RPGaDay 2016 - final questions
Once again, I'm late finishing off the last few questions for this year's RPGaDay event. Unfortunately, I've been super busy with freelance work of the past week or so, as well as research trips down South, and playtesting of a new comedic RPG called Fops, which is being designed by the good gentlemen, Gareth Abrahams and Richard Moss. It's only fair that I held them out, given all the torment I put them through in our last Trail of Cthulhu campaign...
Right now, however, let's get those last few questions answered. Here we go!
Day 26: What hobbies go well with RPGs?
Quite an east one to start! For me, reading pairs nicely with RPGs, because they give you so much inspiration for settings, scenarios, events, characters. You name it, books can provide it. Plus, if you are a big fan of RPGs, then you'll be used to a fair amount of reading.
Boardgames are a good hobby to immerse yourself into as well. They are great for interspersing between sessions, or playing when a member of the group cannot make it to a session. Some even offer excellent insight into mechanics that can be ported into RPGs as well. That and my copy of Descent: Journeys in the Dark provides enough miniatures and floor tiles for any game of D&D.
Computer games also go well with RPGs, for much the same reason as reading novels or playing boardgames. It is not surprising to see that there is much cross over between RPGs and computer games, with titles like Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment and Dragon Age either based on existing products, or spawning RPGs of their own. Nor is it shocking to learn that many involved in the RPG industry have also written for computer games and visa versa.
Day 27: The most unusual circumstance or location in which you have gamed?
Probably the pub is the most unusual place that I've played a game. We were playing All Flesh Must Be Eaten, and there was no one else playing games in the place at the time. We did get a few strange looks...
Day 28: Thing you'd be most surprised a friend had not seen or read?
Easy. Star Wars.
Day 29: You can game anywhere on Earth. Where would you choose?
A difficult one, and probably dependant on the style of game being run. That said, I'd like to play a game in St Paul's under the Whispering Gallery. That would be pretty atmospheric.
Day 30: Describe the ideal game room, if budget were unlimited.
Plenty of storage space for all my RPGs and boardgames, with room for expansion. A Geek Chic Sultan gaming table (or equivalent - probably GeeknSon over here in the UK, although they aren't quite as fancy), with all of the RPG related add ons. Comfortable chairs to prevent backside ache in those extended sessions. A fridge. Some king of surround sound system would have to be integrated into the set up too, because I like to use music to enhance my games whenever I can.
Day 31: Best advice you were given for your game of choice?
Not really for a game of choice, but reading through Graham Walmsley's Play Unsafe and The Lazy Dungeon Master from Sly Flourish really helped me get over prepping too much for a game, or panicking when things derail or go off plot. I'm a lot better at going with the flow now, which allows the players to have much more agency in the game. And that is a great thing, because RPGs aren't my story. At the end of the day, they aren't the player's stories either. They are our stories. And by helping to ensure that they become a collaborative and shared experience, it ensures that everyone at the table will have fun.
That's it for RPGaDay for 2016. Hopefully, you found some of the answers to the questions interesting. I'm hoping to come back to the blog sooner rather than later with something more in depth and RPG related. I've a heap of things I'm reading through at the moment that I would like to get some reviews down for. And there are a few events coming up soon that I will be GMing at - I hope to provide some reports on how that all goes! But for now, thank you for reading and have a great day!