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Paper first vs Digital First

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 3:50 am
by Rob Lang
My long suffering BFF, Byrn, does well to point out that whatever gets designed digitally must be possible on paper. I completely agree. But do you design on paper first or go digital first? Let me specify those things...


This is where you use a computer to do everything up front; you work out the numbers, probability, order of turns actions, designs of character sheets, maps, etc. All of it is digital. Once you have the game pretty much ready you then start printing and scribbling.


Leaving the digital world to the side, you begin by rolling dice, scribbling maps, drawing out character sheets and trying to write into boxes, write and explain and draw. You then take to the computer to firm up the probabilities and so on.

This has come to the forefront with the redesign of Icar. I am simplifying the core mechanics but there is one area that will remain a little complex and that's the creation of bionics. It's so complex right now that it's very difficult to do. I've got the whole thing running in a spreadsheet (digital first) but I do need a way of doing it on paper. It's not an easy thing to work out.

If it can't be done on paper (I am pretty sure there is a good way, I've just yet to find it) then the system must be changed for something that can. It's sort of an old-fashioned view but for the sake of this argument, it's a core requirement.

How do you think about your designs? Paper first or digital first?

Re: Paper first vs Digital First

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:33 am
by Onix
That's a tough question. A lot of the time I just design in my head and then talk about it. I'll then type out what I'm thinking mainly because my handwriting is indecipherable to most mortals. The challenge of writing is to formalize a process that was a rough flow in my head and to nail down any weird procedural gaps that can come up.

As soon as I have something that sounds functional to me I have a play tester read it and see if it makes sense to them.

Usually then I try and get a play test session in.

Character sheets usually start off with a blank sheet of paper and the players write down the information they need.

Re: Paper first vs Digital First

PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:58 pm
by madunkieg
I'm a big supporter of paper first because I do a lot of brainstorming in random places and I can't carry my computer with me everywhere. Trust me, I used to be a PhD student, so you know I've gone through several laptop batteries trying to lug that thing around.

I can definitely see where digital could come in handy. The thing is, if I feel that digital first will work better, then that's a warning sign that my game's become too complex. I prefer to create simpler games (as opposed games like the HERO system), but not everyone feels that way. Heck, I've got a friend that swears the HERO system is the ultimate RPG.

Technology is useful, but it's not always the quickest way of recording things. You have to turn it on, wait for it to boot up, load the program, and then type in the notes. In that time, I've pulled out a pen and paper and, not only written down my first idea, but thought of a couple of other ideas, too.

Re: Paper first vs Digital First

PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:57 am
by Evil Scientist
Paper definitely gives a more "holistic" impression, and maybe because of your body's "brain-eye-hand" coordination and wiring it's easier to jot down basic ideas, translate them from abstract thought to something concrete. On-screen, this process is not so fluent.