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Post by greatwyrm on Jun 3, 2015 16:07:28 GMT -8
I used to run big, open-ended games. Lately I've been doing what I've called the Matrix Model. I do one adventure and hit everything I really want. If it goes well, we option it for two more adventures. I don't know if it's weird, but it's working well for us.
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Memnoch
Initiate Douchebag
Liberty!
Posts: 46
Preferred Game Systems: D&D 3.5 , Star Wars D20 , GURPs
Currently Running: GURPs - The Weird West
Favorite Species of Monkey: Kowakian monkey-lizards
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Post by Memnoch on Jun 3, 2015 18:31:15 GMT -8
I enjoy playing, and gming character for a couple of campaigns (10-14 games for my group)starting at low level, and taking our time to flesh out character as we get them to high levels. Before those characters ever end up in an epic world saving campaign.
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Post by ericfromnj on Jun 3, 2015 18:43:15 GMT -8
Doing a lot of level based games over the years meant that I usually plan things to end at a certain level for example a campaign that ends around tenth level in Pathfinder or 3.5.
Savage Worlds I honestly tried to take a plot point campaign to the bitter end but there was a tpk about eighty percent of the way through it.
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mrcj
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 173
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Post by mrcj on Jun 4, 2015 4:59:14 GMT -8
Yes and no. You can plan for what you THINK will be the ending, we all do at least have an idea where we think the game will end up. However, that does not in any way prevent things from going very differently as the game progresses. That's my whole point, not that one shouldn't plan for what they think will happen, only that we can't force that to happen if the game turns in a different direction. Cheers, JiB [/quote] While it is true that it can go sideways at any time, I have run two of these plots: one that the characters stumbled walked into (the enemy is going to attack in 90 days) and one that they built characters for (steam punk race around the world). In these scenarios the players know what is going to happen on the front end. So this focuses their actions in the game and allows the GM to plan accordingly. So for the the first campaign, I built the world and NPCs and how the enemy would attack, everything else was up to the players. For the second campaign, it was a race, basically I stole the plot of the Great Race with required checkpoints each episode, but how they got there and what they did, completely up to the players. But the goal/deadline is always looming in the background and then it ends ten or more sessions later with a bang.
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Post by jazzisblues on Jun 4, 2015 9:16:00 GMT -8
Yes and no. You can plan for what you THINK will be the ending, we all do at least have an idea where we think the game will end up. However, that does not in any way prevent things from going very differently as the game progresses. That's my whole point, not that one shouldn't plan for what they think will happen, only that we can't force that to happen if the game turns in a different direction. Cheers, JiB While it is true that it can go sideways at any time, I have run two of these plots: one that the characters stumbled walked into (the enemy is going to attack in 90 days) and one that they built characters for (steam punk race around the world). In these scenarios the players know what is going to happen on the front end. So this focuses their actions in the game and allows the GM to plan accordingly. So for the the first campaign, I built the world and NPCs and how the enemy would attack, everything else was up to the players. For the second campaign, it was a race, basically I stole the plot of the Great Race with required checkpoints each episode, but how they got there and what they did, completely up to the players. But the goal/deadline is always looming in the background and then it ends ten or more sessions later with a bang. [/quote] I don't intrinsically disagree, I've just had enough circumstances where the players totally turned away from what they knew was the story to do their own thing that I don't preclude either possibility at this point. JiB
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tomes
Supporter
Hello madness
Posts: 1,438
Currently Running: Dungeon World, hippie games, Fallout Shelter RPG hack
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Post by tomes on Jun 4, 2015 9:43:38 GMT -8
Yes and no. You can plan for what you THINK will be the ending, we all do at least have an idea where we think the game will end up. However, that does not in any way prevent things from going very differently as the game progresses. That's my whole point, not that one shouldn't plan for what they think will happen, only that we can't force that to happen if the game turns in a different direction. Stu Venable: That's why I say, "Bring back the Angry GM!". Last time he was on he said he would argue the point of "I always have my ending in mind when I create the game." I want to hear that argument!
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fredrix
Master Douchebag
Posts: 2,142
Preferred Game Systems: Fate, L5R, Pendragon, Gumshoe, Feng Shui
Currently Playing: Pendragon, Song of Ice and Fire, L5R, Feng Shui, Traveller
Currently Running: Fate, Coriolis, Nights Black Agents
Favorite Species of Monkey: 1970's NTV, dubbed by the BBC (though The Water Margin beats it)
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Post by fredrix on Jun 4, 2015 10:19:00 GMT -8
I used to run big, open-ended games. Lately I've been doing what I've called the Matrix Model. I do one adventure and hit everything I really want. If it goes well, we option it for two more adventures. I don't know if it's weird, but it's working well for us. Not weird at all, that kind of what I do too.
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Memnoch
Initiate Douchebag
Liberty!
Posts: 46
Preferred Game Systems: D&D 3.5 , Star Wars D20 , GURPs
Currently Running: GURPs - The Weird West
Favorite Species of Monkey: Kowakian monkey-lizards
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Post by Memnoch on Jun 4, 2015 12:07:17 GMT -8
That's why I say, "Bring back the Angry GM!". Last time he was on he said he would argue the point of "I always have my ending in mind when I create the game." I want to hear that argument! I would love to see the Angry GM come back and discuss this topic! I would love to see TAGM back period. lol
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D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
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Post by D.T. Pints on Jun 5, 2015 6:44:58 GMT -8
Print a spare GM screen, and keep it next to your toilet, after a few shits you will remember what's on it. For the modifiable/erasable stuff you were talking about above I fold a piece of paper so I can hang it on the GM screen. On my side ( the short side I write that stuff, on the other side I will write names, and imitative orders for combat so the players can see that stuff. (At least I would, I have been hanging this on my laptop.) Poop screen.
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Post by Stu Venable on Jun 5, 2015 6:45:01 GMT -8
He will be invited back. I guarantee it.
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Memnoch
Initiate Douchebag
Liberty!
Posts: 46
Preferred Game Systems: D&D 3.5 , Star Wars D20 , GURPs
Currently Running: GURPs - The Weird West
Favorite Species of Monkey: Kowakian monkey-lizards
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Post by Memnoch on Jun 5, 2015 12:25:52 GMT -8
Call it what you will, I do my best reading in the bathroom. It doesn't have to be an assembled screen, just the sheets you would place in/one your screen. A poop screen sounds like something you would take camping. Good deal Stu, definitely looking forward to that.
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Post by heavymetaljess on Jan 20, 2016 15:18:16 GMT -8
Healthy Snacks that Don't Suck (is there a book in there?): Caprese Salad Skewers Roasted Chickpeas ( lots of flavor options) Quinoa Meatballs ( this one is good) Chicken Skewers w. Spicy Peanut Sauce Cashew Cheese Dip (also good for vegan friends) Terra Chips (the beet ones will make your poop red, fair warning) Veggie Straws (for chip lovers) Tea Eggs Kombucha (soda replacement) Wasabi Peas Seaweed Sheets ( these are my favorite) I tend to have some of these easy or no prep options along with 1 fancy thing like slow-cooker pulled lamb or beef (Moorish game setting), baked chicken wings, or fried rice. Then, when you want to Treat Yo Self, you go with these.
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Post by natebob on Jan 20, 2016 17:43:47 GMT -8
Healthy Snacks that Don't Suck (is there a book in there?): Caprese Salad Skewers Roasted Chickpeas ( lots of flavor options) Quinoa Meatballs ( this one is good) Chicken Skewers w. Spicy Peanut Sauce Cashew Cheese Dip (also good for vegan friends) Terra Chips (the beet ones will make your poop red, fair warning) Veggie Straws (for chip lovers) Tea Eggs Kombucha (soda replacement) Wasabi Peas Seaweed Sheets ( these are my favorite) I tend to have some of these easy or no prep options along with 1 fancy thing like slow-cooker pulled lamb or beef (Moorish game setting), baked chicken wings, or fried rice. Then, when you want to Treat Yo Self, you go with these. You had me at red poop
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tomes
Supporter
Hello madness
Posts: 1,438
Currently Running: Dungeon World, hippie games, Fallout Shelter RPG hack
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Post by tomes on Jan 20, 2016 19:38:47 GMT -8
Healthy Snacks that Don't Suck Yes! +1 on the kombucha The seaweed sheets are great... and especially those Trader Joe's Wasabi versions wrapped around a cheese stick.
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