[title]Open Design Launches Midgard Worldbuilding Project[/title]
I've seen approximately 75,423 online collaborative world-building projects over the last ten years, but this is the first time I've seen one spearheaded by a professional company. Open Design is launching "Midgard" for 4E, Pathfinder and, possible, the Dragon Age RPG.
I've seen approximately 75,423 online collaborative world-building projects over the last ten years, but this is the first time I've seen one spearheaded by a professional company. Open Design is launching "Midgard" for 4E, Pathfinder and, possible, the Dragon Age RPG.The fires of creation burn hot! Today, Open Design is launching its most ambitious design project to date: a collaborative game design project to build the fantasy roleplaying campaign world of Midgard.
Using Open Design's crowdsourcing model, gamers and designers who fund the project by becoming patrons will work with lead designers Wolfgang Baur, Jeff Grubb, and Brandon Hodge over approximately 18 months to create a comprehensive guide to Midgard. The resulting book will be available in a limited-edition hardcover to patrons, and in paperback to the public. All patrons will receive credit in the finished product and will have received an intensive course in worldbuilding by award-winning game designers.
The Midgard worldbook will be compatible with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons, and -- if enough patrons request it -- the Dragon Age RPG.
Midgard began as the setting for Baur’s own home Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Sections of it have been revealed publicly over the years through articles in Kobold Quarterly magazine, and Open Design projects such as Courts of the Shadow Fey, Tales of the Old Margreve, and Dwarves of the Ironcrags. Most of it exists only as hint and allusions, though, and scribbled notes in Baur’s campaign notebook.
Patrons of the Midgard project receive behind-the-scenes access and input into the creation of Midgard’s seven regions. In exchange for funding the project they can submit their original ideas for inclusion in Midgard, including elements of their own home campaigns. Baur will be hosting regular live online chats for patrons and designers, and promises other surprises.
"Building a world is a formidable task," says Baur. "We have a lot of things planned to keep it fun for everyone over the long haul, and keep interest high."
The finished worldbook will detail Midgard's seven regions, and will contain heroes, villains, treasure, monsters, locales and adventures. Patrons will also receive the Worldbuilder’s Guidebook: a collection of game design essays from Baur, Grubb and others.
[title]In Other News...[/title]Using Open Design's crowdsourcing model, gamers and designers who fund the project by becoming patrons will work with lead designers Wolfgang Baur, Jeff Grubb, and Brandon Hodge over approximately 18 months to create a comprehensive guide to Midgard. The resulting book will be available in a limited-edition hardcover to patrons, and in paperback to the public. All patrons will receive credit in the finished product and will have received an intensive course in worldbuilding by award-winning game designers.
The Midgard worldbook will be compatible with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons, and -- if enough patrons request it -- the Dragon Age RPG.
Midgard began as the setting for Baur’s own home Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Sections of it have been revealed publicly over the years through articles in Kobold Quarterly magazine, and Open Design projects such as Courts of the Shadow Fey, Tales of the Old Margreve, and Dwarves of the Ironcrags. Most of it exists only as hint and allusions, though, and scribbled notes in Baur’s campaign notebook.
Patrons of the Midgard project receive behind-the-scenes access and input into the creation of Midgard’s seven regions. In exchange for funding the project they can submit their original ideas for inclusion in Midgard, including elements of their own home campaigns. Baur will be hosting regular live online chats for patrons and designers, and promises other surprises.
"Building a world is a formidable task," says Baur. "We have a lot of things planned to keep it fun for everyone over the long haul, and keep interest high."
The finished worldbook will detail Midgard's seven regions, and will contain heroes, villains, treasure, monsters, locales and adventures. Patrons will also receive the Worldbuilder’s Guidebook: a collection of game design essays from Baur, Grubb and others.
-
January & Beyond WotC previews Gamma World Legion of Gold, D&D Fortune Cards, and Heroes of Shadow. - Two Dozen Discoveries: Spells Not every spell is designed for use on the battlefield, and the twenty-four new spells below are designed for use by farmers, craftsfolk, artists, parents and others. This supplement details 24 new spells, a new feat: Half Caster, and introduces The Utility Spell School all for use in the Pathfinder Game Mastery Guide.
The Book of Purifying Flames Necromancers of the Northwest designer Alex Riggs talks about the design behind their latest book, A Necromancer's Grimoire: The Book of Purifying Flames, now available at paizo.com and drivethrurpg.com for $2.50.- Monster Madness: Aneh-Tet The RPG Examiner brings a mummy queen to life.
- Amethyst Foundations Review The Dump Stat has reviewed Amethyst Foundations. "Dias Ex Machina and Goodman Games do not disappoint with Amethyst Foundations."
- Mephit Fever This week's Grave Plots provides a number of mephit-themed adventure hooks, sure to delight your players, or else make them pull their hair in abject hatred of the imp-like elemental creatures.
Last edited:
