Converting Casino Fatale to the 1920s

by Vic

I really like the game called Casino Fatale but I want to set it in the 1920's. Any ideas?

For instance: what would I use to substitute the nuclear science (as well as anything else that I might have overlooked that would not be in the 1920's)?

Thanks so much.

My response:

Hi Vic,

That's a really interesting question - and potentially quite a lot of work.

Here are your options:

#1 Rewrite large chunks of the game to suit a 1920s setting. That means watching for references to things like mobile phones, television and other technology that simply wasn't around then (and that's apart from the whole nuclear secrets plot).

(If you're commercially minded, you could even contact Freeform Games and see if they would be interested in a 1920s version. They might even give you a bob or two for your efforts.)

#2 The easiest option is just to stand up at the start of the game and explain that the party is set in the 1920s, and if people see references to modern-day kit then they should just ignore them and pretend that they're a 1920s equivalent.

(This is probably my least favourite option.)

#3 The middle option is to read through the characters, identify those items that don't work, and write a short introductory paragraph explaining the differences. (Without going through Casino Fatale in detail, I suspect you'll find that there are several characters that don't need any changes at all.)

You could also annotate the character sheets accordingly, and create substitute item cards.

As an alternative to the nuclear weapon, you could simply change it to something with a name "Doomsday Device" or the "Armageddon Bomb" which sounds appropriately nasty without explaining the science. Or just give it a codeword "Burning Star" or something. Or if you want to stick to the period, you'd probably have to go for some kind of biological weapon like Mustard Gas.

I hope that helps - do let me know how you get on!

Steve

P.S. - Click here to read more about Casino Fatale