Looking for something in the text? Search the full archive.
923 pieces · Titles A–Z
Game Ideas Un limited: Memoriam
The one hundred thirtieth article in the series gives thought to why we want to remember what has gone before while taking a free look back at those entries which have made up the tenth quarter.
Game Ideas Un limited: Memories
In our free quarterly wrap-up, we think about the randomness of memory, and how that can be used in play, as we also glance back at the past quarter of articles.
Game Ideas Un limited: Moderation
We get to the center of all alignment questions as we look at what it is to be neutral, and how it's done.
Game Ideas Un limited: Moods
What do you do when you don't feel like playing, and everyone else wants to game?
Game Ideas Un limited: Name-monics
Here are some referee tips on making the game run a bit smoother--by using names that are easy for you to remember during play.
Game Ideas Un limited: Negative Points
We return to the thoughts discussed in CharGen to look in more detail at randomized and point-based character creation systems, and explore some unusual solutions to their respective problems.
Game Ideas Un limited: Niche
New game designs sometimes tackle genres and ideas with seemingly limited appeal. What is the motivation for such narrowly focused games, and have they any hope of success?
Game Ideas Un limited: Numerology
We return to the subject of superstition, as the author reveals a few of his own unreasonable fears and expectations.
Game Ideas Un limited: Objectives
Following up on Game Ideas Unlimited: Partnership , this looks at another hindrance to cooperation, and how conflicting goals can be used to enhance game experiences.
Game Ideas Un limited: Obsolete
We may once have been experts in our fields, but how much has been added since then that we somehow missed? Our characters may achieve a level of expertise in what they do, but will progress leave them behind at some…
Game Ideas Un limited: Occurences
It's the little events that give color to the story, and sometimes which give it direction.
Game Ideas Un limited: Opportunity Costs
Choices have hidden expenses. Whether it's which bit of equipment to buy or which life to save, these can add tension to play.
Game Ideas Un limited: Orthography
Who would have thought that spelling would be useful for playing a game that wasn't Scrabble™ ?
Game Ideas Un limited: Paperwork
Practical suggestions on organizing the information used in the games.
Game Ideas Un limited: Partnership
What does it mean to work together ? Two conflicting ideas are presented, in relation to party dynamics.
Game Ideas Un limited: Patterns
As we wind up another three months of the series with another glance back, we draw an idea from the regularity of glancing back.
Game Ideas Un limited: Peace
Fighting may not always be the answer; and the answer may sometimes sound ridiculous, but can still be fun and interesting even if it doesn't involve combat.
Game Ideas Un limited: Pens
Our free quarterly look back considers the original extended memory hardware.
Game Ideas Un limited: Perceptions
Perhaps everyone is handicapped.
Game Ideas Un limited: Pictures
Images can sometimes help and sometimes hinder game play, and sometimes can help by hindering.
Game Ideas Un limited: Plague
The place of disease in the history and perhaps the future of the world is a lot different from where it sits in our games; our games could benefit from a reconsideration of this potential blight.
Game Ideas Un limited: Power
Sometimes relationships within a gaming group break down; this is one of the ways that happens.
Game Ideas Un limited: Prepaid
Give some consideration to the way your economic system works that goes beyond what kind of money you use.
Game Ideas Un limited: Preservatives
Even in our modern world, food spoilage can be a problem. As a game complication it offers some interesting possibilities.
Game Ideas Un limited: Prestige
Sometimes our characters are motivated by the search for treasure; yet there may be a greater motivation for adventure, not so readily measured.
Game Ideas Un limited: Professional
How did your character get to be so good at what he does?
Game Ideas Un limited: Prophecy
It can be interesting to try to tell the future of the characters in the game, but it requires a bit of care. Here are a few tricks that may help.
Game Ideas Un limited: Props
Why do some gamers use props even in tabletop role play? Certainly it helps set the mood--but does it do more?
Game Ideas Un limited: Pyramids
It's all about building something big.
Game Ideas Un limited: Relocated
Things change. Don't get locked into your maps.