Comments on: Game Plugins: a Working Definition

By: ben robbins

ben robbins — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:41:04 +0000

Thanks for the updated link Dorquemada. I think Levi switched it from a .com to a .org a while back (since that fit his concept for the site better).

By: Dorquemada

Dorquemada — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:48:04 +0000

The link to Amagi was a mis-print. Its http://www.amagi-games.org

By: Bif

Bif — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:32:37 +0000

InSpectre’s central concept could make a good game plugin in some cases. While running Deadlands I started seeing how I could subvert rolls like Investigate, Notice, Streetwise, etc., by having them roll the appropriate skill, then hand them the reigns based on how successfully they rolled. Player: “I ask around town about the guy we’re after, and also to see what’s going on in general.” Me: “Roll Streetwise.”
[Rolls a Success] Me: “No sign of your bounty, but you learn a few interesting things about the local area. What are they?” Player: “Huh?”
***OR***
[Critical Success] Me: “You learn some interesting things about the town and find out your man was here. What did you learn about the town and what is the man reported to have done while here?” Player: “Huh?”

After they get the hang of it, this could be so awesome. I’m going to try it in the game I run next week.

By: ars ludi

ars ludi — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:45:51 +0000

[...] extra credit, take 3 minutes and think how you could use this whole thing as a plugin for any game with lots of relationships with the gods (hint: all you have to do is remove the one [...]

By: Levi Kornelsen

Levi Kornelsen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:57:33 +0000

Gambit isn’t, presently, tightly defined – it’s my quick name for a cluster of stuff, including techniques, plugins, and a few other things.

And, yeah, Amagi is new. Something like two weeks old, now? But a fair bit of the stuff is reconstructed older stuff I’m polishing up.

By: ben robbins

ben robbins — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:39:49 +0000

Also take a look at Levi Kornelsen's stuff over at Amagi Games. I think the site is pretty much brand new but it's already got a ton of stuff on it, including Levi's own game plugins (which he calls gambits). It looks like we're on entirely the same track. I couldn't find a definition page for gambits, but it might be in there somewhere. Levi? Kudos to the mighty Gnome Stew for the heads up.

By: Gnome Rodeo: Link Me Amadeus - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog

Gnome Rodeo: Link Me Amadeus - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:39:58 +0000

[...] ars ludi: Ben creates, defines and implements the concept of a game plugin for RPGs — a modular game element you can use in virtually any RPG. I’m not sure if [...]

By: ben robbins

ben robbins — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:59:57 +0000

“Ding! Yep, plugins are a cool idea. The War of Ideas rules from Principia function as a plugin”

You mean the answer questions thing? I’m still grumpy we never got to really use that in-game because it was a lot of fun when we did the demo.

I just finished a game plugin over at ars ludi, and I double-dog dare you to write up the War of Ideas as a stand-alone plugin.

That’s two dogs Mr Dowler! Two dogs!

By: ars ludi

ars ludi — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:41:38 +0000

[...] a game plugin? Go read the working definition. Basically it’s a rules add-on that can work with any game system, so whip it out when you play [...]

By: TonyD

TonyD — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:55:26 +0000

Ding! Yep, plugins are a cool idea. The War of Ideas rules from Principia function as a plugin, as do company rules from Reign.

Something which is NOT a plugin, but should be, is PTA fan mail. I don’t know how many times we’ve said “this game needs fan mail”, only to completely fail to find a way to make it work.