The Name of the Game

[Jason Kottler]

Hello, Forgers!

I'm thrilled to be able to report that I'm going to be taking my system to GenCon with the Forge booth this year (thanks, Ron!). However, I have one small problem. The system has no name. I've called it "my game" for years now, but that's got to end. Let me tell you a little bit about it:

• Genre independent
• Compact ruleset
• Freeform characters
• Story-centric
• Systematically rewards teamwork

You can find out more about it at my blog on the topic.

In a recent playtest session, the group came up with a multi-universal setting reminiscent of the Infinite Worlds from GURPS. Each character was vastly different - two aliens, including a hive-entity, a cowboy, a pirate, and a '20s gangster moll. After that session, during the post-mortem discussion, I noted the diversity of characters we'd just created and played without any additional rules or materials. When I asked my group,"What should I call this thing?" my wife recalled that point and suggested, Infinity. I loved it, but a quick googling of "infinity rpg" revealed what is scientifically known as a bunch of hits. So, I thought about variations, and eventually decided on Infinitum (Latin for "infinity") or Ad Infinitum (Latin for "to infinity").

But I couldn't choose - I didn't have any idea which one sounded better to people besides me. So I polled my playtesters. It was a tie.

So now, I impose on the generosity of Forge members and ask if you would please vote on the name.

It's anonymous. It's free. There's no signup. I am hoping that the wisdom of the crowd will help me choose. Vote here.

Thanks in advance,

Jason

[Abkajud]

Is there a rules summary around here somewhere?
Thanks!

- Abby

[Eero Tuovinen]

"Infinitum" and "Ad Infinitum" are not doing it for me at all because we use that term in routine discourse around here when referring to endless loops of various sorts. Like, "The computer repeats the calculation ad infinitum unless you reboot it." Consequently using the term as the name of a game seems really weird to me. Might be just Finnish colloquial academic language, but perhaps they do it elsewhere as well.

Don't know enough about the game to suggest anything better, though. I'd love to check out a draft at some point when you have one you're happy with - I'm trying to get my game finished for the Forge booth myself as well, won't hurt to check out a participating game in advance.

[Callan S.]

I rather like the idea of it just being called "My game", because that's quite a sassy title. But aren't we drifting into opinion polling?

[Vulpinoid]

Why not go with the blog title?

Ultrablamtacular!!

It'd certainly get my attention.

V

[Abkajud]

That was my initial thought, too, V

Hey, Jason, I'm curious about the "multi-versal" quality of the game that you mentioned. Is that an important, central feature of play? If so, this thread here could be helpful: http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=15239.msg163402#msg163402

[whiteknife]

I voted for "ad infinitum" because it's more memorable, although I think calling it "my game" though generic could e quite a statement. Also, it could be extremely confusing. I'd just stick with ad infinitum.

[Jason Kottler]

I'd just like to say that if you're having trouble reaching the blog, it's because WordPress starte throwing up all over itself sometime yesterday afternoon. I expect that I'll have it up again soon.

[Jason Kottler]

Sorry, folks, but I think I have it straightened out now.

[Jason Kottler]

@Abby and @Eero -

I don't think I'm just going to put a rules summary up for public consumption. There are several reasons for this, including:

1) In a genre-free game, what else have I got? Explanations, justifications, and examples.

2) I will be putting out a call for playtesters soon - I plan to have another round of testing where I run the game, graduate to a round of testing where other people run the games with me observing and interacting, and then move to a round where I am simply not present - where the game has to represent itself as in the wild. When I am letting other people run the game, I'll start looking for people to run the next round of playtests as well as to provide feedback and criticism.

3) I may start building a complete online reference as the Evil Hat folks did with the SoTC SRD, but not until it's in print.

Thanks for your support at this stage!

[Amadeo]

I voted, there is just something inspiring about Ad Infinitum, it makes me want to explore the possibilities. And, as a phrase that sees common usage I like the twist your game would be giving the to it.

[Jason Kottler]

Hey, everybody - thanks for your help! I learned a lot from the poll results and the replies here. Part of what I've learned is that I was offering the wrong options. For more details, see the blog post on the topic.

What it boils down to, for those who prefer to get right to the point is another poll: The Name of the Game Part II - Electric Revenge!

I hope you'll all come by and vote again - I really appreciate the input!

Thanks,

Jason

[Jason Kottler]

Hey, everybody -

I wanted to let you know that the decision on the name of my game has been made! I've written a complete post on the result and the story behind it.

I really want to thank all the people who voted - I know I asked you to vote twice! And a special thanks to Vulpinoid and Abkajud - a little validation goes a long way.

Much appreciated,

Jason

[whiteknife]

I'd just like to say that I think that is indeed an awesome name for a game. Hopefully the game will be as awesome as the name indicates!

[Paul Czege]

Jason,

I love the name. And here's something you're going to appreciate about it. When the game is published you're going to set up Google alerts on the name, and Google blog searches on it as RSS feeds in your feed reader. And from these you're going to see people talking about it out there in the wild. If you'd named it Universalis, for instance, the stuff you're interested in would be drowned out by irrelevant "Europa Universalis" hits. But your alerts are going to be all gold.

Paul