Where can I get feedback for my RPG?

[tunglashr]

It sounds like you might be looking for an editor. A professional copy editor can be found here: https://www.sfep.org.uk/about/faqs/what-is-copy-editing/

You might be able to search "copy editor" and find some other resources.

If you can't pay someone for editing services, then you'll need to find someone who's invested enough to do it for free, like a co-creator. I feel your pain in that regards. I'm also trying to put together a new RPG, and while I've gotten great feedback in my playtest games, I haven't been able to get anyone to invest more time than just playing the game. Which, hey, is fair. It's not their project.

Are you open to selling your game to a publisher? They've usually got resources like editors and artists who can give your game the proper polish you need to finish it up.

I am not quite ready for an editor. I need opinions on the rules and such, impressions from potential players. After my next round of playtesting, once I have implemented all the stuff that needs to be corrected/updated, then I will likely be in the market for an editor. I don't mind paying for one, but for something of this length its over $1000, so I only want to pay for it once. I have to be in the right spot to make it count.

I would totally sell it to a publisher, but I think this game is so different from what is on the market that I doubt there would be one willing to take it on.

 

[HoratioAtTheBridge]

Oh, so more like an alpha-tester? You want to hand this over to another game-master and see how they teach it based on the rules you provide them?

I'd package up a more or less playable version of the game, prepare an NDA form, and then advertise to some GMs out there. I think "hey, would anyone like to play this new game for free before anybody else" should get a bit of traction. It still might take a bit to get some people to jump in, but there's always someone out there looking for their next game to try.

Edit: you might specifically ask some GMs you know to do you a favor and play this with their group.

 

[tunglashr]

Oh, so more like an alpha-tester? You want to hand this over to another game-master and see how they teach it based on the rules you provide them?

I'd package up a more or less playable version of the game, prepare an NDA form, and then advertise to some GMs out there. I think "hey, would anyone like to play this new game for free before anybody else" should get a bit of traction. It still might take a bit to get some people to jump in, but there's always someone out there looking for their next game to try.

Edit: you might specifically ask some GMs you know to do you a favor and play this with their group.

Sure, a group to play it would be great. That brings me back to my original question: Where do I find that?

Not just a group and GMs, though, I just want people - anyone - to read it and offer their impressions. I like this, I don't understand that, etc.

I actually own a game store, so once the craziness is over, I should be able to get it into the hands of some people who will try it, but I want to know about where I can find people online that might be interested. Im trying to use my time to make progress, and finding some potential feedback online is my current idea.

Making a care package is pretty easy. I can print the game and cards and send it. I just need to figure out where I look to find people who will try it. That is what I am after.

 

[LordEntrails]

but I am not certain that being a good online GM is a skill I must have. In the short term, sure, I could get a little extra playtesting in. But is that necessary to the success of the game? I wont rush to production without more testing, so whether it happens online or at the table, it will happen eventually.

Nope, not at all. But, it depends on your timeline... g

Right now, how are you going to get to gaming with others if you don't run it online? Maybe you have one or two groups of friends willing to meet in person, but maybe not.

My issue is this. Right now, I am at a spot where the writing is pretty close to being ready. The rules are in a good spot. Critique and playtesting are what is needed. With those, I can then rewrite/improve on spots that are learned in game.

I want to continue making progress, but the spot where I am is a place that needs feedback.

Hence why I think you will want to go online. To start your playtesting now, not in months.

Sure, a group to play it would be great. That brings me back to my original question: Where do I find that?

Gencon is accepting submissions for online games. But that comes back to the online GM skill set.

If you decide to go forward with online, I suggest cons. Because people are willing to try new things as one-shots like at a con. Not so much when they are looking for a campaign or long term play group.

But, before you go online, you will want to determine what platform fits your game better. Perhaps just Discord with a web cam or screen share. Perhaps a VTTs. I use a VTT, but each has strengths and weaknesses. Then once you have your platform, it's pretty easy to find players. Either on the platform community, reddit, facebook, etc. Just make sure you present it as something for the players, don't focus on 'I need your help', but rather 'check out this new great thing'.

 

[tunglashr]

Nope, not at all. But, it depends on your timeline... g

Right now, how are you going to get to gaming with others if you don't run it online? Maybe you have one or two groups of friends willing to meet in person, but maybe not.


Hence why I think you will want to go online. To start your playtesting now, not in months.

Gencon is accepting submissions for online games. But that comes back to the online GM skill set.

If you decide to go forward with online, I suggest cons. Because people are willing to try new things as one-shots like at a con. Not so much when they are looking for a campaign or long term play group.

But, before you go online, you will want to determine what platform fits your game better. Perhaps just Discord with a web cam or screen share. Perhaps a VTTs. I use a VTT, but each has strengths and weaknesses. Then once you have your platform, it's pretty easy to find players. Either on the platform community, reddit, facebook, etc. Just make sure you present it as something for the players, don't focus on 'I need your help', but rather 'check out this new great thing'.

I kickstarted Fantasy Grounds, so I have access to a virtual tabletop. My concern is that if I do some online GMing, and the experience is bad, players will transfer that feeling onto the game, rather than onto my online GMing skills, where the blame likely belongs. My only real choice is to play with people I know, so that I wont risk alienating people.

Its certainly something to think about.

 

[LordEntrails]

Run something else until you are comfortable with your DMing skills? Never a shortage of players willing to play D&D 5E.

 

[HoratioAtTheBridge]

Not just a group and GMs, though, I just want people - anyone - to read it and offer their impressions. I like this, I don't understand that, etc.

I think the best way to get at the answers to those questions is to hand it to someone and ask them to run it. It will very quickly become apparent what people don't like and don't understand. As to where to find it, if you have a game store, I'd suggest reaching out to the GMs in your community with whom you have a good relationship and see if any of them would be interested in doing it. After that, yes, post in the looking for games forums everywhere you can. Cons are another good recruiting place, as LordEntrails mentioned. You'll be going to run the demo, but at the same time you can reach out to the people you play with and ask them directly if they'd be interested in signing up as an alpha-tester with their home group.