 KryptonSite Interviews Cam Banks About The New Smallville RPG Game
A new Smallville "role-playing game is now starting to come out from Margaret Weis Productions. This interactive game - designed to be played between Smallville fans where you can play as part of that universe - is the first of several Smallville-related product to come from the company, with a "High School Yearbook" and "Watchtower Report" to come later.
One of the creators of this project, Cam Banks, took the time to participate in an interview with KryptonSite to talk about the product. Questions are in bold; answers are not.
How did it come about to do a project based on the world of Smallville?
We had been working with DC Comics with the Supernatural RPG, also based on a CW property. When thinking about our next licensed product, Smallville seemed like a good idea to pursue, and after some negotiations we struck a contract and went ahead with it. I've been a fan since the first season, never missed an episode, so I had no shortage of enthusiasm!
Your company has had success with other RPG games. What shows have you done games for before, and did their success inspire the decision to do Smallville?
Margaret Weis Productions had a big hit in 2005 with the Serenity RPG, based on the movie which was in turn a follow-up to the Firefly series. We've also published games based on Battlestar Galactica and Supernatural, and I think our experience definitely helped us pick up Smallville. Also, we're always looking for ways to expand our horizons, and there's no shortage of possibilities with Clark's universe.
Does the game fit in to any particular spot in Smallville continuity?
The core rulebook is written with the assumption that Seasons 8 and 9 are more or less the "current." So it's as up to date as we can make it. Many people still think Smallville's a high school drama, but it's become much more than that, as you know.
What eras of the Smallville experience did you feel were the most important to touch upon?
Obviously the current Metropolis era is our baseline. We like the growth and development of Clark's allies and villains, the "look" of the show, and its writers. That said, we aim to publish supplementary books for high school drama set in the Smallville universe, as well as touch on other options.
How does the game work?
Smallville is a pen-and-paper RPG, or roleplaying game. You could also call it an adventure game or a story game, depending on how you look at it. It's not a video game, although we do give some suggestions on running the game over the internet. Games like this are played with a group of players, using dice to resolve things like "Do I convince Lois that I'm not a super hero?" and "Can I defeat Zod this time, even when we don't have our abilities?" Everybody makes their own character, and one player takes the role of Watchtower: overseeing the story that develops, playing all of the supporting cast, and establishing scenes. Watchtower's job is a little like being a director of an improv troupe.
What is in the "Corebook?"
The corebook has all the rules you need to play. It tells you how to create your own spinoff of the show, including all of the Lead characters, their favorite locations and haunts, and the people that matter to them. It tells you how to play out an episode, with various scenes and action sequences. It includes write-ups of all of the main characters from Smallville, heroes and villains, as well as important places. And we end the book with an overview of all nine seasons of the show, with an episode guide for seasons 8 and 9.
How does someone purchase it?
You can buy the game from your local hobby or game store, major booksellers, or direct from us at www.margaretweis.com. It's just been released, so if you don't see it in your store, ask for it!
Which other Smallville tie-ins are coming in the future?
There's the aforementioned Smallville High School Yearbook, which we're working on now. Later, we're going to publish The Watchtower Report, which includes new rules, new options, and goes into more detail about lots of villains and LuthorCorp projects as well.
If these are successful, are there plans for more?
We certainly would like to explore more supplements. It depends on what folks want to see, what parts of the game might be expanded. And there's always Season Ten.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It's a good time to be a gamer. RPGs are growing, and it's not just Dungeons and Dragons any more. At Margaret Weis Productions, we believe that you can have hundreds of hours of fun with your friends telling stories and rolling dice, and that if you've ever been interested in creating your own storylines for Smallville our game is tailor-made for it. Go play!
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The Smallville Corebook contains a general design that matches what you'd see in the Smallville magazine or previous tie-ins. Inside there are also original illustrations by Zachary Baldus who wrote for the magazine.
KryptonSite would like to thank Cam Banks for taking the time to do this interview.
Order your copy of the Smallville RPG Corebook from Amazon.com and support this website!
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