Stratemeyer Product Catalogue
The dream is dead, the Dream lives on.
Well, a week into Over/Under I was whacked off for girlbossing too close to the sun. I played Jenny Calabrese, the VP of Operations of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. I was nominated by the shareholder to become Boss of the faction, when I was suddenly killed in a murder most foul.1
I spent a lot of time working to build up the Denizen-facing side of the Stratemeyer Syndicate: establishing departments, handing out titles, getting the C-suite (bosses) to give us budgets. I even invented two minigames, since our faction lacked a dedicated one. I really appreciate everyone there who joined in, and everyone who gave me great RP opportunities.
We might have been the bad guy faction, but dammit, if I had anything to say about it, we were going to be a bad guy faction with class and style.2 Plus, villains get the best songs.
The minigames are what brought this post to life. I created the Stratemeyer Product Catalogue to record all of the amazing products that people pitched as part of the production minigame.3 One thing that you have to understand about Over/Under is that it is a community of over 1500 creative, earnest people who are spending real time and doing real work to bring their fictional communities to life. In the last six days, I watched hundreds of people just pour out artwork, writing, lore, 3D models, even songs and videos. As I said in my prior post, I wanted a way our faction members could express that creativity together, while building something we could share with the Dream.4
Though I left it to be filled by others, I consider the idea of the Catalogue to be my baby. From what I have heard, people are still developing products and hawking them to other Denizens. I am immensely honored that people have taken my silly little minigame and are carrying it on after I'm gone. What better legacy could I ask for?
So below, find my favorite items from the catalogue, lightly edited for clarity. They can be cool things for your players to buy in a space gas station. Keep checking the actual Catalogue linked above, because by the time you read this there will probably be even more funny, cool, or terrifying products listed for sale.
Stratemeyer Products
The Brands
Several people came up with mottos for the brands:5
- Cobblestone: "Where Old Earth elegance meets modern luxury."
- Nonna's Kitchen: "Tastes like home, even light-years away."
- Powercore: "Fuel your limits. Survive anything."
- Targ and Tully: "Built to work. Made to last."
- Galatea: "Perfection, made gentle."
Foe
Description: a slick lightweight bracelet with a single red light blinking with a frequency of a rapid heartbeat of an angry person. It is aware of itΒ΄s surroundings using microphones, location data and in some blocks - data from street cameras. It comments on your every move, providing constructive criticism.6
Brand: Cobblestone
Quality: β
β
β
β
β
Quantity: β
β
β
Reliability:
MSRP: 15cr
Unit Production: 50
Complications: 1) The test group reported increased levels of anxiety due to constant background criticism. 2)The device is recording all the time 3) the high security lock on the bracelet is known to become permanently locked. amateur removals attempts are not recommended due to the battery ignition risk.
Designers: Raluca Sitko
Carcosa Cola
Description: Comes in a bright yellow can with ornate artwork that seems to change whenever you look away. Tastes like cinnamon. We've put a refreshing modern twist on a traditional Hyadean beverage! Find the can with your name written on it for a special surprise! (Note: also came in special limited edition Eliza Dawn Day red packaging.)7
Brand: Nonna's Kitchen
Quality: β
Quantity: β
β
β
β
Reliability: β
β
MSRP: 2 cr
Unit Production: 100
Complications: Clinical overconfidence, projections of mental imagery.
Designers: Moses Eppendorf, Jenny Calabrese
Nonna's Canned Ravioli
Description: a spicy meal-in-a-can. Containing ravioli, richly filled with meat-substrate, in a smooth, spicy but tasty tomato sauce. The secret spice blend will make you crave for (ever?)more. "Is it addictive or is it capsaicin?"
Brand: Nonna's Kitchen
Quality: β
Quantity: β
β
β
β
Reliability: β
β
β
MSRP: 2 cr
Unit Production: 100
Complications: highly addictive nature can lead to obesity or occasional "overdose"
Designers: FelixUnger; Medlee Erst, SHRM
Guppie's Original Instant Ramen
Description: Designed by the Dream's own Argon "Guppie" Noire (THE TANK), now you can have the amazing and authentic taste of Guppie's ramen on the go! This Original Flavor (pending Guppie's formulation to be provided to manufacturing and distribution) represents our initial offering to spread this taste across the Dream and the stars themselves.
Brand: Nonna's Kitchen (However, it is advised while made under this umbrella, to withhold branding on packaging to maintain the ideal the ramen made by Guppie himself.)
Quality: β
β
Quantity: β
β
β
Reliability: β
β
β
MSRP: 5cr
Unit Production: 50
Complications: While the ramen and included spices are non-perishable (and held to Guppie's high standards for flavor and taste), the cups themselves have been shown to possibly degrade over time, thus leaking when hot-water is added. Advise to adjust expiration dates as expected.
Designers: Argos, Argon "Guppie" Noire
PowerPatchTM
Description: A single use, daily application supplement patch. The edge you need in the boardroom, the Gravball arena, on the picket line, during your late-night slickworld sesh, and when present with those that matter most. The boost you need in life.
Brand: Powercore
Quality: β
β
β
Quantity: β
β
β
β
β
Reliability:
MSRP: 10cr
Unit Production: 200
Complications: PowerPatchβ’ has been known to not come off, occasionally contain a triple dose, and in some users, markedly increase spending habits.
Designers: VOID, "Squit" Johnson, Solarite Orion
Squeaky Dreams β¨ / Prosperos Lubricant
(Past names: Dream Lubricant8)
Description: Those annoying squeaks outside keeping you awake at night? Those old android joints not as smooth as OEM? Is your pet robodog not able to fetch as reliably anymore?Β Then you need Prospero's Lubricant! This new lubricant is specifically designed for the Dream and its denizens to help solve all life's little noisy problems. A little goes a long way so one can will last you years!9
Brand: Targ and Tully
Quality: β
β
β
Quantity: β
β
Reliability: β
β
β
MSRP: 10c
Unit Production: 10
Complications: Exceptionally tasty (Keep away from children)
Designers: Tomas Costa, Lockley Vega
PerfectSkin
Description: A beautiful foundation to layer your other beauty products on, with a variety of tones to match the skin tone you have or the one you want! Unlike traditional beauty products, PerfectSkin can also be used as a first aid product. Just apply it to any area of skin with a cut no wider than 5cm, and the patent pending chemicals will seal the wound within 5 minutes, stopping any bleeding and keeping your skin looking perfect!
Brand: Galatea
Quality: β
β
β
β
Quantity: β
β
Reliability: β
β
MSRP: 12 cr
Unit Production: 20
Complications:Β The product can react negatively with other common first aid products, such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.Β The artificial skin tones (purple, pink, green) can turn odd colors when exposed to excessive amounts of blood.
Designers: jstark25
How to Run A Faction
Each faction is made up of people, and people vary. It's hard to get generalized advice. However, here's the tips I would give to anyone:
- Acknowledge, communicate, and promote someone who does something cool. ("Hey everybody! So-and-so did X!")
- Have a minigame, something engaging but not overwhelming people can do on their own or collaboratively, asynchronously, while they do other RP stuff or just if things are slow.
- Encourage people who have ideas to try to do things. Give them resources (credits, official imprimatur, helping hand, whatever.) Make it a ceremony when they start and make it a ceremony when they finish. Ritual gives intangible things power and in-game actions are no different.
- Don't be afraid to RP your "faction". People want to interact with the factions. They want to run from kill teams, meet spies, get called to account before their bosses. They want to have chaotic meetings filled with betrayals, revelations, and triumph. It's dramatic and gives stakes.
A Request for Help
So, one last awkward little thing to anyone still playing in Over/Under. I hate to ask an in-game thing out-of-game, but it's the best way to get the word out. I actually had a ton of credits on me when I died (let's just say upper six digits.) I want to make sure this money gets back to the Stratemeyer Syndicate warchest because it really is the faction's money, I was just acting as an account for our internal departments. However, because of the limits of Discord's interface and Zhenya's setup, I can't actually properly access them after "dying", because I have effectively a new credit "account." Anyways, I've figured out a workaround that involves relocating to a specific block (where I died) to trigger Zhenya to read me as still alive and access the credits. However, I still need the 10kcr to relocate to trigger the move.
If you're Strat, then you understand the importance. If you're not Strat, then think of this as fair play. These credits weren't supposed to be here and if not for a snafu processing my death, they'd be out. Also, if it works, I'll make it worth your while and drop you 100kcr for helping me. Whoever you are, that's 10x credits, you'd be set for the rest of the game. Either way, all I need you to do is click this link to use Web discord (only way the dead transfer works is on Web discord) to make the transfer. I really appreciate it. I'll update this page when I'm done with it.
God forbid women do anything.↩
At time of posting, well after this was drafted, I have been informed the internal vibe is "What if the people from The Office worked at Lumon from Severence." I love it.↩
The sales minigame proved less popular, but it was picking up steam before my untimely demise. Depending on how later things go, there may be more products in here by the time you look at it.↩
Whether they wanted it or not.↩
I actually have no idea who. DM me if you want credit. At time of publication there appears to be a sixth brand under development, Nexus Play.↩
Still no sales takers for this one! Hopefully, someone starts distributing these things soon. Their effects on RP will be hilarious.↩
The contributions I made to actual products development was pretty limited, I mostly GM'd. This is the one I had the most impact on, and I think I just adjusted the phrasing of the complications. I'm pretty sure I also suggested the limited edition version. The Revolution will be monetized.↩
Note per the creators: "(Team is open to rebranding of name)."↩
From Stratemeyer legal: "'Prospero's Lubricant' (chemical name Polysiloxanes Benzosilicate) is a lubricant for android and general industrial use. It is not for human consumption or contact. Per Dream Chemical Registration Protocols Section IV Subsection A it is categorized as a Category 3 Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single Exposure product, a Class 2 general neurotoxin, and a Class 1 tetragon. Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames, and other ignition sources. Do not spray on an open flame or other ignition source. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Avoid breathing vapors or mists. Use in a well-ventilated area. If this product is touched or injested by a human, ensure said human contacts the appropriate medical authority. Stratemeyer Syndicate provides this product with no general or specific warranty. Stratemeyer Syndicate does not guarantee a specific level of lubrication from this product. All disputes, grievances, or claims regarding this product shall be resolved exclusively through mandatory binding arbitration under Syndicate Legal Oversight. No external tribunal, planetary court, or civic body shall have jurisdiction." Yes, the creators had the "Legal Department" of the faction draft this separately. No one told them to. This game is bananas.↩