[UA] The future of UA? (Was Godwalker Preorders)

[Rayburn, Russell E.]

Some random thoughts.... 

CoC is the descendant of Lovecraft in general.  Lovecraft seems to appeal to
and inspire a very wide variety people, from Steven King to J Michael
Straczynski ( JMS cites Lovecraft as inspiration for the Shadows on Babylon
5 ).

Some even seem to consider Lovecraft a chronicler rather than an author:

http://www.philhine.org.uk/archives/cthulhu.htm

That broad appeal ( admittedly a broad subset of the general populace )
combined with the belief of some that Lovecraft wasn't making it up seem to
be keys to his continued popularity.

So what's the appeal?  I think it's easy for some to identify with
protagonists in a Lovecraft story.  Hell, the first time I read "The Call of
Cthulhu" I was hooked; the idea of degenerate religions and conspiracy just
"felt right".

I'll agree that UA isn't as approachable as other genres.  I find it hard to
identify with a lot of the adept concepts... perhaps that's the point.  On
the other hand, I did like the DVD of Neverwhere (
http://www.newvideo.com/productdetail.html?productid=NV-AAE-70853 ) so
perhaps I identify more with UA than I think I do.

As to understanding Naked Lunch, you might try reading both Interzone and
Junky.  I never got Naked Lunch until I understood Burroughs gave up booze
for junk, since booze was more destructive to him.  


-----Original Message-----
From: Cassady Toles [mailto:con_job at excite.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 4:25 PM
To: ua at lists.unknown-armies.com
Subject: Re: [UA] The future of UA? (Was Godwalker Preorders)

<snip>
OTE:  William S. Burroughs' The Naked Lunch.  (A book I didn't really get
until the first time I'd done heroin)
</snip>

<snip>
The only game I can't explain with this system that I can think of is CoC.
I didn't read Lovecraft until after I played the game.  I suspect it got a
foothold as the first horror game, and pulled a horror crowd even if that
crowd, like myself, didn't know Lovecraft.
</snip>