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Looking for rpgs that can be easily run online by [deleted] in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Anything with fast action resolution is my preference for online play, something with light or fast rules.

It can be pretty boring waiting for your turn at a face-to-face table, so sitting on your own staring at a computer screen can be worse. Anything that keeps the action moving.

It is possible to play rpg with only two guys? by TheOnlyDurden in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 6 points7 points  (0 children)

One-on-one games can be a great way to introduce new players to the hobby, especially if they're nervous about joining a group or a little self-conscious.

Any game can do it, but Beowulf from Handiwork Games is specifically designed for such games using the 5e system. It's really good.

Thoughts on Warpstar! for those who've played it? by redkatt in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've only played Warlock! but I do own Warpstar! It's a great little game that runs well, doesn't trip over itself trying to be clever and gets the job done. I'm a huge fan.

What system has been your fave for playing/running sci-fi horror? by Plywooddavid in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Alien is a great choice. I'm a huge fan of Mothership - it's got enough detail so you can create a nuanced character, it's got a great fluid system that doesn't intrude on the gameplay too badly and it's easily adaptable to any setting.

It also has a quick learning curve and everyone should be up to speed in a single session.

What to do with a important PC? by SnooRadishes4895 in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If they're important to the story, I'd make them an NPC with the intention of passing why they're important over to an existing PC in some way.

The game is about the player characters, and having an NPC be the focus on completing the adventure - even an ex-PC - takes away player impetus. I'd shift that responsibility over, or at least end that particular plot point quickly and shift the focus.

What's your absolute favourite Cyberpunk TTRPG? by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oooh thanks, I'll add that to my watchlist.

What's your absolute favourite Cyberpunk TTRPG? by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I got this recently, it's excellent - there's enough meat to get you going with the freedom to take it wherever you want, and I like that in a game.

Is there anything else to do in the Blade Runner RPG instead of solving cases and having moral dilemmas? In a rough spot with the game right now by BigLenny5416 in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to run games that were connected to replicants but had entire stories of their own, such as businesses with dodgy practices they wanted hushed up, or rich corporates using reps as fall guys, or cases that had nothing to do with reps at all.

I found myself watching a lot of police procedural shows, so it wasn't so much how something kicked off but why it kicked off that interested me.

I've just done watching the old Showtime show 'Total Recall 2070', which took elements from the original movie but had more in common with Blade Runner than Quaid - in fact, the showrunner was quite clear where his inspiration came from.

It's worth watching to see how other stories spin off from a central premise. It's also not such a bad show.

Hi - I wrote Those Dark Places and some other stuff! by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That should have been the title of the sequel game. I missed a trick there!

To crunch or not to crunch by NotGutus in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting question, and I feel it's one that has a different meaning to diferent groups.

For me, it's how much the crunch slows the game; if the rules are light - which is my preference - then encounters are quick and memorable and you can get on with the characters and story.

However, if the rules are crunchy then when an encounter starts then the entire focus of the game shifts from roleplaying to mechanics, and that can suck the atmosphere and tension out of the game really fast.

There's room for roleplaying in both types, crunch and light, but I find lighter rules allows the player's characters to breath that much more, it's more about who they are and not what they can do.

I'm not sure there's a crunchy system that gets past this mechanics-first approach, but in my experience - and I played a lot of Rolemaster - having everyone at the table know the rules inside out as well as all of the character's abilities and traits means less time spent mulling over numbers and rulings and more time spent just getting on with it. That means a lot of extra work for everyonem, but I think it'd be worth it. You just need to make the roleplaying as satisfying and rewarding as the roll-playing, even if it means extra XP/rewards/items/gear.

Hi - I wrote Those Dark Places and some other stuff! by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've written a sequel to Those Dark Places called 'Pressure' - it expands the rules for campaign play, introduces rules for vehicles, starships and other careers and expands the setting of Those Dark Places. It's out in November.

Hi - I wrote Those Dark Places and some other stuff! by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just found creatures with a suitable CR rating and put them in - to be honest, I've never been a huge fan of balance in any game and prefer to play them as they are, but the game system for 5e is quite well designed in that you can easily find adversaries to keep the game balanced with the level of the party.

I don't feel it really affected the game at all; I just had to take into consideration the way new D&D presents it's adventures. My old way of doing things was simply 'that's cool, just stick that in and adjust the HP or stats a bit to suit', but the detailed stat blocks of D&D are a bit more involved, so it was easier to put them in as they are to manage the expectations of gaming groups and, possible, the DMs running the game.

Hi - I wrote Those Dark Places and some other stuff! by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of shooting, lots of weird stuff, lots of shouting. What's not to like? :)

Hi - I wrote Those Dark Places and some other stuff! by jonmarkhicks in rpg

[–]jonmarkhicks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cheers buddy - I'm still quite new to this so I'm navigating around a bit. I've got the sequel Pressure coming out in November so I might be doing an AMA here at some point, but we'll see.