Hello everyone,

Long time gamer but I'm just getting started designing game material.  I have a bunch of game design projects in mind, and I want to create some OSR material, but I am just not sure where to start.

I am going to create fantasy and science fiction game material and I am not sure what rules to use or how to get started.

Any help would be appreciated.

- GN

SciFi OSR stuff?

Have you read Stars Without Number and White Star?

I'd start there to get a feel for what the OSR is doing with space stuff.

Unsure if I'd call Mothership OSR, but it's definitely highly successful small press.

Quote from: Spinachcat on April 10, 2022, 02:33:34 AM
SciFi OSR stuff?

Have you read Stars Without Number and White Star?

I'd start there to get a feel for what the OSR is doing with space stuff.

Unsure if I'd call Mothership OSR, but it's definitely highly successful small press.

I haven't.  I will check those out and start from there.   If I want to do fantasy material is there a ruleset that is most popular with the OSR crowd?

Quote from: GhostNinja on April 11, 2022, 12:32:47 PM

Quote from: Spinachcat on April 10, 2022, 02:33:34 AM
SciFi OSR stuff?

Have you read Stars Without Number and White Star?

I'd start there to get a feel for what the OSR is doing with space stuff.

Unsure if I'd call Mothership OSR, but it's definitely highly successful small press.

I haven't.  I will check those out and start from there.   If I want to do fantasy material is there a ruleset that is most popular with the OSR crowd?

Variations on B/X are the most popular. You could write them for Labyrinth Lord or Old School Essentials.

But in general, all old school version of D&D are largely compatible. Unless you're writing a rules supplement, it's better to pick one you like than to worry about which is the most popular. People know you can mix and match, and the specific rules used in a module or a setting book are largely irrelevant.

Quote from: GhostNinja on April 11, 2022, 12:32:47 PM
If I want to do fantasy material is there a ruleset that is most popular with the OSR crowd?

Fuck popular.

What OSR ruleset do YOU prefer?

Do you want to write Generic OSR or OSR-line specific?

There's plenty of people who are happy with generic OSR offerings that they just modify to whatever they are running, but on the flip side, there are plenty of people who want supplements and adventures SPECIFIC to their favorite OSR ruleset. AKA, they want zero modification necessary when they play your stuff.

Whatever you do, make sure to PLAYTEST with actual people before you publish. The OSR - like the rest of everything - is 90% crap so if you plan to be in that Top 10%, your stuff better shine at the table.

Or have a huge art budget and sell recycled crap with pretty pictures. That usually does great on Kickstarter too.

Quote from: Pat on April 11, 2022, 01:02:34 PM

Variations on B/X are the most popular. You could write them for Labyrinth Lord or Old School Essentials.

But in general, all old school versions of D&D are compatible. Unless you're writing a rules supplement, it's better to pick one you like than to worry about which is the most popular. People know you can mix and match, and the specific rules used in a module, or a setting book are irrelevant.

Good point.  I will look into these rulesets and see what really works for what I am trying to do.

Thanks for the advice.

Quote from: Spinachcat on April 11, 2022, 11:33:21 PM

Fuck popular.

What OSR ruleset do YOU prefer?

Do you want to write Generic OSR or OSR-line specific?

There's plenty of people who are happy with generic OSR offerings that they just modify to whatever they are running, but on the flip side, there are plenty of people who want supplements and adventures SPECIFIC to their favorite OSR ruleset. AKA, they want zero modification necessary when they play your stuff.

Whatever you do, make sure to PLAYTEST with actual people before you publish. The OSR - like the rest of everything - is 90% crap so if you plan to be in that Top 10%, your stuff better shine at the table.

Or have a huge art budget and sell recycled crap with pretty pictures. That usually does great on Kickstarter too.

Well I want to make generic OSR material and of course it will be playtested because I want what I put out to be good, partly because I want people to enjoy it and of course partly because I don't want to put out total crap.   I am the kind of person who would rather not put out anything than put out crap so if I am going to do it, I am going to do it right.

Quote from: GhostNinja on April 13, 2022, 12:28:19 PM
I am the kind of person who would rather not put out anything than put out crap so if I am going to do it, I am going to do it right.

I'd be the same to be fair.

You should have a look at 'Beyond the wall' and 'through sunken lands'. Simple but very elegant use of the OSR.

Also, check out 'the Heroe's Journey' 1e