I just cobbled-together a quick (and crude) tutorial on how RPG publishers can use the free Scribus software for layout. It’s a powerful, though flawed, piece of software and I think the video might help folks who can’t afford the rather expensive license for InDesign. I hope this is helpful!
Category Archives: Downloads
Game Chef 2014 – The Roman on the Rhine
I am very pleased to present the Roman on the Rhine, my submission to the game chef competition. This is a one-shot roleplaying game for 3-5 people to play over a bit over an hour. This game is presented in the form of an interactive audio drama. All of the rules are present in this mp3 file, which you play in the background during the session in order to teach you the rules and manage the game. This is a diceless and paper-less game which you can play in a car. For those hard of hearing, I also offer the text version of the rules in this post after the “Read more” line.
As is typical in the game chef competition, this is more of a proof of concept and thought experiment than a fully polished piece. That said, it’s also free and I hope you find it interesting.
This game would not have been possible without the kind permissions of Wes Otis, whose RPG background loops were invaluable in producing this audio-piece. If you like any of the background music, they are all available over at DriveThruRPG.com.
1) Viking Dining Hall (Council Scenes)
3) Gladiator sounds (Transition)
4) Werewolf Forest (Senate Scenes)
5) Campfire (Also Senate Scenes)
Spread the Spark
I love Spark, and I know that many of you share this love. I want to help foster a community of people who learn, play and appreciate the game as well. The best way to do this is to run games at local game stores and conventions.
The problem is that I have limited opportunities to travel and run games outside of my own city. That’s why I’m running a little promotion and would like to ask for your help. I would like to invite you to run demo session of Spark at conventions and friendly local gaming stores. The three Quickstart bundles Here do all the preparation for you might need, including pre-generated characters. Just print and play!
In thanks, I will offer you each a free copy of the beautiful new Spark Setting written by Brian Engard. Carriers is a cyberpunk zombie game, where cybernetically-enhanced runners travel between corporate arcologies while trying to avoid the zombie hordes. I am really excited to share this with you, but this setting won’t be available for sale.
All you need to do is email me at genesisoflegend at gmail.com with “Carriers” in the subject line, telling me where and when the game is to be run. I will be happy to send you a pdf of the awesome new setting from Brian.
Help spread Spark among the masses.
Become a Carrier.
Jason at Metatopia 2013
I am once again making the pilgrimage to Morristown NJ, for the annual Game Design festival known as Metatopia. It’s a whirlwind of panels and playtests with no equal. I hope to see many people there, and to test my three game designs.
Here is what I know for certain about my schedule. I will likely be sitting on a large number of panels, and recording as many of them as I can for the RPG Design PanelCast.
Thursday
Flying in at 3pm, then heading down to the city to meet and greet for a very happy halloween.
Friday
D002: “Playtesting 101” presented by Rob Donoghue & Jason Pitre. Playtesting is an absolute requirement for any game to be successful. This panel shows how to get the most out of your playtesting efforts no matter what kind of game you’ve designed. Friday, 9:00AM – 10:00AM;
B135: [FOCUS GROUP] “Tell Me About Your Game” by Genesis of Legend Publishing; presented by Jason Pitre. It’s a card game about role playing game designers. Your goal, if you choose to accept it, is to gain publication credits by pitching the most innovative RPGs you can. Friday, 3:00PM – 4:00PM
Saturday
D036: “Accessibility Issues For Game Designers” presented by Russell Collins & Jason Pitre. Games are about imagination and creativity so the print medium shouldn’t be a barrier to entry. Understanding the needs of persons with learning differences and the options that designers have will keep you from excluding people who are eager to enjoy our hobby. This seminar will focus on blindness, low vision, and dyslexia and strategies to present your game content for those with print disabilities in digital and audio media. Saturday, 9:00AM – 10:00AM;
R223: [BETA TEST] “Posthuman Doorways” by Genesis of Legend Publishing; presented by Jason Pitre. Transhumanism. The idea that sufficiently advanced science and technology can change what it means to be human. This game invites you to explore those questions during play. You are forced to make hard choices and explore one potential future. Individuals knowledgeable about GM-less games and transhumanism are ideal. Saturday, 10:00AM – 1:00PM
D050: “Electronic Book Publishing 101” presented by Darren Watts, Jason Pitre & Joseph Bloch. What are the differences between publishing hard copy books and electronic publishing? This panel will fill you in on everything you need to know, from standards and tools to markets for reaching your audience. Saturday, 3:00PM – 4:00PM;
D052: “Legalese: Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents” presented by Justin Jacobson & Jason Pitre. It’s all about protecting yourself. Where and when do these legal concepts apply, and what do you need to do to make sure you’re covered without spending a fortune unnecessarily? Saturday, 4:00PM – 5:00PM; Serious, All Ages.
D061: “Dangerous Mechanics: Rules That Looked Good On The Surface” presented by Kenneth Hite, Will Hindmarch, Rob Donoghue & Jason Pitre. The panelists will deal with mechanics that look good on the surface but can have unforeseen negative consequences in play. Spending XP, no-effect rules, dice-generated currency – all have hidden dangers. Explore these and other light bulbs that didn’t quite work out. Saturday, 9:00PM – 10:00PM;
Sunday
R357: [ALPHA TEST] What Came Before; “Rogues Gallery” by Genesis of Legend Publishing; presented by Jason Pitre. This game is meant to be played during an ongoing Pathfinder/D&D or Dungeon World campaign when you don’t have everyone show up for a session. The adventurers sit around a campfire and a rogue tells a story of her mentors’ great deeds of larceny. You play through that flashback-adventure as an all-rogue party. All players must have experience with Pathfinder/D&D or Dungeon World. Bonus points if you have read the 2nd ed Complete Book of Thieves, or if you have OSR experience. Sunday, 10:00AM – 12:00PM
First Quickstart Bundle – NeoNihon
As part of a Kickstarter stretch goal for the Spark RPG, I offered to prepare quick-start bundles of the game that people could print at home. These bundles would have pregenerated characters, a premade gm sheet and everything else needed to run a one-shot scenario with the book in hand.
The first one is ready for your enjoyment. Especially for those of you who might have just recently gotten their copies of the physical book. Just download the NeoNihon Quickstart Bundle
With luck, most people should either have their books in hand relatively soon. The vast majority of packages have shipped, and I will be hand-delivering many of the remainders at the two launch parties for Spark.
Cheers!