#75: Unrealpolitik 2
I. Dear Reader,
This week, we're continuing our series on how to introduce societies with more alternative political systems into your games. I’m assuming here that this is something you already want to do so I'm not going to try and convince you of anything here. Because there's a wide variety of reasons: from novelty to "feeling out" political ideas in a safe space to just because you're bad at portraying evil societies as GM (like me - sometimes I can't be mean to my players even as the bad guys).
But just because you're interested - doesn't mean everyone is. And this is a common concern that can apply to any facet of your worldbuilding especially in trad games. Matt Colville seems to not care if his players engage with the politics of his world. It's there for his pleasure really. But if you want more than that, let me point to my go-to resource here which is an episode of Daydreaming about Dragons that tackles the "how do I make my players care about my worldbuilding" problem.
So what are my tips for inserting utopian politics in your games? Well, strangely enough, don't include any utopias. For me, one of the principles of my worldbuilding is "Utopias are in the mind". This is not about realism for me. I'm just not interested in sipping martinis in heaven. There's a reason we don't get to see Tolkien's far western shore, the Undying Lands, in Lord of the Rings. I understand utopias (you might have a different definition) as a place people strive for but never reach. People conjure utopias in their heads and try to make them happen and fail. But in that failure, there's a better society. Not perfect, but better. Put these people in your game, litter the landscape with imperfect utopias-in-progress, keep heaven out.
But if not utopias, then what? I see two broad categories: alternate societies and radical societies. Alternate societies are different from societies today but not necessarily more utopian. For example, China Mieville has a city in his world of Bas Lag where their parliament is a casino. Fortune and skill decide laws as expert poker players ante up their proposals. Different, right? Unique, definitely! But not necessarily a good idea.
On the other hand, radical societies are ones that are more progressive than ones we see around us. Now these are what I want to focus on and I don’t want to start talking about them now so expect that next week!
Serially,
Thomas
II. Media of the Week
On the Lost Bay podcast, a slick episode about the trend of physical community copies. We listen in on people who are giving away copies of their games to little free libraries, prisons, and other places.
III. Links of the Week
As a continuation of the fallout from Kickstarter’s crypto announcement and their last minute reveal that ZineQuest officially happens in August now, indie designers are launching Zine Month in February. It’s an open event like Sidequest with the aim of bringing together people who are crowdfunding zines and helping them get more eyeballs on their projects.
If you want to know more about some of the issues around Kickstarter, this interview with Jay Dragon on the RPG Academy podcast does a good job of explaining it.
The ZineMonth discord is also doing workshops including one about how to make a presskit for your game.
Possum Creek Games published a year in review. I really enjoyed this review and I’m surprised that more publishers don’t make them. If you come across any, please send them to me!
Shannon Applecline has been doing RPG “year in review” articles for a long time and this year was no different. It’s very D&D / Paizo focused but still good reading.
On EnWorld, an interview with Gallant Knight Games about their new crowdfunding process using pre-orders through their own site.
On the Gauntlet blog, adding mysteries to your wuxia Hearts of Wulin games.
On Dicebreaker, a list of games they’re looking forward to in 2022 and a look at the second edition of the Solo But Not Alone bundle that’s raising money for suicide prevention.
On Gnomestew, a first look at Coyote & Crow, an RPG by a team of indigenous designers set in an America that was never colonized.
Applied Hope: The Solarpunk & Utopias Jam announced their winners and it’s lovely to see how many are designers from South America.
IV. Small Ads
All links in the newsletter are completely based on my own interest. But to help support my work, this section contains sponsored links and advertisements. If you’d like your products to appear here, read the submission form.
HULL BREACH is a 200+ page hardcover anthology for the Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG. Dozens of all new scenarios, bestiaries, GM toolkits and more from 20 independent authors.
Dice Jam is a small TTRPG game jam for newer and first-time creators which aims to promote cooperation and positivity through creativity. Join in on the jam and our discord!
Theology student Riley becomes trapped in The Royal Hotel, tormented by migraines, after “borrowing” a mysterious manuscript; The Catcott Collection is a one-on-one Call of Cthulhu scenario set in Bristol.
The Twilight War, an espionage themed supplement to the 80s alt history horror game, Party First, is coming to Kickstarter February 2022.
You're (Not) A Wizard is preparing to launch: Congratulations! You've been accepted to a prestigious magic school... by mistake. Now you must bluff you're way through to avoid getting caught.
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