Morton's List is a game published by Dark Carnival Games, LLC.
[ Bruce, Robert; Deneaux, R. Jesse; Fostey, Nathan Andren (2001). ''Morton's List: The End To Boredom''. Dark Carnival Games. .] It is a "Random Reality" game in which players participate in a randomly generated task or activity.
Description
Morton's List is presented as a 402-page book. A "Table Master" is randomly selected from among the players to lead the game and arbitrate disagreements. Assembled players take an oath to spend at least an hour participating in the yet-to-be-determined task,
[GC (2001). "Spotlight On...", ]The Pendulum
''The Pendulum'' is a 12-issue miniseries of comic books based upon the Dark Carnival universe, a mythology detailed in the music of the Insane Clown Posse. Distributed by Chaos! Comics, the series was published from January 2000 until Dec ...
, #9. which unlike other
roleplaying
Role-playing or roleplaying is the changing of one's behaviour to assume a role, either unconsciously to fill a social role, or consciously to act out an adopted role. While the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' offers a definition of role-playing ...
games is not an imaginary or simulated activity, but a real-world mission.
[Slizewski, Tom (2002). "GAMA's Believe It or Not", ]InQuest Gamer
''InQuest Gamer'' was a monthly magazine for game reviews and news that was published from 1995 to 2007. The magazine was published by Wizard Entertainment (not to be confused with Wizards of the Coast, which produced its own CCG magazine, '' Th ...
, 86. The Table Master rolls a
30-sided die to choose one of 360 possible "Quests."
The players then discuss how to interpret and execute the Quest.
During this discussion the players are encouraged to use creativity to find not only a viable interpretation, but one which is both fun for all players, and in accordance with the moral code of all players.
Controversy
Morton's List claims to include any possible activity that people might do for fun.
As such, it includes directives that might be interpreted as encouraging illegal or dangerous activities such as "vigilantism, real life spell casting, and to experiment with potentially illegal substances." For this reason the game was banned from
Gen Con
Gen Con is the largest tabletop game convention in North America by both attendance and number of events. It features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card games, including role-playing games, miniatures wargames, live action role-playing ...
, one of the largest toy and game trade shows in the United States.
Morton's List players have been arrested while doing their Quests.
Connection with Insane Clown Posse
One of the game's three creators,
Robert Bruce
Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (), was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. Robert led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England. He fought successfully dur ...
, is the older brother of
Violent J
Joseph Frank Bruce (born April 28, 1972), known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, actor, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP). He is a co-founder of the record label Ps ...
of the
rap
Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates " rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backin ...
group
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler). Insan ...
. Bruce has appeared as a rapper, Jumpsteady, on ICP albums and has served as vice president of the band's record label,
Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records is an American independent record label headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The label is most associated with the hip-hop music subgenres horrorcore and rap rock. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and h ...
. Because of this connection, the game has been frequently promoted to the band's fan base, including their annual music festival, the
Gathering of the Juggalos
The Gathering of the Juggalos (also known as The Gathering or GOTJ) is an annual music festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label roster as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground music, ...
.
Withdrawal
Physical copies of the book were withdrawn from sale at the end of 2012.
Remaining copies were destroyed, making the game difficult to find in physical form.
External links
Official site
Notes
{{reflist
Contemporary role-playing games