Game Mastering 101: Character backstories "Running a character isn’t about extending non-collaborative backstory into the game."
Game Mastering 101 Part 3: Atomic Campaign Creation "Atomic Campaign Creation (ACC) is a planning method aimed at stoking the creative energy of a GM without locking them into procedural linear plot advancement at the table."
Game Mastering 101: Motivation is everything "It’s very easy to fall into the trap of designing campaigns as if they are going to be read like a story."
Game Mastering 101: Seven bits of advice to get started "If you’ve ever been curious about how to get started, here’s some advice I’ve cultivated over the past 30 years of running games"
Play more games! "Come out and try some games at one of our events, and maybe you’ll find something you want to take home to your friends and family!"
Game Review: Dorfromantik "When I’d heard that Dorfromantik had won the Spiel de Jahres last year, I was pretty surprised."
Game Review: Thunder Road: Vendetta "And then there are games like Thunder Road that ask the all-important question: I wonder what would happen if I just ran my car into that other car?"
Better living through RPGs and cognitive flexibility “Over the last 15 years or so, several papers have been written regarding the efficacy of RPGs as a therapeutic tool…”
Game Review: Long Shot “I can definitely see this one getting pulled out as a warm-up on a lot of game nights.”
Game Review: Archeos Society “Archeos Society is a wonderful game for folks just getting into the hobby and looking to step up from family classics.”
Game Review: Capital Lux 2 “There are a handful of games that are way, way better than they have any right to be from just the description; this is one of them.”
Game review: For Northwood! (solo game) “I very rarely play solo games. Even board games with solo modes rarely get me to the table. But For Northwood! is a fantastic exception.”
Three games, one designer “If these games sound fun, check out https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/khanat/yama on Kickstarter!”
Game Review: Arkham Horror: the Card Game "If you’re interested in playing a deckbuilder but don’t want to have to worry about buying random booster packs or individual single prices, AH:tCG is a great option, and playing it is a great way to spend an afternoon."
Game review: Earth "Want something with a little more engine building than Wingspan but not nearly the time requirement of Terraforming Mars? Earth has you covered."
Three simple, fun, grab-and-go games TAGCON is upon us! Enjoy these 3 games and hundreds more: tagcon.org
Running better games with Session Zero and safety tools "Tables should have a common understanding of how to keep their games fun and safe."
Game review: Turncoats “I’m just going to start with the conclusion first: Turncoats is a masterful game.”
Game review: Pan Am “Pan Am is an awesome mashup of worker placement, market manipulation, set collection, and area control.”
Game review: Lost Ruins of Arnak “I love games with a wealth of planning and options but streamlined methods of carrying those out, and Arnak definitely fits the bill.”
Game review: Oath A lot of the games I review are lighter fare — games that take 15 minutes or so to learn, 45–60 minutes to play, and are easily engaging for gamers
