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Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

startplaying.games

141–145 of 145 posts

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#141
post #29

This is a great idea and just what I wanted! I have a question about which system is better for a story-driven game for beginners. Some context: I like RPG, but I have played exactly 4 times in the last 20 years. Last time I played it was D&D and my experience was it was more of a tactical game focused on combats than characters and story. It was about the squared map, knowing all the rules of your weapons and spells…

The d&d lineage (from old school dungeons and dragons, via advanced dungeons and dragons, through pathfinder and d20 system and on to 5e) can all be played without grid and all that. For a "ready" example see the call of cthulu d20 edition/remake.

But in a pick-up game with strangers, and with the current "mainstream" d&d - you probably have to be lucky to enter a campaignwwhere you develop a character as rich as Elminister or the Lord of Waterdeep.

For systems that encourage story-telling - I'd look to Cypher as mentioned by others - and of course white wolf's Storyteller system. It can be used for almost anything - but Hunter and Mage are probably most beginner friendly for players. Beware that mage can be quite mind bending.

A wiki from our current mage campaign: https://radio-noir.fandom.com/wiki/Radio_Noir_Wiki

Old blog from a previous storyteller/mage inspired original setting:

http://thebookofworlds.blogspot.com/p/world-of-argos.html

Ed: I've also heard good things about:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Falkenstein_(role-pla...

And for a fun ruleset (but slightly dated setting) check out Underground! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_(role-playing_ga...

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#142
post #68

This looks cool, but the pricing is absolutely insane. I saw $10-30 per session. Dming is a lot of work, sure, but that is a steep price. I don’t know many people who would pay $120 a month to play DND.

It's not that much when you consider that the the IRL group we where paying £2 to £4 dues and a couple of drinks and food so I was spending £15+ a night last year. Ands that counting the cost of buying books figures etc for the DM

There's a fascinating change in willingness to pay between between digital and physical products!

I used to DM a weekly game. Every Thursday night our group would get delivery, at $10-12/pp, plus beers, etc. Once we moved to a remote session, I adopted Roll20, and was trying to decide if the $5/m was worth the extra file storage :P

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#144
post #2

Hi all! We're Nate, Devon, and Jared, the founders of StartPlaying.Games. StartPlaying.Games is a platform that helps players find tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and professional Game Masters. I (Devon) have been a professional Game Master for over five years, running games for players all across the country. I even started hiring other professional GMs because I had more groups than I could run! The biggest is…

had a similar idea a while back but to incorporate a suite of tools for the gamemasters to use, maps, npc name generators, voice modulators, things like that.

Awesome that you are seeing some traction so early on, looking forward to your success.

Re: Launch HN: StartPlaying.Games (YC W20) – Tabletop RPGs run by pro game masters

#145

This is cool! Have you guys considered going into modern board games too? Some of the rules can be quite complex (1-2 hours explaining rules, getting through the first couple of rounds), and there's quite high demand for people figuring them out on say, TTS. Think Splotter games, Brass, etc.

We are! Trying to figure out the best way for Virtual Play with them, with things like Virtual Tabletop Simulator and Vorpal Board.

Nice! If you need teachers, I'd be happy to help you demo it. Not sure how well Vorpal Board would work but TTS would definitely be doable.
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