This week in Gaming

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Well, I reviewed the AD&D1e Players Handbook at RPG.net and war broke out because I dared give it 1/5 for substance. In the past days I've also reviewed A3: Assault on the Aerie of the Slavelords, the Megatraveller Rebellion Sourcebook, A2: The Secret of the Slavers Stockade and U2: Danger At Dunwater.

I've also set myself a "hard deadline" of finishing at most of the first draft of my Dragonlords RPG by the end of today and have spent several solid days working on the manuscript. It's currently hovering around 25,000 words - much shorter than it needs to be - and I'm pretty happy with what has been done thus far. It feels right thus far. Also I need playtesters - lots of them - and I want plenty feedback as well. On a related note, can someone sell me on The Burning Wheel. I'm trying to like this game, but it just isn't moving me.

caseopaya did another fine job as GM of Little Fears last Friday. On Sunday the retro-group finished the high-cheese AD&D A3 module. Tuesday's game has changed (due to narrative reasons) from Megatraveller to Traveller: The New Era. Have also managed to deal with two scenes of the HeroQuest Glorantha pbem that I manage, play through one the Rolemaster Hyborea scenes and the initial investigative encounters of a d20 Call of Cthulhu game - particularly great setting this one; the civil war and war of independence in the Congo.

News that does not relate to my interest in the crossover between fantastic literature, tactical wargames and improvised radio theatre will have to wait for a subsequent post :-)

Comments

[anthanum.livejournal.com]

I need to organise some people up this way into a semblance of a gaming group. Missing my geek time :)

[mundens.livejournal.com]

So, what's this Dragonlords thing then?
Maybe we can get some people play-testing over here?

We have a local BBS at www.nzrag.com where such things could be discussed !

[severina-242.livejournal.com]

Still want me to do and Illustration on the 'Dragonloards' theme?

Also let's do dinner again soon.

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

I reviewed the AD&D1e Players Handbook at RPG.net

...which is much like poking a wasp's nest, but I'm sure you knew that going in ;-)

I had many happy years with 1st Ed, but I have absolutely no desire to go back, for pretty much the same reasons you've covered in the review. 3rd Ed works much, much better, even if they never did clear up the 'level' confusion...

[mikey-ob.livejournal.com]

You have provided a clearly written and fair assessment of a rulebook from an old RPG system system from a contemporary gamers relative context.

I would like to see you write a review af AD&D where you provide an analysis of the components of the system and their infulence - both negative and positive - in the development of RPG systems over the 29 or so years since it's release. Why things worked and why other mechanics are discarded.

[curufea.livejournal.com]

D&D proponents are almost relgiously obsessed with being apologists for it. Including lashing out at those "in the fold" who give bad reviews.

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

So, what exactly do you play?

Or should I instead be asking what exactly you don't play...

[tentacularone.livejournal.com]

Hello. Whenever you get to that stage, I've got a few groups that could playtest out here (US). Just let us know. Looking forward to basking in your brilliance.

[tentacularone.livejournal.com]

Hello there. Whenever you get to the playtest stage, I've got at least one group that's always ready for fresh meat. Let us know.

[phasmaphobic.livejournal.com]

1) Burning Wheel: Tell me what you do like about it (if anything), and what you don't. I will try my best to be unbiassed yet supportive in ways to promote it =)


2) Little Fears: I LOVE this book, but have yet to run it. It seems kind of... intimidating. Do you have any writeups of the game you experienced? I'd love to read, and get some pointers/hints/ideas for the future.

[crowroadaw.livejournal.com]

I've been thoroughly enjoying your AD&D reviews. I think you're mad for doing it, mind you, but they - and the meltdowns they cause - make for great reading. :)

Can't help on Burning Wheel. I don't get passionate love it provokes either.

Little Fears, on the other hand, is awesome.

[droog64.livejournal.com]

On a related note, can someone sell me on The Burning Wheel. I'm trying to like this game, but it just isn't moving me.
I'm gearing up for a BW game and it's looking good. I'll give you some more feedback soon, when we've played a few sessions.