I just thought I'd join after having played a few of Errin Famiglia's solo rpgs. I have a lot of time at work and love solo rpg things. I've decided to make my own as well.
Welcome disco! I've not tried any solo RPGs but am fascinated by the idea of them. What draws you to play solo RPGs? Why are they fun? How could they be more fun?
I am drawn to them because I am often bored at work and have time on my hands. I grew up reading CYOA and this is an extension of it. I like the Doctor Who game I linked to because it has hundreds of possibilities. I like Adventuria because it is online and offers character advancement.
I'm going to make a western or pirate-themed solo rpg.
Well, they will probably be set in the same persistent universe, but the pirate game may be futuristic. I've also got an idea for a solo rpg where you play an "advanced human" with psionic abilities trying to discover why you exist. It would be sci-fi/possible cyberpunk/highlander style.
I don't know how well it would work for a long-term campaign, but modern piracy could make for an interesting game. The setup is that the pc's are all nuts, a la Don Quixote. You have a full-rigged frigate--or a Bermuda sloop to start off smaller and work your way up--and try to re-enact your most romantic notions of piracy. Along the way you have to deal with modern navies, well-armed cargo ships orders of magnitude larger than your own, contemporary pirates armed with assault rifles and speedboats, and drunken tourists. The main villain turns out to be the RIAA who thinks you are the other sort of 'pirate'.