Gaming experience using the players as PCs

[The Vigilante]

While thinking about ways to improve player involvement in the game, I had the idea to try and run a game where the PCs would be modeled after the player. This looks like it could start soon, and I will report the progress here, as I think it might be interesting. Rules are based on SR4, obviously adapted for modern era.

Regarding the overall plot, I don't want to put too much details here as at least one of the two players is reading this board and I don't want to spoil anything. They are both college students with part-time jobs, so needless to say the game will be very plot-driven, at least at first. Suffice to say it will be presented to the players as a conspiracy/paranormal-style game with a detective story style.

As for the player's characters, I have basically asked them to send me their sheet based on what they feel would be appropriate numbers for them. I think I'm fine with the preliminary result, altough the second one could stand a upgrade. Here they are :

First one :

Current total: 313 Bp

Human : 0

Attributes: (170)
B 3 A 3 R 2 S 2 C 3 L 3 I 4 W 3
M 0 E 4

Perks:

College Education 5
First Impression 5
Bilingual 5

Day Job -5
Allergy - Moderate - Uncommon
Sulfat -10



Skills: (130)

Electronic Group 1
Computer +1
Athletic Group 2
Running +1
Influence Group 2
Etiquette +1
Close combat Group 1
(Kung fu White crane)
Clubs +1

Infiltration 1
Palming 1
Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 2
Throwing (Darts) 1
Craft (Primitive weapons) 1
Perception (Visual) 3
(-2 visual without glasses or lenses)
Dodge 1
Survival 1
Navigation 1


Knowledge: (21Free+13)

Street

Academic
Physics 1
Maths 1
History 1
Architecture history 1
Professional
Architecture(Residential) 2
Baking (viennoiseries) 1
Security procedures(Federal) 1
Clerk 1
Interests
World of Beer 2
Litterature 1
Computer games 2
Cards&Dices games 1
Mythology 1
Cartoons, manga, anime 1

Second one :

Total actuel: 286 Bp

Human : 0

Attributes: 150
B 3 A 3 R 3 S 2 C 2 L 4 I 3 W 3
M 0 E 2

Perks:

College Education 5
Analytical Mind 5
Bilingual 5

Day Job -5
Reduced Sight -5
Allergy - Severe - Uncommon
Penicillin -15



Skills:

Electronic Group 3
Outdoor Group 2
Athletic Group 1
Influence Group 1

Unarmed Combat (Judo) 4
Longarms (Sport Rifles) 2
Archery 1
Hacking 1

Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 1
Artisan 2
Armorer 2
Perception (Auditive) 3
Shadowing 1

Knowledge: 21

Physics 3
Computer Science 4
Maths 3

Fancy Alcohol 3
Litterature 2
Prog Music 2
Chess 1
Guitars Spec 3

[Juton]

I've done things like this before, but with 3.5. In that system it didn't turn out well, but 3.5 isn't the most flexible from level 1, Shadowrun is a much better choice. It should be a fun game, my advice is that if you have a player who doesn't want to play themselves don't force them.