Video 48 of me liking and then commenting on every new upload to tell the viewers that the Man Alone Podcast is absolutely some of that sweet, unhinged audio/vocal-honey. Psssst. What do you solo other than RPGs?
GREAT question. Not as often anymore but when I worked night shift I used to love going to movies by myself and also (also not as often for obvious reasons) but in my 20s I discovered the joys of going out to eat on my own!
I stumbled across your videos recently and want to thank you. Many of the life experiences you discuss resonate with me. Your contribution to this community is much appreciated. I actually have this whole day off and I'm going to take a solo rpg vacation. My goals include not censoring whatever naturally comes up. I want to face my subconscious with curiosity. Thanks
In all seriousness, congratulations! Tremendous work! Best of luck on the Doctoral work! I survived an MA program but I was not brave (or disciplined and ambitious) enough to do Ph.D work. I do have an inkling as to what goes into it. Total respect, and good luck!
Regarding the desire to create. I am a fan on the notion that the act of creation is more important than the end product. This will be especially important, I think, as more media is constructed by AI. The products of the music industry do not compare to friends playing together in a kitchen party. I think also of the sand mandalas, being created then blown away. Glad you found one that resonates with you.
I would add that, in a world where people are almost religiously loyal to media brands that are not loyal to their clientele, discovering and leveraging our own creativity is perhaps more important than ever before. Be your own fan. Make your own worlds. Learn to love your creativity more than owning stuff. I suppose this contradicts the Collector Mode Unlocked mindset from the video, but here we are.
I have a friend at work who I playtest a bit of solo RPG stuff with, and he's always saying stuff like "wouldn't this be a great way to write a novel" or even talking about using AI to flesh out solo RPG play into a book or movie. And yeah, I don't exactly want to argue with his excitement but I try to argue that the playing is the point, or the game is the point.
@@dranorter Yup. Plus, the story is the easy part. The art is in the telling. When it is just yourself, you don't need the telling. Your mind does all the work for you.
This is the story of a lurker that found this channel a while back and doesn't comment much. The lurker found solo rpgs about 5 years ago. For a good while, he delved into them day and night, many times waking up to find a printer friendly rulebook lying on his chest. The lurker kept finding joy not only in his new hobby, but also in connecting with others that enjoyed it as well. He learned a lot from them, and kept expanding his own worlds. About 2 years ago a member of the lurker's family fell Ill, it was devastating. Along the way even more unpredictable tragedies happened, even eclipsing that first big one at times. Through it all, the lurker had to adapt, be there day and night to help. A lot of what the lurker liked to do didn't fit this new reality, and the few things that did sometimes were seen as selfish and that he didn't care. He did, and does, a lot. But the lurker is a human with random average stats, not to mention he had simple dreams and close friends and relatives, all things that had to be adapted over the weeks, months, years. In between all of those things, in quiet moments of vigil over those that need him to be by their side, solo rpgs brought him back to simpler times, before all of it. Sure, it's mostly on his phone, struggling tabbing between apps and writing on a touch screen, but pencils and books are hard to carry around while the lurker takes care of things. And that's enough, that's more than enough. And the lurker loves his community, his friends and family, and he sure loves solo rpgs. This wasn't a journey the lurker or anyone involved wanted, but table rolls are random, and even the worst blunders have a silver lining. In between quests, in the quiet of rest time, or the long days of just being there to help should the need arise, the lurker can go to worlds for a moment or two and recover some of his spirit in between random events.
Reject solitude, embrace sololude. I love Solo RPGing because I can create whatever situations I want, McGuyver whatever rules I want, employ whatever themes I want-even unwholesome themes, esoteric themes, themes palatable or even comprehensible only to myself-and no other human being can get in my gosh darn way. As a GM, there are so many ideas that I would _love_ to bring to a table full of players, but that I cannot, because those ideas are just too weird. Their loss! My ideas are awesome! (And grotesque, and inane, and probably sometimes illegal)
APOLOGIES- I mis read Jeremy's first line and thought it said 'Reject solitude, embrace sololube'!!!!! That would have been an entirely different type of solo video!
This video is fantastic. It made me think about and recognise what *I* get out of solo games in general and solo RPGs specifically. I really liked the point you made about having something that is wholly your own. My co-op Ironsworn game is very cool, and I enjoy it and appreciate my friend who I am playing with. But my solo gamenis my world, and I can come and go as I please and make anything happen, and grow it into whatever I want. I also thought the part talking about how limitations are imposed on our freedoms, which also includes self-imposed limitations on creativity and imagination, was very well put. Good video.
Googling the point about arbitrary (unnecessary) obstacles took me to the Wikipedia article for “Lusory attitude” which was a really interesting short article. It talks about the book “The Grasshopper: Games, Life and Utopia”
I’m in a limbo between expired buymeacoffee and upgrading to Seal Team because I’m on vacation and don’t have desktop access. 😂 Roll on Saturday when I’ll be home.
I watch just to hear your lectures. I don't have time to play because I'm always trying to practice self health. I exercise, I bake, I clean. I started a painting but years later it's left unfinished because of the time crunch I have. Sleep is important but really inconvenient.
After watching your videos, I glued together a basic oracle from various sources and started my own solo rpg campaign and it has been such a good retreat from the hellscape that is modern life.
@@Reedhere I use a D20 for no/sorta/yes/absolutely, and allocate creatures/characters numbers too. It’s mostly to facilitate the journaling-side, and occasionally I’ll google an oracle sheet for particular stuff. It’s pretty addictive!
Congrats on the hundred videos and the 6000 volunteers! One thing I think solo roleplaying has given me is the confidence to try being a GM. I’ve never tried running a game before but having GM’d myself through various solo games I feel like I could take that on now.
Congrats! And thank you Man Alone for inspiring me to try a new hobby! It is a good thing there aren't any hobby shops nearby. When I start a new 'hobby' collection thing I usually end up spending about $300 (on average) until I have enough of the thing to 'get into it' properly. I like to completely immerse myself in a subject in order to get my mind around it. At least working on a TTRPG doesn't cost much more than time (right now anyways)!! Thanks again for your videos!
I also get that feeling that we are on the precipice of something here and that is so incredibly rare these days. When almost every corner of media or entertainment has been either beaten or sanitized to death for the sake of a larger market share, it's near impossible to find an untouched corner of the world anymore. Solo gaming is that, but it also reminds me of the early days of Internet where you felt there was an untouched frontier here and were excited to see it through and interact woth it to leave some sort of a mark. Solo RPGs feel like that to me right now and I think the best is yet to come. (I think cracking that seemingly impossible nut of the Mystery game is going to be huge for the hobby)
I liked #7, and REALLY hope you're right. I think that if someone puts out a book tied to a popular property (and does it right), that could really help. Plus YT and Tik-Tok videos could help a lot.
Hell yeah let's go! One of several channels inspiring me to try my hand at my own channel (different from this blank comment account, with a cooler name). Reason #5's section about the thoughts of the "Other" has been something I've struggled with (and still do) so so often, but I feel like no one else in my personal life has any understanding of what I mean when I talk about it(?!), including counselors and tabarnak. All hail Ignore features! Here's to 100+ more, man.
37? In a row? Congrats - you've established your niche and added value to the hobby. So glad to have discovered your channel and I'm looking forward to what's coming next (unless it involves interpretative dancing).
Congratulations! Love your channel, even if i can't really watch and concentrate on much of your content. There is something about small niche channels. Reason#4 is real.
I think that solo play in general is on the rise. I started solo boardgaming, which is growing in popularity, a few years ago and it is now leading me to solo ttrpgs. I didn't know that they were a thing. I found this channel after that. I like how you cover topics that are related to the hobby as a whole and not just reviews/play sessions. Congratulations on 100 videos. Hope you keep it up.
Loved the use of tabarnak, wonderful usage and pronounciation. You could also try caliss, sacrament, criss, osti/esti. You can mix and match them in a sentence "Hey toi mon esti de tabarnak."
I dunno about the most fundamental definition of a game being putting yourself against another. There is such a thing as Co operative games. Seems to me the fundamental basic element of what constitutes a game is to create a situation, the point of the situation doesn't have too be confrontational. It can be simply a shared experience.. I went to far I know, games wee... Teabagging ensues. If I was God I would defo... Defo split myself.... Just me... Nah bro... I like to be alone as much as anyone... but not eternally.. But then eternity with someone else would be equally hellish 😂 I guess that's why change is the flavour of the day
You always mention the self-discovery/inner work session that solo RPGs can become. Do you have any particular "method" to do it? How do you journal those musings in case you do? Any "trick" you use to trigger those moments of insight? I have played wargaming solo a lot (Kill Team) solo and I would like to jump to solo RPGs one day. Thanks
Hi my name is Martin I have a few solo RPGs Colostle, Notorious/outsiders and all 3 Ironsworn setting. I have trouble with getting inspired to start how do you get inspiration to start a solo RPG.
When do you know that you are done with a in game scene or scenario? How do you prevent yourself from over exploring so as to move gameplay forward? Thanks for the insights you provide in this video.
8:18 I feel so called out 😅 9:44 Wait, are you actually collecting taxidermied squirrels?! That's such a bizarre and specific thing (but I mean, they are cute...)
I consider myself to be pretty sensitive and for that reason #4 speaks to me. I think that probably is similar to the psychological profile of a many artists.
Congrats and thank you for your contribution to the hobby. Once again, I am compelled to remind the "normies" out there: Do yourself a favor and join the Seal Team right now for just one month and then come back here and tell me you didn't enjoy every wafflecast you were privy to. I'll be here waiting, all by myself, solo, till server death because guess what? Nobody's coming back to tell me anything. Because they enjoyed being an elite member, not because of the ominous overtone that last sentence conveyed. Promise.
I agree with you on every topic except food pictures. Think of the poor chef's out there who are real artists, all the work they do for us, but their art only exists for a few minutes or hours. Taking a picture is a way to at least save the visual artistry. How you share the picture might be a felony or blessing but that's between you and the addressees on your post. ;-)
Can you tell me more about your declaration that shows up on your coming on sequence dated September, 21st , 2024 8:19 PM? Are you okay? Do you need to stop? Blink twice if you're in danger and making these videos for a drug cartel. But seriously. you, good?
Side note: If you have a pc that is capable of playing things, Steam has a game called Tiny Glade that is FANTASTIC for de-stressing. No achievements. No missions. No combat. No maintenance of any kind. You just build a cottage. That's it. It's like aromatherapy without the smells.
![Man Alone Completes Pendragon Starter Set Book I: Sword in the Stone [#PenTAdragon - Episode 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t2Kv_-htcnw/mqdefault.jpg)
Video 48 of me liking and then commenting on every new upload to tell the viewers that the Man Alone Podcast is absolutely some of that sweet, unhinged audio/vocal-honey.
Psssst. What do you solo other than RPGs?
GREAT question. Not as often anymore but when I worked night shift I used to love going to movies by myself and also (also not as often for obvious reasons) but in my 20s I discovered the joys of going out to eat on my own!
Pizzas...
I can't tell if Solo RPGs are going to become my midlife crisis, but I sure hope they do.
Been dipping my toes in myself. I'm excited to try it again in the next couple days.
Solo tabletop RPGs; GenX's model train set
Certainly think it is mine lol
I stumbled across your videos recently and want to thank you. Many of the life experiences you discuss resonate with me. Your contribution to this community is much appreciated. I actually have this whole day off and I'm going to take a solo rpg vacation. My goals include not censoring whatever naturally comes up. I want to face my subconscious with curiosity. Thanks
In all seriousness, congratulations! Tremendous work! Best of luck on the Doctoral work! I survived an MA program but I was not brave (or disciplined and ambitious) enough to do Ph.D work. I do have an inkling as to what goes into it. Total respect, and good luck!
Regarding the desire to create. I am a fan on the notion that the act of creation is more important than the end product. This will be especially important, I think, as more media is constructed by AI. The products of the music industry do not compare to friends playing together in a kitchen party. I think also of the sand mandalas, being created then blown away. Glad you found one that resonates with you.
I would add that, in a world where people are almost religiously loyal to media brands that are not loyal to their clientele, discovering and leveraging our own creativity is perhaps more important than ever before. Be your own fan. Make your own worlds. Learn to love your creativity more than owning stuff.
I suppose this contradicts the Collector Mode Unlocked mindset from the video, but here we are.
I have a friend at work who I playtest a bit of solo RPG stuff with, and he's always saying stuff like "wouldn't this be a great way to write a novel" or even talking about using AI to flesh out solo RPG play into a book or movie. And yeah, I don't exactly want to argue with his excitement but I try to argue that the playing is the point, or the game is the point.
@@dranorter Yup. Plus, the story is the easy part. The art is in the telling. When it is just yourself, you don't need the telling. Your mind does all the work for you.
This is the story of a lurker that found this channel a while back and doesn't comment much. The lurker found solo rpgs about 5 years ago. For a good while, he delved into them day and night, many times waking up to find a printer friendly rulebook lying on his chest. The lurker kept finding joy not only in his new hobby, but also in connecting with others that enjoyed it as well. He learned a lot from them, and kept expanding his own worlds. About 2 years ago a member of the lurker's family fell Ill, it was devastating. Along the way even more unpredictable tragedies happened, even eclipsing that first big one at times. Through it all, the lurker had to adapt, be there day and night to help. A lot of what the lurker liked to do didn't fit this new reality, and the few things that did sometimes were seen as selfish and that he didn't care. He did, and does, a lot. But the lurker is a human with random average stats, not to mention he had simple dreams and close friends and relatives, all things that had to be adapted over the weeks, months, years. In between all of those things, in quiet moments of vigil over those that need him to be by their side, solo rpgs brought him back to simpler times, before all of it. Sure, it's mostly on his phone, struggling tabbing between apps and writing on a touch screen, but pencils and books are hard to carry around while the lurker takes care of things. And that's enough, that's more than enough. And the lurker loves his community, his friends and family, and he sure loves solo rpgs. This wasn't a journey the lurker or anyone involved wanted, but table rolls are random, and even the worst blunders have a silver lining. In between quests, in the quiet of rest time, or the long days of just being there to help should the need arise, the lurker can go to worlds for a moment or two and recover some of his spirit in between random events.
Reject solitude, embrace sololude.
I love Solo RPGing because I can create whatever situations I want, McGuyver whatever rules I want, employ whatever themes I want-even unwholesome themes, esoteric themes, themes palatable or even comprehensible only to myself-and no other human being can get in my gosh darn way.
As a GM, there are so many ideas that I would _love_ to bring to a table full of players, but that I cannot, because those ideas are just too weird. Their loss! My ideas are awesome! (And grotesque, and inane, and probably sometimes illegal)
APOLOGIES- I mis read Jeremy's first line and thought it said 'Reject solitude, embrace sololube'!!!!! That would have been an entirely different type of solo video!
@@JL999k Like I said: grotesque, inane, and probably illegal 🫣
This video is fantastic.
It made me think about and recognise what *I* get out of solo games in general and solo RPGs specifically.
I really liked the point you made about having something that is wholly your own. My co-op Ironsworn game is very cool, and I enjoy it and appreciate my friend who I am playing with. But my solo gamenis my world, and I can come and go as I please and make anything happen, and grow it into whatever I want.
I also thought the part talking about how limitations are imposed on our freedoms, which also includes self-imposed limitations on creativity and imagination, was very well put.
Good video.
Googling the point about arbitrary (unnecessary) obstacles took me to the Wikipedia article for “Lusory attitude” which was a really interesting short article. It talks about the book “The Grasshopper: Games, Life and Utopia”
Congrats on the milestone. Your channel is fantastic. Even when it emotionally rattles me for 3 days 😬😆
Another awesome video. Love listening to your content, thanks for sticking through 100!!. :)
Would love a philosophy and gaming books recommendations list from you
I’m in a limbo between expired buymeacoffee and upgrading to Seal Team because I’m on vacation and don’t have desktop access. 😂 Roll on Saturday when I’ll be home.
I watch just to hear your lectures. I don't have time to play because I'm always trying to practice self health. I exercise, I bake, I clean. I started a painting but years later it's left unfinished because of the time crunch I have. Sleep is important but really inconvenient.
If I didn’t already like your video, the seal waffle intro would have sold me
Congrats to your 100th video. Keep on rockin', my good Sir.
All this, and waffles, too!
After watching your videos, I glued together a basic oracle from various sources and started my own solo rpg campaign and it has been such a good retreat from the hellscape that is modern life.
What does your oracle look like? Just the basic d6 yes,and/yes/yes, but/etc? Or did you give it some "special sauce"?
@@Reedhere I use a D20 for no/sorta/yes/absolutely, and allocate creatures/characters numbers too.
It’s mostly to facilitate the journaling-side, and occasionally I’ll google an oracle sheet for particular stuff. It’s pretty addictive!
@@ZeroZeroZeroZero111 Sweet. I'm glad you're having a good time with it.
Congrats on the 100. Great analyzation of each point. Exited to see what else you have to contribute to the hobby!
Congrats on the hundred videos and the 6000 volunteers!
One thing I think solo roleplaying has given me is the confidence to try being a GM. I’ve never tried running a game before but having GM’d myself through various solo games I feel like I could take that on now.
Congrats! And thank you Man Alone for inspiring me to try a new hobby! It is a good thing there aren't any hobby shops nearby. When I start a new 'hobby' collection thing I usually end up spending about $300 (on average) until I have enough of the thing to 'get into it' properly. I like to completely immerse myself in a subject in order to get my mind around it. At least working on a TTRPG doesn't cost much more than time (right now anyways)!! Thanks again for your videos!
Congrats on a hundred vids! Excellent thoughts as always!
The only thing ive been good at is collecting bad habits
I also get that feeling that we are on the precipice of something here and that is so incredibly rare these days.
When almost every corner of media or entertainment has been either beaten or sanitized to death for the sake of a larger market share, it's near impossible to find an untouched corner of the world anymore. Solo gaming is that, but it also reminds me of the early days of Internet where you felt there was an untouched frontier here and were excited to see it through and interact woth it to leave some sort of a mark.
Solo RPGs feel like that to me right now and I think the best is yet to come. (I think cracking that seemingly impossible nut of the Mystery game is going to be huge for the hobby)
Congrats on 100 episodes cant wait to see the next 1000
Congrats! Wishing you these 100 is just the beginning!
Nothing wrong with collecting taxidermy squirrels, ManAlone. 😂
Congrats, they grow up so fast
Congratulations 🎊 on the 100.
I liked #7, and REALLY hope you're right. I think that if someone puts out a book tied to a popular property (and does it right), that could really help. Plus YT and Tik-Tok videos could help a lot.
Congratulations on the 100 videos and the podcasts.
I really like your channel. I’m a total newbie and learning a lot from you. Thanks.
19:10 You just got elevated from one of my favourite youtubers to one of my favourite human beings.
13:49 What I like about your channel is how well I relate to points like these.
Hell yeah let's go! One of several channels inspiring me to try my hand at my own channel (different from this blank comment account, with a cooler name). Reason #5's section about the thoughts of the "Other" has been something I've struggled with (and still do) so so often, but I feel like no one else in my personal life has any understanding of what I mean when I talk about it(?!), including counselors and tabarnak. All hail Ignore features! Here's to 100+ more, man.
Another "ramblinsome" video lol. Keep the good work, dude! 🎉
Congratulations on the big 100!
Everything about this is so relatable the beginning had me hooked keep up the great content first person on UA-cam I feel is human!
@@LuisRivas-f1h the AI construct known as “Man Alone” thanks you. Wait. Crap.
Woohoooo 100 videos!! And a PowerPoint to celebrate!? I feel so lucky
37? In a row? Congrats - you've established your niche and added value to the hobby. So glad to have discovered your channel and I'm looking forward to what's coming next (unless it involves interpretative dancing).
New, 2 minutes in and I’m subbing. This is the what the internet needs.
Congratulations! Love your channel, even if i can't really watch and concentrate on much of your content. There is something about small niche channels.
Reason#4 is real.
Tabarnacle que ton channel est l'fun et motivant!
I think that solo play in general is on the rise. I started solo boardgaming, which is growing in popularity, a few years ago and it is now leading me to solo ttrpgs. I didn't know that they were a thing. I found this channel after that. I like how you cover topics that are related to the hobby as a whole and not just reviews/play sessions. Congratulations on 100 videos. Hope you keep it up.
Loved the use of tabarnak, wonderful usage and pronounciation. You could also try caliss, sacrament, criss, osti/esti. You can mix and match them in a sentence "Hey toi mon esti de tabarnak."
some Allan watts in there?
not intentionally, but hard not to overlap there are approximately 600,000 videos of his speeches on UA-cam lol
@@amanisalone well, brother, happy 100th video. I love what you do when I appreciate you infinitely
The creature is an enormous parasite from outer space. It sits on the sea floor for three years and then rises to take a massive eldritch dump.
I dunno about the most fundamental definition of a game being putting yourself against another. There is such a thing as Co operative games. Seems to me the fundamental basic element of what constitutes a game is to create a situation, the point of the situation doesn't have too be confrontational. It can be simply a shared experience.. I went to far I know, games wee... Teabagging ensues. If I was God I would defo... Defo split myself.... Just me... Nah bro... I like to be alone as much as anyone... but not eternally.. But then eternity with someone else would be equally hellish 😂 I guess that's why change is the flavour of the day
You always mention the self-discovery/inner work session that solo RPGs can become.
Do you have any particular "method" to do it? How do you journal those musings in case you do? Any "trick" you use to trigger those moments of insight?
I have played wargaming solo a lot (Kill Team) solo and I would like to jump to solo RPGs one day.
Thanks
18:42 You didn't lose me I think this is an interesting idea and I have had similar thoughts.
Congratulations on one hundred videos. Maybe you can do animated slides for the next milestone.
That’s so Eldritch of you!
You’re really peering into my soul with the need to create but lacking the means to do so at the scale that I’d like 😅
Congratulations!!
Congrats on 100!
You have bad GAS my man: Game Acquisition Syndrome....I am afflicted as well
Rason #1: HOARDER MODE ENABLED. That is me. 😭
Thanks!
Whoa thank you so much!!
Hi my name is Martin I have a few solo RPGs Colostle, Notorious/outsiders and all 3 Ironsworn setting.
I have trouble with getting inspired to start how do you get inspiration to start a solo RPG.
When do you know that you are done with a in game scene or scenario? How do you prevent yourself from over exploring so as to move gameplay forward?
Thanks for the insights you provide in this video.
It's solo. You can explore as much or as little as you want!
8:18 I feel so called out 😅
9:44 Wait, are you actually collecting taxidermied squirrels?! That's such a bizarre and specific thing (but I mean, they are cute...)
Hello Detective, yes, the name is Erica the Fae...yes this is who I was saying thinks taxidermied squirrels are cute...yes I have proof
@@amanisalone I deny everything XD
I consider myself to be pretty sensitive and for that reason #4 speaks to me. I think that probably is similar to the psychological profile of a many artists.
MA, can you link me or recommend a starting kit of resources for someone new to solorpg? ty
Congrats and thank you for your contribution to the hobby.
Once again, I am compelled to remind the "normies" out there: Do yourself a favor and join the Seal Team right now for just one month and then come back here and tell me you didn't enjoy every wafflecast you were privy to.
I'll be here waiting, all by myself, solo, till server death because guess what? Nobody's coming back to tell me anything.
Because they enjoyed being an elite member, not because of the ominous overtone that last sentence conveyed. Promise.
A pleasant man said hello to me!
Just one of the many reasons to develop a questionable parasocial relationship with this channel
I agree with you on every topic except food pictures. Think of the poor chef's out there who are real artists, all the work they do for us, but their art only exists for a few minutes or hours. Taking a picture is a way to at least save the visual artistry. How you share the picture might be a felony or blessing but that's between you and the addressees on your post. ;-)
Isn't this channel a side hustle? ❤
Can you tell me more about your declaration that shows up on your coming on sequence dated September, 21st , 2024 8:19 PM? Are you okay? Do you need to stop? Blink twice if you're in danger and making these videos for a drug cartel. But seriously. you, good?
Dude. Kickstarter... I think I might have a legitimate problem? I kinda hate it. Or maybe I love it? I need to stop spending money. 😭😭
Side note: If you have a pc that is capable of playing things, Steam has a game called Tiny Glade that is FANTASTIC for de-stressing. No achievements. No missions. No combat. No maintenance of any kind. You just build a cottage. That's it. It's like aromatherapy without the smells.
39:35 NAME THAT POKEMON!
Liar. You never get right to the point.
amazing. hilariuos