Master Plan

As the first episode in a series about busting assumptions in game design, Ryan talks with Ben Lehman about assumptions regarding game masters (or GMs). Ben has written three games that each deal with GM distribution differently: Polaris, which has no GM; Bliss Stage, which has a typical GM; and The Drifter's Escape, which has many GMs and one PC. Bringing these various experiences to the table, they unpack various assumptions and various design pitfalls. Afterwards, Ryan shares some random bits of advice he's found himself telling people lately. Ben's Games: Bliss Stage The Drifter's Escape Polaris Other Games Mentioned: Ambe Diceless (Wikipedia article) Breaking the Ice by Black & Green Games Capes by Muse of Fire Games Grey Ranks by Bully Pulpit Games Nobilis (Wikipedia article) The Shab-al-Hiri Roach by Bully Pulpit Games Universalis by Ramshead Publishing Other Mentions: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamont (Amazon link) Story Games Running time: 28:14 / File size: