Godz playtest version is complete.

[SrGrvsaLot]

Godz is an rpg with strong board game elements, where the players create Gods and create a world from scratch. I'm looking for people who're willing to give the document a once over in return for a similar favor from myself.

http://www.mesastate.edu/~jfrazer/godz.pdf

Particularly, I'm looking for rules or examples whose descriptions are vague or confusing. (I know that I understand my writing, but I have the benefit of knowing my own intent).

Also, anyone have any suggestions for a better title. I chose "Godz" as a working title, but now that the game is almost done, it sounds kind of like a cheesy computer strategy game. Unfortunately, I've worked with the title for long enough that I have brainlock on what it should be.

Thanks in advance. If you need me to return the favor, just PM or e-mail me.

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings SrGrvsaLot,

Interesting.  Looks like you might have something here.

Godz is an rpg with strong board game elements, where the players create Gods and create a world from scratch. I'm looking for people who're willing to give the document a once over in return for a similar favor from myself.

Ok, ok.  So the basic concept is slightly similar to something I started a while ago, or so I thought, which is what got me to peruse the file.  Good for you or bad, you decide...

My first impressions:  Too much math.  Players don't want to think, we want to have fun fun fun fun till our roomies take our dice away!  ;)

Second Impression:  Deja vu.  I've seen this before.  Somewhere.

Actually something similar is what gave me the inspiration to try to write up something.  Well, ok, that was really playing too much Populous and Zeus, but that's neither here nor there!

Third Impression: TOO much background to read upfront.

We players don't like to read, we want thumbnails and outlines of how things work *upfront* so we can jump in head first.

THEN, while we're playing, and scratching our heads wondering why things don't make sense, THEN what we want are short and concise explanations of how things work.  One of the big problems with some Avalon Hill games was this same thing.  Too much to read upfront.  The average player doesn't want a novel, they want a novel experience.

Problem is how to do this?

Darned if I know!  I blame this problem on ADD.  ;)

Overall I like the premise.  But then I may be biased since I *started* an *attempt* at something similar a while ago.  Sorry, can't suggest any names, as I think the one I have is perfect.  Hope you don't figure that one out too before I get back to my wee lil endeavor.  :(

I would suggest a reference sheet.  Might help getting started.

Also you may want to check this site out: Warp Spawn Games and look for a game called Deity.  It's a card game, but you might be mildly surprised.  Least if it's what I think it is you will, otherwise you'll probably sit there in befuddlement.   ;)

Much luck!


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[Paul Czege]

Chris, right?

Second Impression: Deja vu. I've seen this before. Somewhere.

Vincent's http://www.septemberquestion.org/lumpley/flood.html">Before the Flood?

Zak's http://www.harlekin-maus.com/games/slurps/slurps.html">SLURPS?

Deja vu is pretty common with game designs when comparing concepts, I think. I've learned to ignore it. Conceptual originality is overrated. Execution is where it's at.

Paul

[SrGrvsaLot]

I updated the version on my website adding record sheets, a reference table of all the possible actions and their domains, a multiplication table, a paragraph regarding player cooperation, and a couple of sentences here and there clarifying a couple of rules.

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings,

I updated the version on my website adding record sheets, a reference table of all the possible actions and their domains, a multiplication table, a paragraph regarding player cooperation, and a couple of sentences here and there clarifying a couple of rules.

Maybe I'm getting burned out from all the reading and comparing, but I couldn't really see at a glance what the differences in the text of the document was, aside from the addition of character sheets.

If I may ask, what are you using to generate PDFs?

I ask because everything looks scrunched up.  But, that's neither here nor there.    The character sheets do actually help a lot to visualize what is expected.  The actions reference chart was a nice touch.  But the multiplication table. . . ouch!

I'm sure it makes sense when you learn everything, but looking at that puppy at a glance makes me want to make with the funny Monty Python voices and "run away".  ;)


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[SrGrvsaLot]

Maybe I'm getting burned out from all the reading and comparing, but I couldn't really see at a glance what the differences in the text of the document was, aside from the addition of character sheets.

If I may ask, what are you using to generate PDFs?

I ask because everything looks scrunched up. But, that's neither here nor there. The character sheets do actually help a lot to visualize what is expected. The actions reference chart was a nice touch. But the multiplication table. . . ouch!

The differences between the versions are very minor. It's just a couple of sentences.

As for the scrunched-up look, that's not my PDF-maker, it's my word processor. Maybe the document would be easier to read if I double spaced?

The multiplication table is not as intimidating as it looks - it's just a list of all the possible combinations of two domains in decimal form. It's for the math impared who can't easily do multiplication in their heads and don't want to rely on a calculator.