Great video! Thank you! For your honorable mention: The game Sigmata is set in a alternate 1980s where cyborgs fight evil corporations (is there any other kind?), and is flavored with skate-punk rebel kind of energy. For #7: Gumshoe.
Ok, so I think we'd need to clarify what counts as an RPG to you. For me, it's more based on story beats than action beats with only the most rudimentary dice mechanics to sort out whether a player's move actually does what they wanted. However, if you and your group are more into crunch I'd suggest modifying some board games. Many of the subjects you mention have been covered in board games and miniatures strategy games. Porting those over to a Role Playing style of game wouldn't be too difficult as the mechanics are already there. You'd just have to overlay some kind of Role Playing bridge to them. Mythic GM Emulator is a great tool that can be tailored to fit many game spaces and at present is the most used. I would advise GURPS, the most recent addition, as it can actually provide a solid framework of dice and action mechanics you can then use to interpret the board games chosen as a basis. If you are looking for something a little lighter in crunch, Tri-Cube Tales system is very flexible and there are dozens of Micro Settings that cover such subjects as occult secret societies, city politics, sci-fi exploration and so on.
An imperfect definition: Boardgame rules define any and all actions taken in the game mechanically, whereas RPGs rely on a GM (or other system) to determine the outcome of actions not defined in the rules. And yeah great callout - boardgames and miniature games do explore these spaces more. I would love to see more RPGs include mechanics similar to these games!
I agree very much about trade, mystery, tower defence, scientific expedition and spellslinging problem solving. I think the problem is (as you mention) that it is hard to design. You have to have good taste to want to do it, and you have to be intelligent and creative to be able to do it.
I'm designing a game system and the first iteration is inspired by the Dishonored video game series. It might be a candidate for your spell slinging problem solving system. None of the spells do damage inherently (they could be used to put someone in a harmful situation though), they always work, you should almost never have to roll for them. If you're in initiative order, your speed stat determines how many actions you get to take in a turn, and all spells only cost one action to cast. If you jack your speed and magic stat all the way up you could do intricate spell combos.
I've never played it, but my understanding is that RPGPundit has a ttrpg game that is about Secret Societies. RPGPundit also has a ttrpg based on the Silk Road.
Starforged can do that cientific expedition. You just pick the right goals and play with that in mind. I actualy picked one app on the phone that is the Pokemon Dex. I just rolled some random pokemons and smashed them together to make new creatures. For the F1 ttrpg theres Gaslands. Well, that is a skirmish car game, where teams compete to defeat or beat the adversary. Is a fighting car game, but if you take out the weapons it can be a normal car game. In between the races maybe you can find some way to role play that.
@@paperdicegames6585 My copy just arrived this week and im extremely happy for that. Did you got the reference book to? I think that reference book help so mutch playing. Gaslands is it self another hobby, one that i started to, breaking cars, glueing new parts, painting and making that awesome pos-apocaliptic cars it is just fun but the actual game even without all of that is realy great to. Getting some hotwheels and play just racing without the guns can work to. I saw some one on yt racing with the 2 ships from Starwars, Anakin vs Sebulba and the only guns fired was external (some dudes on some clifs), the race was realy fun to watch and looks fun to play (in that case was solo but even funnier if in group). Link here if you interested to see: ua-cam.com/video/mrF4YNU6LU4/v-deo.html&ab_channel=Mark%27sDiceTales
Your #1, yes! Fireballs are cool and all, but they're, well... fireballs. They do only one thing, again and again. Utility spells or situations where you have to rely on the environment etc. are so much more interesting and leave the door wide open for creativity and problem-solving.
Hey, super chill, gentle critique. I find the glare from your pc off your glasses quite distracting, it only seems to be this setup. It’s your show and also not everyone can drop cash for new glasses or lights but maybe put it on the checklist down the road. Cheers.
That would be interesting. I don’t know a lot about Formula 1 but the small field of drivers would give the game high stakes and high drama. “Character death” could be losing your driver spot (or whatever happens).
For Space Opera, you might want to have a look at Endeavor, PWYW a space-opera reskin for Agon (which is also an amazing game in its own right). They're always releasing new worlds/episodes (also PWYW) and honestly, the core of the system is about relationships and drama.
@@paperdicegames6585 I think you will enjoy it - very story-driven, rules-light but emphasis on drama and outcomes of player choices. Plus, if you don't have Agon on your bookshelf yet, it's *gorgeous* in its presentation.
Agreed on the business/ethics rpg. Someone needs to make an Old West, railroad tycoon rpg. They could call it "Robber Barons". Those guys pulled some sketchy stuff.
With the exception of that Space Opera approach (which sounds very much like Star Trek, but maybe with more adult themes like Firefly), all your genre sound very much rather world simulation driven and not enough to be about narratives.
If gaming can be measured on a spectrum from fiction free-writing to simulation, my gaming tastes would absolutely be closer to the simulation side. I enjoy the process of a story being presented within a framework of rules, and playing the story within that framework.
If you're looking for a game that's like the Dresden Files... might I suggest the Dresden Files RPG? 😉 If I recall, it's powered by the Fate system and sold by Evil Hat.
Great video! Thank you! For your honorable mention: The game Sigmata is set in a alternate 1980s where cyborgs fight evil corporations (is there any other kind?), and is flavored with skate-punk rebel kind of energy.
For #7: Gumshoe.
Thanks! I haven’t heard of Sigmata, will have to check it out.
Gumshoe is on my short list to try, but need to find time for a new game first!
Great video! I’d love to see a whole video on how you would create systems for a trading/base building game
Thanks for the kind words! I will add that idea to my list!
My understanding is that Call of Cthulhu is essentially a mystery rpg game, within a horror genre
I have had mixed experiences with Cthulu games, but will take a look!
Ok, so I think we'd need to clarify what counts as an RPG to you. For me, it's more based on story beats than action beats with only the most rudimentary dice mechanics to sort out whether a player's move actually does what they wanted. However, if you and your group are more into crunch I'd suggest modifying some board games.
Many of the subjects you mention have been covered in board games and miniatures strategy games. Porting those over to a Role Playing style of game wouldn't be too difficult as the mechanics are already there. You'd just have to overlay some kind of Role Playing bridge to them.
Mythic GM Emulator is a great tool that can be tailored to fit many game spaces and at present is the most used. I would advise GURPS, the most recent addition, as it can actually provide a solid framework of dice and action mechanics you can then use to interpret the board games chosen as a basis. If you are looking for something a little lighter in crunch, Tri-Cube Tales system is very flexible and there are dozens of Micro Settings that cover such subjects as occult secret societies, city politics, sci-fi exploration and so on.
An imperfect definition: Boardgame rules define any and all actions taken in the game mechanically, whereas RPGs rely on a GM (or other system) to determine the outcome of actions not defined in the rules.
And yeah great callout - boardgames and miniature games do explore these spaces more. I would love to see more RPGs include mechanics similar to these games!
I agree very much about trade, mystery, tower defence, scientific expedition and spellslinging problem solving. I think the problem is (as you mention) that it is hard to design. You have to have good taste to want to do it, and you have to be intelligent and creative to be able to do it.
Very hard design! Also more niche.
I'm designing a game system and the first iteration is inspired by the Dishonored video game series. It might be a candidate for your spell slinging problem solving system. None of the spells do damage inherently (they could be used to put someone in a harmful situation though), they always work, you should almost never have to roll for them. If you're in initiative order, your speed stat determines how many actions you get to take in a turn, and all spells only cost one action to cast. If you jack your speed and magic stat all the way up you could do intricate spell combos.
Sounds interesting! I would love to hear more when its all put together!
Hero Games has pretty good base building rules as part of their super hero rules set, Champions
Will take a look, thanks!
I looooove the idea of a Gilded Age game. I don't know why I've never considered that before!
Yeah its such a cool time period!
I've never played it, but my understanding is that RPGPundit has a ttrpg game that is about Secret Societies. RPGPundit also has a ttrpg based on the Silk Road.
Will take a look, thanks!
Starforged can do that cientific expedition. You just pick the right goals and play with that in mind. I actualy picked one app on the phone that is the Pokemon Dex. I just rolled some random pokemons and smashed them together to make new creatures.
For the F1 ttrpg theres Gaslands. Well, that is a skirmish car game, where teams compete to defeat or beat the adversary. Is a fighting car game, but if you take out the weapons it can be a normal car game. In between the races maybe you can find some way to role play that.
Thanks for the F1 tip! I am waiting for my physical copy of Starforged, but will be seeing what I want to do with it when it gets here!
@@paperdicegames6585 My copy just arrived this week and im extremely happy for that. Did you got the reference book to? I think that reference book help so mutch playing.
Gaslands is it self another hobby, one that i started to, breaking cars, glueing new parts, painting and making that awesome pos-apocaliptic cars it is just fun but the actual game even without all of that is realy great to.
Getting some hotwheels and play just racing without the guns can work to.
I saw some one on yt racing with the 2 ships from Starwars, Anakin vs Sebulba and the only guns fired was external (some dudes on some clifs), the race was realy fun to watch and looks fun to play (in that case was solo but even funnier if in group).
Link here if you interested to see: ua-cam.com/video/mrF4YNU6LU4/v-deo.html&ab_channel=Mark%27sDiceTales
Your #1, yes! Fireballs are cool and all, but they're, well... fireballs. They do only one thing, again and again. Utility spells or situations where you have to rely on the environment etc. are so much more interesting and leave the door wide open for creativity and problem-solving.
Yep! I completely agree!
Hey, super chill, gentle critique. I find the glare from your pc off your glasses quite distracting, it only seems to be this setup. It’s your show and also not everyone can drop cash for new glasses or lights but maybe put it on the checklist down the road. Cheers.
Hey - I appreciate the critique, thanks! I am looking to get the channel back up again, and I will likely lose the glasses. Appreciate it!
Maybe a Formula One RPG could be made where the players each have one support character and they all share control of the pilot.
That would be interesting. I don’t know a lot about Formula 1 but the small field of drivers would give the game high stakes and high drama. “Character death” could be losing your driver spot (or whatever happens).
Exclusion Zone botanist is a pamphlet sized game about discovering and documenting plant life. You get to make cool scientific. drawings of plants.
I will take a look, thanks for the suggestion!
For Space Opera, you might want to have a look at Endeavor, PWYW a space-opera reskin for Agon (which is also an amazing game in its own right). They're always releasing new worlds/episodes (also PWYW) and honestly, the core of the system is about relationships and drama.
I have never heard of it - will take a look! Thanks!
@@paperdicegames6585 I think you will enjoy it - very story-driven, rules-light but emphasis on drama and outcomes of player choices.
Plus, if you don't have Agon on your bookshelf yet, it's *gorgeous* in its presentation.
"I am going to science the shit out of this..."
Yes!
For trade games the best example I know of is traveller.
Yeah I remember the first time I read the trading rules, I was blown away
Agreed on the business/ethics rpg. Someone needs to make an Old West, railroad tycoon rpg. They could call it "Robber Barons". Those guys pulled some sketchy stuff.
Yeah for sure. Would be interesting to see skills or “moves” in a game like that
With the exception of that Space Opera approach (which sounds very much like Star Trek, but maybe with more adult themes like Firefly), all your genre sound very much rather world simulation driven and not enough to be about narratives.
If gaming can be measured on a spectrum from fiction free-writing to simulation, my gaming tastes would absolutely be closer to the simulation side. I enjoy the process of a story being presented within a framework of rules, and playing the story within that framework.
If you're looking for a game that's like the Dresden Files... might I suggest the Dresden Files RPG? 😉
If I recall, it's powered by the Fate system and sold by Evil Hat.
Ha yeah I am aware if it. I want the setting in a different package though.
#2: MacGyver style RPG.
Brilliant! I missed that one.
There have been BOARD games based on commerce from the Gilded Age: Railroad Tycoon, and wasn't Monopoly about that? Idk about rpg
Yeah, board games have a solid base in that genre. I want something with more possibilities though!