
- Stefan Prelle
Analytics
Shadowrun draws on the Cyberpunk genre, but for an RPG with a focus on such technology, the rules are a mess, even with the improvements the 6th edition provides. Different device types (Commlinks, Cyberdecks, RCCs, M-TOCs …), program types and on which devices they can be used, different damage monitors and which is used under which circumstances, matrix attributes that you can swap (eventually limited), an overwatch and what contributes to it, actions and how some programs grant you Edge (but only if …) and terminology like DNI, PANs, limited number of slaved devices that really means remote controlled … the list could be continued.
At the moment Commlink isn’t really helpful - the concept of a “Software Library” should help to better handle installation of programs, but it still is a bit buggy. And the rest was bare minimum (adding matrix hardware and accessories) and some of it is still unfinished.
I am trying to wrap my head around ideas how to better visualize everything within the application and on PDF.
Matrix Cheat Sheet
One thing I found missing during a session, was a overview of possible actions depending on your access level and which one classifies at legal or illegal - and how that influences your overwatch score.
My wife and me designed such an overview, which will be available as an optional cheat sheet (PDF) in an upcoming version. The image above is not a final version. We will remove matrix attributes and monitors and add matrix Edge actions and resonance actions instead. That will make the page independent from the character.
In the application: Configure your persona
I have some ideas how to redesign the matrix tab in Commlink. The fundamental building block for that idea will be to select the devices that form your persona and see which interface modes it supports.
The element not only shows you which gear you need to make use of the interface modes, it also inspects your inventory and highlights which elements are present. I also consider to let the user select the interface mode (s)he (and later a preferred matrix attribute and running programs setup) to calculate the values that appear on the PDF:
The problem is that this crosses a line Commlink (and Genesis before) had: Don’t manage (and print) settings that are likely to change during a gaming session. When I do that for matrix configurations, it is like opening Pandoras box for more settings you might want to make … so, I am not totally sure about this.