When I'm designing a game I intend to run, I've noticed that one of the things I like to do is actually write up some descriptive details on paper, as opposed to working solely on the computer. I usually dabble a bit with the art that evokes ideas for the campaign, sometimes music, but generally it's the physical act of writing that cements the idea.
What's the first thing you do when coming up with a campaign idea?
Comments (9)
That's a good one. Like you, I'm often scribbling things on paper. Maybe including a little graphic or something with it.
This is almost like a mental bookmark keeping the thought anchored for later development.
Posted by Arref | October 13, 2003 1:20 PM
Posted on October 13, 2003 13:20
I usually talk it over with Lou first, actually. Depending on where I am, sometimes I'll use paper, or my Palm IIIc, or my laptop.
A lot of times, I do need to get it down on paper. But it's just that I don't write as fast as I type, so the ideas don't flow as well when I write. Plus, I hold my pen/pencil wrong and it hurts after a short time of writing.
Meh.
Posted by Julia | October 14, 2003 9:22 AM
Posted on October 14, 2003 09:22
When I'm coming up with a campaign idea, I don't write anything at all; I just let it gestate in the back of my mind until I have something I feel comfortable with. The first scribblings (either pen/paper or word processor) don't come until after I've cemented the fundamentals in my head.
- Eric
Posted by Eric Minton | October 14, 2003 12:51 PM
Posted on October 14, 2003 12:51
I mostly let it gestate in my mind as well, usually while listening to music. Lately, I've taken to scribbling in notebooks again.
Posted by Nuadha | October 15, 2003 11:59 AM
Posted on October 15, 2003 11:59
The one I'm running is all in my head. As we have just passed the third session, I need to start writing down what they have been given.
It all started with a crazy notion I got whilst reading the books... (amber, of course)
Posted by djinn | October 15, 2003 7:59 PM
Posted on October 15, 2003 19:59
Listen to Music. Lots of words and lyrics.
Pace. Yes pacing is an absolute essential, though it upsets my African Grey no end.
Funny, if I pick up a pencil or pen, ideas wither. Not so with a keyboard.
Posted by Jim | October 15, 2003 8:46 PM
Posted on October 15, 2003 20:46
IMC, I didn't take notes. Ever. And I don't know how many times this came and bit me in the butt. The next game I run, I am -so- keeping a database. I already have Access set up.
Posted by Katie | October 16, 2003 3:44 AM
Posted on October 16, 2003 03:44
Scribble notes on paper. I get ideas at the weirdest and most inconvenient times, and I don't always have a computer handy. Later I will take the looseleaf notes and turn them into a word or txt file.
Most of my latest con games started this way--minding my own business at work, when *wham*, why don't I have an Amber where a mysterious river (re)appears.
Posted by Paul | October 16, 2003 10:53 AM
Posted on October 16, 2003 10:53
I usually start by brainstorming situation... what's going on to match the vision I had? Then erratically work backwards, balancing "how do I tie people in" and "what concepts just won't' work" thoughts, quite jumbled, until I finally scrawl something longhand to cement it. The notes usually make no sense, but hopefully enough gets down to trigger similar idea chains.
Posted by ScottM | October 29, 2003 10:46 AM
Posted on October 29, 2003 10:46