Redshirts RPG

[luckykaa]

So, I've been reading John Scalzi's Redshirts. Generally about the poor sacrificial crewmen
  and thought it could make a fun little RPG, along the same lines as Puppetland.

Ideas so far - this is just ideas. Not a fleshed out design:

• 45 minute "episodes" (maybe with commercial breaks but I haven't worked out the mechanics of that). More about the story than the dice.
• All player action is in script form. You either speak, or refer to yourself in the third person to give character direction.
• Merits/flaws
  • Comic relief - Gives some sort of bonus to character if you make players laugh.
  • Non red shirt - Doesn't actually improve chances of survival, but still costs a point.
  • First name - Increases your chances of survival.
  • About to be married/about to retire - increases chance of death.
  • "You just had to say it" - Tempts fate by speaking.
  • Mary Sue - annoyingly perfect.
  • Relationship with series regular - at risk only when away mission includes series regular
  • Played by famous actor - no idea what this does.

Thoughts?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Sounds gloriously full of potential.

Nothing to add from me right now other than spades of approval.

Might have more to say when I've read the book.

Carry on.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

Thanks

So, erm... Who is this?

Played by a famous actor

[the-smut-fairy.livejournal.com]

Would that be someone who was already famous when they played this character, or went on to become famous afterwards?
If the former, then they're a guest character, not a redshirt. They get a name, lines and possibly character development. If they die, this is done on screen, noticed by regulars and possibly involves drama and/or heroism.

Re: Played by a famous actor

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

An already famous actor.

A name and lines is all well and good, I think I need to work out the mechanics a bit better though. The story is going to focus on the redshirts after all.