This is too cool to not signal boost any way I can. As I am sure you all know by now, I am a huge supporter of using games for education, and in using RPGs in particular for not only education but socialization. There are a lot of therapeutic aspects to gaming, and I have family members that use RPGs to help teach troubled kids.
Showing posts with label Kickstarter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kickstarter. Show all posts
Friday, March 22, 2019
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Strongholds & Followers - To Consider Before You Buy
On Friday I gave my first impressions of Matt Coleville's Strongholds and Followers. Over the weekend and the past few days I've had more time with the book. Today I want to give a sort of semi-review. My purpose here is not to give a full critique of the writing and its worth, but rather to point out the things I think it does well, and the things I wish they'd put more work into or given more consideration to. This will come out as a list of the Good and the Bad. I'll explain what I mean with each one. With luck, if you're on the fence on buying this book, it should help you figure out if you want to or not.
Friday, December 14, 2018
Strongholds and Followers - Initial Impressions
(The gorgeous cover art for the book, taken from the kickstarter page)
Matt Coleville's Strongholds and Followers dropped last night in PDF form. I was a backer for the book on kickstarter, and a fan of Matt Coleville's Running the Game series before that, so I couldn't wait to jump in. The book, on a quick flip through, is good. In fact, I'm looking forward to seeing how I can use it to help me run certain parts of my own game where the PCs have built themselves a number of structures that could just be Strongholds.
The book breaks strongholds down into four categories: Keeps, Temples, Towers, and Establishments.
Keeps are, well, Keeps. They're military fortresses that can be used to raise and train armies.
Temples are...temples. They can be used for prayer and to summon allies from other planes depending on whether they are attuned to a good, neutral, or evil god/goddess/power.
Towers are for arcane study and spell research.
Establishments help you gather information and make money.
Each has a couple variants built in to help GMs and DMs alike tool things to fit their games, and I'm not going to go into huge details because...well, buy the book.
The book is also loaded with beautiful art, has some interesting additional abilities PCs can get from their strongholds, and a number of other bells and whistles. It also has rules for mass combat, that are wide open for anyone to use or tweak as they see fit. I hope to have more on those soon, but I haven't read them even a little yet. Next week, maybe?
So if this sounds like something you could use in your game, check it out. The PDF is only $20. Matt has already announced the next book - whose name I already forget - but is waiting to make sure everyone gets their Strongholds and Followers stuff before they even begin looking at funding for that. But keep an ear out, if the quality of this is anything to go by it will be a great addition as well.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Kickstarter: Blackwind
Checking my inbox the other day I noticed an e-mail asking me to check out a new RPG kickstarter for a game called Blackwind.
The game looks to be a narrative focused RPG with a system that can handle any type of genre. They seem to take a more FATE like focus mixed with Apocalypse World - I am guessing based on their description - for game mechanics that handle narrative issues rather than trying to simulate a physical world.
I tend to be wary of any game that starts it's description saying it is "fixing" the problems of the genre, but this looks like it could be interesting and I'm willing to let the pet peeve go. Also, you don't have to just take their word for things, there is a link to a free adventure/module in the kickstarter.
So take a look, and if you think it's worth your money give them a pledge. If not, don't.
The game looks to be a narrative focused RPG with a system that can handle any type of genre. They seem to take a more FATE like focus mixed with Apocalypse World - I am guessing based on their description - for game mechanics that handle narrative issues rather than trying to simulate a physical world.
I tend to be wary of any game that starts it's description saying it is "fixing" the problems of the genre, but this looks like it could be interesting and I'm willing to let the pet peeve go. Also, you don't have to just take their word for things, there is a link to a free adventure/module in the kickstarter.
So take a look, and if you think it's worth your money give them a pledge. If not, don't.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Breachworld Kickstarter Now Live
Just an update folks. The Breachworld Kickstarter we talked about last week is now LIVE and with Day One bonuses if you pledge in the next 14 or so hours!
Check it out, support it if you want, and enjoy!
Check it out, support it if you want, and enjoy!
Friday, October 13, 2017
Breachworld Kickstarter W/ Special Early Bird Offers
Jason Richards is a good man. More importantly though, Jason Richards Publishing has a fun game known as Breachworld. For those not in the know, Breachworld is a game that is kind of like inverse Rifts. Where in Rifts you jump through portals to various worlds of adventures, in Breachworld a whole bunch of worlds of adventure jumped through portals and came to one place. The game is a lot of fun, and you can learn more about it by clicking anywhere on this sentence.
For those who already play Breachworld, or just love miniatures, on October 17th Jason Richards will be launching a new Kickstarter for Breachworld miniatures. I'll have a link on the 17th as well, but put this in mind.
You can check out the pre-release campaign page and leave feedback for Jason Richards Publishing here.
For those who already play Breachworld, or just love miniatures, on October 17th Jason Richards will be launching a new Kickstarter for Breachworld miniatures. I'll have a link on the 17th as well, but put this in mind.
You can check out the pre-release campaign page and leave feedback for Jason Richards Publishing here.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
7th Sea: Khitai - Kickstarter
At 9am EST yesterday, John Wick Presents launched the second kickstarter for 7th Sea 2nd Edition. The idea this time? To make a separate, but fully compatable, game of 7th Sea but for the East where the idea behind what constitutes a hero is a little different. 3 hours later - slower than the initial kickstarter but still fast - the game funded. As of the time of this writing, they're sitting just below the 100k line and looking to go forward.
It should be no surprise by now that I love 7th Sea. The game has a blend of indie game novely and big game crunch that's hard to come by. I'm intrigued by the mechanics, and amazed at how they handle some very complex things with a speed and efficiency I long accepted was simply impossible in table top.
Look, I could sit here and type the praises of the game, the world, and the makers forever. So all I'm going to say is this. The foreword of Crescent Empire, an expansion for 7th Sea second edition, included an anecdote where some people thanked John Wick because in his game they not only could be heroes, but were depicted as heroes throughout the book. That's the point of the game. 7th Sea is a world where anyone - no matter their race, creed, or class - is capable of rising up and being a hero, and finding out what that means.
It's a message we could use more of today.
So I hope you'll take a look at the kickstarter info presented here, and if you find it to your liking throw them a couple bucks and preorder a wonderful game. If nothing else, you can get access to the PDFs of every 7th Sea book released so far, both 1st and 2nd edition, and that's a great deal considering the price it is offered at.
It should be no surprise by now that I love 7th Sea. The game has a blend of indie game novely and big game crunch that's hard to come by. I'm intrigued by the mechanics, and amazed at how they handle some very complex things with a speed and efficiency I long accepted was simply impossible in table top.
Look, I could sit here and type the praises of the game, the world, and the makers forever. So all I'm going to say is this. The foreword of Crescent Empire, an expansion for 7th Sea second edition, included an anecdote where some people thanked John Wick because in his game they not only could be heroes, but were depicted as heroes throughout the book. That's the point of the game. 7th Sea is a world where anyone - no matter their race, creed, or class - is capable of rising up and being a hero, and finding out what that means.
It's a message we could use more of today.
So I hope you'll take a look at the kickstarter info presented here, and if you find it to your liking throw them a couple bucks and preorder a wonderful game. If nothing else, you can get access to the PDFs of every 7th Sea book released so far, both 1st and 2nd edition, and that's a great deal considering the price it is offered at.
Friday, August 12, 2016
KickStarter: Reflections
I found out today from philgamer's twitter account that there is a 2 player RPG called Reflections in the works. In Reflections both players play Samurai about to meet for their duel to the death. You then reflect on your relationship with the character and how it played out, the key moments leading to this duel. As you reflect each player is trying to accomplish goals and deny goals to the opposition to get bonus dice. In the end, after you've recounted the story of te relationship you find out who is alive, and who is dead.
That summary makes it sound a little bland, but read the actual description on the KickStarter page. It sounds awesome. They also just crossed the Stretch Goal Line to get L5R and Blood and Honor creator, John Wick, to write a setting for the game.
This book is already funded. Get in on the action while Kickstarter prices are ere.
That summary makes it sound a little bland, but read the actual description on the KickStarter page. It sounds awesome. They also just crossed the Stretch Goal Line to get L5R and Blood and Honor creator, John Wick, to write a setting for the game.
This book is already funded. Get in on the action while Kickstarter prices are ere.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Kickstarter: Sol - Last Days of a Star
Last year at GenCon I got a chance to play a board game being demoed. The game was Sol: Last Days of a Star and I enjoyed my time playing it enough that I made sure to get the demoers card so I could stay on the mailing list. Nearly a year later, Sol is making it's bid to go from being a prototype to being a real game in the hands of people all over. As there is a large overlap between board game players and RPG enthusiasts, I figured I'd share the news of the kickstarter with you all in case you were interested.
That said, unlike some other things I've shared because they seemed interesting, I've actually played Sol and can give some words about the product. Mostly: it's a fun game. The play style is an interesting mix of PvE and PvP at the same time.
It is PvE in the sense that you are playing with the other players and can freely use their infrastructure. In fact, not only can you use it, you kind of have to use it. After all, only one sungate can be put on a particular block - and it is the same with all the other buildings - and even if you could duplicate, resources are vital.
It is PvP because you are racing the other players to get your Arc the furthest away from the star before it explodes. Succeed and you win, you get your people to safety. Fail and you're just another victim.
In play this works with an interesting and natural ratcheting up of tension. Everyone is pretty friendly and buddy buddy at the beginning. You work together building a line of sun gates here, transmission towers there. You don't really care that everytime you use your buddy's sungate that he gets energy for his arc. Nor do you care that when you buy Sun Divers that he can buy divers of his own.
And then, one player moves his arc. It may not even be a big move, just a move. Enough to say "hey, if the sun explodes next turn my people are safe." Then someone else moves their arc. Then another person. Suddenly it's becoming a race. Who can get the furthest away? How do you get the most energy? Can you really afford to give energy away to other players that they can use to out distance you in the race that matters?
The tension goes up. The game moves that little bit faster because of it. It's a real blast - pardon the pun.
So if you like board games, and prefer them to be not as cut throat as some out there, maybe give Sol a chance. If nothing else, it has some unique features.
That said, unlike some other things I've shared because they seemed interesting, I've actually played Sol and can give some words about the product. Mostly: it's a fun game. The play style is an interesting mix of PvE and PvP at the same time.
It is PvE in the sense that you are playing with the other players and can freely use their infrastructure. In fact, not only can you use it, you kind of have to use it. After all, only one sungate can be put on a particular block - and it is the same with all the other buildings - and even if you could duplicate, resources are vital.
It is PvP because you are racing the other players to get your Arc the furthest away from the star before it explodes. Succeed and you win, you get your people to safety. Fail and you're just another victim.
In play this works with an interesting and natural ratcheting up of tension. Everyone is pretty friendly and buddy buddy at the beginning. You work together building a line of sun gates here, transmission towers there. You don't really care that everytime you use your buddy's sungate that he gets energy for his arc. Nor do you care that when you buy Sun Divers that he can buy divers of his own.
And then, one player moves his arc. It may not even be a big move, just a move. Enough to say "hey, if the sun explodes next turn my people are safe." Then someone else moves their arc. Then another person. Suddenly it's becoming a race. Who can get the furthest away? How do you get the most energy? Can you really afford to give energy away to other players that they can use to out distance you in the race that matters?
The tension goes up. The game moves that little bit faster because of it. It's a real blast - pardon the pun.
So if you like board games, and prefer them to be not as cut throat as some out there, maybe give Sol a chance. If nothing else, it has some unique features.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Kickstarter: Era - Survival
I have no experience playing the Era game, but Era - The Consortium piqued my interest and this game is compatable with that while offering up your doomsday scenario to RP through. It seems a bit bleakof a world for my tastes, but in general post-apocalyptic is a type of game I'd like to get into.
Either way, I figured I'd plug the Kickstarter here because the game is already funded so this is basically just boosting signal and spreading word of mouth. Take a look, if it seems up your alley then maybe throw them a few bucks and get in on early on what looks to be a well made RPG. If not? Well, heck, not every game is for every gamer, right?
You can find the kickstarter link here.
Either way, I figured I'd plug the Kickstarter here because the game is already funded so this is basically just boosting signal and spreading word of mouth. Take a look, if it seems up your alley then maybe throw them a few bucks and get in on early on what looks to be a well made RPG. If not? Well, heck, not every game is for every gamer, right?
You can find the kickstarter link here.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Kickstarter: Tavern Tales
When it comes to fantasy role playing, most of the big names are fairly crunchy following the D&D and Pathfinder molds. While games like FATE do offer a more cinematic take, it does so through the lens of a universal game system. Tavern Tales by Dabney Bailey is looking to change that.
To steal from the Kickstarter page:
Tavern Tales is an exciting new fantasy-themed roleplaying game that follows these principles:
- Stay simple, intuitive, and tactical
- Emphasize customization
- Enable well-rounded characters
- Think cinematically, not mathematically
- Grow with ongoing content updates
Tavern Tales is a player-driven, cinematic game that empowers you to play the way you always wished you could play. Have you ever wanted to ride a fire-breathing dragon, but you couldn't because the rules won't let you? Tavern Tales throws that out the window! You can build virtually any character imaginable.
The folks behind the Kickstarter reached out to me about plugging the project, and it looks interesting enough I figured I'd at least spread the word. So maybe head on over and see if Tavern Tales is a game you'd be interested in helping out.
Oh, and if it does catch your fancy check out this competition on reddit. Win, and a character you make will appear in the official Tavern Tales release complete with official art. Other prizes include designing an item or object, or getting your character mentioned by name in the book.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Kickstarter: Era the Consortium - Shadow War
Every now and then I get requests from companies to help plug their product. Frequently these requests go unheeded. Why? Well, a lot of them aren't about anything this blog is about. When it is about a table top RPG though, I at least check out the product. Sometimes the game isn't something I'm particularly interested in. Other times, I'm really on board and think the world looks really cool.
Today is one of those days.
I learned about this Kickstarter when someone from Badass PR (great name for a company, by the way) dropped me an email about collaborating on something. Intrigued, I checked out the email and the two follow ups with information on the product. The game is a table top RPG of the Sci-Fi vein.
What intirgued me about this one though, is what the expansion is about. Shadow Wars are one of those things that always make me take notice. It brings up images of spy versus spy combat, with crack commando teams and all sorts of other zaniness. And that is what this appears to be about.
The art they're hosting also looks very pretty, and further sells a deep sci-fi world and the "shadow war" feel this expansion is about.
So, follow the link, take a look, and if it looks good to you maybe drop them a few bucks and add a game to your collection!
Today is one of those days.
I learned about this Kickstarter when someone from Badass PR (great name for a company, by the way) dropped me an email about collaborating on something. Intrigued, I checked out the email and the two follow ups with information on the product. The game is a table top RPG of the Sci-Fi vein.
What intirgued me about this one though, is what the expansion is about. Shadow Wars are one of those things that always make me take notice. It brings up images of spy versus spy combat, with crack commando teams and all sorts of other zaniness. And that is what this appears to be about.
The art they're hosting also looks very pretty, and further sells a deep sci-fi world and the "shadow war" feel this expansion is about.
So, follow the link, take a look, and if it looks good to you maybe drop them a few bucks and add a game to your collection!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Christmas Release: Breachworld is GO!
As of you reading this, Breachworld should be live on RPG Drive-Thru for you to purchase. For those that don't know, Breachworld is a game made by Jason Richards of Rifts/Palladium fame. In Breachworld players get to experience a world that has been opened up to inter-dimensional chaos. It is a game that, at it's core, is about the pervasiveness of the human spirit and how we - as a species - adapt to overcome and survive despite not being objectively special when compared to the world around us.
We've talked about this before on Reality Refracted. Most notably, we were lucky enough to have Jason answer some questions about the game when the Kickstarter was going. You can find that interview by clicking here. Once you've done that, if you so choose, you can head over to Drive-Thru RPG and grab a pdf copy of the game by clicking here.
I hope you'll check it out. If nothing else, Mini-6 is a strong engine for a game system and when you combine that with Jason Richards's skill as both writer and game designer, it means Breachworld should be one hell of a game for us all to dig into.
Happy Gaming, everyone!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
A Different Kind of RPG - Speakeasy (Kickstarter)
It's been a while since I've talked about things going on in the world of Kickstarter and as I recently received an email from someone asking me to check out their game I figured I'd mosy on over and take a look. The game in question is intriguing, and while it is being billed as a card game the kind of social interaction the game relies on also makes it a type of RPG.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Breachworld Update
If you haven't already please stop over and check out the Breachworld Kickstarter being put on by my good friend Jason Richards. They're about $216 shy of being funded right now with 16 days to go. That means that they'll likely be funded so if you're into fun RPGs from someone with a lot of experience in the industry than you should give it a shot. You should also give it a look because Jason Richards is honestly one of the nicest people I've met online and I've heard several people have received updates from him personally to help clarify various issues.
So, seriously, check it out. I'm sorry if I'm pushing this one a bit hard but I do want it to succeed. We'll be back next week with our regular programming, including some notes on designing a city. Enjoy your weekend.
So, seriously, check it out. I'm sorry if I'm pushing this one a bit hard but I do want it to succeed. We'll be back next week with our regular programming, including some notes on designing a city. Enjoy your weekend.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Breachworld: Answers from the Creator
I've talked before about my small blog-based friendship with Jason Richards. With his kickstarter now up for his new game Breachworld I thought that I should help him get some press out there. With that in mind I sent him a few questions, and Jason agreed to answer them. So pull up a chair and see what the creator of Breachworld has to say. Oh, and those links above will go to Jason's facebook page, and the kickstarter. More blatant links come after the break.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Kickstarter: Ultimate Werewolf Deluxe Edition
Howdy folks.
I mentioned wanting to do more press stuff and sure enough the next day my inbox had an interesting news stories. Bezier Games, makers of the party game Werewolf, have a kickstarter up for a deluxe edition. Now, this game isn't the normal table top fare, but the times I've played it - or even just seen it played - I've had an absolute blast.
Below the break is a direct cut and past of their press release. Or click here to go straight to the kickstarter. As always, make your own decision on if you like it or not, but I'm likely going to be buying in.
I mentioned wanting to do more press stuff and sure enough the next day my inbox had an interesting news stories. Bezier Games, makers of the party game Werewolf, have a kickstarter up for a deluxe edition. Now, this game isn't the normal table top fare, but the times I've played it - or even just seen it played - I've had an absolute blast.
Below the break is a direct cut and past of their press release. Or click here to go straight to the kickstarter. As always, make your own decision on if you like it or not, but I'm likely going to be buying in.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Missing Worlds Media - City of Titans (Kickstarter)
I'm not sure how many of you guys played the game but I was a huge fan of NCSoft's City of Heroes mmo. I played in the beta and had an account from beta all the way through until the servers were taken down because for some reason NCSoft's overlords decided to axe a game that was self funding and making a profit.
Interestingly enough though the community refused to take the death of City of Heroes lying down. The usual efforts were put in with petitions and such to save the game and those failed. The community took the initiative and started to work on its own game, a spiritual successor. That game is now called City of Titans and it launched a kickstarter yesterday for development funds to get the game made.
This project is obviously near and dear to my heart. It is also near and dear to several people close to me's hearts. It is also just a wonderful example of what a community can do when it refuses to take no for an answer. I'm probably going to talk about this Kickstarter a lot over the next 33 days, not to drown you in noise I'll keep it limited, but because I want people to hear about this.
So please, if you like gaming at all, or super heroes, or just communities telling corporations "you want to take our game back? Fine we'll make our own damn game" take a moment to check this out and maybe through a dollar or two their way. Every bit helps.
KICKSTARTER LINK
Interestingly enough though the community refused to take the death of City of Heroes lying down. The usual efforts were put in with petitions and such to save the game and those failed. The community took the initiative and started to work on its own game, a spiritual successor. That game is now called City of Titans and it launched a kickstarter yesterday for development funds to get the game made.
This project is obviously near and dear to my heart. It is also near and dear to several people close to me's hearts. It is also just a wonderful example of what a community can do when it refuses to take no for an answer. I'm probably going to talk about this Kickstarter a lot over the next 33 days, not to drown you in noise I'll keep it limited, but because I want people to hear about this.
So please, if you like gaming at all, or super heroes, or just communities telling corporations "you want to take our game back? Fine we'll make our own damn game" take a moment to check this out and maybe through a dollar or two their way. Every bit helps.
KICKSTARTER LINK
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Dragon Kings Kickstarter Is Live
Sorry, no post today. However, I do want to bring your attention to the Dragon Kings Kickstarter. Dragon Kings is the spiritual successor to Dark Suns and they're doing a lot to make this world work from writing fiction to composing music. Check it out, it might be a good setting for your next game.
KICKSTARTER LINK
KICKSTARTER LINK
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Little Fears Kickstarter
Little Fears is one of those games I've only heard of but never had a chance to play. However, everytime I've heard about it it has been paired with phrases like "such a great game" and "an amazing execution on the concept" from people I trust with games, so I have to assume it is good. It has also been touted to me as a great game for short run games, say over a holiday weekend or for a Halloween game or something.
Anyhow, they're doing a Kickstarter for their new book, and with less than 4 days to go they're already past the amount needed. This means that further funding just helps them more, but is also a good way to get faster, or cheaper, access to the same great gaming content you may be desiring anyhow. I know that, personally, the $70 tier for all 3 books looks mighty tempting.
Anyhow, check it out here and make your own decision. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new favorite game. :)
Anyhow, they're doing a Kickstarter for their new book, and with less than 4 days to go they're already past the amount needed. This means that further funding just helps them more, but is also a good way to get faster, or cheaper, access to the same great gaming content you may be desiring anyhow. I know that, personally, the $70 tier for all 3 books looks mighty tempting.
Anyhow, check it out here and make your own decision. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new favorite game. :)
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