Interview Episode 22 – Stuart Robertson

Summary: * (0:30) Who Stuart is and what he's been up to lately.  His blog, Strange Magic (http://strangemagic.robertsongames.com/), and his micro-RPG, Weird West (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=91122&affiliate_id=163285).  His Deviant Art profile can be found here (http://designmeme.deviantart.com/). * (2:00) Stuart's participation in the one-page dungeon design competition.  The mental exercise of paring content down to just what's really needed.  The virtue of succinctness in the face of bloated games. * (7:36) A case study on micro-RPGs, using Weird West as our example.  Knights of Cydonia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sBOsh-vyI). * (10:18) Craft time on Fear the Boot!  You can follow along by looking at the online folding guide (http://www.pocketmod.com/howto/) or viewing a video of Dan making one (http://youtu.be/0l80LPUTyCQ). * (15:45) Capturing a character in just ten traits, taking up an area smaller than a standard playing card. * (19:38) The choice to exclude a detailed setting and an explanation of what an RPG is.  The increasing exposure people have to the concepts of RPGs.  The use of implied setting to make the game bigger than the text itself. * (29:33) The business aspects of selling a small book for a low price.  The advantages of being your own artist.  The IndieGoGo campaign for Stuart's Weird West minis (http://www.indiegogo.com/Weird-West-Miniatures). * (35:13) What Stuart's playing apart from the games he's written. * (41:41) A micro-RPG in the hands of a brand new player or GM. * (43:31) What the phrase "old school" means to Stuart and why he feels it applies to his game.  The G.I. Joe old school PSA parody (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNwxv6TgsuU) (fair warning: there's some strong language).  Discussion about the usefulness of vernacular labels. Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, John, Wayne Guests: Stuart Robertson