Episode 5: The Saga Begins
Let me tell you something about that Wheel of Time thing. It’s a fragment of what Greg’s got on his little world of Glorantha. Maybe a particle on a fragment. A molecule on a particle on a fragment. Eric Rowe once told…
Episode 6: Quote Any Chris Isaak Song
Stop drinking? That was easy. Asking Jennifer to marry me? That was easy. Six teeth extracted from my mouth in one day? That was... Okay, that was tough. Leave AEG? The hardest damn thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Episode 7.5: The Bonus Column
In the forums, Ed Healy asked a whole bunch of very good questions. Since a lot of folks have been asking for a few more “down-to-earth” game design considerations, I thought I’d take a minute or two and jot down my…
Episode 7: Nothing Up My Sleeve, Part One
You are in a dark room. You aren’t alone. There are others there with you, seated at tables, much like yourself. There is a slight glow coming from the lamp in the center of your table, just enough to cast shadows, but…
Episode 8: Nothing Up My Sleeve, Part Two
Last week I talked about shamanism, magical realism (a term I hate as much as I hate “genre”), and I eluded to a fellow named Hermes Thrice-Great. Let’s talk about him for a while.
Episode 9: Asking for Trouble
I’ve been trying to think of a cute and clever way to do this, and it just ain’t happening. So, this week, you get it quick and dirty. After all, we are talking about Trouble.
Game Designer's Journal 34: A Sudden Complication (or, Help! Help! Im Bein Repressed!)
There is no such thing as an Evil Empire. Not the Nazis, not the Communists, not even WotC or GW: only people put in positions of authority. Every day, those people face choices and their ability to abuse the authority…
Game Designer's Journal 35: Endings and Beginnings (or, Where have you been for three weeks, Mr. Wick?)
Well, Orkworld is done. For better or for worse. Written, edited, re-written, re-edited, re-re-written and re-re-edited. Three separate sets of eyes went on this thing (not counting my own): Jennifer Brandes, Chris…
Game Designer's Journal, Episode 32: You Cant Always Get What You Want
Were at the end here. Im finishing up the editing/re-writing, my wifes scanning in all the art/designing the logo for our company (Wicked Press), and Rich will be writing a check on Friday for the books. But this weeks…
Game Designer's Journal, Episode 33: Get Your Money for Nothin& and Where Are All the Chicks?
Dean Koontz once wrote that he was ashamed of every book he ever wrote& ten minutes after it went to press. Im not ashamed of Orkworld , nor am I trying to justify it being a bad book (as some are wont to mention). But…
Game Designer's Journal, Episode 36: It aint over 'till...
Remember when I told you it wasn't done until the Printer Lady sang? She ain't singing. In fact, she's still in her dressing room warming up.
GDJ Epilogue: A Tip-Toe 'cross the Chasm
Well, this is it. The end of the trip. It's been more than a year, and there's a few last things to say. A few last words of advice for all you out there who still have the wistful notion that this journey is worthwhile.
GDJ Episode 37: Forty-eight hours, Part One
If I'm lucky, I can tape six boxes together and call them three pieces of luggage (each at 70 pounds).Afer all, I'm going to Gen-Con. Who the hell needs clothes?
GDJ Episode 37: Part Two
But there's a problem. The boxes weigh about fifty pounds. There's a seventy pound limit on luggage. I've got four boxes and the luggage limit is three. This means I've got to get my Scorpion hat on.
GDJ: A Quick Orkworld Update
Well, I've got good news and bad news. The good news first this time? All right.
Hit 'em Where it Hurts
The creator of the Legend of the Five Rings RPG takes a look at all the mean things GMs can do to players in a game of Champions.
How Bashthraka Got Love Sick
"I entreat you to join some old friends in celebration of a Catholic monk getting hacked to pieces in a tale from Orkworld..."
If You Want Something Done Right…
One of the first things I learned in English 401 (that was Creative Writing) was if you're trying to write for everyone, you'll fail every time. The folks who read H.P. Lovecraft don't read Danielle Steele. The folks…
The History of Warhamster
Welcome to Volume 2 of the Game Designers Journal. Ive made a few changes (youll notice the couch now faces the west wall) that I hope youll be happy with. However, I have to let you know, this one is a renter. Im only…
The Last Paladin
It begins in a tavern, and a stranger, coming in from the rain. Its the mean kind of cold outside, the kind of cold that bows your bones and makes them ache. The stranger shakes the wet off his steaming cloak and looks…
The Wastelands: Chapter 2, The Clockmaker
The tools in his bag and on his belt are arranged carefully. He knows the arrangement well, and can find any tool without the use of his eyes; his thick fingers are all he needs. And thats fortunate& considering he only…
Why Hamsters?
I'd like to start off this week's installment with a little apology. I'm sick. I haven't had any sleep in two nights and I'm typing pretty much on instinct. If you look really hard, you can probably see the sneezes…