I had a chilling and somewhat distressing thought for how the basic engine of Blades in the Dark could be employed. You could re-skin it for criminal trials.
The PCs are a law firm of defense lawyers. They have “gangs” who handle research and evidence adjustment and so on. The entire game takes place in the courtroom for the case, but there are liberal flashbacks and such, and there are developments between big cases. Examples may include useful plea bargains or difficulties in relationships with big clients who have the firm on retainer. Rivals, or the attention of the law.
The GM puts the witness in the stand, and the PCs scramble to use flashbacks to bribe, discredit, or otherwise counter damning evidence or testimony. if they successfully sway the jury (represented by countering all the “clocks” of evidence or other disadvantages) their client goes free.
That’s seriously unpleasant, but I bet there are game groups that would enjoy it. =) I lack the expertise in law to develop it, but I think someone else could, and it could be a winning format for such a subject matter.
Law and Order the RPG, objection overruled.
In my last session there was a clock “Convince the Alchemist to join you” which was an interesting kind of obstacle. I only let the players roll effect on the clock if they were presenting a new argument, repeating previous arguments had no effect. Something like that seems like it could make sense for a game like you are suggesting.
Chris Boyd Yes, it would be pretty clean; the objective is always “Create Reasonable Doubt.” About what? The meter maid’s testimony. The DNA and fingerprint evidence. The alibi. And so on, each one a clock.
This sounds like it could work for The Good Wife OR for the Icelandic Sagas.
I’m so putting this in my Back Pocket™ with the intention to use … for BitD! 😀
Barristers in the Dock!