How the Heck do you Publish anyways! Part One: Printing

Posted on Jan 11, 2011 in Articles | 0 comments

For me Publishing is still a forbidden city steeped in ritual. While the world has opened to independent publishers it is still cryptic and full of pit falls, especially if you’re like me and want to do things right. It’s not like I haven’t done research or talked to professionals, I have. I just have that haunting feeling that I’m missing...

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Size Matters

Posted on Nov 8, 2010 in Articles | 2 comments

I’m sure as you stroll threw your Friendly Local Gaming Store, you’ve noticed there have been a subtle change in some of the game books populating the shelves. Since the 1980′s these RPGs have been published as the standard 8.5 x 11 format hard or soft cover books. The first book I had in an alternate format was the one off RPG for the Dark...

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RPG Tools & Tech could kill Streamlined Mechanics

Posted on Sep 3, 2010 in Articles | 3 comments

Today I listened to a Podcast by the entire Pulp Gamer Media Network at GenCon. Near the end of the segment they started talking about new technology in RPGs: D&DI, Smart phone Apps, iPad Apps, and the amazing, but cost prohibitive Microsoft Surface. These tools are awesome! Even now, I am putting together plans for virtual tools for Free Spacer, why not?...

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Aliens: Wrinkled Foreheads vs. Tentacles

Posted on May 10, 2010 in Articles | 4 comments

Aliens are integral to the setting of my upcoming Space RPG Free Spacer. When I began to create the Free Spacer setting, I had many decisions to make about the people that would populate the Milky Way Galaxy. Would I have Aliens and, if so, what sort do I have? Here are my choices and their emergent repercussions. Life out there… The first and foremost...

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Is Ebert Right? Games as Art

Posted on Apr 21, 2010 in Articles | 2 comments

Penny Arcade, the clown princes of the game commentary, brought my attention to a recent article by Roger Ebert, which is a response to his earlier conversation with Clive Barker and a TED video by Kellee Santiago.  Although I agree whole heartedly with Gabe and Tycho, Roger Ebert does have some good points. Roger Ebert vs. Games Roger Ebert is steadfast in his...

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Narrative Mode in Video Games & RPGs

Posted on Apr 12, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments

I went to Game Developers Expo this weekend and one thing you have to say about these conferences; they have some tasty food and fun Swag. You have to love chocolate croissants and mini-Frisbees. The presentations were very good and were all very intriguing and thoughtful, but when Armando Troisi talked about his work on Mass Effect 2 he brought up a particular...

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