Spencer Goldade / Monkey's Lunch

Notetaking for game books

If you play solo game books, you know it can be hard to track your progress in a sensible way outside of your character sheet. If you need to rewind or tell your story, here's my notetaking format to help.

I explore some of Bug & Claw's main systems and how they interact in: Main systems - Devlog 31
bugandclaw.com/artic...
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We can fall in love with mechanics and systems, but everything needs to have a reason to exist in a game, or it can feel bloated. On the flip side, you may spend a long time working on something that ultimately adds little value.

Where do you need to cut?
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You know, I really miss the Kinect and Wii motes.
Really wish the industry would keep making weird, multimodal interaction devices.

So far, the rules of Bug & Claw are based on these core premises. Perhaps more to come.

Fundamental ideas - Bug & Claw Devlog 20
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When planning fiction, a setting, or generally world-building, I think it's important to get down what your "Fundamental ideas" are.

What are the things that are always true?
What are the things that effect everything else?
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Hi @yuriwizard.bsky.social
I drew your cat catra, hope its ok. :)

🦅🐺 Ladyhawke as inspiration for collaborative solo play

Do you struggle to find time to play together?
Maybe you don't have to.
Maybe you can play solo but also co-op?

Have you ever watched Ladyhawke? 🦅🐺
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Excuse me, I want all of this, plz
www.lostincult.co.uk...

Mothership quick reference
monkeyslunch.com/mot...
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A cheatshet for the wardens of Mothership that leads with what triggers things (the why) rather than branded terms like "skill checks."
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I speak about different modes of communication for #ttrpg Bug & Claw in:
Communicating - Devlog #30
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Diversity and representation can be really important in games and other media. One way I've explored this is with communication. Different languages are often available in TTRPGs but rarely other modes of communicating.
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Huh, what's that sound, better check the camera... what the
Google: DO YOU WANT GEMINI?!

Cyburger: a Chad who is obsessed with body augmentation

This is a concept I am building into Bug & Claw. Read more in:
Roll under, with clarity - Bug & Claw Devlog 24
bugandclaw.com/artic...
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If a character would automatically pass a test regardless of their roll because their attribute score is so high, there is no need to roll. If a situation is not challenging then there should be no test to begin with– Do not overuse attribute tests.
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You should want to keep playing a game because it's fun or rewarding, but not because it's addictive or trying to get something from you (like your money, data, etc).

I talk about this more in "Favourite mechanics: Taking a break"

My regular Thursday #ttrpg group tried to play #TMNT and Other Strangeness a few different times now and finally gave up. Even with the Kickstarter "Redux," it's just too much of a usability mess. I'm sure there's a good game in there somewhere, but it's buried.

OhHhHHHHHH, I had not heard of this. Very Delicious In Dungeon. Beautiful art.

Heck yessss. Such good examples!!

<abbr class=EN-element>The Push-Up Challenge</abbr><abbr class=FR-element>Le Défi push-up</abbr> <abbr class=EN-element>I am taking on The Push-Up Challenge to raise funds for mental health. Funds raised will help CMHA support mental illness recovery and foster positive mental health outcomes in Canada. You can donate here: https://www.thepushupchallenge.ca/fundraisers/spencergoldade</abbr> <abbr class=FR-element>Je relève le Défi push-up pour collecter des fonds pour la santé mentale. Les fonds recueillis aideront l’ACSM à appuyer le rétablissement des personnes ayant un trouble de santé mentale et à améliorer les résultats en matière de santé mentale au Canada. Tu peux faire un don ici : https://www.thepushupchallenge.ca/fundraisers/spencergoldade</abbr>

Join me for the push-up challenge, starting tomorrow!

I explore some of this more in: Game phases: Examining point crawls - Bug & Claw Devlog 28
bugandclaw.com/artic...
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An aspect of TTRPGs that I find incredibly interesting is when a game successfully separates various phases, like town, camp, dungeon diving, overworld, and so on.

Which games have you seen that do this really well?
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The #enshittification of gaming.
When companies want to make money, not games.

Coming soon: The Thunder Perfect Mind An Occult Action Thriller Tabletop RPG

Get this occult action thriller ttRPG for 1-7 people. Perfect if you enjoy playing powerful undead revenants embroiled in breakneck action, interpersonal drama, and occult investigation. Soundtrack by @mollynoise.bsky.social and human-made art by @stregawolf.art. Jump in now for early bird deals!

Wishing n praying ain't got nothing on doing n making

Bug & Claw devlog 26 shows one of the many iterations the B&C character sheets have been through.
bugandclaw.com/artic...
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