Open Game Table reviewed by WIRED Magazine

[jonathanjacobs]

Open Game Table aims to bridge the gap between the RPG blogging community and the broader table-top gaming fan base by showcasing the best talent in the RPG blogosphere. Within these pages are 47 blog posts from 32 top-quality RPG blogs, plus a Foreword written by RPG luminary Wolfgang Baur.

Packed with content and over 60 illustrations, this book is Pure Gold. WIRED Magazine seems to agree as well:

The Open Game Table Anthology is a treasure trove. A tome worth slaying a few orcs for. Because it had such a diverse range of material to choose from it has been able to collate not just quality writing and ideas, but a real breadth of discussion that you don't get as often as you would like in role playing materials.

Daniel Donahoo goes on to write:

The amount of ideas for GMs on how to handle player conflict, managing scenes, improving your role playing are well chosen and topical. In many ways, this book is like a continuous improvement handbook for RPG groups across the globe. It has ideas and tips throughout each article that can help you create better games and engage better as an RPG Group and ultimately have more fun - which is what it is all about, really... I personally would buy the whole book for just the section on RPG History. The article that describes a young Dave Arneson taking all before him in "Braunstein" - the world's first ever role playing game - is delightful.

The anthology chapters cover a wide variety of topics for fans of all table-top roleplaying games, including:

1. Play Style;
2. Game Play;
3. Characters & Players;
4. Monsters & NPCs;
5. Encounters, Settings, and Locations;
6. Adventure Design;
7. Campaign Setting Design;
8. Classes, Action, and Equipment;
9. RPG History & Commentary; and
10. The RPG Toolbox.

This anthology is the result of the hard work of nearly 100 volunteers, authors, editors, judges, artists, and designers. A true grass roots effort; it is a tour de force of the RPG blogging universe.

The book is available today from Lulu Marketplace and Amazon.com . Soon, it will also be available from Indie Press Revolutions.

 

[physicscarp]

This sounds really interesting. Is there a PDF release or is it just available in print?

 

[jonathanjacobs]

Currently it is only available in print. Of course, all the articles are online. I may release a PDF in a few weeks; but the goal of the project was to raise awareness by selling a printed book in FLGS and book stores. Currently Indie Press Revolution will be carrying it, and I'm also in talks with two other distributors, so hopefully that will be a reality. Support of this project is very appreciated - becuase it raises awareness of the RPG blogging community, which goes towards supporting the more than 150 RPG bloggers that are part of it. Hopefully, if this project is a success I'll be able to publish a Vol 2 next year.

Head over to WIRED magazine's website and check out the review. Also, there are recent reviews on about 20 or so different blogs.