4 posts tagged “role-playing”

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Making Textbook Writing More Interesting...

Nov 27, 2008
6 comments

I'm back to working on my friend's RPG that he gave me kuz he wasn't doing anything with it, and I'm wondering what I could do to make the writing more compelling. Most Role Playing Game books are so dry that I'm unable to read more than a few paragraphs of one in bed before falling asleep. I don't want any game I'm writing to be that way so I've been thinking up ways to make them interesting.

Idea 1: "Arrogant Bastard" edition. Imagine a textbook written from a condescending position of authority, maybe not against the reader, because the reader is obviously a superior being for reading this particular book, but against all other books of the same type. I would enjoy channeling all my frustrations over other games inadequacies through this.

Idea 2: A running story told through the example paragraphs. Role-playing games describe rules for play like any other organized game, sometimes the best way to clarify a rule or system is to show an example of how it's used. Since these games are story based it fits with the theme to tell an overall story through these examples, if the story is compelling enough the reader will want to go all the way through to find out how it ends, and in the process he'll develop an excellent understanding of the rules.

Idea 3: Easter Eggs. Easter Eggs are found in video games where in a certain dark corner one finds a pop culture parody, or an item that's out of place but in a fun way. Game books could have them too, pop culture references adopted to the setting in a unique way, a nod to a pioneer or inspiring force in the game, interesting quotes, that sort of thing.

Idea 4: Cyclical Writing. This may not be the right term for it, but what if an example of what the rules can do was presented on page 1 in a very compelling manner, a lead-up to the climax of a story if you will. A high-tension action scene played out on text before your eyes showing keen examples of what the systems in the book can do... thus leading into how you the reader could do it as well.

Those are some ideas I've been considering, any of you copywriters or advertisers or story writers out there want to input suggestions, feel free. I'd welcome the assistance.

Jumping the Shark

Aug 25, 2008
2 comments

My gaming is the outlet I use for telling stories.

Last night I think the story I've been telling for the last two years jumped the shark.

Couple things to learn, first thing is when your greatest strength is creating a compelling mystery, don't give that up before the end!

And it's not supposed to be the shadowy alley that spills the beans. The villainous monologue exists for a reason.

Also... when in doubt, complicate can work... but when it's so complicated that even YOU are finding it a stretch...

... you've probably jumped the shark.

Now I need to decide how I should end things.

What do you do?

Jul 31, 2007
1 comment

Every once in a while I'm going to attempt a short demonstration of what I like about Role-Playing. I'm going to describe a scene that intrigues me and ask you what you would do if you were in that situation. I don't ask for perfection or depth... but consider the concepts the alien nature of the experience... that's what role-playing is about for me.

One of the scenes from a movie that intrigues me still is from the movie Crash, where the Asian slaves were set free on the streets of LA. Imagine... you've been taken away from everyone you know and love to be a slave in America. Then after weeks in transit, rationing your food, in barely livable conditions, you find not only are you no longer a slave, you aren't even beholden the usual amount of money to the snakeheads for being smuggled in.

You're left on the streets, hungry, but not alone, you have the other once-slaves around you whom you've suffered with these past several weeks. Around you people walk by uncaring, unknowing of your horrible situation and your miraculous fortune, you are truly starting with nothing. This is your story, what do you do?

An Epic Battle of Man Vs. Beast

Jun 8, 2007
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As I have mentioned in the past, I am a gamer. A player of Role-Playing Games. We gamers are an often misunderstood lot. Living so often in our fantasy worlds we sometimes try to spice up our dreary real-world lives with a bit of fantasy flavor. It is here that we run into trouble. Dress up, make believe, and speaking like the village idiot from 14th century europe aren't always understood in our modern world. So, in an effort to bridge this cultural gap, I will explain one of the events in my life as a gamer would, then offer translations so that the rest of you can understand.

Gamerspeak:

A horrible vile beast has invaded my territories and is causing havoc in it's wake. Allready it has damaged the crops, and it's ravenous hunger threatens to consume my stores as well.

Translation:

There's a mouse in my work shack, it's shitting on my counter and got into some meat I left out last night to thaw. It's getting onto my cupboard up through the gas oven and onto the stove. I have half a mind to leave the oven on low at night to make it's trip a bit less jaunty, but I'm thinking there's fire-code issues there.

Gamerspeak:

I intend to battle the beast for control of this land! Allready the guards around the remaining food stores have been doubled, and I'm clearing all places it can hide it's filth. I shall flush it out and in the clear light of day we shall do glorous battle!

Translation:

I had to clean the shit off of my counter, disinfected it and whole 9 yards, goddam disgusting. Oh there will be repercussions, nothing shits where I eat. When my cat pissed on my stuff I had his balls cut off, this mouse best take heed now.

Gamerspeak:

But I shall not kill the beast. I will instead capture it, and harnass it's fearfulness to enhance my reputation!

Translation:

On the rigs pranks are a way of life... and mice are prankster GOLD! There are no shortage of crazy things to pull on someone with a mouse. My only connundrum is wondering who I'd pull them on... after that the mouse if free to run, and if he comes back... it's a new prank.

So there you have it. A simple event in my life enhanced by the whimsey of fantasy role-playing and then translated for your understanding. Try it in your own life, you never know... YOU could be a gamer too.