Free RPG Forum
  • Home
  • Free RPGs
  • 24 Hour RPGs
  • Game Chef
  • Submissions


  • Board index
  • Search
  • FAQ
  • Login
  • Register
  • Board index ‹ General Discussion Forums ‹ Role-Playing Games
  • Change font size
  • Print view
  • FAQ
  • Register
  • Login

How many examples?

Industry news, gaming reviews, ideas and any other topics roleplayers might enjoy.
Post a reply
6 posts • Page 1 of 1
  • Reply with quote

How many examples?

Postby Wannabe writer » Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:08 pm

How many examples should you have in a RPG rules section?

One each for the rules supplied one long one that uses several of the rules?

How many do you think there should be and whats your feeling on examples?
Wannabe writer
Marmoset
 
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:26 pm
Top

  • Reply with quote

Re: How many examples?

Postby Anastylos » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:30 am

Every rule should have an example. Sometimes the rules are not clear and then looking at the example can help to see what was intended. An example gives you ideas for advenutres too. Make shot examples after each rule, if the examples are longer and include more rules the reader might have forgotten what the rules are.
Anastylos
Mangabey
 
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:54 am
Top

  • Reply with quote

Re: How many examples?

Postby Rob Lang » Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:37 am

I am in two minds here. I agree a lot with Anastylos on keeping examples short. I think there is a happy middle ground where you can chain your examples together to give the reader a good idea of the system. For example, the character you create in your character creation example should be then used in your combat example. Keep using the same names if possible. All the examples together will give a good overview of the system.

Don't put examples in for flavour/setting text. If your setting text doesn't describe itself then it's not very good setting text!

For games that play very differently to most RPGs, include an example play that reads like a script: "GM: you see two orcs..". I recommend doing that for your game anyway and then not including it.
Rob Lang

User avatar
Rob Lang
Admin Chimp
 
Posts: 3262
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 4:51 am
Location: Reading, UK
  • Website
  • YIM
Top

  • Reply with quote

Re: How many examples?

Postby madunkieg » Sun Feb 15, 2015 12:14 am

Examples can help explain how rules work, but they can also provide information about how stories are supposed to be formed. These are called AP (actual play) reports. Supposedly they give an example of how to generate a story using the rules. They come from recording and transcribing a playtest session. An AP report would be handy for players who have never played a RPG before.

Or, at least that's the logic behind AP reports. But the AP report didn't come about for decades after the industry's birth. So, do they help or not?

The jury's still out, and perhaps it depends on the type of game. Lang suggests that the example is helpful in explaining very different types of games, but that assumes the players have at least some experience with RPGs. I suggest thinking about what, if any, types of RPGs your intended audience has played, and then consider whether an AP report would be helpful or just a waste of paper.
User avatar
madunkieg
Macaque
 
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat May 09, 2009 8:53 pm
  • Website
Top

  • Reply with quote

Re: How many examples?

Postby vulpinoid » Sun Feb 22, 2015 12:14 am

I'm aiming toward illustrating entire game sessions in comic form as an accompanying document to the rules. Completely removing examples from the rule document, but offering a wide variety of common issues that might arise in play in the illustrations of the comic. I seriously don't recommend this path to everyone, even though it's very user friendly, it's a LOT of work.
User avatar
vulpinoid
Howler
 
Posts: 320
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:10 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

  • Reply with quote

Re: How many examples?

Postby Wannabe writer » Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:46 am

Wannabe writer
Marmoset
 
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:26 pm
Top


Post a reply
6 posts • Page 1 of 1

Return to Role-Playing Games

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

  • Board index
  • The team • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC - 6 hours