We’ll tackle the issue of cultural sensitivity & diversity head-on, but with specific regard to Arabs & Muslims in tabletop gaming, from the point of view of an Arab-American panelist.
Educate yourself on the ins & outs of social disorders & how roleplaying games are being used today to teach social skills, empathy, & appropriate public behavior to those who struggle!
As technology becomes cheaper & more accessible there is increased interest in incorporating it into the tabletop experience, but that's not all the tech industry has to offer tabletop designers.
Are you a freelance artist, author, editor, or game developer looking for work? Educate yourself on the dos & don'ts, of breaking into the game industry!
When the detectives write their own way through the story, it gets tricky. How do you design a "stick-proof" mystery game? Discover the secret tricks to working mystery into your games of all types.
Technology isn't going anywhere, so why not use it to your advantage? Learn about all the cool sites, programs, & more to make your game mastering life easier.
A good game can survive cheap components, bad art, or a lame theme. But with a bad rulebook, people might be playing something different! Learn key tips for writing clear, concise rules.
Whether it's a zine, a newsletter, or a monthly Patreon release, getting into the habit of releasing regular, periodic content builds your reputation & keeps your audience coming back for more.
So, you've got the next great game, & you want to use crowdfunding to bring it to life. Great! But what do you need to do first? Find your crowd, & the money will follow.
We’ll discuss the important third part of the Theme vs Mechanics debate in game design: Feeling. Talk around common pitfalls & actionable examples & advice for all devs. Q&A to follow.
Discussion about sheet sizing, mold costs, MOQs, target market pricing based on manufacturing costs & other factors publishers look out for when considering a game for publication.
Don't You Dare Give Up, How To Set Reasonable Goals
Summary:
It can be so tempting to give up, to discard your dream. Learn how to set small, incremental goals you can meet, work through adversity & see your project through to success!
Are all games stories? From innovative "legacy" board games to RPG tie-in novels, we'll explore how narrative informs & expands gaming & game design, & where games & narrative part ways.
Is your table feeling a little dry & dull? Learn easy techniques to bring characters into three-dimensions. We'll discuss creating personas, elevating your dialogue, & unlocking your inner RPGer.
For much of history, participatory narrative has been expressed primarily through political & religious ritual. Are games filling this role in modern society? What are they saying to & about us?
Sometimes, games are complicated & rules are awkwardly formal. The panel will discuss ways for teaching games, running demos, & tried & true methods. They may even share some stories too.
Villains, scoundrels, & temptresses, oh my! Come hear about why ladies of ill repute in RPGs play a special role, why games need more of them, & how to write them well.
You want your games to be open to everyone, but how do you ensure that the space is safe for them once they're there? This panel introduces the concept of safe play.
How do you create characters for your game who are different from you & your personal life experience? Where do you go to learn about other groups respectfully?
Small businesses are easy to start, hard to maintain, but you're not alone. Tips, tricks, & a little commiseration from people who've been there, done that, & are still around.
Industry Insiders discuss the reality of being a freelancer & will offer tips on creating a portfolio, time management, getting paid, & more. Steps for success!
Discussion of the transmedia trend & how it applies to tabletop gaming, with a focus on how tabletop & other forms of media are starting to inform & even help define each other.
Who do we want to play games? How do you create characters, artwork, & worlds that appeal to a broad audience? What can you do to help people feel welcome & encourage new people to play more?
Superhero RPGs are old staples of the hobby, but lean on very different storytelling tropes than traditional fantasy or sci-fi games. Where do they differ & how can you avoid common table problems?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a female game publisher? It has its own unique trials along with a plethora of rewards. Learn the ins & outs of publishing!
Adapting material pulled from prose, television, film, or other media, expressly for the tabletop. What goes into it, what the priorities are, & discussion of the challenges.
Discuss the nuts & bolts of adventure writing by word count, breaking down an outline into component parts of roleplaying encounters, combats, & backstory. Participate in crafting a group outline!