I know, I was going to keep going with part two of the series about creating a brand new game. And I will. That article will be coming along shortly. However, I felt compelled to write today about something that’s on my mind. Anxiety. Anxiety is everywhere, and almost everyone feels it at least sometimes. I suspect writers and designers feel it more than the average. I’m going to focus on the anxieties that game designers feel.
I just found this blog...love it! I agree with much of what you say, but I'd like to bring a slightly different perspective on originality: it's overrated!! I think too many games are obsessed with novelty for novelty's sake. But those weird dice you thought were cool when you bought the game quickly lose their luster after a few sessions. Give me a game that draws the best, time-tested elements from 40 years of game design. To me the goal isn't to bring something new, it's to bring a great experience at the table, and this can be achieved by combining existing elements in a new way, rather than by bringing something new that ultimately proves gimmicky.
Every TTRPG author also have a lot to learn from boardgames (rulebooks, icons, diagrams, learning by playing...) I should say thats a better inspiration for me for years as writing/designing a game than most of TTRPGs, even indie ones.
Anyway, I love your text here! I only disagree on the 40-years-old-hobby, imo it's either way older (think about Brontë sisters or even storytelling older stuff), either younger (because 70s were about wargames, not TTRPGs)
I know exactly that feeling, that doubt that all my work, all my efforts are ultimately derivative and lack originality. I know it is not so, but that isn’t enough. I need other people outside of my circle to recognise those original and different elements. To say ‘that is cool’ or ‘different’, ‘I have got to try that’.
most importantly, know your audience. as an 18yo reading gygax content in 1989, I had a lot of time, and I loved every word. I loved to learn that world of D&D. Teens today have no time to waste away reading hundreds of pages, so you better get to the point, and value their time. As an adult today, I do not need a rule book to spend dozens of pages explaining what an elf or a dwarf is, it is obnoxious.
I just found this blog...love it! I agree with much of what you say, but I'd like to bring a slightly different perspective on originality: it's overrated!! I think too many games are obsessed with novelty for novelty's sake. But those weird dice you thought were cool when you bought the game quickly lose their luster after a few sessions. Give me a game that draws the best, time-tested elements from 40 years of game design. To me the goal isn't to bring something new, it's to bring a great experience at the table, and this can be achieved by combining existing elements in a new way, rather than by bringing something new that ultimately proves gimmicky.
Great!
Every TTRPG author also have a lot to learn from boardgames (rulebooks, icons, diagrams, learning by playing...) I should say thats a better inspiration for me for years as writing/designing a game than most of TTRPGs, even indie ones.
Anyway, I love your text here! I only disagree on the 40-years-old-hobby, imo it's either way older (think about Brontë sisters or even storytelling older stuff), either younger (because 70s were about wargames, not TTRPGs)
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This reminds me of the "What is an RPG?" section in every book.
I know exactly that feeling, that doubt that all my work, all my efforts are ultimately derivative and lack originality. I know it is not so, but that isn’t enough. I need other people outside of my circle to recognise those original and different elements. To say ‘that is cool’ or ‘different’, ‘I have got to try that’.
Thanks for the great write up! the anxiety in this (creating something new) is that it paralyzes me into thinking: "I have to know more".
most importantly, know your audience. as an 18yo reading gygax content in 1989, I had a lot of time, and I loved every word. I loved to learn that world of D&D. Teens today have no time to waste away reading hundreds of pages, so you better get to the point, and value their time. As an adult today, I do not need a rule book to spend dozens of pages explaining what an elf or a dwarf is, it is obnoxious.
anxiety i don't have: "naw don't worry about it"
anxiety that keeps me from releasing my work, ever: validated