Home › Discussions › Player Lounge › Thought I would try OP out for campaign management - Player Lounge Discussions on Obsidian Portal Community Forums
Thought I would try OP out for campaign management
Well, for years i've been posting a set of web pages reflecting characters and campaign logs. Its a big risk to put it all on someone elses platform. I heard about OP through PnPG (http://www.penandpapergames.com/forums/member.php/6703-templeorder) player cross pollination and thought i would give this a try. In some ways its easier, but the lack of certain controls also makes it harder. I do like the ability to hook player involvement into it, through wiki like functionality. It definitely more dynamic than a set of flat web pages. Its easier for me to maintain as well, from a pure content perspective. I'm liking it a lot. I'm definitely contemplating the paid services once i get things rolling and my players register and get involved. Got one already... I hope i can get the rest... if you have advice on how to get players to collaborate using the site, please send it to me!
About me: I've created and developed my own game system for years at http://www.incarna.net. Currently going through major revisions for a version 3.0. We have a few groups using it, and i'm starting to make all the materials i built available for free, removing "subscription" locks on them (its slow to make them presentable though). I'm an IT professional (shocking!) running a web development team building collaborative based solutions. I've played every game system under the sun up until DnD 3 came out. Right before that, i built my own first derivative system and quit playing most others (a little DnD, WOD, WHRG and dabbling in others here in there), focusing on my own since then. It broke the D20 mold long ago and i never looked back. I took all my friends with me (3 game groups) and also have 3 play test groups. Two of the play test groups still use it. Small audience, lots of fun.
About me: I've created and developed my own game system for years at http://www.incarna.net. Currently going through major revisions for a version 3.0. We have a few groups using it, and i'm starting to make all the materials i built available for free, removing "subscription" locks on them (its slow to make them presentable though). I'm an IT professional (shocking!) running a web development team building collaborative based solutions. I've played every game system under the sun up until DnD 3 came out. Right before that, i built my own first derivative system and quit playing most others (a little DnD, WOD, WHRG and dabbling in others here in there), focusing on my own since then. It broke the D20 mold long ago and i never looked back. I took all my friends with me (3 game groups) and also have 3 play test groups. Two of the play test groups still use it. Small audience, lots of fun.
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Comments
As for your question regarding how to motivate your players to become involved in the site, there is a good discussion of this topic in "this thread":http://forums.obsidianportal.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=1231&page=1#Item_37. However, let me just briefly throw in my own two sense. I borrowed the idea of a point based awards system from another member (Onsilius) of this community. Essentially the idea is that by participating in activities such as: uploading their character to the Portal and writing a background for that character, keeping a character journal, and/or contributing artwork or other campaign related content, the players are awarded, what I like to call, "prestige points":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/tales-of-darkmoon-vale/wikis/prestige-points. Prestige points can be used in one of two ways. They can be used during the course of a game session to gain short-term advantages in combat or skills-tests. "Using" such points in this way is not permanent, the points refresh the next session. The players may also "Burn" points in-game to do truly heroic feats, or to gain more long-term advantages. Burning points in this way is permanent. I have found that using this prestige points awards system has really helped motivate my players to get more involved.
Well, I hope that helps, and I wish you the best in building your Incarna site.
Cheers,
-Arsheesh
I think with your web development background you can completely make your campaign wiki amazing. I am an idiot with HTML and Textile both, but with the help from this awesome community I think I've "made a decent Wiki":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/intothebreach myself.
I might also suggest contacting the Obsidian Portal team with details on your system, they showcase free systems on Fridays.
Welcome to Obsidian Portal! I hope you find it as rewarding as I have!
I just recently started up a new campaign in 4th Edition, and last night I pitched the idea of bringing back Extra Credit. But since in 4E you're supposed to keep everyone the same level (which I agree with, that was actually a pain in 3E), I proposed tying Extra Credit to magic item "wish lists." Every time my players earn five Extra Credit Points, a magic item they want and is level-appropriate will get found during an adventure. They all seemed to really dig the idea, and I know a couple are working on getting character backgrounds to me now, though it's too early to say if this'll turn into something sustainable yet.
Get them interested the same way you would a dog. Lots and lots of treats. If that doesn't work...threaten them and their characters.
Cheers,
-Arsheesh
I'm very happy with the adoption rate of my players. I hope to demo more things today (like maps) when i have my first game session in a couple weeks today - maybe seeing it will convince the rest!
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
-Arsheesh