|
|
The following is an excerpt from the CYBERPUNK
2.0.2.0. 2nd Ed. rulebook:
| ICONS
One of the other benefits of the I-G Transformations are that they allow you to translate the signal of your cyberdeck into a visible representation in the Net. This representation of yourself is known as your ICON. Most things in the Net have some kind of ICON; even if one isn't specified, the I-G formulas will create a polygonal form to represent them. Your ICON is your personal symbol; it's what other Netrunners will talk to and relate with when they encouter you in Netspace. Your ICON can look like anything you want it to: armored technowarrior, fantasy creature, bizarre shape or logo - even yourself. You can change your ICON anytime you enter the Net. You can even disguise your ICON by using special programs for stealth and evasion. Choosing your ICON is one of the first things you'll decide when you jack in. |
This fascinated me, but mostly because it seemed to leave a lot open to interpretation. Before I go any further let me just state that the only related references I have before me are the main manual and the Brainware Blowout. I've read Bartmoss' Guide to the Net, but it's been a while.
Let us continue...
Recently I had the opportunity to read Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash. Aside from being one of the best books I've ever read, there was an interesting perspective on how people were represented in Netspace. He used the same basic idea that people interact with and through avatars (ICONS by another name), but he came up with some basic rules of conduct for them that I have altered a bit to suit Cyberpunk.
First and foremost, your avatar should not be something you can create on the fly. One of the first things the offical book says is that you should establish your ICON first and customize it. I also think Stephenson had the right idea when he set it up so that your avatar was a piece of software run by your deck. Like other kinds of programs, you can buy certain avatars of the shelf. Or you can purchase an avatar editor (sort of like Omni Kismet's VR software) to give your avatar the personal touch. In Snow Crash there is a great scene where shortly after entering the Net, the main character gives his impressions of the various avatars he sees. He comes to rough conclusions about their socio-economic backgrounds by just looking at their avatars.
This brings to mind another apparent feature which is easily taken for granted; that of facial expression. How do you express emotions through your ICON? I don't think it's enough to just say something like, "Well, it all has to do with the interaction between your brain and the cyberlink." This theory, while cute, is the wimps way out. I like to take it a bit farther. The cyberdeck resolves the biofeedback and other impulses it gets through the cyberlink from the neural processor. Then the avatar software itself establishes just how surprised you look when your parental units catch you logging in to a Virtual Vickie BBS.
All of this allows for one more feature that any Cyberpunk gamer should appreciate. Wouldn't you want to have a completely custom designed and high calibre ICON that puts others to shame simply because you have the skill to make it so? And how about hunting down the weeflerunner who is using your ICON that you worked so hard on to pull stupid stunts and ruin your rep?
I think the concept has been set up well enough. Without further delay here is the method I suggest. It resembles the creation of any other program, but with a few obvious changes.
Click HERE to access ICON creation guidelines.
operators
have worked this site
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
