Show048: Techniques and Ephemera
This show we tackle the last two layers of the Big Model, Techniques and Ephemera. If you need a review the last layer was Exploration, and before that was Social Contract. Not much else to say.
4
Jul
Show011: Social contract
Not a lot to say right now. I need to take a nap. I’ll spruce this post up after Origins. That means Monday.
More Rambling this week about flags. This time how to use them to help set up one-shots with pregenerated characters for a game that’s more about drama. I am down to cutting out only a third of my ums. I’m slowly training you to get used to my almost rhythmic use of ums. Those strange noises? My stomach. Ha.
Section One: Introduction
I mention a correction that Judd from The Sons of Kryos made about how bangs are open ended. I then talk about how I’d like to receive feedback. I then mention that it maybe better to think of what I said in last show as more of an idea of how to look at bangs to set them up. I also mention this cool thread on Story Games where I learned something after recording the show, maybe more about that in show011.
I mention two podcasts that might be of interest to folks; The Voice of the Revolution, house organ of Indie Press Revolution, and The Gamemasters an actual play podcast.
I then talk a bit about Episode 30: One-Shot Games and Urban Fantasy, of The Bear’s Grove. Mainly mentioning that he has a different take on making one-shots likely due to what I believe may be a difference in our gamemastering styles. So if what I’m saying doesn’t make sense or you think I’m full of shit, you should check out his episode. Even if you like what I say this episode, there is useful information there also I think.
Section Two: Flags and One-shots
I discuss how to set up and use flags, for a ruleset that doesn’t have good flags, and using the flags for setting up one-shots with pregenerated characters. I also discuss setting up a situation. I think we will cover this in a little better detail soon. At the end I discuss just a little about setting up the NPC’s. Since this is a practical show, I’m going to break it all down right here in text also to help show exactly what I’m saying. I think it would be great to look at this as you listen to the show if you listen at your computer. Read the rest of this entry »
22
May
This week we’re back to just me rambling. Don’t miss the secret song! I think this is better than the first four shows but I can’t put my finger on why. If you want to give me the finger and tell me why, feel free. I’ll put up better notes tomorrow, but for now here’s the links:
- Ryan Macklin’s Master Plan
- Canonpuncture
- Paul Tevises Have Games Will Travel
Section 1: Introduction
I mention Ryan Macklin’s and Canonpuncture as shows folks might want to give a listen to. I then talk about Paul Tevises, A Few Games More number 4 which talks about what Paul learned about Story Now from my last interview with Ron Edwards. I then talk about what Story now means.
Section 2: Flags and Bangs
I discuss what I call proto-flags which is really just paying attention to the character sheet. Then I talk about proper flags and how they should effect the game. Then I discuss bangs again, and make a contention that you need bangs if you want to play games with Drama.
15
Apr
It’s only been a week, and here’s another show. It’s still got some of the warble-iness. I can’t figure out what’s causing it. I think I’ve got some kind of hard to trace system interrupt conflict. There maybe one more show before I have a solution for the problem. I then may slowly go back and rerecord all the shows. I’m getting a little more used to the schizophrenic dissonance caused by talking to yourself in your closet. Hopefully that means I can go back and make everything a little cleaner sounding and clearer.
Section 1: Introduction
I say hi. There’s no feedback as I recorded this show right after Show003.
Section 2: Kickers and Bangs
I discuss Kickers, which are a way to kick off a campaign with player created problems. Then I discuss Bangs which are a way to run a campaign by creating problems and moral dilemmas with no chosen outcome. Bangs are a method that let you run a game that is interesting and creates a story without trying to pre-produce a definitive plot. Some of my examples are stolen from Ron Edwards who coined both these terms.
8
Apr
Wowza, it’s been three months. I’m not dead yet, and I haven’t quit. I’m just lazy. The next show is already recorded, I’ve just got to edit it. I left many more um’s in this show. Is it irritating yet? Here’s the Meat:
Section 1: Introduction
I introduce the show, and then discuss feedback I received about the last show which was mainly, tighten the show up and don’t be boring. I ignored both pieces of advice. Seriously I got some good feedback from Story Games, especially from Bill White. His writing makes me think he’s an editor or something. I haven’t created a show up to the standards they are asking for yet, but I’ll keep working on it.
Section 2: Stances
I discuss the three kind of stances; Actor, Author, and Director. I also add a bit of my own mumbo jumbo, about Classical Actor, Method Actor, and Ego Author. These are based on my thinking of how immersion effects the stances. I think I rambled some, if it’s confusing drop a comment.
Show002: Conflict and Task Resolution
Section 1: Introduction
I introduce myself and give my email address. Then I discuss thee feedback from show 2, which was to fix the glitches and add music. I was able to get the music but am still learning the techniques for recording. I’ve figured out what I need to do to edit post recording, so I don’t need to have the input so loud. I’m going to try backing off the mike a bit. Hopefully the show is understandable.
Here it is:
Section 1: Introduction
This is where I introduced myself, and explained why I have no business discussing RPG theory or design. I then discussed the goals of the show, which are to be about 90% correct, that’s an A, and to build from the ground up so new folks can learn as we go through shows. The specific theory the show is going to start with is GNS theory and the Big Model as that is what I’m most familiar with. I also let people know that I wasn’t going to edit cursing, because this is a hobby, and I just don’t want to take the time to police that. I think I dropped one F- bomb, and one D-bomb later in the show. Read the rest of this entry »
