On this episode, we talking about changing gears - changing game systems, changing genres, changing roles, changing groups - as part of our May 2023 RPG Blog Carnival hosting duties. Before venturing into those tiny, switching passages, all different, we talk about Ken's return to backpacking, discuss new streaming series (Lockwood and Co., Picard, and The Last of Us) and venture back to the Game Room.

https://youtu.be/13btIC5zz0k

The Outdoors

Ken's heading back to the Pine Barrens for an introductory backpacking trip (and working on getting back into backpacking shape)

Streaming Theatre

Lockwood and Co.

Teenaged ghost hunters in an alternate world

The Problem started 50 years ago

Technology has stagnated - no cell phones, still using VCRs and cassette tapes

Star Trek: Picard, Season 3

A true send off for the Next Generation crew.

The Last Of Us

Really, really good zombie show (even if you never played the game).

Game Room

David ran a game for his younger nephews

Pinball FX3

Ken got this pinball simulator for Switch

Includes classics (Indiana Jones, Creature from the Black Lagoon) and originals (ALIENS).

Great to revisit these old friends.

The Cruise Ship

Who knew we had one of those?

Erin and David went on the JoCo Cruise!

David turned a passel of pens

New game: Psi*Run

Main Topic: Changing Gears

We're hosting the RPG Blog Carnival for May 2023! The topic is "Changing Gears"

Switching systems

Examples:

Dungeons & Dragons to Scum and Villainy

Scum & Villainy to Cyberpunk RED

What helps?

Read reviews

Read introductory blog posts

Actual play videos/podcasts

Playtesting the rules

Play the game at a convention

Switching genres

Examples:

Fantasy (D&D Greyhawk) to Science Fiction (Star Wars)

Traditional Fantasy to Apocalyptic over-the-top Fantasy

Science Fantasy to Cyberpunk

Preparing Your Players

Brainstorm the fiction inspiration (movies, TV, music, books, comic books)

Make sure you’ve agreed on what the genre means … and discuss if there’s anything problematic that you want to avoid.

Preparing Yourself

Read! Watch movies!

Find random tables / oracles for inspiration

Switching roles

Game master to player

Switching gaming groups

Look for gamers at conventions

Look for gamers at your local game shop

Game nights at Barnes & Noble

Looking for Group on Discord Servers for Your Games

Invite gamers out for a beer/soda/etc. to talk philosophy, gaming interests, etc.

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Black and white picture of mainly the chain and gears of a bike. Credit: 5 Cent Dollar.  Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Thumbnail art is from Adobe Firefly, an AI text to image generator.