12/31/11

Star Trek JAG Corps Rules for the FASA Role-Playing System


Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG Officer)
Some players may want to choose to play a JAG Officer or more simply put a lawyer for Starfleet. Unfortunately, it requires a separate Branch School and Tour Assignments. But it should be straight forward.
Follow these rules then just choose the JAG Branch School option and roll on the JAG Tour Assignment Chart.
JAG Branch School
Accounting 20
Administration 30
Computer Operation 20
Federation Law 40
Federation Culture/History 20
Political Science 40
Inter-Planetary Relations 20
Investigation: Criminal 20
Investigation: Research 20
Economics 20
Negotiation/Diplomacy 30
Trade and Commerce 10
20 Divided between Sociology, Any Culture/History OR Any Language
JAG Tour Assignment Chart
Tour Assignment
-25 or less
-10 to -20
-5 to +5
+10 to +20
+25
Galaxy- Class Starship
1-20
1-10
1-10


Galaxy Exploration Com
21-40
11-30
11-20


Military Operations Com

41-50
21-30
1-10
1-10
Colonial Operations Com


31-40
11-20
11-20
Merchant Marine Com



21-30
21-30
Terraforming Command



31-40
31-40
Intelligence Operations Com
41-50
51-60
41-50


Star Base HQ Command
51-80
61-70
51-70
41-70
41-60
Starfleet Academy
81-90
81-90
81-90
71-80
61-70
Inspector General’s Office
91-100
91-100
91-100
81-100
71-100

When assigned to a starship the JAG Officer acts as legal counsel for the captain and crew.

In Colonial Ops the JAG Officer is most likely on a ship, so the above applies though some legal issues regarding colonization law (planetary claims, mineral rights, etc.) will be involved. They may also advise colony leaders on Federation law as well.

During tours in the Merchant Marine the JAG Officer conducts investigations mostly involving illegal trade and piracy. May be stationed on a ship or a small Star Base.

Terraforming Command requires special law involving planetary claims, mineral rights and scientific ethics. Usually, the JAG Officer is required to travel to various terraforming sites but may be based at a Star Base.

JAG Officers in Intelligence Ops can serve as agents or in administrative roles. Most likely admin roles, but the player should consult the GM and figure out what what works best for the character.

At Star Base Command the JAG Officer fills a number of roles including: criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, members of the admiral’s staff, judges and so on.

At the academy they are instructors or possibly members of the Academy Commandant's staff.

The Inspector General’s Office investigates Starfleet officers for criminal or ethical violations. This is, of course, the least desirable position. But it is necessary.

12/29/11

'Prometheus' Trailer

I missed this the other day! What was I doing? Oh, I watching The Hobbit trailer every couple of minutes.

This does look quite amazing. I don't like the horror aspect too much, though. If it was an adventure I'd be losing it right now. But still, excellent.

New 'John Carter' Poster

I think this is a new poster, but I'm not sure. It may for foreign markets.

'John Carter' Japanese Trailer

Includes new footage. I still don't know how they are going to pull this off, but I'm into  it.

12/16/11

'The Hunger Games' Trailer

'The Last of Us' Concept Art

Some amazing concept stills from the upcoming post-apocalyptic game, The Last of Us.

These images touch on some PA themes I always liked, namely a man caring for a child. The highway and the gas station pics are a bordering on cliches, but they are still beautiful pieces of art.





'Superman Lives' Concept Art

These maybe designs for a toy line from the unmade Tim Burton film, but they are still sweet.




12/13/11

'Underworld: Awakening' New Images and Poster



'Underworld: Awakening' Trailer

'The Dark Knight Rises' Prologue to Screen with 'Mission: Impossible'

Select IMAX theater showings of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol will feature a special treat: the first six minutes of the new Batman film!

I'm excited about this movie. Seriously, Nolan is not going to disappoint. Even though Bain is a terrible character, I believe Nolan will work his magic and blow us away.

First Look: Christopher Nolan Screens Dark Knight Rises Prologue

'Call of Duty' Beats 'Avatar'


Call of Duty 3 has cracked the $1b mark in 16 days to pass Avatar, which grossed $1b in 17 days. But think about it: a video game out grossing a feature film? It certainly is a brave new world...

‘Call of Duty’ sales outstrip blockbuster films

Obsidian's Chief RPG Designer Speaks


Chris Avellone had a lot to say about RPGs in a recent interview with IndustryGamers.

A taste:

"I enjoy the fact that role-playing game mechanics are bleeding into other genres, and the "genres" aren't as clear-cut anymore – developers are seeing the worth in customization, leveling, dialogue, choice and reactivity and other elements that would normally be considered RPG mechanics and introducing them into multiple titles."

12/7/11

New 'John Carter' Banners



Peter Weller Returns To Star Trek


Veteran sci-fi actor Peter Weller has joined the cast of the upcoming, Star Trek 2.

'The Only Way to See a Film' - Ridley Scott


Famed director Ridley Scott talks about how he believes movies should be seen:

"In my view, the only way to see a film remains the way the filmmaker intended: inside a large movie theater with great sound and pristine picture."

Read the whole post.

'The Last of Us'


I think this is a new video game that is coming out. I just love the Post-apocalyptic images.

11/30/11

'Roddenberry on Patrol'

A short film with a lot of familiar faces. How did Roddenberry come up with all that stuff?





11/28/11

'Hobbit' Production Blog #4

Mars Rover


I'm depressed that the US has cut our Space program. When I was a kid it seemed like we were in Space all the time. And it seemed like greater things were ahead of us. Now, we can't even get to the Space Station without help.

So, this makes me happy. At least a little a bit anyway. I hope it makes it to Mars and we learn new things.

Complete coverage at Space.com.








'Star Trek' Moved Back


The release date for J.J. Abrams next Star Trek movie has been moved back to May 2013.

Paramount moves 'Star Trek' 3D sequel back 11 months

11/23/11

'Ashfall' PA YA Novel


Post-apocalyptic fiction is now wildly popular with kids? Woohoo! I've loved it since I can remember. I'm glad kids are getting some good PA novels. Heck, I may check this one out.

Ashfall sounds good. Check out an interview with the author.

'Guns of Icarus' Images

A pirate on the airship?

Battles on steampunk airships sounds good to me. Check out Guns of Icarus.




New Image from 'John Carter'


Interesting new image from the upcoming feature film, John Carter. I'm still not sold on the cast, but I love the source material. So, yeah, I'll watch it.

Here's the official line:

"From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”–a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands."

11/10/11

'Skyrim' Game Director Speaks

'Skyrim' to Last Forever?


Unending quests? The game never ends? Of course, I was already speechless when I saw that all objects are viewable 360 degrees. This is only icing on the cake.
"First and foremost, the world map is peppered with narrative elements that better explain the game’s location and stories, so your continual exploration will be rewarded with deeper knowledge of the backstory. Moreover, your favorite faction’s quests won’t end with the end of that narrative arc."
Read more.

10/12/11

What Will Make 'Terra Nova' Awesome?


A massive review of Terra Nova's third episode raises some questions. What will make the show great?

The reviewer suggests characterization and the focusing on the premise set up in the pilot (political instability, group conflict, etc.).

Sadly, that reviewer is wrong.

Characterization is great. I would like more, but that misses the main problem. Delving into group or interpersonal conflicts is the biggest mistake the producers could make.

What then?

Adventure. Yes, let me say it again, ADVENTURE.

Dinosaurs. Guns. Survival. Rescues. Quests. Searches. Races. Adventure is where Terra Nova will find it's greatness.

10/4/11

'Vintage Tomorrows' Trailer

Steampunk doc takes into futures that could have been. Fascinating stuff.

'The Wasteland' Trailer

Just found this. Looks cool. A small, post-apocalyptic revenge Western. I hope they make the feature.

10/3/11

Starship Comparison Charts

These are really cool. It's great to see the ships from different movies and TV shows next to each other.




'The Avengers' New Pics