I swear, one of these times, you're gonna wake up in a coma.

Cordelia ,'Showtime'


Gaming 1: You are likely to be eaten by a grue

A thread for the discussion of games: board, LARP, MMORPG, video, tabletop RPG, game theory etc. etc. and all attendant news, developments and ancillary subjects thereof, as well as coordinating/scheduling games either online or IRL. All are welcome to chime in, talk about their favorite games or learn about gaming of any sort.

PLEASE TO WHITEFONT SPOILERS for video games, RPG modules or anything for which foreknowledge of events might lessen one's enjoyment of whatever gaming experience.


Volans - May 06, 2008 5:15:25 am PDT #425 of 26132
move out and draw fire

I didn't even know there were online board gaming apps (other than like Yahoo games, Facebook games, etc). Cool! Let's get some RoboRally going!

I notice they also have Guillotine, which is a constant favorite lunchtime game at my office. Something about work makes people want to decapitate French aristocracy, I guess.

ION, slashdot has a book rec that sounds neat: [link]

It's about the use of the second person, which is almost never done in lit-ra-choor, but overwhelmingly done in games (please to see thread title).

Section One, "Tabletop Systems," contains 15 essays devoted to a discussion of traditional, old-school RPGs, including standout bits penned by the likes of Greg Costikyan, George R. R. Martin, Erik Mona and Ken Hite. It's the most accessible part of the book, and without a doubt my favorite.


Jessica - May 06, 2008 6:06:55 am PDT #426 of 26132
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?

Speaking of web games, I just noticed that Oregon Trail on Facebook is now Northwest Trail. Looks like somebody got C&D'd...


Fred Pete - May 06, 2008 6:45:01 am PDT #427 of 26132
Ann, that's a ferret.

I notice they also have Guillotine, which is a constant favorite lunchtime game at my office.

It sounds like a sequel to Down With the King, which I played many years ago. Imagine a card game based on Versaiiles during the reign of Louis XV, and you get the idea.


Sean K - May 06, 2008 7:19:16 am PDT #428 of 26132
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty

It's about the use of the second person, which is almost never done in lit-ra-choor, but overwhelmingly done in games (please to see thread title).

I've written several stories in the second person, because of the immediacy of the voice. I think it would be damned near impossible to sustain a whole novel that way, but it's fun to use in shorter fiction sometimes.


megan walker - May 06, 2008 7:49:11 am PDT #429 of 26132
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist

I notice they also have Guillotine, which is a constant favorite lunchtime game at my office. Something about work makes people want to decapitate French aristocracy, I guess.

I played this card game with my niece and nephew a lot a few years ago. Very fun.


Sean K - May 06, 2008 8:25:44 am PDT #430 of 26132
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty

Back to BT's question:

I would absolutely LOVE to play some online board games. Actually, I think Republic of Rome could easily be played online (provided it also included a chat function for the political phase). Like most computerized versions of board games, I imagine that would speed the game up considerably, since so many of the tedious manual manipulation of cards and pieces is automated by the computer.

I'd be down for playing some RoboRally. I don't remember how to play, but I'm sure I'll pick it up right away.

Obviously the scheduling with BT will be tough, but I'll probably have an easier time scheduling than some, since my schedule is kind of all over the place.


Volans - May 06, 2008 11:38:11 am PDT #431 of 26132
move out and draw fire

I think it would be damned near impossible to sustain a whole novel that way, but it's fun to use in shorter fiction sometimes.

I just read Halting State by Charles Stross. Entirely in 2nd person, flipping between two characters, so it always took me a couple paragraphs to figure out who I was. AND written largely in Scottish. Not the most fun read ever.

Not entirely off-topic either, as it's a what-if about real-world police action for an in-game (WoW-ish) item.

On a completely other topic, the non-profit Federation of Galaxy Explorers group is looking for some volunteer developers to help build video games for kids. My company participates every year; I think you can check NASA's website for more info.

They are also looking for a few people to spend a few hours a month helping to contribute to the Open Source “Orbiter Flight Simulator” project to add in some FOGE requirements. [link]


Sean K - May 06, 2008 3:22:41 pm PDT #432 of 26132
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty

I have purchased Tomb Raider: Anniversary and a game controller.

I have snuck these things into the house.


NoiseDesign - May 06, 2008 3:55:23 pm PDT #433 of 26132
Our wings are not tired

I love subversive Sean. Hey, with the laptop you can even sneak out to play.


Sean K - May 06, 2008 4:10:51 pm PDT #434 of 26132
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty

Considering it is now installed and I'm itching to play it, I'm not sure how clandestine it will remain. Plus, I eventually want to let S check it out and see if she might enjoy playing it.

It's apparently the original TR game redone for current gaming power. I'm askeered of the T-Rex. That thing was tough the first time around. I don't need it to be smarter.