Bold New Frontiers

So I've been listening to a fun podcast that John introduced me to called Actual People, Actual Play. It's a fun, short little podcast where a group of RPG gamers discuss the games they are playing and their impressions of the systems. Specifically they try to focus on how the "mechanics of the game affect the fiction". It has been fun to hear other people's opinions on some systems I've played or have looked at playing; and the group is full of intelligent people so its interesting to hear them discuss their ideas and opinions.

One of the other benefits of the podcast is that they do episodes of one shot games here and there in their lineup; usually between the bigger games or when someone can't make it and they have to delay the big game. This has introduced me to quite a few interesting sounding games; and looking up those games has led to some other ones as well. It's also introduced me to some new RPG concepts; like GM-less games, which is something I'm very much looking forward to trying out in the not too distant future.

And that brings us to the point of the post; here is a list of some of the RPGs that I'm really itching to try out; either playing or running, with the ones I'm most interested in being up near the top:

Grey Ranks: this is one of those GM-less games. In fact its been called the "gold standard of GM-less games." The players play members of the Grey Ranks, Polish teenagers who were recruited into the Polish Resistance during World War II. The game is supposedly very engaging and emotionally involving. The system intrigues me, the subject matter is one I'm interested in, and the GM-less thing sounds like a lot of fun. This is at the top of my list to play as soon as I can afford the $12 for the PDF.

Ars Magica: Ars Magica is an cool RPG based in a fantasy version of medieval Europe; they call it "Mythic Europe." The world seems very neat, I love the fact that the fluff gives great power to the Divine and the Christian God. The magic system is also very interesting; it's a very well known and respected system. It allows for a free form style of magic where you basically can create whatever type of spells and effects you want or need in order to accomplish your goals. It is this free form system that makes it fit well with a campaign concept I have floating around in my brain. Looking forward to writing that up and trying it out sometime.

Montsegur 1244: "A story game about burning for your belief" This is the tagline for Montsegur 1244. Another GM-less game you play one of the hundreds of Cathars who were trapped in the castle Montsegur when it was besieged by the Albigensian Crusade. The game tells the stories of these people and the courses their lives took in these trying and extraordinary times. It seems a very dramatic and human game.

Zombie Cinema: I don't know all the details about this game but in the Actual People, Actual Play podcast about this game they basically played The Three Musketeers + Zombies. The podcast made it sound like a ton of fun and it seems like the game is some what modular. By that I mean you can play in different settings and time periods, and then just add zombies! This is an awesome idea!! I look forward to picking this up and trying it out. It may also be a GM-less game, I can't remember.

Under the Bed: "The stuffed animals, toy trucks, and action figures of your childhood did more for you than you remember. They were your guardians, advocates, and friends, putting their lives on the line for you. Do you have what it takes to be a toy?" This straight up sounds awesome!! That's almost all the information available on the web page about the game, but I am totally sold.

My Life With Master: Don't know anything about the game besides the basics of the theme and setting. Sounds super fun. Hopefully it will be.

Burning Empires: This is one of the three games that uses the Burning Wheel system that I've been recently using in my Mouse Guard campaign. I very much love the system and I've enjoyed the campaign quite a bit. The game system is very systematic and structured; which my brain enjoys. Its crazy sci-fi with intelligent brain worms and powered armor and lasers and spaceships and all that jazz, which my brain also enjoys. I want to play it at sometime, and I'll probably be able to through Magpie Night. I may also run it for some friends at some point.

Dresden Files RPG: Dresden files = straight up insanely awesome books. A game where you can play a holy sword wielding Champion of God = straight up insanely awesome RPG. This game is a no brainer sell for me, I can't wait to play.

The Shab-Al-Hiri Roach: "Are you willing to swallow a soul-eating telepathic insect bent on destroying human civilzation?.....Even if it will get you tenure?" That is the weird and hilarious question that this game asks. Its a GM-less game about the insane politics of academia, mixed in with supernatural evil-ness. A great combination in my opinion.

Rogue Trader: Playing a space merchant prince at and beyond the edges of known space in the dark future of the 41st Millenium. Or playing one of the amazing specialist veterans that make up his or her crew. Exploring the edges of space, fighting orks and eldar, plundering space booty, sounds like a great time to me! I got the book cheap because of a water damage sale, and I haven't looked at it yet; but the D6 Generation guys talk about it a lot and really like it.

Shadowrun: THE cyberpunk game. Magic, cyborgs, spirits, robots, supernatural beings, and super corporations. I love the setting of this game. Love love love it. I don't know anything about the system; but I'll take whatever in order to play in this world.

Houses of the Blooded: a high concept fantasy game that is very heavy on politics and intrigue and nobility and that sort of stuff. Reading stuff like the Wheel of Time series lately has put me in the mood for this type of thing. Plus I met the designer at a con I went to recently and he was a very interesting and cool guy. He is the one that told me about Ars Magica.

Serial Homicide Unit: Yet another GM-less game, you delve into the lives of the victims of a serial killer and of the group of cops that is trying to catch him. Seems interesting; mainly because I like puzzle/whodunit situations.

Oh and if you are one of the people who plays RPGs with me, let me know what your interested in in order to help hone my choices when I go to buy some of these.