Afrodyte
Explorer
At the risk of over-stepping my boundaries, I came here to seek potential players for a mailing list and online playing group that I'm involved in. This is not intended to replace your current games. It is more like a resource meant to expand your understanding of and experience with various RPGs and playing styles.
So, if you:
1. Have some spare time
2. Wish there was something different on the RPG market
3. Want to experience a different approach to roleplaying games design and play; and/or
4. Just want to try something new,
please continue.
I am a member of Indie Netgaming, which is essentially a group of players who share an interest in RPGs that you rarely find in retail stores. Due to the nature of our interest, we almost exclusively satisfy our desire for less mainstream gaming online. Most of the games they play are self-designed and self-published (ie, on the internet), and everyone is interested in improving their games. If you want to pick up or build skills for STing your own games, this is a great way to do it, for it offers in practical application what White Wolf games frequently write about in their "How To ST" material.
Here is a basic rundown of how things work, especially for a person just coming in.
Good:
The place is very friendly, but not disturbingly so. People here genuinely want to help, especially newbies. Of course, this may be to further their own Machiavellan schemes to gain glory and fame (like me), but sincere good will is prevalent. People frequently disagree, but there is a respect that comes with it. Outright hostility is absent and not tolerated.
Most of the members are aspiring designers or professionals, as well as experienced players. If you are new to roleplaying, the benefits are obvious. If you are more experienced, you at least have a group of peers to enter into a dialog with. If you are a jaded gamer, this can help you see things in a new light and perhaps restore your enjoyment of the hobby.
Innovation and new ideas are rewarded. This is especially the case if you design games yourself or hope to do so. The feedback is great, and most are very good about making sure to give you feedback that works. In other words, "I like it" and "This sucks" is not what you'll find. Usually, you will be asked questions that are meant to get you thinking more deeply about your game. Even if you don't design games, witnessing the process gives you a more in-depth perspective about roleplaying styles, goals, and game design. In the design of my own game, Kathanaksaya, the group has been supportive, offering perspectives I had not even been aware of while I was designing it. As a result, the revisions have been real improvements.
Not So Good:
You have to familiarize yourself with quite a bit of jargon, but no moreso than your average roleplaying game. Most of this jargon is contained in Ron Edwards' GNS essay, which is a must-read to understand the more deeply involved discussions that can go on. Sometimes debates can veer off-track from the original idea, but none of it is hostile.
The other Not So Good parts about the Indie Netgaming group are things common to all online gaming groups. If there is one bad thing to say, it is hard to start something the other players are not familiar with because of time constraints. But, like I said, this is not unique to this group.
If you are still interested and have some time:
As for my own reasons for being on, I have designed a game called Kathanaksaya, and I am seeking some consistent playtesters. While I could Narrate the game, I would prefer to have independent groups play it and give feedback. Questions are most welcome. My main goal is to find out how well the game works over the course of a story (which is what I designed it for). Currently, I'm recruiting about 3 to 5 (preferably 4) playtesters to do this. I don't plan to run indefinitely. The story I use to playtest the game will have a definite beginning, middle, and end. If you are still interested, my email address is at the website for the game, provided above.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
So, if you:
1. Have some spare time
2. Wish there was something different on the RPG market
3. Want to experience a different approach to roleplaying games design and play; and/or
4. Just want to try something new,
please continue.
I am a member of Indie Netgaming, which is essentially a group of players who share an interest in RPGs that you rarely find in retail stores. Due to the nature of our interest, we almost exclusively satisfy our desire for less mainstream gaming online. Most of the games they play are self-designed and self-published (ie, on the internet), and everyone is interested in improving their games. If you want to pick up or build skills for STing your own games, this is a great way to do it, for it offers in practical application what White Wolf games frequently write about in their "How To ST" material.
Here is a basic rundown of how things work, especially for a person just coming in.
Good:
The place is very friendly, but not disturbingly so. People here genuinely want to help, especially newbies. Of course, this may be to further their own Machiavellan schemes to gain glory and fame (like me), but sincere good will is prevalent. People frequently disagree, but there is a respect that comes with it. Outright hostility is absent and not tolerated.
Most of the members are aspiring designers or professionals, as well as experienced players. If you are new to roleplaying, the benefits are obvious. If you are more experienced, you at least have a group of peers to enter into a dialog with. If you are a jaded gamer, this can help you see things in a new light and perhaps restore your enjoyment of the hobby.
Innovation and new ideas are rewarded. This is especially the case if you design games yourself or hope to do so. The feedback is great, and most are very good about making sure to give you feedback that works. In other words, "I like it" and "This sucks" is not what you'll find. Usually, you will be asked questions that are meant to get you thinking more deeply about your game. Even if you don't design games, witnessing the process gives you a more in-depth perspective about roleplaying styles, goals, and game design. In the design of my own game, Kathanaksaya, the group has been supportive, offering perspectives I had not even been aware of while I was designing it. As a result, the revisions have been real improvements.
Not So Good:
You have to familiarize yourself with quite a bit of jargon, but no moreso than your average roleplaying game. Most of this jargon is contained in Ron Edwards' GNS essay, which is a must-read to understand the more deeply involved discussions that can go on. Sometimes debates can veer off-track from the original idea, but none of it is hostile.
The other Not So Good parts about the Indie Netgaming group are things common to all online gaming groups. If there is one bad thing to say, it is hard to start something the other players are not familiar with because of time constraints. But, like I said, this is not unique to this group.
If you are still interested and have some time:
- The url for the group.
- The url for the Forge, which is the foundation of this group.
- IRC info
server: irc.magicstar.net (6667)
rooms: #indierpgs and #indie_ooc
As for my own reasons for being on, I have designed a game called Kathanaksaya, and I am seeking some consistent playtesters. While I could Narrate the game, I would prefer to have independent groups play it and give feedback. Questions are most welcome. My main goal is to find out how well the game works over the course of a story (which is what I designed it for). Currently, I'm recruiting about 3 to 5 (preferably 4) playtesters to do this. I don't plan to run indefinitely. The story I use to playtest the game will have a definite beginning, middle, and end. If you are still interested, my email address is at the website for the game, provided above.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
