We spend a lot of time talking about how rules work in rpgs. So let's think a bit on why we use rules at all.
The Many Utilities of Rules
Tag: Philosophy
When the World Is Dark…
Guest writer Sarah Doom shares why her passion for horror gaming is seeing her through the real horrors of 2020 and beyond.
Interesting Tension
Part 1 of ? In the Cultivating A Storytelling Mindset series Last month, guest writer Paul Mitchener talked about how to use history in fruitful, productive and most importantly non-harmful ways in your roleplaying. One thing that jumped out at me from that piece is that I’m definitely more interested in exploring interesting, difficult tension… Continue reading Interesting Tension
The Cudgel and the Contract
One of the most interesting play-aesthetic gaps in gaming to me is the chasm between how players want to resolve in-game social conflicts. You can prefer natural, normal talking, or you can prefer going to the dice. Maybe some folks don’t feel strongly about social conflict resolution, but I haven’t met them. It should come… Continue reading The Cudgel and the Contract
Guest Column: Playing With History
I’ve run an awful lot of history-themed RPGs and written a few. It’s an area I love gaming in, both taken straight, and mixed with a dose of fantastic elements. Yet I would be doing the topic an injustice if I did not admit there are difficulties, both in subject matter and attitudes. So what… Continue reading Guest Column: Playing With History