Author  Message [bottom]
Kakihara
 member, 99 posts
 There's no love in your
 punches.
Sat 28 Jan 2023
at 23:14
 msg #1
Wrestling Simulation system
So, I've been wanting to try and find a decent Wrestling system for play by post that would better simulate a virtual league for a bit of randomness.  There are a number of RPGs out there but they are more like short games meant to be fun and be filler for the most part.  But I remember being part of a play by mail league where it seemed like the people running it plugged things into the system and then ran a simulation match and let it come out.  I think you created like limited states for your wrestler and you could do promos to be submitted.

So I guess I'm trying to find if there is a good system out there that will allow for that kind of behind the scenes simulation where the people can just write how their characters do things and some of the pace of the game is determined but most importantly the winner is determined by this system.  Most systems I've looked at on DrivethruRPG seems to be too RPG and no one seems to have a system to run a fantasy league.
drewalt
 subscriber, 129 posts
Sun 29 Jan 2023
at 01:22
 msg #2
Wrestling Simulation system
Most old school forum based efeds or PBM/PBEM systems actually used a panel of judges (or one "Commissioner" who was effectively a GM) who scored the promos to write the results.

So you could do it that way, you could have players who portray wrestlers and you could have bookers with one player as the "Commissioner".  Players could possibly be both but I've never seen that really work because even if they don't book their own matches, they tend to sabotage possible opponents who roleplay well.  They could have a private group for deliberating who wins the feud and writing results.

Indeed one of the big problems with old school efeds were that people who knew the organizer(s)/moderator(s) IRL tended to constantly win.
MrMandible
 member, 15 posts
Sun 29 Jan 2023
at 17:56
 msg #3
Wrestling Simulation system
In reply to drewalt (msg # 2):

Kayfabe was actually designed this way as an RPG complete with behind the scenes maneuvering, hence the title. In fact--Clout is a core stat along with Work Rate, Mic Skills and Wrestling (actual wrestling ability, and the one you use when you want to go off script).

It's an old game, very 2000s indie complete with shared narration of the match (and rules on how that gets tossed from player to player) but it might just be what you're looking for.

You can get it in PDF here https://www.errantknightgames.biz/kayfabe
Cygnia
 member, 317 posts
 Amoral Paladin
Sun 29 Jan 2023
at 18:00
 msg #4
Wrestling Simulation system
Always preferred collaborating with other handlers when it came to e-wrestling storylines.
Kakihara
 member, 100 posts
 There's no love in your
 punches.
Sun 29 Jan 2023
at 19:58
 msg #5
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
MrMandible:
In reply to drewalt (msg # 2):

Kayfabe was actually designed this way as an RPG complete with behind the scenes maneuvering, hence the title. In fact--Clout is a core stat along with Work Rate, Mic Skills and Wrestling (actual wrestling ability, and the one you use when you want to go off script).

It's an old game, very 2000s indie complete with shared narration of the match (and rules on how that gets tossed from player to player) but it might just be what you're looking for.

You can get it in PDF here https://www.errantknightgames.biz/kayfabe

Ah, nice.  I know this used to be on DriveThruRPG but suddenly wasn't on there anymore, though it strange.  Thanks for the link.

And I didn't know the old PBEM/PBM ones used a panel @drewalt interesting to know.  I remember having to mail in a sheet every month when I was a kid and was part of this PBM league, was always so exciting to get the newsletter and see what happened.  I kind of wanted to capture that but I always assumed they used some kind of Random Number Generator with some stats plugged in.

I do like the idea of storylines being organic between players but I just wanted to throw in some idea of management dictation on winners and such.  Especially when I know these days a player willing to take a loss is rare.  Seems like may need to do a mix to make it work well, collaboration and some voting along with maybe some converted rules from Kayfabe.  I saw Wild World Wrestling seems to aim for a more efed feel too so may have to pick that one up.  I have both editions of World Wide Wrestling but it's more for a night or two of fun and not anything long term from my opinion.  At least not reaching the idea I'm looking for.
LoveStudGeo
 member, 107 posts
Wed 1 Feb 2023
at 02:48
 msg #6
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
What about WWE Know Your Role. D20 and easy to learn. Its a bit dated but it may offer what you want.
steelsmiter
 member, 2203 posts
 BESM, Fate, Indies, PBTA
 NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Wed 1 Feb 2023
at 03:00
 msg #7
Wrestling Simulation system
So I thought I'd drop in and mention that I was pretty sure there's one that's PBTA, and another indie game more for boxing called Contenders or something like that. I don't know how well they fit, but they might be worth looking into.
dparasol
 member, 64 posts
 looking to uh have fun
 and destroy civilization
Wed 1 Feb 2023
at 05:40
 msg #8
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
steelsmiter:
So I thought I'd drop in and mention that I was pretty sure there's one that's PBTA, and another indie game more for boxing called Contenders or something like that. I don't know how well they fit, but they might be worth looking into.


World Wide Wrestling is the game you're thinking of. I really like that game, but a lot of people will only be interested in it for short-term stuff, short runs and one-shots and things like that. I'd use it for a long campaign, personally, though. :)
White Cat
 member, 61 posts
Wed 1 Feb 2023
at 05:44
 msg #9
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
LoveStudGeo:
What about WWE Know Your Role. D20 and easy to learn. Its a bit dated but it may offer what you want.


Wild World Wrestling is Know Your Role, without the WWE license and with some more polish.
aguy777
 member, 377 posts
 Join Date:
 Thu, 28 Nov, 2013
Wed 1 Feb 2023
at 16:42
 msg #10
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
steelsmiter:
and another indie game more for boxing called Contenders or something like that. I don't know how well they fit, but they might be worth looking into.

I've used Contenders before. It's really not fit for long-term play. Anything past a one-shot and any semblance of game balance goes out the window.

Wild World Wrestling is well-suited to something like this (though I've never had a game of it get past the first match, so my experience there is limited).
Smoot
 member, 167 posts
Wed 1 Feb 2023
at 17:46
 msg #11
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
I did e-fedding from way back (like, it was the Clinton administration). There were three main methods of resolving them:

-"Human Judgement System"- sometimes a few judges, sometimes just one, based on the quality of the promos and other presentation. Basically makes it a writing contest, but it's easy and fun.

-Simming: There were (basically) number-crunching results programs. (if that appeals to you, I can try looking them up- there are plenty of Sim feds still running.)

and
-(Somewhat rarely, but what you're looking for I think) using a modified RPG system.

One of the oldest ones I know of is still online (and SUPER free): https://www.oocities.org/area5...t/2060/bodyslam.html

There are others, but this one's pretty decent and you can modify it pretty easily. I seem to recall there was a WWE d20 official game, but I haven't seen it or heard about it in ages.

World Wide Wrestling (PBtA) is an interesting game, but it's about the lives of the performers, with matches (or even in-show angles) coming second at best.

I might recommend Lucha Libre Hero (HERO System) if you like it crunchy.

This message was last edited by the user at 17:47, Wed 01 Feb.

LoveStudGeo
 member, 108 posts
Thu 2 Feb 2023
at 04:02
 msg #12
Re: Wrestling Simulation system
Looking at Wild world wrestling, its similar but not everything. Know Your Role had classes and the such, plus I found rules for other matches and moves.

Anyway you decide to go I'd be interested. If nothing else found a new(er) system myself.
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