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Hello everyone. Long time no hear.

I know that the BTS 2e came out in 2005, and now it is 2020. So how much of the info is outdated such as skills and what not? I know that technology, science, and other knowledge have advanced alot since 2005, not to mention new leaps in strides in equipment, vehicles, weapons, and again technology (a gremlin's paradise, tell me am I right or what). Just look how far cell phones and computers have come since 2005. Heck even a 5 year old can use a computer or smart phone these days.

So my dumb question is this ever going to be addressed in future suppliments at all, or is it a moot point right about now.

Another question is directed toward players & GMs. Have any of you homebrewed anything to adapt to this such as your own skills or new equipment, etc?

Well I will let this question simmer for awhile and be back to check on the responses.

I would vote moot point whereas we are still waiting on the two supplemental books that were originally supposed to come out shortly after the 2e core books.

As far as updating skills and equipment, I actually do the opposite and run my games in the 1980's so that I don't have to worry about it

Captain_Nibbz wrote:As far as updating skills and equipment, I actually do the opposite and run my games in the 1980's so that I don't have to worry about it

lol....this best time for horror...no cell phones.

Holister wrote:

Captain_Nibbz wrote:As far as updating skills and equipment, I actually do the opposite and run my games in the 1980's so that I don't have to worry about it

lol....this best time for horror...no cell phones.

I just give my PC's AT&T. It's even more frightening when your phone just doesn't work.

Warshield73 wrote:

Holister wrote:

Captain_Nibbz wrote:As far as updating skills and equipment, I actually do the opposite and run my games in the 1980's so that I don't have to worry about it

lol....this best time for horror...no cell phones.

I just give my PC's AT&T. It's even more frightening when your phone just doesn't work.

Wasn't it just T-Mobile where the WHOLE network just went down? Wonder if they got sued like Blackberry did when their service went down.

Bah, every single cell service has blind spots. Cell phones can be potentially scarier. Landlines had to be cut or tapped depending on desired effect. Cells can be jammed and hacked and there is nothing like letting your PC's get an app that scan IR and UV with a handy add on or even granting them a smartphone based PKE meter.

Instead of showing a reading your PKE smartphone app shows static overlayed on a black screen. Later your tech realizes it is an image and after compiles multiple frames. It is a nondescript face that looks like it is talking and even though the DVR didn't have anything recorded at the site the data light comes on as soon as the tech compiles the images. "You've found me," is all it says. You delete the message and the light goes out. "Dang, that would have been scarier if I heard that recording back at the house," you say. ...the data light comes on again. You press play, "Well what about now." The face is smiling and looking up at you from the phone.

Zer0 Kay wrote:Bah, every single cell service has blind spots.

I'm a Big John Oliver fan so I will always trash the "business daddy".

Zer0 Kay wrote:Cell phones can be potentially scarier. Landlines had to be cut or tapped depending on desired effect. Cells can be jammed and hacked and there is nothing like letting your PC's get an app that scan IR and UV with a handy add on or even granting them a smartphone based PKE meter.

I played in a BTS game at a POH years back and my characters smart phone actually had some of these, but no PKE.

Warshield73 wrote:

Zer0 Kay wrote:Bah, every single cell service has blind spots.

I'm a Big John Oliver fan so I will always trash the "business daddy".

Zer0 Kay wrote:Cell phones can be potentially scarier. Landlines had to be cut or tapped depending on desired effect. Cells can be jammed and hacked and there is nothing like letting your PC's get an app that scan IR and UV with a handy add on or even granting them a smartphone based PKE meter.

I played in a BTS game at a POH years back and my characters smart phone actually had some of these, but no PKE.

(character in game) Well of course not. Everyone knows PKE meters aren't real. We use electro magnetic field detectors.

IIRC the PKE from GB were also called aurascopes so extra no go. If we were to act like real ghost busters and our characters developed a PKE meter to be funny (if GB exists in the game world), it would probably be a device that was a multi-tool and had an EMF, DVR and an IR thermometer. When one sensor senses something you get a lower reading than when all three detect something. It would probably have a headset with a microphone so the microphone can cancel out your voice when ever you speak and the setup would only ping on sudden changes in air temperature.

Warshield73 wrote:

Zer0 Kay wrote:Bah, every single cell service has blind spots.

I'm a Big John Oliver fan so I will always trash the "business daddy".

Zer0 Kay wrote:Cell phones can be potentially scarier. Landlines had to be cut or tapped depending on desired effect. Cells can be jammed and hacked and there is nothing like letting your PC's get an app that scan IR and UV with a handy add on or even granting them a smartphone based PKE meter.

I played in a BTS game at a POH years back and my characters smart phone actually had some of these, but no PKE.

Was this one of my games?

One of the running themes that will be explored more in future sourcebooks is how magic energy and the supernatural play havoc on technology, and smartphones are as susceptible as anything else. In fact, there will be some notes on this in the upcoming Creature Feature sourcebook.

I should know, I wrote it.

mrloucifer wrote:

Warshield73 wrote:

Zer0 Kay wrote:Bah, every single cell service has blind spots.

I'm a Big John Oliver fan so I will always trash the "business daddy".

Zer0 Kay wrote:Cell phones can be potentially scarier. Landlines had to be cut or tapped depending on desired effect. Cells can be jammed and hacked and there is nothing like letting your PC's get an app that scan IR and UV with a handy add on or even granting them a smartphone based PKE meter.

I played in a BTS game at a POH years back and my characters smart phone actually had some of these, but no PKE.

Was this one of my games?

I honestly have no way to remember. I mostly run games at POH and I spend most of the rest of my time stalking the artists and writers so I only play in 2 to 4 games per POH so you would think I could remember but no. I also play more BTS at POH than any game except Rifts. Could have been though.

mrloucifer wrote:One of the running themes that will be explored more in future sourcebooks is how magic energy and the supernatural play havoc on technology, and smartphones are as susceptible as anything else. In fact, there will be some notes on this in the upcoming Creature Feature sourcebook.

I should know, I wrote it.

Wow, somebodies going to be dining out on that one for a while. Sorry not impressed here, I'm waiting for you to actually write Arcanum then I might be impressed.

When my campaign ended the timeline was only up to 1998 so I don't have to worry about technological advancement that way. Also keep in mind that BTS Earth is not OUR Earth. You can delay or advance technology as you wish. Heck, in my world I changed whole major cities around due to past supernatural conflicts.
But yeah, I get your point. Technology has advanced so much in certain areas that BTS2 could use a skill update in certain areas.

Jasper wrote:When my campaign ended the timeline was only up to 1998 so I don't have to worry about technological advancement that way. Also keep in mind that BTS Earth is not OUR Earth. You can delay or advance technology as you wish. Heck, in my world I changed whole major cities around due to past supernatural conflicts.
But yeah, I get your point. Technology has advanced so much in certain areas that BTS2 could use a skill update in certain areas.

I think my favorite BTS games are all set pre-2000 probably. It is just one of those settings that feels more interesting in a setting were you use books instead of internet and not everyone has a smart phone. Now of course any setting can be fun when placed in the 1930's or WWI or WWII but even in periods I don't normally like to play like 1960's or even (gulp) 1980's have been some of my favorite BTS games.

Jasper wrote:Technology has advanced so much in certain areas that BTS2 could use a skill update in certain areas.

Some examples? I'm taking notes for sourcebook materials.

Cellphones are great GM tools... they lull the characters into a face sense of security by having them.

Flashlight apps are great, until the power crap out. Cameras, UV and IR simulators are spotty at best (especially in range of supernatural beings and entities as magic energies are troubling to tech). The cell coverage is a mess in most of the places the supernatural dwells. And really... unless modified as a psi-mechanics tool, what help do cell phones truly offer against the supernatural?

mrloucifer wrote:

Jasper wrote:Technology has advanced so much in certain areas that BTS2 could use a skill update in certain areas.

Some examples? I'm taking notes for sourcebook materials.

You should check out my most recent skill list at the Black Rabbit Game home page on FB. Heck, I can send you a bridged version if you want.

Warshield73 wrote:

Holister wrote:

Captain_Nibbz wrote:As far as updating skills and equipment, I actually do the opposite and run my games in the 1980's so that I don't have to worry about it

lol....this best time for horror...no cell phones.

I just give my PC's AT&T. It's even more frightening when your phone just doesn't work.

I'm not understanding this. I've had AT&T practically my whole life and never had trouble with their service.

Holister wrote:Hello everyone. Long time no hear.

I know that the BTS 2e came out in 2005, and now it is 2020. So how much of the info is outdated such as skills and what not? I know that technology, science, and other knowledge have advanced alot since 2005, not to mention new leaps in strides in equipment, vehicles, weapons, and again technology (a gremlin's paradise, tell me am I right or what). Just look how far cell phones and computers have come since 2005. Heck even a 5 year old can use a computer or smart phone these days.

So my dumb question is this ever going to be addressed in future suppliments at all, or is it a moot point right about now.

Another question is directed toward players & GMs. Have any of you homebrewed anything to adapt to this such as your own skills or new equipment, etc?

Well I will let this question simmer for awhile and be back to check on the responses.

Honestly, a significant portion of the tech stuff was already out of date by the time the book was published. I think Captain Nibbz is right when placing the game in the '80s.