One thing that has struck me is that setting (and here I mean setting in the sense of creating a world in which to play games) is often overlooked as part of the design process.
*Please don't discuss that statement in this thread*
That caveat right there is there for a good reason. I'm not saying that the point isn't debatable in itself, but that's not what I want this thread to be about. No, this thread is laying out a manifesto of sorts, getting started on something that I have been thinking about for a while.
One thing I would love to do is produce, for free, as a PDF, in print, I don't know yet, is a little collection of settings for games, all pregnant with possibility, full of stuff you can incorporate into adventures.
So, to start this off, I would like to invite the members of the Endeavour to contribute. How will this happen? Here's how:
1) I post a thread with some details of the setting I'm thinking about. There will be a little history, some environmental details, maybe a character or two, maybe even some items of technology (or equivalent).
2) Each person is invited to post, once, in the thread. The post should add something to the world. Only one thing though. It might be a person, it might be a place, it might be an item, it might be a historical incident, it might be an institution. But it can only be one thing. Don't discuss there, though. We can always discuss how this idea is shaping up right here in this thread.
3) After a period of time (maybe a couple of weeks), I gather all the stuff together, muse on it, do a bit of writing, modify things if need be, add stuff, tweak, etc. Then at some ill-determined point in the future, the whole shebang gets put together into one handy little book.
I kind of like this idea, because I really love interesting game settings.
Expect the first thread soon.
Cheers
Malc
Not my forte
Submitted by Iain McAllister on Sun, 17/02/2008 - 19:52.
Now setting is not really my forte, I am really poor at it, and something I would like to practice writing. I have a few ideas floating around so would anyone object to me do a similar thing to Malcolm at some point?
Really nice idea malc.
Cheers
Iain
Mob Justice now available!
'The Giant Brain':Small games, big ideas.
What about settings *not*
Submitted by David Donachie on Sun, 17/02/2008 - 20:50.
What about settings *not* suggested by you malcolm? Is this specifically a PDF of settings in your style, elabourated by us, and finished by you (which is fine), or more varied than that?
http://www.solipsist-rpg.com/
What Iain Said...
Submitted by Destriarch on Mon, 18/02/2008 - 10:46.
I also think that settings are somewhat neglected in many Indie games, and would be tempted to put together my own collection of setting material, maybe prefaced by an extremely simplistic system (in the style of, but not the same as, Risus maybe). So I'll also chip in and say, mind if I pinch this loose concept? :D I might pitch in with one or two of the other threads too if something sparks my interest, but I've never been fond of serial authorship.
Ash
Very cool, Malcolm. Cheers.
Submitted by Joe Murphy on Mon, 18/02/2008 - 13:50.
Very cool, Malcolm. Cheers.
Seliing it?
Submitted by Iain McAllister on Tue, 19/02/2008 - 08:39.
May I suggest something for if you get round to actually printing it and putting it out there. If it is a sort of collaborative effort on the part of the endeavour could we charge a small amount for it with all profits going to buying into cons, more display material etc.?
Thoughts?
Cheers
Iain
Mob Justice now available!
'The Giant Brain':Small games, big ideas.
New Thread Maybe?
Submitted by Destriarch on Tue, 19/02/2008 - 08:59.
May I suggest something for if you get round to actually printing it and putting it out there. If it is a sort of collaborative effort on the part of the endeavour could we charge a small amount for it with all profits going to buying into cons, more display material etc.?
I like the idea, but I think it's up to Malc if he wants to do that or not. After all, we are supposed to be about helping each other here, and I daresay that even with everyone's input on each setting it'd take a lot of work to create something dynamic, absorbing and just plain 'oh my god I've got to play that' at the end.
On the other hand I really do think it'd be a lovely idea. If Malc would rather not convert this project to such a concept, maybe we could start a new thread on the subject of a group project or shared world to raise funds for the CE?
Ash
Can we get another of these
Submitted by Joe Murphy on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 13:20.
Can we get another of these - or maybe add another entry each to the previous setting thread?
No Problem
Submitted by Malcolm Craig on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 22:21.
Can we get another of these - or maybe add another entry each to the previous setting thread?
No worries. I was planning on getting to that today or tomorrow, if time permits. Have been somewhat busy recently, but this is certainly high on the 'to do list'.
The ideas so far have been great and I have another setting idea in the works.
Cheers
Malcolm
Contested Ground Studios
Malc
Submitted by Matt on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 22:41.
I had a thought for offshoot of these threads. Called, for want of a better title, Matt's situation creation threads.
The idea being to run something parallel that takes the setting elements, and makes the most of 'em. However, I don't want to detract from any grand design you have, so let me know if this is OK.
-Matt
Realms Publishing
Great idea Matt. Got for
Submitted by Malcolm Craig on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 23:37.
Great idea Matt. Got for it.
Cheers
Malc
Contested Ground Studios