Writing a good TTRPG scenario is less about storytelling and more about setting a stage for the players to create a story. Join Ross Payton, Caleb Stokes, and Rob Stith to discuss this topic.
Description:
RPG scenario writing is challenging in many ways, because the story has to be left incomplete. It's up to the individual players at the table to tell the full story. Ross Payton (Role Playing Public Radio podcast), Caleb Stokes (Delta Green: God's Teeth and Red Markets), and Rob Stith (The Orpheus Protocol) have written many scenarios and campaigns. They share their insight into writing scenarios in this panel and answer questions from the audience.
Shadow puppets tell stories and create an atmosphere that can be projected onto any surface if you have the right light source. Come see our demonstration of shadow puppet projection techniques.
Learn how to be a more effective GM, how to deal with disruptive personalities & how to ensure that everyone has a good time. Covers basic and advanced gamemastering techniques.
Description:
Game Mastering can be intimidating. Learn how to deal with difficult situations and how to roll with the punches, while keeping good control of your table.
Do you ever look at your character sheet and wonder what can I do with 50 ft of rope? In this session we will look at how to tie a simple climbing harness, restrain a captive, and shibari.
Description:
The session opens with a demonstration of a simple rescue climbing harness, using the appropriate size of rope from the D&D OGL.
The captive ties will focus on how to tie up someone so that they can still walk for transportation.
Though the last part of the session will go into applications of shibari, there will not be nudity. The demonstrations will include some body positions that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Why are cute small box games everywhere now and why do we love them so much? Come find out from 3 inspiring designers happy to chat about the future of the small box revolution.
Description:
Join your host Ruel Gaviola, for an inspiring discussion about the future of small box design and gaming with Mathue Ryann of Envy born games, Rita Orlov of PostCurious and Jason Serrato of Mentha Designs.
So You Want to Build a Circulating Board Game Collection
Summary:
What information do you need to pitch a circulating board game collection to your library? What comes after the yes? Cataloger Matthew Scrivner explores the answers to these questions and more.
Description:
What strategies convince Collection Development departments or other internal stakeholders to take a chance on a gaming collection? If you get the yes, what comes next? Speaking from his own experience, Kansas City Public Library Cataloger Matthew Scrivner will share ideas and key points in building a pitch for Collections departments and administrators; meaningful ways to explore the work of other public libraries; how to build support across departments; basics of cataloging games for catalog discovery; and ways to develop processing practices that are sustainable through the lenses of time management and finances.
What does it look like when writers and designers successfully incorporate social commentary into their work? Join as we discuss examples and techniques to bring back to your craft.
Description:
Featuring: Jerry Gordon, Lark Morgan Lu, Lee Mandelo, Micaiah Johnson
Movies usually get things wrong when depicting space combat. Realistic ship movement, zero-G hand-to-hand combat, & unique aspects of space warfare for writers & game devs. Izaac Falken, NSDM staff.
Description:
Movies and novels often get things wrong when depicting combat in space. Zero-G & vacuum conditions produce effects that run contrary to human instincts & experiences, including those of the potential audience. This seminar examines how to write & simulate realistic space combat for storywriters & game developers. We’ll discuss the complexities of vessel movement in zero-gravity environments, where traditional concepts of speed & maneuverability are fundamentally different. Hand-to-hand combat in low-G & vacuum conditions will also be explored, highlighting unique challenges & outcomes. The session will cover both the benefits & pitfalls of incorporating these realistic elements into narratives, helping to create more immersive & believable space warfare scenarios. Presented by Izaac Falken, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Spiel des Jahres - Game of the Year: Who We Are, What We Do, and Why We Do It
Summary:
Spiel des Jahres jury member and deputy chairman Christoph Schlewinski talks about the history, structures, rules, and impact of the award.
Description:
With the Critics' Award, presented annually since 1979, the german Spiel des Jahres jury contributed significantly to a paradigm shift in the field of gaming. Looking back, it can be said that the association has indeed succeeded in achieving its goal of promoting the values of gaming in society, among friends, and within families. Christoph Schlewinski talks about the association's history, his personal work as a jury member, the criteria for a possible award, and the significant impact that the logo can have on sales and the longevity of a game. A Q&A session rounds off the presentation.
Starting Your Own Board Gaming Company, Legally Speaking
Summary:
Seminar on legal issues FATAL to small business owners: (1) IP infringement, (2) consumer protection laws, (3) securities & franchising laws, and (4) key contracts clauses to be aware of.
Description:
As a nine year Texas attorney, I can attest: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. What may cost only a few thousand dollars (properly papering up an agreement) can instead cost TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars to enforce (full blown litigation). This seminar is planned as a survey of key legal areas for future small business owners by discussing: how to avoid accidently infringing on another's copyright and trademarks (very basic); co-owner issues to be aware of when having or not having a partnership agreement or a company agreement; how to avoid accidently violating both securities laws (raising funds) and consumer protection laws (deceptive advertising) when getting your business started and taking your products to market; and a survey of each of the very lopsided contracts clauses you will find--but likely can't negotiate out--of a form contract with a major company.