What Would You Run For A Public Game Day

jeff37923 · 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?

Philotomy Jurament · April 05, 2022, 05:42:56 PM

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.

jhkim · 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.)

HappyDaze · April 05, 2022, 05:58:21 PM

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.

THE_Leopold · April 05, 2022, 06:02:02 PM

Against the Giants. I did it for 20 people at Gencon, how hard can it be for newfish?

jeff37923 · April 05, 2022, 06:26:31 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?

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).

Steven Mitchell · April 05, 2022, 07:00:26 PM

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.

FingerRod · April 05, 2022, 07:25:51 PM

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.

Shawn Driscoll · 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.

Wisithir · April 05, 2022, 07:32:18 PM

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.

jeff37923 · April 05, 2022, 07:36:57 PM

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.....

Vidgrip · 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 :-)

THE_Leopold · April 05, 2022, 07:56:40 PM

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

Wrath of God · 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

Hakdov · April 05, 2022, 09:59:13 PM

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.