All of the random generators (which were the raison d’être for this role-playing game) are in place. I won’t say complete, because they are perpetually evolving as I discover more things to add (such as robots, computers, and spaceships). That’s where the miracle of Javascript proves invaluable. Unlike a dice-powered random generator, there is no limit to the number of items I can add effortlessly. Sure, I could create a series of random tables that lead to sub-tables to generate the large numbers I need, but I would have to reconfigure them every time I added something new. That is not in the spirit of this game. I realize some gamers may wish to play 1R1C1S in a purely analogue environment, so I will probably offer the alternative of using d100 tables. This will require me to edit the random generators, however, because at this time they number:

• 102 futuristic computers
• 252 futuristic sidearms
• 264 spaceships
• 382 robot sidekicks

Each of these will need to be reduced to the top 100 choices.

I rewrote and improved the Procedures section of the rules. I have added a concise explanation of how to handle unfamiliar results when using the random generators, changed the site navigation for the game’s Set-Up Options, included sections on Character Creation Choices and Premise Decisions before the character creation rules, finished the character creation rules (here called Crew Mustering), and started the section on action resolution and combat (here called Duty Performance). I stalled a bit at this point since it can potentially get a bit dry, but I just need to remind myself to keep it comical. At heart, 1R1C1S is a comedy role-playing game and the rules should be as entertaining to read as they are to misapply.

The Random Concept Generator, on the other hand, remains offline until I can determine whether it deserves to be resurrected.

The first is that I have taken The Random Concept Generator offline due to unsatisfactory results. Maybe it’s too big. Maybe I need to adjust the syntax. It just feels too clumsy now, and I’d rather do some fine-tuning before I return it to online status.

The second is that I am having technical difficulties with The Random Science Fiction Accoutrements Generator. I have isolated the problem to the random robot generator, but I can’t pinpoint the precise error. Once I solve it, I’ll resume work on 1R1C1S.

These random generators were created with information I compiled for the Odd Reference pages at the Cuparium.

One Robot…One Computer…One Spaceship will be (freely) available soon.

[Edit: Originally the Arms Generator generated one ranged weapon and one hand-to-hand weapon, but now it only generates the former. There were not enough examples of the latter in science fiction settings to make it interesting.]

So, what exactly does it generate if it leaves all those trivial details such as name and gender and species to you? Well, it generates a list of skills, interests, combat training, attributes, gifts, and faults along with corresponding trait levels where appropriate. If you like what you see, you can decide for yourself how he or she fits into your universe and consult other random generators as desired.

The inevitable direction of this random generator and its predecessor from the day before, is the birth of a new, free, instantly (or nearly instantly) playable role-playing game called (after the inspiration of the previous article), One Robot, One Computer, One Spaceship, or, as is the fashion today, 1R1C1S. I make absolutely no serious claims about it; it’s a silly endeavor, and that’s all there is to it.

Lest I forget, ’twill be a Fudge game, naturally.

Stay tuned…

This random generator was created with information I compiled for the Odd Reference pages at the Cuparium.

Why, you may not unreasonably ask, would anyone want to use this random generator other than for one’s personal amusement? Aside from the fact that there is no better reason than for amusing oneself, one could also use it for generating an instant (albeit farcical) campaign. You have a crew (i.e. a group of players) and nothing else? Give them one robot, one computer, and one spaceship and see if it doesn’t create a universe of possibilities.