FAQ for GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL
Q: Is GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL a standalone game or does it require The Simple Approach?
A: GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL uses an expanded version of The Simple Approach, which is included in the book. It contains additional rules for investigation, firefights, chases, and social interactions. No prior knowledge of The Simple Approach is necessary to play. Everything you need to get started is in the book, so you’re all set to dive right in.
Q: Is GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL standalone, or will there be supplements?
A: GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL is designed as a standalone game, but part of a shared world. This world will expand through additional sourcebooks and games, exploring factions and other genres more deeply. Future content will build on the core, but you don’t need anything else to enjoy the game right now.
Q: What makes GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL different from other espionage roleplaying games?
A: GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL isn’t about fast cars, high-tech gadgets, or action-packed shootouts. Instead, it draws inspiration from works like John Le Carré, The Sandbaggers, and Slow Horses, focusing on the subtle, slow burn of espionage. It’s about navigating a world of distrust, political maneuvering, and morally gray decisions where success often feels more like survival than victory.
Q: How does the game balance player agency and narrative direction?
A: GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL offers a high degree of player agency while maintaining a tightly woven narrative. It uses hero points to give players the chance to influence outcomes and shape their characters’ paths. The game also includes safety and consent tools, ensuring a respectful and collaborative experience. Descriptive mechanics are in place, allowing players to control both their abilities and narrative outcomes, giving them significant input into how the story unfolds.
Q: What kind of experience is GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL trying to create?
A: The game aims to create a tense, gritty espionage experience. It’s about dealing with uncertainty, making difficult choices, and facing consequences, both personal and professional. Every success comes with a cost, and the game’s tone reflects that, where personal stakes and professional missions collide in unpredictable ways.
Q: Are there rules for managing complex espionage operations?
A: Yes, the game includes structured beat charts to guide complex operations. These charts help the gamemaster shape missions with escalating stakes and pivotal moments, giving the narrative depth and variety. The game ensures that each mission feels dynamic, with new challenges arising as the agents progress.
Q: How are character backgrounds integrated into the gameplay?
A: Character backgrounds are a key part of GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL. Each agent’s past shapes their decisions, relationships, and approach to missions. Personal histories are woven into the narrative, often leading to moments where past connections or unresolved issues surface, adding emotional weight to otherwise tactical situations.
Q: Is there a built-in system for dealing with player failure or mistakes?
A: Yes, failure doesn’t just end the mission; it opens up new narrative opportunities. The game is designed to turn failure into complication, creating new challenges that add depth to the story. Whether it's a botched operation or an unexpected outcome, failure results in complications that push the story forward in surprising ways.
Q: Will GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL have expansions or additional content?
A: GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL is a standalone game. While there won’t be future expansions for this specific book, other games and sourcebooks in the same shared world can provide additional context, insight, and new possibilities. These can be used with GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL, but they are not required to fully enjoy the game.
Q: Will I need to buy other games or books to fully understand GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL?
A: There are no future expansions planned for GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL, but other games and sourcebooks within the same shared world can offer extra context, insight, and new possibilities. These can be used to enhance the experience, but are not required to fully enjoy the game.
Q: Does GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL have a lot of complicated rules?
A: No, GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL is designed with accessibility in mind. It uses the streamlined mechanics of The Simple Approach, focusing on character-driven storytelling rather than heavy rulebooks. The game is easy to pick up, with an emphasis on narrative and decision-making, not memorizing rules.
Q: Will GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL be available as a print-on-demand version on DriveThruRPG?
A: GUILLOTINE PROTOCOL will not be available for print-on-demand on DriveThruRPG. However, print copies of the game are available for purchase through other channels. Please check the book's listing for more details on where to find it in physical format.
540 pages. PDF and epub files included.
ISBN 9798315962601
