So I have a friend who is an indi comic creator who has published several comics and has recently successfully funded a kick starter for his next line of books. He came to me asking about tabletop/pen&papper RPGs because his fans are asking him if he has plans for one.
He has never played or even seen play any RPGs. What is the fastest way give him the basic understanding of what an RPG is as well as immerse him in the culture of tabletop RPGs?
If your answer is run a game for him. What system?
Well if you want it to be in line with his game, ask him what is important about his story and match up a system with it. Personally I love powered by the apocalypse games for allllllmost everything.
You could show him actual plays on YouTube, the Gauntlet has some on their website, and I think they show Jason displaying some great best practices in the videos for new comers to the system.
Well if you want it to be in line with his game, ask him what is important about his story and match up a system with it. Personally I love powered by the apocalypse games for allllllmost everything.
You could show him actual plays on YouTube, the Gauntlet has some on their website, and I think they show Jason displaying some great best practices in the videos for new comers to the system.
Take him to a small gaming convention where he can try a bunch of one shots!
If you want to pick a system to run for him, there are a lot of ways you could do it. D&D, because it’s still the common language of RPGs. Mouse Guard, because it’s a great adaptation of a comic (also, Atomic Robo). Dread for its incredible simplicity.
Take him to a small gaming convention where he can try a bunch of one shots!
If you want to pick a system to run for him, there are a lot of ways you could do it. D&D, because it’s still the common language of RPGs. Mouse Guard, because it’s a great adaptation of a comic (also, Atomic Robo). Dread for its incredible simplicity.
I agree with Fraser Simons. It’s important to expose him to something that’s similar to his comic.
He may honestly want to talk to his fans that are asking for an RPG and see what they’re looking for. A whole game? A hack of an existing game? A specific system? Etc.
I agree with Fraser Simons. It’s important to expose him to something that’s similar to his comic.
He may honestly want to talk to his fans that are asking for an RPG and see what they’re looking for. A whole game? A hack of an existing game? A specific system? Etc.
If you just want to show him something, you could do a lot worse than Critical Role. It’s talented voice actors playing D&D. I haven’t watched a lot of it, but it seems like it would be a nice intro to the hobby. If you’re going to run something, I’d second PbtA: choose a game that’s in a genre he is interested in, or just go Dungeon World to hit those D&D tropes. (Or you could go with something like Moldvey D&D, for that old-school authenticity.)
If you just want to show him something, you could do a lot worse than Critical Role. It’s talented voice actors playing D&D. I haven’t watched a lot of it, but it seems like it would be a nice intro to the hobby. If you’re going to run something, I’d second PbtA: choose a game that’s in a genre he is interested in, or just go Dungeon World to hit those D&D tropes. (Or you could go with something like Moldvey D&D, for that old-school authenticity.)
What comic book?
What comic book?
1. Print this out for him to read:
dig1000holes.files.wordpress.com – dig1000holes.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/what-is-a-roleplaying-game-by-epidiah-ravachol.pdf
2. Play an RPG with him.
1. Print this out for him to read:
dig1000holes.files.wordpress.com – dig1000holes.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/what-is-a-roleplaying-game-by-epidiah-ravachol.pdf
2. Play an RPG with him.
I’d say have him listen to Drunks and Dragons (esp. 83). Its less professional than Critical Roll or Acquisitions Inc. therefore more representative of actual RPGs.
Go the D&D route because it the largest RPG therefore recognizable by the fan base (they’ve played, heard about it, or watched Stranger Things).
Or something simple, but like D&D, such as my favorite “lite beer” David Black’s The Black Hack.
I’d say have him listen to Drunks and Dragons (esp. 83). Its less professional than Critical Roll or Acquisitions Inc. therefore more representative of actual RPGs.
Go the D&D route because it the largest RPG therefore recognizable by the fan base (they’ve played, heard about it, or watched Stranger Things).
Or something simple, but like D&D, such as my favorite “lite beer” David Black’s The Black Hack.
Does he need to know? Can he just outsource everything?
Does he need to know? Can he just outsource everything?
Roleplaying is like The Matrix. Nobody can be told what it is, they have to see it for themself. Invite him to a game.
Roleplaying is like The Matrix. Nobody can be told what it is, they have to see it for themself. Invite him to a game.
Steve Dee I don’t want my friend to be that guy who creates a thing or gives the ok for a thing to be created having no idea what said thing will be. Also he would dig RPGs
Steve Dee I don’t want my friend to be that guy who creates a thing or gives the ok for a thing to be created having no idea what said thing will be. Also he would dig RPGs
Barbarians of Lemuria has a lot going for it and has some cross over with his comic (sort of) not to mention Iv wanted to run that game for a while.
Barbarians of Lemuria has a lot going for it and has some cross over with his comic (sort of) not to mention Iv wanted to run that game for a while.
I would cater the system of choice to match the style of comics he draws. This gives him a safe place to draw inspiration from. Your first game should drag you kicking and screaming out of your comfort zone (unless that’s what you want.)
I would cater the system of choice to match the style of comics he draws. This gives him a safe place to draw inspiration from. Your first game should drag you kicking and screaming out of your comfort zone (unless that’s what you want.)