Brett and Sean talk about homebrew RPG settings versus prepublished ones. Is the mystery lost when players have access to the world atlas and details? What’s your preference?

Show outline

Advert from Greyed Out

Visit their online store and use promo code: GamingandBS to receive 10% off your order.

Topics of Discussion – Homebrew RPG Settings

Published = Everyone Knows

• Anyone can read the source if the buy it
• Arguments over how to use the setting “right”
• When the world is known/set there’s an official source to “tell you how it is”

No one knows but you and your group

Build Options

• Build and then tell/share
• Build as a group
• Hybrid – using group/player input to help

When it’s yours it’s new

• When it comes from you and the group it’s new and the wonder and exploration feeling are there
• This is the same for any setting or genre
• Brett does this for horror, fantasy, sci-fi, historical
• Even if you just take an existing setting and “break it” and get buy in from your group that you’re not going to follow cannon (Hell, Ed Greenwood doesn’t!)

Cannibalize everything (You’re not selling this world – It’s just for you and your group)
You don’t need to be original in all things swipe:

• Maps
• Adventure ideas
• NPC names and stat blocks
• Gods

Die Roll – 2-4 misc points we want to bring up at end of cast. Should be short and sweet, could be a plug, something to check out, etc. Limited time to spout off.

Brett

I can’t seem to force myself to get rid of games I know I’ll never play…

Packers play Catan! (http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-packers-of-catan-green-bays-board-game-obsession-1421346102)

School of Night (http://pelgranepress.com/site/?p=16106)

Sean

Wargaming Hall of Fame member and creator of Squad Leader, John Hill passes http://www.consimworld.com/post/107950723641/csw-is-saddened-to-report-the-passing-of-john-hill

Choose your own adventure using Twitter accounts http://qz.com/325808/someone-built-a-choose-your-own-adventure-game-out-of-twitter-accounts-and-its-surprisingly-cool/

Closing/outro