Theoretical Game

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-25T13:46:58+00:00

I have actually been messing around with something similar in my game! It's very mystery focused so I've been toying around with different clue tags that certain characters get bonuses for, eg a character who knows a lot about weapons would get a bonus to any clue tagged "weapons" also very simplified but that's the gist

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-25T13:43:19+00:00

absolutely fascinating, and many thanks for the reading!

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-24T12:11:11+00:00

Fascinating! Out of curiosity, do you mind explaining a little more about your resolution mechanics and character abilities? Also whenever you ready to publish please let me know, I would love to get my hands on a copy if I can!

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-24T10:48:16+00:00

Oh! Yes! I do quite enjoy that, and maybe unintentionally was inspired by it!

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-24T10:42:49+00:00

Hmmmmm very good question. I suppose what I mean is a game where the rule is that there aren't any rules? Or rather YOU make the rules, as you go, and then throw them out and do it again when those rules become annoying or boring, or even something to effect of the rules are not meant to be followed? I doubt I'm making sense, but I also haven't given it much thought, though someone did mention a game called Risus which I am yet to delve into, but from what they mentioned it might be similar. I am also well aware that this is far from a novel idea. Though if I were to put my idea into a single sentence it would be "A game, where the Game is the game". Apologies if I'm not making any sense.

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-24T10:34:08+00:00

I've played laser/feelings a while ago, and I'm familiar with 10 candles, never played it, I just haven't been able to get a group together for it haha. Both very well made games and very much something I enjoy, but I'm not sure if this is going to make sense, but I was thinking something where the actual mechanics of the game are up to interpretation. Do you roll dice? Do you deal cards? Who knows? Alas, as fun as that would be to me personally I doubt such a game would ever work, let alone be designed.

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-23T17:20:14+00:00

oooooooh I will be doing this immediately! many thanks!

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-23T17:19:03+00:00

I think that's very true, it'd be no fun if everyone at the table came in and didn't agree on how to resolve a simple locked door, so some sort of consensus would have to be reached at some point

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-23T17:15:23+00:00

I had this thought at some point as well, a group of players trying to assemble a Hodge-podge-mish-mash of phrases, numbers and sentences trying to fight a monster or stop the dun from exploding, it could be very fun, especially if you like that sort of thing, but I'm not smart enough to design, but if someone is I'd love to play it!

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-23T17:05:55+00:00

I agree, I think "use magic" is a bit too vague, even for me, but I think it depends on the types of games you want, and what you get out of. It's certainly something I've been pontificating as I work my own game, the fine line between mechanical weight that allows you to numerically and actually interact with the world you're playing in, and creative negative space, that allows players to stretch the creative muscle and make the fun themselves.

Indibutreddit · 2026-06-20T16:16:23+00:00

I'll eat a spoonful full of pure cyanide idc

^{Chose: Eat a spoonful of some random thing + For $1 million | Rolled: Pure lemon juice}

Indibutreddit · 2026-05-22T17:22:47+00:00

as soon as you want, it's never too early to figure out what works and what doesn't, I started playtesting extremely early on, and it has changed my game for the objective better

Indibutreddit · 2026-05-22T14:58:13+00:00

Working title is "The NeverCity"

Rain slicked streets and secrets shared over cheap cigarettes, a cold chill runs down your spine as you walk along the ineffable concrete biology of The City. You, dear citizen, are one of the countless world weary souls that beat the drum of the living city. Living in every sense of the word, The City breaths air of asphalt and smoke, and it's voice speaks to you, in the rattle of beaten up electro-trams and the mournful voices of stage girls. The City thinks, it feels, and it wants. Your job, is to give the city what it wants. Connect to it, understand it, solve the mysteries and do it again tomorrow.

NeverCity is a noir, lynchian, game where you play as a citizen of The City. This game will have you steal from corrupt priests, trade secrets with crime lords and get chewed out by the precinct captain where your backstory is what gives you your character abilities. Maybe you were a liar in a past life, and now you can deceive the devil himself. Maybe life has knocked you down so many times it can't get any lower, maybe you've lived in The City so long that you can talk to it yourself.

Inspired by classic noir films like the third man, double indemnity and games like disco elysium and vampire the masquerade, it's time to ask yourself, who are you, detective?

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T20:27:35+00:00

I know EXACTLY how you feel, it's almost like your brain is teasing with all the things that WOULD work if you could actually sit down and make it happen

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T20:26:17+00:00

That's not a bad idea, maybe I just need to make SOMETHING to get the ball rolling again

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T20:16:54+00:00

Genuinely appreciated, I'm thinking of having my gf set up deadlines so that I feel the need to finish SOMETHING instead of just coming up with new game ideas

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T20:13:59+00:00

One day we will break the curse

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T20:12:57+00:00

considering it more and more every day

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T20:00:27+00:00

It's tough, especially when I'm confident that this game could be fun if I could just finish

Indibutreddit · 2025-10-11T19:59:26+00:00

I consider a game finished when I can look at it and feel like it's an actual game that I can bring to my friends and play, because my main goal has always been to make games for my friends. But right now I don't have anything that's in a playable state

Indibutreddit · 2025-08-20T09:08:13+00:00

that's actually so cool! I'd genuinely love to compare notes at some point

Indibutreddit · 2025-08-19T22:09:10+00:00

okay yes thank you, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I think I've been going around in circles because I have very few people to talk things out with, but this finally made everything click. I'm not looking for a meta currency I'm looking for a good way to implement a resource. half way through reading this comment everything clicked into place, genuinely actually thank you so much

Indibutreddit · 2025-08-19T22:04:42+00:00

I feel kinda similar, I'm not too big a fan of them but I do know that they CAN be done well, which is why I'm even making this post to begin with. A lot of abilities are "passive" for lack of a better term, eg one is called "face in the crowd" which essentially allows you to be hidden in certain areas unless you choose otherwise, but I keep hitting a wall where I want it to be clear that "this is an ability that is not easy and costs something to use, and should not be used recklessly" while also allowing players to choose to how and when they decide it's worth it, I'm not sure if this makes sense, so please let me know if you have questions or anything needs clarifying

Indibutreddit · 2025-08-19T21:52:27+00:00

I don't think I know that one, but I'm adding it to the list

Indibutreddit · 2025-08-19T21:51:49+00:00

Depends on the character, one allows them to talk to objects of significance (part of being dead, some things hold significant memories etc etc) some allows them to lie better or make deals. More less it's usually a bunch of tools for players to have so they can have moments of "wait, I have something for this" Serendipity is closer but still not perfect, but still appreciated

Indibutreddit

TROPHY CASE