Styles in Dungeons & Dragons

Hey Game Fans, today i’m going to talk a little bit about something i find interesting in the RPG community (the title says Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be splashed around a little harder than that). Dungeons and Dragons has a lot of characteristics that define its style, and you can mix and match them if you want to get creative. Let’s talk about those styles and how you can stretch them to fit your needs for your games at home or the adventures you may be writing or stories you’re trying to tell.

Warhammer 40,000 (decisions decisions)

So the wonderworkers at Games Workshop are at it again. I have an on again, off again relationship with their games, and at this point in my life i’m more of a modeller (a bad one) and a painter (okay one) than i am a serious gamer. I played a half dozen games of 7th edition, and i have to admit, i haven’t gotten in a single game of 8th edition yet. This means a couple of different things for me. First, i have seen the shiny new models and really haven’t been that tempted. I have several armies already in progress, and though i would like to pick up a Magnus and some supersized Lords of Change at some point for my Tzeentch Daemons, they aren’t essential.

The Elminster Problem (World Building)

Hey guys, this article came up as a part of a discussion this morning with our friend @DroptheDie on Twitter.  The crux of this discussion revolves around the resources that a party of characters has access to, and how do you as a GM design appropriate challenges to that kind of a group.  How do you effectively challenge a group that has all the resources in the world behind them?  What if they have access to powerful allied spellcasters or a near infinite supply of money to purchase goods and/or services?  This turned into a quick discussion about the existence of high level NPC characters in your world, and that’s the crux of what i am planning to talk about.  (I’m sure i’ll find a couple of other important topics to hit along the way, but let’s dig into High level characters in your world).  

 

Player vs. Character (Key Terms)

Hey Game Fans, we’re back with a look at a couple of key terms that are going to come up a lot in the world of Role-Playing games.  If you haven’t joined a game yet, or have been playing for years, you’re going to routinely encounter the terms Player and Character, and you probably shouldn’t get them mixed up.  “I think I was too rough and killed one of the players in my game” has a much different meaning than “I think I was too rough and killed one of the characters in my game.”  Let’s dig into these two important concepts and then we’ll cover a couple of other ideas.

System v. Setting (WTF are you talking about?)

Hey Game Fans, I’ve back with another article about gaming (big Surprise, right?) but today i’m going to talk about a couple of key terms that i think that you all should get acquainted with and it will help you grow as consumers of games.  We talk about games a lot and you might hear something to the effect of “I love the setting but the system is absolutely terrible,” or “I love this System is literally dumber than a bag of doorknobs.”  Now if you’re not sure what either of those statements means, don’t feel bad.  I’m going to take a look at both of the terms and see if i can’t help you see the differences between them.  Let’s dig a little deeper and see what we can come up with.  

Growing and Learning with RPGs

Hey Game Fans, I’ve got a brief editorial today that i wanted to share with you before i got back to the more regular work of breaking down adventures and options.  I wanted to talk about those moments that we all experience where we grow and learn things about ourselves from the games we play.  I have been playing RPGs and other games since i was in 2nd grade (I was terrible at it, but i was trying).  In the intervening 25+ years, i have had moments where i was playing a game or reading a book (or in modern times, watching a live play game on Twitch) and something in experienced changed the way i look at games and their role in our lives.  Let me share two of these instances with you, and maybe you can think about some of these instances that have affected the way you look at games.  

Sunday Editorial (Deep Thoughts Edition)

Thoughts and Ideas, Part I

So i’ve got some extra minutes this afternoon and i wanted to share a semi deep thought about organizing your gaming group and i am going to end up using one of those R words i don’t like to utilize.  I’m going to break out a Rule for all of you, and bear with me for a second.  I don’t like Rules in general because for every rule i can think of, exceptions apply.  If a Rule generates more exceptions than the original idea the rule was supposed to help you by providing a guideline or a hard and fast way of looking at things, then the Rule isn’t much help is it?  The Rule i’m going to drop on you is my rule 0, and it goes something like this “Don’t let the options get in the way of fun.”  Seems easy right?  It’s a fairly easy rule that i use as a guide for when i am building a character for an RPG, or an army for a Tabletop Miniature war game.  There are some considerations for using this rule, and i’m going to talk about this first in terms of character (and party) construction, and then i’ll talk a little bit about designing an army for a Minis game.  Bear with me, and i’ll see if i can help you out with the thought process behind Rule 0.  

Race in Fantasy Gaming

This article is in its entirety inspired by a conversation with Jessica Price on Twitter, and i’ll try to explain what’s going on.  The basic gist of the conversation revolves around writers for fantasy games and projects inserting the word Race when describing cultures or species groupings.  For Example “The Merfolk race”  The question asked is why do we do that?  It’s functionally unnecessary, and in most cases, Merfolk (or in other examples, the race actually being described) should suffice as the descriptor.  

Alignment and its Role in Gaming

Hey Game Fans, we’re back with another one of our articles on gaming concepts and ideas.  Today we’re going to take a look at Alignment and the role it plays in both in game interactions and between player dynamics.  Alignment can be a touchy subject and not every game uses it, but we’re going to try and cover it in as broad a method possible.  Remember, these are my broad opinions on what Alignment is and how it works.  Others may have differing opinions, and that’s perfectly ok.  We can still talk about things we have different opinions on.  Let’s take a look at the Alignment system for Dungeons and Dragons.

Monster Mash (Thought processes for Adventure Building)

Hey Game Fans, Some of you might have seen me posting some thoughts and ideas about an adventure i am working on, and part of the process i go through when writing an adventure is to basically whiteboard up a list of monsters that i think i am going to use for the adventure.  Most of the time, this starts with me just tossing up a list of all the monsters and then pruning them down as i move through the ones that i don’t think i’m going to end up using.  So i’m going to share some of my whiteboarding and put up a broad list of monster ideas that i think would be fun to drop on unsuspecting players.  

Paying for Gaming (Odd Thoughts)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one “I saw a facebook post where some guy said he was charging $30 per player to run a Dungeons and Dragons game session, wtf?”  It’s an interesting question that leads to a series of more interesting questions that run the gamut of ideas and philosophies.  Questions like…

• I provide a service as a Game Master/Dungeon Master, why shouldn’t i make a little money?
• Can I charge for running a game?  
• How would i do that?
• What about the other stuff that goes into it?
• If i host a Livestream game that accepts tips, do i split that with my players?  

To name just a few of these questions.  Now before everyone develops an emotional reaction and starts screaming about this, let’s take a look at some differences and some thoughts and ideas.  Whether we like it or not, there are going to be ventures into monetizing gaming, and like the Joker says “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”  Let’s think this through on a couple of different points of interest, and see what we can come up with as a basis for having a conversation about putting this together.

Running a Gaming location vs. Running a Game

To me, this is the single most important aspect of this “pay to play” ideation.  If you are setting up a hosting location that provides table space and resources to encourage players to gather and play games, you’re going to need to consider a lot of different resources and the level of commitment you’re willing to provide for players and game masters.  This is very different from the level of support a GM provides for players when running a game at a store, or a convention.  Let’s examine the various resources a hosting location can provide.  

Space

Probably the most important physical thing a gaming session needs is a place to settle down and play.  The level of furnishment of this space will vary greatly, but the bare minimum floor, walls, and ceiling coupled with environmental maintenance (heating and cooling) are essential for putting together a place to play.  Assuming you need space for 1 GM and between say 3 and 7 players (looking at you Adventurer’s League) you’re looking at probably a 20 by 20 room (Yep, we’re expressing this in terms of dungeon building).  You probably want decent heating and cooling, and most importantly to most of us, ventilation.  D & D (and gaming in general) produces a lot of body heat, and you want that heat to go somewhere.  Ideally, we’re looking at an enclosed space with its own doors (to keep your group from bothering the neighbors and vice versa).  Most groups will need some light sockets, for a variety of reasons (ambient lighting, laptops/computers/other electronica).

The other major space that a location like this is going to need is a storage space for all of the gaming supplies that aren’t in use.  Dice, books, miniatures, playmats, and a host of other peripheral accessories can be used for a gaming host, and they occupy real estate.  Finding the best place to store this stuff in an easily accessible yet out of the way space is a fun logic puzzle for a different day.  Labels are essential, and knowing what is stored where is going to save a lot of frustration and irritation in the long run.  Depending on where you live, a space like this can vary widely in price and maintenance, but you have to consider the costs of maintaining the physical space.  

Furnishings

So you’ve got a space now, but most of us aren’t going to sit on a floor to play D & D for an extended period of time (if you can, more power to you, but my back won’t take it for extended periods anymore).  So what do you want to furnish a spot like this with?  You need to consider the flooring, because it’s what your feet and the rest of the furnishings sit on top of.  Concrete floors are not ideal in the long run.  Make sure it’s comfortable to stand on, and cleans up well/easily. So after we cover the floor, there are the following considerations:

• Table:  Probably the centerpiece of any gaming setup, the table for a gaming area is probably the most critical piece of furniture you’re going to invest in.  There is an amazing assortment of playing surfaces you can pick up for your gaming needs, but my key considerations are to make sure you have enough playing space for the maximum number of players suggested for an area.  (with our existing example, we need playing space for 8 people and their dice, sheets, and other resources).  You can spend a crazy amount of money on a table, but you can also find very functional tables if you’re willing to look outside the “gaming table” market.  
• Seating:  Everyone looks at the table first, but i personally think chairs are as critical to a gaming setup as the table.  You’re going to be using these pieces of furniture for around four hours at a shot, so make sure you pick comfy chairs for this.  Flimsy chairs or uncomfortable chairs are not ideal for this purpose, so don’t scrimp on chairs.
• Light Sources:  Unless you have an overhead lighting that provides enough light to shine all over the room, you’re going to need at least one, and possibly more sources of light.  Lamps are probably your friend in this endeavor, and these are a matter of personal design and decorating taste, but you should be aware that you may need them.    

Resources

So we’ve got a space and a gaming setup, and we could stop right here with our provision of a gaming space.  What will separate this space from others are the resources that the space also provides.  What’s that consist of?  All sorts of treats, accessories and other things that can be offered to improve the gaming environment.  Let’s look at a potential list of the resources a gaming space can provide.

• Books:  The first and most prevalent resource that a gaming space can provide is the books needed to play the game.  Some game systems require more books, and this can be an extensive library of books.  
• Maps:  If the group playing uses Maps, then one of the easiest resources to provide is maps.  You can provide Blank Graph paper pads for DMs that are building their own maps, or you can provide playmats from a variety of manufacturers.  If you’re feeling truly adventurous, you can consider picking up 3D gaming terrain from a variety of manufacturers on the market.  
• Miniatures:  This is where a lot of cash can get spent very quickly.  The tokens, pawns, miniatures pool of accessories is astonishingly deep and ranges from simple cut out tokens, all the way up to custom 3D printed individually painted miniatures made from diamonds.  We’re kidding about the diamonds part, but you can find great variety and options for the playing pieces that represent the characters and the monsters they have to overcome.
• Dice:  Everybody needs them, so why not provide them?
• Character Sheets:  Beyond having a stockpile of ready to go pre-generated characters for new players to jump right in, you also have to consider the availability of printing additional sheets as they’re needed.
• Electronic Resources:  Applications like Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 are alternatives to traditional tabletop gaming.  Providing memberships and access to these resources are potentials.  Beyond that, providing Wi-Fi for the location is probably a boon to anyone using the internet for other applications.
• Dungeon/Game Masters:  This one’s a little bit different to wrap the brain around, but if you knew that the space you were going to had a game master available to run a game, help you with your character and work on some of the other outside the game aspects of D & D, i think it would be a fairly valuable resource for a gaming space to provide.  
• Gathering spots:  Outside of the gaming space itself, being able to provide meeting spots for other gamers can cement a host like this as a key hub for the gaming community.  Knowing that you can find other gamers who might be looking for a game or hosting stuff is a boon for the folks who are looking.  
• Retail Options:  Being able to buy stuff for the game at the same location you play the game is a pretty cool option, if you can swing it.
• Snacks/meals/drinks/liquor:  The Game cafe is a real thing, and being able to provide a space to play games, eat food and socialize with your friends while playing D & D might be neat.  
• Prep work:  Not in terms of writing out the adventure, but having someone pull all the monsters and maps you need for an adventure sounds like something that would be superbly cool.

Thoughts on Hosting/Running

So the question to me is essentially “Would i be willing to put in a fixed dollar amount to help build/become a member of an organization that hosts gaming events with all the bells and whistles?”  This is a very different question than “Am i willing to pay this guy money for running a Dungeons and Dragons game?”  The answer to the first question is a qualified yes, the primary qualifications falling along the lines of i need more information, but in principle and on paper, probably.  Having a social club/cafe that provides the space for gaming and all of the tools of the trade so that all i really have to do is show up with my character and play feels like a very appealing concept.  

Now, the answer to the second question is maybe.  If it’s a charity event, and someone from Wizards, or one of the other publishers of role-playing games is offering a “Buy a seat, play a game” ticket or promotion, i might be up for that.  Under less amazing circumstances, i would probably graciously decline.  

There are a few issues to keep in mind for operating a space like this, so let’s take a look at a couple of other incidental costs/potential snags

• Scheduling:  Basically, you are building the mega shiny deluxe gaming space, and if you’ve done it right, people should be lined up around the block to play in it.  This means that you’re going to have to put in a schedule to make sure that everyone gets their chance to play and this can be a headache.  
• Resource scarcity:  It’s possible to have multiple gaming groups operating in the same space, in separate areas.  This becomes tricky when you have a situation where 1 table is running through a necromancer, table 2 is exploring an ancient tomb, and table 3 is dealing with a skeletal pirate crew.  The problem is, you don’t have that many skeletons.  This can be mitigated by picking up additional resources, or by scheduling creatively.  
• Repairs:  Someone’s going to break something eventually.  It’s a part of the process of having a space like this that a map will get something spilled on it, a miniature will break, a chair might shatter, or some other equally creative accident will occur.  First, hopefully you have insurance to cover a contingency like this, but you also should consider needing a fill in piece of gear or equipment while the replacement is acquired.  
• Licenses/permits/regulations:  Don’t break the law when building the gaming space of your fascinations.  

Let’s loop back to the original idea of running a game for profit or hosting a gaming location.  If you’re going to provide a hosting service like this, you should certainly make sure that you don’t lose money at it.  Some folks are going to tell you it’s a labor of love, or do it for the sake of the fun you have playing the game.  That’s an idea that i don’t disagree with, but you are going way, way above and beyond what i typically expect of a gaming host to provide.  

If you are looking for a way to monetize gaming, i say fair enough.  If you have devoted your life to it, and you think you have found a niche that will let you turn your love for games into currency, then more power to you.  However, if you’re going to put up a price for your services, i strongly suggest you consider what the current market provides, and what the rest of your local community considers a fair price for your services.  

Final Thoughts for now

We’re looking at a strange, bizarre new world of gaming.  Game cafes are opening up all over the place.  We’re seeing a diffusion of livestreaming and podcasting from sources all over the world.  You can find 40+ hours of Role-playing game content on a combination of video providing platforms and apps.  I think that we’re going to see an uptick in “premium” game providers and hosting locations in the next four or five years as people continue to see Gamers as a new market for a variety of services, things, and stuff.  We’re probably going to see a bunch of these open up, and close rapidly as people get in over their heads.  I think we can put our heads together and figure out how to make places like this work, and find new places and people to work with.  

Do i think there exists a rationale for charging players to run a D & D game?  If you are the hosting venue and providing services and resources above and beyond what would normally be expected at a place? Probably.  If you’re DMing for a home game or a convention, i am not sure i can justify charging players for the game.  

Anyway, that’s my ramble for now, i hope this makes sense to the rest of you.

Game On, Game Fans

Op-Ed (Don't be the socially mal-adapted children you want to be)

Op-Ed

“You’re doing it wrong.”

“That’s not how that works”

“You’re rolling your dice wrong.” 

“Who the hell taught you how to play this game?”

“Your Fun is Wrong and you should feel bad for doing it that way.” 

How many times have you heard one of those thoughts escape from someone’s mouth?  How many times have you said this to someone at a shop, or your gaming table, or any of the myriad places you might end up catching a game?  Now we’re not saying there aren’t valid times and rationales that mandate correcting a mistaken rule, or checking with someone to make sure they understand the mechanics of a system.  However there are very rarely reasonable justifications to self-insert into someone’s game to “Fix Them.”

Thoughts on Measuring Success in the Games we play

Thoughts on Success (and the mechanics of proving it in Gaming)

 

All right Game Fans, we’re about to look at some deep thoughts about what success is as it relates to a couple of different ideas.  The first half of this we’re going to talk about how success is measured as an outcome in terms of game play.  The second half we’re going to look at the underpinnings of the statistical basis for why those are good metrics for success (unless they are bad metrics, and if they are we’ll look at why they aren’t good metrics.  Finally, we might just take a look at how similar the underlying components of game design and educational theory might be.

 

Genre: How it Shapes Game Design

I often find myself looking across the breadth of the internet, hoping to find something interesting to share with other gamers.  Sometimes it’s a product, like the Wyrmwood Deck Boxes I’ve reviewed in the past.  Other times, it’s a game, like Last Days or This is Not a Test.  However, every so often I end up asking myself a question like “Is there a Steampunk minis game, or has anyone made a post human experience role-playing game?”  (The answer to both questions is yes, as Malifaux is definitely a Steampunk minis extravaganza, Eclipse Phase defines itself by the post human experience it offers.)  However, I’m overlooking a basic assumption in my decision process.  Why was I looking specifically for a Steampunk Minis game, or a post human experience RPG?