Looney Labs Icehouse Mailing list Archive

Re: [Icehouse] New game design looking for initial comments/playtesters

  • From"J B Bell" <tquidca@xxxxxxxxx>
  • DateSat, 6 Dec 2008 08:53:19 -0800
I think the concern about the impartiality of the GM is somewhat misplaced. "Distributor of bonuses and describer of challenges" pretty well describes the role of GM in any challenge-based role-playing game. Arguably this is very much the case in most incarnations of D&D. For more concise examples, check out e.g. Agon or Beast Hunters.

--JB

On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 6:37 AM, Sam Zitin <sammyz@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The GM doesn't have much of a point if you are playing strictly for the boardgame aspect, however IF you have a good GM who wants to emphasize roleplaying and forgo the importance of the boardgame then you can have a totally different experience.  I do agree, if you are playing purely as a race to the finish, the GM lacks importance and needs to be REALLY impartial for it to work.  Perhaps some sort of standardized challenges are decided upon by the players as a group ahead of time and voted on for adjudication during the game?  I.E.  players decide Spades = physical fight, Hearts = puzzle or trap, Green = test of faith, yellow = luck challenge and players must argue their abilities to the other players?


On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 12:57 AM, TheLoneGoldfish <thelonegoldfish@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I read over the rules... and the game looks interesting, but I don't
really see the point of the GM.

It seems he's a distributor of bonuses, and describer of challenges.
Which would be fine in a cooperative game, but the other players may
think it's an unfair and arbitrary advantage in a competitive game.

-Evan

On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:09 PM,  <jdunaway@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi, Sam,
>
> I'll be happy to check out your new game. I have full stashes of all 12
> colors (at least I will once the pink treehouse set I pre-ordered arrives).
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: icehouse-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Friday, December 5, 2008 4:46 pm
> Subject: Icehouse Digest, Vol 43, Issue 1
> To: icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>> Send Icehouse mailing list submissions to
>> icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> icehouse-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>> icehouse-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of Icehouse digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>> 1. New game design looking for initial comments/playtesters
>> (Sam Zitin)
>> 2. Re: New game design looking for initial comments/playtesters
>> (Christopher Hickman)
>> 3. Re: New game design looking for initial comments/playtesters
>> (nic asman)
>> 4. Re: New game design looking for initial comments/playtesters
>> (Nick Lamicela)
>> 5. Re: New game design looking for initial comments/playtesters
>> (Sam Zitin)
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> -----
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 15:01:57 -0500
>> From: "Sam Zitin"
>> Subject: [Icehouse] New game design looking for initial
>> comments/playtesters
>> To: icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Message-ID:
>> <6b0d93400812051201y1d3635f6g4339b8e7d3430dbc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Not quite sure what the protocol is as I've never actually
>> designed an
>> Icehouse game before. How do I go about presenting it to the
>> community? I'd submit it to the Wiki but I am less than adept at
>> Wiki editing.
>> In any case...I'm developing an initial design for a
>> boardgame/flavorlessrpg system using Icehouse pieces and a
>> standard deck of playing cards. If
>> anyone is interested in taking a look to provide feedback or
>> playtest please
>> let me know.
>>
>> --
>> Sam Zitin
>> Director of Information Management
>> Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL:
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:26:05 -0500
>> From: Christopher Hickman
>> Subject: Re: [Icehouse] New game design looking for initial
>> comments/playtesters
>> To: Icehouse Discussion List
>> Message-ID: <2592069943981879506405643111258104052-Webmail@xxxxxx>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> On Friday, December 05, 2008, at 03:01PM, "Sam Zitin"
>> wrote:
>> >Not quite sure what the protocol is as I've never actually
>> designed an
>> >Icehouse game before. How do I go about presenting it to the
>> community?> I'd submit it to the Wiki but I am less than adept
>> at Wiki editing.
>> >In any case...I'm developing an initial design for a
>> boardgame/flavorless>rpg system using Icehouse pieces and a
>> standard deck of playing cards. If
>> >anyone is interested in taking a look to provide feedback or
>> playtest please
>> >let me know.
>>
>> You don't have to be Adept. Put what you have on the wiki, and
>> those who *are* adept will clean it up. :)
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 15:12:52 -0600
>> From: "nic asman"
>> Subject: Re: [Icehouse] New game design looking for initial
>> comments/playtesters
>> To: "Icehouse Discussion List"
>> Message-ID:
>> <2d317cfd0812051312t3f367863q2e8f8f39deb0681a@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> i would love to play test your game i have a complete set of
>> xeno pieces, so
>> if i need more i wont be able help but if 5 colors are enough
>> then send me a
>> copy and i would love to give you feed back.
>>
>> nic
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 2:26 PM, Christopher Hickman
>> wrote:
>>
>> > On Friday, December 05, 2008, at 03:01PM, "Sam Zitin"
>> > wrote:
>> > >Not quite sure what the protocol is as I've never actually
>> designed an
>> > >Icehouse game before. How do I go about presenting it to the
>> community?> > I'd submit it to the Wiki but I am less than adept
>> at Wiki editing.
>> > >In any case...I'm developing an initial design for a
>> boardgame/flavorless> >rpg system using Icehouse pieces and a
>> standard deck of playing cards. If
>> > >anyone is interested in taking a look to provide feedback or
>> playtest> please
>> > >let me know.
>> >
>> > You don't have to be Adept. Put what you have on the wiki, and
>> those who
>> > *are* adept will clean it up. :)
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Icehouse mailing list
>> > Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> >
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL:
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 16:41:05 -0500
>> From: "Nick Lamicela"
>> Subject: Re: [Icehouse] New game design looking for initial
>> comments/playtesters
>> To: "Icehouse Discussion List"
>> Message-ID:
>>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> I'll try, maybe I can bring it to the next gaming group I go to.
>> How long is
>> it supposed to be?
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 4:12 PM, nic asman
>> wrote:
>> > i would love to play test your game i have a complete set of
>> xeno pieces,
>> > so if i need more i wont be able help but if 5 colors are
>> enough then send
>> > me a copy and i would love to give you feed back.
>> >
>> > nic
>> >
>> >
>> > On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 2:26 PM, Christopher Hickman
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> On Friday, December 05, 2008, at 03:01PM, "Sam Zitin"
>> >> wrote:
>> >> >Not quite sure what the protocol is as I've never actually
>> designed an
>> >> >Icehouse game before. How do I go about presenting it to
>> the community?
>> >> > I'd submit it to the Wiki but I am less than adept at Wiki
>> editing.>> >In any case...I'm developing an initial design for a
>> boardgame/flavorless>> >rpg system using Icehouse pieces and a
>> standard deck of playing cards.
>> >> If
>> >> >anyone is interested in taking a look to provide feedback or
>> playtest>> please
>> >> >let me know.
>> >>
>> >> You don't have to be Adept. Put what you have on the wiki,
>> and those who
>> >> *are* adept will clean it up. :)
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> Icehouse mailing list
>> >> Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Icehouse mailing list
>> > Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> ~nupanick (or other appropriate name)
>>
>> ===================
>> Guvf VF zl jvggl fvtangher.
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL:
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 16:46:21 -0500
>> From: "Sam Zitin"
>> Subject: Re: [Icehouse] New game design looking for initial
>> comments/playtesters
>> To: "Icehouse Discussion List"
>> Message-ID:
>> <6b0d93400812051346r759e30feh51d1fb10c08844d7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Don't know exactly how long it will play out to be yet. It's
>> designed as a
>> boardgame that can be expanded into a fast and light RPG system,
>> so some of
>> that will depend on the players. The intent though is that if
>> desired, an
>> entire rpg scenario could be played out in less than 30 minutes,
>> and the
>> "winner" could GM the next round, presenting an entirely
>> different scenario
>> if desired. The game is ready to be perused but probably not
>> ready for play
>> yet as I'm still working out some probabilities to decide upon
>> difficultylevels.
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 4:41 PM, Nick Lamicela
>> wrote:
>>
>> > I'll try, maybe I can bring it to the next gaming group I go
>> to. How long
>> > is it supposed to be?
>> >
>> >
>> > On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 4:12 PM, nic asman
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> i would love to play test your game i have a complete set of
>> xeno pieces,
>> >> so if i need more i wont be able help but if 5 colors are
>> enough then send
>> >> me a copy and i would love to give you feed back.
>> >>
>> >> nic
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 2:26 PM, Christopher Hickman
>> wrote:>>
>> >>> On Friday, December 05, 2008, at 03:01PM, "Sam Zitin"
>> >>> wrote:
>> >>> >Not quite sure what the protocol is as I've never actually
>> designed an
>> >>> >Icehouse game before. How do I go about presenting it to
>> the community?
>> >>> > I'd submit it to the Wiki but I am less than adept at Wiki
>> editing.>>> >In any case...I'm developing an initial design for a
>> >>> boardgame/flavorless
>> >>> >rpg system using Icehouse pieces and a standard deck of
>> playing cards.
>> >>> If
>> >>> >anyone is interested in taking a look to provide feedback
>> or playtest
>> >>> please
>> >>> >let me know.
>> >>>
>> >>> You don't have to be Adept. Put what you have on the wiki,
>> and those who
>> >>> *are* adept will clean it up. :)
>> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> Icehouse mailing list
>> >>> Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >>> http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> Icehouse mailing list
>> >> Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > ~nupanick (or other appropriate name)
>> >
>> > ===================
>> > Guvf VF zl jvggl fvtangher.
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Icehouse mailing list
>> > Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sam Zitin
>> Director of Information Management
>> Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
>> Office:317-876-1913
>> Cell: 317-710-0925
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL:
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Icehouse mailing list
>> Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>>
>>
>> End of Icehouse Digest, Vol 43, Issue 1
>> ***************************************
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Icehouse mailing list
> Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse
>
>
_______________________________________________
Icehouse mailing list
Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse



--
Sam Zitin
Director of Information Management
Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
Office:317-876-1913
Cell:   317-710-0925


_______________________________________________
Icehouse mailing list
Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse