If you've been wanting a peek at Aphelion, now's your chance. I've uploaded a partial (i.e., unplayable but representative) version of the game at parenthesispress.itch.io/aphelion for interested viewers. Comments and feedback are welcome, but bear in mind, this is explicitly not the whole game, but a redacted version.
Author: nstidham
Checking in: Aphelion chargen development
I'm staying in, socially distanced, and continuing to work on projects - Aphelion being my main focus. Character generation has been coming along, and here's what it looks like right now: You draft tarot cards and assign them to your three major traits (Vocation, Drive, and Distinction). If you take an action that directly draws… Continue reading Checking in: Aphelion chargen development
Vector on The Redacted Files
I had a great time with Megan and Aser of The Redacted Files playing a session of Vector; have a listen!
Informing RPG design with board game mechanics
Jewel of the Sea continues to be a delight to work on, partly because going to my local board game meetup and playing Arkham Horror or Escape the Dark Castle counts as research. AH 3rd edition in particular has yielded lots of fruitful mechanics to mine. To start off, character creation via card selection allows… Continue reading Informing RPG design with board game mechanics
Aphelion (Far Future Horror RPG): Status Update
I've been thinking a lot about horror gaming, and in particular about how I have yet to successfully design one. I've tried, but so far all I have to show for it is a cluster of folders of unfinished drafts and discarded mechanics. I think it's time to try again. Here's a rundown of what… Continue reading Aphelion (Far Future Horror RPG): Status Update
A long overdue update
Happy new year, and sorry for the long silence: I've been tinkering away on many different projects, meaning that each is moving proportionally slower than even my usual glacial pace. Here's what's up in terms of games I've talked about here: A Silence in Heaven has had a small beta update over at parenthesispress.itch.io; I'm… Continue reading A long overdue update
Against the Frozen Lord!
Max Vanderheyden whips up a rich locale for Portal Rats using Hex Kit - check out the Ice Floes of Stygia over at the Shoalmont Games site!
Wizards of the Three Moons nominated for IGDN Indie Groundbreaker Award
It's true - W3M is on the list for Best Setting among the 2019 Indie Groundbreaker Award nominees! Awards will be announced at Gen Con on July 31.
A project for your consideration: moonflower
On Kickstarter, magister ludi is running a campaign to fund their game moonflower. It looks gorgeous and interesting, and I recommend all House of Cards fans to give it a look and maybe your support.
Two irons in the fire
On the Silence in Heaven front: The progress is slow but steady! A skeleton of mechanical resolution is in place, about 20% more of the Sphere+Element powers are written, more lore for the game has been set down (e.g., all the Archons have a description now), and things are looking better than before. Soon, I hope to have… Continue reading Two irons in the fire
