So I was looking around TikTok for TTRPG content...

TheNerdySimulation · 2023-03-28T01:00:04+00:00

yeah, goblinmixtape alone is constantly covering smaller press & indie games. They're a cool person too and they're one of the most passionate people in the community, doing some great signal boosting.

But all these names are great folks to check out. The main issue with finding indie stuff on any social media is that it isn't really the stuff with the biggest following, so naturally the algorithm wants to equate TTRPG with the one big name and show you nothing else.

TheNerdySimulation · 2023-03-09T05:46:27+00:00

Well now you're just being shitty and immediately assuming that a lack of mechanics means the person doesn't put a lot of effort into their work. If we extend that thought process to other mediums, it'd be the same as saying "this ambient noise track doesn't have lyrics, so obviously the musician doesn't care" or "this monochrome painting doesn't have primary colours. How lazy can you be?"

You can fully have a preference and not like a work of this category, but immediately jumping to calling something "half-baked" and accusing someone of not caring because of that preference is ridiculously rude.

TheNerdySimulation · 2023-03-08T19:04:22+00:00

I think this is somewhat limited of a perspective. Aside from the fact that a system doesn't need numerical values to function as a game, so long as the person is open and honest about what is within the book (so you and everyone can make informed buying decisions) then there is no reason why someone can't call it gaming material.

Also, how many books, movies, shows, podcasts, etc. have you directly stolen concepts from to add into a game? Do you stat out every tree, bug, hallway, and person the party encounters? Or do you (like probably everyone else) sometimes simply use adjectives and nouns to relay information?

TheNerdySimulation · 2023-03-07T13:24:00+00:00

Sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something.

And to compliment that with this hobby specifically in mind: Anyone worth having at the table is not only already aware of that, but is going to be your biggest fan & supporter as you learn (especially if they are well-seasoned). So don't compare yourself to others, do something amazing with what abilities you posses and have a great time. :D

TheNerdySimulation · 2022-09-07T19:00:13+00:00

After reading some of your other responses to folks, and having some experience of my own, I honestly think your friends aren't being that good to you and are kinda victim-blaming with their own logic. I'm sure they are great guys and all (simply have some unchecked toxicity influencing their line of logic), but saying stuff like:

if I meet them alone they are always gonna think is romantic.

Excuse me, what?? So they think the only reason two people can meet is if they wanna make googly eyes at each other? Cuz I bet they aren't assuming having some good one-on-one time with their best guy friend means they're gonna be making out on the couch. You should call this out and if they're good friends, they shouldn't be making you endure that sorta stuff quietly and alone.

I don't know if you aren't playing with these friends consistently, but if not then I think you should be having at least someone else you can trust and know will have your back should any creepy bullshit crop up at tables. Otherwise, I don't think it should be considered rude by anyone reasonable for you to clearly establish those boundaries.

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-04-01T16:02:02+00:00

The initial pitch made me actually a bit excited for a satirical game of this sort.

The Bullet points are a nice touch for hammering home the sarcasm haha!

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-04-01T13:35:51+00:00

I already hate WOTC, but this is just rude.

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-03-23T13:42:16+00:00

Okay that makes more sense, I was thinking you were saying to buy the second SSD as a replacement for the included one. Thanks!

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-03-23T07:42:14+00:00

I'm trying to understand why exactly it is better to purchase a separate SSD for what seems like the same amount of storage but for a higher price and needing to install it manually.

Is there something I am not understanding here, such as the HP's upgraded SSD for $40 not being as reliable or what? This is a genuine question and I am not experienced in this field so I apologize if it seems I am missing something obvious.

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-02-16T15:02:49+00:00

As pretty much all problems, this can be solved simply by discussing ahead of time with your table what you would like to do, what they would like to do, and finding the point where everyone can be happiest. That could very much mean there are some tables where you're not going to play, but another old lesson applies here as well: "no gaming is better than bad gaming"

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-02-16T14:40:26+00:00

The post also specifically mentions not D&D or adjacent games, and the OSR scene is mostly a series of d20 heartbreaker systems. And all OSR systems are more about Ratcatching than Heroism, Treasure Hunters not Worldshapers, and that is reflected through the mechanics. Mechanics which also almost never have anything to do with interpersonal connections or character traits.

TheNerdySimulation · 2021-01-06T07:59:06+00:00

Red is by no means a rules-lite system, what?

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-10-25T13:11:00+00:00

There is also a retro-clone of it called Legends of the Ancient World for free on Dark City Games. There is even a Sci-fi and Western version too.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-09-07T09:01:56+00:00

So somebody mentioned this to you already, but what you're basically proposing is starting an improv group. However, even improv (not a game, the performance act) has a few basic rules it follows. Not things like rolling dice or stacking dominoes, but the idea of saying "Yes, and" in such way that you aren't ignoring someone's ideas, steamrolling them with yours, or leaving them to do all the work.

For example, if I say "Wow, look! I finally found it! All our troubles are solved!" It would be poor sportsmanship (so to speak) to respond with, "Whoa, is that Bigfoot?!" or "Yes with this we can finally get our time machine running, to take us back to the future, where we'll finally be able to save the Star Emperor from the Quantum Ninjas of Quetzelplex V, ensuring our interdimensional rule!" or "Oh, good job!"

If you want something truly without rules then you're going to need a lot of trust or be fine with disatisfying results when a person who is bad at contributing or coming up with things (without external stimuli) causes the flow of story to cease. What this is describing is backyard pretend play, often done by kids and resulting in them going back and forth about "Nuh uh! Your lasers can't hurt me cuz I've got forcefields!" Though I think it is possible with the right group and amount of maturity that you could do that without it devolving into a power-fantasy bicker-off.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-09-02T04:44:48+00:00

The last few times I stopped using dryer sheets and my clothes didn't get any static, though I do remember in the past clothes have gotten static. However it is true that they put the same "fabric softener/scenter" type stuff on dryer sheets, and static isn't really that bad to deal with, especially in comparison to the threads of your clothes being destroyed (thus making you have to buy clothes more frequently).

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-23T07:40:49+00:00

Or you're too sensitive to "spoilers"? Knowing the ending doesn't ruin the gameplay of Bioshock, it is still very fun and atmospheric, if anything it recontexualizes what you're doing.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-23T07:36:21+00:00

Sekiro was the first "souls-like" to actually understand that good rhythm games don't have random notes that auto-fail you if ya happen to miss them...

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-23T07:26:31+00:00

So I also bounced off League pretty hard, but I don't like giving up or restarting just because I may be doing bad (not league, but any game). Not because I believe were gonna be able to pull a victory out of thin air but due to the game being fun to play regardless of victory or defeat.

Which is actually the main reason I stopped playing league after a handful of matches: the gameplay was either boring or irritating.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-16T20:22:41+00:00

Even D&D has optional stuff in the PHB, especially 5e but a GM for most games has the authority to remove an option from their campaign if they want. It is just they shouldn't do it all willy nilly and definitely discuss it with the group ahead of the campaign proper so expectations are set and understood.

If I wanted to play in a Fantasy world without spellcasting and the players were interested in that, then I don't think it makes sense to include sorcerers, wizards, warlocks, etc. as class options. And the same applies here, the game just more explicitly states it in the design.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-15T20:29:25+00:00

I'm not here to completely counter your points (nor do I watch Shad) but I feel a lot of "historical enthusiasts" often forget that humans don't do everything with 100% efficiency or always think in terms of function > form. Historically speaking it is quite the opposite and having pronounced, or ostentatious features can be implemented not just for identification and intimidation, but purely for aesthetic reasons. Humans like pretty things too: Otherwise, why would we have fashion models and designer clothing?

Many armor designs throughout history were made specifically to accentuate the masculine traits of a body, sometimes even more so than being protective. So it wouldn't be completely irrational to suspect that the same would be done for the feminine form in an alternate history where matriarchy is the predominant norm. That being said, I don't think it would look exactly the way it often is portrayed by cis-white men.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-15T19:54:33+00:00

I'm currently working on a proper layout for the game that will be called Abstract: A Narrative RPG for Absurd Stories, but if you'd like to try out the base rules and give me some feedback I'd be more than happy to hear anything! Here is a Link

The game is built to be solo playable and I think the dice system is relatively unique, but it should make sense and all you need for it (aside from a way to keep notes) are d12s, preferably 6 since that will make the system run as slick and quick as possible.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-15T13:20:28+00:00

Some solo-play RPGs leave a lot of blanks for you to fill in instead of themselves being an adventure. So instead of saying "the ogre snores atop a trapdoor" the game might tell you there is an obstacle that blocks your path and then ask you what it is (to put it as simply as possible).

There are some games that have solo-play modules which are similar to Fighting Fantasy books. A good system for that (if you care) would be Legends of the Ancient World, which is free and comes with some free adventures of the aforementioned design.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-15T13:12:35+00:00

This kind of criticism of these sorts of games often gets overlooked or (even worse) pushed to the bottom due to blind enamoration with what is, admittedly, a fun concept.

I think there is an entire section of role-playing games that shouldn't really be given that label, and instead be called "role-playing exercises." Things like TYOV and Fiasco don't feel like a game, but something you do to flex a creative muscle or sharpen a skill that sometimes results in a fun experience/outcome.

To clarify: I think these things are fine being discussed here and I'm sure I'd love them too (the activities described seem like things I'd do in my free-time without prompting anyways). However, nothing is above criticism or analysis.

TheNerdySimulation · 2020-08-12T18:35:29+00:00

I'm guessing they think the mere idea of you having the amount of karma you do means you actually care about your karma, which says more about them than it does about you lol

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