#that is RPG dungeon design 101
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That's two jailbreaks in one day!
FIRST - PREVIOUS - NEXT
MASTERPOST (for the full series / FAQ / reference sheets)
#deltarune#undertale#utdr#crossover#crossover comic#comic#undertale fanart#deltarune fanart#twin runes#twin runes au#twin runes comic#my art#toriel#asgore#ralsei#chara#susie deltarune#if there's one good thing about lesslo then it's that he gave them a direct hint how to get out#dead child climbs through the broken pieces of crumbling code in oder to HOPEFULLY end up out on the right end#quite a gamble if you ask me but it's Chara we're talking about#they already have self-sacrificial tendencies at least if it's for the people they care about#also lucky that the only character that is small enough to fit through the hole#would be smart enough to deal with the very conveniently placed puzzle that is probably the key to breaking everyone else out#that is RPG dungeon design 101#and now we actually get a better look at Toriel's dark world design#for any time travellers... this comic came out before the release of chapter 3+4#i can't read toby's mind nor look into the future... please forgive me for not being acurrate
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CLASSPECTING 101: INTRO TO RPG CLASSES
Back in the beginnings of the RPG genre, before game cartridges had the storage space for "dialogue" or "characters" or "personality," games were written entirely in shorthand. Characters were unnamed units whose entire identity revolved around their particular moveset.
This was referred to as their job or their class.
(Early Final Fantasy leaned into this especially hard, as playable characters had no names or unique designs. Their only differentiating factor was their Class.)
For a while, this worked.
RPGs on the (S)NES didn't have the storage space to write actual personalities for each of the party members, so when introducing a character, they simply say: "You are a hero. You must save the world from giant evil shadow skull. This is your class. Have fun!" Classes were designed to abstract/imply the illusion of character.
This is because writing characters (even when you aren't confined to a 1MB cartridge) usually comes down to what a character can/would do, and what a character can't/won't do. Characters are actions.
We call characters that fight monsters and save the day "good guys," and characters who burn down villages and slaughter innocents "bad guys." Characters are choices. Choices are actions.
A character that fights monsters using their giant sword feels different from a character that fights monsters by shooting fireballs. Characters are methods. Methods are actions.
Classes abstract all of these above character components by saying "every character of this type can do these things."
All Warriors are very buff, but lack magic. All Mages have magic, but are pretty scrawny. A White Mage uses magic to heal, whereas a Black Mage uses magic to harm!
The above list isn't what we'd currently consider "personalities," it's just a list of actions that characters can choose from, but it tricks the player into imagining personalities instead. They hand you a list of actions, and ask you to create a character that would do them.
If characters are actions, then Classes are "pre-built characters."
youtube
(The player characters never speak. They quite literally have no personality. Their only method of communication/individuality is their specific list of spells/skills.)
So, why does this matter?
Homestuck, at its core, is an RPG pastiche. A deconstruction of themes inherent to the genre. Analyzing RPGs can help us analyze Homestuck.
Classpecting is one of the more obvious examples of deconstruction, as Sburb Classes are very clearly derived from genre classics (Dungeons & Dragons, Final Fantasy, etc.), all recontextualized to ask the hard hitting questions:
"Isn't it kinda fucked up to be assigned a generic label that describes all the actions you've ever done/will ever do?"
Yeah, kinda! It speaks to a larger "dehumanizing" effect that Sburb tends to have on players, abstracting them into units with certain roles, functions, and responsibilities.
Wouldn't it suck to be a character in one of these RPGs, with a whole backstory, personality, and rich inner world, all to have a "higher power" reduce you down into what you can do (moveset), how good you are at it (stats), and what they'll use you for (player strategy)?
This is one of the main pillars of Homestuck: Being a video game character is an inherently degrading experience.
"Does 'what you're good at' decide your Class, or does your Class decide what you're good at?"
Homestuck is a mess of bootstrap paradoxes, so you can argue this either way and probably be right. The answer is probably a constantly looping "both."
But, now that I'm thinking about it, I personally lean toward "Class decides what you're good at."
If Skaia decides what your Class is at "inception," then it could be argued that you excel at certain things to help prepare you for the role you were (literally) designed for. Your hobbies and interests are off-screen coaching for your on-screen role.
To bring it back to RPGs, think of the (oftentimes generic) backstory you pick for a TTRPG character to justify them having the skills Talk To Animals and Explode Undead. You create what they did before the game as justification for actions they can do during the game.
Except Sburb does this on a cosmic scale, crafting your entire life up until the game to prepare you for playing it. Sucks! More on this in a future post.
"Are all characters of the same Class the same guy? Or at least the same type of guy?"
In early RPGs? Yes!
In a quite literal sense, all characters of the same class were essentially the same exact "person." Same design, same role, same methods. With no dialogue or personality to differentiate them, if you made a party of four White Mages, they'd essentially all be clones!
(This isn't entirely true, though. More on that at the bottom.)
In Homestuck? No!
This is partially because Classes are only half of Classpects, a more complex idea where your RPG Class is paired up with a "metaphysical element" known as an Aspect. With 12 Aspects, that means there's 12 versions of every Class.
Basically, you can have two Knights in the same party, but they can still be incredibly different (albeit similar!) units under this system.
(Dave and Karkat, on top of being a Certified Premium Yaoi Stockâ˘, are a great case study for the similarities/differences between same Classes of differing Aspects.)
Yet, even if we ask this question again with Classpects instead of Class, the answer remains the same: you can have two characters with the same exact Classpect, and they'll still be noticeably different people.
How the hell does that work? Well, for starters, Homestuck is a story that does actually have character writing.
You can have two characters that perform similar actions (ex: Dirk and Equius are designed to have very similar traits, interests, and habits, even down to exact actions) and their Classpects will still be completely different (Prince of Heart vs. Heir of Void).
Likewise, you can have characters of the same exact Classpect (and identity!) perform incredibly different actions.
(Calliope and Alternate Calliope (CAL and AL, for short) are one of the best examples of completely different characters with the same Classpect. And they're even the same character, technically!)
This is where the crux of Classpecting as an artform is. Mechanically, if heavily differing characters can be the same "thing," and very similar characters can be different "things," then what is it that Classes and Aspects decide?
We're going way overtime, so I'll answer a question by rewording an earlier question:
"You have a PokĂŠmon team made up of, let's say, six Dunsparce. Are all these Dunsparce the same exact thing? What could be different between them? What would always be the same?"
If you read this far: Sorry! Didn't mean to get this carried away! Thanks, though. Marrying two topics I care a lot about (game design and Homestuck) is a pretty good way to pass the time, it turns out.
If you think you know the answer to the above question, feel free to chime in. I'll give my two cents whenever I follow up on this topic.
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Crit Role Miniature Rollout: C2E129
With Andrew Harshman
An archive and review of the minis used on CR.
Another tense fight in a long line of recent tense fights. Reviewing the combat footage I was struck by how upbeat everyone was at the sight of the wonderful map. And then how suddenly that mood changed. Very dramatic shift in tone and very dramatic episode in general.
Half damage is still damage, itâs time for Crit Role Miniature Rollout Campaign 2 Episode 129!
The List
Mats by Mars: Molten Crust Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat
Chest and Trove 5E Condition Rings
Dwarven Forge HellscapeÂ
Dwarven Forge Hellscape Magma River
Dwarven Forge Terrain Tray Multi-Pack (Rough Stone/Acid)
Dwarven Forge Zaltarâs Gameroom furniture accessories
Dwarven Forge Pathfinder Plaguestone - Alchemy Lab Accessories
Tiny Furniture Dark Magister Workplace
Dungeon Lair Tables and Chairs Accessory Set Chairs
Crown of Fangs Dressing: Rectangular Table
Mantic Games Terrain Crate: Wizards Study Bookcase
Steamforged Mighty Nein Miniatures
D&D Spell Effects: Halasterâs Tumultuous Templates
Arcknight 5E Wizard Spell Effects
Baldurâs Gate Descent Into Avernus #034 Sylvira Savikas
Crown of Fangs #008 Halfling RogueÂ
Unknown Yeza miniature
Maze of Death - Fire Elemental Lord
Elemental Evil #028 Fire Elemental
The Terrain
I predicted Dwarven Forge Hellscape for episode 101. What a prediction, a mere 28 sessions off, lol. Iâll take a âwithin 1/5th of the campaignâ margin of error. Well this episode we actually got some Hellscape lava Episode III action.
To summarize, this map is scatter terrain from Tiny Furniture, Mantic Games, Pathfinder Battles, Dwarven Forge, on various DF Hellscape sets, magnetized to metal DF Terrain Trays, all atop... you guessed it, A MATS BY MARS RPG MAT! Mats by Mars: Molten Crust to be exactly. And what a glamorously treacherous mat it is. Use my code: DNDEED0321 for 10% off your matsbymars.com order.
But back to the 3D elements of this Battle Matt battle map, Hellscape is an awesome Dwarven Forge set recently Kickstarted and current available in their webstore. All the pieces in the set mix and match together super seamlessly and also pair well with the older DF cave sets. Itâs also a surprisingly useful set. Adventuring parties are constantly going to hellish, lava filled locations. And constantly falling into lava, Iâve lost two barbarians this way.
The Nonplayer Characters
Luc Brenatto Crown of Fangs #008 Halfling Rogue Mini image sourced from paizo.com Marion Lavorre Baldurâs Gate Descent Into Avernus #034 Sylvira Savikas Mini image sourced from minigallery.com Yeza Brenatto Unknown
Wow, âHalfling Rogueâ, what a creative name. There are so many minis called âHalfling Rogueâ. There are already several Halfing Rogue models that have been used in Campaign 2. Toya from Episode 1 and 3 is portrayed by another Halfling Rogue model for example. This specific Pathfinder Halfling Rogue was actually used as one of the circus crowd minis in the Campaign 2 premiere. Itâs a fun model. Cool hat, cool muttonchops, even cool halfling foot muttonchops.
Regarding Yezaâs mini, I have no idea what model this is (itâs the one barely visible to the right of Marion). Itâs very tough to see on the olâ DF B-Cam. Itâs a small size category base, probably a halfling or gnome. But really the size category hardly narrows it down, could be a svirfneblin or gerblin... or svirfgerblin for all I know. I browsed through a list of D&D and PF models with halfling/gnome in their name, and couldnât really find anything that seemed to match. So, while I do not have a formal Yesa mini identification, I do have a formal Yesa mini recommendation: Kingmaker #014 Jubilost, Gnome Alchemist.
Jubilost, Gnome Alchemist image sourced from minigallery.com
I put together and ran an adventure entitled Attack on Felderwin for the summer of 2019 Seattle Critters One Shot Meetup. Hereâs a copy paste of the adventure overview:
The Dynastyâs intelligence network has identified a target of extreme strategic importance. A war criminal and Dwendalian Empire collaborator known as the Vile Alchemist. Intel indicates that this individual (known locally as Yeza Brenatto) has partnered with imperial arcanists to develop a weapon that perverts the dunamantic power of the Luxon. This blasphemy shall not stand. As Krynn Dynasty Shadowhand operatives, it is up to you to locate, capture, and exfiltrate this target from his last known location in the imperial municipality of Felderwin. Good luck and light be with you!
It was great fun with a great group and featured a purple worm powered beachhead assault, the gravity well compression of an entire detachment of townguards, a duel with the Archmage of Antiquity herself, and a visit to the notorious Brenatto basement alchemy lab (including a sighting of the infamous chair). As you can see, Jubilost, Gnome Alchemist is the right scale, is a literal alchemist, has a beard, and is bespectacled. Iâm not actually sure if Yeza has a full beard, but at the very least he has sideburns. A lot of fan art and cosplay features some facial hair. Now onto a miniature I do know the identity of.
This episode features the Ruby of the Sea portrayed by Baldurâs Gate Descent Into Avernus #034 Sylvira Savikas. Also a figure that was in a previous episode. Itâs a good model which showed up in the Episode 89 fight club:
I own this model myself, I like it quite a bit. Crisp sculpt, tidy paint, overall delightful character design. Looking forward to the return of in-person gaming so I can shoehorn a well dressed tiefling NPC into a session. A very lucky random booster pull.
Guardian of the Sanctum Maze of Death - Fire Elemental Lord Mini image sourced from wizkids.com
The studio lighting really gave this figure a glow up, please pardon the pun. A rather righteous miniature with an unexciting factory paint job. This mini was originally bundled with an air elemental in a Pathfinder Battles Case Incentive set, this model is now also available as part of the unpainted Pathfinder line. The one on the show looks to be the prepainted version. Itâs really awesome to see a powerful feminine elemental form. Fire elementals are generally beastial or man-ish looking. Hashtag I Need Diverse Games. And that extends to vaguely humanoid elementals as well. Iâm here for this guardian elemental.
Guardian Triple Flame Form Elemental Evil #028 Fire Elemental Mini image sourced from minisgallery.com
This registers somewhere on the beast-like segment of the elemental scale. Iâm not a huge fan of the Elemental Evil D&D Wizkids set, but they do deliver on some good elementals, as the set title would suggest. I love the swirling, erupting, gas cloud explosion sort of appearance this sculpt and paint creates. Mighty fine fire elemental.
Closing Thoughts and Predictions
Maybe Iâll get another shot at IDing Yeza. But that may be unlikely, as I predict that the Mighty Nein will be doubling their efforts to protect their family members. Hopefully Yeza, Luc, and Marion wonât fine themselves on a battle map any time soon. In terms of map and mini usage predictions, Iâm really not sure. Maybe some snow maps? At the very least that would be a refreshing change of climate and temperature.
See ya next ep!
#critroleminiaturerollout
#criticalroleminiaturerollout#critroleminiaturerollout#cr#crspoilers#criticalrole#critrole#critical role#crit role#ineeddiversegames#seattlecritters
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Massive DMâs Toolkit (Online Resources)
This post in based on a post from reddit by u/Apollonaut13. Theyâve collected a shit ton of helpful DM sites and you should definitely check them out when you first start DMâing. Links and other things under the cut.Â
REFERENCE
System Reference
SRD version 1
SRD version 2
SRD version 3
D&D Next Index
A Guide to Skills
Simple online DM screen
Complex online DM Screen
Spell List
https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/
DM TIPS
Written Advice and Guides
The Ten Commandments of GMing
Matt Colville's written advice to new GMs
So You Want to DM: Advice for New Players
Geek and Sundry's Basic Tips for a Novice DM
GoblinsComic Dungeon Master Tips
NewbieDM 87 GM Tips
Kassoon DM Lessons
Making Meaningful NPCs
Help with Religions
Comprehensive Guide: Let's Build a Fantasy Setting
Medieval Inns and Taverns
The Alexandrian's System-neutral GM tips
Dungeon Mastering Video Guides
Matt Colville's Running the Game
Matthew Mercer's GM Tips
Making Dungeons
[Simple but Effective Dungeon Building Guide] (http://roleplayingtips.com/readissue.php?number=156)
[The Rusty Battleaxe - Dungeon Design] (http://therustybattleaxe.blogspot.com.br/p/dungeon-links.html)
DM TOOLS
Comprehensive Collections of Information
[Google Drive Dungeon and Game Master Tools] (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0Bwe9mtdZ7AWXa0d5TDJGSXlpV3M)
Reddit The Complete Hippo
Farland DM and Player Tools
http://gamemastering.info/
Nerzugal's DM ToolKit
Campaign Management Tools
The GM Binder
[Kanka Campaign Manager] (http://www.kanka.io/en)
[Online 3rd-party webapp for D&D, under development] (https://adventurerscodex.com/)
[5E Database, Homebrew Tools & Campaign Management] (https://bluedragon.io/)
[Trello] (https://trello.com/)
[EverNote] (https://evernote.com/)
Shops and Equipment
Shop Catalog version 1
Shops Catalog version 2
More Market Details
Homebrewed Magic Item crafting/selling rules
Mundane Goods and Martial Equipment
Shop Names
City Places
Alternative DM Screens
[Online DM Screen] (http://www.5edmscreen.com/#News)
[Alt DM Screen Version 1] (http://imgur.com/a/IXjjg)
[Alt DM Screen Version 2] (http://mojobob.com/roleplay/dnd5e/Fitz%27s%205e%20DM%20Screen.pdf)
Alt DM Screen Version 3
Alt DM Screen Version 4
Alt DM Screen Version 5 (landscape)
Alt DM Screen Version 5 (Portrait)
Unearthed Arcana List
List of Unearthed Arcana (UA)
Traps
[Trapmaking 101] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/5r3pzg/traps_101/)
Traps Revisited (Unearthed Arcana)
[Trap Collection] (http://www.farlandworld.com/files/trapcol1.pdf)
[http://www.thievesguild.cc/traps-and-tricks] (http://www.thievesguild.cc/traps-and-tricks)
On Tricks, Empty Rooms, and Basic Trap Design
RANDOM GENERATORS
Compilations of Multiple Generators
[donjon.bin.sh] (https://donjon.bin.sh/)
[AutoRoll Tables - Github] (http://autorolltables.github.io/)
[BehindTheTables Giant Generator collection] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/452r6r/a_massive_and_growing_resource_of_random_tables/)
[Red Kat Art DnD5Tools] (http://redkatart.com/dnd5tools/)
[RP Tools] (http://www.rptools.net/toolbox/)
[Chaotic Shiny] (http://chaoticshiny.com/)
[Abulafia Generators] (http://www.random-generator.com/index.php?title=Main_Page)
[d12dev] (https://www.d12dev.com/en/welcome/)
Items
[Weak Magic Item generator] (http://www.lordbyng.net/inspiration/) provides flavor for items weaker than +1 but so much more interesting
[Sane Magic Item Prices] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8XAiXpOfz9cMWt1RTBicmpmUDg/view)
[Effects for Magic Weapons] (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicWeapons.htm)
[Inspiration for Magic Item Sets] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By3AkfMY8wwpZUxJOUlVUDBDX00/view)
[Some Homebrew Magic Items] (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BONVbAJzybPvQomDr3uNuabyqVCEylNLk3GEAo7lJYk/edit)
Loot
[One Loot Table to Rule Them All] (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lIKwMVNbJLTE8b5iHbhEMFef8o7WuVsy1s0-I0k3ohA/edit#gid=0)
Dungeons
[Quick Dungeon Map Generator] (https://davesmapper.com/)
[Megadungeon generator] (http://therustybattleaxe.blogspot.com.br/p/megadungeon-links-ii-maps-tables.html)
[PolyDungeon] (http://polyrogue.com/dungeon/)
Towns and Villages (see also: MAPS AND MAP-MAKING TOOLS)
[Town generator] (http://www.rdinn.com/town_generator.php)
[Demographics] (http://www.mathemagician.net/town.html)
[Town Notice Board] (http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/BkwZYf2V) (d100)
Calculators
[Point-Buy calculator] (http://1-dot-encounter-planner.appspot.com/point-buy-calculator.html)
[Dice Roller] (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dice/dice.htm)
[Encounter Calculator] (http://dhmholley.co.uk/encounter-calculator-5th/)
NPCs
[Detailed NPC StatBlock Generator] (http://rpgtinker.com/index.php?template=Spy&race=Wood+Elf&radioattribute=Good+Array+%2816%2C14%2C12%2C11%2C10%2C10%29&numberofhitdice=7&hitdice=d8)
[NPC Generator (more RP focus)] (http://npcgenerator.azurewebsites.net/)
[Name Generator] (http://www.behindthename.com/random/)
[NPC background generator] (http://www.drlverse.com/gmrt (characters).htm)
Memorable Mooks and Minions
[Random NPC generator, not for 5th ed] (http://www.lastgaspgrimoire.com/generators/npc-birthing-sacs/)
Substances
[Drugs for D&D] (http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/rJ10BMsH)
[Poison Generator] (http://orteil.dashnet.org/randomgen/?gen=vMMEtKRA)
Riddles
[Riddle Collection 1] (http://www.farlandworld.com/files/riddles1.pdf)
[Riddle Collection 2] (http://www.farlandworld.com/files/rid1.pdf)
D100 Riddle Table
Other Tools
[Initiative Tracker] (http://improved-initiative.com/)
[Critical Hits and Critical Fumbles] (http://sbm.elagplus.com/index.php?f=gch)
ADVENTURES AND ADVENTURE GUIDES
[The Great List of 5e Adventures] (https://merricb.com/the-great-list-of-dd-5e-adventures/)
Tomb of Annihilation
[Tomb of Annihilation DMs Discord Server] (https://discord.gg/pTajjWg)
[Tomb of Annihilation DMs Facebook Group] (https://www.facebook.com/groups/458806661178505/)
Lost Mines of Phandelver
[Lost Mines of Phandelver tips] (https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?739599-5th-Tips-Advice-Warnings-on-running-Lost-Mine-of-Phandelver)
[Using LMoP as a Sandbox setting] (http://my-realms.blogspot.com/2014/07/starter-set-sandbox-0-introduction.html?m=1)
[Quest Cards] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e_B77Pun-W4ltAOMfkI6GS-ilt9_xy_h/view?usp=sharing)
Curse of Strahd
/r/CurseOfStrahd
[Merric's Musings] (https://merricb.com/2016/04/12/running-curse-of-strahd-part-1/)
[Full Campaign Guide and Resources] (http://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com/2016/03/dungeons-dragons-guide-to-curse-of.html)
[Notes from a DM who's run CoS twice] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/4hkmut/modules_what_i_have_learned_from_running_curse_of/)
Tyranny of Dragons
[Merric's Musings] (https://merricb.com/dd-adventurers-league/tyranny-of-dragons-season-august-2014-march-2015/)
[So, you're running Tyranny of Dragons?] (http://koboldpress.com/tiamat-tuesdays-so-youre-running-tyranny-of-dragons/)
[Full Campaign Guide and Resources] (http://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com/2014/10/tyranny-of-dragons-guide-to-hoard-of.html?m=1)
[Tyranny of Dragons Review and Rebuttal] (http://www.starwalkerstudios.com/blog/2015/2/23/ygs4p90jb1dlkoqe0r9f5tqatvxsgx)
Princes of the Apocalypse
[Campaign Resource] (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tc3Vyacw63QeMz5ZqRq3kZWPTugAzEbRVvHTaYSDS3k/edit#)
Mulmaster & Arcane Magic
[The State of Mulmaster] (http://dndadventurersleague.org/state-of-mulmaster/)
[The Arcane Edict in Mulmaster] (http://dndadventurersleague.org/the-arcane-edict-in-mulmaster/)
Storm King's Thunder
[Full Campaign Guide and Resources] (http://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com/2016/08/dungeons-dragons-guide-to-storm-kings.html)
Other
[Some Roll20 Sessions to watch] (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKqUU-qMCsP6V8MrGoZWRWg/videos?view=0&live_view=500&flow=list&sort=dd)
Suggested changes or errors in Adventure League modules
CHARACTER SHEETS
[[Zip File] Default 5e character sheets] (https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/211221926570360832/218841351658143744/5E_CHARACTERSHEETSV3.ZIP)
[Class-Specific 5e character sheets] (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dls227qhq2mk48v/AACW8sPWR0eJPvO6VXyIy-Kaa?dl=0) (IMO the best character sheets for 5e Iâve come across)
[[DiceCloud] Simple Character Manager webapp] (https://dicecloud.com/)
[Google Sheets] Automated character sheet - Right-click, Make a copy, itâll go to "My Drive", where you can then edit it
Form-Fillable PDF Character Sheet (also automates calculations)
[ForgedAnvil D&D 5e Character Generator] (http://www.enworld.org/forum/rpgdownloads.php?do=download&downloadid=1234)
[Pre-built Character Sheets] (http://www.digitaldungeonmaster.com/pre-made-dd-5e-character-sheets.html)
[Pre-Generated Characters] (http://www.squaremans.com/PreGens.zip)
MUSIC AND SOUND
[/r/DnD Spotify Playlists for atmosphere and mood-setting] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/595zc6/my_curated_spotify_playlists_i_use_for_dd/)
[More Spotify playlists] (https://open.spotify.com/user/scrptrx)
[Free RPG Music] (http://gaming-music.obsidianportal.com/wikis/free-music)
[Environments Music/Audio - Ambience] (http://rpg.ambient-mixer.com/)
[http://phanary.com/] (http://phanary.com/) search for any sound
[[TabletopAudio] Customizable Tabletop Soundboard (advanced)] (http://tabletopaudio.com/custom_sp.html?Universal%20Ambience&4,0.10,1,&5,0.20,1,&1,0.35,1,&38,0.40,1,&40,0.40,0,&41,0.40,0,&42,0.20,1,&44,0.40,1,&103,0.50,1,&104,0.20,1,&109,0.40,1,&114,0.20,1,&110,0.10,1,&169,0.20,1,&168,0.50,1,&200,0.40,1,&194,0.40,1,&195,0.30,1,&257,0.40,1)
Try clicking on "Universal Ambience" on the top right. You can make your own soundboards too!
[ASoftMurmur] Ambient Noises (simple)
[[MyNoise.net] Another Soundboard] (https://mynoise.net/)
SyrinScape
[Music, Images on DropBox Matt Mercerâs playlists during Critical Role] (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2xoluskqpqc1l0t/AAA2ygcXLmH5lCD67fr3MIvha?dl=0)
MAPS and MAP-MAKING TOOLS
Map Collections
Google Drive Map Collection
[Dysonâs Dodecahedron free map archive] (https://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/maps/)
[David Rumsey Map Collection] (http://www.davidrumsey.com/)
Real City Maps throughout history
[Coastal Battlemaps] (https://imgur.com/gallery/2NZ5V)
[/r/BattleMaps] (https://www.reddit.com/r/battlemaps/)
2minutetabletop BattleMaps
[[Cartography Guild] Tactical Maps] (https://cartography-guild.deviantart.com/gallery/24517984/Tactical)
[Google Image Search] Small Area Maps
[[Google Image Search] Large Area Maps] (https://www.google.com/search?q=D%26D+encounter+map&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip_aSNo4bRAhUBV2MKHaXjCK8Q_AUICCgB&biw=1920&bih=1061#tbm=isch&q=fiction+world+map)
Random Generators
[Medieval fantasy city generator] (https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator)
[Random City Map Generator] (http://inkwellideas.com/free-tools/random-city-map-generator/)
[Another City Map Generator] (http://inkwellideas.com/worldbuilding/roleplaying-city-map-generator/)
[Inn Floorplan Generator] (http://inkwellideas.com/free-tools/random-inn-generator-floorplan/)
[Planet Generator] (http://www.diku.dk/hjemmesider/ansatte/torbenm/Planet/)
[Random Terrain generator (advanced coastal algorithm)] (https://mewo2.com/notes/terrain/)
Continent with Named Provinces Generator
http://www.dungeonographer.com/
http://www.hexographer.com/
http://worldographer.com/ (AKA Hexographer II)
There are free versions (both online and download) and pay versions with more icon sets and whatnot.
[[Stanford CS project] Polygon World Map generator] (http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~amitp/game-programming/polygon-map-generation/demo.html)
Map-Making Tools
[Inkarnate] (http://inkarnate.com/) - Comprehensive in-browser map-making software
http://pymapper.com/
[Hobbyte] (https://hobbyte.net/) - Isometric map-making software
[Dungeon Painter Studio] (http://store.steampowered.com/app/592260/Dungeon_Painter_Studio/) on Steam ($14.99 USD)
[Pro Fantasy Software] (https://secure.profantasy.com/default.asp) (expensive)
[http://fantasticmapper.com/] (http://fantasticmapper.com/) - Hex Mapping
[Illwinter's Floorplan Generator] (http://store.steampowered.com/app/630900/Illwinters_Floorplan_Generator/) - Terrain generator on Steam ($5 USD)
Map Assets
[Giant Collection of Map Assets] (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B6KuLQg6iTG3Rl94Q1lzaUNSZDQ) (for Roll20 and similar)
[10x10 modular map tiles] (http://madcowchef.deviantart.com/gallery/48647465/Free-Map-Tiles)
Other
[How to Draw a Map Using Photoshop/Gimp] (http://www.fantasticmaps.com/2015/02/how-to-draw-a-map/)
[Map Maker Forum] (https://www.cartographersguild.com/content.php?s=a1be452ae15187f2d2a7b2ebfda7b5e6)
[Hexcrawl campaign guide] (http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/)
SOME ENCOUNTER OPTIONS
[Goblinist Encounter Builder] (http://tools.goblinist.com/5enc)
[City/Town Encounters 1] (http://roleplayingtips.com/readissue.php?number=500#tips)
[City/Town Encounters 2] (http://roleplayingtips.com/readissue.php?number=501#tips)
[City/Town Odd Encounters] (https://retrorpg.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/30-odd-random-city-encounters/)
[Some random road encounters] (https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/2sl94j/random_road_encounters/)
Travel Sights
[How to Build F$&%ing Awesome Encounters!] (http://theangrygm.com/how-to-build-awesome-encounters/)
HOMEBREW
/r/UnearthedArcana
[The Homebrewery - Make your own Homebrew!] (http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/)
Detect Balance: A 5e Homebrew Race Guide
Dark Souls D&D homebrew monsters
The Bloodborne Armory - Bloodborne Weapons for 5e D&D
[Monster Module] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-g9vLTX0eHKWDZHZ05QWkVNZVU/view)
[Gunslinger Homebrew option 1] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4fgrcv8-6IKaHZtbXRiOW8zQmc/view) with an Expansion
Gunslinger Homebrew option 2
CHARACTER ART
[Google Drive] Massive Character Art folder
[Male Character Artwork] (http://imgur.com/a/526Vx#0) Album
[Female Character Artwork] (http://imgur.com/a/6F0Xz#0) Album
[More Female Character Art] (https://imgur.com/a/Mg4jQ)
[Character Art Collection] (https://imgur.com/a/a2LVL)
[People Part 1] (http://imgur.com/a/CklIw)
People Part 2
People Part 3
Character Tokens , and [More Character Tokens] (https://mega.nz/#F!44JyDYCb!ABcBU4cHGkQMEaMOznQcvw!lwoSABja) and [more of the same] (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-dx-F9vFRL7MG9BYWlSQndWcHM)
FarLandWorld Gallery
/r/characterdrawing/
/r/ImaginaryCharacters/
Token Maker
REDDIT
/r/worldbuilding/ - SEE SIDEBAR for more links
/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/ - DMs helping DMs
/r/BehindTheTables/ - Chance Tables for many situations
/r/LongDistanceVillains/ - Let someone else run your Big Bad Evil (person/monster/thing)!
/r/DMAcademy - general DM questions
/r/DndAdventureWriter - for building adventures to share
/r/DndMaps - nothing but maps
/r/DMToolkit - multimedia DM resources
DISCORD CHAT SERVERS
General Tabletop/Role-Playing - Large Server (>1000 members)
[Matt Colvilleâs Discord] (https://discord.gg/QRe5WfQ)
[Discord and Dragons] (https://discord.gg/7pfAK8c) - PG-13, keep your language clean.
[Discord Tabletop] (https://discord.gg/nn74dwz)
[Discord of Many Things] (https://discord.gg/ZrDhU7X)
[/5eg/ 4chan's 5e-general Discord] (https://discord.gg/HzAfUGt) - enter at your own risk/discretion
General Tabletop/Role-playing - Medium Server (~500 members)
[DM Mentors Guild] (https://discord.gg/H5QuRMc)
[Ludum Studios TTRPG Community] (https://discord.gg/VuFNfPt)
[RoosterTeeth Community D&D & Tabletop Games discord server] (https://discord.gg/gGZr67n)
General Tabletop/Role-playing - Small Server (~100 members)
[D&D One-Shotters] (http://discord.gg/QTJC2A2)
[D&D 5e] (https://discord.gg/WfM5pw5)
[AD&D 1e and 2e] (https://discord.gg/UnBUpG8)
Worldbuilding
[/r/Worldbuilding Discord] (https://discord.gg/worldbuilding)
[/wbg/ 4chan's worldbuilding-general Discord] (https://discord.gg/ArcSegv)
Non-D&D Servers
[Org Play Online] (https://discord.gg/wyYGtJY) StarFinder/Pathfinder Society Online
[Dungeon World] (https://discord.gg/2ABstpB) Simplified RPG system
AvraeBot - A great D&D bot to invite to your discord server
ONE PAGE DUNGEONS
[One Page Dungeon 2017 Entries] (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1b_U-BZcCD7Y0YxaUo3dU4xcEU)
[One Page Dungeon 2016 Entries] (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1b_U-BZcCD7MGZEdV9OWVpKZ1k)
[One Page Dungeon 2015 Entries] (https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B1b_U-BZcCD7SVFkUGlRcnJVSWs)
[One Page Dungeon 2014 Entries] (https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B1b_U-BZcCD7T3V1U25lVlpwSnc)
[One Page Dungeon 2013 Entries] (https://campaignwiki.org/1pdc/2013/)
[One Page Dungeon 2012 Entries] (https://campaignwiki.org/1pdc/2012/)
[One Page Dungeon 2011 Entries] (https://campaignwiki.org/1pdc/2011/)
[One Page Dungeon 2010 Entries] (https://campaignwiki.org/1pdc/2010/)
[One Page Dungeon 2009 Entries] (https://campaignwiki.org/1pdc/2009/)
Pre-made homebrew campaign settings
http://www.keithrobinson.me/thekyngdoms/
http://sulerin.com/index.asp
http://raph.com.br/kb/
http://www.farlandworld.com/details.html
MISCELLANEOUS
[Consensus Ranger (Better balance between UA ranger and PHB ranger)] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw4_sxykbTWcWWxHaWFXX3Y5TFU/view)
Checks and Combat guide
My preferred online role-playing game-hosting service: https://roll20.net/
Also available: [Fantasy Grounds] (http://store.steampowered.com/app/252690/) and [Tabletop Simulator] (http://store.steampowered.com/app/286160/?snr=1_7_15__13)
[Tumblr Out of Context D&D Quotes] (http://outofcontextdnd.tumblr.com/)
[Cool Virtual D&D project] (http://bouncyrock.com/)
[Printable Character Minis] (https://www.patreon.com/PrintableHeroes)
[Printable Heroes] (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9wKLjixK7DHd3pMZk92Z2xhdVk)
[Printable paper models from Wizards] (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fpm/archive)
[Fantasy Botanist's Book] (http://imgur.com/a/j99c9)
[Printable Hex-grid Graph Paper] (https://incompetech.com/graphpaper/hexagonal/)
[Damage descriptions based on type] (http://i.imgur.com/0WVKE2W.png)
[Bard Songs] (http://www.farlandworld.com/files/songs.pdf)
[Guide to Thievesâ Cant] (https://imgur.com/a/dDgpo#zUuuhDj)
[All-women D&D] (https://www.girlsgutsgloryrpg.com/)
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Another year gone by and itâs time to pick my personal Game of the Year 2019 titles. Finished a record amount of games this year (44!) and there were so many great games it was hard to pick the best of the best. See the end of the post for a full list of nominees.
1st place: HITMAN 2 (PS4, also available on PC and Xbox One)
Agent 47 is back, balder and better than ever - 8 sandbox locations and 3 sniper levels filled with lethal opportunities and clever humor. This is a game for individuals of culture. I'll leave you to prepare.
+ Creative assassination gameplay at its finest + Great level design + Lively, vibrant and detailed environments full of fun dialogue, juicy opportunities and room for improvisation + Silly challenges that never cease to make me smile + Includes HITMAN (2016) levels for free if you own the earlier game - Some levels were a bit confusing to navigate for me
See my posts about Hitman 2
2nd place: Baba Is You (Switch & PC)
I'm not much of a fan of puzzle games but Baba Is You blew my mind. I like the game so much that after torturing myself solving puzzles for 56 hours on Nintendo Switch I bought the game for PC too. Now I've played it for 34 hours on PC. The feeling of finally solving a level that you were stuck in for an hour and thought was impossible is immensely satisfying.
+ Wonderfully fun and unique gameplay idea + Great level design that forces you to do abstract logical thinking outside the box + BABA IS CUTE (adorable visuals that just work) + MUSIC IS LOVE + Sometimes too difficult and makes you feel like a genius - Sometimes too difficult and makes you feel dumb
See my posts about Baba Is You
3rd place: Ruiner (PC, also available on PS4 and Xbox One)
Atmospheric cyberpunk shooter with fast-paced gameplay and nice world-building. The moment I stepped to the streets of Rengkok I fell in love with the game. This game felt special and I kept thinking about the game after I stopped playing. The cyberpunk feel was tangible. Gameplay is fast-paced and fun with a variety of weapons, both melee and ranged. The few glitches I encountered can be overlooked thanks to the impressive marriage of visuals, lighting, audio and atmosphere. I've now finished the game 4 times on two different platforms. I rarely replay games.
+ Fun, challenging gameplay + Incredible cyberpunk atmosphere + Cool visual style and gorgeous lighting + Fitting soundtrack (bought it together with the game) + Skill point distribution is very free + Short and satisfying game experience - Heavy use of quite disturbing strobing lights - A couple of small glitches
Honorable mention: Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth (3DS)
Challenging dungeon crawling RPG with plenty of options for strategic team builds to conquer the Yggdrasil labyrinth. Etrian Odyssey V is one of the rare RPGs where I can't plow through boss fights and actually need to carefully consider how to stay alive - I managed to beat the main game last boss on my third try after adjusting my strategy.
+ Fun and challenging boss battles + Light on story, focus is on great and rewarding gameplay + Generous freedom for building your characters + Beautiful art style + Mapping can be set to auto to reduce manual work or you can draw your maps completely by hand - Some skill descriptions were inadequate to illustrate skill's true function - I was left wanting to see my characters' models appear on the screen in combat (Ă la Persona Q)
See my posts about Etrian Odyssey V
Honorable mention: West of Loathing (PC, also available on Switch)
Absurdly funny RPG enhanced by its black & white stick figure visuals and hilarious animations.
+ Various classes and character builds + Funny writing and characters + Unique visuals + Learning goblin language - Some obscure and tricky puzzles (guide probably needed)
See my posts about West of Loathing
Honorable mention: Wonderful 101 (Wii U)
One of the coolest action games I've had the pleasure to play. The high-octane gameplay fluidly swaps genres from beat 'em up to first person boxing and even shmup.
+ Unique concept and imaginative action gameplay + Great art direction and character designs + Plenty of humor + Catchy music - Unreliable touch controls in Unite Morphs - Very high difficulty
Nominees for my personal Game of the Year 2019
Only games I have finished in 2019 have been included.
Baba Is You (PC) Baba Is You (Switch) Cadence of Hyrule ~ Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda ~ (Switch) Control (PC) Creature in the Well (PC) Dead or Alive 6 (PS4) Demon's Tilt (PC) Dishonored 2 (PC) Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth (3DS) Everybody's Golf (PS4) Everybody's Tennis (PS4, PS2 Classics) Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch) Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard (PC) Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (PC) Gears of War 4 (PC) HITMAN 2 (PS4) Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) Katamari Damacy REROLL (PC) Mario Kart 7 (3DS) Minit (PS4) Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight (PC) My Friend Pedro (PC) New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star (3DS) Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U) Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight (PS4) Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (3DS) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice (3DS) PokĂŠmon Link: Battle! (3DS) PokĂŠmon Super Mystery Dungeon (3DS) Pony Island (PC) Project Zero: Maiden of the Black Water (Wii U) Ruiner (PC, Steam) Ruiner (PC, Xbox Game Pass) Senran Kagura Peach Ball (Switch) SUPERHOT (PC) Super Mario 3D World (Wii U) The Haunted Island, a Frog Detective Game (PC) The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch) The Wonderful 101 (Wii U) Wandersong (PC) Wargroove (PC) West of Loathing (PC) Yoku's Island Express (PC)
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OpenDnD Resource Library
So as part of the pro-diversity discord server I run called OpenDnD, which you can join here, I made a master document of dnd-related resources. Itâs stored on a google doc [link], but I also figured Iâd make a rebloggable version.Â
Topics include: make your gaming accessible; creating player characters and npcs; map design; encounter building; worldbuilding, making homebrew content, and music & immersion.
Rest under the cut: be warned, itâs long.
General:
Resources:
Google drive of 5e core books and some supplements (free)
Assortment of TTRPG books (free)
Roll20 DnD 5e Compendium (free)
DnD 5e System Reference Document - breakdown of the rules into topics (free)
DND 5e sortable spell list (free)
Printable Spell Cards (free)
DM campaign binder template pages (with example photos) for organising  information
Collection of DM assets - tokens, map building things, and so on (free)
DM tips:
Skyflourishâs DM tips (free); âThe Lazy Dungeon Masterâ series (paid)
Haze-Zero's Session 0 Topic List and Guide (free)
Skyflourish's "Getting Player Feedback" (free)
Tips for first-time DMs (free)
Critical Hits archive (free)
The RPG Athenaeum post index (free)
Accessible Gaming:
Dyslexia friendly character sheets - Pathfinder and 3.5e (free)
Dyslexia friendly character sheets - 5e (free)
Large-font character sheet (free)
Braille dice:Â 64 Ounce Games;Â Shapeways;Â Thingiverse
"Dungeons and Dragons and Disabilities" - article on accessible gaming (free)
"Dungeons, Dragons & Disabilities" - another article on accessible gaming (free)Â
Converting from other editions to 5e:
âConversions to 5th edition D&Dâ by WOTC (free)
Nerdarchyâs âConverting D&D Published Adventures to 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons Modulesâ (video, autogenerated captions only)
Understanding Bounded Accuracy (free)
Player Character Creation:
Starting Out:
Step-by-step playable character creation from the PHB (free)
DND 5e point buy calculator (free)
Character creation tables compilation - referencing all the available character options for D&D 5th Edition by Wizards of the Coast, including the Unearthed Arcana articles, as well as the Plane Shift supplements (pay what you want)
Class character sheet bundle (free)
Monster player races (pay what you want)
Fantasy random name generator (free)
Non-human name suggestions - taken from Xanathar's Guide (free)
Pre-made 5e character sheets - from WOTC (free)
More pre-made character sheets (free)
Fleshing them out:
Comprehensive background generator - automates the process of rolling on all the character generation tables that can be found in the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Player Handbook, Volo's Guide to Monsters, and Xanathar's Guide to Everything (free)
We Are Adventurers collective members list - each blog is kinda like an endless moodboard regarding specific classes, e.g. rogue/druid (free)
Searchable database of character portraits of women in realistic armour (free)
Pathfinder random backstory generator (free)
8 extra homebrew backgrounds for a DnD character (free)
Hack and Slash homebrew backgrounds (free)
"Knife Theory" for backstory creation (free)
Personality generator (free)
62 ideas for character flaws for creating a well-balanced character (free)
Skyflourishâs "Four Tips for Character Development" (free)
Misc:
DnD disability mechanic (free)
Non-Player Character (NPC) creation:
Generating NPCs:
RPG Tinker - NPC creator tool (free)
SkyFlourish's "Instant NPCs" (free)
Random NPC generator; Villain generator (free)
NPC Statblock Compendium - 64 new statblocks for 82 published 5e subclasses (free)
Character Cache - TTRPG character concepts with Fate Core, Savage Worlds, and DND 5e stat blocks (paid)
"Masks: 1,000 Memorable NPCs for Any Roleplaying Game" (paid)
Fleshing them out:
Skyflourishâs "Three Motivations for Villains" (free)
The Chatty DM's "Making Memorable NPCs" (free)
Vanir's villainy series: "Proper Villainy"; and "Proper Villainy: The Crockpot Of The Damned"; and "Crockpot Villany" (free)
DM's Deep Dive "Bringing NPCs to Life" (video/podcast with summary below)
Matt Mercer's GM Tips "How To Create Non-Player Characters for RPGs" (video, captioned)
Matt Colville's Running the Game: "NPCs!"; and "NPCs 2! High Level NPCs, Followers, and DMPCs"; and "Bad Guys!" (videos, auto-generated captions only)
International Dialects of English Archive (free)
âAccents 101â masterpost (free)
Map design/ creation:
Premade maps:
2-minute Table Top (free and paid)
Axebane (free)
Dungeonmapster (free and paid)
Venatus Maps (free)
Fantastic Maps (free)
Elven Tower's Map-Adventures Vault (free)
D&D Wiki (free)
Deven Rue (free and paid)
Cartographersâ Guild (free)
Map-making/cartography tips:
Fantastic Maps (free)
Deven Rue (paid and free)
Cartographersâ Guild (free)
Dieter Rams Design Principles - for Dungeon Design (free)
Map-making tools/ map generators
Azgaarâs Fantasy Map Generator (free)
Daveâs Mapper - Â tile-style map creation (free)
Dungeon Painter Studio - Steam app (paid)
Donjon Random Dungeon Generator (free)
Hxtml - hex-tile map creator (free)
Medieval fantasy city generator (free)
Cartographersâ Guild (free)
Random trap generator (free)
Encounters & Encounter Building:
Encounter-building tools:
Token creator (free)
Kobold Fight Club Encounter Generator/ Calculator (free)
Encounter difficulty calculator (free)
Theory/discussion:
DnDBeyond's "A New Dungeon Masterâs Guide to Miniatures" (free)
Skyflourish's âGuide to Theatre of the Mind Combatâ (free)
Skyflourish's âGuide to Set-Piece Battlesâ (free)
How to spice up combat! (free)
Worldbuilding:
World Anvil - a worldbuilding/writing tool (free)
A resource guide (/masterpost) for world and map generation (free)
Make your own calendar (free)
Alternative fantasy calendar maker (free)
Candlekeep Forum - Glossary of Phrases, Sayings & Words of the Realms (free)
Drow language info and translator (free)
Fantasy name generators (free)
Random settlement; building; tavern; monument; weather etc generators (free)
20 Random Ancient Monuments (free)
Random magic shop generator - generates lists based on settlement size and shop type (free)
Player rewards:
Random treasure generator (free)
Single-use magic item list (free)
Random trinket generator (free)
The Monster Harvester Handbook (free)
Fur and pelts prices (free)
Pricing magical items/ âSane Magical Pricesâ (free)
Unearthed Arcana (UA) rules for downtime activities in 5e  (free) - also see Xanatharâs Guide to Everything
Homebrew:
Make your own:
"Beginner's Guide to Homebrewing" (free)
GM Tips - "Creating Homebrew Content in RPGs!" (video, captioned)
Skyflourish's "Reskinning Monsters"; and âMaking Monsters Interestingâ (free)
"Marasmusine's meter" - a 5e Homebrew Race Design Guide (free)
GM tips - "How to Customise Creatures!" (video, captioned)
GM tips - "Creating Magical Items!" (video, captioned); Magical Items template (free)
"How to write the best D&D adventures ever" (free)
GM tips - "Write One-Shot RPG Campaigns!" (video, captioned):
"The Five Tips You Never Hear When Creating a Homebrew Setting" (free)
The Homebrewery - makes your homebrew writeups look like the official guides; and this thread can help you with text formatting if you're unsure (free)
Pre-made:
DMâs Guild
DnDHomebrew Subreddit (free)
Basalt-dnd's homebrew monster statblock directory; and their "other" directory - incl races; spells; items; diseases etc (free)Â Â
DND 5e Homebrew (tumblr blog, free)
Music & Immersion:
Music/ sound effects:
Phanary - atmospheric sounds (free)
Tabletop Audio - TTRPG ambiences and music (free)
Radio Rivendell - medieval-style music (free)
RPG Sound Mixer (free)
Soundsnap - Sound effects and loops (free)
Syrinscape - sound design/ soundtracks (paid)
Roleplaying:
"Weemâs DM Tips for RP Prompting and Immersion" (free)
"Performance Anxiety - Helping your players hit their RP potential" (free)
âGetting Characters to Roleplayâ (video, captioned)
"How to be a better roleplayer" (free)
DndBeyond's "Improvisation in D&D for New Dungeon Masters" (free)
Misc:
"Creating a sense of immersion in roleplaying games" (free)
"Four tips for writing effective D&D read-aloud text" (free)
Creating atmosphere (free)
RPG races-inspired food platters (free)
"7 props for your D&D game" (free)
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Best 10 Apps Android Brain Games 2020
While you might think that staring at your phone would numb your brain, a number of apps can actually help to keep your mind fighting fit. The brain training apps include various forms of mini-games that put a range of mental skills to the test, including long and short term memory, maths skills, and focus. Best 10 Apps Android Brain Games
10. Alphabear
best 10 apps android brain games Thereâs nothing more adorable than a vocabulary game mixed with bears, No, weâre not talking about their other game that involves cute ninjas slicing evil demons, weâre talking about a puzzle game that involves a smart way to learn simple syntax. Developer Spry Fox and their love for bears resents this puzzle game that requires no complicated feature, Just try to come up with the best word you could find in its tile-based gameplay and score the highest points to take over the leaderboards, Utilize the presence of their bears and amass the biggest multiplier with the biggest bear. Earn power-ups, extend the gameâs timer, and come up with the best word without opening a dictionary! Itâs bear-y fun and itâs free on the PlayStore. Heh. It has a PlayScore of 8.71. Â
9. You Must Build A Boat
best 10 apps android brain games Why would you build a boat? Whatâs the point? These are but the few questions asked when you play EightyEight Gamesâ sequel to the popular 1,000,000, Itâs a ridiculous way of blending a match-three gameplay with dungeon crawling mechanics, Itâs both an RPG and a Puzzle Game, And as the title implies, the main setting of the game is mostly on a boat. Youâre gonna need a bigger one as you start off slow. Travel to creepy dungeons and bully-off monsters during a silly match-three combat Attack, stave off, and eliminate your threat by matching the correct tiles, Pretty odd, huh? Well thatâs what makes the game amazing in the process. The goal is simple, build a boat large enough to survive your journey. Expand from various rooms and meet new people as it grows bigger and bigger. So sail away with your ship and you must build a boat! Just recently, EigthyEight Games has teased its upcoming game. So keep yourself updated! You Must Build A Boat has a PlayScore of 8.72. Â
Best Free Movie Apps For iPhone 2020
 8.Blendoku 2
 best 10 apps android brain games Android hasn't seen a lot of original ideas for a while, but the developers at Lonely Few sought to change that, With Blendoku they created a game that marries two of the most unlikely concepts: Sudoku and Colors, Use your wits to arrange the colors into a seamless gradient of tint hues and shade, While a little daunting for the neophyte colorist, the game's intuitive controls make it a little less so giving you the confidence to conquer the game's 500 levels, It's a simple game that challenges the mind, and becomes an addicting diversion As a sequel, it improves on the original with a collection of brand new features Zoom in and out unlock new stages and play on two different modes to play with friends and paint like famous artists. It has a PlayScore of 8.84.
7.LIMBO
best 10 apps android brain games PlayDeadâs critically acclaimed puzzle-platformer makes a debut to the Android This multi-award winning game transcends the boundaries of the conventional platformer with a deep and engaging story coupled with complex physics-based puzzles, Play as a young boy as he tries to escape in a bleak and gloomy world of LIMBO This monochromatic side-scrolling platformer doesnât dazzle you much with its dark colors, but it captures you with an eerie atmosphere with huge spiders, gory deaths and anti-gravity levels. As somber as the game develops itself, itâs one of the most intriguing games of its time. Their follow-up game, INSIDE, has also dominated the Gaming Charts but itâs only a matter of time before it hits Mobile soon! This game has a PlayScore of 8.86 Â
Top 10 Mobile Games With High Graphics
 6. Cut the Rope: Magic
best 10 apps android brain games One of the pioneers of Android puzzle gaming returns with a magical twist on their tested formula In Cut the Rope: Magic, ZeptoLab takes the adorable Om Nom on a quest against an evil wizard taking all the precious candy Thankfully Om nom has the power of transformation on his side, 6 of them to be exact Use them to solve the puzzles that lie before you in every stage, Turn into a bird and fly over traps and obstacles, or into baby form to squeeze into tight spaces, Despite the daunting tasks that await, the game remains as cute and addicting as ever. Refined, polished, and challenging. With 960 million downloads overall, it's one of Cut the Rope's most successful games yet. It has a PlayScore of 8.87. Â
5. Lara Croft GO
best 10 apps android brain games Square Enixâs GO titles are a minimalistic surprise that usually deviates from their original gameplays Hitman and Deus EX GOâs gameplay, revolves around turn-based Diorama-looking set pieces in a playing field Players must maneuver their character and complete a set of objectives Just like most GO Games, Lara Croft GO shares the same style Control Lara in her pre-Reboot look and, finds the mysterious Queen of Venom treasure, Avoid deadly traps, find hidden treasures, and discover a long-lost history relic. The game is a success Itâs awarded for being the best mobile game in its time due to its lush visuals and clever puzzle designs, It has over 101 puzzles and 6 chapters for the adventure-seekers, If the game gets too monotonous, enjoy the gameâs soundtrack and unlock Laraâs popular skins From the days of old to the modern times It has a PlayScore of 8.90. Â Â
5 Best Kiss Avatar Maker Apps in Android & IOS
4. Mini Metro
best 10 apps android brain games Easy to manipulate, difficult to master Dinosaur Polo Clubâs minimalistic game tends to eliminate the perils of mass transit while injecting fluid and simplistic polygons for ease of access, But this kind of gameplay revolves around building the most efficient transportation system in the world, Connect subway routes from all over the world and make peopleâs lives easier, Subway Lines come in multiple shapes and colors for easier User Interaction Adapt to the situation quickly as the whole system is constantly growing, How long can you last before the lines halt? Itâs an award-winning game due to its minimalist themes and unique gameplay, Itâs available on Steam, PC, and Ubuntu. It has a PlayScore of 8.93
3.Threes! Free
best 10 apps android brain games If youâre familiar with 2048, then this is the game it drew inspiration from Instead of multiples of 2 youâll have to pair off multiples of...you guessed it, threes! And, in lieu of 2048âs minimalist brown and oranges, you get a surprisingly adorable design, complete with bright colors and wacky faces the higher you go In addition to its cute visuals, it also comes with an enchanting soundtrack that makes your mathematical adventure an endlessly delightful, one Itâs no wonder that the game won an award for Excellence in Design Match numbers to combine them and create higher numbers, and grow, grow, grow. Youâre gonna need that strategic mind to stop yourself from getting stuck in a claustrophobic mess of numbers Itâs incredibly simple and sneakily complex While itâs not a free game, youâll be safe from dreadful in-app purchases once you buy it It has a PlayScore of 8.93. Â
2.Monument Valley
best 10 apps android brain games If you wanna talk about beautiful and mesmerizing games, we have to talk about Monument Valley, Itâs one of Androidâs critically acclaimed puzzle games with a mix of beauty, elegance and minimalist architecture, Take on a surreal adventure with the gameâs silent protagonist, Ida as she travels between complex architectures with mind-boggling geometry, Guide her through monuments and dispel the gameâs illusion of movement Outsmart the gameâs enemies by just twisting and dragging the world around you, Critics have praised the gameâs brilliant world design and smart audio cues for that immersive experience The game just released its new addition called Idaâs ream which adds new chapters for a longer dream-like experience, Of course, itâs not free This game has a PlayScore of 9.05 Â
10 Best Avatar Maker Apps
1.The Sequence
best 10 apps android brain games A unique puzzle game that tangles you in a digital world filled with binary cells and special modules. Try to solve the puzzles in its over 70 levels. It has a PlayScore of 8.6612. Read the full article
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Nerdy Writer Seeks Nerdy Work
Hello! Need things written? Iâm willing to trade words for money!
If what youâre looking for isnât listed, drop me a line through Tumblr or at [email protected] and tell me what you want written so we can see if it can be worked out.
Iâm building up sample references, so some categories have links to examples. Characters depicted are the property of their owners, and everything else is mine.
Pricing: For writing, I charge by word-count; $10 per 1000 words. For proof-reading or any game setting that requires research, there will be a charge of $7 per hour of research required.
Fantasy settings for games â These can be as simple as intricate descriptions of areas to paint a picture for your gaming group, or as complex as full world-building with NPCs and story-seeds. Customized modules designed for your gamers can be written for your groupâs specific needs. If you just want NPCs generated to populate your world, I can do any of the World of Darkness games, Dungeons and Dragons (or similar fantasy RPGs) from 2nd Edition through 5E, and Iâd also be willing to tackle settings for Warhammer 40k, Wheel of Time, Dragonriders of Pern, Heralds of Valdemar, Call of Cthulu, and Shadowrun.
Character Bios â I can write up descriptions with little plot or first-meeting hooks thrown in for your RPG character, to link on forums or include on Role-Playing mods in-game. These can be as simple or elaborate as you like. I can also write up exceedingly detailed character descriptions and package them with fair-use body reference images for you to refer commissioned artists to.
Sample!
Stories â Because thatâs a huge part of what writing is about! My genres of choice are fantasy, science fiction, horror, and supernatural romance*. I am rarely comfortable writing for canon characters, though depending on the scenario, I might consider it, but Iâm happy to write stories in a specific setting. Any of the settings listed above can be available, and if what you want isnât listed, let me know and weâll see what I can do. Have a character without a background? I can write those! Simple or elaborate, I can give your character a story to match their sheet, theme, or setting.
Character Background Questionnaire! (Which I will have clients fill out as best they can to start the background story process.)
Writing 101 â Having trouble with an essay? With a look at the syllabus and the instructions from the teacher, I can write up a sample of what theyâll be looking for, and even break it down so you can see all the steps, complete with non-internet references. (I cannot promise to do this with every possible topic out there; this can only be offered on a case-by-case basis.)
Argumentative Essay Sample!
Proofreading â I know there are a lot of writers out there. For classes, for fun, for work, for friends; there are just gigantic heaps of writing waiting to be read. I can proofread your material for clarity, grammar, and punctuation, and help with MLA and APA source citation for just about any topic. Iâm also happy to add critiques and suggestions. Pricing will be $7 per hour spent on the project.
You can also buy me a coffee â or copious amounts of Mt. Dew, really.
Payments will be accepted through PayPal. Â PayPal.Me/wakingdreamland
*Because âromanceâ is often code for âeroticaâ, I feel the need to include a list. Please, only 18+.
Smut is a possibility, either by itself or as part of a larger story, but there are things I wonât write.
Anything with children. Or characters that look or act like children. Anything that has a âchild-likeâ vibe is a hard No.
Gore/Vore/Scat. Just... No.
Trans characters. I have absolutely no frame of reference for genuine Trans characters and I wouldnât want to fuck them up in my ignorance. Magical dick-girl who got a genital swap thanks to a spell? Fine. Actual person who has struggled with their own identity and the judgment of others for the majority of their lives? Sorry, I canât do that properly.
Blood-relation incest. It just gives me the heebies. Step-cest might be acceptable, on a case-by-case basis.
I reserve the right to decline anything not listed here on the basis of it giving me the heebies.
Things I can write!
Rape, but this will require a good deal of discussion through the writing process. I can write it, but Iâll only do so on a case-by-case basis, and only as part of a larger story, not just a rape scene by itself.
BDSM. I actually enjoy writing this, so if thatâs your jam, youâve come to the right place.
Furry/Anthro. Iâm perfectly comfortable with writing intelligent âbeastsâ, whatever the form.
Mind-Control. Or other means of dub-con. Like rape, this is also a case-by-case basis and will require some discussion.
Monsters/Tentacles/Etc. With the âetc.â this can also be under a case-by-case basis, but Iâm open to these sorts of scenes.Â
And obviously, anything sexual that most people would call ânormalâ.
Please, only 18+ for smut writing requests.
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Gamescom Round-Up: Our Favorite Gameplay And Cinematic Trailers
New Post has been published on https://gamerszone.tn/gamescom-round-up-our-favorite-gameplay-and-cinematic-trailers/
Gamescom Round-Up: Our Favorite Gameplay And Cinematic Trailers
Gamescom 2019 is officially in full swing, and plenty of excellent new trailers have already premiered. With so many new cinematic and gameplay trailers making their debut, weâve decided to compile our favorites. Be sure to check back here throughout Gamescom as more trailers are released.
Weâve put our favorites that actually feature gameplay first, but that doesnât make the cinematic trailers any less cool. Other than that distinction, the trailers arenât listed in any particular order. Although there were many trailers for triple-A titles scheduled to launch in the Fall 2019 season, most of the best trailers at Gamescom have been for indie games. Notable titles include Everspace 2âsequel to one of the best roguelike games of 2016âand pinbrawler Creature in the Well. However, there are quite a few standouts for the major releases too, such as Destiny 2 and Death Strandingâthe latter of which got three new trailers.
Best Gameplay Gamescom Trailers
Creature In The Well
Creature in the Well sees you play as a cute robot engineer who must stop a monstrous entity that has destroyed the weather machine that keeps the town of Mirage safe from vicious sandstorms. In the Creature in the Well 101 trailer, creative director Adam Volker walks through how the game worksâa hack-and-slash dungeon crawler imbued with pinball mechanics.
Darksiders Genesis
Darksiders Genesis reworks the franchiseâs Zelda-like combat and exploration into a top-down hack-and-slash RPG. Fully playable in co-opâwhich can be seen in the new trailerâyou and a friend can team up as two of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Strife and War. This will be the first game in the Darksiders franchise to focus on Strife.
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Darksiders Genesis â Gameplay Trailer | Gamescom 2019
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Death Stranding
Death Stranding finally has a gameplay trailer. Unfortunately, the story for the game is still about as clear as mud. Weâre still excited to see what Hideo Kojima has in store with this upcoming PS4 exclusive, largely because its gameplay seems rife for hilarious misadventures and odd moments.
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Death Stranding â Official Gameplay Reveal | Gamescom 2019
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Everspace 2
Announced at Gamescom, Everspace 2 wonât release until 2021, but its gameplay trailer already makes the game look really cool. Though Everspace seems to be adding new locations and ship designs, plenty of weapons and gadgets look familiar.
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Little Nightmares 2
Speaking of surprising sequels, the story of Little Nightmares will continue in Little Nightmares II. This sequel puts you in control of a brand-new character and takes place in a much more open area than the first game.
Best Cinematic Gamescom Trailers
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep â Season Of The Undying
The first seasonal content drop for the Shadowkeep expansion for Destiny 2, titled Season of the Undying, starts October 5. In the latest trailer, a brief cinematic sees Ikora Rey narrate as an army of Vex emerges from a portal connected to the Black Garden.
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Disintegration
Publisher Private Divisionâthe same studio attached to upcoming games like The Outer Worlds and Ancestors: The Humankind Odysseyâannounced Disintegration at Gamescom, and also released a new trailer for the sci-fi first-person shooter. Though mostly a cinematic trailer, there is some gameplay thrown in there too.
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Disintegration â Official Gameplay Announcement Trailer
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Death Stranding
Death Stranding got two new cinematic trailers during Gamescom, both of which further fleshed out two of the gameâs characters. The first focuses on Mama, while the second sees main character Sam meet Deadman.
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Death Stranding â Mama Character Trailer | Gamescom 2019
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Death Stranding â Dead Man And Bridge Baby Character Trailer | Gamescom 2019
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Today I fucking rocked it. I was up on time. Showered, did my makeup all nice and was at my desk on time ready to run DungeonWorld. I ran the game for Emily who was new to the party and Tina who had never played a roleplaying game before as well as Liah and Kath who are regulars. We had a limited time frame but I managed to use it to tell a rad little story about a coriander zombie polluting a town's waterways. I had a short little break after wrapping up Dungeon World before it was time for my game design 101 workshop for ResistJam. As I was doing it I felt super awkward and nervous because I was basically presenting to my own slideshow but apparently I was really good and not boring or nervous sounding. I did go over the amount of time expected but I think it was good and I even let myself rant a little. Once that was finished and I was partly recovered we headed to the shops for a couple of things and then by the time we got back it was time for Penny to come have a meeting about village website stuff. I'm sure the meeting was valuable but my brain was mush by this point so I wasn't able to contribute heaps. Over the course of the rest of the evening we watched a bunch of Court Of Swords and I managed to hang out some laundry and do half a load of dishes such was less cleaning than I hoped to do but I am being forgiving to myself due to my hard work earlier. Then, at the last minute before bed I once again managed to bang out a set of slides for tomorrow's workshop about designing RPGs. Tomorrow I'm going to have to deliver that rpg design workshop which I'm now getting much more confident about and then afterwards I'm going to be running DnD so we'll see how that goes. - by acegiak.net
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My Top 7 Favourite PC Games
One thing Iâve noticed about my posts is that Iâve been really focused on console games. In fact, PC gaming has been almost completely absent from my articles, barring a few individual games. So I wanted to change that because, believe it or not, Iâm also a big retro PC gaming fan. Note that I said PC and not micro-computer â I have yet to experience gaming on those except for the C64.
Anyway, I wanted to start adding more PC related content every now and then, beginning with my 6 favourite PC games! So letâs get to it.
6. Diablo 2
The first game weâre going to look at happens to be my wifeâs favourite game of all time. For me, it didnât even make it into my top 101 games countdown on Twitter. However, Diablo 2 does make it to my top PC games. Coming in at number 6, Diablo 2 offers a lot of great gameplay, giving you a very good action RPG experience. The storyline is interesting, if a bit short for my liking, and the character development is simple yet effective.
I really enjoyed Diablo 2 and spent quite a bit of time on it. The main reason it doesnât rank higher on this list is simply that I have only gone back to it two or three times. The other games on this list, I have played multiple times.
5. X3 Reunion
In position 5 of my favourite PC games, I have to put X3 Reunion. This game brings me back a lot, and Iâve put hundreds of hours into it. You can play the game almost any way that you want; you can be a heroic space police officer, a space pirate, a trade mogul or pretty much anything else! I tend to play towards being the admiral of an armada, building huge battleships and space stations to take over the galaxy.
That, of course, takes a huge time investment. But it feels so good when you control a huge segment of known space. Graphically, X3 still looks outstanding today as well. Sure, itâs not as good as Star Citizen, but I still adore it.
4. Fallout 2
Now Fallout really gained popularity with the outstanding Fallout 3. However, as youâll have figured out by the end of this list anyway, I have a real love for isometric Western RPGs. Therefore, the original Fallout games just resonate with me far more. Especially since they are tactical RPGs as well. Out of the first two, though, the second just felt like a much bigger and better game. It certainly didnât do much for the development team in terms of return on investment, which is sad. However, I love it.
The humour and gameplay are both excellent, capturing all of the dark and very disturbed elements of the first game whilst also adding a whole host more. It was a brilliant sequel to a series that, at the time, was criminally ignored.
3. Baldurâs Gate 2
The next two games actually take place in the same world; specifically, the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for Dungeons and Dragons. Firstly, we have Baldurâs Gate 2, the game that introduced me to the Infinity Engine RPG series of games. These games all offer crazy amounts of character customisation, huge amounts of dialogue options as well as incredibly strategic and tactical gameplay. This is a game that will punish you if you rush into a battle, yet reward you for taking your time and thinking things through.
It is this type of gameplay that really pulled me in to begin with. Baldurâs Gate 2 was also the first Big Box PC game that I ever owned. Therefore, it has a special place in my heart.
2. Icewind Dale 2
The other game on this list of my favourite PC games that was built in the Infinity Engine is Icewind Dale 2. Whilst Baldurâs Gate 2 introduced me to the Infinity Engine, it was Icewind Dale 2 that really made me fall in love with these games. It had everything that made Baldurâs Gate 2 so great but also a storyline that I found myself even more invested in. It also challenged my young brain with a few environmental puzzles (like the ice palace area).
In fact, I love the Icewind Dale area of the Forgotten Realms setting so much that I even started reading the Forgotten Realms novels because of their connection to Icewind Dale. So yeah, naturally this game was going to appear quite high up on this list.
1. Deus Ex
The final game in this list is probably an obvious one; Deus Ex. I mean, itâs an absolute classic of a game that pretty much any PC gamer knows. The newer ones are more well known these days, but the first game in the series still takes the cake for me. It was groundbreaking at the time, and whilst it hasnât aged amazingly well, itâs still really fun to play. If you havenât played a Deus Ex game before, it probably is best to just go for the newer ones.
However, I canât let go of how much I love the first Deus Ex. The soundtrack and conspiracy-based cyberpunk storyline mesh perfectly with the type of content that I enjoy the most.
And Thatâs All Folks
Well, those were my favourite PC games to date. Naturally, I have played and enjoyed a huge amount of other PC games, but these ones still stand at the top of the pile for me. Maybe one day a game will come along to knock them off, but for now, theyâre in it for the long run.
What are your favourite PC games? Let me know in the comments below!
from More Design Curation https://www.16bitdad.com/my-top-7-favourite-pc-games/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-top-7-favourite-pc-games
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Updating the Diverse Presentation Styles of Retro Games
In the vain of the 32-bit generation, based on the presentation of JRPGs like Final Fantasy (FF)7, we should make modern games with the same kind of graphical dynamic to add interest and originality to the very high-end, yet currently one-note market in the AAA industry.
The difference with the format of the old game would be todayâs cutting-edge engines and modern day power in the graphical department as a AAA standard, what would be the same however, is switching between different graphical styles along with varying aspects of gameplay; story, adventure, battle, upgrading, stratagem, etc.; cutscenes, as well may have different degrees of graphical presentation from using the in-game engine to pre-rendered or alternate styles.
âThis would not only be for diverse presentation styles in a logical organization, it would be for the best design suited to each specific gameplay style engaged.â
Though this does exist in modern AAA titles, the diversity or dynamic between graphical styles for each play mode, tends to be less dramatic or more subtle, diluting the potential for a range of art styles better suited to each mode. Instead the trend of modern games has been opting for cohesion, possibly compromising better gameplay in order to maintain a consistent presentation style. Modern AAA games also tend to be developed using the same assets in different contexts with cutting edge realism or graphics, yet have gradually reneged the possibility for a different set of assets to be implemented each with their own gameplay-oriented look for the current play mode; something which was more apparent in certain retro eras on console and PC. This would not only be for diverse presentation styles in a logical organization, it would be for the best design suited to each specific gameplay style engaged.
âBecause each style would be separated from each play mode, it would not interfere with the gameplay experience.â
Though this sounds like we would get a very incongruent and inconsistent product, but because each style would be separated from each play mode, it would not interfere with the gameplay experience. Also each unique graphical presentation style would not be existing in order to be different but rather to lend itself best to the current play mode. This was the reason it was done in FF7, yet nowadays it seems to, at best, only be standard to change how the exact same assets are used or placed, including cutscenes and mini-games, rather than transferring the same designs onto different sets of assets each with their own graphical style.
This can limit the diversity in each game, not only graphically, but gameplay-wise. Though up to the 16-bit era, we did have these concepts implemented (3D bonus levels in original Sonic games, etc.) this style of diverse graphical presentation became much more exploited in the next generation. Gone were some simple full screen images with little movement, in came full motion videos and cinematic cutscenes. Out went 2D sprites as the norm, in came 3D model based characters. Tile based levels went out of style with the addition of pre-rendered backgrounds and basic 3D environments.
Yet as the power of hardware increased even more in later generations and graphical computation improved, the trend moved less towards that kind of diversity, particularly found in JRPGs and moved towards open worlds which were massive, immersive, real-time and 3D with a level of detail never seen before. This influenced many other genres including JRPGS.
The game industry grew up, but did it also leave something behind?
âWith the rise in the indie scene we also saw a rise in the retro inspired or retro-like games. â
In came the indie scene that began to grow with the rise of the mobile device market, that was adopted earliest by smaller less-established studios. Some came out with runaway hits like Angry Birds, others yet developed more in-depth experiences in a place no one thought before, showing that AAA was possible on a mobile (Gameloft). With the rise in the indie scene we also saw a rise in the retro inspired or retro-like games.
A rising trend in substance-over-style products of high quality
âI am looking to influence an already rising trend, and I know my idea is not unique yet I still stress that now it is time for these two worlds to converge.â
Imagine an action-RPG level style like Bastion or Diablo for dungeons and missions, an open world hub like Xenoblade between missions, Civilization style strategy before launching each mission on a birdâs eye map like FF3 affecting the mission for the realtime action modes. Beyond this, cutscenes can be pre-rendered with any desired level of realism or stylization based on the core production design. Though this is already happening (âAAA Indieâ is a recent development), I am looking to influence an already rising trend, and I know my idea is not unique yet I still stress that now it is time for these two worlds to converge. Rather than just moving forward and assimilating to the big corporate trend of âeverything-at-once as long as the technology can handle itâ or the indie trend of âbring back the old styles that an indie can handle but higher resolutionâ we need to look at it like â the open-world or 3D adventure concept is only one element, so are the wealth of previous generational styles each elements in the overall system; a new style for each mode of the same game.â
Like what you see here? Express your support and follow @HonourableHappy on Twitter to stay updated on all the latest daily. Fill out the consulting form to receive your newsletter and how you can qualify to have me setup and grow your Twitter account to over 10,000 real followers organically without fake followers, bots or cheating. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
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Retro review: Neo Geo Pocket Color
âIn the 1990s, Nintendo had a vice grip on the handheld console market.
The original black-and-white model of the companyâs revolutionary Game Boy remained viable for almost an entire decadeâfrom 1989 to 1998, when competition from handhelds like SNKâs Neo Geo Pocket convinced Nintendo to release an updated color model.
As a response, SNK released a color version of its NGP, the aptly-named Neo Geo Pocket Color, in August 1999. Unlike its predecessor, NGPC received a western releaseâfirst through the website eToys.com, then at most retailers that carried video games. It was a bold push into the Big Nâs turf, but the fighting wouldnât last long. In June 2000, SNKâs venture ended with its sale to Aruze, a company best-known for video gambling machines.
SNKâs wager against Nintendo didnât work out, but it did give the US its first serious non-Nintendo handheld. Today, NGPC is championed by retro enthusiasts. After spending some time with the console myself, I can see why.
The hardware
To put it simply, NGPC is more impressive than GBC in all the ways that matter.
SNKâs handheld included a 16-bit processor two years before Nintendo would bring its own 16-bit portable, Game Boy Advance, to market. NGPC used that extra horsepower to display nearly three times the variety of on-screen colors (146 versus GBCâs 56) and 24 more simultaneous sprites. In short, NGPC looked better than its toughest competitionâbut graphics alone do not make a gaming experience.
Luckily, NGPC is also a joy to play. Informed by its experience as an arcade cabinet manufacturer, SNK chose to forego the then-standard directional pad for a responsive analog stick that feels a lot like the 3DS familyâs circle pad. Inputs are made via the stick, two face buttons and an option button thatâs usually used to move through menus or pause games.
Thanks to the inclusion of an analog stick, SNK fighting franchises like Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters feel at home on NGPC. The minimal input options may suggest a shallow experience, but limiting actions to two buttons gave the games an appealing accessibility. Theyâre still fun to play today, and their chibi art styles (more on that later) help them feel less dated than the average GBC title.
NGPC also includes a system menu, which handles simple tasks like choosing a theme or setting date and time. The system features are persistently powered by a watch battery, while two AA batteries are required to access system menus and play games. NGPC users can expect to get around 40 hours of gameplay from each pair of batteries compared to GBCâs 15 hour average.
Thatâs a lot of gaming, but NGPC makes it feasible thanks to a comfortable design. Buttons are well-placed around the consoleâs 2.7-inch screen and gripping the unit is easy thanks to protrusions sticking out from the back of both sides. Other features include a headphone jack and an extension slot for the NGPC link cable, used for multiplayer gaming and connectivity with a number of SNK Sega Dreamcast games.
My only complaints about the hardware are its cheap-feeling A and B buttons and the lack of backlighting. The former is just an opinion, but the missing light definitely dates this otherwise forward-thinking handheld consoleâfinding the perfect angle to play by lamplight isnât exactly a skill I thought Iâd use after childhood, but here I am. Good thing the games are worth playing.
The software
There were 14 titles available for NGPC at launch, with first-party offerings like Metal Slug 1st Mission and Fatal Fury: First Contact leading the charge. Over the course of its short life, NGPC also received support from Namco in the form of an impressive Pac-Man port, as well as Sega, which contributed the second Sonic the Hedgehog game to release on a non-Sega console (the first was on Tiger Electronicâs Game.com handheld).
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure received glowing reviews from critics and stands as a testament to NGPCâs power. That power wasnât quite enough to run arcade-perfect ports of SNK heavy-hitters, but the company adjusted its approach and, whether inadvertent or not, gave NGPC one of its defining characteristics.
Titles like the aforementioned Samurai Showdown II and King of Fighters R-2 feature large chibi (cute) character sprites that leap off the NGPC screen. The shift in artistic style scaled down SNK arcade brawlers for the systemâs 16-bit processor, created a marketable kid-friendly look for traditionally gritty franchises and gave SNKâs handheld fighters a distinct flare that withstands the test of time.
One of NGPCâs rarest carts, SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, utilizes the chibi art style and tight controls to deliver a tour de force in portable fighting. SNKâs partnership with Capcom also produced SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash, a critically acclaimed card battle game that plays like Magic: The Gathering lite. Two versions of the game were released for NGPC (SNK and Capcom), each featuring exclusive cards.
The NGPC library covered genres ranging from fighters and card battle games to sports (Pocket Tennis, Neo Turf Masters), puzzle (Bust-a-Move Pocket, Puzzle Link series) and RPGs (Evolution: Eternal Dungeons, Faselei!). Sadly, most of the games released for the console would never make it to US shoresâwhen NGPC was discontinued in June 2000, 30 games were available in the United States, slightly double the number sold at launch.
Most of those games received high marks from contemporary critics for balancing technically impressive features with fun, accessible gameplay. Based on my experience with the consoleâs catalog, I tend to agree.
NGPC 101
Despite NGPCâs low market share (its peak penetration was two percent), systems arenât impossible to procure.
I had little luck finding NGPC items at used game shops, so I recommend starting online. I purchased my system on eBay and, after a slight delay due to special shipping regulations regarding the consoleâs internal battery, my metallic blue NGPC console arrived in great condition. I was worried about screen scratches and other damage common of used handhelds, but Iâve found that most NGPC-related auctions are by collectors who value their products and are happy to answer questions.
Collecting is also made easier due to NGPCâs region-free statusâan American system can play any NGPC game released in any country, and any system can play an American NGPC game. This comes in handy if collectors want one of the Japanese exclusive colors of NGPC or its slimmer (by 13 percent) counterpart, New Neo Geo Pocket Color. NNGPC models can be spotted easilyâthe word âcolorâ appears in print at the top-right corner of NGPCâs screen, while the slim model features the word in the same spot in cursive.
As for games, itâs feasible to own the systemâs entire US library without breaking the bank if the words complete-in-box arenât important.
Most titles can be found at eBay or Neo Geo Store for reasonable prices, and at time of print, sellers on Amazon are still offering sealed four-packs of games. These were released alongside a six-game bundle that hit discount retailers in 2003 and included the NGPC hardware.
Two of NGPCâs rarest North American releases, Faselei! and Samurai Showdown-esque fighter The Last Blade, were part of the six-game bundle despite neither receiving an official US release. Japanese versions of bothâand other rarer NGPC titlesâare easier to find than their American counterparts, but require a working knowledge of kana, the Japanese alphabet.
When considering items found in the US market, collectors who are vigilant and patient should be able to obtain a NGPC and at least half its US library for approximately $150. The price increases if original boxes and instructions come into play.
Verdict
SNKâs NGPC is a unique piece of gaming history and any enthusiast owes it to themselves to play these games. Itâs an affordable alternative to GBC collectingâtop first party titles can be purchased at a fraction of the costâand the hardware is technically superior. It may not be a household name with a catalog full of recognizable franchises, but NGPC had a hell of a year, and itâll take you less than that to track down every one of its games.
#neogeo#snk#capcom#samurai showdown#fatal fury#sonic the hedgehog#neo geo pocket color#faselei#The Last Blade#sega
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DM 101 : Authorial Intent and Railroading
A lot of electrons have been transmitted on tabletop gaming subjects, and I figure adding a few of my own canât hurt. I considered doing some kind of video series on this subject, but it may be a while before I can do that to my slightly perfectionist standards, so I will write.
I am a 28 year veteran GM with a number of systems, campaign worlds, and sessions under my belt. I have opinions, and a vial of emergency dice in my backpack at all times. None of what follows should be considered a gospel on the One True Way to play tabletop RPGs, just insights from someone whoâs been there, behind the screen. I also recommend this guy.
I want to talk a little bit about railroading. If you donât know what that is, Iâll give you a short definition. Railroading is a slang term describing a GMing style that does not allow the players of the game any real control over the direction of the campaign. It often manifests as the GM saying âNoâ to a perfectly reasonable plan, or throwing in-game obstacles in the path of the party to force them back onto the track that the GM wishes to follow. Sometimes a GM will offer the illusion of choice, but the tracks are still there - you can pick A, or you can pick B, but both options lead you to C.
But, you say, whatâs so bad about that? The GM has a story to tell, right? Well, they might, but if the GM is just there to tell a story, the players donât need to roll up characters and make decisions. They just need a couch and some popcorn and the willingness to listen to the GM ramble on about his or her idea. The magic of roleplaying games is their interactivity, and if you arenât giving your players any real agency, then that interactivity is severely limited.
The GM is not an author, they're a co-author. It is not their story. Itâs everyoneâs story.
Warning signs of the âfrustrated authorâ Game Master :
âYou canât do that! I havenât planned for that.â
âI know that would make sense, but it doesnât work this time, just trust me.â
âYour character feels _______.â Or âdoesâ, or âthinksâ.
Encounters that seem inevitable.
Gatekeeper obstacles or NPCs.
Obviously, seeing one of these doesnât absolutely mean you have a railroader, but you may want to sit up and pay attention. Similarly, âYour character feels ill at easeâ is a passable way for a GM to say that your danger sense is going off; âYour character feels an intense hatred for Player Bâs characterâ is only acceptable if thereâs mind-control magic at play. (Yes, I have had a GM say that to a player in a game, wherein I was Player B .. and no, there was no magic involved. Just a GM who was only interested in the story HE wanted to tell with us as a captive audience.)
I think a lot of GMs fall into the trap of railroading because itâs easier, and is less likely to require improvisation. If you know the PCs have to go to Halfwittesburg, then you donât have to write up an entry for Dumbasseplatz.
Unfortunately for the technique, a lot of players like to try unconventional choices, and even if youâre pretty good at hiding the rails, theyâre going to notice. And their reaction is going to be akin to : âWell, why donât I just give you my character sheet, you play it out, and tell me how it ends, okay? Iâm going to go play a video game.â It is incredibly frustrating to feel like you either have no choices, or your choices donât matter. And for me, it just saps my interest in the game.
Admittedly, I am probably at the extreme end of the scale for my resistance to railroading. Iâm an over-planner by nature, I am going to work all the angles to have the party come out on top. And if all my clever plans get shot down, and Iâm just there to roll dice and offer a bit of dialogue now and then, Iâm mentally checking out. I recall one game I played in that had an ancient and terrible menace awaken, and I outlined a beautiful point by point plan where we could take the thing down. The GM indicated the logistics were impossible, there was no way we could pull that together, so we just had to do the âFace to faceâ confrontation option .. and while we were doing that, our evil rivals showed up using a plan exactly like mine, despite having less current available information, and totally upstaged the party.
So it wasnât that the plan was impossible, itâs just that the GM had already decided that someone else would be doing it. Fortunately, that was near the end of the campaign, but I was basically done that day. I just didnât care anymore.
If you arenât going to let the playersâ decisions effect the outcome, donât pretend otherwise.
So, what can you, as a humble and entirely hypothetical novice GM, do to avoid the trap of railroading?
1.) Prepare. Some GMs are good at improv. Some are not. If youâre not, or you donât know how good you are, prepare. Build a list of NPC names - maybe one PC will want to talk to the local grocer. Give him a name from the list, mark it out. Have a generic small town ready to drop into the wilderness. Write a list of rumors the players can pick up on.
2.) Randomize. There are some DAMN good random generators out there for a wide variety of RPGs. Everything from treasure and encounters to towns and dungeons. Maybe the party doesnât want to deal with the corrupt chancellor right now - they just want to kick an owlbearâs ass. Let them.
3.) Write Flexibly. Donât make assumptions when you are writing your adventure ideas. Players WILL surprise you. If they have to talk to Rogue B to get the location of the Macguffin, you have created a bottleneck in your plot - and you better be prepared for them failing to find Rogue B, or killing him before getting the information. By the same token, donât pre-suppose the ending. Maybe theyâll find a way to negotiate with the dragon, despite the two hours you spent designing its cave full of traps and treasure.
Players will have more fun if youâre not telling them exactly how they should have their fun.
And Justin Alexander has a lengthier, better-written article on the same subject, if youâd like some more detail. Multiple parts!
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