Power. Control. Dominance.
Scourge defeated, Mayor exultant.
Missing Jessica: Kidnap theory.
A new motorway menace.
Explosion destroys abandoned colliery.
Arrested members of Yellers Gang freed.
One dead as Marauders strike again.
Tycoon's son killed - daughter missing.
Riding with Lackhart's Lancers
The cracking of super-heated air makes my head snap round. A flash of searing light lances across the landscape, followed by a second. In the distance, I see a body crumple.“Down and out!” The excitable voice of Rich Lackhart bursts from the radio speaker. “Let’s keep it moving, Lancers.”
Another morning’s commute for a mid 21st Century haulage gang.
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Motorway Patrol interview
It is 4am on a cold September morning. Patrol Sergeant Dave Chapman takes a deep draught of hot tea, standing at the service station in the shadow of the Severn Bridge. For the past two hours, he has driven from London at a sedate 55 mph, showing the flag and protecting his patch. Now he takes a well-earned break.“Everyone seems to think that we have high-adrenaline lives; that the excitement never stops. We have our moments, but actually, most of what we do is just remind people that we are here; that there is a law; and that someone cares if they break it. That is often enough.”
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23/9/55: Babylon is a true inspiration in these times of darkness. Under the dynamic leadership of Sir Hector McDonaugh, the company has thrived while so many others failed. Read more
20/9/55: Mayor Rod is victorious. The battle against an insidious foe has been won, and Mayor Forrester-Smythe’s aggressive policies have been vindicated. While others dithered, Mayor Rod took action. The result? Londoners are safe from a creeping infection that has decimated nations, destroyed civilisations and ripped communities in half. Read more
18/8/55: The recent attacks on everyday citizens have shocked the nation. The brutal slaying, just yards from his own doorstep, of Dominic Bruehl, a student with a glittering academic career, has deprived a young man of a brilliant future. On the same day, the gang that style themselves the Motorway Marauders have killed a working driver just weeks away from his retirement. Read more
Read the Informer todayResources that may be useful to a Car Wars player or referee
Online Games
If you've been looking for an online game that takes the spirit of Car Wars and keeps it alive, Darkwind is the answer to your prayers.Detailed design rules, a post-apocalyptic persistent world and a very active community.
It's an indie game and the developers are very hands-on. Check it out at www.dark-wind.com
I've written a lot of Darkwind fiction. Check it out on my Darkwind stories blog
RAAC rules
There are always situations which require additional rules in the Car Wars universe. This section sets out rules which I have used in my campaigns to add verisimilitude.
Travelling long distances
In an extended campaign, there are no rules that allow players to chase their prey, or flee from the authorities. Everything is played out in real time at close range. There is little incentive to design a car with a high top speed, or potential for a long and tense chase from London to Edinburgh. These rules bring tension into a long chase, while offering a balance between driving safely and the risks of pushing your skills to outrun your foes.
Car Wars can be a very satisfying "light" roleplaying system. It can work even better if you use SJ Games GURPS system to create more rounded characters, although this requires a lot more work.Tony Kontes wrote a great piece on building an ongoing campaign
in Car Wars, with more emotional involvement than just having an
anonymous driver shredded by machine fire. I recommend it.
http://www.serv.net/~owenmp/daemon/roleplay.html
Designing vehicles
Designing cars can be challenging. For a referee, ensuring that a vehicle complies with every rule can be very difficult. The Madhat Designer, hosted by the TSAR website, can be very useful. Get the Madhat designer here.
Members of the team behind the Madhat Designer have also written some useful advice on how to design effective duelling vehicles. Find their advice here.
Links
Steve Jackson Games - the creators of Car Wars
Driving Tigers Magazine - an anthology of Car Wars fiction
NOVA - The New Omaha Vehicular Association with lots of range of car designs, news and roleplaying thoughts.
TSAR PBEM - a place to play Car Wars by email. It's good fun, but if you
thought that original Car Wars took a long time, here a duel can take
months!
Ebay - the place to find out of print Car Wars material, now that Steve
Jackson games is no longer supporting the original