Coming Along Nicely

Dragon Robot Games now has a place on the web. You can check out dragonrobotgames.com to see the very early beginnings of what I want to start doing on-line. Producing adventures for tabletop games.

To start, the site is up and has the smallest amount of content.

Work on the first Front (Why the Village Burned Down) is almost done - even playtested!

Work on more content and business objectives is ongoing.

My next task is t move my personal blog from here to there - not sure how to do that yet - but I know it can be done.

Check out the site - leave me feedback - I'm so anxious I'll probably respond right away!

Games Played - Games prepping

Report on the Edge of the Empire game.

Always fun to meet new gamers, and this was no different. Grant and Michael had that same gamer DNA that is easy to recognize. Started playing DnD and could never give up gaming.

We started with food, and stories (brats - always a good start) and moved to character creation. Since this was a new system for everyone, there were a lot of questions. Thankfully Andre, Michael and I had different concepts for what we wanted out of characters so the questions were more how do I, instead if I do this you can take that.

I think we covered all the basics between the three of us, but I know we will find something that got missed.

Character creation required a little more preplanning than I was ready for, so it took a little longer than expected. Even with walking through things a bit before hand.

I found that being a force user means "stealing" points from other places where they might be needed. For example, after taking the Force Sensitive Exile specialization and a few talents and powers, I had to chose to either increase some basic skills or increase attributes. I chose skills. Now I need to save up my XPs so I can increase my attributes. While there are some talents that help, nothing beats increasing the basic attribute.

Our first adventure was a good mix of get the party together, and get the blasters firing. Nothing says togetherness like an escape pod.

Now I'm working on an adventure for this weekend for my two boys and two other kids from the regular gaming group. I'm using Dungeon World and creating a scenario around a city that was just attacked by a HUGE Red Dragon.

Hoping to use this as a give away once dragonrobotgames is up and running.

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Edge of the Empire

Tomorrow I get to play with a new group, and a new game. It's going to be a small group - three plus a GM. I'm very interested to see how the dynamic works, because I'm used to a much larger group. My regular weekly group is normally at least four and more often six. Will a smaller group lead to more role play, or just faster play. Wont find out too much the first night, just going to be getting to know everyone and create characters.

The game is Edge of the Empire - the new Star Wars game. I've played the beginner game and one game at GenCon and really like the dice mechanic. The rule book is very high quality, and so far the writing and the rules seem very well structured.

Work continues on Dragon Robot Games. Working on transitioning my GenCon game into a give away, creating an adventure for my boys and the kids of another gamer. This will also probably be another give away. Looking for feedback for future products.

Dragon Robot Games

In an effort to do even more with gaming I have decided to try my hand at publishing adventures and supplements for Dungeon World. At least in the beginning it will be for Dungeon World. If things work out (if I can keep ideas coming and keep up with other things like real jobs) I'll expand to more systems.

There are already a lot of people making supporting material for Dungeon World, but most of it is focused on new character classes and playbooks.

I'm going to focus on adventures for kids (Yes adults can play too). I have two boys, and some friends with kids - hopefully they enjoy it enough to keep being my "play test" group. If not I should probably go back to the drawing board or at least give stuff away for free.

Look for stuff to appear on the site dragonrobotgames.com. Who doesn't like games with dragons and robots?


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Post GenCon Report

So back from GenCon. A really good time this year.

My games:
Both Jawa games went very well. Full players. They really bought into the action. One podcaster described it as Grand Theft Auto Jawa.

The Dungeon World games a little bit of a mixed bag. The first game had more "low Key" players, but they got into the characters. The last group was players I had before, and they got into character and ran with the story - awesomeness.

My favorite game to play in was the "real" Monster Hunter International game. The players and the GM were almost all very familiar with the setting and the characters, and I got to play Holly - sweetness.

The group I came with also had a great time with the consensus best game being a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Savage Worlds game with pop culture characters from the 90s.

Another highlight was the Dungeon Roll Delve for Tasty Minstrel Games. Huge group of players all playing the same game and accumulating experience points. Dice and scotch - more awesome.

Didn't spend much time in the dealer room or the art show. Only went to a few booths to pick up some Kickstarter rewards. More Christopher West maps - love that guys stuff.

Plans are already in the works for next year, and game stories are spinning away. Jawas in the fey realm - we shall see.


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GenCon Prep Continues

With the help of my two sons, GenCon prep continues. Right now, we are completing the LEGO designs and making maps. Seems like I'll have more LEGOS this year, probably because there are fewer pre-made maps for the Endor moon than there were for Tattoinne. There are plenty of tree/bush/plant/etc legos, and they look pretty cool.

Play test group is complete, and while it will be late (the Sunday before GenCon), the play test always helps.

This Saturday is the play test for a friends GenCon games - likely an all day thing. I'll let you know the spoiler free report later.

Less than two weeks to go - very excited.

Transitioning Game Systems

Listening to the latest podcast from the Hapyjackers - http://www.happyjacks.org/ - on my run (also known as shambling piteously) and they were discussing transitioning a game from one system to another. Specifically, they were talking about moving a DnD 4th Ed game to Hero, and then to GURPS.

It was interesting to hear the different opinions between Stu the GM, and the hosts as PCs. The PCs had an excellent argument that mechanics is what they plan and prepare for with their characters, and now that you moved systems - that piece of their character is toast. Not to mention system specifics. DnD doesn't have a mechanic for disads while Hero depends on it as part of the point buy system. Stu had some good points about character buy in and concept, but I don't think he was considering character creation and planning. (Actually, I think did have all those things considered and was "playing a contrarian role".)

I think there were two things missing in the discussion. The first was the stated reason for the change - 5-6 hour long combats. Besides system (4th ed sucks at short combats), there were over 9 PCs in the game. Are you kidding me. You want a short combat with that many players - nucking futs. Second, they had 10th level characters developed over more than a year of play. You don't just bond with the character concept, you bond with the history and planning and how you made the mechanics mesh together. Trying to get that amount of satisfaction from a reconstructed character is impossible in my opinion. Even if the player and PC sit down and walk through options and strategies for recreating - nothing can remake the history of the character.

In my weekly group we tried (are trying) a similar thing. An old campaign is being (literally) resurrected. The PCs are the same characters, but recreated (the first time) in 4th ed. After the group became dissatisfied with that system, we recreated again in Savage Worlds. Each time it was just easier to take the "spirit" of the character and create from scratch instead of trying to recreate with any kind of one to one matching of skills/powers.

I understand when a group becomes dissatisfied with a system, but wants to continue the story - good stories are harder than good systems - and good and familiar characters are even better. However, I think Hoser Rob had the best suggestion. Take the characters back closer to start, and then recreate. Yes, you lose some of the history and mechanical fun that you built up for the character over time. But, you aren't going to translate it to the new system anyway.

A step like this is going to take close cooperation of all the players and the GM. And like they said on the podcast - some one on one time between GM and player will be necessary.

Rather Be Gaming.

Wookiee Daddiee


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How Much Content

I'm finishing up the PCs for my Star Wars GenCon game, and I normally don't put too much background content. Enough for the players to get the feel of the character (hopefully), and then to have a good starting point for actions and roleplaying.

However, this will be the fourth year of the Jawa game, and they need to grow, some more than others. I want to stress more the "dark" side of their characters, so putting a few more hints to that in the backgrounds. They have also been together for at least a year, and cracks needs to start appearing in the group.

Again, it's a balance between too much that stifles creativity and too little so the player just reacts without any context.

Or maybe I just hate thinking up six backstories.




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Vacation

Having a wonderful vacation.

Spent four nights at Glacier National Park - including one night in a back country campsite. Thanks to my sister and her boyfriend for packing on the food and taking care of us newbies. Swimming in a mountain lake at the end of the hike was so worth it.

Now I'm sitting with some relatives, chilling for the weekend before heading home on Monday.

Back to gaming later next week - I've joined the the Gamer Lifestyle - lookout.

QUick update - my GenCon tickets just shipped - W00T!


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Off to GenCon

OK, not really leaving yet, but now that I've wrapped up GMing for a little while it's time to finish prep for my Star Wars game.

• Up first is a check on minis - may need more ewoks
• Flesh out more of the encounter modules - I use Obsidian Portal for this. Really like the wiki structure.
• Flesh out even more the PC backstory - they have been through enough that their behavior can change from "standard" jawa
• Pay my sons to construct some LEGO terrain - they've already done some.
• Maps, Maps, Maps - Gaming Paper is awesome for GenCon

Now I must - MUST - go BBQ for the 4th.

Misery Index

So a little bit off topic.

Baseball - the sport of summer - for me anyway.

But what happens when you can't stand to watch your team because of the expectation of failure. When you can't bring yourself to hope because failure is so ever present.

ESPN has labeled the Seattle Mariners (the team I follow - my team) as #2 on their Misery Index. The Cubs are first.

The Seattle Mariners:
No World Series Games - ever.
The moment that fans all look back on is a division win against the Yankees almost 20 years ago. 2001 was the 116 win season, but even that is a tie with another team.
They even talked smack about our uniforms. OK, I hate the trident too.

Do you keep watching. Do you keep hoping.

Well - yes. And every loss adds a little more weight.

Like the article I read today and that started this little mini-rant (Lookout Landing) so disappointingly pointed out - only 5 more weeks to the trade deadline...sigh.

I try and find the bright spots:
Franklin at Second
Iwakuma's pitching
Zunino's catching
Seager at third
Kendrys hitting the walk-off a few days ago
Some good talent down on the farm

And when all else fails there's this weekends games.

The Cubs are in town. It's #2 vs #1.

God help me but I have some hope again.

Update:
How could I forget the Perfect game last year! I watched the final few innings in a bar in Indianapolis the Wed before GenCon - awesome (and now this post is gaming related - bonus).

And Brad Miller has been called up from AAA Tacoma - two rookies in the infield - Here We Go


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Is that a Dwarf in your pocket

So what do you do when a player creates a (armored) dwarf barbarian named Boris Manmeat with a codpiece of constant erection? You declare it to be awesome and roll with it!

And when the thief wants to steal the magic sword that the dwarf just dropped? You let her use the codpiece to swing between his stubby legs and make off with it! More awesome!

A good night of gaming.

Well needed.


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Substitute Players

In my current Dungeon World game, I have six PCs. It is unfortunately uncommon for everyone to be there at the same time. THis last Tuesday, I had three regular players gone, but two occasional players (meaning they don't have PCs in the game) were there. The logical solution was to have them play the PCs of two of the players that were not there.

In this case it worked pretty well. The PCs were fairly established in their actions and patterns and the players are all friends and have played together for years.

It was a fairly heavy role play session - a lot of discussion on actions and consequences.

I don't think it would have worked as well with new or unfamiliar players - but in this case the game goes on.


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THey Don't Like My Game!

So what do you do when you don't think your players like your game.

Not everyone - I think - but certainly some.

There is a definite deliberate ignorance of the rules, and constant derogatory comments directed at play.

It could be that I am being defensive and taking things the wrong way, so I've decided that the only thing I can do is ask the players.

After this past session I sent emails to two of them asking what they thought of the game, and anything they could suggest to improve. I sent it to one of the players I think was not enjoying the game, and to another that seemed to be enjoying and was being an active helpful participant.

I have one response so far. Good questions about things that were confusing or unclear. Still waiting on the other player.

I'll try a different set of players next week.


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Rules in Dungeon World

I've been playing (GMing) a lot of Dungeon World lately. Which is great fun and is helping me prep for my GenCon (hooray GenCon) game.

Last night's session one of the players asked a question that I have been thinking about a lot myself. The specific question isn't as important as the idea behind the question. Do you have rules in Dungeon World?

In this case I think the answer is yes.

For this question the "rules" are part of the fiction. Who can affect who, what can the gods do to each other, and their minions. What happens if the PCs die (yep, killed one last night - brought him back though).

Some of the "rules" came about via game play. Put the PCs between two warring gods and see what they do. Surprise, the fiction spits out rules.

I think these can be some of the best - because the players "found" them by themselves.

Other rules are a lot more iffy. Like any RPG, the rules can be changed by the GM, But, especially when a game is new to you care should be taken to not disrupt balance. At least initially, trust the designer until your group discovers different. In Dungeon World where you are encouraged to leave empty spaces on the map and let the players write the fiction (something I still struggle with) I try and leave out as many rules as possible - sticking strictly to the dice mechanics, basic and advanced moves, and what is on the character sheets.

So player created rules good, all other rules subject to scrutiny.


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Yep Still Here

I wake up every day thinking that I'm going to update the blog today. Obviously that isn't working for me.

I am stealing a few minutes from the end of my work day today to do quick update.

Ran an emergency session of Dungeon World last Tuesday. Regular GM came up sick at the last minute.

Was pretty easy t prep, although I'm not sure it was a great adventure.

Hardest part was splitting the party to get the few players that could show off on the adventure. As little rail roading as possible.

Probably bigger news was getting events for GenCon ordered. Had a few of the guys over, and we did pretty well - even have a few left over if our one hold-out decides to go. Unfortunately that is not likely - new baby and house repairs will do that.

Games I'm most excited about. An "official" Monster Hunters game, and a Savage Worlds game run by a "well known" podcaster.

All in all a good couple weeks - except for keeping up on the blogging I guess.

More soon - promise. Even more gaming stuff

GenCon First Pass

I love the days before event registration when you can look through all the possible events. So much possibility. Once I remove the four time slots that I'm GMing, and add a minimal time for eating, it seems to leave so little time.

So now to pick only about six games for the rest of GenCon - or less if I add in time on the show floor - or maybe a two hour game and time on the show floor.

And then organizing with other people from the group.

What fun.


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Game Night

Two geeky things today.

First, I'm sitting in a local coffee shop working on my GenCon Star Wars adventure. About one third done I think. PC's sort of leveled - at least know what is going to be selected. Still have to work out some details and update the extra reference sheets (math sucks almost as my attempts at creative writing). Just now have put down some good notes on the first and second encounters. These questions plus the NPC stats and maps (plus LEGOS) will cap it off. Plan is to playtest with the folks from work in July.

Second - It's gaming night. Headed off to my buddy Dave's house to play in his Savage Worlds adventure. Love that system.

One other note - Kickstarters

Have received a couple lately, cards and maps, plus a PDF of a Super Hero game that I'm planning next after Dungeon World and Savage Starship Troopers. And, just got pictures of the Dice Rings - hoping to have them late next week - very excited.

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Good Geek Weekend

I do love it when so many of my hobbies collide.

Gaming - a trip to the Source, and work on my GenCon adventure.

Comics - Free Comic Book Day! (OK, not a real current active hobby, but still a trip to the source always cheers me up - even if I have to wait outside for 30 minutes).

Geek Movies - Iron Man 3 was totally awesome (stay to the end - more awesome - I can't believe people haven't learned that yet) and I got to see it with some geek buddies.

As I wait for the explosion of angst from one of our customers at work - self inflicted - at least I can think of all the cool things I got to do this weekend.

And

The countdown to GenCon Event registration commences - May 19!


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Working on a Star Wars Adventure

Working on my adventure for GenCon - Utinni's New Hope! Can't update Jawa character sheets without watching Episode IV.

"The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly" - Obi Wan

"Don't make jawa PCs with Star Wars and beer" - me.

Got my tickets for Iron Man 3 on Saturday - hope it's good.

Now to be seduced by the dark side of the force - good, gooood, I feel the hate in you....


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Backgrounds for PCs

One of the things I have been neglecting in the Dungeon World game is background info for the PCs. Play starts, players think about their Bonds, and we start. That leads to the question - do PCs in Dungeon World need backgrounds. Are bonds enough?

I don't think so.

Bonds really only define the interaction between characters (which is awesome), but they don't have to do anything about what happened before the characters started adventuring, or even before the current set of adventure started. Information like that can give the DM a lot of information to make the game more personal for the players.

For my own game, I think I'll start with two questions:

What do you think of when you think of home?

What made you leave home to go adventuring?

"Rules" for answers.

Don't give too much information - make your answer short and open ended.
Think about your bonds when answering, use them as guides.

Thanks to Happy Jacks RPG podcast and Metagamers Anonymous podcast for the ideas.


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JonCon 2013

Had the pleasure of attending one day of JonCon this past weekend.

Ran my Dungeon World adventure Monster Hunters of the Kingdom. I think it went pretty well. Players seemed to have fun, and the pace and action was good. Players seemed to really enjoy the system.

Things to work on:
Incorporate player choices into the fiction. Have some questions to help characters define their backgrounds and personalize their characters. Along with the bonds they chose, I need to incorporate these into the story more.

Letting the players describe the fiction. Always an issue for me.

Tighten up choices on the character sheets.

I also got to play in a Fate game. The system is really cool, and there were some cross-overs from Dungeon World. One of the players in the Monster Hunters game was the GM of the Fate game, and it was cool to compare notes. The style of the game was not my favorite - very much an occult investigation, and I was playing a Tarzan like character. Also we created characters from scratch - not my favorite thing in a Con game, but it worked well in this case and helped teach the game.

A good day of gaming overall.


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Home is Where the LEGOs Are

Drive home from Dad's house in Idaho completed. A lovely welcome from the boys and wife. (Dog fell asleep on her bed with her favorite toy still in her mouth).

It was a very frustrating, stress full, impossible, and full of accomplishment and pain two plus weeks.

Someone needs to invent a robot/AI/computer application that can monitor for memory lapse/dementia/general old age issues. It needs to monitor appointments and be able to alert support personnel. And I need it in about 25 years - so get busy.

Home now to "my" comfortable surroundings.

After 20+ hours on the road, work is going to suck tomorrow - fair warning.

Up next - JonCon this weekend and Dungeon World Monster Hunters of the Kingdom - Hooray!

Love you Dad - be safe.






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Keepin On Keepin On

Movie Count so far at the Wookiee Daddiee Daddiee's

Stagecoach - 6 times

Gaither Homecoming - 2 times

Have completed character sheets for my game at Jon Con. Need to setup some more complete backgrounds and then done with that portion. Rowan is making some terrain, and then I just ned some NPC cutouts.

Last is making the fronts from Dungeon World. Actually the easiest part.

And vey last I guess is organizing the Obsidian Portal campaign- but that is more for GenCon.


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I started using the nickname Wookiee Daddiee after I had kids (two boys). It seemed like a logical extension of my love for Star Wars and my love for the boys. I use the name for twitter, and of course this blog (when I manage to post).

Right now however, I am headed to Idaho to see the my Dad - the Wookiee Daddiee Daddiee! He is getting ready to move and sell his house, and when you're 82, I think some help is OK.

Even a wookie can use some help - sometimes.


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Location:Wookiee Daddiee Daddiee?

Playing not GMing

Got to play last Saturday, and again this evening.

Our primary GM crapped out on us Saturday, so thankfully someone else stepped in and did a great job - good to have friends prepared to GM.

And now headed over to his house for more of the same tonight.

Even got in a little time playing Star Wars Minis. Still waiting to use the Falcon and Slave 1

Lots less pressure when "just" playing and not GMing.

Different set of responsibilities.

Help keep the fun going instead of leading
Step in with comments when things get quiet (when it helps!)
Let other people take the spotlight
Most Important - Have fun.



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Gaming Buddies

Tomorrow is the latest installment in the MarCon saga.

One of the fellows from the gaming group moved to a small town about an hour south of the Twin Cities. Unfortunately that makes it impossible to make our weekly gaming sessions (except in the summer - he is a teacher and works in the cities in the summer). So every couple months, we hold a MarCon in his honor.

A typical MarCon includes:
Breakfast - size large - at a local establishment
general goofing off until noon
A four hour game that will last for at least six hours
Possibly a board game or some other activity
Video games until we collapse

The entire day is liberally sprinkled with drinking and eating.

A good time is normally had by all.

I am hoping to play some X-wing miniatures, but other than that I will be just a player. One of the other fellows wants to try out a GenCon game he is planning to run. Pathfinder, so not my favorite, but should still be fun.


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Food for Gaming

Besides the "rigors" of creating the adventure, preparing the bad guys and NPCs, and drawing the maps the most difficult part of hosting gaming is picking the food.

So what have I learned about feeding gamers?

The crockpot is your friend. I don't get home until about 60 minutes before gaming is supposed to start (OK realistically eating is from 6 - 7ish, gaming starts sometime after that). So preparing something to eat and doing last minute game prep is next to impossible. Good crockpot recipes (chili) are awesome.

All Recipes is also your friend. They have a good selection of crockpot and other recipes. It is also easy to scale the recipe up for more people.

Bread is a good filler. Easy bread mixes (cornbread) are good fillers.

Cheese. Put cheese on it to - everything is better with cheese.

Yes, I left off bacon - don't share bacon.


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Still Working on Playing Together

So still working on getting the player to participate more. Tried handing off narrative control, but was not very successful. I think I need to pick my spots a little better. Much easier for players to take control during a fight scene than during between times, or when just starting play for the evening.

Once engaged with the NPCs, things went better, and you can't go too far wrong with trolls under the bridge.

On a more fun note, I got my Precision Dice from a recent Kickstarter, and they are awesome.



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The Kids Are Alright

Tremendous fun this afternoon, spent it playing a role playing game with my two sons (age 9 and 10). We played the Beginners version of Star Wars Edge of the Empire by Fantasy Flight.

The dice mechanics were a little odd at first, but the boys picked it up pretty fast. They use a dice pool where "good" results are compared to "bad" results to see what happens. It reminded me little of the mechanic in Dungeon World that lets you succeed, but with a complication.

Dominic decided to be a droid and Rowan decided to play the Wookiee - I'm afraid that there was a little but of min/maxing on their part (at least with Rowan and the wookiee).

It took a couple battles to get them to stop just rushing in with blasters and vibro-axe, but they did get the idea. My two favorite moments were Dominic deciding to use a stun grenade instead of just firing into the room with non-combatants, and Rowan using a dewback as a distraction to enter the spaceport control room.

Anyway, we played long enough to have them level up one level, and next session they are off to steal their first starship - so proud.


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Hey PC - Participate

This could just as easily be titled Hey GM - stop talking.

So still talking about Dungeon World, and had a pretty good game last night. The players made it through the temple, and after a combat - had to choose. Of course things bogged down here - nothing to kill, and I didn't give them a clear cut choice.

The frustrating thing was I was talking too much, and not letting players describe or take over the fiction of the game. Some of the players don't want to do this - at least I infer this by there always having their phone out and never looking up except if I use their name - sigh. Others are still a little resistant to the system, so are looking for holes - sigh squared. But, I'm still walking over the actions of the folks who would really like to include themselves in the fiction of the game (triple sigh on me).

So more Dungeon World next week - and now I have my goal.

Just need to figure out what should/might/could happen

Away from Gaming

I've been away from gaming at a software user conference al week. Bummed to miss my regular Tuesday game after last week went so well. Able to catch up on some web browsing of sites, but not much more than that.

Very excited to get home and see the game I won from CarpeGM - http://carpegm.net/

They were kind enough to send me a copy of the Edge of the Empire Beginner Game. I'm going to see if the boys want to play - got to start them young.

Back to more gaming notes next week.

Derick


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Using Miniatures

Played Dungeon World again this past Tuesday and used minis and maps for the first time. I used a couple kickstarter projects.

The first was paper minis from the Order of the Stick. Orcs and Trolls (standing in for demons).

The second was laser etched wooden character holders from Drakodex Laser cut miniatures.

I also used a mega dungeon from gaming paper - well at least a section of it.

This improved game play and gave everyone a better visual.

I think things went faster and people were moe involved. Gives me good ideas for the Dungeon World game at GenCon.

So, the miniatures stay in.


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GM Fudging Rolls

At least two of the podcasts I listen to have been discussing GM fudging dice rolls. It is interesting hearing all the different opinions on why and when and how much.

I think that I'm coming down on the side of not fudging anything. Perhaps it has to do with story, but sometimes I also think that the randomness of the dice tell their own story.

It may also have to do with laying Dungeon World lately. The GM doesn't roll, dice - so maybe that's not the best example, but it does give me a different perspective.

The comments on the Carpe GM podcast about differences in systems that made fudging easier or harder were interesting to think about. I liked how Savage Worlds was compared to Pathfinder. Not sure if I agree, but interesting to see how two very different systems compare for a concept like dice fudging.

No concrete opinions yet. I think I want to have this in the back of my mind as I GM to see how things really play out. I can feel my opinion now that I should never fudge, run into the reality of player death or watching encounters run off like I don't think they should and the uncertainty of what happens next.


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So, I think the Adventure should go like this....

Starting to get more ideas on the specifics of the Star Wars Adventure for GenCon.

Last year the jawas captured a transport that was crewed by droids, sith ewoks and an evil gungan. (Yes, it was pretty fun)

This year, the plan is to go to Endor and see where the sith ewoks came from.

So a few things to decide.

What actually is on Endor?
What will be the main conflict?
What kinds of LEGOs will I need!

Forest moon means lots of tree and green pieces.

And hey - It's Endor - there must be a speeder bike chase.

Hmmmmm........


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More GenCon Goodness

Both of my Games for GenCon have been officially submitted. Party of One now has at least twelve four hour sessions at GenCon. We might be the only ones left running Star Wars Saga - besides Game Base 7.

188 Days and counting

Gaming this week was Pathfinder, a continuing campaign run by someone else. My character is a gnome rogue - Dolce. He professes to be a flute performer and repairer - and finder of lost items. Perhaps the best part is using a Father Guido Sarducci accent for him. I'm not that good at accents, but that one is fun.

So Not So Well This Time

Last Tuesdays game was not my best effort. No matter what I tried, I couldn't seem to get the PCs into the adventure. I don't know if I was doing too much prodding, or not enough, but I couldn't get them to describe their actions.

I also was having a hard time describing the action of our one combat. Wasn't able to convey the sense of proportion or who was attacking who.

There were a lot of bad guys, so it was easy to get lost.

Compounding this was one new player thrown into the mix, and still a lot of questions on how powers and moves work.

Unfortunately, I still have some players that seem to be resisting the system. One who spends the entire session on his phone, and another that is always looking for ways to break the rules. sigh...

Off to a new GM for a few days. We'll see how that goes.

I'll try and post info on my GenCon game here - Monster Hunters of the Kingdom - as I create more content


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Magic Items Are Hard

Last session I had the PCs select their own magic items from the treasure they recovered from the bandits. They described what they would like in general, and I have been trying to fill in the details. For some of the weapons and objects (because not everyone chose a weapon), I've been trying to create a specialized move. Just having a plus to this or that seemed kind of boring. It is harder than it looks, and I know it's going to take a couple of revisions.

On another very geeky note, I purchased my badge to GenCon today!

Awesome.


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Star Wars and Dungeon World

Up first - JJ Abrams is directing the new Star Wars. TBS has found the winner to their King of the Nerds contest.

Up next - Dungeon World got better last Tuesday. Better action, and more intrigue. Rally am enjoying this system.

If you want to listen to a live game podcast try roo sack games. They have three sessions and a discussion. I have only listened to two episodes, but they are fun.


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Prepping for next Dungeon World Game

Starting to add in some of the epic elements to the game - hopefully this week.

Some of the things I'm adding in:

Magic Items
Epic Monsters
More Intrigue

I think that the Intrigue is going to be the toughest part.

Better Dungeons for All

This Tuesdays Dungeon World game went better. I was able to get out of the way at least some of the time, and let the players narrate their own actions.

The action and events were not as epic (not even close), but that was a combined effort of me not forcing the action, and the players not really seeking it out.

I feel better about next week - getting better at this. It is different than D20 or even the Savage worlds games I've run before. Although there are so many things I can take with me when I play those again.

Playing - let them Play

Played Dungeon World last Tuesday. Pretty good is about the best I could say. Story was good, but I need to let the players take over more.

Tough to change, but I think better - if I can get the hang of it.

So next up for the PCs is a trip to town with a bunch of kobold swords to see if they can sell them to the fake dwarven smith before the surly inn keeper runs them out of town.

It's always fun to write down what goes on during gaming. Honestly, it makes even less sense then when I say it out loud.

SeaDogs

So I spent Sunday afternoon alternately frightening and amusing my family.

So goes an afternoon of Seahawks playoff football.

In the end it was a great game - the good guys won (Seahawks) and get to travel even farther this weekend.

Listen for the crying/cheering/screaming/swearing/tweeting from Maple Grove this Sunday - noon Central - the SeaDogs are back in action.

Go Hawks

Is Bad Gaming Good?

What happens when you like gaming with a group but don't like the game?

What happens when you like the game, but aren't having a good time playing?

What's more important, continuing to game as a group or gaming that gives you the most satisfaction?

I don't know.

What I do know is that I have faith that gaming is good. More gaming is better than less gaming. And the best thing is to game with your friends.

Listening to Podcasts

Having a good time the last few months listening to gaming podcasts (yes the dice and minis and graph paper games that I still play).

Here are some of my favorites:

Happy Jacks RPG Podcast - http://www.happyjacks.org/

Fear the Boot - http://www.feartheboot.com/ftb/

Carpe GM - http://carpegm.net/

THAC0 - www.­thacopodcast.­com (possibly pod faded)

Geekhead Radio - http://geekheadradio.blogspot.com/

They are all available through the iTunes, or the pocasting app on an iPhone. Sorry, I don't keep up with Android.

Take a listen f you're interested. At the very least - they're funny.