Numenera

Kickstarter News

/ Renaissance Gamer / Leave a comment

I have recently dabbled in the realms of Kickstarter, and so far have yet to be disappointed. One of the things I’m currently backing, and really excited about, is the Into the Ninth World by Monte Cook Games. I’m backing at the Lover of All Books level, which means that I’m getting the following for my pledge:

unnamed

I’m not imagining things, right? That’s a lot. If you’re a fan of Numenera, you should jump on-board this train before it leaves the station. If you’ve thought about checking the game out, there are a number of add-ons (like the Numenera sourcebook) to make this a logical jumping-on point.

Me? I’m going to wait for the Kickstarter to end and see how long “giddy with anticipation” will carry me.

#RPGaDay, Day 18: Favourite SF RPG

/ Renaissance Gamer / Leave a comment

It’s actually been a while since I’ve played an SF RPG, so I don’t know if I have a favourite. But I had a lot of fun with TSR’s Alternity system when it came out, back in the 20th century. It had a clever new mechanic and an interesting setting (later, settings) that made it fairly rules light and easy to play, while lending itself to whatever level of sci-fi you wanted on a scale of Space Opera to Hard SF. Before that was GURPS, which of course isn’t an SF RPG per se, but can of course become one. But for sheer flexibility in making whatever type of SF hero you want, GURPS wins.

An SF RPG I’m looking forward to is actually being Kickstarted right now. Monte Cook and the gang over at Monte Cook Games are running a campaign to fund Numenera: Into the Ninth World. Spoiler alert: it fully funded in an hour, so now we’re just ticking off the amazing stretch goals until the campaign closes. But if you love Numenera, there is nothing not to love about Numenera in space or dimension hopping. Heck, I’ve backed it and I haven’t even played regular Numenera yet (I know, I know).

And of course, if you want a sci-fi game you can start playing in minutes, track down a copy of Cosmic Patrol. You’ll recognize it as the Free RPG Day offering you foolishly ignored. But it’s really quick and easy to play, and a ton of fun.

So what’s your favourite SF RPG? Drop it in the comments below and let’s discuss.

#RPGaDay, Day 13: Favourite RPG Podcast

/ Renaissance Gamer / Leave a comment

cover170x170My current favourite gaming podcast is actually for a game I have yet to play, Numenera. Numenera: The Signal is a brilliant example of making a piece of media useful both in and out of game. Each roughly twenty minute episode focuses on some aspect of the Ninth World, the setting for Numenera. It includes rumours, encounter ideas, NPCs, and so on, and is definitely a boon to any GM running a Numenera campaign. But even better, the podcast is recorded as if it were a pirate radio signal just barely managing to get through on whatever receiving device you are next to. And it’s narrated by Vaux, an Informed Jack who Tells Tales, which gives the GM a shadowy NPC to populate their game world, and a piece of media they can play during sessions to heighten immersion.

Full disclosure, Numenera: The Signal is the brainchild of my friend and fellow gamer, Scott C. Bourgeois. But I’d think The Signal was a brilliant podcast even if it weren’t created by my friend! (Did I get that right, Scott, your hand-writing is awful.) But seriously, even if you don’t yet play Numenera, you should give the podcast a listen. I know it’s got me thinking of ways to use different media in my games.

Honourable mention go to Fear the Boot, which is the podcast I’ve listened to the longest. I could listen to those guys argue about games all day (and have).