[RPG]: Champions Of The North, reviewed by James Gillen (4/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13570.phtml

James Gillen's Summary:

By a Canadian, pour les canadiens.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Bahama'at]

I picked this up despite havign cut way back on the Champions influence to my homebrew setting - I still get a kick from seeing how frigid Canuckistan is portrayed in RPGs.

All in all I was very impressed. Most of the detailing is good, but it seemed a bit dated. I read like it was written by a Canadian, but one who hasn't really been keeping an eye on latest trends or pop culture for a while (the TV show Due South was about as current as it got, and it's been off the air for several years, no mention of Trailer Park Boys, Good Cop/Bon Cop, Corner Gas, Little Mosque, etc). It is note perfect for games set in the mid-late 90s (just strip out the participation in Afghanistan/GWoT and play down the oil boom in Alberta as something that is just starting to happen). In modern day you'd likely need a bit more current info on music/movies/politics but a quick scan of a Canadian news site will do that for you.

Oh, and if you are a geography nitpicker - Wellington runs parallel to Parliament Hill. The author mixed it up with either Bank or O'Connor (O'Connor is the closest to running right up the Hill but isn't a main street, Bank is the big main street but is a tad West of the main part of the Hill). I'd be guessing without the book on hand but there is likely a couple of similar mix ups in other details. Nothing not easily corrected, or ignored.

It's a strong book. Stronger than most of the "Canada in RPGs" you see out there.

[GestaltBennie]

Originally Posted by Bahama'at

I picked this up despite havign cut way back on the Champions influence to my homebrew setting - I still get a kick from seeing how frigid Canuckistan is portrayed in RPGs.

All in all I was very impressed. Most of the detailing is good, but it seemed a bit dated. I read like it was written by a Canadian, but one who hasn't really been keeping an eye on latest trends or pop culture for a while (the TV show Due South was about as current as it got, and it's been off the air for several years, no mention of Trailer Park Boys, Good Cop/Bon Cop, Corner Gas, Little Mosque, etc). It is note perfect for games set in the mid-late 90s (just strip out the participation in Afghanistan/GWoT and play down the oil boom in Alberta as something that is just starting to happen). In modern day you'd likely need a bit more current info on music/movies/politics but a quick scan of a Canadian news site will do that for you.

Oh, and if you are a geography nitpicker - Wellington runs parallel to Parliament Hill. The author mixed it up with either Bank or O'Connor (O'Connor is the closest to running right up the Hill but isn't a main street, Bank is the big main street but is a tad West of the main part of the Hill). I'd be guessing without the book on hand but there is likely a couple of similar mix ups in other details. Nothing not easily corrected, or ignored.

It's a strong book. Stronger than most of the "Canada in RPGs" you see out there.

Glad you liked it, Maat. Thanks for the correction on Wellington.

Corner Gas, TPB and Good Cop/Bon Cop were all mentioned in the manuscript, but apparently didn't make the editorial cut (the author's copies are still in transit so I can'tr say for certain). Little Mosque wasn't mentooned because I'm not yet convinced it's going to be a long-term cultural staple, though it's an interesting show.

[Bahama'at]

Originally Posted by GestaltBennie

Glad you liked it, Maat. Thanks for the correction on Wellington.

Corner Gas, TPB and Good Cop/Bon Cop were all mentioned in the manuscript, but apparently didn't make the editorial cut (the author's copies are still in transit so I can'tr say for certain). Little Mosque wasn't mentooned because I'm not yet convinced it's going to be a long-term cultural staple, though it's an interesting show.

So you wrote it? Nifty. It is good.

One question - you do take a lot of time and effort to try and move the narratives in Canada away from the stereotypes (Quebec terrorists, American-Canadian misunderstanding, etc) but then, in the villains and plot section of the GM chapter... you put them back in, why?

[GestaltBennie]

Originally Posted by Bahama'at

So you wrote it? Nifty. It is good.

One question - you do take a lot of time and effort to try and move the narratives in Canada away from the stereotypes (Quebec terrorists, American-Canadian misunderstanding, etc) but then, in the villains and plot section of the GM chapter... you put them back in, why?

Part of it, I'm sure, is authorial laziness and cluelessness.

However, in at least two cases -- Punition and the Constable -- the intent was to use the stereotypes, then subvert them by twisting it by either showing its ridiculousness, or by twisting it in an unexpected direction.

[James Gillen]

I did mention that with the Quebec separatist (Punition) the presentation was to make him analogous to the over-the-hill hippie still preaching revolution, but I also pointed out that I wasn't sure how well the analogy applied.

JG