D&D article in School Library Journal

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thoma...@rivlib.net

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Mar 14, 2012, 3:29:33 PM3/14/12
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Just wanted to share this with the community - I recently wrote an article on Dungeons and Dragons for School Library Journal - it kind of goes over the basics for setting up a program, and offers some tips.  I hope it's helpful!

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/893531-427/creative_tabletop_gaming_dungeons_.html.csp

 

 

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D

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Mar 15, 2012, 6:35:45 PM3/15/12
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Like the article!

I can maybe add a bit of info on a resource. There are now a number of
clones or revisions of - what those using Open Gaming material have to
describe as - the Original Game created by Gary Gygax and Dave
Arneson. These tend to work along the lines of accessible, open-ended,
easy learning-curve gameplay and come in all sorts of different
flavours, e.g. Adventurer Conqueror King's extras for focusing on
running empires.

Felt it might be a good idea to make one of these in two versions. One
focusing on appealing to teenagers and above, the other appealing to
pre-teen and above. Both emphasise building challenge-based gameplay
focused on discovery and exploration - without departing from the
original, straightforward mechanics. They also set out to model and
scaffold the skill sets required to GM at 12+ using tried and tested
approaches to active learning.

The teenage version - called Corruption - may not sound good - and
does contain a full set of D&D spells and monsters. However, it's
comic book 'dark' and anyone trying to attack it is, perhaps, going to
trip up over the type of challenges players are encouraged to try and
the artwork - reclaimed Golden Age illustrations. It is for sale in
PDF, but comes with a licence to run-off as many Player's Guides as
you have players. Also, for librarians and teachers free copies are
available for personal and library gameplay by emailing to
ned...@gmail.com. With that I need permission to put the email into
DriveThruRPG.com, who then deliver the downloads and free updates
automatically. I would not feed the email into my accounts aka Thistle
Games - unless anyone gave additional permission for that.

The slimmer version, Renegade, is ready to run and on free playtest
via Thistle Games. A lot of development remains to make it work well
for players of 8+ and it's not intended to produce a brief 'child's
version'/ glittery RPG. However, it has had all demons, devils, highly
destructive spells . . . removed . . . Thieves renamed . . (It would
help right now if anyone interested took a free Corruption to have a
look, as Renegade's running off my own server and it's a bit 'the
engines canny handle it' this week.

So, with mobile phone rollers, there's a zero cost Original Game
option for schools and libraries, (should add that I'm very interested
in feedback/ ideas on any of this). Libraries can get a free version -
handout free player's handbook print outs - run game sessions; so long
as there's no charge for the use of the materials beyond a costs only
charge for printed players handbooks if necessary.

HTH

David

On Mar 14, 7:29 pm, thomas.v...@rivlib.net wrote:
> Just wanted to share this with the community - I recently wrote an article on Dungeons and Dragons for School Library Journal - it kind of goes over the basics for setting up a program, and offers some tips.  I hope it's helpful!http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/89353...

thoma...@rivlib.net

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Mar 15, 2012, 8:02:32 PM3/15/12
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Thank you very much - those are some great resources!

Glad to discuss this, including how Open Gaming material is used and
developments at WotC, with anyone resistant to RPGs/ waiting to be
convinced via d.a.morrison[@]open.ac.uk There are a few more details
on Thistle Games here: http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/ and while I
don't put out academic credentials on the web they're available via
the email address just above.



HTH

David

On Mar 14, 7:29 pm, thomas.v...@rivlib.net wrote:

> Just wanted to share this with the community - I recently wrote an article on Dungeons and Dragons for School Library Journal - it kind of goes over the basics for setting up a program, and offers some tips.  I hope it's helpful!http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/89353...

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D

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Mar 16, 2012, 7:49:21 PM3/16/12
to LibGaming
:) Your post sent me a little ahead of myself, as there are a few
other things still to pull together.

imo free access to legal, family-friendly versions of the most popular
tabletop RPG through libraries is long overdue and, after the best
part of 40 years, it seemed safe to assume the known names weren't in
any rush.

However, my wider interest lies in how we can adapt libraries into
social, learning and, critically, enterprise gateways - ideally, to
prevent finance officers sticking book QR codes in the windows of
closed/ former libraries after sending all the librarians home. (And,
hopefully, before more of that takes hold).

Event-driven services are already developing, but there are
alternatives to libraries for much of that; plus private and public
competition. Libraries need a killer app - and, gamifying and
incubating e-commerce, through design games, e.g. straightforward
RPGs, serious gaming, ARGs, deck builders and collaborative
boardgames, is the best option I can come-up with.

Laini Bostian

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Mar 16, 2012, 8:51:18 PM3/16/12
to Library Gaming
All I can say to that is AMEN!

Laini

> Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:49:21 -0700
> Subject: Re: {LibGaming} Re: D&D article in School Library Journal
> From: ned...@gmail.com
> To: libg...@googlegroups.com
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