So, I've been asked to run a game for a Game Day at the end of this month. The event is sponsored by our local community college and will last for 5 hours - so I will have enough time for a single RPG scenario. Now they have also mentioned that this is also designed to promote and support literacy in higher education.
I already know what I will run, but using the same criteria - what game system and what scenario would you run if you were in the same position? Why?
I'd run 1e AD&D. Why? Because I like it, know the rules for my table inside and out, and know I could run a fun game with it. I'd point any players interested in acquiring the game towards the OSRIC rulebook from Black Blade Publishing.
Can you clarify what it's intended to mean to support and promote literacy in higher education?
Is it for the Literature department? I've had a lot of fun in the past in a Shakespearean RPG / story game called "The Play's the Thing". I think that's one of the more literary-connected RPGs to run, along with an 8-player larp based on Hamlet.
Otherwise, I'd probably run in the D&D setting I'm already using - but I might play up a little more the cultural learning aspects of it. (It's an Incan-inspired setting for D&D.)
I don't know about a specific game, but based on what it's supposed to be about, perhaps a game based on a book series might be best. This might include the Expanse RPG (if you favor the books over the TV show), or one of the Middle Earth games (I prefer vs. DM, even though it's not officially a licensed product). I'd specifically avoid RPGs based on non-book sources (so no Star Wars, Star Trek, etc.). Comics-linked superheroes are another option, but the overlap with their cinematic universes is again an issue.
Against the Giants. I did it for 20 people at Gencon, how hard can it be for newfish?
Quote from: jhkim on April 05, 2022, 05:57:24 PM
Can you clarify what it's intended to mean to support and promote literacy in higher education?
Is it for the Literature department? I've had a lot of fun in the past in a Shakespearean RPG / story game called "The Play's the Thing". I think that's one of the more literary-connected RPGs to run, along with an 8-player larp based on Hamlet.
Otherwise, I'd probably run in the D&D setting I'm already using - but I might play up a little more the cultural learning aspects of it. (It's an Incan-inspired setting for D&D.)
Not for the Literature department. Their answer was something as little as a reading list of inspirational material would work. I'm going through Project Gutenberg looking for some stories to mine and put on cheap thumb drives along with a reading list (although I think that is overachieving).
A Toon short for an introduction followed by a Toon long feature for the balance of the time. For the literary hook, I'd probably base it on Ivanhoe. Or if I really want a challenge, Canterbury Tales. Or for easy as all get out, maybe Le Morte d'Arthur. That one practically writes itself. :)
I'd use Tales of the Scarecrow. There is even a creative hook in it where PCs are tasked with writing a short story. Easy to get done in five hours, with creep/gore tailored to the audience. Easy to convert to any system as well.
Quote from: jhkim on April 05, 2022, 05:57:24 PM
Can you clarify what it's intended to mean to support and promote literacy in higher education?
Sounds like everyone is divided into groups and reads the game rules together, or reads at their own pace. Then there is a comprehension quiz at the end to see who retained what they read, and be able to explain the rules to a layman or the un-initiated. Best practice would be to pass out hardbounds of HackMaster. That should entertain the democrats for 5 hours.
Scion 1e. I like the combat and initiative system, dice pools provide lots of dice to roll, it is not D&D, and classic mythology is build into the setting.
Quote from: Shawn Driscoll on April 05, 2022, 07:30:09 PM
Quote from: jhkim on April 05, 2022, 05:57:24 PM
Can you clarify what it's intended to mean to support and promote literacy in higher education?
Sounds like everyone is divided into groups and reads the game rules together, or reads at their own pace. Then there is a comprehension quiz at the end to see who retained what they read, and be able to explain the rules to a layman or the un-initiated. Best practice would be to pass out hardbounds of HackMaster. That should entertain the democrats for 5 hours.
And you wonder why people find your Youtube channel boring.....
Death Frost Doom, using LotFP. Literacy is no protection from mind bending horror and they might as well learn that now. Some books should never be opened and we are all doomed in the end :-)
Quote from: Vidgrip on April 05, 2022, 07:48:13 PM
Death Frost Doom, using LotFP. Literacy is no protection from mind bending horror and they might as well learn that now. Some books should never be opened and we are all doomed in the end :-)
I see you want the cops called on you during gametime
I'd roll d6.
1. Forbidden Lands
2. D&D 4E
3. Call of Cthulhu 5e
4. Fading Suns 2e
5. Monster of the Week 2e
6. Warhammer Fantasy 2e
Quote from: Philotomy Jurament on April 05, 2022, 05:42:56 PM
I'd run 1e AD&D.
This is the right answer for supporting literacy. I guarantee that there are words in there that the English teachers never knew existed.
I'd likely run OSE or White Box. Quick & easy set-up without too many rules to keep track of, but lots of latitude in an adventure.
Quote from: Wrath of God on April 05, 2022, 08:18:58 PM
I'd roll d6.
1. Forbidden Lands
2. D&D 4E
3. Call of Cthulhu 5e
4. Fading Suns 2e
5. Monster of the Week 2e
6. Warhammer Fantasy 2e
You'd roll with D&D 4E, for a one session game? Hmm.....
As I've got my own system built I'd run it with some pregens.
Spawn of Fashan.
Ok, seriously now. Any halfway decent one-shot from a system that's not going to give people too many headaches will work for a Game Day.
If you really want to support literacy, then run a game with minimal visuals and no miniatures. Encourage theatre of the mind and "show" them that something imagined can be as enjoyable as hyper-sweetened eye candy.
OK, they have sent me a flyer for the event and it looks a lot more comic book related than I thought it was.
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/277520300_10166665705870392_3473183467339164964_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=B7lCTnjrogAAX8MHqam&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AT-Hp9hWDkyywxVtLio-HQqPQwLR2fx0TI3pFUmwl7K-pw&oe=62533961)
QuoteYou'd roll with D&D 4E, for a one session game? Hmm.....
If that's what Dice Gods decide.
Quote from: jeff37923 on April 05, 2022, 05:27:36 PM
So, I've been asked to run a game for a Game Day at the end of this month. The event is sponsored by our local community college and will last for 5 hours - so I will have enough time for a single RPG scenario. Now they have also mentioned that this is also designed to promote and support literacy in higher education.
I already know what I will run, but using the same criteria - what game system and what scenario would you run if you were in the same position? Why?
I think I'd go with Cepheus Atom, Cepheus Quantum or Barbaric!, since you could do chargen (no pre-gens) and play in 5 hours. If CA I'd explain it as similar to "Mad Max" or "The Walking Dead", if CQ I'd explain it as "The Expanse", if Barbaric! as "Game of Thrones", as the most immediately identifiable media tie-ins. Not that I'd use those settings, just as references they might know. I'd assiduously avoid anything heavier if I had any hope of getting any of them reading more or gaming a 2nd time: if the idea is to "promote literacy in higher education" I'd want to encourage their desire to keep reading/gaming with a light intro.
Given what most kids read these days (meaning most do not read anything, they touch a screen and watch or listen, including for many classes) any rpg that has a book with rules in it, will be in the spirit. Hand out a 3-4 page summary of rules or the background for the adventure, and IMO you are doing just fine regarding promoting literacy.
Come to think of it, Beyond the Wall and Through Sunken Lands would be good options too: hand out playbooks and roll PCs as a group, have a scenario ready at the end. That'll promote literacy and numeracy.