Archive for zombies
1001 uses for Zombies seminar at Gencon 2011
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At Gencon 2011, I ran a seminar on how to use zombies in role playing games – not just as low level enemies to fight but as elements of drama. I also went into how to world build with zombies. They can be used in nearly any genre as enemies, obstacles or even unlikely allies. Enjoy! I’ve also included the two handouts I made for the seminar:
1001 uses for a zombie in role playing games
If you liked this, then perhaps you might be interested in buying my book?
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RPPR Episode 61: Post Gencon 2011 wrapup part 1
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This year’s Gencon was so great, we will have to do two episodes to cover it all. In this episode, we bring RPPR regular Caleb to discuss his first impressions of the con and the games he ran and played in. We all talk about the newest games we picked up and Tom discusses the game he ran and other things he did.
I also interviewed George Strayton, creator of The Secret Fire, a new fantasy RPG. It’s a short interview but I added in place of Tom’s letter. He discusses the design philosophy behind the game, his background as a screenwriter and more.
Shout outs
Panopticon: The newest Eclipse Phase supplement.
Zombie Spaceship Wasteland: A hilarious book by Patton Oswalt.
Old School Hack: Awesome free rules-light RPG and gold Ennie winner.
Delta Green Gencon Panel: Listen to the informative Delta Green/Unspeakable Oath panel recorded at this Gencon.
Cthulhu Invictus: Cthulhu in ancient Rome. A winning combination!
Song: Zombie by Anssi 8000 and Maria Stereo
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RPPR Episode 59: Bildungsroman
Posted by: | CommentsZombies of the World is now available in print, PDF and Kindle format!
My book, Road Trip, has been nominated for an Ennie!
Synopsis: Bildungsroman is a fancy way of describing the ‘youth to adulthood’ genre – stories like “to Kill a Mockingbird” where the character grows from a child to become an adult or closer to an adult. Role playing games are often like these stories – characters grow from being relatively weak and naive to eventually becoming epic badasses of destiny. However, many game systems do not encourage character growth – advancement is slow, ponderous and mechanically difficult. Furthermore, most campaigns are relatively short – interrupted or abandoned for myriad reasons. If you want players to grow at a faster pace, what should you do? How is mechanical growth different from role playing growth? Tom and I discuss these issues and more. Plus, instead of a letter, Tom and I read an excerpt from the infamous rpg.net review of FATAL. It’s definitely NSFW.
Shout outs
- Attack the Gas Station 1 and 2: Hilariously insane Korean comedies.
- The Eliminators: An action sci-fi movie with ninjas, mandroids, cavemen, robots and time travel. Follows the conventions of RPGs coincidentally enough.
- Ugly Americans: an animated sitcom about monsters and normal people living together.
- Killing Floor: Steampunk/circus summer event going on right now! Monkeys with chainsaws!
- Steam Summer Sale: only a few days left!
- The Man From Nowhere: Intense Korean action/thriller. Do not fuck with the pawnshop owner.
Song: Growing up and Getting out by Adam Boucher.
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