Discusses in-game and off-game design strategies to represent & include intersectional identities & create play spaces that feel safer for people of all genders, sexualities, and ethnicities.
Description:
In order to create games that are both representative and inclusive of a variety of intersectional identities, game designers need to pay attention to how a game's setting, roles, genders, races, and classes are portrayed. Gaming archetypes such as fantasy races and tropes may be shortcuts to help players understand how to play more quickly, but they may also replicate subconscious societal norms that reinforce stereotypes, prejudices and assumptions that contribute to racism, misogyny, homophobia, and marginalization. The presentation has two parts: in-game design for inclusivity, which discusses character writing and world-building for the representation of identities, and off-game design for inclusivity, which includes community norms and player conduct expectations to create play spaces that feel safer for players of color, and people of all genders and sexualities.
Shanna Germain & Bruce Cordell will explore the questions you should consider when designing your own Cypher System setting, & will create a brand new setting on the fly with your help!
Description:
Want to design a new Cypher System setting? Shanna and Bruce will describe their own experiences writing new settings, explore the questions you should consider when designing your own Cypher System setting, and finally, create a brand new setting on the fly with your help!
Join the Fantasy Flight Games design team as they discuss the the update from the CCG format to the LCG & how the themes of the setting informed the mechanics.
Join James Introcaso, Rudy Basso, Alex Basso, Vegas Lancaster, & others from the DSPN crew. They'll talk tabletop RPGs, podcasting, what's new on DSPN, & answer your questions! Guest! Prizes!
Don't You Dare Give Up, How To Set Reasonable Goals
Summary:
It can be so tempting to give up, to discard your dream. Learn how to set small, incremental goals you can meet, work through adversity & see your project through to success!
Robin D. Laws & guests teach structures & techniques to turn emotional confrontations between PCs from frustrating roadblocks into rich moments of human drama.
Dynamic Story Creation Part One: The Philosophy of Story Creation
Summary:
Before you start writing your story, you need a clear idea of what your job is as a Story Creator. Join award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake for this master class in writing.
Description:
This class gives you insight into the theory of story creation, generating a strong foundation for you to build upon and ensuring readers will be captivated from the very first page. From why readers read stories, to understanding how stories must be created so readers will read yours, this class will help you understand the psychology of what it means to create stories for others, leaving your readers hungry for more.
Dynamic Story Creation Part Three: The Physical Layer & The Hero's Journey
Summary:
All great stories need both a hero and a villain. Join award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake as he discusses the tools you need to create both sides of this opposing force.
Description:
This class will give you the tools you need to create both sides of this opposing force. You will learn to create each in a dynamic way that will capture the hearts of your readers, making them cheer for their triumphs and commiserate their losses.
Dynamic Story Creation Part Two: The Invisible Layer
Summary:
Once you have an understanding of why you are writing your story, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel on how you are going to create it. Join Maxwell Alexander Drake for this master class in writing.
Description:
We have been telling stories for thousands of years, and during that time all the tools you need to create compelling, well-thought out stories have been created. This class introduces you to many of these tools in a way that will stoke the creativity within you, keeping you motivated and organized as you move through the creation of your own story.