Found here. Short version: note I said useless character, not useless player. Sometimes a RPG player brings a character to a game that’s ill-suited for it and it’s not the player’s fault (it’s very well may be your fault for not communicating the scope of your campaign). I offer some thoughts on how to finesse that.
Tag: rpgs
My PJ Lifestyle piece on licensed RPGs.
Found here. Short version: players love officially licensed RPGs like the various Lord of the Rings games. And so do authors.
My PJ Lifestyle piece on computer RPGs is up.
Found here. Short version: a computer RPG is related to, but not really analogous with, a pen-and-paper RPG. on the plus side: computer RPGs make it much easier to see and hear the orc bandit that’s charging you.
I need to collect some good RPG site links.
I got a dude asking me about them, and – horribly! – I realized that I don’t have that many good RPG site resources besides some company websites. Which aren’t bad, but I need a few more. I know about Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff, of course (I have difficulty with the podcast format, but that’s a personal failing); and the aforementioned dude mentioned Saving Throw, which I know I’ve heard of before. Anybody else got suggestions, since I’m collating anyway?
[UPDATE: folks on Twitter recommended EN World RPG and Geek & Sundry.] [And SciFi Tech Talk.]
My PJ Lifestyle post on con adventures.
Found here. Short version: as in, how to play in one. I figure that GMs already get a lot of advice on how to run ’em. Well, relatively speaking.
My PJ Lifestyle piece on cell phones in RPGs is up.
Found here. Short version: they’re annoying to let players have. But you can finesse the situation.
My PJ Lifestyle article on new RPG editions.
Found here. Short version: …you probably already know the answer to it already. Honestly, I’m sometimes just trying to demystify the hobby with these articles.
MY PJ Lifestyle post on crafting in video games.
Found here. Short version: do you have OCD? Then either do, or do not, play most modern computer RPGs. Because they’ll love to cater to that with their crafting minigames.
My PJ Lifestyle post on the best kind of RPG.
Found here. Short version: it’s a trick question. Better question to ask: Why should you give people the privilege of judging you for your tastes in entertainment?
My PJ Lifestyle piece on historical gaming taboos is up.
Found here. Short version: historical periods typically had what we consider today to be awkward opinions. Figure out what to do about that.