Previous Topics
In RPG Theory

11/6/2004 greyorm: Why Choice Sucks: the Beauty of Random Generation
Recently, I was trying to make a TROS character for a game starting via Indie-netgaming and about five minutes into character creation, I realized something: I had no idea what…
In RPG Theory
Participants: greyorm, b_bankhead, anonymouse, Eero Tuovinen, jdagna, Simon W, efindel, madelf, timfire, Cup of Iron, Ben Lehman, Noon, xiombarg, ffilz, TonyLB, M. J. Young, jerry, Sydney Freedberg, John Kim, simon_hibbs, Bankuei, inky, Caldis, Adam Dray, clehrich, contracycle, Mike Holmes, Manxome, Ron Edwards.

11/6/2004 komradebob: Participationist Play One Shot
The "GM is God" thread got me thinking about social contract and participationist style play. I'd recently encountered what I thought was a good example of how participationist style design…
In RPG Theory
Participants: komradebob.

11/5/2004 Space Cowboy: Writing/Designing Gamebooks
Hey all, How’s it going? After I finish a trilogy of novellas I’m working on, I’m taking a page from the Homestar Runner playbook and my next project will be…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Space Cowboy, xiombarg, Cup of Iron, Kesher.

11/3/2004 Shreyas Sampat: Towards a More Flexible Sword of Damocles
[url=http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=13242]The Sword of Damocles,[/url] as depicted by contracycle, is a fairly exciting [b]move toward highly abstracted but tactical conflict systems,[/b] if the concept of the "sword" is allowed to be…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Shreyas Sampat, Jonathan Walton, LordSmerf, Sydney Freedberg.

11/2/2004 TonyLB: Social Contract and upset players (Split)
In GM is God, The socalled "social contract" is an agreement on what to do and how to do it. When someone shouts out about injustice or malpractise the…
In RPG Theory
Participants: TonyLB, Tomas HVM.

11/1/2004 Eric J.: Do PCs ever talk to eachother?
This is not really a split from the Red-Box D&D Example of Play thread. Here's my question? Is it just me where it seems that PCs don't talk to eachother…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Eric J., Darksmith, timfire, John Uckele, clehrich, Shreyas Sampat, madelf, M. J. Young, Dr. Velocity, TonyLB, neelk, nellist, TheLHF, Noon, John Kim, Emily Care, contracycle, GB Steve, GreedIsGod.

10/30/2004 TonyLB: Functional Roles and Narr
In "GM is God"... I'm all for taking some of the duties off of a GM and see Narr games like Sorcerer and its deriviatives as putting some of the…
In RPG Theory
Participants: TonyLB, timfire, Noon, Scripty, M. J. Young.

10/29/2004 contracycle: the sword of damocles
This is a post sort of inspired by Shreyas Applied Design post and others. It's a notional mechanism offered for comment, and in this case aimed at a reinterpretation oof…
In RPG Theory
Participants: contracycle, TonyLB, Valamir, Technocrat13, Tobias, Walt Freitag, Shreyas Sampat, Mark Johnson, Precious Villain.

10/27/2004 greedo1379: Restrictive setting (split)
I realize I'm bringing this one back from the dead. I hope that's ok. The alien admiral you are talking about is named Thrawn. He was a super cool villian…
In RPG Theory
Participants: greedo1379, Ron Edwards.

10/26/2004 Shreyas Sampat: Applied Design II: The False World
In many fictions (Snow Crash, Otherland, The Matrix, the .hack series, to give some examples), there is a virtual world layered on top of, or intependent from, the real world;…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Shreyas Sampat, timfire, neelk.

10/23/2004 IanEHewitt: Hobgoblin & Lizardfolk PCs
After reading the advice in the DMG (and MonteCook.com) I have tried to create Hobgoblins and Lizardfolk as PC Races. My intention was to create a race that could be…
In RPG Theory
Participants: IanEHewitt, TonyLB, Ron Edwards, Ben Lehman, Noon, SlurpeeMoney, Jinx, Chris Geisel, mindwanders, John Uckele, Jack Aidley.

10/23/2004 Vaxalon: The structure of the scene
I went looking for information on the "try/fail sequence" mentioned in another thread, and found the following link: http://www.writetothebone.org/fiction/scene.html The nut in it is the following: * What is…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Vaxalon, Jasper, SlurpeeMoney, M. J. Young.

10/23/2004 SlurpeeMoney: The Try/Fail Sequence as a Mechanic
The Try/Fail Sequence is the term commonly used for points four and five of Algis Budreys' Seven-Point Plot. The Seven-Point Plot looks something like this: 1) A person 2) In…
In RPG Theory
Participants: SlurpeeMoney, Jasper, Grover, Noon, Michael S. Miller, contracycle, timfire, TonyLB, Roger, daMoose_Neo.

10/23/2004 Nathan P.: Character Goals and Explication
Here's something that came up on this thread . Context: In my game Timestream, characters explicity identify their Goals and the Obstacles that stand in the way of them.…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Nathan P., SlurpeeMoney.

10/23/2004 JamesDJIII: Not Just an Example of Play
Splitting off from http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=13143. John Kim said: As far as I can tell, the examples of play I've seen are exactly what they purport to be -- examples in order…
In RPG Theory
Participants: JamesDJIII, Rob MacDougall, efindel, Sean, M. J. Young, contracycle, Jack Aidley.

10/20/2004 mindwanders: Plain English Explanation of Social Contracts
Hi folks, Has anyone writen/seen a good description of the Social Contract that does not require a previous knowledge of the Big Model? I'd prefer something that is not too…
In RPG Theory
Participants: mindwanders, jdagna, clehrich, TonyLB, Alan, Christopher Kubasik, neelk, contracycle, Roger, matthijs, M. J. Young, Ben Morgan, ScottM.

10/20/2004 LordSmerf: Director Stance (more) (split)
Raven (greyorm) mentioned something in the new thread Different Types of Director Stance that really solidified my problems with Stance Theory. My problem starts with and centers on Director Stance.…
In RPG Theory
Participants: LordSmerf, Mike Holmes, Jinx, Ron Edwards, Blankshield, clehrich, Marhault, Valamir, timfire, Shreyas Sampat, M. J. Young, Paganini.

10/20/2004 SlurpeeMoney: [Cross Post] The Benefits of Game Master Fiat
[This was also posted in the Actual Play forum, but I feel it warrants discussion here as well] Ron requested that I post an my style of play, as I…
In RPG Theory
Participants: SlurpeeMoney, Ron Edwards.

10/20/2004 contracycle: RPG sheet music?
I had an interesting thought while going over my previous ideas on Sitation & Tension. The general direction in which I was trying to head was toward constructing a tool…
In RPG Theory
Participants: contracycle.

10/20/2004 bcook1971: Task Resolution vs Conflict Resolution
Ok. Quicky thread. I just read the glossary definitions in an attempt to settle my confusion. I'm assuming that tasks are understood to be conflict components. My understanding at present…
In RPG Theory
Participants: bcook1971, Trevis Martin, Alan, Jack Aidley, Shreyas Sampat, timfire, greyorm.

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Subsequent Topics
In RPG Theory

11/9/2004 GB Steve: The state of play, or refute-o-matic
The next issue of Places to Go, People to Be is going to be carrying a small article by Balbinus. This is basically a reprint of a post to RPG.net…
In RPG Theory
Participants: GB Steve, pete_darby, Ron Edwards, Clinton R. Nixon, TonyLB, Walt Freitag, Emily Care, Ben Lehman, simon_hibbs, timfire, M. J. Young, Matt Wilson, Noon, John Kim, contracycle, clehrich, ffilz.

11/9/2004 Gamskee: Alternate Reality Gaming
I didn't find anything on this after searching, so I felt safe to post about this topic. Apparently a new type of RPG has started. Its kind of a cross…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Gamskee, M. J. Young.

11/10/2004 MisterPoppet: How To Balance A Game...
Hello. Though I am a new member, I've been watching for quite some time. I wish to know if anyone has ever had balancing issues with numbers and abilities and…
In RPG Theory
Participants: MisterPoppet, Shreyas Sampat, Ben Lehman, jdagna, TonyLB, M. J. Young, Noon, Simon Kamber, Vaxalon, ffilz, Marco.

11/10/2004 John Kim: NxN PC Relation Chart
I thought I'd bring up a technique which I used for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer campaign. The principle for it is based on my thoughts in the essay, a…
In RPG Theory
Participants: John Kim, TonyLB, DannyK, contracycle.

11/10/2004 Mithras: Solo Game. My Life As A Legionary.
Or something like that :) Its the kind of thing that would suck as a multi-player table-top RPG, but appeals to my love of Roman military history and reminds my…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Mithras, M. J. Young, Grex, Noon.

11/12/2004 Shreyas Sampat: Rules Diagrams
In Game Design Methodology, As an extension to Tony's thought about integral design: So here's my design process: Take a few simple rules and provide a framework for them to…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Shreyas Sampat, Adam Dray, Ron Edwards, Andy Kitkowski, Malckuss, contracycle.

11/12/2004 Valamir: Role Playing Flair in Board Games
Recently I've been thinking about games I've played that provide some of the same feeling of characterization that I get from role playing. I'm not talking so much about "adventure…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Valamir, ffilz, Blankshield, Sydney Freedberg, CplFerro, GreatWolf, Noon, Itai Greif, Bob Goat, contracycle.

11/12/2004 Scripty: Setting Up the Social Contract [split from GM is God]
A lot of very elucidating discussion, at least for me, has taken place on the GM is God thread. Most of the conclusions in that thread seem to point back…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Scripty, jdrakeh, M. J. Young, Yokiboy, bcook1971, contracycle.

11/14/2004 madelf: combat without the crunch
I'm looking for advice here. I expect it will most likely come in the form of recommendations for games to take a look at, and that's cool. (Hopefully it won't…
In RPG Theory
Participants: madelf, SlurpeeMoney, bcook1971, Caldis, Erling Rognli, Ron Edwards, Noon, M. J. Young, John Uckele, apparition13, Yokiboy, simon_hibbs, timfire, Ben Lehman, Clinton R. Nixon.

11/15/2004 Grover: Task resolution/Conflict resolution
I was thinking about the distinction between task resolution and conflict resolution, and noticing how conflict resolution is never used in computer role playing games, and here are some ideas…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Grover, John Kim, M. J. Young, Marco, simon_hibbs.

11/16/2004 jdagna: Scenario Design Advice. Please Critique!
A fellow who writes a column for my website has been having major difficulties writing one particular column in which he wanted to figure out how to write/run a scenario…
In RPG Theory
Participants: jdagna, John Kirk, Trevis Martin, greedo1379, Negilent, Simon Kamber, John Kim, DannyK, Tomas HVM.

11/16/2004 Jason E Leigh: Antagonistic GM
Anyone? Quick survey of collective memory... Are there any games currently available that set up a combative/oppositional relationship between players and GM? I'm particularly interested in functional examples. Thanks.
In RPG Theory
Participants: Jason E Leigh, Eero Tuovinen, TonyLB, Adam Dray, Vaxalon, greyorm, M. J. Young, GreatWolf, John Uckele, Blankshield, Noon, Ravien.

11/16/2004 WyldKarde: Strategy Games and Theory
I've been on the Forge for awhile and I still have trouble categorizing my thoughts and ideas into easily arranged subjects for discussion. I've gained a fairly comprehensive understanding of…
In RPG Theory
Participants: WyldKarde, clehrich, epweissengruber, Mike Holmes, Ravien, contracycle, timfire, M. J. Young, simon_hibbs.

11/18/2004 Ben Lehman: Costikyan on Games
Greg Costikyan made a lovely attempt at defining what a game is in his blog You should read the article. Really, you just should, because if you're reading this…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Ben Lehman, Alan, xiombarg, Noon, simon_hibbs, Sean, efindel, clehrich, Shreyas Sampat, contracycle, komradebob, M. J. Young, Caldis.

11/18/2004 Sabney: Mood Music... Yea, Or nay?
This being my first post on this forum, I believe I shall introduce myself. I am currently a college student and I have been Roleplaying for about 4-5 years, only…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Sabney, ScottM, Vaxalon, ffilz, Eero Tuovinen, Negilent, clehrich, Mike Holmes, b_bankhead, M. J. Young, Silmenume, Noon, Angaros, SlurpeeMoney.

11/18/2004 Ben Lehman: Ben's Non-Standard Rant: Rules Length is not Rules Focus
Mandatory Notice: This rant has not been standardized by the Bureau of Rants, nor has it been granted an Bureau Official Rant Index Number (BORIN). Use of this rant with…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Ben Lehman, Adam Dray, bcook1971, clehrich, Jason E Leigh, greedo1379, Blankshield, ffilz, Noon, Mike Holmes, jerry, Marco, DannyK, Valamir, John Kim, M. J. Young, Harlequin, Sydney Freedberg, inky.

11/19/2004 Latigo: "reality and firearms" links
Hello to all, Questions about “reality and firearms” often surface in RPG design, and after talking to Forge member Paka recently I thought to share these links which folks might…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Latigo, Mike Holmes, Lee Short, Jasper, Noon, contracycle.

11/19/2004 Wysardry: Cultures: Mix n match or copy?
When creating cultures and/or belief systems for fantasy campaign settings, is it better to base each one on a single example from history/mythology, or create new ones by merging several…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Wysardry, clehrich, DannyK, Jonathan Walton, Troy_Costisick, Sydney Freedberg, dalek_of_god, James Holloway, contracycle, Stuart Parker, GB Steve.

11/20/2004 Tav_Behemoth: Fictional Actual Play
I've been making an effort to read some modern genre fantasy, and one of the ones I picked up was Joel Rosenberg's Guardians of the Flame, which I originally read…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Tav_Behemoth, clehrich, rafial, Blankshield, jdagna, Paul Czege, Mike Holmes, John Kim, Vaxalon, M. J. Young, Latigo, ricmadeira, simon_hibbs, Rob Carriere.

11/20/2004 Stormborn: Resolution Systems, Dice etc.
Right now I am in the begining stages of "from scratch" game design. I have done a little proffesional work in d20 materials but am looking to do something new.…
In RPG Theory
Participants: Stormborn, Ron Edwards, Shreyas Sampat, John Kim.

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