On this episode, we talking about changing gears - changing game systems, changing genres, changing roles, changing groups - as part of our May 2023 RPG Blog Carnival hosting duties. Before venturing into those tiny, switching passages, all different, we talk about Ken's return to backpacking, discuss new streaming series (Lockwood and Co., Picard, and The Last of Us) and venture back to the Game Room.
https://youtu.be/13btIC5zz0k
The Outdoors
Ken's heading back to the Pine Barrens for an introductory backpacking trip (and working on getting back into backpacking shape)
Streaming Theatre
Lockwood and Co.
Teenaged ghost hunters in an alternate world
The Problem started 50 years ago
Technology has stagnated - no cell phones, still using VCRs and cassette tapes
Star Trek: Picard, Season 3
A true send off for the Next Generation crew.
The Last Of Us
Really, really good zombie show (even if you never played the game).
Game Room
David ran a game for his younger nephews
Pinball FX3
Ken got this pinball simulator for Switch
Includes classics (Indiana Jones, Creature from the Black Lagoon) and originals (ALIENS).
Great to revisit these old friends.
The Cruise Ship
Who knew we had one of those?
Erin and David went on the JoCo Cruise!
David turned a passel of pens
New game: Psi*Run
Main Topic: Changing Gears
We're hosting the RPG Blog Carnival for May 2023! The topic is "Changing Gears"
Switching systems
Examples:
Dungeons & Dragons to Scum and Villainy
Scum & Villainy to Cyberpunk RED
What helps?
Read reviews
Read introductory blog posts
Actual play videos/podcasts
Playtesting the rules
Play the game at a convention
Switching genres
Examples:
Fantasy (D&D Greyhawk) to Science Fiction (Star Wars)
Traditional Fantasy to Apocalyptic over-the-top Fantasy
Science Fantasy to Cyberpunk
Preparing Your Players
Brainstorm the fiction inspiration (movies, TV, music, books, comic books)
Make sure you’ve agreed on what the genre means … and discuss if there’s anything problematic that you want to avoid.
Preparing Yourself
Read! Watch movies!
Find random tables / oracles for inspiration
Switching roles
Game master to player
Switching gaming groups
Look for gamers at conventions
Look for gamers at your local game shop
Game nights at Barnes & Noble
Looking for Group on Discord Servers for Your Games
Invite gamers out for a beer/soda/etc. to talk philosophy, gaming interests, etc.
Feedback
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Featured Image Meta
Black and white picture of mainly the chain and gears of a bike. Credit: 5 Cent Dollar. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Thumbnail art is from Adobe Firefly, an AI text to image generator.
