Role Playing Public Radio RPPR Episode 73: The Complexity Complex
May 26, 2012
01:32:02
News: No Security, a horror scenario anthology set in the American Great Depression, written by RPPR regular Caleb Stokes, is up on Kickstarter. If you enjoyed Bryson Springs or Lover in the Ice, consider contributing to it.
Synopsis: My recent trip to China got me thinking about complexity. RPGs are often very reductive, very simple worlds, but adding a bit of complexity to a game can greatly enhance it. Of course too much complexity can be awful especially in the wrong areas, but tweaking a specific aspect like a setting detail or a single game mechanic can make an average game into a great one. I also reveal my idea for a new Iron Heroes campaign, plus a letter from Tom, shout outs and an anecdote:
Shout outs
- Liminal States: A genre-bending novel of immortality and Lovecraftian horrors and highly recommended by Caleb.
- China Road: A journalist travels across China, seeing the highs and lows of the country.
- The Weird: A massive anthology of weird fiction from around the world. Over 1000 pages of weirdness!
- Black Books: A hilarious sitcom starring Dylan Moran.
- Book of Cthulhu: A great anthology of Cthulhu mythos fiction.
- Nyarko-San: An insane anime recommended to us by several RPPR listeners. A very unique view of the mythos to say the least.
- Stealth of Nations: A study of the world’s global informal economy. Great fodder for dystopian and post-apocalyptic games.
- A Corpse in the Koryo: A brilliant detective/thriller novel about a police inspector in North Korea caught up the machinations of competing security agencies.
- Wool: A highly reviewed and recommended sci-fi ebook novella. Only 99 cents!