Playtests are Going Well!

With the successful RPGnet post (150 posts & 6500 views!) and two great playtests at NeonCon, I'd say the Qwixalted conversion is humming along nicely.

I've put a bunch more docs in the Qwixalted Folder and I'm beginning work on the final pdf.

The majority consensus seems to be "You should file the serial numbers off and publish this shit man!" To them I simply smile and say, "It's all part of the plan..."

Speaking of Qwixalted, here's a good con story for you. Jerry Grayson and friends had just dragged their way through a clunky Eclipse Phase game. All were growning about the system's repetitive rolls and Trentin (a good friend and Qwixalted playtester) mentioned that the game could use a qwixing. Jerry loved the idea of 'eQwix Phase' and said that should be my thing. "Your game should just be called Qwix. You could take all the bad systems with good settings and Qwix 'em up!"

Not a bad idea Jerry, not bad at all. :-P

Qwixalted at NeonCon!

After the successful playtest last weekend and some unexpected interest on RPGnet, my super sweet Exalted rules are coming together nicely.

I may not have a pretty little document put together by the 4th, but Qwixalted will definitely be on the menu at Games on Demand for NeonCon. See you there!

Apocalypse World Chargen!

My Girl has finally agreed to run me a game of AW. I'm still not allowed to read the book, but Sunday will bring sweet, sweet character creation and maybe a little setting brainstorming.

Sounds good to me!

Those of you showing up at NeonCon next month, hit me up at Games on Demand for an Apocalypse World session of your very own! And if my grasp of the rules seems sketchy . . . blame the girl that held the book hostage. ;-)

Games on Demand: NeonCon 2010

Games on Demand is coming back to NeonCon 2010. If you saw it last year, you know the deal. If you didn't, it was glorious!

What is it?

I originally saw Games on Demand at GenCon and it struck me as a great way to facilitate rpgs at cons. A table is set up with a host of games spread out. Attendees walk up and say "I love me some [preferred genre]!" The volunteers at the booth say "Of course you do, fine sir. Have your heard of [recommended game]?" After an excited elevator pitch about the awesome that is [recommended game], the booth volunteers find a way to get the excited attendee into a game right then and there. If that's not possible, the volunteers arrange a future time when that game can happen.

Who Runs?

The volunteers are absolutely everyone and anyone that wants to pitch in to run (or sometimes just play!) an impromptu game session with whomever shows up asking for one.

Who Plays?

The players will be people with a few hours to kill before their next event, people that have heard good things about [the new hotness] and want a chance to try it out, and passersby that look bored or curious until we use all of our mad carnie tricks to get them seated, playing, and having an awesome time.

What Games?

Last year, GoD was the main way to bring a little small press (or Indie or Story Gamey or whatever) love to NeonCon. This year, many indie/story games are being added to the schedule, so I'm not too worried about championing the indie cause this time around. Let's play whatever we want!

GoD can handle anything from the hippie stuff like Dogs in the Vineyard and Primetime Adventures to older or more nichey games that don't see enough convention love like Mechwarrior or 1st Edition D&D. The only requirements are that the games must come from our own collections, they should be games we can run well, and they should be games we're excited about. Hell, bring D&D4E if that's what you love! I would've been all over a chance to check out a 4E session that didn't involve registering with organized play craziness.

The 4 Goals for Games on Demand 2010:

1. Offer games that can be played immediately via low prep-time, pregens, easy to learn rules, etc.
2. Offer a sign-up board where future games can be arranged when immediate play is not possible.
3. Showcase little known or under appreciated rpgs via GMs that are knowledgeable and excited to run them.
4. Offer 'popular' games that gamers have already heard about, educating and hopefully exciting them about a new game. Apocalypse World, Dresden Files, etc.

When Can I Play?

Games on Demand will run each day of NeonCon 2010.

Thursday, November 4th: 7p - 11p

Friday & Saturday, November 5th & 6th: 11a - 11p

Sunday, November 7th: 11a - 6p

How Can I Help?

Contact me if you want to run some games with GoD. Let me know when you want to help, what games you want to run, and any other questions or suggestions you may have. You can help out all day or only 4 hours. We can even put you 'on call' should we find any interest for that one game you really want to run!

Games on Demand: GenCon vs. NeonCon

A few years ago, a visit to GenCon's Games on Demand area blew me away.

• Playing when I wanted, no scheduling or signups necessary.
• Playing what I wanted, small press games that don't get the usual convention love.
• A stable of willing and excited GM volunteers waiting for me.
• A donated pile of books, dice, and everything else needed to play.
• A 'library' of small press games to choose from.
• Even a promise to sit down and figure out any game I brought.
• The unprecedented opportunity to 'window shop' rpgs. "Looks interesting... let's play!"

I worked hard to emulate the concept at NeonCon 2009 and I think I did pretty fucking well. I had 5 or so volunteers to help run the tables. We ran 19 sessions and 16 different games. We played everything from Hunter: the Vigil to Dogs in the Vineyard, anything that wasn't getting the love it deserved from the RPGA and other scheduled gaming.

Strangely enough, during my entire visit, the Games on Demand offering at GenCon 2010 was disappointing as hell.

• No sign-age, no markings, no greeters, no indication of being in the right place.
• No excited and available GMs to accept me and my fellow willing gamers.
• No visible library of games to peruse or flip through while waiting for an available GM.
• No obvious way to get involved, call 'dibs' on the next game, or anything.

What did it have? I'm glad you asked...

• An Apocalypse World book was the only indication that it wasn't another RPGA event.
• Eight or so tables, all full, all happily mid-game, all oblivious to passers-by (me).

What does this all mean? I'm I just bitching about a crappy con experience? Not at all kids. What it means is that Games on Demand at NeonCon 2010 will rock that much harder than it did last year! I had a blast last year and I learned a lot about running a good event. I saw piss poor execution at GenCon this year and I learned even more about running a good event.

I'll keep you posted and I'll see you at NeonCon!