Perspective Checks | Star (Characters Without Stories) - Making Failure Feel Better

Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!

 

2024's Perspective Checks episodes come to a close with Star from the *amazing* Characters Without Stories podcast as we talk about failure in TTRPGs. Star is a wonderful person I've met this past year and have been lucky enough to chat with on a few occasions, and we break down how failure in games like D&D 5e can leave you feeling a little let down, and how other games take different approaches that can make failure feel so much more meaningful and still satisfying. 

 

You've got homework! Go out there and find a new game that feels like it fits the kinds of stories you like telling at the table and TRY IT. Make a character, test out how it feels when you succeed and see how it prompts you when you fail. Think about why it frames it this way versus another mode of resolution. What do you like/not like?

 

Games mentioned in the episode (probably missed a few):

• Brindlewood Bay
• Call of Cthulhu
• Blades in the Dark
• general design principles from the Powered by the Apocalypse engine
• Spire/Heart: The City Beneath

 

Friend of the show Raso & I just released a game called MECH, a Carved by RUNE hack of GilaRPGs' incredible RUNE & REAP games, which I've played on this channel. It's a solo TTRPG with tactical combat where you pilot a MECH against Dormants - apocalyptic threats to humanity. Can you remember the Promise and pledge it or beat back the kaiju to buy the city more time? More will be coming out for MECH in 2025!

 

I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)

 

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email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com

 

Music in the Episode:

Midnight Room by | e s c p | https://www.escp.space 
https://escp-music.bandcamp.com 

Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands