News and Updates
08.05.2010 - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I've decided to re-release a book I wrote about tips for roleplayers a long, long time ago.
The Book Of Roleplaying Hints, Tips and Ideas was a collection of articles I had written for the hobby, work that had primarily been published on www.roleplayingtips.com and had also appeared in my old ODDS e-zine. I was pretty please with it and it didn't sell too badly when I first published it. It's available for print or download from Lulu now.
18.03.2010 8:00am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Busted.
Well, the bricks and mortar gaming shop didn't work out. It's a massive shame - the plans I had for it were very exciting. Gaming rooms, demonstration days, gatherings, competitions. It's all very upsetting but if it was not meant to be then so be it.
I've been neglecting Farsight Games recently. I've covered the primary genres with my SKETCH system and have done nothing with THOSE DARK PLACES, so I'm wondering where to go from here. I'm leaving the site running as I'm still averaging about 30 hits a day and people are still downloading the free material. That's a good thing.
Recently I've been playing a lot of Dragon Warriors (see the 'Welcome' page for a link to the game) and I'm thinking of creating some material for that. Farsight Games has been giving away free games for more than a year, now, and so I'm thinking about branching out and creating material for sale. If this is of my own creation or based on an existing title remains to be seen. I would like to see something printed and in circulation within the next few months, but we'll see. Not a PDF, not a POD, but a physical product you can hold in your hands. That'd be nice.
20.01.2010 12:15pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Hello!
No, I'm still here. Farsight Games is still about, although in a smaller capacity, and projects are still in the works. A printed product project I had on the go using an established RPG system has been put on possibly indefinite hold so that took up a lot of my time (and wasted it, as it happens).
Right now I'm looking at other projects and one of those projects is a living breathing gaming store. I'm looking at opening a gamers shop in my area (we're sorely lacking one in my region of the UK) and the name 'Farsight Games' is being considered for the shop name.
Busy busy busy.
29.10.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Please welcome to the SKETCH family 'The Horrors', a roleplaying game about the dark places of the world and the creatures who exist there.
As with all SKETCH games The Horrors is simple and light with background material to help get you started. It also includes a story of mine called 'The Hunter in the Night', and also has rules for FEAR checks. Will you go insane or run for your life?
You can downoad it for free now on the 'SKETCH system' page.
12.10.2009 21:40pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
It's been a long time since I last posted an update. The somewhat annoying shadow of Real Life has loomed and my RPG work has taken a backseat. Coupled with the fact that I'm starting on my new book soon, there's very little time for design work.
Suffice to say that Farsight Games is still going, I'm averaging 20 hits a day, and the game continues to be circulated.
I'm working on snother SKETCH game called 'The Horrors', a modern horror game in which curious 'normal' PCs encounter dangerous evils and monsters that lurk in the shadows of the modern urban world. I don't have a definite release date, but I should have something out in about a month or so.
So until then - keep on rollin'!
12.08.2009 12:20pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKSThe playtest PDF document of THOSE DARK PLACES is available for free download now on the new TDP Playtest page. Have a look, give it a try, and if you have any comments or constructive criticism then send me a message using the contact form on the ABOUT US page.
11.08.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
You may notice that I've dropped the 'In Glorious 2D!' page from the tabs at the top - this is because there has been no feedback or comments on the system and the game has not been used or abused by any budding RPG designers. Instead of taking up valuable website space I've decided to get rid of the idea completely.
Here's a challenge for you - design a tabletop roleplaying game that fits onto a single Twitter entry*. The best will get a free PDF copy of my League of Seven game. I'm not kidding - you'll need two or three words for setting and a few for the system. Its a challenge, alright.
For example: Cyberpunk Vampires roll 1d6+4 for STRENGTH, COMBAT+CHARISMA skill levels,roll below skill level on 2D6 for skill checks,1D3 damage on hits
Results will be revealed on August 19th, so you have a week left to write a single sentence. Get twittering!
*140 characters, including spaces. You can post them on Twitter but you must send your entry to farsightgames (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk or use the contact form on the 'About Us' page. If you go over the 140 character limit you will be automatically disqualified.
07.08.2009 12:15pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I've not gone anywhere - in fact, I've been a busy boy.
I've dug out some old rules recently and decided to dust them off. They were originally intended for a science fiction game, so right now I'm integrating them into my old SPIRIT system text. I'll hopefully have a 60+ page sci-fi RPG game out at some point in the future.
Everything is ticking along nicely. Future messages and updates will now be available on my blog site www.farsightblogger.blogspot.com.
19.06.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I've started a blog - yes, another one because the internet just doesn't have enough - where I air my unwanted opinions on RPGs.
Careful - there is some colourful adult language
www.farsightblogger.blogspot.com
12.06.2009 12:45pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
It's amazing what you find on hard drives.
Last year I was harping on about a comedy sci-fi RPG I was working on called 'COSMIC QUEST' but nothing ever came of it. Well, for what it's worth, I've taken my original work and added the SKETcH system, so it's now available for free on the SKETCH system page. Have fun!
09.06.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Out now is the last issue of ODDS e-zine - go to the ODDS page or the front page to download your free bumper 45-page copy.
In This Issue:
The UK Games Expo 2009 – Convention Report
How Play-By-Post Gaming Made Me a Better Game Master – ‘Experiences with online game playing in the play-by-post (PBP) format and how it translated to my abilities as Game Master (GM) in a face-to-face gaming group’ by Cameron Mount
Preparation Is The Key - Getting ready for that all important game
Generating Quick Sci-Fi Locations - How can you quickly inject some of that deep space wondrousness into your own Sci-Fi locations at a moment’s notice?
Back For More - Writing stories that keep the players attending your games
On Location - Improving the gaming atmosphere
Thank You For The Music - How music can improve the atmosphere of a roleplaying session
Wing And Milk – How to run a game without really trying
Mass Combat - Dealing with Large Scale Battles in roleplaying games
Developing a Magic System – A guide to creating magic in RPGs by Nathan Babbitt
Threat Assessment - How to make your bad guys more realistic
Who’s in Charge? - Mark Newbold examines the possible pitfalls and pratfalls of the beautiful game
Why the Long Face? - Mark Newbold investigates the phenomenon known as the inwardly collapsing roleplay session
Planning Ahead for the Cold Dark Winter… - Mark Newbold gazes into his crystal ball and gives a short page of advice as he waits for the mists to clear
Restarting a Role playing Group – Getting back into gaming by Mark Newbold
19.05.2009 12:20pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I had a fantastic hoiday, thank you very much.
The last few weeks have given me a chance to reflect and take stock of things, and has allowed me to take a step back and review what it is that I'm doing with Farsight Games.
I've decided to keep it going so that people can still download free material but I'm no longer going to be supporting it as much as I have been. This also means that the next issue of ODDS will be the last regular issue. After that one I might put an issue out every now and then if the material is there to publish. Still feel free to send me any material you want published and I'll make it part of a larger issue when I have enough.
Next month is the UK Games Expo and I'll be running a SKETCH 'STORMLAND' game on the Friday afternoon (details and booking forms are here) so if you're around then give me a shout. I'll also be hanging around for most of the weekend covering the event for the bumper ODDS issue 9 out next month. It promises to be a fun weekend so hopefully I'll see you there!
22.04.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Holiday! Celebrate!
Well, it's time for my holidays and as far as everything is concerned I'm not here now until June. I'm looking forward to a well-earned break with my family, a trip to the Greek islands and... pretty much nothing else. You can still send emails but don't expect a speedy reply - I'll either be travelling the UK, be up a mountain somewhere in Greece or on the WoW Azuremyst European server (under the name 'Swordsong') running around for the Alliance with my wife.
This means that ODDS takes a break next month and will be back mid-June, hopefully with a round up of the UK Games Expo and the usual articles and fluff to help you with your games.
So until June - Keep on rollin'!
16.04.2009 12:15pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
ODDS - The Tabletop Roleplaying E-Magazine Issue 8 is out now
In This Issue:
THE JOHNN FOUR INTERVIEW – The webmaster of www.roleplayingtips.com answers a few questions.
RETURN OF THE ‘ING - Mark Newbold discusses coming back to tabletop roleplaying after a long hiatus.
FUN IN GAMES - Who gets the most enjoyment out of a roleplaying session?
JONATHAN HICKS’S TOP TEN RPGs – The clue is in the title.
31.03.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Things have been quiet at Farsight Games recently. This is due to the fact that busy days are ahead for me.
I'm hoping to run some SKETCH Games at the UK Games Expo in Birmingham at the beginning of June set in the STORMLAND setting, so if you're around look me up.
As I'm away on holiday in May I've decided to give ODDS ezine a miss for that month. The good news is that the next issue should contain some UK Games Expo goodness, with a review and report on the convention, so with a bit of luck that'll be a bigger issue than normal.
Talking of ODDS ezine, it appears that I'm coming to the bottom of my well of articles and essays. Without fresh material, which I very much doubt I'll be able to supply due to other demands, ODDS will have to end around issue twelve unless it gets more contributions. So I'm asking the gaming community for help - if you have any articles about tabletop RPGs then send them to me. It doesn't matter if they've been printed before or if they've never been printed or if you've rushed to complete them, ODDS is all about giving old and unused articles a home. Without more articles I'll have to close ODDS down and that would be a shame. Scour your hard drives - the future of ODDS depends on it!
20.03.2009 12:10pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Finally it’s finished and available now.
A SKETCH Science Fiction Roleplaying game and Campaign Setting
This 129 page PDF contains everything you need to play in the Campaign Setting of The League Of Seven using the SKETCH system or any other RPG of your choice, including:
The complete SKETCH system for easy rules-light roleplaying, including rules for starships and space travel with a full introduction on roleplaying to help new players into the hobby.
A detailed Gamesmaster’s Section, providing hints and tips on designing and running a science fiction roleplaying game.
A complete guide to creating your own simple worlds and star systems.
A Shadowed History – A Brief History of The League of Seven detailing the structure of the League, the Clans and the Clan Lords, and a simple A-Z to help you get started.
The Reunion, help and hints on exploring the Abandoned Colonies and what to expect.
Ideas on careers for your player characters, and a few sample characters to give you an idea of what kind of people are out there.
A complete location to game in - Lowlight Stellarstation, a gateway to the Abandoned Colonies.
The Operation – A complete adventure on a war-torn colony far from the Clan Homeworlds.
Download The League Of Seven now for only £1.00
19.03.2009 12:15pm – Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Now that there is plenty of material on Farsight Games and a guaranteed few more issues of the ODDS e-zine I’m going to take a step back from the site and let it mature for a while. I have ‘The League Of Seven’ SKETCH game coming soon which I will advertise as both a game and a complete science fiction campaign setting that gamers can use with their own rules, and I’m working on a new generic fantasy RPG system (because there just aren’t enough of those, are there?) that I’m hoping to release as a printed book through Lulu as well as a PDF download.
The UK Games Expo (www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk) comes around in the summer and Farsight Games will be there. I’m hoping to run a simple SKETCH game on the RPG Friday day and I’ll be present for the other two days mingling with fellow gamers. With a bit of luck I’ll bump into people who know about Farsight Games and they’ll buy me a drink. Or six.
12.03.2009 12:15pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
So it's a day early... sue me. Available now for FREE download is Issue 7 of ODDS – The Tabletop Roleplaying E-magazine.
In This Issue:
The ROB LANG Interview - Creator of the free science fiction roleplaying game Icar and the man behind the keyboard at The Free RPG Blog, Rob Lang took some time out to answer a few questions for ODDS.
8 GAME ETIQUETTE TIPS – Simple things to remember so that your games run smoother.
A GAME OF KINGS – Another look at Chess by Richard Williams
BATTLE CHESS – Need a quick tactical resolution to a battle in your RPG session? Do you know how to play Chess?
11.03.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
ODDS Issue 7 is out on Friday 13th so make sure you get your copy.
I've been asked once again about 'Scum Of The Universe', my D6 System project that has been on hold since West End Games announced Open D6 last year. The news is that there is no change - there is still no Open D6. A lot of people got very excited about the prospect of Open D6 and, like myself, held out for news. There has been none forthcoming and so I'm looking at other systems I can use for my game. This is extremely annoying as I truly wanted this to be a D6 project, and changing over to a new system will require more work and lengthen the production time.
Sorry I don't have better news for you. I'm still hoping for Open D6 and I'll create the game in a heartbeat once I get hold of the rules, but I'm not going to rely on those rules appearing any time soon.
On a more positive note, I'm GMing a new D6 Star Wars campaign on Thursdays called 'Rotten To The Core Worlds'. I'm starting tomorrow night so I'll be playtesting some of my Scum Of The Universe adventure ideas in the Star Wars setting. At least the adventures are getting an airing.
There'll be no new SKETCH settings for a while as I'm concentrating on a new fantasy game system that uses percentile dice and a simple level system. I've almost finished 'The League Of Seven', the 120+ page SKETCH campaign setting I'll be releasing through online publishers Lulu as a download for £1.00 GBP. Designed as an introductory roleplaying game it'll contain the SKETCH rules and the complete history, details and an adventure for the League of Seven, my own science fiction setting. It can be downloaded as a SKETCH game or a campaign setting for your own sci-fi RPG - the SKETCH stats can be used to interpret a skill level using the 1-6 scale so that whatever system you use can be adapted for it.
04.03.2009 12:10 pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Today is the one-year anniversary of the passing of the giant of the roleplaying hobby, Gary Gygax. At your next game raise a glass to him and thank him for the fact that he was a big part - if not the biggest - in the creation of the hobby we love.
I'm not going to spout the usual RPG-orientated tributes, such as 'I hope he's rolling dice with God' or 'he's now a high-level angel', but I will say this - Thanks, Gary.
Gary Gygax: July 27th 1938 - March 4th 2008. Roll in peace.
01.03.2009 13:35 pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
‘In Glorious 2D!’ (IG2D) is a science fiction roleplaying game that has been created with the designer in mind. It has been written so that the bare bones of the rules, the rules presented in this document, can be taken away by anyone and adapted, changed, modified and otherwise restructured. Basically, it’s a game that you can help design.
The aim of the project is to get gamers, designers and potential designers involved with the rules design process and create a game ruleset for the kind of science fiction games they play, be it cyberpunk, stellar empires at war, dark sci-fi horror or exploration of the stars. This way, the system can be adapted and modified to suit playing styles and campaigns for the multitude of gaming groups out there. This will hopefully create a set of generic rules that anyone can use for any style of science fiction game.
Go over to the new 'In Glorious 2D!' page by clicking the tab at the top to find out more and download the free documents.
23.02.2009 18:25 pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Farsight Games now has a dedicated forum, hosted by the wonderful people over at www.ukroleplayers.com. Get over there now to discuss Farsight Games products and share ideas, thoughts and world-shattering epiphanies. Whilst you're there, have a browse of www.ukroleplayers.com and see what they have to offer.
The link to the forum is at the top left of every page on this website, or you can click here.
17.02.2009 12.20 pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
There Can Be Only One… unless there's a few of them, then there's more than that. This Unofficial RPG helps you recreate the magic of the 1986 movie Highlander, with special rules on sword duelling and some hints on running a game of immortals. Get over to the SKETCH system page and download your copy now.
15.02.2009 13.25 pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
It's been suggested by a couple of people that I make the rules for the SKETCH system available as a usable document so that people can create their own SKETCH games. So from today, if you go to the 'SKETCH system' page you can download the basic rules in Microsoft Word format. Now you can create and distribute any SKETCH games you want to create, but make sure you read the first page of the document so that you know the guidelines for use I've set out.
I've also given the basic PDF file rules a bit of a revamp. I've not changed the rules, I've just added some images and changed the format slightly.
13.02.2009 16:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Available for free download now is ODDS Issue Six.
In this issue:
The Dave McAlister Interview – The Man over at www.ukroleplayers.com has a chat with us about gaming and the premier UK RPG website.
Mundane Items and their Place in Settings – Nathan Babbitt reminds us that whilst we marvel at the wondrous things in games we must not forget the little things that are just as important.
Road To Ruin – A few helpful hints on how to effectively ruin a gaming session.
Keeping Your Cool – Every GM has to deal with frustrating situations during a game. Here are a few ideas on how to handle it.
Go to the front page or the ODDS E-zine page to download your free copy now.
05.02.2009 12:15pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I'm having a holiday.
From now until around about the 16th of this month I'm going to be on a break, from both Farsight Games and my normal day job, so I don't intend to do any updates for about a week or so. You are still welcome to send me emails but don't be offended if I don't get back to you straight away.
As far as product from Farsight Games is concerned, here's an update:
- ODDS issue 6 is pencilled in to be released about the 15th. In this issue we have the normal mix of articles, with guest writer Nathan Babbitt throwing in his two pence worth. There's also an excellent interview with Dave McAlister of www.ukroleplayers.com, who took a bit of time out to have a chat with me about gaming and the premier UK RPG website.
- Scum of the Universe, using the D6 system, is still waiting in the wings whilst we wait for the Open D6 issues to be resolved.
- The League Of Seven, the largest SKETCH System RPG (weighing in at about 130 pages) will be available for purchase as a PDF within the next few weeks. The game is finished and all it needs is some laying out and some artwork, especially cover art. I still intend for this full game to be made available through online publisher Lulu for £1.00.
- The SKETCH system is being translated into Portugese in the near future. If anyone else wants to translate this simple 6-page game into another language then be my guest. Send me your details using the contact form on the 'About Us' page.
It's going to be a busy few weeks for Farsight Games, so I think I'm going to be glad fo this break! See you in a few days.
03.02.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I did say - to those in the know - a few days ago that I would not be releasing any more free games for a while. Well, I was wrong. Here's a game I designed a long time ago and almost forgot about. It's been sat on my computer waiting for a little editing and images.
The fantasy land of STORMLAND is constantly wracked by foul weather. Under this dark, boiling sky are the Four Great Kingdoms, each one following their own God and each one convinced that their deity should be the one that all Kingdoms follow. Magic, monsters, dragons and adventure lie in wait for those with the heart for it...
Go to the 'SKETCH system' page to download your free copy now.
30.01.2009 12:10pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Another review of the SKETCH system comes in, this time from www.unclebear.com.
26.01.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Explore the post-atomic wastelands of Earth in 1952 in 'The 13th Year', an original game for the SKETCH system. Struggle against the odds to get home, start a new life or simply survive in the 13th year of the Second Great War.
Go to the 'SKETCH system' or 'Welcome' pages to download your free copy now.
24.01.2009 09:45am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
You know the Second World War, the huge conflict that engulfed the world and threatened to destroy it? Well, it didn't end the way you think it did.
The 13th Year - an original free SKETCH game coming soon.
15.01.2009 12:35 pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
ODDS Issue 5 is available for free download now.
In This Issue:
One Track Mind- Roleplaying from a selfish perspective: Mark Newbold discusses the highs and lows of playing the same character over and over and over and over…
The MARK NEWBOLD interview: The webmaster of www.lightsabre.co.uk chats with us about how a website built as a roleplaying campaign resource turned into one of the most successful Star Wars fansites on the internet.
The Quest for the Golden Group- Examining different types of RPG groups: An article looking at a selection of different kinds of gaming groups.
Well, We’ve All Got Our Problems – How to keep games fresh: Are your games feeling a little boring? Sessions lost their spark? Here are a few ideas that might help with those creative juices.
Played To Death – Character death in roleplaying games: When Player Characters die. Not just sleeping, not pining for the fjords - dead.
Click here to download your copy now.
13.01.2009 12:50pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
The SKETCH system has been given a review over at The Free RPG Blog - and very good it is, too.
09.01.2009 12:30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I've decided to start giving away some of my old work that I did on other games and systems - I'm going to be sprucing up the documents and making them available for download from this page.
I'm starting with a basic conversion I did between Task Force Games' 1993 RPG 'Prime Directive' to change it from their system to WEG's D6 system. Click on the image to the right to get hold of the 4-page document.
08.01.2009 12:40pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
The newest SKETCH game is available now on the 'SKETCH system' page - Explore the galaxy and try to figure out why the human race is the only species left alive in ECHOES - We Are Alone. Battle with pirates, corrupt businesses, aggressive governments and exotic creatures. Explore vast nebulae, alien ruins and abandoned space stations. Join ECHOES, and see the universe in all its mysterious, beautiful and ugly glory.
This game gives you the basic SKETCH rules to travel the galaxy and run games of exploration. If you log on to www.nasaimages.org you can get hold of dozens of inspirational pictures of the universe at large, and then you can send your players there to have a look in person.
05.01.2009 12:20pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
And a Happy New Year to you.
A new year means new horizons for Farsight Games and hopefully there’ll be a lot happening this year.
There’ll be more free SKETCH games released for you to use and abuse. As well as interpretations of existing settings there’ll be some original ones, too, with extra rules for you to incorporate into your own games.
There’ll be more ODDS ezine, and I’ve already got two more interviews lined up for the next couple of issues so be on the lookout for those around mid-month.
But best of all there might be games using an existing RPG system – the looming Open D6 from West End Games opens all kinds of possibilities for us. What happens with Open D6 will help decide the future course of Farsight Games and, with some luck and hard work, we might be seeing original D6 product available.
Keep us on your favourites and check back for updates, news and free stuff.
23.12.2008 12:10pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
As I go on my Christmas break I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported me this last few months as Farsight Games got off the ground.
Thanks to those who downloaded the games, and thanks for the feedback, both good and bad, and the positivity. Thanks to the contributors and interviewees in the last four issues of ODDS Ezine, and thanks for those who have agreed to be featured and write for future issues.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. See you in 2009!
15.12.2008 13:20pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
It's short, it's simple and now it's free - go to the SKETCH system page to download your free copy of the basic SKETCH RPG system.
The SKETCH system is a way for you, the gamer, to get involved. If you design a setting for SKETCH (an existing setting or one of your own creation) and you want to share it with the tabletop RPG community then you are free to do so - all we ask is that it's made clear in the document that the SKETCH system is owned and copyrighted by Farsight Games and that you do not make any profit from it. The SKETCH system is free for everyone to use. If you've got any questions you can contact us on the 'About Us' page.
11.12.2008 7.30am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
ODDS Issue 4 out now – win RuneQuest goodies!
In this issue:
THE SCEAPTUNE GAMES RUNEQUEST COMPETITION: Win two fantastic Runequest Books in our Christmas Competition!
AN INTERVIEW WITH TIM BANCROFT: The man in charge at Sceaptune games talks to ODDS about gaming, running a business and Open Gaming Licences.
LET ME DO IT! - Advice for new GMs: Guest writer Louis Turfrey lets us know how his first stint as GM went, and offers some pointers to those who think its an easy job.
CREATING INTERESTING NPCs: Some guidelines on how to create memorable Non-Player Characters for your games.
MACABRE – A Devilishly Simple Roleplaying Game: A FREE SKETCH roleplaying game about the witches and wizards of the Middle Ages.
04.12.2008 7.45am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
The Unofficial Blade Runner RPG that I've made available using my SKETCH system has proved quite popular, or so I'm told, so if you haven't already then head over to the front page and download it for free. It's rough and ready but there's enough information in there to run several successful Blade Runner games.
Of course, the game isn't official, it's just a creative excercise written by a fan who wants to see an official game produced (ie don't sue me!).
Like RuneQuest? Then download Issue 4 of ODDS emagazine on December 12th for a great competition!
23.11.2008 10.20pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
So work continues on the first adventure release fo the SKETCH system and, now that I have a talented artist on board, the actual slog of getting it all down on paper can begin. This means that a few other things will take a back seat, but I'm still going to produce the ODDS ezine on time and I hope to have another free SKETCH game for you in the new year (or perhaps sooner, all being well). If things appear to go quiet here for a while then it's not that I've gone anywhere, it's just that I need to write the games I keep harping on about!
ODDS issue 4 is a competition issue, and we've teamed up with some buddies in the business to give you a chance to win two great books - check out issue 4, due out December 12th.
18.11.2008 9.30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
It's not long until the first SKETCH product is ready for purchase, so to give you a taster of what the game is like and how it works, a cut-down version is available FREE for you to download and play. It's called MACABRE, and will also be part of issue 4 of ODDS emagazine.
Click here to download your copy now!
12.11.2008 12.45pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
ODDS issue 3 is out now. Go to the ODDS E-zine page or the front page to download your free copy.
11.11.2008 12.20pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Easy come, easy go.
COSMIC QUEST goes on the backburner pile along with other ideas and planned games for future use. Why is this? Why do I keep changing my production plan? Well, it's simple - I need a game that I feel will be worth it for you, the roleplayer, to spend your money on, even if it is only a pound or a couple of dollars. My games are constantly going through development and sometimes the premise just isn't shaping into a decent enough game that I think is suitable for the market.
The good news is that the SKETCH system is finally finished and I got the rules down to a basic seven pages, including the intro and character sheet pages. The system is even simpler to use, now, and is perfect for one-night adventures. The even better thing is that the rules can be reproduced in each publication without taking up valuable space so that you don't have to download and refer to a seperate rulebook every time you want to run a game.
02.11.2008 9.45pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Eric Gibson of West End Games very kindly answered some questions and his interview is the primary article of issue 3 of the ODDS e-zine. Issue 3 is also a sci-fi special, with articles covering aspects of sci-fi roleplaying that gamers may find interesting and useful. It's out on November 14th.
24.10.2008 12.15pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
MACABRE, the game I'm giving away free in issue 4 of ODDS ezine, is using a cut-down version of the SKETCH roleplaying system. This will give you a taster of what the SKETCH system is all about.
The first full game release for the SKETCH system is COSMIC QUEST, a humourous space exploration game. The 25+ page game should be available early next year, fully illustrated and ready for use, and will retail for the pricely sum of £1.00.
18.10.2008 7.18pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I have to face facts. You'd have thought that after several years of designing and writing games I'd have figured out that how a game looks in your head does not mean it will look that way on paper. Or even work.
I like the ODDS system, even though it's changed from a single D6 to a D6 and a D10. I've jumped to the percentile system and that in itself creates a whole new world of problems. I'm doing this to release a free game for the e-zine, all the while I'm trying to complete the SKETCH system rules! It can't be done. I can't work on two sets of rules and make them both work.
So, once again, ODDS goes on the backburner. I will most likely just give you MACABRE with issue 4 as originally planned and leave it at that. There's no point in running a company that designs and sells roleplaying games if there are no roleplaying games to sell.
17.10.2008 12.45pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Oops.
The thing about game design is that it all looks much simpler in your head. It's when you have to do all the pesky writing and playtesting stuff that the problems start to appear.
I'll just say this - my new ODDS system has gone from using a simple 1D6 for resolution to a percentile-based system. It was the only way I could see salvaging all the work I had already done after discovering a major flaw. The game will still be available for public playtesting with issue 4 of ODDS Emagazine but it's going to be radically different from my original design.
Bummer.
11.10.2008 3.05pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
It's a couple of days earlier than planned, but issue 2 of ODDS is up and available for download. I've got a busy weekend coming up and I figured I'd be better off releasing it now rather than risk it being late!
Go to the Welcome page and click on the ODDS picture to get the second issue of ODDS.
08.10.2008 12.50pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I've decided to make some changes to Issue 4 of ODDS magazine. You will still be getting a free game, but instead of MACABRE as previously stated, I've decided to send out first version copies of the ODDS (One Die Determines Success) System for playtesting with the issue.
What I hope to achieve is a gamer-built system and setting where players can play the game and send feedback about the system and mechanics so that they can be ironed out and improved. I'm also creating an open fantasy roleplaying setting, with no defined world map or borders, so that players can be as creative as they please, or even use the system to play in their chosen setting. In future issues of ODDS Emagazine I hope to expand on the setting and improve the rules with player feedback.
Sometime in the future, with all the material, there may be a full game released.
03.10.2008 12.30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I'm very excited to announce that in issue 2 of ODDS E-magazine we have an interview with RPG industry name Bill Coffin, of Palladium, Systems Failure and Septimus fame. Bill very kindly answered some questions (in amazing detail, I might add!). ODDS issue 2 will be available for download on October 13th.
26.09.2008 12.45pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Good news - FARSIGHT GAMES' very first roleplaying game, MACABRE, is finished and will be released for FREE with Issue 4 of ODDS E-magazine. MACABRE is a game where the images of devils, witches and demons of Medieval Europe were not just made for fancy... With a simple system utilising a single six-sided dice, links to informative and useful websites for source material and including actual Medieval dice games for you to learn, MACABRE will be the first game of what will hopefully be many games from FARSIGHT GAMES.
23.09.2008 12.30pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
Issue 2 of ODDS Magazine is well under way and we're looking at mid-October for publication, around about the 13th. There'll be the usual articles and ideas, but I'm hoping for more from you, the reader. Get a copy of issue 1 now (the link is on the Welcome page) and see how you can contribute.
16.09.2008 12.50pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
The first issue of ODDS magazine is up and ready for FREE download at the FARSIGHT GAMES Lulu storefront, which can be found here. The download is completely free and you don't even have to register with Lulu to do it.
ODDS magazine is a mostly monthly short e-zine that will publish old RPG articles by myself and anyone else who wishes to donate their old work. There are very cheap advertising spaces available, so download the first issue for details on how to contribute and advertise.
13.09.2008 9.00am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
I've got lots of old material to utilise, and so I'm starting a very simple roleplaying E-zine called ODDS, a mostly-monthly dozen pages or so of hints and ideas which will act as an aid to players of any system and a support magazine for FARSIGHT GAMES. The first issue will be out in a couple of weeks.
09.09.2008 12.40pm - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
So work continues on STORMLAND, the first free release from FARSIGHT GAMES.
Let me give you a brief overview - I have finished the brief history of STORMLAND, the ministrations of the Four Gods, the rise of the mad half-God Vedekial, why the Four Great Kingdoms dislike each other, why the land is always wracked by storms and why the Tombkeepers came to be.
I'm basing the Four Great Kingdoms on historical ages - the Northmen are like Vikings, the Southmen are Romans, the Wynlings are Celts and the Plainsmen are Mongols. Although I'm drawing from history, I'm not reflecting it. I'm taking the basis of the cultures and changing them to suit my game accordingly. I'm hoping for a Dark Age feel to it, with very stylised versions of their historical counterparts.
After I have finished STORMLAND, I will concentrate on THE NEW CHURCH OF THE DEAD GODS, a post-apocalyptic future war setting. This will also be a free release, but right now I need to concentrate on one thing at a time. Right now, all my attention is on STORMLAND.
08.09.2008 7.30am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
At the moment I'm considering releasing two free versions of the initial game rules - one fantasy (The STORMLAND setting) and the other science fiction (the NEW CHURCH OF THE DEAD GODS setting). This will, of course, mean more work and that will delay the release of the game. Still, at least that's more time to playtest.
05.09.2008 7.45am - Posted by JONATHAN HICKS
After the decision to put the ODDS system on hiatus, work is now proceeding on STORMLAND, a fantasy setting for the SKETCH system to be given away free as an introduction to the SKETCH mechanics. STORMLAND aims to be a 30-page game detailing the world of STORMLAND, it's five human nations - the NORTHMEN, the WYNLINGS, the SOUTHMEN, the PLAINSMEN and the TOMBKEEPERS - their history, lands, gods and the dangers they face on a daily basis.
This full game will contain the basic rules of the SKETCH system and also come with a free adventure and several adventure hooks.
any of you have any preferences between the four then send me a message on the ABOUT US page.
Click on the text to the left and scroll up and down if the news appears to be cut off top or bottom.
Click the image below to download a simple system conversion, from the original Prime Directive game to the D6 system.
