What Theme/Setting should Outplay 2023 use?

[AnotherDragoon]

What I really would like to play in and/or read would be an Urban Fantasy or Primitive/Dinosaur theme. However, Other would be a wasted vote and these could be done in some of the categories listed up there so, I'll be back later with an official vote.

Another thing that would be fun, regardless of flavouring, would be a teams based game. Where we would form teams of 4 or so and apply that way. That's what RPGs are all about, teamwork and collaborative storytelling right? When we think of our most fun and memorable gaming experiences most often it will be when the entire team comes together to pull off the impossible or do something bonkers, not a single individual that stands out. Nobody likes a Mary Sue or Gary Stu. But, that's just my opinion etc.

[Bhelogan]

Originally Posted by Lemming23

And non-Scifi / Steampunk is winning over either of those too, by an even larger margin. :P

And themes with the letter 'S' in them are winning vs. non-'S' themes.

Originally Posted by AnotherDragoon

What I really would like to play in and/or read would be an Urban Fantasy or Primitive/Dinosaur theme. However, Other would be a wasted vote and these could be done in some of the categories listed up there so, I'll be back later with an official vote.

Another thing that would be fun, regardless of flavouring, would be a teams based game. Where we would form teams of 4 or so and apply that way. That's what RPGs are all about, teamwork and collaborative storytelling right? When we think of our most fun and memorable gaming experiences most often it will be when the entire team comes together to pull off the impossible or do something bonkers, not a single individual that stands out. Nobody likes a Mary Sue or Gary Stu. But, that's just my opinion etc.

I really like the team idea, and we have considered it before. We haven't done that for a number of reasons in the past, but I won't rule it out for the future. Probably not this year though.

[Lemming23]

Originally Posted by Bhelogan

And themes with the letter 'S' in them are winning vs. non-'S' themes.

So in other words, the whole thing's a farce then.

[Gaijin]

I prefer to think of it as, "We win no matter what, and I'm just excited that people are volunteering their time to host a fun, free event where people can express their creativity."

Edit: and hopefully the next time I participate will be less disruptive.

[squirmonkey]

Is there someplace good to start in terms of reading a previous year's Outplay? I read the "What is Outplay" thread, but I still don't really understand what it is.

[HotsuSama]

Basically it's a writing/roleplaying competition. You submit with a character concept, the successful entrants get sorted into teams, and adventure ensues with various challenges the teams need to overcome. Every week has eliminations until a winner is decided. You (broadly speaking) get judged on writing, creativity, roleplaying your character, and how you use the system's mechanics. It can be fun, but also challenging - you have to post daily for a week to keep up with a single round.

[Squeak]

Originally Posted by squirmonkey

Is there someplace good to start in terms of reading a previous year's Outplay? I read the "What is Outplay" thread, but I still don't really understand what it is.

Hotsu has it right as far as the concept goes. It's a good way for a newcomer to better understand the site as well as what it takes to be a good Play by Post RP'er. Everyone comes to this with their "A" game, so you'll see the best of the best here.

HERE is a link to the archive of the early parts of last year's tournaments.

HERE is a link to 2022 entire tournament, including the directions.

I'd suggest starting with round zero and then moving to round 1. You may want to just read through Bushi's parts for each round to see the progression. Bushi was the winner in 2022.

[Bhelogan]

Poll is now closed! Space/Sci-Fi got the most votes, which is exciting as it is a theme/setting we have not used in Outplay in the past yet. Perhaps it is fitting that The Outplay System is a hack of Lasers and Feelings, which happens to be a Star Trek spoof-type game.

From what I have been brainstorming so far, this will probably have more of a 'Lost in Space' type feel than 'Star Trek'. But, at this point, I am happy to take any input via PM, or if any volunteers would like to be on the system update, or story writing side of things, feel free to let me know!

Play will start with Round 0 sometime in early June—details to be posted later.

[Gaijin]

 

"Adventure, Will Robinson. Adventure!"

*Laughs in Warforged*