Gaming Resolutions for 2009

Here are my gaming-related resolutions for 2009:

Finish the writing and layout of Kidz.

The book is about 75% written and I’m already contracting for art so I think I’m on track to publish it this year. t’s in the hands of a few outside playtesters who are giving it a whirl so that’s also progressing. My biggest problem is that every time I think “ok, that’s I’ve written enough,” I come up with some new feature or bit to add to the book. At some point though I’m going to have to stop adding content and simply call it “done.”  Hopefully I will start laying out the chapters I have written (the first four are done and currently being proofread) in February.

Start writing my Behind the Music RPG.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea behind this game. It will be the first GM-less game I’ve ever written, which is a bit of a challenge but I’m sure I am up to it. I think I can write the whole thing, start to finish pretty quick, so that I can start playtesting it in 2009.

Start a Burning Wheel campaign with my local group.

I want to play Burning Wheel. I’ve read the books multiple times and really like the system. The issue to date has been finding a play group to play it with, but I think my local group is now ready to give it a try. I have no idea what the premise of the game will be but I want it to be something gritty and low-fantasy along the lines of A Game of Thrones. Or maybe something involving elves, killing orcs…. In any event, 2009 is going to be a burning year for me.

Play more of the indie RPGs I own

Amongst the games I want to play with in 2009 are Dirty Secrets, Dogs in the Vineyard, In a Wicked Age, My Life with Master, and The Shab al-Hiri Roach.  I also would like to play Grey Ranks but that requires a group who are prepared for the game premise since it’s pretty dark.

A lot of these games are designed specifically for 1-2 session games and my local group has really enjoyed the one-shots I’ve introduced in the past so I’d like to try some more out with them.

I also would like to find some people online to play a few one-shots via Fantasy Grounds 2 – the sessions of Primetime Adventures I’ve run for new players have gone really well and I think a lot of other indie games currently out there are well-suited to VTT play.

Play more board games

I love board games and I’ve got some great ones which I simply don’t play often enough.  Hmmm, maybe I should just amend the last two resolutions to “play more games” and admit that I want to spend more time playing games and less time thinking about playing.

Keep my online RPG gaming groups going

Player attrition typically kills most online games with 3 months of their start so this might be the most difficult of my resolutions. However, I now have two very good groups with creative and enthusiastic players from around the world so I would really like them to continue.

Talk my friend Derek into running the Mouse Guard RPG

I really love the game’s rules and the setting as well. I’m not sure I can sell it to him but I’d really like to play it and I think our group would really enjoy the game, especially as a long-term campaign. The mission structure of the game also would work really well with our one per month session schedule.  I also want him to run Mutant City Blues when it comes out.

Part of the January Blog Carnival.