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In: Game Designer Workshop
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What does this image have to do with this episode? Sounds like you need to do some RESEARCH B-)In the second episode of Game Designer Workshop, Caleb and I talk about the importance of research. This is not only researching setting material but other games. It’s important to understand what kind of game mechanics have already been done so you can learn from them. Researching details for your setting, like technology and history, can take a lot of forms as well. Reading books, listening to podcasts, watching movies, and playing other games can all be considered part of research.

Song: Balkonur by Dispartition

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The "Action Science" Aspect is quite versatile.At Gencon this year, I sat down and talked to Mike Olson, one of the leading FATE designers currently working in the industry. He created the Strange FATE system used by Kerberos Club and Base Raiders and his latest project, the Atomic Robo RPG, will hopefully be completed soon. We talked about the state of the FATE system and game design.

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News: Base Raiders is almost done. The books will be printed and shipped soon. There are new videos on the RPPR Youtube channel, including a new improv comedy with Thad.

Synopsis: If you have an unusual idea for a campaign setting, then it’s often better to take a toolkit game system like GURPS for the rules instead of building your own system for it. In this episode, Tom and I discuss the topic of world building, game systems, and picking the right game for your campaign. What rules match the important elements of your campaign? Find out in this episode. Also, instead of a letter, Tom has an improvised rant, plus shout outs and an anecdote.

Shout Outs

  • Outlast: Scary PC horror game in the vein of Amnesia. Investigate an insane asylum but don’t fall prey to the horrors that lurk within it.
  • Sense of the Sleight of Hand Man: An excellent open-ended Dreamlands campaign for Call of Cthulhu.
  • Accursed: A Kickstarter for a new horror RPG setting, where the PCs are all monsters who fight
  • I Drink for a Reason: A new comedy book from David Cross
  • Chivalry: Customization patch is the best patch. Sandwich knights for life!

Song: Darwins Video Game Domain by John Bura

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:07 — 48.2MB)

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