BattleTech: A Time of War RPG
 

I'm curious if anyone has started work on a BattleTech RPG/A Time of War game system? I've started one myself, and I'm wondering if I haven't bit off more than I can chew. Anyone want to work with me on this? And is there anyone familiar with both system that can tell me if rooting around in the Shadowrun HL code can help me out? How similar are the systems?

Not sure, but a BT system would be great.

I've thought about it, but for a couple of small problems: 1) My programming/scripting ability is barely better than negligible. I have difficulty even working in html. My mind just refuses to work in any fashion that computer languages can comprehend. and 2) I am actually not familiar with the A Time of War edition of the BT RPG. I've worked with both 2nd and 3rd edition of MechWarrior, but those were both back when Fasa still owned the properties. I have no idea if A Time of War is a revised 3rd edition or not, though that would be a difficult (though not impossible) system to implement to make a character generator for if it is. I love the lifepath system that was in 3rd edition (reminded me a lot of the one in Cyberpunk 2020, but more detailed, and more options), but it made character creation a really long process until you had it down pretty well.

The two systems are radically different and it is highly unlikely there's much of use in the SR HL files.

It is pretty much a direct descendant of 3rd ed. For someone who is familiar with the authoring kit (not me) I would guess it's as straight forward as any other game if you stick with the strict point-buy. Trying to do the life path might be exceedingly difficult. Though I'd very much like to see someone try! :)

Yeah, I'm doing point-buy only. This is my first attempt at coding anything, so I'm not even going to try to open that can of worms.

Have any systems using lifepaths been coded for Hero Lab, either officially or via the Authoring Kit? I've looked, and I haven't seen any.

So, I've taken a break for a while, but I'm trying to get this back up and running. Here are a few screenshots to show my progress, what little of it there is...

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...ow_basics1.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...ow_skills1.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...ow_traits1.jpg

Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to get some traits that are variable and some that aren't, like so...

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...qualities1.jpg

Need any help? I can't claim to be an expert at this level, but I've swung the hammer a few times at SR4e and D&D 4e.

My group's going to start up an AToW campaign in the next 6 months or so, I wouldn't mind taking a look or even tinkering around if it'd help. I'd need to purchase the Authoring Kit to do so, right?