E137. “OSE, 5e and Adventure Design Philosophies" with Zac Goins [Video]

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Today, Zac Goins of World of Game Design joins me. He is a mucky- muck for that company (which means I forgot his job title.) Zac has a long history with writing and Kickstarting RPG products. He now runs organized pay for WoGD at more convention than seems humanly possible. 

We have a four act structure for this podcast, check the Zoom summary in the show notes if you are inclined. 

Deadines are pressing on me. Sisters and brothers, it is time to get rambling.

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Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RPG_Ramblings⁠

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Jeff Jones

Twitter: @I_Am_Jeffrey

⁠Itch.io⁠:  ⁠https://jeffrey-a-jones.itch.io⁠

DriveThru: ⁠https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Jeffrey%20A%20Jones⁠

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Zoom Summary

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Quick recap

Jeff and Zac had a wide-ranging discussion about various topics. They touched upon an AI feature that could summarize their discussions, the influence of the holiday season on workplace motivation, and the differences between Fifth Edition and Old School Essentials in role-playing games. They also discussed the complexities of designing balanced monsters for high-level play in a game, the mechanics of a tactical game, the evolution of a game, project management, and diversifying their sales channels. They also reflected on a recent gaming event, emphasizing the evolving inclusivity and acceptance in the gaming community.

Summary

Jeff and Zac discussed an AI feature that could summarize their discussions. They also touched upon running con adventures, the topic of GA 4, and a comparison between D&D and OSE. The influence of the holiday season on workplace motivation was discussed, with Jeff sharing an anecdote about an unfamiliarity with American holidays. Jeff then shifted the conversation to their projects. A discussion about the differences between Fifth Edition and Old School Essentials (OSE) in role-playing games ensued, with Jeff noting the increased importance of killing monsters when treasure types are removed, and Zac emphasizing the shift of focus towards story milestones. The challenges of converting games from one system to another were also discussed.

OSE and 5E - Radically Different Design sensibilities

Designing Balanced Monsters for High-Level Play

Zac and Jeff had a detailed discussion about the complexity of designing balanced monsters for high-level play in a game. They highlighted the challenge of designing monsters that could neutralize half the party members without making them too powerful. They also discussed the intricacies of running a creature, the various types of damage dealt, and the difficulties in translating these from one game system to another. The conversation also touched on the impact of game design and terminology on the player experience and the difficulty of crafting epic stories during gameplay. They ended the discussion with a debate on the nature of tactical games and the potential compromise to the tactical experience if a character starts as a hero.

Tactical Game Mechanics and D20 System Discussion

Zac and Jeff engaged in a detailed conversation about the mechanics of a tactical game, specifically focusing on the impact of damage and the potential for players to deal damage even when missing their target. They also discussed the potential frustrations players can experience when using the D20 system. Zac expressed skepticism about a proposed solution to these issues, while Jeff was interested in exploring alternatives. They also touched on the potential of Matt Colville's game, despite not being keen on playing it themselves. The discussion concluded on the benefits of different celebrity entertainers in the space shifting from D&D to other systems, as it opens up the audience to experience other ways of addressing game play issues.

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