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How to make a Feats-Based RPG

What are Feats?

Feats are, boiled down, unique actions or abilities that one can do/have. A game that relies on feats over anything else generally has less reliance on stats or items, and is more about the imagery that comes from a more verbally-based adventure. Some videogames have them as part of a “talent tree”, in that feats have to be unlocked in  a certain order. In these games, some trees are blocked off if you’ve chosen a certain role or path. Games can use feats to boost base skills, or allow more flexibility in the actions your character can take.

Why Feats?

Feats let players do another level of customization, and lets them use something that isn’t for numbers, necessarily. Feats can allow for more fun and can create unique Interactions between other characters and the environment around them.

How do I make ’em? 

Feats tend to have limits of their usage in a certain time frame. That can help with balance in your game. A much stronger/ impressive feat will be given a longer time between uses than some thing simpler/weaker.  One can also have a limit per game of times each feat (or all feats as a whole) can be used.

You can bring Balance to your game through keeping things consistent, watching the usefulness of the feats, and allowing the feats to have in-game importance. Consistency can refer to the description used; keeping the feats at a similar level of power and/or versatility will help keep the players at a compatible level. Usefulness is also a factor in balance and also, consistency. Are your feats tied directly to the gameplay? Are they more for Aesthetic purposes? How you choose to integrate those will be based on the type of play you and your players are looking for. A more light-hearted game for comedy reasons may choose to have silly, more aesthetic-based feats, that do more for conversation than plot, because that is what players are looking for. 

Themes:

Themed around subject: What is unique to the chosen genre? What can only be done or be seen in the genre you choose? What tropes do you enjoy that can be integrated into your game?

Themed around the character’s species, for example, if the character is a merperson(triton, mermaid, generally aquatic),  a feat can be “Once a day, the player can issue a command to nearby lake or sea creature. The creature must do a wisdom saving throw of at least 15 to resist”. The feat is unique to the specie’s upbringing and environment, and can lend flavor to an encounter.

Themed around the character’s job. Things that only that particular class can do, even split into subgroups of effect types. For example, a wizard. A Wizard feat could be being able to duplicate a spell, or change the effect type from fire to ice. Subgroup examples include: feats that effect weapons, feats that affect the Player, feats that affect other players/NPCs, feats that effect the environment.

Your game can be themed around the players. People enjoy things that are unique to them; it makes them feel empowered and even loved! Including something specific about those that you care about can be a way to make that connection be brimming with joy, adding a sparkle in their day!

What do I actually write down?

At the heart of it, you want a name and a description.

The name should be an accurate summary that piques the interest of the player.

The Description should be clear and concise.

It can be helpful to add in any identifying traits (like if the feat is specific to the species/job) beside the name.

Good Society: a Jane Austen RPG

From Kickstarter project to off-the-shelf popular enough for a reprint, “Good Society” has come long way.

First released in 2018, funded by $154,774 Australian dollars from 2,677 backers,  it included a hardcover rulebook, between 20-36 cards (depending on how much you gave), and Pdf versions of the above.

Now, on its Storybrewer’s page, it offers one of its expansions in hardback as well, along with various expansion cardsets. The 280-page rulebook includes art and accompanying material.

The game is heavily focused on role-playing, which can be seen in it’s lack of numbered stats, and its LARP version that is also available to purchase. The traits used to navigate the game are the role you’re given, your family, desires, and your relationships.

Some unique aspects of the game:

    • NPCs printed on cards
    • Having a Game Master (GM/DM) is an option
    • Numerous Expansion packs ranging from servants to magic

Dungeon design in DnD: The Rooms, Hallways, and the bits between your players and the Boss

A home is not an empty house; even the most neat space still has stuff in it. In Dnd,  the problem is how to describe a space without tripping up your players, while maintaining the atmosphere you want.

Where is this place going to be? Will you build the building around the location? Will you develop the building based on its occupant? Both?

Think about what people would need to live in your chosen location. For example: A Cult that lives below ground; where do they get their food? What do they do for entertainment? What do they find important in their cult, and what kind of space does that occupy? In that case, you could add in pantries, game rooms, a few sacrificial alters in front of a statue with it’s own room, a space for priests in the cult, a space for digging tools, an area for certain building or support materials, and some sort of path to remove dirt that’s been freshly dug.

Even with just this, there’s already a map being developed.

To build a place around its occupants can be more complex than just location-based design. For example, If you have archers in your castle, you’d want the tall, thin windows and battlements that will protect them; however, non-European cultures tend to use mounted archers (those on horses) more often, so the buildings in those areas don’t account for defense-based archery.

More simply, you can examine the origin and design of your boss, and what pieces of architecture would accentuate those traits. an Eldritch beast would call for a dark and imposing building, with heavy materials, the tall ceilings oozing with foreboding shadows, and stained glass windows alluding to something far beyond the Players’ knowledge. There is also a need to consider the atmosphere you’re trying to create, and creating a moodboard (a selection of images associated with what emotions you want to convey) can help.

For the individual rooms, you can search up a list of items created in the era you wish (for more historically-inspired pieces), or a list of items found in books or media for the location (for sci-fi or high fantasy). You can also review your list of occupants and wonder about what they might need for daily life, and then scatter about these items.

To spice up the interior, you can add in Furniture! Use words that can describe the atmosphere or boss as well. The furniture a person has can tell you something about them. A “bone-thin chair with a black metal back” has a much different vibe than a “warm, plush couch, made of quilted velvet”. A visible lack of furniture can set up an atmosphere of barrenness, or even when placed in context, an air of suspiciousness.  Furniture can be minimalistic, decorated, homely, and can help set up your atmosphere as well as any sounds made by a you-tube playlist.

The materials used in the room can also give it flavor. Describing types of stone using their textures or appearances, or using the wallpaper to its maximum effect. Add in color-meanings or flower symbology to tell the story of the place or its inhabitants. How well-maintained are the rooms? Do people care about the place they’re in?

You can also Give clues about your Boss in main rooms. Shed skin for scaly beasts, the odd hair or piece of fur, or even a closet with the Boss’ preferred outfits. Does your Boss have a particular diet, or habits that are unique to their species or situation?

All of the above can be used to world-build in a way can be as subtle (or dramatic) as you’d like!

Have fun designing!

Chris Jones Gaming: Elite Dangerous

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey

The PC Alpha version of Elite Dangerous: Odyssey is scheduled to arrive on March 29th. Odyssey is the newest DLC for the MMO space flight simulation game Elite Dangerous. Produced by the renowned British developers at Frontier Developments, Elite Dangerous is the fourth installment in the Elite video game series. Having started in 1984 with Elite, it’s one of the longest running video game franchises to date. Without ever having reached a deal with any publisher, Elite Dangerous was originally funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2012. After its original release on PC, the game has also been ported to Xbox One and PS4. Following its predecessors in pushing the bar for innovation in space flight games, Elite Dangerous: Odyssey has a wide variety of features that will likely keep players engaged for several hours.

Explore the Milky Way

Elite Dangerous boasts the extraordinary feature of allowing players to explore a 1:1 model of the Milky Way galaxy. Over 100,000 of the game’s star systems use real astronomical data. The game also features some fictional star systems from the past games in the series. Perhaps most impressively, approximately 400 billion star systems have been procedurally generated in the massive game world using scientific models. This essentially means that players will never run out of room to explore and the game can feel fresh to new and old players for many more years. While the game was designed to be played online, it also features an offline single player mode. The game starts you off in this vast open galaxy with a small spaceship and a bit of money. What you do and where you go from there is mostly up to you. There are numerous activities for you to partake in that will help you to accumulate more money and galactic influence.

Elite Dangerous lets you pilot a variety of ships. The carrier, for example, is a huge and expensive ship that lets you carry numerous small fighters aboard the ship.

The Next Chapter

Elite Dangerous already lets you play many different roles to make money. You can find work in mining, exploration, transportation, and trade. You can also go to the darker side of the galaxy and make money in bounty-hunting, piracy, or even assassination. Elite Dangerous: Odyssey lets players step out of their ships. Now, you can disembark and explore planets on foot. Many of the missions that were previously available will now be translated to missions that can be completed on foot. Whether you want to make money through combat or commerce, you’ll now be able to do this outside or your ship. You’ll also finally be able to meet other players up close instead of out in space. Elite Dangerous is available through the Xbox Games Pass, so subscribers should be sure to give it a try if you’re a fan of games in space. While there is a steep learning curve, this game is a favorite among many fans of the genre.

#EliteDangerous #EliteDangerousOdyssey #FrontierDevelopments #Space #MMO #RPG #SpaceFlight #SpaceFlightSim

DnD for Dummies

Part 1: Character Creation

When you are asked to join a Dungeons & Dragons adventure, it is rare to go as the persona you present in day-to-day life. Instead, you’re given a plethora of options for race and class, and are asked to give your Dungeon Master (DM) a backstory by the end of the week.

If you’re lost and don’t know where to begin, I’m here for you!

There are a few ways to start thinking about this problem:

  1.  What does your party need?
  2. What does your heart and soul want?
  3. What would be fun?

What does your Party need?

If you’re creating characters with everyone else in the party, they can give you fun tips on where to go with your character. Party composition (how a group is organized based on class) will depend on the kind of game your DM wants to run.

A more easy-going adventure won’t depend on perfect stat arrangement, but rather on how characters get along. For this kind of game, make sure that your character can establish a rapport with at least one other member of the party, through shared ideals, gods, race, or backstory details.

A more intense adventure (one more based on survival or monster-vanquishing) will need careful arrangements of stats. Take care to note what each class requires for use, and if this is a first time endeavor, pick an easier class to learn, like Fighter, Wizard or Barbarian.  Many Races in DnD have stats or abilities that can help with specific classes.

 

What does your Heart and Soul want?

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What characters did you want to be, to dress up and pretend to be them? Who do you envy, what parts of them do you want to emulate?

Is there any part of yourself that you wan to explore, that never gets to go out and play?

This character can be your chance to try on different genders, different mannerisms, to be a little more dramatic than usual, to do something new or unusual.

 

What would be fun?

What character concepts have you thought of that you think would knock people’s socks off? Is there a character that this group of friends finds entertaining?

You and the DM can also create a character made for their world, one that holds secrets, or carries the plot, or has aspects unique to the campaign.

 

Communication is what makes any group sing, and character creation is no exception.

 

For additional character creation tips, the official DnD site is https://www.dndbeyond.com/

EVE Online

On February 4th, CCP Games announced that EVE Online broke the Guinness world record for the most expensive video game battle in history. EVE Online is an enormous free-to-play MMORPG that is set in the expanse of space. The game features hundreds of different spaceships that players can own. The player can use this spaceship to go an endless adventure in a world that they share with a colossal community. While it originally launched for PC in 2003, the game has grown tremendously over the years. EVE Online has also had several free updates over the years that have added a great deal of content for the game’s players. CCP Games tries to make it clear that they are still very committed to the long-term player base of EVE Online, even after all this time.

EVE Online has an incredibly diverse set of ships for you to pilot.

A Community Across the Stars

There are tons of different ways to play EVE Online. Beyond being just an MMORPG with both PVP and PVE gameplay, it’s also an enormous sandbox game. You can be an explorer, a soldier, a miner, a trader, a pirate, and so much more. CCP Games does its best to create an opportunity for players to immerse themselves in a giant breathing world. There is also a vast and expansive lore in the game that you can embrace should you choose to invest yourself in it. While the game is free-to-play, there are various levels of priced starter packs to give a new player an edge. Dedicated players will also often purchase the premium subscription for the game, allowing for faster progression and unlocking more content.

There are plenty of different ways for you to make a name for yourself in EVE Online.

EVE Online’s recent Guinness world record for the most expensive video game battle is the result of the Massacre of M2-XFE. Thousands of players logged into the game and participated in the battle that stretched on for hours. All in all, in the value of the in-game assets that players lost in the battle amounted to over $340,000 USD. Thousands of people had put years of their hard work and in-game progress on the line.  The simple fact that EVE Online has created a world where people can do battle at such a massive scale is an incredible feat. Every player existing in the same massive world allows for incredible events to unfold that you’d never really see anywhere else. So if you’re a fan of MMOs, sandbox games, or space adventure games, then consider giving EVE Online a try.

#EVEOnline #EVE #MMORPG

Haven

Haven was originally released for Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Steam, and Playstation 5 on December 3rd. It was also released on the Epic Games Store, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch on February 4th. Haven is an adventure game where you play as two lovers who gave up everything to be together. While the game is designed to be played solo where you control both of the characters, you can also play in local co-op with a partner. Haven stands out when it weaves together its beautiful writing and its intricate gameplay mechanics. There are few games that represent a similar experience.

Combat in Haven incorporates both lovers in every battle.

A Story of Love

You play as Yu and Kay, two lovers that escaped to a faraway planet so that they can be together. During gameplay, you’ll control both characters at the same time. This keeps gameplay interesting during both combat situations and when you control the dialogue. Speaking of dialogue, a huge part of Haven is watching the growth of Yu and Kay’s relationship unfold. They have to sacrifice a great deal if they want to stay together. As the game progresses, you’ll experience the pair’s highs and lows. You’ll be there when they’re quarrelling and you’ll be there when they lean on each other to get through the hardest of times.

Haven does its best to connect the player to the relationship between Yu and Kay.

Through Thick and Thin

The art  in Haven is another big draw for the game. Hand drawn models will appear during dialogue and the rest of the game displays 3D models. The alien planet that our couple finds themselves on is populated by various alien species of plants and creatures. Some aliens are friendly and some aren’t. There are also plenty of other features that keep the player interested in the world of Haven. You can explore the exciting planet, build up your home, cook meals, collect resources, and craft with those resources to survive. Beyond the visual art, Haven also features an original soundtrack from the acclaimed electro musician DANGER. Consider looking into Haven if you want to experience a brand new romantic RPG space adventure. 

#Haven #Space #Romance #RPG #Adventure

Everspace 2

EVERSPACE 2 was released in Early-Access on January 18th for PC on GOG and Steam. Like so many of Steam’s recently added Early-Access games, there are huge plans for the game’s future. The German development team ROCKFISH Games wants EVERSPACE 2 to become the gold standard for space shooter games. It combines elements from many different genres, culminating in an experience that sets it apart from any other game. It also represents a great shift from the original EVERSPACE. While the developers are taking full advantage of the same community-based method to refine the game, they’re moving in a different direction with gameplay. They want to take the world of EVERSPACE from a linear roguelike space shooter to an epic open-world space looter shooter.

EVERSPACE 2’s story will take you to very unique locations.

Ever Ambitious

There’s already plenty of content available to the player. There are an estimated 12+ hours of content in the story campaign with full English voice acting. With at least 25 hours of gameplay in total, there are already a great deal of special mechanics that will keep a player interested in exploring the star systems. The game is filled with extensive combat and interesting places to explore. Plus, there are tons of puzzles, crafting, trading, customization options, and characters. There are also alien species, hidden treasures, outlaw gangs, and many other mysteries to uncover through the main missions and side missions. But, there are still plenty of features left to be fleshed out or added.

EVERSPACE 2 features various unique ship classes and there are plans to add plenty of customization options in the future.

A Vast Future

ROCKFISH plans to keep EVERSPACE 2 in Early Access for the next 12 to 18 months. There are a multitude of content additions that they plan to release through quarterly updates. There are going to be a plethora of new locations, enemies, missions, challenges, characters, customization options, items, resources, and more. While the game’s graphics already look excellent, several quality of life improvements can also be expected. Expected improvements can include bug fixes, new language support, ac and Linux support, and new difficulties. EVERSPACE 2 has big plans, so check back in on it from time to time over the next year or so.

#Indie #Space #EVERSPACE #EVERSPACE2 #SCIFI #RPG

Hades

Hades logo

While an undeniably challenging year, we can at least remember some of the great games that came out in 2020. Hades, already out on PC and released on the Nintendo Switch last September, was one of these games. Hades won IGN’s Game of the Year Award. It also won Best Indie Game at The Game Awards 2020. It was produced by SuperGiant Games, known for the successful indie title Bastion and a few others. Hades is a rogue-like dungeon crawler. This means that every time you die in the game, you start all the way at the beginning and start your journey again. However, the game is different every time you awaken. Plus, there are loads of powers, weapons, and abilities that will unlock themselves as you get farther with each run through. Hades also features a fully voiced set of characters that tell the game’s story. The art is beautiful and the gameplay is well-designed. Hades has a lot to offer.

Dialogue from the player's character
Every character in Hades is beautifully hand-drawn.

See you in Hell

You play as the Immortal Prince of the Underworld, Zagreus. The game takes lace in the mythological ancient Greek underworld of Hades. It’s you’re goal to escape this world and ascend to Mt. Olympus with the gods. But it won’t be easy, as there are countless waves of monsters blocking your path. As you attempt to escape, again and again, you’ll meet many characters. Some will help you on your journey and some will not. There are well known gods like Athena and Zeus. There are even strange underworld gods like Thanatos and Chaos. You can also find classic Greek heroes like Achilles.  Hades also features powerful bosses with strange motivations. The game’s story is slowly unraveled as you meet these characters and uncover all that this game has to offer. There are thousands of unique story events and no two runs will ever be the same.

gameplay screenshot
In Hades, no two runs will ever be the same.

Time to Go Get Killed Again

Hades is a dungeon crawler. Whenever you enter a new area, you won’t know what’s waiting for you on the other side. It could be a room full of ghosts, you might get to speak to a Greek God, or it might be a giant monster. The spontaneity of each run motivates you to keep trying to make it through the entire world, no matter how many times you die trying. You’ll want to meet every character. You’ll want to slay every enemy. But most importantly, you’ll want to keep on playing. Hades earned its accolades for a reason, so give it a try if you like dungeon crawlers. It’s 20% on Steam until January 5th.

#Hades #SuperGiant #Indie

STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic II

Darth Nihilus

Star: Knights of the Old Republic II was released yesterday for IOS and Android devices on the App Store and Google Play. Originally released for PC in 2004, this game is the sequel to the original Knights of the Old Republic game that also inspired the widely enjoyed Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG. KOTOR II is an RPG that was, in many ways, ahead of its time. You can control if your character goes to the dark side or the light side. You also control which This game takes place about 4,000 years prior to the events of the original Star Wars film. This means that, despite the vast changes that have occured in the Star Wars universe’s canon since the game’s release, it can still fit into the greater Star Wars story.

Companion selection screen
There are several companions to pick from on your adventure.

Fulfill your Destiny

The original KOTOR games are filled with choices that help to shape the game’s story. As a former Jedi who’s been exiled from the Jedi order, your ship is attacked by Sith assassins. Your journey starts there and takes you all across the galaxy. You can choose your gender, what you look like, what you wear, what weapons you utilize, what force abilities you focus on, and even which companions you want to develop the closest bonds with. This game is loaded with the potential for the player to choose how they want to experience the story. Plus, that story is excellent. It’s especially excellent for a Star Wars fan. Even though none of the characters from any film make an appearance, the allure of a lightsaber, the force, and the battle against good and evil is as thrilling as ever. The writing is terrific and the voice actors are passionate about the story that they’re a part of. Like its predecessor, KOTOR II does an excellent job at sucking you into the game’s world.

The player using the Force to electrocute enemies
The force can be a powerful weapon.

May the Force Be With You

The combat system in KOTOR II is the same as it was in the original game. It’s a third-person RPG with a Dungeons &  Dragons styled dice roll system. Every attack that the player, a companion, or enemy makes has a dice roll behind it. This roll might determine critical hits or misses. You can shoot enemies with blasters, slice them with a lightsaber, or even use one of the game’s many force abilities. You use strategy to come up with the best way to take down your enemies as you level up. There are many different types of enemies that you could expect to find in Star Wars. KOTOR II will pit you up against killer droids, alien monsters, dangerous thugs, and even Sith lords. There is so much content in the game that it usually takes about 50 hours to play through the game. All in all, the App Store’s $14.99 price tag is well worth it. If you liked the original KOTOR, make sure you play the sequel. If you haven’t played the original, pick that game up too! It’s only $9.99 on the App Store. Both games are classic RPGs that go down as some of the best in the genre.

#STARWARS #KOTOR #RPG #IOS

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