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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