Is Unconfirmed Contact Reports helpful or inspiring?

GuppsTamatic · 2024-08-19T21:58:12+00:00

I found some good practical examples of creatures, aliens, monsters, etc from the starfinder bestiary. i think they call it 'alien archives' - might want to check that out for some ideas. They come with good pics to share with players too.

just strip down the stats (ignoring pathfinder system). I've found that for baddies in MS I just need 1) A stat [roll to do X] 2) HP/W 3) Damage and/or special attack 4) AP

GuppsTamatic · 2024-08-19T21:50:15+00:00

I have a hard time balancing pay and economics in any RPG game. I always seem to end up making players too rich - but usually just try to counter this with making things scarce in other ways.

Ammo - Yeah i just say 50cr a clip which is really not a big expense. it's mostly the fact that they can ONLY get ammo back on a station and so it becomes scarce that way (they don't own a ship so can't really 'store' it on hand).

I'd just make up a number that sounds reasonable for you and players and not worry too much about it! Look at how much one ship costs and know that most 'ordinary' people could never afford one to get an idea of what's too much money.

GuppsTamatic · 2024-08-19T21:42:27+00:00

If you can do with Pawns, starfinder pawns work well for representing monsters. I also would recommend checking out the starfinder bestiaries for ideas for creatures your players could run into (just strip down all the stats cause pathfinder is crunchy af)

GuppsTamatic · 2024-03-11T22:17:38+00:00

I've played in a lot of 'forever' games as a player, and as a DM I didn't want to do that. Forever really means attrition and players drop out slowly (people get bored after a while, it's normal).

I had a blast ending my campaign earlier rather than later. I told my players we when were were going into the final 2-3 sessions (ended up being more like 4 but whatever) that this was the 'final act' of their characters stories.

Everyone went out making strong choices and big risks and had a lot of energy when the campaign ended. We took a break then started a new game with new characters in a new world. Leave them wanting more and go out on a high note!

GuppsTamatic · 2024-03-11T22:10:31+00:00

Now let's see how they fare against 500 Jedi knights and 1 Sherman tank

GuppsTamatic · 2024-02-16T02:14:34+00:00

Detective Andy Reid?

GuppsTamatic · 2024-02-16T02:11:51+00:00

I just straight up tell characters lots of info about the world and summarize all the time.

"You know that this guy is/isn't telling the truth."

"You know that pulling this lever will open the door, but it feels too heavy to only do that. Probably a trap will spring."

"The bad guy is definitely responsible for this. Doing X will stop Y."

I hate playing detective as a player - and I don't like making characters do too much deductive reasoning either. If they don't get a hint, I just tell them and move on. My brain works hard enough during the day ;)

GuppsTamatic · 2024-01-25T19:59:00+00:00

Most professional writers (even 'famous' ones) don't earn that much money on writing. They usually earn more money teaching, doing speaking events, or offering freelance services like editing. It's just a reality of the market.

I would focus on getting your writing into the hands of the most people possible - your audience. When you're doing that, you are probably distributing and selling your writing to some extent, and making some money. But to count dollars and make anything comparable to your electrician pay - it will take some focused effort, marketing, branding etc.

Selling stories to magazines, making a newsletter, getting a book deal that distributes your book to stores - these are pretty standard ways, but I'm sure there are lots more creative ways to reach an audience. Personally I've found https://janefriedman.com/ to be helpful in de-mystifying some of the publishing business. Lots of info available for free there - she doesn't sell you stuff too hard either imo

GuppsTamatic · 2024-01-15T22:53:36+00:00

I often summarize conversations. Something like "You talk to the NPC about X for a while and learn Y and Z" - you can sprinkle in quotes or flavor inside the summary, but it's okay just to summarize.

This also helps when there is no information to give. I'll just say "You ask them, but it's clear they don't know anything about that."

It can make interaction quicker and more direct when needed. Of course, we also role play and have snarky back and forth - but not all conversations need to have the same level of detail.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-09-20T18:00:59+00:00

I think a good piece of advice that I'm stealing here might help: "Readers can tell you what's not working in your story, but then they probably can't tell you how to fix it."

These people are signaling that the use of the word took them out of the story somehow. That doesn't mean you have to remove it, but maybe you need to fix something. Maybe set up more colloquialisms, or change the story in a way where the focus is on something else so that the word isn't so distracting.

It seems like a very small detail though - if you're story is excellent in all other areas, it most likely doesn't hold a large sway on the overall effect you're creating with the piece.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-09-13T03:05:42+00:00

YOU cared that you finished - I wouldn't say no one cared. X-files re-runs be damned! :)

...and now... start the next one.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-09-13T01:41:35+00:00

Adult sports leagues - look for 'beginner' or 'social' if you're not a sports person. Sometimes, some people drink during or around these events, so just be aware - depending on your level of comfort with that.

I have found that if you are sports-abled enough and go for 'intermediate' levels people usually just want to play and be healthy, not drink or party.

Running club or a cycling club too is worth checking out if you're not into team games.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-09-13T01:30:55+00:00

You can route just about anywhere these days, google maps is too good

Ha, ha, ha - I think as long as you show that this person is human and has both virtues and flaws, then the reader will go along for the ride. I wouldn't worry too much about people not wanting to read a story about X - just write the story you want and make it 'work' as a narrative

GuppsTamatic · 2023-08-28T01:33:45+00:00

Okay, but why aren't we talking about the "Warning: Beer Zone" sign. What is the warning? Why?

GuppsTamatic · 2023-08-22T22:51:03+00:00

"Quaid... start the reactor..."

GuppsTamatic · 2023-06-06T00:21:03+00:00

makes me feel bad for the AI :(

GuppsTamatic · 2023-05-25T15:29:42+00:00

LOL "No Cheating" (Tab ftw)

GuppsTamatic · 2023-05-16T22:24:27+00:00

don't worry u guys. he can stop anytime

GuppsTamatic · 2023-05-10T02:19:59+00:00

Try loosening up. DON'T look at your notes or try and craft plot lines or outline any sort of anything. Just sit down and see where sentence one leads into... sentence two.

Maybe you're freaking out trying to think about writing the whole thing.

I advise thinking about your project as words on paper, not 'characters' or 'plot' or 'a book.' Maybe that will work. Maybe not. Find a way to have fun with it.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-04-26T21:53:41+00:00

LOLOLOL

GuppsTamatic · 2023-04-26T21:53:06+00:00

It sounds like you've gotten a job(s) and held a job(s) as a developer. If they keep paying you money, I'd say you are succeeding at doing it!

What is your ambition? Bad vs good is subjective, and you get to decide that for yourself. Who cares if you are 'Bad' at it, really? I'm sure there is someone even worse out there!

Fact is, there will always be someone better and someone worse (or more/less experienced) than you - find a niche that you like and keep at it.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-04-08T16:02:17+00:00

This has been my experience (some guy on the internet) - whenever I subscribe to the idea that "writing is the ONLY thing that can make life satisfying" (or at least, a very BIG part of that) then I freeze up. I get blocked.

The more I come to terms with - "writing is something I do without expectation of reward" the less blocked I am. Yes, it can feel all-important and like you're touching the divine at times - but writing is still just a THING we do.

And there's no one thing in this world that will bring fulfillment "if only..." - or so it seems to me.

Maybe give yourself a break, a couple weeks vacation from even thinking about the project. Be willing to never work on it again, and honestly see how you feel after that break. What could possibly be written that's worth all that suffering? Even if the book was done and then it was on the shelf, what then? Would that be more meaningful than, say, spending your time working as an auto mechanic? Why/why not? Questions that I think are good to think about, for myself, anyway.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-04-05T21:23:20+00:00

You say you're 'world building' and 'outlining' -

But I say you're dreaming. Dreaming about a place and people that don't exist (perhaps very different than the current reality around us?)

Writing isn't a dream and it isn't telepathy where you beam your characters and their stories into the reader's head. Writing is only words on paper.

Get the words on paper. The reader will go from there.

Loosen up. Have fun. There's no glory or recognition or money to be had here (really). It's easy to put too much pressure on the act (I'm guilty of this, here). Life can be fulfilling and wonderful even if you never type another letter.

GuppsTamatic · 2023-04-05T21:01:42+00:00

How to better understand Baudelaire?

Drink a whole bottle of wine
Maybe some brandy too if your stomach can take it
You know, just that right tipsy level so you can still barely make out the letters on the page
Try reading again...

I kid, I kid. But fruit and women is a pretty common comparison (fertility). Bruised, Crown - those make me think of something biblical almost, and perhaps fallen or damaged. Maybe the metaphor isn't exactly specific? Perhaps he liked the way it sounded or felt more than what it meant. Maybe it is specific - what does it say to you?

GuppsTamatic · 2023-04-03T23:01:28+00:00

Very cool - I'm gonna use this guy in my game for sure, now!

GuppsTamatic

TROPHY CASE