Bonus Experience

BXP 6×10 – Monica and Alex Break Down Setting Design Using Video Games

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Hello Bonus Babies,

Today I’m joined by friend and colleague Alex Guerrero to discuss how video games utilize narrative and setting design to create a sense of wonder and mystery – and how you can bring that to the table in your own tabletop RPGs!

We discuss:

Good writing and pacing of lore

Creating and fostering mystery while running games

Supporting an action-RPG feel at the table

Using techniques from GMless gaming

Integrating social influence into games

Building lore for your game using other games

Also discussed in the extended cut: 

  • Monica’s favorite GM sleight-of-hand and the judicious handling of “yes, but”
  • Behind the scenes in trying to close the show
  • WARNING: SPOILERS FOR GENSHIN IMPACT FROM 15:32 to 19:05. They’re called out with a musical bumper so if you don’t want the plot spoiled PLEASE SKIP AHEAD. 

    • We mention a lot of things we said we would link, so here are quite literally all of them: 

    • “Are You Satisfied?” by Marina and the Diamonds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWywn51-B_I
    • Ashikai https://www.youtube.com/@Ashikai
      (The lore analyst that Alex mentioned)
    • Video games
      • Genshin Impacthttps://genshin.hoyoverse.com/
      • Honkai: Star Railhttps://hsr.hoyoverse.com/
      • TTRPGs mentioned for Genshin-style play
        • Exalted Essencehttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/427275/Exalted-Essence
        • Godbound
          • Free edition https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/185959/Godbound-A-Game-of-Divine-Heroes-Free-Edition
          • Deluxe edition https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/185960/Godbound-A-Game-of-Divine-Heroes
          • AGE System https://greenroninstore.com/collections/age-system
          • Storypath System https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/431162/Storypath-Ultra-Preview-2023
          • Anima Primehttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/90234/Anima-Prime-RPG
          • Other TTRPGs mentioned
            • Microscope https://www.lamemage.com/microscope/
            • The Quiet Yearhttps://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year
            • Spindlewheel https://www.teacabbage.com/spindlewheel
            • Blades in the Darkhttps://evilhat.com/product/blades-in-the-dark/
            • Alex’s links
              • Twitter https://twitter.com/AFractalDragon
              • Itch https://fractaldragon.itch.io/
              • Tumblr https://letourswordsdecide.tumblr.com/

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                Bonus ExperienceBy Rai Witter Cole, Monica Speca
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