Comments for Stargazer's World

Comment on Game Mastering Conundrums… Limiting player choices! by Cody

Cody — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:21:47 +0000

I am also for limitng player options in a game. I only make limitations based on the game that I’m running. For example, I’m working on a Pathfinder setting where gnomes really won’t fit, so I will not be allowing them in the game.

I also tend to limit things if it is a system I and my ground have never played so we will not be overwhelmed by choices. I tend to work a lot better when I have fewer choices to make.

Comment on Vampire Cyberpunk! by Spikey

Spikey — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:11:36 +0000

Very interesting. I would like to see how the red plague etc effected the vampires and whether they see it as a sign of the end times etc.

There was a Cyberpunk crossover setting for the OWoD knocking around the web called the world of future darkness, might be of help,

Comment on Vampire Cyberpunk! by Sunglar

Sunglar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:33:42 +0000

Thanks Michael! For me the real world characters add a touch of realism. Heck Obama is a regular NPC on the supers game. Glad you liked the story.

I only have the core VtR book, no supplements…

Comment on Vampire Cyberpunk! by Stargazer

Stargazer — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:53:53 +0000

The idea of setting the Vampire game into the near future is quite intriguing. I also like the future history you’ve come up with, even though I am not too sure if using real persons is the best idea. For me it just feels “wrong”. But that’s perhaps just me.
By the way, there were two Vampire: the Requiem booklets about running Vampire games in the near and far future (I don’t remember the names), have you checked them out?

Comment on Roleplaying City Map Generator by Six RPG Map Making Solutions For Your Game

Six RPG Map Making Solutions For Your Game — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:54:56 +0000

[...] MAPS. There are tons of utilities out there that create random maps of terrain, dungeons, cities, combat maps… even whole worlds. Although I’m not a big fan of the completely random [...]

Comment on Just when I thought the Iron Kingdoms RPG was vaporware … by Tommy Brownell

Tommy Brownell — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:52:22 +0000

I wound up with their monster books and it was great…one of the best monster books I’d seen. Unfortunately, the main books were long out of print and overpriced at that point.

Color me very interested in what happens next.

Comment on Just when I thought the Iron Kingdoms RPG was vaporware … by Cody

Cody — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:23:51 +0000

I cannot wait either. I think the Iron Kingdoms was easily one of the most interesting settings come out in the last few years. So, I’m really curious to see what they do with this game and how we get a release date soon.

Comment on Game Mastering Conundrums… Limiting player choices! by Evil Garden Gnome

Evil Garden Gnome — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:54 +0000

Personally, I’m all for G/DM limits on players, within reason.

All limits should be used to encourage player creativity, fit the setting, or avoid imbalance (for my group, this detracts from their fun).

If I’m (as G/DM) limiting the game for my benefit, I know I’m doing it wrong.

Really, if it’s not contributing to immersion or player fun, then I think it’s a bad limit, and I include rules in that.

Comment on Just when I thought the Iron Kingdoms RPG was vaporware … by Mad Brew

Mad Brew — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:14:35 +0000

I cannot wait!

Comment on How not to run a Kickstarter to fund your RPG by Johnn Four

Johnn Four — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Great tips! I’m considering running a Kickstart Project so any more advice you have would be appreciated.

I saw one project reward level turn you into a villain in the world. Cool idea.

Comment on Dungeonslayers: First sneak peek at the 4th Edition by Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:10:37 +0000

That’s great news. I was beginning to worry. I like Dungeonslayers and it’s usually the game I recommend to folks as a first RPG.

Comment on How not to run a Kickstarter to fund your RPG by Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:31:44 +0000

Yeah, there’s a reason why the Indie Go Go site doesn’t let you change what you’ve posted as your rewards once someone has bought them. The fact that anyone would change that is mind blowing.

Comment on Get Kobold Quarterly #14 for free by Sunglar

Sunglar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:30:49 +0000

Oh, a Valentine’s Day gift from the Kobolds… Thanks!

Comment on Are a lot of (F)LGS deaths self-inflicted? by Daemon

Daemon — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:25:30 +0000

Coincidentally, I just posted a rant about my own FLGS on my blog.

What’s strange is how different people’s perceptions of the ideal customer service in an FLGS differ. Old Guy, your example of the person running the store only looking up from a game to let customers know he was around sounds like exactly the sort of service I would find ideal. I don’t care if the person serving me is knowledgeable about what I’m buying — I’m able to do my own research, and honestly prefer to. Distributors can keep the shop current, it’s pretty much part of their job. As long as a shop is willing to order things in (and I know that’s not always the case) they’re doing what I need.

The type of shop staff I really can’t stand are the salespeople. I don’t need that hassle, I don’t want to have to justify my presence in a shop by giving a detailed account of everything I might be interested in, then purchase it and feel as though my presence in the shop is no longer welcome. If I need to know if you’ve got something, I’ll ask. I’m an adult. That’s how we roll.

As for unfriendly and cliquey regulars putting others off, what can you do? No, I mean, seriously. That’s also an issue for me presently, so any advice is welcome.

Comment on They don’t sparkle, period! by Sunglar

Sunglar — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:32:38 +0000

It will most than likely either take place summer 2012 or early 2013. Yes I plan ahead a lot.
I have NEVER used Obsidian Portal. Do you recommend it?

Comment on The Compact: Post-apocalyptic Campaign by Sunglar

Sunglar — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:31:07 +0000

I like the idea of individualized packages, and the back and forth of ideas. I do some of that but it tends to be more of the players bringing their ideas. At the table all but one of my seven players write some fiction for their characters, and the one that does not always discusses some pretty good ideas with me. I give out XP and other perks for writing a character story, finding images and bringing minis to the table if we are using them for the game. Thanks for sharing.

Comment on They don’t sparkle, period! by Lifelessclown

Lifelessclown — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:28:39 +0000

Looks mighty interesting. See if you can get one of your users to blog it on Obsidian Portal. Would like to read how it all turns out.

Comment on Ask The Stargazer: “Would you be willing to provide some insight into your thoughts on layout for free RPG PDFs?” by Stargazer

Stargazer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

I agree. Textures etc. often help to make something look cooler than it is, but sometimes less is more.

Comment on Ask The Stargazer: “Would you be willing to provide some insight into your thoughts on layout for free RPG PDFs?” by Axel

Axel — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:26:49 +0000

I’ve had lots of success with Scribus, and will gladly recommend it to everyone. All Headless Hydra Games products were created using Scribus.

The only thing that I have yet to learn is how to make tables.

I will also add that less is more. A product doesn’t need a lot of strange backgrounds, borders and images. Sure, if you have something that looks great and/or complement your text… go for it, otherwise, leave it out.

Comment on The Compact: Post-apocalyptic Campaign by Victor Von Dave

Victor Von Dave — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:42:11 +0000

Man, you are a lucky GM if your players are willing to write fiction for their characters My comment about short fiction was more directed to published settings and rule-books – because frankly, it’s rarely as interesting as what you wrote (there are exceptions of course – I really liked the wanderer’s journal from the original Dark Sun boxed set back in the day).
Starting a campaign I like the mechanical parts of the characters to be settled beforehand, then I ask each player what their character’s personality is like, and if there is anything they absolutely have to have/not have in their history. Then at the first session I give each player a little package with some maps of places they know, some kind of mechanical benefit due to their background (like a regional feat or Pathfinder’s traits), and a little sketch of their personal history leading up to the first adventure (with lots of hooks tying into the campaign and reasons to adventure with the other players). If there is anything they don’t like in that package, all of the facts presented are completely up for debate (it turns out you aren’t the Baron’s daughter, you’re just a dead ringer for her and you hate how you’re always being mistaken for that brat…).

Comment on Are a lot of (F)LGS deaths self-inflicted? by Jay

Jay — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:07:23 +0000

Yep. It’s self inflicted.

My FLGS, Source Comics & Games in Falcon Heights (St. Paul) MN is moving from a 4,000 sq ft facility to a 10,000 sq ft. facility in March to accommodate the demand by customers for game tables. They’re also booming in the PRINT comic business.

In contrast, one of the coolest comic stores to open in the Twin Cities closed after LESS THAN A YEAR last year. Double Danger Comics. I loved that store because it was:
1. Beautiful–really the store was like a comic fan’s dream
2. Had great customer service
3. Had all sorts of fun touches like framed art, Mexican Coca Colas in a cooler, Golden and Silver Age back issues, a dedicated kids’ section, and of course new stuff

Why did they go out of business? Who knows. I think the 2 brothers running it didn’t see eye to eye couldn’t stick out the first (hard) year of building a business together.

The truth is, businesses (not just FLGS) close all the time for a slew of reasons, and there’s rarely one reason.

But I can tell you this, with a growing comics and gaming community in the metro–it was’t because of competition from electronic sales.

Comment on Are a lot of (F)LGS deaths self-inflicted? by Old Guy

Old Guy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:33:43 +0000

We had a gaming shop in a neighboring city that was well-stocked and run by a friendly knowledgable person. He carried all the new WotC books, but also stocked materials for older editions and many other RPGs (not to mention board games, miniatures, and all sorts of gaming supplies). After a while, he decided to get out of the business and sold it to one of his regular customers.

It immediately quit being a store and instead was just a place to go to play games. If a customer walked in, the owner would look up from the gaming table and holler from the depths of the store “let me know if you need anything”, and then return to his game.

Needless to say, customers felt unwelcome and uncomfortable. It was a hangout for regulars who never bought anything. The only redeeming quality of this management style was that I got a lot of great deals (75% off) at their going out of business sale.

We now have a hobby shop (that sells model planes and shoos D&Ders out the door), a comic book store (with a decent gaming inventory but no service), and a “gaming shop” (where the owner and his friends play RPGs).

I fear that gaming shops (such as those I grew up with) are going (have gone) the way of the drive-in theater.

Comment on Are a lot of (F)LGS deaths self-inflicted? by Sunglar

Sunglar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:43:40 +0000

I used to work in a sort-of FLGS, it carried more comics that games, but I always helped people with games when I was there. They continue operating and carrying games and the guys there are always helpful so that’s different. The store has been open since 1991 so they are doing something right. The one thing they don’t have is a gaming area, and they’ve only held demos on very rare occasions.
There are other local stores that do most of their business on cards or minis but they seem to come and go more often. I think there are some honest to goodness nice people who run stores who despite their best efforts see the business go away. To me brick and mortar stores need to offer something else, a whole experience, and cater to the digital revolution… Oh if I had the cash to open the store of my dreams!

Comment on The Compact: Post-apocalyptic Campaign by Sunglar

Sunglar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:37:35 +0000

Edited the post and did some corrections, I do too much writing and blogging tired late at night. Hope this makes it more understandable.

Comment on The Compact: Post-apocalyptic Campaign by Sunglar

Sunglar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:35:58 +0000

Victor thanks! I was going for a different type post-apocalyptic game. Too many of the ones I’ve played the players are out in the wild with no sense of community, here I want them to have a sense of the familiar from where they can start to explore the valley and maybe then the world around them.

I tend to write fiction for my games, my players also write fiction for their characters, so it’s a back and forth things. What do you do for campaign introductions?