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Dark Side of the Moon

The Earth was lost. The tide of Communism had spread to every corner of the globe. But on the Moon the last patriots remained steadfast, raining down showers of city-crushing debris from their lunar bunkers. Vengeful, destructive, but ultimately futile. It was a last hurrah for the West, but too late to turn the tide. […]

Ben Robbins | February 17th, 2015 | , , ,

By This Ring I Swear

Great game of Microscope Chronicle at Story Games Seattle. Rulers swore oaths on it (and broke them). Friends spirited it away and swore more oaths on it (and broke them). Later it was the wedding ring binding two houses in marriage (guess how that turned out?). By This Ring I Swear Doomed bromances and loveless […]

Ben Robbins | February 10th, 2015 | , , , ,

“What do people that play Microscope need?”

Really fun interview I did on the RPG Gamer Dad podcast is now online. I talk about Microscope, Kingdom, the wonders of gaming with kids, the eternal font of fun that is Story Games Seattle, and some of the cool new stuff being crafted by Marc and Caroline. And yeah, I drop a few hints […]

Ben Robbins | January 19th, 2015 | , , , ,

Microscope Chronicle Playtest Closing

Hearken, ye gamers! The playtest of Microscope Chronicle is closing September 30. If you’re on the team you should have already gotten an email with instructions and whatnot. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback already, because playtesters rock. I predicted a while back that Chronicle might turn out to be the people’s choice for […]

Ben Robbins | September 19th, 2014 | , , | 1 comment

Don’t Forget Gollum

Garth Rose just read the playtest draft of Microscope Chronicle: I can easily imagine doing a Chronicle on the One Ring. ;) Anchor characters: Sauron, Celebrimbor, Isildur, Bilbo, Frodo (or maybe Sam).? Exactly.

Ben Robbins | August 14th, 2014 | , , | 1 comment

The Second Spawn: Microscope Chronicle

I have received a glorious wealth of feedback from Union playtesters all over. I am giddy with delight. Now it’s time for the second Microscope spin-off, Chronicle. Both are going to be included in the Microscope Explorer book, but you already knew that. What is Chronicle? It’s a laser-focused version of Microscope. Instead of a […]

Ben Robbins | August 12th, 2014 | , , | 12 comments

Tooth of Shirat

“…yet the most deadly wound Shirat inflicted was not with the blade that he crafted and which bore his name, but in the seemingly merciful act of saving the life of the Overlord who enslaved him. For in saving the Overlord’s life, the slave-smith destroyed the man the Overlord was…” Just played Microscope Chronicle with […]

Ben Robbins | August 7th, 2014 | , ,

Microscope Explorer

I was walking around Go Play NW telling people what I was working on. Then they would say they were surprised they hadn’t heard of it and I had to respond “oh, that’s because I haven’t announced it yet.” So let me fix that right now: Microscope Explorer is a supplement that explores (ehh? get […]

Ben Robbins | July 16th, 2014 | ,

Microscope Union Needs Playtesters

Microscope Union is already much more polished than I expected, which means it’s time to let slip the hounds of playtesting. As usual, I’m looking for people who will actually play the game and give feedback, not just read it. Because Union is a built on Microscope, you also have to already know how to […]

Ben Robbins | June 25th, 2014 | , , | 9 comments

“My Dad, he’s full of stars!”

First playtest of Microscope Union was beautiful and bittersweet: Nathan grew up on the farm. As a young man he sees strange lights in the sky, a sight that fills him with quiet wonder. Belle comes from the big city. She hates the country, hates working on the farm, but eventually she and Nathan fall […]

Ben Robbins | June 20th, 2014 | , , , , | 3 comments