Putting my focus on the current "Game State" refined the way I think about and run role-playing games.
Music Recommendation: Sun King by Moon Coven
The Swedish band Moon Coven released a superb new album last week. The album has a depth that rewards a close listen. On top, it is a solid psychedelic metal album. After giving it my full attention with headphones on and eyes closed, I appreciated the album's subtler elements. In particular, the drum fills make …
Continue reading Music Recommendation: Sun King by Moon Coven
I’m Looking Forward To A Glut of Sword-And-Sorcery
Recently, two writers that I admire, Jason Carney and Brian Murphy, have posted essays on their respective blogs that there is more sword-and-sorcery fiction being published than they can keep up with. The crux of the discussion is that we may have a glut. My opinion is that there is no glut. Not yet. There …
Continue reading I’m Looking Forward To A Glut of Sword-And-Sorcery
Suggestions for New Tabletop RPG Bloggers
A reader asks if I have advice for new bloggers. This post is some of what I've learned about blogging.
Why I Still Love Gaming Blogs
I have been reading gaming blogs for over a decade and published over 400 posts of my own. Blogs have been massively important to me and my enjoyment of the hobby since I became aware of them. They have been crucial in the growth and development of the many excellent games that we have available …
How Good Players Play In A Sandbox Campaign
One of the most puzzling criticisms of sandbox campaigns I've seen is that players don't engage with the hooks and their characters hang out in town. A large part of that is on the referee. The game master may need to create better hooks, create interesting adventure locations, and reward players who go exploring by …
Continue reading How Good Players Play In A Sandbox Campaign
Experience Points are a Proxy for What Players Want
“People don’t want a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole in the wall.” Theodore Levitt XP is far less of an incentive than many game masters and designers think it is. Experience points are a proxy for what players want not the thing that players actually want. The myth of Experience Points as primary …
Continue reading Experience Points are a Proxy for What Players Want
Grumpy Wizard 
You must be logged in to post a comment.