How to Win an RPG: the GM's Side

Before reading this, you probably want to read the preceding post, which is about the same topic, but from the player's side. I'm continuing from there, outlining what Tenra Bansho Zero has to say about winning the game on the GM's side. It's a bit of a different objective list, and it combines lethally (in a good way) with the players' objectives.

Friday Stats!

I was trying to find an appropriate image. I don't think I could possibly top that one. I'm also totally sure that whoever ORC is, they didn't anticipate this.

At any rate, I decided that, as a small little filler post, I could run through some fun stats regarding the blog. Not the big, boring ones like Total Hits, I'm talking some slightly-less-standard ones. (Also note: all stats are for this week, and may not reflect actual trends. You know how stats are.)

How to Win an RPG: the Player's Side

So, I've got ahold of a pre-release copy of Tenra Bansho Zero, a newly-localized Japanese RPG that's going into publication in January. Let me say this: it is phenomenal. As one RPG.net poster described it, it's a "best hits" of the past decade of RPGs, and it was made in 1997! (Well, there were a few updates introduced three years later, but the bulk of the game is still 15 years old.) There's something very early on that really caught my attention, though. In the opening to the game, it outlines a very simple idea: there is a way to "win" an RPG, and it has to do with making the experience great...

Game On!

(You can't resist reading this article. It has a picture of Felicia Day!)

Sorry I haven't been posting much as of late. I will say that I have an excuse: I've been gaming! It's true; a local con and then weekend gaming at the FLGS occupied Saturdays, and it was glorious. I've also wound up playing in a group on Sundays, as well, and it's fantastic. And all of this gaming, it brought me to a sudden, fresh perspective.

Ninjas, Cyborgs, and Hulked-Out Samurai!

When I saw this Kickstarter, I knew that I had to back it. And, since it only has a few days left to expand its funding base, I figured I'd spread the word as best as I could! I'm talking about Tenra Bansho Zero, a native Japanese RPG that came out in 1997, a full fifteen years ago.

Dice and Distance: Bridging the Gap

What? I thought the picture was apropos. Anywho. It's been a while since I've actually gamed in person, but I've had my share of experiences trying to fill the same gap through long-distance gaming. The results are decidedly mixed, but there's a lot to be learned from it, and a lot of options out there. I'm gonna go through, and hopefully make it less confusing to deal with, because there's a lot of options out there.

Back From the Ashes?

Hello people! The primary purpose of this post is to announce that this blog is finally back...and I've figured out its new style. I think. See, I've just recently started working fulltime at a software company, which takes a rather massive chunk out of my day. However, I think I can still commit to one post a week, so that's what I'm planning. Nothing too big, just one post. With that being said, then, I figured I'd rattle out some thoughts on coming "back from the ashes", like the mythic bird above.