This article makes some great points about creating a setting. Silver Nightingale and I are just putting the finishing touches on our Kal-Arath Compatible setting book. It is called Al-Rathak: Tales of the Crescent Kingdom, and it has an Arabian Nights vibe. It also has sea exploration (think - Sinbad and his 7 Voyages). I think you would like it based on what you have said in this article.
However, the main reason I did not include such topics is because they are pretty much advanced, where the purpose of the article is much more related to coming up with a concept for a setting/world. You could say these points come in the "6) Come up with a plan" chapter, though!
This has been something I've been grappling with in creating my own game, which originally started out as a setting for a 5e campaign but I wanted to divorce it as much as possible from D&D (especially after the OGL fiasco). I remember that it was easier for me to write about my setting back when I wasn't as fixated on the exact system I was using. Obviously there are mechanical blanks that will need filling once I'm ready to get my game in a playtestable state, but my focus recently is slanting towards emphasizing how my setting can stand out amongst others that could be similar to it.
I think, though, if you ARE going to make a system make it a system for YOUR setting. Don't give me another generic Into the Odd or Cairn with a weird mechanic bolted onto it. Give me something only your game can give me and have it married to the setting!
Lovely article. Enjoyed reading about how you go about setting. Also, game setting seems like slightly different than stroy setting. But they have plenty of similarities, too. I keep finding myself fleshing out the world setting and corporations instead of focusing on the details important to the story at hand.
This article makes some great points about creating a setting. Silver Nightingale and I are just putting the finishing touches on our Kal-Arath Compatible setting book. It is called Al-Rathak: Tales of the Crescent Kingdom, and it has an Arabian Nights vibe. It also has sea exploration (think - Sinbad and his 7 Voyages). I think you would like it based on what you have said in this article.
I completely agree with you on this piece. Setting is the most important thing - it draws you into the game and keeps you there.
Thanks! Glad we're on the same page!
I think this article has some great points.
But there would be a couple of things I would do that would add to this.
A bit of relevant history - factions who have been at war lately, etc, etc, ect - lots of stories and campaigns can start from there.
And some of the relevant leaders in the world - again, let’s make it a living and breathing world!
Thank you, I'm glad you appreciated the article!
As for your additions, they're pretty good too!
However, the main reason I did not include such topics is because they are pretty much advanced, where the purpose of the article is much more related to coming up with a concept for a setting/world. You could say these points come in the "6) Come up with a plan" chapter, though!
Thanks for reading !
No problem!
I enjoyed reading this, as I have created a system and a setting, seeing this pop up was great1
This has been something I've been grappling with in creating my own game, which originally started out as a setting for a 5e campaign but I wanted to divorce it as much as possible from D&D (especially after the OGL fiasco). I remember that it was easier for me to write about my setting back when I wasn't as fixated on the exact system I was using. Obviously there are mechanical blanks that will need filling once I'm ready to get my game in a playtestable state, but my focus recently is slanting towards emphasizing how my setting can stand out amongst others that could be similar to it.
Late on this, but I largely agree!
I think, though, if you ARE going to make a system make it a system for YOUR setting. Don't give me another generic Into the Odd or Cairn with a weird mechanic bolted onto it. Give me something only your game can give me and have it married to the setting!
My thoughts on this subject exactly.
Lovely article. Enjoyed reading about how you go about setting. Also, game setting seems like slightly different than stroy setting. But they have plenty of similarities, too. I keep finding myself fleshing out the world setting and corporations instead of focusing on the details important to the story at hand.
Thanks! I also think story and game settings share some similarities!
Really liked this one and this series! I always like hearing people go through their design process and explain their ideas.
Thanks Brendan! Glad you enjoyed it!