Monday, September 20, 2021

Flavor Fiction

 I have always liked "flavor fiction" in RPG rulebooks.  It helps me get a feel for the setting I guess, and of course I like to read.  Now I understand the publishing business a little, and know word count can't get to high, otherwise you end up with a couple of hundred pages or more, and end up with a price that may be a deal breaker for buyers.

My current focus is Gamma World 1E, and there's not what I consider flavor fiction in the rulebook,  Now there is an "example of play" section, but it's not quite the same.  I'm really wondering if the writers were told to keep the rulebook under a certain word count or page length?

When I create an character or NPC I like to write a little something about them, a back story, or a minor adventure.  It helps me develop the character.  Sometimes even just a list of places they have been, likes, and dislikes, their goals, etc.  Things that might nor normally be on a character sheet. Of course I know a lot of times gamemasters make up stuff on the fly, but this requires a little extra record keeping.

Well I'm just rambling out some thoughts.  Have a good week, and stay safe and healthy.

8 comments:

  1. I think one reason my Flying Swordsmen RPG got a lot of positive reviews were the many snippet of flavor fiction I put in it. I don't have any evidence to back that up, just a gut feeling.

    With Chanbara, I gave myself an artificial limit of 64 pages. Because of that, I had to leave out flavor fiction (and setting details). I get some praise for Chanbara, and it's made me a small amount of money, but it doesn't get the glowing reviews that Flying Swordsmen did.

    In my next project, there will 100% be flavor fiction.

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  2. Thank you so much. I love flavor fiction. When I can I'll buy your books.

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    1. Heck. If you have links to your books. Let me know. I will promote them.

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