FreakyCheeseMan
2013-02-10, 02:54 PM
So, for the last month or so I've been hooked on this webcast. It's about video games in general, but it approaches the topic from a design perspective - stuff about how mechanics inform gameplay and narrative, stuff like that. Anyway, I've found that a lot of it carries over really well into tabletop games, so I've taken the liberty of compiling a list.
I strongly recommend looking over this list, and watching any of them that seem interesting. They're only a few minutes each, and well worth the time. Even if you don't find it useful as a homebrewer, the subject matter is fascinating, and these guys do an incredible job of presenting it. I seriously cannot brag this group up enough.
Counter Play (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/counter-play) - A discussion of how, in multiplayer games, character options should provide new strategies not just to them, but to their opponents as well.
Depth vs. Complexity (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/depth-vs.-complexity) - An analysis of how depth and complexity interact, especially in terms of introducing new players to a game.
Combining Genres (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/combining-genres) - A discussion on how to effectively combine genres for games.
Zombies! (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/zombies) - Zombies!
Power Creep (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/power-creep) - Power Creep, and an analysis of how it works and how to prevent it.
Perfect Imbalance (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/perfect-imbalance) - A description of how imbalance in multiplayer games can actually be a good thing.
Aesthetics of Play (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/aesthetics-of-play) - A description of the different underlying reasons why people play different types of games.
Symbolism 101 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/symbolism-101) - A description of symbolism and its roll in gaming.
Horror Protagonists (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/horror-protagonists) - An analysis of the basic types of protagonists found in horror.
The Beast Macabre (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/the-beast-macabre) - A similar analysis, geared towards horror monsters.
I strongly recommend looking over this list, and watching any of them that seem interesting. They're only a few minutes each, and well worth the time. Even if you don't find it useful as a homebrewer, the subject matter is fascinating, and these guys do an incredible job of presenting it. I seriously cannot brag this group up enough.
Counter Play (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/counter-play) - A discussion of how, in multiplayer games, character options should provide new strategies not just to them, but to their opponents as well.
Depth vs. Complexity (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/depth-vs.-complexity) - An analysis of how depth and complexity interact, especially in terms of introducing new players to a game.
Combining Genres (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/combining-genres) - A discussion on how to effectively combine genres for games.
Zombies! (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/zombies) - Zombies!
Power Creep (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/power-creep) - Power Creep, and an analysis of how it works and how to prevent it.
Perfect Imbalance (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/perfect-imbalance) - A description of how imbalance in multiplayer games can actually be a good thing.
Aesthetics of Play (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/aesthetics-of-play) - A description of the different underlying reasons why people play different types of games.
Symbolism 101 (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/symbolism-101) - A description of symbolism and its roll in gaming.
Horror Protagonists (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/horror-protagonists) - An analysis of the basic types of protagonists found in horror.
The Beast Macabre (http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/the-beast-macabre) - A similar analysis, geared towards horror monsters.