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aldantefax posted:Hello, is anybody interested in doing a design jam of some kind? I recently got back from staring at dice while in a cabin alone for a week and I'm brimming with ideas, but thought it might be fun to see if people might be into such a thing. I'm in no mental place to really jump in and work on one heavily but it's a good idea and I'd try to chip in if anything comes up.
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Dec 10, 2020 23:06
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SkyeAuroline posted:I'm in no mental place to really jump in and work on one heavily but it's a good idea and I'd try to chip in if anything comes up. I was thinking of something pretty simple. I had posted a few constraints I set for myself while in the dice cabin and it worked out pretty well, so something like "one page, one system, one day" would be good. I am doing a throwback to a video I came across awhile back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-iST0a69cI I think it'd be neat to design with some very distinct constraints and see what people come up with. I dunno how to run contests or what not but maybe some kind of prize support thing might be neat.
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Dec 10, 2020 23:22
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There's been like design threads and NaNoWriMo style things in the past and we should keep having them. A few even resulted in published games! A typical format has been a month-long thing with a vote at the end, but it doesn't have to be like that. If it becomes a Goon Project more than just one person's tilt at a windmill I'd be happy to temporarily sticky such a thread for more visibility. I think that means at least two active participants.
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Dec 10, 2020 23:53
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I would happily attempt a one page/system/day game, but I think it'd be better with a theme or even just some kind of vague idea or goal or something.
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Dec 11, 2020 00:01
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The way I'd see it is maybe a week to get people to sign up, and then they have a month or what not to meet the very basic design constraints, but I'll throw them in here to see if holes can be poked through it: - fully formed game system (doesn't have to fit into an existing game but could be just a sub-system like a mini-game). a game system is fully formed if it has rules for one or more players, and at least one positive completion state (winning / not losing)? - single piece of A4 or US Letter paper - game can be an RPG or board game, as long as it meets the criteria above - all core gameplay mechanics must fit on the paper - no "see my other paper or long form design notes for how this game is supposed to work" - changing paper by cutting/folding / printing on paper OK - one day to design and complete, with a grace period of 5 minutes (to wrap up any last existing thoughts). does not need to be continuous, but cannot exceed the time limit in the spirit of the design challenge. one day = 24 hours - other props may be used like dice, timer, poker chips, etc. but the actual game instructions must be on the paper in legible format - any medium is otherwise OK (pencil and paper, cut and pasted newspaper things, and so on are all fine)
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Dec 11, 2020 00:12
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I'd suggest also adding a required theme: creativity is born from constraints, not the lack of them. I doubt the goon who came up with Jurassic Central Park would have done so if they hadn't been told "make an RPG where task resolution is based on something other than rolling dice".
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Dec 11, 2020 00:18
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I am interested in designing game systems and have done so multiple times with friends, but am personally pretty sick of heavily streamlined systems such as 1 page rulesets.
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Dec 11, 2020 00:21
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How about instead of designing a whole game, it's designing a rules subsystem or module intended to be plugged into a bigger RPG?
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Dec 11, 2020 01:03
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IronicDongz posted:I am interested in designing game systems and have done so multiple times with friends, but am personally pretty sick of heavily streamlined systems such as 1 page rulesets. What would you like to see instead? I think Aldantefax is looking for ideas.
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Dec 11, 2020 02:01
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Whybird posted:I'd suggest also adding a required theme: creativity is born from constraints, not the lack of them. I doubt the goon who came up with Jurassic Central Park would have done so if they hadn't been told "make an RPG where task resolution is based on something other than rolling dice". IronicDongz posted:I am interested in designing game systems and have done so multiple times with friends, but am personally pretty sick of heavily streamlined systems such as 1 page rulesets. whydirt posted:How about instead of designing a whole game, it's designing a rules subsystem or module intended to be plugged into a bigger RPG? I think all of these are fair points, particularly for design veterans! I'd be super interested to hear what ideas you might have in specific to brainstorm an interesting theme that can produce unexpected results. I think the main thing for "a subsystem for a bigger RPG". Maybe this would be best done as "create a RPG system agnostic component that can fit into any system using one sheet of paper as your design constraint". Probably break it down into: - aesthetic/narrative constraints: "your design must feature a dinosaur" - practical/mechanical constraints: "your design must use a single piece of paper as a minimum, plus any extra props but can be system neutral, or for D&D 5e, GURPS, etc." I picture something that is easy for people to get into and dedicate a slice of time to do. 24 hours might even be too much, and a whole rules system at that, maybe just a core idea for something in 4 hours instead might be good. Some kind of short time constraint that isn't too short would be ideal.
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Dec 11, 2020 02:08
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You can do this more than once, with different constraints each time. Just saying.
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Dec 11, 2020 02:15
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If I have time to work on writing this Xmas break (and I hope I do), I wouldn't want to do a whole game even a short one, but I might do a subsystem. If there's a subsystem game jam, count me in. I'll find a way to use it in Strike or something else I'm working on.
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Dec 11, 2020 02:22
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Mad-libbing themes : -Clockwork Pirates -LGBTQ+ Positive Draculas -Literally just Downton Abbey -People who think they're dinosaurs but they're really just people and the HP equivalent is not realizing you aren't a dinosaur -Mecha-plumbers -Christmas themed horror about escaping Santa (don't be lazy and use the Krampus) -"Wait why am I in Baltimore?" Those are my random ideas off the dome.
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Dec 11, 2020 03:50
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Xiahou Dun posted:Mad-libbing themes : Please write this as a one page rpg
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Dec 11, 2020 03:57
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I'm half assed coming up with a resolution mechanic based around pretending to be a dinosaur. I also might have a nephew. I'm sure these aren't connected.
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Dec 11, 2020 04:39
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I thought we were supposed to stop trying to rewrite Beast: The Primordial But Good.
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Dec 11, 2020 04:43
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What's the normal way to list freelance writing or editing jobs on LinkedIn? It doesn't really seem to fit well under Experience or Projects without finessing the blank spaces a little.
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Dec 11, 2020 05:13
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 wasn't Turbo Dracula "a thing" many many years ago or did i just construct a False Memory of probably-forced-jokes from half a decade (or more??) ago. either way enjoy a turbo dracula i guess
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Dec 11, 2020 05:19
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Len posted:Please write this as a one page rpg I've played something that was like the reverse version of that idea before. You played as a bunch of dinosaurs living among human society using terrible disguises and the game was all about trying to perform mundane activities while trying to pass yourselves off as human. I forget what it was called...
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Dec 11, 2020 05:26
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Kobold Sex Tape posted:
Yes, I believe former poster redmage was obsessed with the joke, which started as warforged vampire from 4e and I believe superspeed/vampire gamma world ideas. Then he eventually pitched it as an alternative villain in a peregrine press game, before a fiasco with a Kickstarter. Like we all had a laugh, the same way folks did about electric/rat swarm being a swarm of pikachus, but he just kept on the joke and wanted it in everything
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Dec 11, 2020 06:07
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thaaaat's who it was. mystery solved, everyone can go home now.
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Dec 11, 2020 06:16
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Coolness Averted posted:Yes, I believe former poster redmage was obsessed with the joke, which started as warforged vampire from 4e and I believe superspeed/vampire gamma world ideas. If I remember correctly one can be a triple or even quadruple vampire in 4e
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Dec 11, 2020 07:29
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drrockso20 posted:If I remember correctly one can be a triple or even quadruple vampire in 4e Yeah with backgrounds, heritage feats and so on. I really remembered the turbo dracula when talking about the speedster/vampire thing from gamma world, but that's because that's when I started reading TG. Just before the offline character builder for 4th went dark after a few months of WotC teasing Gamma World support in it.
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Dec 11, 2020 07:33
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Coolness Averted posted:Yeah with backgrounds, heritage feats and so on. I really remembered the turbo dracula when talking about the speedster/vampire thing from gamma world, but that's because that's when I started reading TG. Just before the offline character builder for 4th went dark after a few months of WotC teasing Gamma World support in it. Thankfully since Gamma World 7e is a lot less complicated than D&D 4e so it not having a character maker is not as crippling(and one of the many reasons why a fantasy reskin of GW would be nice)
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Dec 11, 2020 07:38
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Coolness Averted posted:Yeah with backgrounds, heritage feats and so on. I really remembered the turbo dracula when talking about the speedster/vampire thing from gamma world, but that's because that's when I started reading TG. Just before the offline character builder for 4th went dark after a few months of WotC teasing Gamma World support in it. It was something to the tune of vampire as class, revenant as race, something like dhampir for your race before that and then get the lich lord epic destiny. I know I'm missing steps but that's some of it.
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Dec 11, 2020 07:48
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That was just Gamma World? Sheesh. You'd think it was from something more creative than a game where turbo dracula was just straight up a thing you could roll.Xiahou Dun posted:It was something to the tune of vampire as class, revenant as race, something like dhampir for your race before that and then get the lich lord epic destiny. I know I'm missing steps but that's some of it. Vampiric Bloodline or something was the heritage feat you could take to cram in another vampire. You could also do a theme build from Dark Sun to get Werewolf in there and be a Werewolf Vampire Vampire Vampire Vampire Lich.
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Dec 11, 2020 07:49
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Yeah it was some nonsense like that. (Which was hilarious and cool.)
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Dec 11, 2020 08:13
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drrockso20 posted:Thankfully since Gamma World 7e is a lot less complicated than D&D 4e so it not having a character maker is not as crippling(and one of the many reasons why a fantasy reskin of GW would be nice) Yeah, but I think part of the perks was going to be the mutations and tech were gonna be in the builder DB. Remember, WotC had the brilliant idea of making those CCGs, so while you got some with the core game you didn't get them all, and one of the suggestions was even having players build their own mutation decks. Which of course was cool, but really needed tp be a thing with a purchasable deck and card set, not random boosterpacks.
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Dec 11, 2020 08:30
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Coolness Averted posted:Yeah, but I think part of the perks was going to be the mutations and tech were gonna be in the builder DB. Remember, WotC had the brilliant idea of making those CCGs, so while you got some with the core game you didn't get them all, and one of the suggestions was even having players build their own mutation decks. Thankfully once WOTC decided to make their stuff available digitally again it didn't take too long for them to offer the extra cards for Gamma World as a Print On Demand thing for a fairly reasonable price, in fact I really need to pick up a copy for myself someday
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Dec 11, 2020 11:12
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So just for discussion's sake - what are people's thoughts about single player RPGs? I heard some rather strong negative feelings about the whole concept recently and it kind of struck me as odd. I've done a few and I'd mostly consider them elaborate writing prompts, which I think is valuable enough, plus once you pass a certain degree of elaboration on a writing prompt I think "single player RPG" works as well as any other term, but I was wondering what people here who tend to have more RPG thoughts and such think about it.aldantefax posted:I think all of these are fair points, particularly for design veterans! I'd be super interested to hear what ideas you might have in specific to brainstorm an interesting theme that can produce unexpected results. I think the main thing for "a subsystem for a bigger RPG". I mean I'd be interested in even the simple "one day one page" constraint, I'd mostly be interesting in flexing that part of my brain more than anything else. The journey more than the destination.
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Dec 11, 2020 17:07
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I want to like solo RPGs. I really do. I have never found one that I've even slightly liked. I don't think it's a medium that works, there's no replacing the social element & the uncertainty/variety added by multiple players. Ironsworn is one of the very few that's not "writing exercise in the guise of a game", and it's still half-baked imo. Hoping the SF version will be better, at the very least I'll have more material to draw on for it. That's about the extent of my thoughts.
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Dec 11, 2020 17:21
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I like the writing prompt ones tbh.
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Dec 11, 2020 18:08
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I really like adventure books, even if they're kind of dumb sometimes.
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Dec 11, 2020 18:18
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The writing prompt ones are good at what they do, it's just not what I'm after. There probably won't be any of what I'm after until AI Dungeon-style software gets slimmed down enough for reasonable consumer hosting and use (and gets MUCH smarter), and someone integrates it with an RPG system. At that point it's a video game.
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Dec 11, 2020 18:19
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As a kid I really liked the Lone Wolf choose your own adventure books with an RPG system attached, and they caught on with goons in the past few years for LPs too. Do those count at all as single player RPGs?
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Dec 11, 2020 18:21
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Coolness Averted posted:As a kid I really liked the Lone Wolf choose your own adventure books with an RPG system attached, and they caught on with goons in the past few years for LPs too. I don't see why not!
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Dec 11, 2020 18:25
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The ones that are, as you say, basically writing prompts are fine, but there's so much untapped potential in the solo RPG space. Ironsworn is legitimately an incredible game, not least because it works equally well solo or co-op, and has enough mechanical heft to it for your choices to matter.
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Dec 11, 2020 19:24
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i'd probably play a single-player RPG that was, like, 90% detailed algorithmic instructions on how to play the monster team
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Dec 11, 2020 20:09
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I really dig Ironsworn (and Starforged, the sci-fi playtest that Shawn is running), but I usually just think of solo RPG's as kindof a daydream aid. They help to give some sense of structure to a wandering internal narrative that is pretty fun. A very different experience from a normal tabletop RPG though, and one shouldn't go into it expecting that.
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Dec 11, 2020 20:14
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Tuxedo Catfish posted:i'd probably play a single-player RPG that was, like, 90% detailed algorithmic instructions on how to play the monster team So you want to play solo Gloomhaven?
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Dec 11, 2020 22:52
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