Supernatural (T.V. Show)

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

I've been watching the first season of Supernatural on DVD, and I have to say, this show carries a lot of inspiration for BTS-2 players and GMs (and possibly the writers of the show may have been inspired by BTS).

The way the paranormal is handled (especially weaknesses) is superb, as it seems someone on the show has done their homework. Of course, the show will twist certain myths or do it their way, though that's a good thing if you ask me.

The way the brothers operate on the show, with numerous fake I.D.s, cover stories, and what have you is definite inspiration for GMs, though especially players. The arsenal that they use to fight the paranormal is also well done.

Sure, there is some things on the show that I don't like, but disregarding those, Supernatural is spot-on inspiration for BTS. Hell, it even seems as if it is someone's BTS campaign made into a T.V. show.

Thoughts?

~ Josh

[MASTERMIND]

Maybe one of the reasons I enjoy the show so much is they are doing it the same way I have been doing it for years in my games. I imagine a lot of us do it that way too.

[GreenGhost]

I like the show and can see why you say that the show could have been inspired by BTS.

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

Maybe one of the reasons I enjoy the show so much is they are doing it the same way I have been doing it for years in my games. I imagine a lot of us do it that way too.

Speaking for myself: you've imagined correctly.

Another note is that it is so hard not to rip the show directly and make a campaign based around an episode. Possibly, my players might not notice, even then though, it wouldn't feel right.

They do it so damn well that it leaves you going "Damn, I wish I thought of that."

At the very least, it's damn good inspiration.

~ Josh

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

I like the show and can see why you say that the show could have been inspired by BTS.

Heck a lot of the monster that they face Discorporate. Granted, BTS-2 didn't event discorporation.

Regardless, it still leaves you going "Wow, this is a lot like BTS." Though not in a bad way, more in a this-kicks-ass kind of way.

~ Josh

[GreenGhost]

I like the show and can see why you say that the show could have been inspired by BTS.

Heck a lot of the monster that they face Discorporate. Granted, BTS-2 didn't event discorporation.

Regardless, it still leaves you going "Wow, this is a lot like BTS." Though not in a bad way, more in a this-kicks-ass kind of way.

~ Josh

I'm starting a BTS campaign here soon. I'm hoping it kicks ass too

[gaby]

I love that show too.

If any one makes a BTS,s Game.

Show your player characters here!

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

My wife and I, love that show very much. We are waiting to see season two.

Is Season Two on T.V. now, or are they on Season Three?

~ Josh

[MASTERMIND]

Season Two is airing on TV right now and it has been good so far.

[Warwolf]

You know, I got BTS2 around the middle of the first season, and I had the EXACT SAME thoughts. Even inspired me to (whenever I get around to running a BTS2 campaign) make sure I mention "two infamous brothers that hunt demons" as just a background homage.

Season Two is airing on TV right now and it has been good so far.

Yeah, unfortunately one of the episodes that was taped for me (Crossroads) is majorly screwed. Thus, I have to either wait for Season Two on DVD or manage to catch it in a rerun before I can continue.

Oh, and Josh, just wait until you get to the last few episodes of Season 1.

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

Oh, and Josh, just wait until you get to the last few episodes of Season 1.

I just did last night.

Too bad I already saw one or two season two episodes, otherwise the ending would have left me totally in shock.

Though yeah, still a nice way to end the First Season.

Bad Moon on the rise...

~ Josh

[MASTERMIND]

Though yeah, still a nice way to end the First Season.

Bad Moon on the rise...

~ Josh

My sentiments exactly.

[Warwolf]

Oh, and Josh, just wait until you get to the last few episodes of Season 1.

I just did last night.

Too bad I already saw one or two season two episodes, otherwise the ending would have left me totally in shock.

Though yeah, still a nice way to end the First Season.

Bad Moon on the rise...

Aww, you didn't get the full effect then.

I was all about some: What the Hell?!

Not the car!!!

What I've seen of the second season is pretty friggin good as well.

[Steve Dubya]

Seems as if you guys aren't the only ones to think that Supernatural would translate well to some sort of RPG - from here:

Summary: Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd. will be creating and publishing RPG products based on the hit television series, Supernatural.
Contact: Jamie Chambers (262-725-3518)

April 18, 2007 (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin) — Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd. has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. Television and DC Comics to produce role playing game products based on the hit television series, Supernatural.

"We like role playing games that feature a great mix of character, action, and story," says Margaret Weis, New York Times best-selling author and game publisher. "Supernatural delivers on all three, and the show's premise is perfect for games. The show is like a new horror movie each week, and now we'll be bringing that experience to the game table."

Supernatural is a hit television series that airs Thursdays on the CW Network, and is produced by Warner Bros. Television in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers McG ("Charlie's Angels," "The O.C."), writer/executive producer Eric Kripke ("Boogeyman"), Robert Singer ("Midnight Caller"), Kim Manners ("The X-Files"), and John Shiban ("The X-Files"). The show follows two brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), as they hunt ghosts, demons, and other things that go bump in the night. The Winchesters drive a black 1967 Chevy Impala across America, discovering dark secrets wherever they go.

Jamie Chambers, author and designer of the best-selling Serenity Role Playing Game, is very excited about the project. "My grandmother raised me on ghost stories, monster tales, and local legends," he says. "Supernatural struck an immediate chord with me from the first episode and I'm a big fan. I want to really bring the feel of the show to our game, including the attention to folklore, a dash of humor, and a classic-rock soul." Chambers is leading a team of writers and designers to create a game where players can become hunters of monsters— either taking the role of the show's characters or creating an entirely new monster-slaying group.

The role playing game will offer an exciting game experience, as well as serving as a thrilling companion product for fans of the show. The game will make use of the Cortex System rules created for the Serenity Role Playing Game and the Battlestar Galactica Role Playing Game (also produced by Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd.). The first product will be a Quickstart Guide, which will provide a preview of the game, including introductory rules and a short adventure. The next release will be the Supernatural Role Playing Game Core Book, a self-contained collection of rules and source material that will contain everything a group needs to start playing. Additional products will follow the release of the core product. The entire line will be supported by an interactive website.

More information will be released in the near future with further details about the upcoming line of Supernatural role playing game products.

About Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd.
New York Times best-selling author Margaret Weis continues to lead her company into carefully selected ventures in book and game publishing. The company has enjoyed great success and won multiple awards including an Origins Award (Gamer's Choice for Best Role Playing Game in 2006) and the Gen Con EN World Awards (Best Production Values). Recent successes include the Serenity Role Playing Game and the Paths of Doom series of adventure fiction. The company will be announcing several new exciting initiatives in the book, card game, board game, and role playing game categories over the next few months. Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd. is based in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the birthplace of hobby roleplaying games.

About Supernatural
Supernatural is now in its second season, and is one of the CW Network's top five series, and its second highest-rated scripted series in all key male demos, trailing only veteran drama Smallville. It stars Jared Padalecki ("Gilmore Girls," "House of Wax") as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles ("Smallville," "Dark Angel") as Dean Winchester, and was created by Eric Kripke. Twenty-two years ago, Sam and Dean lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force. In the years after, their father John raised them to be soldiers. He taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America... and he taught them how to kill it. Supernatural is a Wonderland Sound and Vision production in association with Warner Bros. Television and airs Thursdays on The CW.

SUPERNATURAL ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

[MASTERMIND]

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

Kinda funny, if one remembers the discourse at the end of the Hell House episode.



~ Josh

[Warwolf]

Kinda funny, if one remembers the discourse at the end of the Hell House episode.

Had to think about it for a moment, but you're right.

[NMI]

I did watch the first season. I enjoyed it. Tried to watch the second, didnt like it.

[Devjannz]

Does anyone still use the show Supernatural as an inspiration for BTS games? The main thing I get from is a great visual for how things like exorcism and such work.

The more I watch it, the more ideas I get for possible adventures or campaigns.

What do you think?

[mrloucifer]

I've stepped back a bit on supernatural as an inspiration if only because of its naturae as of late to be so "heaven and hell" more than the 'monster of the week' vibes it had more of early on. But still, its got inspiration aplenty for those who want or need it.

[Thom001]

Well my group is going to be hopping through the beyond the supernatural dimension at one point in our game and we actually had decided to use the supernatural tv show as inspiration as we do not have the books yet. Could anyone mention some things from the show that do not classically fit into this game? For example I would imagine based on the location of this game on the board index that MDC doesn't exist here so do we multiply the damage from our MDC weapons by 100 for sdc while in this place?

[mrloucifer]

Honestly, I'd advise against going until you have the books, and a way of dealing with the MDC gear.

My advice would be to have their gear go on the fritz due to a nasty dimensional gateway trip to the BTS world (not an unlikely situation as its extremely rare for anything besides the supernatural to be able to come to BTS earth). This adds to the horror of the situation, where as using MDC gear and armor in this world completely negates it. if they go around telling their adventures, they might find themselves locked up as loonies.

[Thom001]

Honestly, I'd advise against going until you have the books, and a way of dealing with the MDC gear.

My advice would be to have their gear go on the fritz due to a nasty dimensional gateway trip to the BTS world (not an unlikely situation as its extremely rare for anything besides the supernatural to be able to come to BTS earth). This adds to the horror of the situation, where as using MDC gear and armor in this world completely negates it. if they go around telling their adventures, they might find themselves locked up as loonies.

Well we have the conversion book one and I think it deals a little with bts... However, I think that probably would be a good idea about the gear. Also I kinda have the feeling the gm might be having the asylum as a possible destination/quest in that world already do to the whole people thinking we are crazy if we talk about coming from rifts thing.

We are also going to be going to pf, hu, and a custom phase world planet. Any suggestions for those? We will have the phase world book by then and plan on borrowing from dc and marvel comics for hu. for pf we are just planning on winging it with a little help from conversion book 1.

[gaby]

Well seasons 1 to 3 were Great,when it turn more into Haven and hell in season 4,I left it.

[Thom001]

Well seasons 1 to 3 were Great,when it turn more into Haven and hell in season 4,I left it.

Completely understandable. I still watch the show to this day. But then again I love the completely crazy dynamic the show has taken on as time has gone on.

[Dead Boy]

I was big on the show up to a couple of years ago, with the season starting with Dean coming back from Purgatory (what was that; season 8?). I got the strong vibe that the producers cleaned house and got an all new writing staff... and it quickly and painfully became obvious the new writers didn't bother to watch any of the episodes themselves. The plot holes, massive story flaws, and serious continuity errors were piling up faster than I could keep track! It quickly became too infuriating to watch and I had to give up on Supernatural entirely.

[Thom001]

I hear that a lot actually. And I get it. I personally think they should get back to that whole what is god doing on earth these days that they hinted at way back in season 4? or was it 5?