itch.io

So glad to hear it! I hope you check out some of the others I've made as well as the many other great games that folks in the indie community have made.

“Legends of the Khurst Riders” plunges you into a haunted, weird west that is both captivating and chilling and perfect for this time of year. The game, uses the Tension Engine SRD and its d6 pool system to create a dynamic and immersive experience. In this variation of the system, the Tension mechanic  triggers Haunts and Curses which adds an unpredictable layer to the gameplay, ensuring that every session is filled with unexpected twists. These triggers allow for some great roleplaying moments utilizing character backstories and tie the mechanics into the lore wonderfully.

One of the game’s standout features is its flexibility. Whether you’re unraveling mysteries at the Baroness' request or fighting back against powerful robber barons, Legends of the Khurst Riders' use of the Tension Engine adapts to action and intrigue with ease. The game encourages players to integrate their characters’ backstories into the ongoing narrative, enriching the world-building and deepening the sense of immersion. These characters, deep in debt and fighting their own natures easily create the campfire tale feel that Jerod is shooting for.

In case you hadn't seen it,Hessan's County on Youtube has done a great review video of the SRD!

Ah, yes, character sheets are coming very soon! Thank you for the reminder!

Thanks so much! I think there's a lot that could be done with it and ample room for folks to add their own twists.

If you've been curious about seeing the system in action, we've released a podcast episode where we use the example basic fantasy rules in the SRD to play a one shot!

Give it a listen here.

Awesome! Glad to hear it. And that is an interesting topic that I'd never have thought of!

More concepts.

Ok, it's about a week past halfway, but still... How's it going for folks? 

On my side, I think The Infinite made a lot of progress and is probably about 3/4 done on layout and has had some really killer cover concepts.

Absolutely stellar. So glad to hear you made something cool with it!

Been working on some cover concepts for The Infinite, the Vertigo comics (Sandman, The Invisibles, Books of Magic, etc) inspired game I'm working on for the jam. Tinkering with some stuff inspired by old Vertigo covers. 

Whatcha think?

For the jam I'm halfway kicking around doing some more generic fantasy classes to go with the examples in the SRD. Lol, and keeping the W theme for giggles.

Witch

Warden

Wayfarer

Whisper

Weaver

Has anyone else been thinking about expanding on any generic fantasy stuff to be played with the base SRD rules? More Advantages or a Bestiary or something?

Hey, everyone, the Tension Engine Jam begins today and I am so glad you're all here! I'll be sure to check the comments and posts here on Itch frequently, but also be sure to drop by the Gamenomicon discord server to chat about what you're working on for the jam!

Got ideas? Want to chat about your game or the Tension SRD? Exchange ideas and tweaks to the system? Make sure to drop by the Discord Server!

This week on Will and Jerod make a game, we chat about the initial ideas for tweaks and changes we're  thinking about  to tweak the Tension Engine for this game and setting. It may be another useful jumping off point for folks in this jam. 

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamenomicon/episodes/Episode-25---Will-a...

Yes indeedy! Any created this year are eligible!

This is super fun. I t totally love the concept and the (Im)perfect Timing move.

As long as it's in 2022, go right ahead!

Thanks, Ray! It means a lot to me that you reviewed the SRd and even better, you like it!

Keep your eyes peeled for a second Jam this summer!

That's great! Would you link the game here so I can check it out?

Do make sure to check out the sequel/expansion game, Exploring The Eye by jwalberg. It gives a brand new way to connect multiple playa with interludes from the perspective of the Eye!

A new episode is up talking about the Second Guess System!

https://anchor.fm/gamenomicon/episodes/Episode-14---Second-Guess-System-e14uusm

Fair point. I'm a bit too used to doing that on Second Guess games! That has been corrected now.

For sure. Once you get that nugget of an idea, more things start to flow from there.

Thanks! Glad you dig the concept. It's been nice seeing some of the submissions start to push things a little bit further too.

Hopefully I can finish up the idea that I have for a two player version...

Would anyone else be interested in us swapping ratings/reviews on each other's entries?

I can totally understand feeling a bit intimidated. I still do pretty regularly! But don't worry too much. Everyone in the TTRPG community that I've met or interacted with through Itch has been great and I'm happy to help answer questions or anything I can do!

No, the logo is a nice extra but not required.

Ooo... that's an interesting idea.
There is a jam running right now. Maybe someone will make one!
https://itch.io/jam/second-guess-jam

One catch from a Reddit sub noted that I had goofed when rebalancing the difficulty.

I had intended to lower the needed Proof to 3, but another Redditor suggested gaining +1 Proof as well as +1 Danger when you roll a duplicate, which is probably more flavorful.

If you tackle this game, try it out and let me know which way you'd prefer and I'll get the PDF updated along with updated phrasing on the duplicate rolls if improved wording can be decided on.

If you want a free game to check the system out in action, I've launched Hard Case today. It takes the same basic engine and transports it to a noir mystery setting. It also tweaks the end conditions of the game and separates them while offering some rudimentary character creation and scenario setup. I think it's a great evolution of the system.

Grab Hard Case for free here.

And as always, I'm excited to see what advancements and tweaks you all make!

I had some questions elsewhere about how much of the existing system you must use in order to still qualify. 

I'd like to clarify that I'm not being picky about that at all. If you want to do a game that keeps things bare bones as is and functions just like One White Eye, but tweaked to your own scenario, feel free. If you want to change things up and see what you could do with different dice or by adding some different moves, or seeing if you can twist this into some kind of one page OSR-lite, I'd love to see it.

By no means do you have to, but I would really love to see folks push the boundaries of what could be seen to be inspired by the Second Guess System. Honestly, the two new games that I'm tinkering around with to drop for the jam do so as well. One doubles up into a two page duet game, while the other I'm trying to tinker with adding some PBTA inspired moves. We'll see how they go and I welcome you all to get as creative as you like as well!

Hey all, I thought it would be fun to introduce ourselves a bit and chat some while we work on some projects. I'll go first!

Hi, I'm Will and I live in the Ozarks (Springfield, MO to be precise). I've been an analog gamer of some kind since about 7th grade when I picked up some Magic cards. Most of my gaming has been pretty well devoted to card gaming and in particular, A Game of Thrones, where I run a 450+ episode podcast.

That said, over the last 5 years or so, I've really found roleplaying games to be a more fulfilling venue for my own projects as opposed to trying to create my own card games or the like. Something about the conflux of mood and mechanics and making my own world seems to connect better with me. The ways that they interact and reinforce each other in really good games is fascinating to me. I suppose that might be how I end up with most games being at the very ends of the emotional spectrum from horror to despair to romance. Something about having that very defined goal and lining up mechanics to match it really appeals to me rather than the more generalized nature of something like D&D.

Anyway, that's probably enough about me for the moment. How about yourselves?

The Jam is live! https://itch.io/jam/second-guess-jam

And now the jam: https://itch.io/jam/second-guess-jam

Also, expect a jam coming this summer!

Ok, the SRD is live now!

https://gamenomicon.itch.io/second-guess-system-srd

Actually, it's funny you mention that! I've been working up an SRD/license with the intent of posting it and running a game jam on itch! Should have something ready for that soon.

We're so close to the end! I hope this has been beneficial to folks and I hope that we can all move past it and on to bigger and brighter in 2021!

Welcome! It's so great to see more submissions rolling around.

How have things been going for you all? Do you feel that working on these games has been cathartic?