Forum to discuss campaign prep

[Jesse Custer]

Is this forum for campaigns too? I have a campaign of mine that I've been refining for a while and I would like to discuss it (and my design decisions) - is this the right forum? I.e. I'm not designing a new RPG (I'm using White Wolf's Aberrant).


Edited to remove "sticky" feature - RE

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Jesse,

That won't fit in this forum at all..

When you say, "designing a campaign," that might mean some things that will fit OK in other forums.

If it has to do with setting up materials for play with other people, in your own group and play-experiences, then post about in Actual Play. You can do that by describing the real-play experiences that led you to this preparation, or by describing the experiences of using those materials in play.

If it has to do with your own Aberrant materials for public distribution, perhaps fan-publication on a website or something like that, then it's not for the Forge.

Best, Ron

[Jesse Custer]

If it has to do with setting up materials for play with other people, in your own group and play-experiences, then post about in Actual Play. You can do that by describing the real-play experiences that led you to this preparation, or by describing the experiences of using those materials in play.

If it has to do with your own Aberrant materials for public distribution, perhaps fan-publication on a website or something like that, then it's not for the Forge.

No actual play yet. I wanted to discuss my decisions in designing the campaign. And it's not material for Aberrant at all. Actually, the discussion I wanted to have was on the hows and whys of my ditching the standard setting for White Wolf's game.

Does this still not fit into this forum? Or is the fact that I derived my campaign from a WW game preclude any kind of discussion on The Forge?

[Ron Edwards]

Jesse, I'm going to put this as clearly as I can.

There is no such thing as posting about "playing that I might do later" here. You can post about games that you played that are affecting how you are prepping now. That would be a great thread.

So no, do not post only about some kind of prep you are doing.

But yes, consider posting, if you are willing to reflect on past play-experiences that are affecting how you are prepping, and saying how.

If you have any other questions, take it to private message. I'm going to split/move your questions and my answers to Site Discussion anyway, when I get the chance.

Best, Ron

P.S. I am not sure whether Jesse Custer is your actual name. Please let me know.

This thread was originally in the First Thoughts forum

[Jesse Custer]

OK, I misunderstood "First thoughts" forum. It's actual talk about designing a new game only - not campaigns, not settings - but whole new systems.

Oh, and I added my signature. I guess I was assuming the forum software would guess my name for me.

[Ron Edwards]

It's cool! Looking forward to your participation.

Best, Ron

[Eero Tuovinen]

I'll posit a clarification here, inspired by the setting design competition Frank's been discussing:

Posting about a campaign is allowed in the design forums if you're intending it for publication, right? It doesn't have to be a complete game to be discussed in the design forums, you can design settings or adventures or campaigns as well. The important part is that it's indie, and it's product-focused, not just for your own use. And, as has often been clarified, publishing can be for free as well, via various web methods.

Ron will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure.

[Ron Edwards]

You're totally correct, Eero. My concern here is that I suspected Alex was talking solely about play, using the Aberrant rules although coming up with his own setting (I think).

Alex, if I'm misunderstanding, then let me know. But I do want to clarify that if you are talking about coming up with a new setting for using the Aberrant rules, then that still is ineligible for First Thoughts.

Best, Ron

[Jesse Custer]

But I do want to clarify that if you are talking about coming up with a new setting for using the Aberrant rules, then that still is ineligible for First Thoughts.

I think you got most of it. I didn't realize how specialized The Forge was, kind of a niche within a niche - not for GMs and players - just for publishers and future publishers.

I guess it's lurk mode: ON from now on. :) Thanks for the explanations.

[Ron Edwards]

Sigh ... nope, still not there.

The Forge is totally for people who play role-playing games and don't necessarily design them. Check out the Actual Play forum. Any role-playing game, any time in your past history of play, anything, as long as it really happened.

Post there. You'll fit right in.

Best, Ron