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Open Source RPGs
New RPG creators and tech-startups both enjoy giving themselves the badge of ‘open source’ without having to open up a single source file. In the tech world, they call the company ‘Open AI’, and in the RPG space, they call their licence the ‘open gaming licence’, or simply declare they have an ‘open RPG’, then let people infer their good intentions from the name alone. This shallow illusion has bamboozled just as many RPG enthusiasts as tech optimists.
Read MoreThe Cost of Shared Narrative
RPGs with a shared narrative mechanic - where players and the GM both come up with interesting people, results, and situations - come with a cost. They pull focus away from the puzzle elements of the RPG, and that’s my favourite element, so I can’t see myself enjoying shared narration mechanics.
Read MoreMachines Learn Unlearning to Pole-Dance
I wrote this piece about Machine-Learning art a year ago, and set it to self-publish. Let’s see how much of an idiot I look like!
Read MorePrint it Yourself
I’ve decided against having online printing available for BIND. This may change, but here’s the thinking so far:
Read MoreConsumers of BIND
I’ve rather gone off the notion of ‘collectibles’. Collectible RPG books are special because they can’t meet the demand. We can’t all have a copy of those original D&D books, or whatever swanky thing White Wolf brought out with the expensive full-page art.
Read MoreThe Problems with D&D
A lot of the motivation for writing this book was because A,D&D never seemed to live up to its promises. The newer editions were a clear improvement, but never seemed to release the original game’s shackles.
Read MoreRunning an RPG in Real-Time, All the Time
Last year, I got excited about the idea of tracking realworld time over downtime . Shortly after I implemented it in my campaign, and it served the entire table, very well.
Read MoreRailroading: The Definitive Definition
Railroading chat devolves into nonsense, as people are working with unclear definitions. Here’s the solution:
Read MoreSubraces Should be Cultures
Referring to elves as a ‘race’ makes perfect sense. They’re clearly different from the other humanoids, have their own features, and biological properties and oddities.1
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