Braille Dice from Kickstarter! (rather disappointing, actually)

Okay, so I backed an interesting Kickstarter for braille RPG dice a little while ago.  I was intrigued because I hadn't really thought about how a sight impaired person would play tabletop RPGs, given that at a minimum you need to read your character sheet and die roll results.  Even as a sighted person I often have to squint to make out the tiny numbers on my dice (yes, even with my bifocals, thanks for asking).  Producing play aids to bring people into the game is a great idea so I jumped into the project for one set of polyhedral dice.  I also got a free dice bag because the first goal unlocked.

I was excited when the dice finally arrived...then quite disappointed.  I'd read a couple postings from the project about poor quality dice which the project owners promised to replace.  I expected the dice to have a relatively rough finish due to the 3D printing process but it was a little rougher than I expected.  In addition, they decided to print the dice in two halves and glue them together by hand.  I'm not sure why they opted for a manufacturing process requiring the extra step of hand assembly instead of just printing the whole die as one--which I take to be to be a strong feature of 3D printing as a process.  The join line always went through at least one face of the die and usually ruined part of the braille dots.  The set I received would definitely need careful cleaning up with a small craft knife, rebuilding of some of the dots, and re-carving of a couple of the regular numbers.

Here are some photos of the set I got:

Servants of the Cinder Queen for Dungeon World - via Belgium

Okay, so I jumped in to back a project by this crazy guy in Belgium called Bastien 'Acritarche' Wauthoz to do an edited and translated version of Servants of the Cinder Queen (La Serviteurs de la Reine des Cendres).  I saw this as an opportunity to 1) get an interesting-sounding adventure to show me a bit more about how Dungeon World is supposed to work, 2) practice my Belgian (which I was pleasantly surprised to find is remarkably similar to French), and 3) support some indie type gaming efforts out there.

My Phat Lootz

The project was funded through Ulule, which is just like Kickstarter.  For 25 Euros I got the adventure and an extra "forward" with some nice little additions and play aids tailored to the adventure.  The project funded quickly and I got my loot in a very reasonable amount of time.  One is always a bit nervous tossing money into one of these projects but Bastien came through for us like a champion.  He provided very good updates as things went along to keep us informed and excited.

The book is 24 pages plus the cover.  The art by Keny Widjaja is great.  It has a cartoony feel which I think goes well with the general vibe of Dungeon World and gives the story a unique feel.  The couple of maps are hand-drawn style which I have come to appreciate and enjoy.

The adventure is the classic "villagers are disappearing, find the bad guys are behind it, explore their lair, save the world" type, but in a very compact, clean package.  There are only a couple maps and a diagram to link the locations together, the rest being Theatre of the Mind.  There are only a few "monsters" so you don't get lost in pages of stats, and the two big baddies are explained in just enough detail.

After reading through this I now have a much better idea of what a Dungeon World adventure should look and feel like.  And, more importantly, I think this style of game works well with my actual DMing style.  I'll see if I can convince some of my players to try it out some time.

Backing Reaper Miniatures Bones II: The Return Of Mr Bones!

Okay, so I have been avoiding buying any miniatures for gaming because they cost quite a bit, need painting, and take up space.  However, I saw how well the first Kickstarter project by Reaper Miniatures (one of my favorite miniatures companies, BTW) went and figured that I'd missed out on quite a good deal.  So, when they started a second one I was really torn.  But when it was almost too late I jumped in.  The massive number and variety of figures is amazing!  Just the core set will meet the needs of most campaigns.  I am also tempted to get some of the add-ons, but they're still processing the pledges and can't add more until later.

Kickstarter Updates: Ponies and 6d6

Both my current Kickstarter obsessions are still going strong: 6d6 and Ponies for Pathfinder.  Both of these projects have done a terrific job of sending out updates, providing sneak peaks at material, and providing opportunities to vote on stuff--even at a fairly basic level.  6d6 has several free 'zines on RPGNOW and backers have access to drafts of products.  As of right now I fully expect that both will be successful projects.  Now if I could just get 6d6 to do a ponies setting...hmm.

Ponies for Pathfinder - Pledge Confirmed!

Okay, so the Ponies for Pathfinder kickstarter project is going into final production.  I confirmed my pledge and am eagerly awaiting my book in the mail!  I do want to say that the communication and backer interaction on this project has been excellent.  They've been great about keeping us up to date, offering opportunities to vote on things (including the new title), showing us art previews, etc.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what the final product looks like!

Pony-induced Paralysis!

Okay, so the Ponies for Pathfinder Setting Book kickstarter project continues to gallop along.  The little project is now up to $10,000.  They're continuously adding stretch goals, the latest being the zebra and a nice map.  No grass growing under their hooves!  One thing which I am particularly pleased to see is that they are soliciting a lot of input from the backers via online polls.  For me one thing which makes a kickstarter project attractive is the amount of input solicited from backers.  This project is also very good so far at keeping us backers informed with frequent updates (as is the 6d6 kickstarter which I'm also backing, BTW).  And one of the latest items which they are polling is what the final name should be.  It's now down to either Ponyfinder or Heroes & Hooves.  Arrgh, I just can't decide!  Ponyfinder ties it in very nicely with it being a Pathfinder oriented publication.  However they recently added D&D 4E stat blocks as one of the stretch goals (already met), and so Heroes & Hooves takes the name to a more general vibe as D&Ding with ponies.

Yep, Backing Another Kickstarter...

Okay, so a little while ago I reviewed Ponies for Pathfinder and declared it to be good, if lacking in artwork. (Might I suggest www.deviantart.com as a superb source for pony artwork?) .  Well, now Mr. Silver has launched a Kickstarter called "Ponies for Pathfinder, Setting Handbook".  I've already jumped in and joined the project.  I really have no idea when, if ever, I'll actually get to play a ponies game--and I'm only vaguely familiar with the show.  However, I think it's such a terrific "alternative" approach to fantasy gaming that I want to be a part of it.

And yet by a weird coincidence, Bronycon 2013 will be held next weekend in Baltimore, just a few short miles from my house.  Or is it a coincidence?  Maybe it's a sign from Princess Celestia...

Razor Coast RPG Kickstarter Begins - But Why?

Okay, so as I've mentioned before I check Kickstarter occasionally for new RPG related projects.  I am really fascinated by the whole concept of Kickstarter and may even do a project of my own in the future. It interests me from the standpoint of seeing what new things are being offered but also by what project starters think are marketable ideas.  In this latter area is the new project for the Razor Coast by Frog God Games.  It's a classic pirates RPG setting (like in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies).  They play to put the game out in two different versions, one for the Pathfinder rules system and one for the Swords & Wizardry system.

I'm glad to see that they are planning two different versions, particularly one for Pathfinder because it's currently my main system.  However I am a bit surprised they'd put up this project now, given that Paizo just finished their Skull and Shackles pirate adventure path, complete with an additional campaign setting book, item cards, player's guide, poster map folio, stand-up pawns, paper miniatures, and even pirate ship game maps.  So I would think that most people interested in a Pathfinder-based pirates campaign setting already bought Paizo's and are probably quite happy with their purchase given Paizo's well-deserved reputation for quality.  Sure, the Razor Coast will be different--but different enough that people who already have the Skull and Shackles products will buy into a second set of products?

In addition, this is apparently the second offering of the Razor Coast.  From what I've read the first time the developers took pre-orders but then cancelled the project--and kept the money.  There have been a number of angry postings on the Paizo Publishing message boards about that incident.  Now, apparently that was not a Frog God Games project, but I wouldn't be surprised if people were still leery of joining this Kickstarter project.  And even then the products in the project appear to be overpriced compared to similar products.

Well, it will be interesting to see how they fare.

Synnibarr Kickstarter...or not

Okay, so I occasionally go to Kickstarter and do a search on "rpg" to see if there are any new RPG projects available.  I just spotted one for the World of Synnibarr game.  Now, I vaguely remembered hearing about this game a year or two ago and looking it up.  My searches led me to the funniest review of a game (on rpg.net) I've ever read.  Check it out.  After reading that review I can't see myself ever running a campaign with this game.  However, it might make a good non-serious "off night" game--or maybe not.

Actually, I found three brutal reviews of this game, all hilarious reading:

http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_4762.html
"I tried to review it. I really did. But you can only hold your face to the blowtorch for so long"

http://mrlizard.com/characters/the-world-of-synnibarr/
"archers are quiet and withdrawn, that they use a bow, they have “earthpower” arrows, they they love to gamble and one once bet 10 million dollars on a wrestling match between two giants, and that they love art and have created the greatest art museum in the world which is located on the coast in a small village called Arrowville, and it takes four days to tour it...Here’s a picture of a raccoon with a bazooka."

http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_372.html
"There are over 50 character classes, and each of them can reach 600th level."

6d6 RPG Kickstarter met funding!

Okay, so I posted earlier on my support for the 6d6 RPG Kickstarter project.  It successfully met its funding goal (surpassed it, actually)!  I hope to see it soon!

Hmm, Midgard RPG Miniatures Kickstarter Project?

Okay, so I have been very interested in the whole concept of Kickstarter (and Indiegogo).  In particular I am very interested in its potential as a means to empower small (and even large) RPG companies.  I've put money into a couple crowd-sourcing projects now, but I'm waiting on them to finish and actually deliver their products.  Yesterday the Midgard RPG miniatures project launched on Kickstarter.  I liked the sample minis--the aboleth miniature is the first ever depiction of an aboleth which gave me the impression that it's a cool monster.  Most of the bestiary illustrations I've seen of it previously made it look pretty lame.

So, then I took a look at the pledge levels, stretch goals, etc. and was surprised by the amount of pledge per miniature.  Nowadays a 28mm humanoid mini is in the $5-6 range.  For this project they were working out to $9 per miniature.  Okay, this is a project funding site, not a retail sales site.  However it made pledging less a bit less appealing.  Compare this with the Reaper Miniatures project on Kickstarter where you would get a huge set of miniatures for a better cost per miniature.

Anyway, I'm always glad to see more cool miniatures coming out and I wish them success!

Pathfinder Online: insane Kickstarter project

Okay, so Goblinworks has put up a Kickstarter project for its Pathfinder Online MMORPG.  What seems insane to me is that the goal is $1 million!  However, it does already have over 400 backers and over $40,000 pledged on just the first day.  There is a pretty big Pathfinder community out there and always people looking for a new MMO to play.  But still.  And I have to wonder how many Pathfinder players will want to play it as a table top game and also as a computer MMO.

Personally, I'm firmly in the table top gaming camp now.  It's what I started with (back before the terms "table top" and "MMORPG" had even been invented) and I prefer it for the human interaction.  Yes, online games include "interaction" with other humans but a lot of them are a**holes and you can't boot them from the game.  I'll be tempted to try the MMO version of Pathfinder, having played World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Dofus, and D&D Online.  But I'd probably have to get a new computer to handle it, so maybe not.

I'm in! Just jumped in to back the 6d6 RPG Kickstarter!

Okay, so I've heard some buzz about this game and it sounds like the sort of rules-light, flexible game which I generally enjoy running and playing.  So, I took a small gamble and jumped in with a pledge that gets me a pdf of the game plus one of the adventures.  I'll probably go with the Quantum Flex (science fiction) adventure, since I'm still looking for a set of sci-fi rules I really like.