2011-11-03
Moving to Tumblr
I'm moving my blog to http://willsavetonegate.tumblr.com/ I think it has more traffic, and better allows me to express what I'm about by stealing other people's posts :p
2011-10-30
Triller!!
I'm not one for the macabre. I'll deal with a vampire or ghost here and there, but for the most part their stories are now cliche. I try to keep a positive outlook on life, so walking around in a long black trench coat with painted black nails was not my thing.
But, I tell you what, I played two "horror" indie RPG's in the last few weeks in the spirit of Halloween. They were a blast to play.
Zombie Cinema and Dread do a fantastic job of capturing the tension of horror films, no matter the setting. They are also very easy to play. If you can get over the hurdle of "adult make-believe" you are promised a fun session. More on these games later... Now, where is my Marilyn Manson CD?
Happy Halloween!
But, I tell you what, I played two "horror" indie RPG's in the last few weeks in the spirit of Halloween. They were a blast to play.
Zombie Cinema and Dread do a fantastic job of capturing the tension of horror films, no matter the setting. They are also very easy to play. If you can get over the hurdle of "adult make-believe" you are promised a fun session. More on these games later... Now, where is my Marilyn Manson CD?
Happy Halloween!
2011-10-18
oh, oh, that smell. Can't you smell that smell?
One of the well-known facts of nerds: those who have not fully matured tend to smell like death. Like a recently deceased skunk. Unfortunetly, this is a lesson they have to learn on their own: wash thyself. Daily. With soap.
I have multiple theories regarding nerds and smells...
Actually, one could be a theory at this point.
Theory: Immature nerds smell. Evidence? ACEN. The annual anime con in Rosemont, filled with adolescent anime fans and avid cosplayers. The first year I attended ACEN, the slogan for the year was "Got Soap". No kidding.
Hypothesis: Anime conventions smell at all times. This is a general funk that permeates the entire convention center.
Hypothesis: Game convention smells sometimes sneak up on you and smack you in the face, hard, when it enters the nostrils. You will not know when it will hit you. But, when it does...
I have multiple theories regarding nerds and smells...
Actually, one could be a theory at this point.
Theory: Immature nerds smell. Evidence? ACEN. The annual anime con in Rosemont, filled with adolescent anime fans and avid cosplayers. The first year I attended ACEN, the slogan for the year was "Got Soap". No kidding.
Hypothesis: Anime conventions smell at all times. This is a general funk that permeates the entire convention center.
Hypothesis: Game convention smells sometimes sneak up on you and smack you in the face, hard, when it enters the nostrils. You will not know when it will hit you. But, when it does...
Gamer-type matrix
Loud gamer
|
Power gamer----------- Story gamer
|
Quiet gamer
Power gamer: looks to max any stat. find talents, skills, and bonuses that efficiently make their character more effective. Power gamers select weaknesses that do not effect their character frequently or adversely. Generally speaking, power gamers do not select character attributes based on character background and /or tend to focus on strengths and not flaws. Does not focus on character limitations.
Story gamer: selects attributes based on a character's motivations and beliefs regardless of the attributes' effectiveness in game. Story gamers will also make in-game decisions based on what they perceive their character might do in the situation, and not necessarily tactically wise. These decisions tend to develop a character's story line. Some story gamers wish to focus on interpersonal conflicts over tactical play.
Vocal: tends to speak frequently during play, both in and out of character
Silent: tends to be passive during play
Silent+Power = Rules Lawyer. knows the rulebook inside-out. Speaks up only when a decision is contrary to the rule book.
Vocal+Power = Munchkin. Prefers to min-max and will argue points to remain dominant. Dislikes GM Fiat and losing.
Silent+Story = The Plotter. Interverted player. Generally has clear picture of the game world, but tends to over-think in-game situations.
Vocal+Story = Role Actor. Speaks in character frequently. Sometimes hard to determine if speaking in character or out of character. Enjoys NPC dialog. Sometimes bombastic.
|
Power gamer----------- Story gamer
|
Quiet gamer
Power gamer: looks to max any stat. find talents, skills, and bonuses that efficiently make their character more effective. Power gamers select weaknesses that do not effect their character frequently or adversely. Generally speaking, power gamers do not select character attributes based on character background and /or tend to focus on strengths and not flaws. Does not focus on character limitations.
Story gamer: selects attributes based on a character's motivations and beliefs regardless of the attributes' effectiveness in game. Story gamers will also make in-game decisions based on what they perceive their character might do in the situation, and not necessarily tactically wise. These decisions tend to develop a character's story line. Some story gamers wish to focus on interpersonal conflicts over tactical play.
Vocal: tends to speak frequently during play, both in and out of character
Silent: tends to be passive during play
Silent+Power = Rules Lawyer. knows the rulebook inside-out. Speaks up only when a decision is contrary to the rule book.
Vocal+Power = Munchkin. Prefers to min-max and will argue points to remain dominant. Dislikes GM Fiat and losing.
Silent+Story = The Plotter. Interverted player. Generally has clear picture of the game world, but tends to over-think in-game situations.
Vocal+Story = Role Actor. Speaks in character frequently. Sometimes hard to determine if speaking in character or out of character. Enjoys NPC dialog. Sometimes bombastic.
2011-10-08
Gaming Renaissance
I couldn't identify the exact moment in the 90's and 2000's when gaming took a tumble. Perhaps the veterans were squeezed out during the Pokemon craze. Maybe it was more recent with the near collapse of the Dungeons and Dragons brand. Had the stigma of smelly, dorky gamers ostracized them for good?
In any event, gaming was waning away for me. I had wrapped up high school and studying hard in college. And so had my gaming friends. Which meant: more time real world, less time gaming world.
Of course, this was not a bad thing. I earned my graduate degree. I married my wonderful wife. We bought our house...
The writing was on the gaming wall. It was D&D, or bust. There seemed to be little competition. And even fewer players. And far less quality players. I remember sitting in a college dorm, warming up my seldom used dice, waiting for the GM to launch the game. And before you could say "where's my d12?" the GM squashed us, lowly 2nd level characters, with a CR10 Frost Giant. He then proceeded to gloat in his victory. Good times.
Fast forward with me, if you will, to 2011. The internet is pretty much ubiquitous (although WoTC's development of digital tabletop seemed to grind to a halt). There are plenty of new RPG's (collapse of Border's bookstores be damned). And GenCon gets record attendance (bad economy? what bad economy?)
I picked a good time to get back into the hobby that kept me entertained up until I got my driver's license. And I have found many friends with similar interests. No longer the lonely gamer in the gaming desert of Chicago's southwest side. And best of all, my gaming friends don't smell. (note to self, blog about gaming smells, they are quite unique and seemingly predictable).
So, pal, grab a chair. Pull up to the table. Find your friendly dice (as opposed to those dice that always tend to screw you). If you want to be stereotypical, crack open a Mountain Dew. Pathfinder, D&D 4th, Shadowrun 4th, Fiasco, Spirit of the Century, Serenity, Leverage, Spycraft, Mouse Guard, Deathwatch... Game on!
In any event, gaming was waning away for me. I had wrapped up high school and studying hard in college. And so had my gaming friends. Which meant: more time real world, less time gaming world.
Of course, this was not a bad thing. I earned my graduate degree. I married my wonderful wife. We bought our house...
The writing was on the gaming wall. It was D&D, or bust. There seemed to be little competition. And even fewer players. And far less quality players. I remember sitting in a college dorm, warming up my seldom used dice, waiting for the GM to launch the game. And before you could say "where's my d12?" the GM squashed us, lowly 2nd level characters, with a CR10 Frost Giant. He then proceeded to gloat in his victory. Good times.
Fast forward with me, if you will, to 2011. The internet is pretty much ubiquitous (although WoTC's development of digital tabletop seemed to grind to a halt). There are plenty of new RPG's (collapse of Border's bookstores be damned). And GenCon gets record attendance (bad economy? what bad economy?)
I picked a good time to get back into the hobby that kept me entertained up until I got my driver's license. And I have found many friends with similar interests. No longer the lonely gamer in the gaming desert of Chicago's southwest side. And best of all, my gaming friends don't smell. (note to self, blog about gaming smells, they are quite unique and seemingly predictable).
So, pal, grab a chair. Pull up to the table. Find your friendly dice (as opposed to those dice that always tend to screw you). If you want to be stereotypical, crack open a Mountain Dew. Pathfinder, D&D 4th, Shadowrun 4th, Fiasco, Spirit of the Century, Serenity, Leverage, Spycraft, Mouse Guard, Deathwatch... Game on!
2011-09-28
Sleepy JRPG monster
As I zombied around work today, I began to picture myself as a J-RPG monster. Had the heroes cast "SCAN", my stat block probably would of read:
Name: Leezard
HP: 31
MP: 10
Weak against: cold
Immune to: sleep, poison, somatic spells (also known as meetings)
Absorbs: caffeine
Name: Leezard
HP: 31
MP: 10
Weak against: cold
Immune to: sleep, poison, somatic spells (also known as meetings)
Absorbs: caffeine
2011-09-27
The Elfish Gene
It is amazing to me how similar some people's experiences can be despite being separated by distance. Take this book for example: The Elfish Gene. The book starts off a bit crass (a type of British humor?) but past that veneer and you see some stereotypes that only a gamer would understand (and be afflicted with).
- Excitement and zeal for the hobby
- Becoming attached to a character
- Understanding relationships (the friend type, not the dating type, because let's face it, gaming becomes a liability and not a redeeming quality for most).
- The trips to an unknown gaming store (quite a pilgrimage indeed)
- Fitting in with other gamers (plenty more on this later, as it is the single largest challenge gamers face
The list goes on and on. I hate to spoil the book you know... Totally aside: I miss you Borders! I saw this book at Half Price Books which is filling the void Borders left behind. And thank you God my wife is a librarian.
These stereotypes, along with others, are sad but true. As a matter of fact, let me totally embarrass myself by posting this college level digital imagery class extra credit assignment to illustrate my point...
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