Lately I have been having a ton of fun running and playing games. In a strange moment of clarity that is very unlike me I pondered, “WHY am I so happy gaming right now?” This quickly gelled into the article that you are reading now. Here are seven things that make me happy to be a gamer. Try some of these out and see if they work for you!

1. Play Instead Of Run OR Run Instead Of Play

Over the last two years I have started to play in a regular campaign. It is the first time is probably 20 years that I have played at a consistent basis. Typically I am the GM for my group. It has been really fun not only tuning my playing skills but also not have to worry about preparing too much. My gosh players have it easy! 😀

2. Help Someone GM A Game But Don’t Take Responsibility

About a week before one of our sessions our current GM (i.e. the fabulous Derek Heimforth) had an issue come up and could make a planned session. I offered to step in and run a session in his campaign world. After I made the offer I realized that even though I have been gaming for 32 years I could not remember every running a game in someone elses campaign world! I converted an adventure I ran for another campaign that had a vaguely similar theme and ran it for that crew. Last minute Derek was able to make the session and played. At first I was a but wary but after some thought I realized that I really have a lot less pressure running a one shot like this in a different campaign world. There was no sustaining plot pressures of any type. It was a BLAST! 🙂

3. Buy An RPG Product That You Never Plan To Run Just Because It Looks Cool

Playing RPGs is a REALLY cheap hobby. Think about the amount of time you spend playing RPGs vs that cost of the books. It is practically nothing. It costs almost $15 to see a 2 hour movie in the Bay Area…jeez loueez! Instead of going to see a movie this weekend go to your FLGS and pic out something that looks really interesting that you are likely never to run or play. Read the book cover-to-cover and enjoy it. You never know…you might find something for your current game or decide to give it a try.

These days there are some cool products out there that are fun reads. Many of the newer story game products from Indie Press Revolution are great suggestions. Here are some crazy cool products to try. (Note that I will have extended reviews on these in the next few months.):

• Day After Ragnarok / Atomic Overmind Press – Ken Hite is just plain brilliant and when he write alternate history products he hits another level. Imagine the midgard serpent falling across the planet causing tidal waves and mass destruction. The setting is completely crazy and very very cool. It comes in Savage Worlds or Hero 6th Edition flavors.
• Don’t Rest Your Head / Evil Hat Productions – Fred Hicks did this little gem that involves lack of sleep and madness. Everything you need to play is in one book.
• Esoterrorists / Pelgrane Press – Robin Laws has a very unique approach on running investigative games. The culmination of that approach is the Gumshoe system. Esoterrorists is a modern horror setting that was the first published Gumshoe product. Awesome stuff. Everything you need to play is in one book.

4. Buy Some New Dice

We all know that gamers can never have enough dice! Go out to the store, weigh all your options, then buy a new set. Try a different color scheme that you can use to mix up your bag OR try square edge dice instead of rounded ones. You never know…you may change your mind on what works for you.

5. Try A New Game At Your FLGS With Strangers

There are several phenomenal game stores in the Bay Area that really foster a sense of community (see Endgame and Game Kastle). Often they host gaming session with new products to let you try them out. Not only is this a way to meet other gamers in your area but it is also a way to find a product that someone is passionate about running. The combination is winning.

6. Explain Gaming To A Non-Gamer

Next time that non-RPG geeks asks you what you do with your spare time don’t lie…say playing pen-and-paper role playing games! After a second or two of watching their blank stare explain our wonderful hobby. It can be very satisfying explaining something that you love.

7. Think About All The Lasting Friends You Have Met Over The Gaming Table

This last one is probably the easiest to do but is one of the most rewarding. After reading this article close your eyes and think about all the lasting friends you have met through gaming. I know to me the list is long and beautiful.

GAME ON! 😀

I thought I would give my editorial take on the upcoming 2009 and 2010 products currently on the slate for Hero Games. If I don’t have a comment I won’t make one. 🙂 (These are in rough chronological order.)

2009

• Urban Fantasy Hero – Think Shadowrun or Dresden Files. Just released. Looks nice. Not sure how useful it will be to me.
• Book of Dragons – Master villains for FH. Just released. This one might be nice. 😀
• Adventures Of Darkness – Lovecraft meets superheroes. Just released. Not an interest although I love Ken Hite’s stuff.
• Book Of The Machine – Mechanon and company. Full color and hard back! Wow.
• Lucha Libre Hero – Masked wrestlers. This is Darren and Jason’s love child. They are so passionate for this sucker that I will have to pick it up.
• Ultimate Base – This models kingdoms and empires in stats and allows them to interact with players. Might be nice for my FH campaign. 😉
• Hero 6th Edition – Yup a new rev. This is the big GenCon release for Hero Games this year. Split into two full color, hard back books. One is for Characters and the other is for Combat. You will be able to get both for roughly $70 total. This one will certainly be on preorder.
• Pulp Adventures – This is sort of a filler. No interest from me.
• Hero System Basic Edition – Sidekick for 6th ed. No interest but might be for some of my players.
• Champions 6th Edition – Champions updated to 6th ed. Probably no interest as I am not running supers.
• Hero System Martial Artist – 6th edition redo. I’ll have to get this one of course.
• Champions Online RPG – Stand alone product to help bridge Champions Online MMO players into the RPG. Won’t buy.

2010

• Hero System Bestiary – Creatures and monsters for Hero. Probably my most used Hero 5th Edition book so this is a must buy.
• Champions Universe – The Champions Universe updated. Will be hard cover and color. No plan to buy.
• Equipment Guide – I might get this one…not sure I will need it if the Hero System 6th edition book is detailed enough.
• Champions Villains – Hard cover and color. Split into three books for Masterminds, Teams, and Solos. Probably won’t buy these.
• Fantasy Hero 6th Edition – Where have you been all my life!?! A definite buy.
• Champions Powers – Think super power database. Probably will not buy.
• Fantasy Hero Grimoire – Spells for FH. May or may not by depending on the content.
• Champions Beyond – Alien super threats. Pass.
• Golden Age Of Champions – This is another love of Darren’s so it will rock. I’ll get this for sure. (This one does not currently have a date for release.)

This year did not seem that different from other years but on hindsight it was pretty great as far as RPGs go.

One of the highlights of my “RPG Year 2008” was DunDraCon.? It had actually been a while since I attended a con for the entire run.? In fact I can tell you that it was exactly 6 years since having Joshua.? :D? It was a GREAT con.? I went with Brian Fernandez which was also a blast since he is very flexible and willing to try anything.? The con was full of great seminars like the “Big Hero Announcements”, “Whats New In Gaming”, and the gaming with kids event.? I also played in a fantastic Dark Heresy demo, a wild Pulp Hero session, and lots of Memoir 44 and Battlelore sessions.? It was also a chance to see some friends like Darren Watts, Ken Hite, Ray Greer, Jason Walters, and Steve Long.

The second thing that really stood out for me in 2008 was a sesson of my TIAM campaign based on the Call Of Cthulhu adventure Sacraments Of Evil.? It was two session of gaming that I will not soon forget.? The sessions were filled with tension and drama…homerun sessions.? I have to thank my crack squad of regular players for really pulling it off.? Thanks Geoff, Don, Jim, Tim, and Steve.

Finally I had a great time as a player in Derek Heimforth’s Dark Walkers campaign.? Think MIB meets Hellboy and you have the right idea.? It is really a blast playing anything with Derek, Gary, Tim, and our new heroine Maggie.

Here is to a kick butt 2009 gaming year!? 😀