Lacking a plan of attack (new game system)

[Ry]

Legends is going to be attribution-only Creative Commons license, is that OK for the site?

 

[jdrakeh]

Legends is going to be attribution-only Creative Commons license, is that OK for the site?

Absolutely. My intent is that the site serve only as a venue for aspiring designers -- all individuals decide what permissions apply to their content. Be certain to append to or link to the appropriate licenses within content submissions. I own nothing (save for my own contributions and main body text of the site, naturally). Drop me an email via the info on the main site's contact page and we'll talk.

 

[Ry]

I'm thinking I'm going to see if I can find someone to put it through an edit first, maybe get it into a slightly stronger shape before putting it up.

 

[jdrakeh]

I'm thinking I'm going to see if I can find someone to put it through an edit first, maybe get it into a slightly stronger shape before putting it up.

Sure thing. Just drop me a line when you think it's ready for upload.

 

[Ry]

One thing I'll say about today:

There's nothing like the prospect of another set of eyes for getting the words onto paper. Or screen, whatever.

 

[Ry]

jdrakeh, looks like I will be in need of your services. Both the rulebook and the setting for it are going to be creative commons attribution-only, and I'm going to need some kind of system to manage those projects and have room for people to comment on them. Later tonight I'll poke around your site, then probably send a few e-mails about what I'm looking for for Legends (the rules) and Legacies (the setting).

 

[BradfordFerguson]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Some good advice in this thread. I'd have two pieces of advice:

(1) Stay confident.
(2) Best way of not feeling overwhelmed is to take action.

 

[evizaer]

You may want to put this thing online in wiki form... That could be a very nice way to get the source material out there as well as keeping it organized without a whole lot of effort.

 

[RFisher]

I'm not even at that stage yet - I know the thing is likely indecipherable if I were to hand it off to run (although I can run it myself with great results). I'm stymied at the stage of trying to get it from notes to rulebook.

Have a friend read through it. Ask them to ask you any questions that come to mind. But don't answer those questions. Just make note of them. Then go back & answer/discuss each question.

Revise the document based on this exercise. Then repeat it with another friend. Repeat to taste.

Do not...repeat, do not even think about layout at this stage. Don't spend a lot of time on copyediting yet. Get the content done & only then worry such things.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Great advice in this thread. I suggest that, while writing, you assume that the player/reader understands terms like "d6", "class", and "hit points". Don't waste valuable time defining common RPG components. Just get your rules down into playtest form.

In fact, keep "playtest form" in mind as your standard of quality. You're going to get a huge amount of feedback, so whatever you're writing will most likely have to be re-written. Don't labor on eloquent language; just pound out the rules in their most basic form. Your goal right now is to convey the bare mechanics, so you can test the SYSTEM. Worry about structure and presentation later. Much later.

If you spend too much time crafting paragraphs now you're just set yourself up for frustration later.

-z