Paranoia Returns as Mongoose Take It to Kickstarter!
October 15, 2014 by dracs
A bit of exciting news for all fans of pen and paper RPGs as the Mongoose Publishing will soon be heading to Kickstarter in order to gain the funds needed to bring out a new version of the classic game Paranoia.
Paranoia was first published in 1984, drawing upon the social fears and anxieties of the Cold War years to create a brilliantly ridiculous game which is best in the Paranoia: Troubleshooters book as "Laurel and Hardy get a job at George Orwell's Big Brother."
In the future, the surface of the Earth has been blasted by nuclear war. Now the last remains of humanity exist in an underground city ruled by the friendly and benevolent Computer who is definitely not reading my articles to check I'm loyal, all hail the Computer. You must try and climb the social ladder of this strange society, while keeping an eye out for the insidious forces of mutant-commie-traitors. One problem though, you are also a secret mutant-commie-traitor.
Mongoose Publishing have had the rights for the game for a while now, but now they are looking to give it a complete overhaul for the modern age.
This new edition of Paranoia is a smoking reboot on the other foot. It takes the darkly humorous vision of the original game and filters it through layers of cyber-surveillance, Snowden revelations, Google Glass and the terror of terrorism, and adds a heavy dose of sardonic British humour to bring its tone and setting up to date with a bang, a whimper and a smell of burning hair. The mechanics have been rebuilt from scratch, replacing charts and simulation with cards and fast-paced tactical action and cascading chaos. - Mongoose Publishing
The idea of updating the setting of Paranoia to draw in the many technological concerns and fears of modern life is definitely a welcome addition.
However, I'm a little nervous about the change in the mechanics, putting a focus upon "fast-paced tactical action." Whenever I run Paranoia, and in most cases where I have played in games run by someone else, I tend to focus more upon placing the characters in situations where they have opportunities to implicate each other and spring cunning traps, often neglecting combat in favour of character interaction and evolving scenarios based upon their actions.
Still, it is good to see Paranoia return and I look forward to seeing the Kickstarter arrive on 9:30am (GMT) on Friday October 24th. Of course, I will support the great Computer! You need not doubt my loyalty! No, please not the Friendly Re-Education Center again!
Do you like Paranoia? Think you will help its grand return?
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Oh my goodness I’ll be keeping an eye on this one.
Considering the car crash of the rogue trooper kickstarter I’ll grab the popcorn for this one!
On the 24th, I will report for duty; I am loyal. People who don’t back the game are not loyal. Paranoia is better. Other games are not better.
I used to love this game back in the 80s. I’m not into RPGs these days but will have to keep an eye on this one!
I remember playing this in the past it was great fun i think we all ended up killing each other for some strange reason so i will have a look at this one
Sam-Y-BOY 3, your article suggests you have knowledge of the rules. Knowledge of the rules is treason. You also express concerns with the new rules. Being concerned is treason, you must be happy at all times. Publishing an article requires that you fill out form GR259 which is obtained by filling out form FFFF1. Form FFFF1 is only given to those with knowledge of the rules. If you want to avoid recycling then please ask for this form by admitting you have knowledge of the rules. Furthermore, disturbing video footage has emerged of you in the Outdoors, proving that you… Read more »
I did not publish this article friend Computer, it was the one known as Jus-Tin-472. I think he might be a mutant commie traitor who, having access to video files, has been flagrantly editing them to cast doubts upon the Computer’s loyal servants.
Remember, Sam-Y-BOY 3, that false accusations of treason are themselves treason. Also, if your accusation is true and Just-I-NNN 5 has been treasonously editing them then your failure to report this treason earlier is treason. However, the Computer is your friend and wishes you to be happy, Sam-Y-BOY 4, so is presenting you with an experimental rocket launcher for you to test. Please take this rocket launcher to sector NNN and proceed to a%sffjai?o**fna with it. Failure to carry out this mission is treason. Failure to return the rocket launcher in the condition it was given to you is treason.… Read more »
Fondest memory of the old system… Boss… Underling go get me a soft drink from the vending machine. Me… Yes sir At vending machine, insert money press button and get a grenade Me… Computer um, I think there is something wrong the vending machine is giving out grenades? Computer… Running diagnostics, no everything is correct. Me… Try again get a second grenade… WTH? (Paint Grenade red and write Coke across the side) go into bosses office place grenade on bosses desk and leave quickly… As the door closes I heard the explosion of the grenade… 5 minutes later boss duplicate… Read more »
I run Paranoia quite a lot and I may just have to use that one.
I’ve been trying to buy a copy of Paranoia for years, but it seems I always look for it right when it goes out of print (yet again). Take my money. Take all the moneys.
Paranoia is fun. I’ve even got figures; but…I will wait on this one. The Judge Dredd Kickstarter is still slowly issuing figures with no sign of Pat Wagons promised a year ago…and Rogue Trooper is just issuing figures and very few of them over a year later.
On the other hand, everyone should pledge and pledge often. Rogue trooper needs a cash infusion to get it started.
On the positive side, when Mongoose actually completes something, it is very nicely done. In addition Mongoose does deliver if you’ve paid. Just buyer beware as the time frame for delivery is flexible.