Comments on: Writing Game Material: The Audience of My Audience http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/16/writing-game-material-the-audience-of-my-audience/ art of the game, roleplaying game theory from the brain of ben robbins Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:54:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Jensan http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/16/writing-game-material-the-audience-of-my-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-19161 Jensan Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:50:53 +0000 http://www.lamemage.com/proto/wordpress/?p=16#comment-19161 Four years later, I find this article and I have to say - it's so true. You gave me something to think about! Four years later, I find this article and I have to say – it’s so true. You gave me something to think about!

]]> By: Ping http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/16/writing-game-material-the-audience-of-my-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-925 Ping Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:45:14 +0000 http://www.lamemage.com/proto/wordpress/?p=16#comment-925 I'm looking at a published module right now, and there are pages and pages of narrow-columned narrative with socio-political history mixed in with spot checks that culminate in completely unabsorbable and unusable text. What's even more interesting to me than the lousy formatting or lack of any GM aides is that the writer chooses to use an "in genre" voice throughout. That's expected for character quotes or for the "setting" section, but the rest of the module should speak to the GM and be in a plain, normal writing voice. The fact that it's not only leads me to believe that it was meant to inspire and be read rather than run. I’m looking at a published module right now, and there are pages and pages of narrow-columned narrative with socio-political history mixed in with spot checks that culminate in completely unabsorbable and unusable text. What’s even more interesting to me than the lousy formatting or lack of any GM aides is that the writer chooses to use an “in genre” voice throughout. That’s expected for character quotes or for the “setting” section, but the rest of the module should speak to the GM and be in a plain, normal writing voice. The fact that it’s not only leads me to believe that it was meant to inspire and be read rather than run.

]]> By: Scholz http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/16/writing-game-material-the-audience-of-my-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-927 Scholz Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:45:14 +0000 http://www.lamemage.com/proto/wordpress/?p=16#comment-927 BTW: Things like the silent sound effects are very cool. Even Carly, normally uninterested in gaming stuff, was intrigued enough to make me scroll back to read through those. I am not sure if the players will hear all of those, but it gets the GM enthusiastic which will undoubtedly impact the players. BTW: Things like the silent sound effects are very cool. Even Carly, normally uninterested in gaming stuff, was intrigued enough to make me scroll back to read through those. I am not sure if the players will hear all of those, but it gets the GM enthusiastic which will undoubtedly impact the players.

]]> By: Scholz http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/16/writing-game-material-the-audience-of-my-audience/comment-page-1/#comment-926 Scholz Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:45:14 +0000 http://www.lamemage.com/proto/wordpress/?p=16#comment-926 With the advent of D20... I've often thought a useful addition to "modules" would be color-copiable maps to miniature scale for use as battlemaps for the key encounter areas (not necessarily every room..). Maybe this would be for the deluxe edition. <br />If not on the paper copy, then on the pdf version..<br /><br />This is assuming those encoutners take place in manageable 8-10 inch area (or areas you coulc put a couple of those things together). I've done that once or twice and really liked it. Time consuming though... hence the added value. <br /><br />This is particularly useful in games where the design elements are important. But it could add to the perception value more than just good artwork.<br /><br />I also like 3x5 cards with magic (or unusual) items on them. Arduin Grimoire used to do that, and we thought it was super cool when we were 13.<br /><br />I think the idea of a gaming aide, is a good way to think of it. Little additions that would make running the game easier or more colorful are good. With the advent of D20… I’ve often thought a useful addition to “modules” would be color-copiable maps to miniature scale for use as battlemaps for the key encounter areas (not necessarily every room..). Maybe this would be for the deluxe edition.
If not on the paper copy, then on the pdf version..

This is assuming those encoutners take place in manageable 8-10 inch area (or areas you coulc put a couple of those things together). I’ve done that once or twice and really liked it. Time consuming though… hence the added value.

This is particularly useful in games where the design elements are important. But it could add to the perception value more than just good artwork.

I also like 3×5 cards with magic (or unusual) items on them. Arduin Grimoire used to do that, and we thought it was super cool when we were 13.

I think the idea of a gaming aide, is a good way to think of it. Little additions that would make running the game easier or more colorful are good.

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