[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/tg/ - Traditional Games


What is the consensus on solo role playing?
>>
>>74365681
autist
>>
It's kind of sad.
>>
>>74365681
It's good.
>>
File: 1512176243801.png (163 KB, 396x306)
163 KB
163 KB PNG
An excellent way to test out adventures before running them for your group.
>>
>>74365681
No different than playing single player vidya.
>>
>>74365681
It's like masturbation, but pathetic.
>>
>>74365681
Within certain rulesets I think it's pretty good. Ironsworn is a really good engine for it, me and some of my friends have a shared solo campaign going on which is pretty fucking cool. We sometimes will meet up in-game and have duo sessions, where we either work together or work opposed to one another.
>>
>>74365986

(T) hat sounds interesting, how do you work the whole solo vs together thing? I just ordered the book so I'm eager to get started, any tips/pointers about Ironsworn?
>>
>>74365681
Sounds like a cross between schizophrenia and masturbation.
>>
>>74365681
Something I might consider doing if video games did not exist.
>>
>>74366290
The main thing I recommend is recording everything that happens. We use a public Roll20 to record rolls and use a GoogleDoc to record what all the rolls mean and use them as narrative tools. Just as a heads up the PDF is free on the site: https://www.ironswornrpg.com/downloads
>>
I played traveller by myself for 1 and 1/2 years, was pretty fun. after that I got busy with work and other stuff. I want to start up another campaign but Im having a hard time choosing between fantasy and sci fi
>>
>>74365681
Not my thing, but I've grown very fond of one on one play.
>>
>>74365736
work on your art
>>
>>74367105
kill yourself
>>
I really enjoy solo play, I've been using Basic Fantasy since it's really simple and I randomly generate dungeons with the solo adventure tables that Gary Gygax made.
>>
>>74365681
What is the point? If you are going to play solo, you may as well play a CRPG.
>>
>>74365681
Looking at it from storyshitting perspective I can see opportunities wherein there is a greater temptation but conversely solo play may also serve to inhibit it (surprisingly).
>>
>>74365736
I would say this. I mean, how the hell else do you learn a new RPG as a GM? I sure as hell wouldn't pick up a rulebook and start playing without having tested how the mechanics feel and how combat works. Otherwise you'll be spending your first few sessions blundering around like you are trying to put together furniture with instructions in Punjab.

When there's nobody else to teach you, I can't think of how else you would learn.

There are actually a few solo RPGs out there that exist, but the ones I've seen are more like hexcrawls with a number of random encounters to deal with.

But playing on your own at least for me it's tough not to give in to the temptation to cheat when I get a shitty die roll. The combination of that and knowing what's coming as a GM and player are going to be your biggest issues.
>>
>>74367922
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the gaming industry hasn't made a CRPG for the game they want to play.

God knows I'm still fruitlessly waiting on the spiritual successor to Crescent Hawks Inception.
>>
>>74365681
I love it. It lets me play tabletop rpgs in between my regular group games, and it lets me play the kind of genres and systems my group won't. I honestly don't see why /tg/ has such a problem with it; you'd think these fuckers out of everyone else would want a tabletop game they can play by themselves.
>>
>>74367922
Whats the point of playing RPGs at all? Just play coop videogames or grab a beer and have an orgy hurrrrr
There's no essential difference between solo and non-solo roleplaying, people engage in both for the same reason which is to participale in interactive storytelling.
>>
>>74367922
>you may as well play a CRPG
Except they are completely different things. No CRPG can give me the experience of a solo-ttrpg, which is any experience I want. I can play a solo game wherein I continue on the story of Dragon Age 1 with the Warden I played in the game. Or I can play a game set in Midgard post-FF7. Or I can play in Novigrad during the events of the Witcher 3. There's no CRPG that can give me that experience, and that's only picking the videogame settings I can explore if I'm too lazy to create a unique setting for myself.
>>
>>74365681
List of Solo Rpgs/TTG I know of

Rangers of Shadow Deep
Frostgrave: Perilous Dark
Perilous Tales
Elder Scrolls: Call to Arms
Fallout RPG: Wasteland Warfare
>>
File: 1594790368184.jpg (204 KB, 830x850)
204 KB
204 KB JPG
The social element and having a GM who can surprise you and modify the story according to your actions is the whole point of playing a TTRPG instead of vidya.
>>
>>74368391
>GM who can surprise you and modify the story according to your actions
You can do this yourself, especially with a good GM emulator.
>>
>>74365681
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ab8BOu4LE
>>
File: 1562700738555.jpg (22 KB, 326x229)
22 KB
22 KB JPG
>>74365703
>>74365709
>>74365750
>>74365913
>>74366371
>>74366431
>>74367922
Where do you people even get these opinions? It seems like the only people who have this dogshit opinion have never read a solo rpg book and also have never played a video game either. Fucking Planescape: Torment and VTMB are infinitely more linear than anything that can be done with Mythic and The Adventure Crafter
>>74368391
The Social Element™ of RPGs are the only thing you can't find in a solo game and even then at least 50% of The Social Element™ is just people sidelining the game to crack jokes
>>
File: 1507576340605.jpg (103 KB, 693x800)
103 KB
103 KB JPG
>>74365681
I had a friend in HS who would run solos to get short stories out of for a creative writing class. Dude should have became a Fantasy writer, instead became a degenerate gambler.
>>
>>74365681
At that point I just play a gamebook. I ran a "solo game" for myself for a little while. It was mostly just doing existing adventure's combat and watching the PCs drop. Ends up being too much prep work most of the time for me to make a bunch of PCs.
>>
I love it.
>>
>>74365681
Lots of fun bro
>>
>>74370275
Retards gonna retard. I enjoy solo once I figured out how to do it without spending time looking up tables or rolling things (I automated it all) - the non-linearity and ability to accommodate wherever the game may go make it way better than video games.
>>
File: 1586616723685.png (3 KB, 217x167)
3 KB
3 KB PNG
>>74370715
>(I automated it all)
Excuse me? What exactly does "all" mean in terms of automation and how did you do it
>>
>>74370621
>>74370621
Best way to play solo is to go full creative. Use something like Miso or Zathrum and keep the gameplay about the story rather than the stats.
The mistake a lot of people make is to look at solo like it's the same as regular play. It's not and it's very rare the people who can translate normal play into solo and get a good experience out of it.
Think of it like guided daydreaming or guided creative writing.
>>
File: solothing.png (41 KB, 1121x418)
41 KB
41 KB PNG
>>74370758
>automated it all
>pic related
I took everything I liked or found I needed and stuck the tables in .csv files, then programmed the stuff to roll them for me and put them in a log.
I was inspired by other stuff people did that's out there. There is a Mythic GME app that is out there, I think it's on their subreddit (a user made it) and there are other online tools. I made my own because I kept finding nice random tables/oracles/seeds from various systems and places that I wanted to use. Playing is a lot faster when you just click or input a roll you need.
This is a nice one, make sure you click the menu button to see all the different rolls it has.
http://playeveryrole.com/SEapp.html
>>
>>74370621
Some solo engines are like gamebooks. From Thousand Year Old Vampire with a very structured playstyle (great game btw) to Bivius/Miso/Zathrum who let you come up with 2 (or more) paths with different chances of happening.
I prefer this to the Yes/No engines. I find myself more creative and inspired when I'm able to make my own paths.
>>
>>74367970
It's you again. Stop it.
>>
>>74365703
Yes, you're totally not an autist
>>
>>74370773
>>74370831
Might give them a try. I was mainly playing to get a feel for 5e. I have lots of board games that are good solo so was thinking about it a bit like playing one of those.
>>
File: noone will ever know.jpg (37 KB, 960x720)
37 KB
37 KB JPG
>>74370275
>Okay so you are brought to the amazon court, the amazons are very angry and very sweaty
>*gets up from DM chair, sits on player chair* Oh no! How many of them
>*switches chairs* There are 4 tall blonde amazons with glistening muscles
>*switches chairs* OK I ROLL TO SEDUCE
>1
>...
>I ROLL TO SEDUCE
>4
>...
>what was the DC again...
>uhm...
>*looks around*
>*pokes the d20 a few times*
>20!!!
>TWENTY!! NATTY TWENTY!!!
>WOOO!!
>*UNZIP*
is this how it looks
>>
File: 170400.jpg (106 KB, 900x1140)
106 KB
106 KB JPG
>>74370831
>Some solo engines are like gamebooks.

Pretty much. Or they're exercises in creative writing like Quill, for example.
>>
File: logh_womyn love.jpg (77 KB, 641x604)
77 KB
77 KB JPG
>>74368466
>GM emulator
Tell me more. It's not just randomly rolling dice anymore?
>>
>>74371390
You'd know anon. If that's not enough to keep you on the straight and narrow then you're no better than the beasts.
>>
File: Spoiler Image (65 KB, 720x840)
65 KB
65 KB JPG
>>74371390
Yes anon, that's exactly what it's like. It's all totally just one degenerate adventure down the road of fudging dice and turning everything into magical realm, as if those things are my only true motivation in life and the presence of 2-5 fat, sweaty, stuttering neckbeards was the only thing keeping me from my fate.
>>
>write a book
Except unironically. Roll dice to see how well/shit the characters you make do, write a story around their adventure. Publish it under some anonymous name pretending to be some teen writer, stick it on Kindle or something and (hopefully) earn a few bucks off sales
>>
>>74371865
Yeah, but

>writing

We have two threads to get people off their asses with their writing and that's with classic novel format.
>>
Why do you need consensus for anything not involving another person?
>>
>>74371912
Because there are a lot of insecure people on this website.
>>
>>74371912
Consensus creates conversation, both in its forming and in the acceptance or rebellion of it afterwards. Gauging consensus is also obviously helpful to decide on whether you should waste time on something or not. /tg/ has shit taste so /tg/ consensus isn't worth much but still consensus isn't the worst thing to listen to.
>>
>>74371897
That's still my answer to ops question. If you're role playing by yourself, that's basically just making your own story, so at that point you may as well make a book out of it, or some other way of sharing it
>>
>>74371912
Would you waste time on a shit product if you can avoid it?
>>
>>74371912
I have found this thread really helpful for solo RP systems. Reading through Thousand Year Old Vampire.
>>
>>74372170
Not necessarily because there are still rules or at least framework even to these "play solo" games.
>>
>>74372170
Isn't playing with a group of 4 dorks just writing a story? Record of Lodoss War was a d&d campaign before it was an anime and the japs love their tabletop replays on top of that. Solo is no more or less writing a story than the usual game since you're still bound by the same constraints you would be if you were playing with a couple dweebs. Honestly tables that aren't treating good campaigns as material for books/comics/art/etc are kind of missing out on an opportunity.
It's so disappointing that the most that we get out of people's tabletop campaigns are lame replays lost in generals or on forums. I'd kill to see people start turning campaigns, especially campaigns of shit that isn't standardized 5e, into quality comics or well-edited short stories.
>>
I was hesitant to even read this thread because the hot takes are always the same: "write a book, play a videogame." These people really miss the point of solo play. Solo play works exactly like group play except the element of surprise comes from an orcale/gm tool and roll tables. As opposed to exploring group dynamics and the social aspect of things, you explore your own imagination. Both experiences are valuable, but I prefer solo over groups.
>>
>>74365681
It's a very comfy experience.
>>
File: Hate.jpg (69 KB, 438x503)
69 KB
69 KB JPG
>>74372395
From poking around the archive it seems that early threads about solo play were usually met with recommendations rather than the disdain most threads get nowadays. Yet another symptom of /tg/'s growing malignant tumor
>>
>>74370799
Whoa buddy, any tutorials for someone who wants to make that themselves?
>>
>>74365681
all forms of solitaire gaming are based, and the people in here shitting on it are the types people at the LGS hate seeing walk in the door.

>>74372541
also true
>>
>>74372244
>It's so disappointing that the most that we get out of people's tabletop campaigns are lame replays lost in generals or on forums. I'd kill to see people start turning campaigns, especially campaigns of shit that isn't standardized 5e, into quality comics or well-edited short stories.

it's been known to happen.
>>
>>74370799
Would you consider a write up on how to make something like this?
>>
>>74371426
>Quill
This seems really neat. And there are even supplements for different settings.
>>
>>74372619
>>74372991
>tutorial
It's pretty basic programming wise. I used C# because it's easy to do everything in it and the forms are built in. The most complicated thing was installing a library through Visual Studio that can read in CSV files into a datatable format. Once the data is read in you can just randomly select something or roll a random number to simulate a die if you have a 2d6 type table or oracle.
The tables I made from the pdfs or online sources are usually copied and pasted then formatted for CSV using Notepad++ for multi-line replacing/formatting.
You can do this with any programming language you're comfortable in, I just used C#. If you want to do it I'd suggest starting with a tutorial series on youtube, you would go over everything you need very fast.
>forms
>buttons
>text box
>dropdown menu
>output text to text box
>input text from text box
>generate random number
>save text to file
>load text from file
>load data from CSV
That covers every function you're doing.
>>
I looked at both Solo RPG troves and I'm overwhelmed by all of the games there and don't know what to pick.
>>
>>74365681
How does one do this? Always wanted to do even combat for other DnD editions or other rulesets that people won't play with me.
>>
>>74371912
Because it's a good thread opener and now we've got a discussion going.
>>
>>74372244
>I'd kill to see people start turning campaigns, especially campaigns of shit that isn't standardized 5e, into quality comics or well-edited short stories.
I've got so many group gaming sessions recorded, that I'd love to turn into replays and proper novels, but fuck me if I'm gonna transcribe all that shit. It takes almost 10 times the audio-recording's playtime to do a transcription, and we've got hours and hours of it.
>>
>>74375425
Step 1) Get a game and make a character
Step 2) Find/Make an adventure.
Step 3) Run the campaign as normal but using the rules outlined in a GM emulator of your choice (Mythic is very common but not mandatory) to replace the function of your GM
Step 4) Have Fun
>>74375807
There are probably some really neat programs that'll transcribe that shit for you if the audio quality doesn't sound like your mic is lodged in a dog's kidney.
But also you could just take the audio as-is and chop out the dead air and unnecessary bits, and with some video editing like what the japs do to their replays you could make something neat as-is.
>>
>>74365681
The idea of them seems rather sad. You couldn't find any friends to play with you? Not even strangers online? On the other hand, playing solo is the only way I'll ever get to be a player instead of a DM. What are some good solo rpgs?
>>
>>74376237
>There are probably some really neat programs that'll transcribe that shit for you if the audio quality doesn't sound like your mic is lodged in a dog's kidney.
Yeah there are, but the ones that will do any type of decent job costs a pretty penny.
>>
>>74376623
>The idea of them seems rather sad. You couldn't find any friends to play with you? Not even strangers online?
You know you can do both group games and solo games, right? They're not mutually exclusive. Just like how playing a single player vidya doesn't mean you couldn't find people to play a multiplayer game with you.
>>
Will things like AI Dungeon eventually make GM profession obsolete? Like, at some point we'll have robot GMs with voice recognition, fantasy tropes database from every novel ever written, capable of voice acting as every actor who ever lived, who will generate entire planetary systems with detailed geography and personal history for every pebble. How can h*man bois even compete?
>>
>>74371455
Check out the Mythic GM Emulator; the game of your choice effectively runs itself, you're just along for the ride.
>>
>>74377007
I can't wait for that day, unironically. To be able to play in any setting, genre, system, playstyle at the drop of a hat with a GM that is always at the top of his game is my kind of heaven.
>>
>>74377007
DMAI is going to get ruined by coomers, lol so randumbs and the PC.
>>
>>74375371
>>74376623
>good solo rpgs
The best solo rpgs are using a GM emulator / oracle that is simple along with a system you want to play real bad or know real well.
Ironsworn is a solid (free) game made specifically for solo that cuts down on the number of rolls you need to make and has mechanics built to drive the narrative.
Once you get the hang of an oracle, like Mythic GME or a simple oracle, you can run any system solo easily - especially if you are a DM.
>>
>>74377037
Interesting. So it basically provides random answers to ensure unpredictable flow to your story?
>>
>>74378629
Exactly. It keeps the unpredictability of a GM in there, while not being lolrandumb.
>>
>>74377904
Thanks anon. I'll give then a try
>>
>>74365681
its an indication of a dying hobby, dying mental health, or a dying social life. Solo RPGs are on the same tier as worldbuilding and masturbating, its unlikely anyone else will see it and therefore it's only goal is to be a coping mechanism for a cruel world and try to squeeze out some kind of dopamine from your tired, unhealthy brain in order for you not to succumb to reality and shove a gun barrel into your mouth.
>>
>>74379526
Wow, now that's a lot of projection. You know what else the world will never see? All of my playthroughts in Rimworld, or Crusader Kings 2 or Stellaris, or any other open ended videogame. Do you think that is only an unhealthy obsession to stop you from killing yourself?
>>
>>74365681
good, its called writing a book
>>
Solo RP is probably the only way to run characters and settings you want to run. I mean Rapist McPedo Cannibal-type characters aside, lets be honest all group campaigns have to adhere to a certain generic feeling to fit the common denominator of expectations. That said its also very cumbersome to fill both GM and player shoes, so I usually opt for board games and wargames when it comes to solo evenings
>>
>>74380860
Yes.
>>
>>74365681
it's like writing a book but based on random material: it's challenging and fun
it's fun for creative people, incomprehensible for smoothbrained masses
>>
>>74381138
What next? "It's immoral not to have children. You should be policing your community for things and people you find unfamiliar. Make sure you invest and save!"
The future's dead, boomer. The dopamine you get today is probably some of the last that will ever be produced.
>>
>>74365681
I do it as a sort of beta test for encounters or abilities. I run a lot of HERO and there isn’t a CR system and points aren’t always a great metric, best to just run it and see. I have a stable of five test characters (flying brick, speedster, energy projector, powered armor, martial artist/gadgeteer) and pit them against the encounter like action figures, then modify from there. This doesn’t account for PC chaos, but what can?
For example, I had an encounter planned for a highway chase following a gun show heist. The antagonists were cyber-dudes who were carrying basically Mecha-Hulk in an armored car, the stuff in a tractor trailer, and some motorcycles. The PCs have headed them off and are going for a head to head clash. They made several decisions I would not have. They start off with a rocket to the semi, setting it alight. The one full of firearms and ammunition. Then the mystic put up a force field on the road, and not all those cycles could stop in time. The brick went straight for the armored car, kicking it off the road and awakening Mecha-Hulk. Mecha-Hulk is a tough opponent, but together they are stronger than him. Apparently brick fights are brick problems, because he was left to go it alone. He got clobbered, and MHulk went to go bully the rocket man. In a stroke of pure genius, the brick picked up the whole damn trailer and threw it at Mecha-Hulk. I decided that was a great time for it to explode, knocking out all the goons but leaving the big guy in a burning pile, still standing like the Terminator. They got the teamwork idea after that, they took him down, but it was a slog of a fight. Brick finally got him in a grab and got the knockout, then passed out himself, that kind of fight. It didn’t go according to “simulations”, it went better.
>>
>>74365681
Just play AIDungeon
>>
>>74370799
You need to find a copy of Oriental Adventures on the trove and use the Events tables, starting on pg. 107. I tweaked it for my purposes, but it's a great springboard for background events.

A question: I use python, how much harder is C#, and does your program output as a GUI or anything?

See, I have all of these charts, events, etc. as Python classes that I import into a main, but I run it in IDLE, and I really want to do some graphical-type stuff, maybe make an exe. of it and give it out to other solo people.

Thanks:)
>>
>>74371455
shilling here, but here's my review of Mythic
https://farooqsgaming.blogspot.com/2019/08/mythic-game-master-emulator-review.html

also a primer on how to play D&D solo, from a 5e perspective
https://farooqsgaming.blogspot.com/2020/07/how-to-play-d-5e-solitaire.html
>>
>>74382283
>You need to find a copy of Oriental Adventures on the trove and use the Events tables, starting on pg. 107. I tweaked it for my purposes, but it's a great springboard for background events.

What is this "Trove" you speak of?
>>
>>74382439
Neat, thanks I'll check that out.
>>
>>74365913
>>74365709
>>74365703
>>74366371
t. Plays video games
>>
>>74382283
C# is a very different language than Python but since you have programming experience already the learning curve will be lessened for you.

C# has out-of-the-box GUI creation tools (provided you use Visual Studio) and it’s designed to make GUI programming easy. Not good, but easy.

Converting your Python classes to C#, or even using them as data for a C# program, is simpler than you think
>>
>>74365681
I always think up stories to myself as I go to sleep. There's a whole cast of characters I put in various situations. Right now it's "what if two thousand people were transported to an alien world and forced to survive while invisible cameras watched everything they did and broadcast it back to Earth?" Naturally I'm one of the characters. It's just a fun thing to fantasize about while I'm falling asleep. It puts me right to bed. Pretty sure it's healthy.
>>
>>74365681
I don't get it.
But I also have friends, so I never had a desire to run an RPG solo beyond testing encounters or new systems.
>>
>>74372541
what archive did you use?
>>
>>74382961
https://thetrove.net/
>>
>>74383106
I don't know if it's healthy or not, but I do that too. I kinda wanna write down these stories I think up, and try to make something out of them
>>
>>74384246
then write them down an save them for late
>>
>>74376623
Playing with people is honestly disappointing sometimes or at the very least, as anon above said, caters to the lowest common denominator.
>>
>>74365681
It genuinely means that it is time to Have Sex.
>>
>>74377007
In my opinion, it already has.
>>
>>74384043
Oh wow, I didn't know this was a thing, thank you!
>>
>>74385119
how new to tt-rpg are you?
i understand if your new to it.
i know dnd since middle school, but thought it was a book series like goosebumps until 2015.
>>
>>74377007
>>74385058
>>74381835
A DM can never be replaced by AI because an AI can't (yet) generate things it isn't taught to do. So any possibility, tome, or idea that isn't covered by training material would be entirely impossible for it to make. Until AI can make leaps of logic and do unprecedented things it can't replace humans. And current AIDungeon while neat has issues with losing the plot more often than not
>>74376966
>but the ones that will do any type of decent job costs a pretty penny
Do the high seas not have what your lookin for?
>>74383844
Desuarchive and 4plebs are what I use. They have almost every thread from when they started till now (theyre only missing a handful of threads from shortly after they started) and 4plebs has thumbnails saved from ye olden days
>>
>>74385207
>since middle school
>thought it was a book series like goosebumps until 2015
There are people on this board who have been playing tabletop since you were in diapers. Trove knowledge isn't a mark of being new because newer newfags than you know about it and some tech-illiterate oldfags don't know about it rither. It's just a website, don't get excited
>>
>>74385283
well sorry for getting a little excited to be able to help someone today.
kung fu flu has kill my vestigial social life.
>>
>>74385460
What I meant us just to have a little perspective. Being excited to help is fine but have some perspective in mind
>>
>>74385226
>Do the high seas not have what your lookin for?
I am absolute shite at sailing the high seas. If I'm not spoonfed booty then I'm just useless.
>>
>>74381009
I know it's a popular meme response, but bookwriting is more similar to the experience of being a GM without players, while solo RPGs aim to provide an experience of being a player without a GM.
>>
>>74370275
Problem with Oracles, Mythic, etc is at the end of the day they're still just providing you with a gloried YES or NO. You can pretend to add granularity with tables, but that's the extend of their involvement. Might as well just toss a coin every time you need to decide something.
>>
>>74386177
Well with the mythic thing its kind of the same thing a GM gives you really. I play a game, ask my gm if something happens, they say Yea/Nay, and then possibly go on to extrapolate the truth of the matter. I play a solo game, ask the oracle if something happens, it says Yea/Nay, and then either it causes a condition to happen where the state of the scene is extrapolated upon or I keep asking the oracle about the scene until I've extrapolated it myself to the point the GM would for that question. There are some extra steps involved but its the same general process.
There are also oracles that don't just spit out Yea/Nay. There are story cubes, solitaire oracles, story cards, and probably a bunch of other things that will answer question and generate scenes much more fluidly than a series of binary questions if that's the only thing bothering you.
>>74385838
Is the problem that you don't know where to go or that you don't know how to find what you need?
>>
>>74386177
Author of mythic has released a new product called "The Adventure Crafter" that addresses that issue and plenty of oracles offer a "yes, but.." type mechanic that calls for developments within a certain set of criteria.
>>
>>74386648
>Is the problem that you don't know where to go or that you don't know how to find what you need?
Yes.
>>
>>74386923
https://raddle.me/wiki/Piracy
That wiki should point you somewhere that you should be able to direct yourself afterwards. As far as searching goes just try variations on the product name if it doesn't immediately show up and also check many many sites.
>>
File: unknown1.png (3.2 MB, 1275x1650)
3.2 MB
3.2 MB PNG
>>
File: Logo_Thumbnail.png (109 KB, 476x249)
109 KB
109 KB PNG
>>74365681
Has anyone tried using Role Gate? It seems built for play-by-post, but you can really use it as a tracking journal for your solo game just fine.
>>
>>74386960
Thanks dude. I'll check it out.
>>
https://www.nbos.com/products/inspiration-pad-pro

This program does some of the work for you. I think you can use it to create custom generators. I haven't tried it out yet myself, but I plan to soon.
>>
>>74370961
Heard any news from the other provinces?
>>
>>74368101
The point is cooperative storyteller. Having someone that thinks of stuff you wouldn't, expand on things you would think. by the end both the GM and players should end up having created a story neither could have on their own.

Why not write a book if you're going to do it solo?
>>
>>74387468
>Why not write a book if you're going to do it solo?
Because I don't have to. I have the imagination to play a solo rpg and have a fulfilling session that, with a GM emulator, still provides surprising and unexpected turns to the story. I'm sorry if you lack the imagination to do that.
>>
File: W9eS3g.png (659 KB, 813x1053)
659 KB
659 KB PNG
>>74386177
real problem is people think an oracle is going to write the story for them. I suppose you could get something resembling bullet points if you combined multiple things like oracle and generation tools, but the act of expanding and fluffing it up would still fall on you as the player/author. for example, alone among the stars is a really simple way to generate planets you can visit using cards, but it's bare bones on its own without you doing something with it.
>>
>>74387468
>Having someone that thinks of stuff you wouldn't, expand on things you would think
How often does that actually happen though? Out of the games you play how frequently is the DM coming up with shit that You + An Oracle (and maybe a random generator) couldn't think of yourself, and out of the times it does happen how often is it actually more fun than whatever you or other players in your group thought of? A good GM is absolutely amazing and not at all replacable but most GMs are in fact hovering bewteen slightly-below-average and slightly-above-average due to how distributions work. So me by myself is probably as good as good as whatever a GM was going to give me.
Thats not to say that the reason for playing solo has to be that you think you're a hotshot GM but still an average GM isn't irreplaceable
>Why not write a book if you're going to do it solo?
Because books are a wholly different process. The point of a book is to tell a compelling story. You have a cast of characters all created through whatever means the author thought of and depending on the book the main characters can vary wildly in terms of backstory and capabilities. An author is only bound imagination, their ability to translate that imagination onto paper, and narrative.
Solo RPGs and tabletop aren't that in any way. Tabletop games even in groups aren't neat and tidy plots that fit an act structure, they aren't unbound journeys into creativity with no rules to hold you back, and aside from particularly weird campaigns they are always bound by the perspective of the characters playing through the game. Tabletop games have rules, they rarely have arcs unless the players go out of their way to set them up and follow through with them, and there is no "narrative" bullshit forcing your game to change pace or tone to make it more satisfying to a reader. Solo games are just tabletop games with the GM replaced by you and whatever tools you need to assist you.
>>
>>74387468
A written narrative is usually carefully structured, with all the scenes and characters playing a pre-establlished role under a specific premise. An rpg play session wouldn't necessarily make a good book, not without additional work.

Roleplaying games may have a specific premise, but typically play is an improv exercise. The DM comes up with scenarioes, characters, and events that may happen and may fit together, but that essentially require an improvisational back and forth between player and GM for a narrative to emerge.

Solo play does the same. We set up a certain premise and then play a game of improv. In a group setting, it's the players and the GM doing the improv. In a solo setting, it's improv based on randomized input from an oracle or tables, etc.

So the whole "write a book" comment tends to come from people who don't understand the true intentions of either creative writing or tabletop games.
>>
I say it in every one of these treads: solo roleplay lets me build a game around whatever I want. I can create and worldbuild as seriously as I want to. Group play is great for the social aspect, but it's not really good for gaming unless you happen to be very lucky.
>>
File: mad girl_face.jpg (43 KB, 310x247)
43 KB
43 KB JPG
>>74387720
>solo roleplay lets me build a game around whatever I want. I can create and worldbuild as seriously as I want to.
So, it's a deadly combination of world building, roleplaying and creative writing rolled into one.
>>
File: 1564970931902.jpg (65 KB, 720x380)
65 KB
65 KB JPG
>>74387881
What do you mean by deadly combination? Not that anon but solo play lets you create a game to your liking since you don't have to worry about balancing the needs of a whole table. Its not some self-masturbatory experience like what people who fear the word worldbuilding might think.
Also why does nu/tg/ fucking hate worldbuilding so much? It feels like /tg/ is afraid of anything more serious than whatever you and some randoms can get up to while dead drunk on a friday night, while simultaneously hating "beer and pretzels" roleplaying
>>
File: 71wdS4Di7SL._AC_SL1500_.jpg (134 KB, 1451x1211)
134 KB
134 KB JPG
>people keep calling it solitaire
for god's sake, just say poker cards
>>
>>74387881
If that's your thing, it's perfect. And honestly, you can do both and each can inform the other - bring stuff from your group game to your solo game and vice versa. For me, it's just a cool exploration of my own imagination.
>>
>>74387881
Actually yes
>>
>>74387963
>Also why does nu/tg/ fucking hate worldbuilding so much?

Because it can easily become a never ending pit of procrastination while deluding yourself into think you're making progress. You can tinker with something forever without making anything new out of it.
>>
>>74386177
There's lots of Open Ended Oracles out there. For when a Yes/Not doesn't cut it. Mythic has the Event Meaning Charts for example.
>>
>>74388328
That's why Ironsworn is so great. It has rules for worldbuilding that keep the shit to a minimum,
>>
>>74388328
>>74388680
It's free, very professional and the playthrough is very easy. You just have to read the book before playing. I mention that because many, many people don't read their game books completely before trying to play.

https://shawn-tomkin.itch.io/ironsworn
>>
File: V3y8b+.png (156 KB, 990x743)
156 KB
156 KB PNG
>>74388712
Probably because Ironsworn is kind of a full dive if you just want a solo RPG. It's just not "here are the mechanics on two pages + what you need to play" like so many of these offer. You're essentially learning an entire system just so you can run it on your own and for yourself.
>>
>>74388772
Probably easier for people already familiar with PbtA games. I never played one before getting into IS.
>>
File: berserker.jpg (76 KB, 564x662)
76 KB
76 KB JPG
>>74365681
I really fucking hate the creative writing ones, but the ones that actually randomly generate shit well and play like an actual game are pretty good.

My favourite is probably Ironsworn.
>>
>>74388893
I love the creative writing ones and I also love Iron sworn.
The creative writing ones are better when the rules are light as a feather like with English Eerie and Quill. The ones with too much rules are just blocking creativity for me.
>>
File: sologui.png (90 KB, 1510x986)
90 KB
90 KB PNG
>>74382283
>oriental adventures
I'll check it out, thanks. Any recommendations in that vein are appreciated though, as those make really nice things to have. Here's my current events list for Campaign Events, Realm Events, and Character events.
https://pastebin.com/nRkV235C
>gui
Yes, check the pic. It's a bit haphazard as I continually added and tested stuff over time, finding the things I wanted to have on hand.
>C#
It's simple, most programming is similar, I used C# specifically for ease of GUI stuff. I stick my charts and events into data files then import them using a handler class as datatables, although you could do lists instead. It made adding new tables as I went fast.
>>
>>74387591
>problem is people need to flesh stuff out
Yes, that's why I spent a lot of time looking for stuff that gives specific answers or themed results - those things give you far more to work with.
>>
Solo RPGs are a good NPC litmus test. If you cannot find joy in exploring your own imagination, are you even human?
>>
>>74389192
NO
INTERNAL
MONOLOGUE
>>
>>74388893
Ironsworn is dope and got me using clocks for a lot more stuff when I solo using other systems. I use clocks for complications instead of chaos factor, as well as clocks for supplies/group tension and other things I don't want to track too closely.
It's the only system made specifically for solo-ing that I use.
>>
>>74381335
>The future's dead, boomer. The dopamine you get today is probably some of the last that will ever be produced.
Lol I was on your side but now you are projecting. I have nice future ahead of me with many more dopamine rushes coming
>>
>>74389192
Same with world building in my opinion
>>
>>74379526
stop projecting and kys anon
>>
File: 1596229584277.jpg (460 KB, 497x875)
460 KB
460 KB JPG
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>74365681
i roll to find a nice & comfy solo rpg book to have fun and relax with to ease my worries and stresses in this mean ol' nigger of a world
>>
>>74366431

Completely different experience. Solo tabletop games are a much more visceral experience.
>>
>>74368101

This guy gets it.
>>
>>74368348

Barbarian Prince
The Drifter
Star Smuggler
Tunnels and Trolls
>>
>>74371455
No, now you can have a virtual GM-fu that will burp/fart/yellathismom and say magical realm shit in addition to doing dice rolls.
>>
>>74379526

>>Hobbies are all about how I hate my life.
>>
>>74383221

>>my friends are always available when I want to game.

Must be nice to be 12 years old.
>>
We need a solo rpg general. I think these threads pop up consistently enough now
>>
>>74391570

This!!
>>
File: mfw.jpg (7 KB, 182x268)
7 KB
7 KB JPG
>>74379526
you're unironically right, everything is a massive cope, there is no room for love or passion in the things we do to kill time, it's all about patching up broken lives with delusion and empty stimuli, that's what all the feel good shit in the 90s was about, it was all cope
>>
>>74391570
>>74391613
Probably not. There are lots of threads that get made frequently but they never have enough steam to keep them going like a general.
If you want then we can try it out but it'll only work if people post in it and post in it consistently. Share replays, review engines/games, talk about shit, make OC. It doesn't work without all that
>>
>>74391853
>make OC
I would be very interested in a solo general that actually made OC and created tables or approaches to make their games better. I don't know how many would contribute at first, but if it lasted long enough it may attract enough over time.
>>
>>74365681
Fun, in a sad melancholy sort of way
>>
>>74391909
If you think it would work and you'd be willing to make OC for it and actually post in it then give it a try. Worst case scenario we find out there isn't that much interest. I don't have much to contribute myself but I'd hang out in the thread and discuss whatever is being discussed and maybe make something if people do decide to make a general.
>>
>>74365681
Isn't it basicaly another name for creative writing?
>>
File: 9-768x881.jpg (64 KB, 768x881)
64 KB
64 KB JPG
>Solochad sits down to play. Somber quietude and a glass of fine wine in his hand. He picks up whichever system he wishes, catalogues the endless multiverse within his own big brain, worlds beautiful and terrifying, weird, tragic, depressing, phantasmagoric. He generates his character, with a backstory that would make Dostoevsky weep, slated for adventure worth to be included in the Western Canon. His GMs for tonight? His personal demons and Fate itself. A fair match. He sips on his wine (which really is just grape juice, because he's not some alcoholic degenerate) and rolls.

>Groupvirgin is nervous. He spent the last five weeks preparing his cinematic not-DND campaign for his friends and he's determined to do a good job (unpaid). But everyone is late, and Josh dropped out. Stacy (whom Groupvirgin secretly has a crush on, but he's a gentleman about it) will be bringing her new friend Tyrone tonight, so he better make sure that his homebrewed NOT-DND world is diverse and ruled by a powerful black monarch. After attending last weeks BLM protest Groupvirgin realised the importance of running games that are inclusive and make everyone around the table feel warm and comfortable. Since that time he's been fudging dice and storyshitting as much as he could to make his heroic friends overcome every challenge. "I will protect you, Stacy" whispers Groupvirgin to himself, out loud.
>>
>>74393395
gb2pol
>>
>>74393395
This would have based and solopilled, but you used the word “storyshitting”, and so I must denounce you and your beautiful short story.
>>
File: 1587830446222.jpg (134 KB, 653x500)
134 KB
134 KB JPG
So aside from systems designed to be run solo like Ironsworn, what do you each think are the BEST and WORST games to try to run solo? List a few entries and explain your reasoning if you can.
>>
>>74391570
As much as I hate generals, yeah that would be good to collate all the information and FAQs about solo rpgs as well as collection of resources.
>>
>>74394431
PbtA might be OK, maybe randomise the GM moves and trust yourself to be as vicious as the setting requires.
>>
>>74394431
>>74394723
>PbtA
Someone made a short oracle that I use now over Mythic, it's attached. The seeds and other tables added are useful and the GM moves work well outside solo PbtA.
>best systems for solo
Anything that makes play faster while still being complicated enough for my taste. That means it's easy to eye or whip up stat blocks for NPCs and enemies - easy conversion of any existing setting/adventure material is important for me.
I'm currently using Mythras as it meets the above requirements and has deadly/fun combat.
Genesys was fun, too, as the narrative dice fit very well. You can break dice down by skill/attribute/circumstance and use that to generate more information about an outcome.
>you climb a wall at night and your quick reflexes save you from falling
>your equipment breaks as you climb the wall at night, causing you to fall
>>
>>74394874
Any related tips on homebrewing PbtA? There was a stillborn hack called Dead Weight that I'd really like to try and reckon I could get a long way just by changing the sort of questions moves let you answer.
>>
>>74377007
AI still wouldn't replicate the social aspect of the game. Some people would not be satisfied playing a simulation, no matter how realistic.

>b...but anon what if our reality is already a simulation?

Shut up.
>>
>>74380860
I wouldn't say it's the only barrier between you and death, but video games are more or less an activity that you do because you don't have access to more stimulating or meaningful activities
>>
>>74395296
And yet here you are having "stimulating and meaningful" arguments on a Tibetan yak-products dispensary. Sounds like the only guy who's desperate to fellate a shotgun here is you.
>>
>>74395296
>but video games are more or less an activity that you do because you don't have access to more stimulating or meaningful activities
Isn't that true of all things? We do things that we find to be more entertaining and worth the effort than the alternatives. There is no such thing as lesser ways to occupy yourself so long as you use some of that time spent with a pastime to learn and grow and feel
>>
>>74394927
Moves for the GM from PbtA are about emphasizing certain actions or themes. I've only homebrewed PbtA moves in regards to solo play, because it's one way you can narrow down choices/outcomes and roll them. Figuring out and narrowing down the simplest and best possible outcomes for a 'soft move' for the GM makes it easier for you to roll and interpret them while you're running your session.
>>
>>74387963
There's nothing wrong with worldbuilding in and of itself, but it does tend to end up being masturbatory in practice and not all that healthy if it doesn't end up being a focused effort
>>
>>74391570
Wouldn't solo players be playing solo isntead of posting in a general?
>>
>>74391755
That's not universally true. It just seems so from your current vantage point.
>>
>>74366496
How well does it adapt to other setting, specifically high fantasy/science fantasy along the lines of more recent Final Fantasy games?
>>
>>74396478
They could do both.
>>
>>74396478
Being nogame faggots never stops them from posting. Parts of /tg/ seem to think of any actual engagement with ttrpg to be off-topic.
>>
I prefer board games for solo play. I prefer feeling like I’m playing a game, and not like im just talking to myself.
>>
>>74391570
Why so everyone can sit around and talk about how they're too autistic to play with other people?
>>
>>74393395
Thanks anon I needed the laugh.

one positive aspect of solo rpg is that atleast you're not passively consuming content in front of a screen
>>
>>74394874
Do you have any tips on running Mythras and Genesys in general? (Not just solo) I'ˋ coincidentally interested in both those systems
>>
>>74395572
What I mean is that if a person had access to options that more or less correspond to what people stereotypically call 'living' or 'having lived', essentially making meaningful choices that have an impact in the world, video games or any make believe would seem like an absurd thing to engage with.
>>
>>74396578
>mythras
Use this site for generating npcs and encounters, it's fantastic.
http://skoll.xyz/mythras_eg/
Here's a site that has a lot of good info for it, and the link is to a bunch of handy charts and tables for play.
https://notesfrompavis.blog/2014/02/04/rq6-charts-and-tables/

Mythras is more of a toolbox than a ready made system (although you can play it as is, but most things you see are examples). I liked the combat but I didn't like specials firing off all the time, so I made specials where you both succeed but the attacker wins easier to save against for the defender, and I made shields block anything except excellent successes (1/5th of the attacker's skill), and if it is within 20% of the attacker the shield is hit full on and damaged.
Those two rules are adapted from earlier Runequest sets and I liked how they fit.
General play is simple as most rolls are easy to eyeball. Make generous use of the difficulty adjustments and have the difficulty chart handy until you're used to it. It's great for deadlier combat that is tactical, and I enjoy the sorcery system a lot.
I run it in the ACKS base setting (sort of ancient roman fantasy feel) using european hex maps and it's a blast.

>genesys
I have less experience running genesys, but beyond character material and setting stuff it's real easy to run. There is a nice homebrew archive in the genesys thread here that can give you ideas of how to use or build out the system for your game.
>>
>>74396917
Many thanks, anon.
>>
>>74367105
Kill yourself.
>>
>>74394874
>Apocalypse Oracle

That's real fucking neat.
>>
I personally don't really like solo RPGs because the main pull of TTRPGs to me over something like video games is that it's a collaborative story. There's other people making their own actions and influencing the game world. If it's just me doing everything, I'd rather just play a video game because then the game is acting as the GM and I don't need to do both.

For people who really like the crunch of TTRPGs I'm sure they'd be fun though. It's just not a big enough draw for me to enjoy playing alone.
>>
>>74397312
I would actually it's the crunch where solo RPGs, especially reliance on emulators, disappoints the most. You can fluff up any scenario such system can, well, generate, but hard numbers are different.
>>
>>74379526
>why ever read a book on your own time when you could go to a book club
>why ever watch TV or a film on your own when you could go to a movie theater
>why play a video game by yourself when you could play a MMO
>why practice running or ride a bike when you could play a team sport
>why ever do anything or think for yourself, just depend on other people
The absolute state of this oversocialized bugman sheep
>>
>>74396555
You're more than free not to join in if you don't like the concept.
>>
>>74397656
I would make the solo rpg general but I don't have the time to keep it bumped constantly.
>>
>>74365681
Might as well buy a cyoa book, if you're solo playing ttrpgs. At worst I've DMed a game with a two players, while trying to recruit more. If I dip below two players, I postpone the game or outright cancel until more players can be found.
>>
>>74399613
I can help with that.
>>
>>74396655
There are plenty of people who live lives where they can "make meaningful choices that have an impact on the world" (whatever the he'll that means) and plenty of them still find the time to play and meaningfully enjoy vidya. Quality video games are no worse a way to spend time than consuming quality products from any other medium except that video games make you an active participant so you're forced to engage with the narrative.
Would you say the same of books and paintings and films? That people, if given a certain lifestyle, would simply eschew any kind of engagement with the arts? With what evidence would you say that?
>>74399848
CYOA is way different from solo play. CYOA is preconstructed narrative. Solo play isn't that.
>>
>>74385207
I've played since I was a teenager (I'm in my mid-30's now), but I don't internet much so I didn't know this was a thing, I always bought my books physical or just did without.
>>
File: mad furoggu.jpg (37 KB, 396x385)
37 KB
37 KB JPG
>>74391454
LIAR
>>
File: 1586793229629.png (880 KB, 1200x673)
880 KB
880 KB PNG
What oracles have people had success with aside from the aforementioned custom made magic code oracle, Apocalypse Oracle, and Mythic? Any preferred tools to supplement solo play? I've gotten a lot of use out of The Adventure Crafter and Universal NPC Emulator
>>
>>74394874
Dude this is sick. Super streamlined. I have experience with mythic and the conjecture games tools, but this looks so much simpler to use. I've also been looking into the Mythic deck of cards which again seem super streamlined not having to roll and look through charts all the time, just draw a card. Do you have any experience with the deck compared to the apocalypse oracle?
>>
I had never heard of pbta before this thread. I know of ironsworn, which is supposed go be great for solo, but never tried it. Didn't realize it was part of a larger system. Is pbta as a whole good for solo using that apocalypse oracle?
>>
>>74406499
>cards
I've used the Mythic cards and they are nice. I also like using tarot cards for seeds sometimes.
This site is neat, too, as are a lot of the picture seeds for game specific manuals like Blades in the Dark solo, SWN solo, etc. Those have similar icons but cut them down to themes that fit those types of games.
https://tangent-zero.com/zero_dice/zero_dice.htm
>>
>>74406779
Apocalypse World has a notably long section on GM skills and semi-codifies their moves available to them much as they do for the players. I've only run the beginnings of a campaign since getting the oracle but it's fun so far. My brainer's horrible little tricks are just staring to blow back at them.
>>
>>74365913
>masturbation isn't pathetic
>>
>>74407304
He implicitly equates group play to group masturbation too which is if anything more pathetic.
>>
>>74407325
Lol. The chad circle jerker. Sorry you pathetic solo roleplayers don't have any bros to play ookie cookie with.
>>74365913
>>
>>74407371
>circle-jerk
>chad
>>
>>74407391
You misunderstand. He's a chad because his chad circle-jerk buddy tells him so who is in turn a chad because anon tells him so. The reasoning is flawless.
>>
>>74407304
>implying
>>
>>74406413
There's a cool one on DriveThru RPG called The Adventure Maker (different from adventure crafter)
>>
>>74406927
Cool. I think I'm gonna give the cards a shot then. Currently playing basic fantasy rpg using mythic and a few other tools but I'd like to reduce the clutter by having an "all in one" option. Your link is pretty cool too, I bookmarked to try out. I like the symbol rolling for ideas.

>>74406954
PbtA sounds really neat as well and then I'm not limited to just d&d type fantasy with my current system, not that I'm not having a blast. Think I will try the cards first but definitely thinking about hopping systems at some point, especially with the wide variety of themes to play with.
>>
Anyone have any great picture archives for characters? I like having pics for characters.
So far the easiest to use I've found is
https://grognard.booru.org/index.php
>>
>>74408450
http://2d6pluscool.ovh/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/GrimaceV2-Man-From-Outerspace.pdf
>>
>>74408633
That's really good anon, thanks!
>>
>>74408450
Desuarchive probably still has a bunch of images from a bunch of character art threads. Maybe we could start dumping them on that booru or something before they 404
>>
>>74408450
Lately I've been using that AI bot that makes faces. This Person Does Not Exist is the name if I recall correctly.
>>
>>74365681
It'd be great if they didn't insist on using dice as magic 8-balls to replace the DM.
>>
>>74411137
What alternative would you suggest?
>>
>>74411137
You need some type of randomiser in order to introduce surprising unknown elements into the narrative.
>>
How easy and fast is it to pick up ironsworn? Could I get set up in an afternoon?
>>
>>74413959
>Could I get set up in an afternoon?
Yes.
>>
>>74365681
It's like jacking off.
You do it, but don't talk about it.
>>
>>74413959
All solo RPGs are comparatively simple, but Ironsworn is one of those more complete packages that could take longer than usual.
>>
>>74415479
Is it the same anon that just autistically keeps coming in and making the same masturbation joke? Should we start calling you wankfag?
>>
I like the idea of solo games that are less like traditional RPGs and more like tabletop dwarf fortress. I'd love to see something managerial in nature, but integrated well enough into an immersive setting that I don't feel like I'm just arbitrarily crunching numbers. I think I'll make one.
>>
>>74417304
>tabletop dwarf fortress
Caverna?
>>
>>74417357
Never heard of it, I'll check it out.
I didn't literally mean tabletop dwarf fortress though; I just used it as an example because it's a really awesome example of a solo sandbox with lots of juicy management.
>>
>>74417423
Just to be clear, Caverna is not RPG, its a eurogame. But the theme is literally Dward Fortress. There's enough components there for someone with autism to homebrew it into something roleplayable probably.
>>
File: 1495228725104.gif (495 KB, 500x223)
495 KB
495 KB GIF
It's a great way to test out homebrews, encounters, builds, and rules and it totally isn't pathetic or sad
>>
>>74417304
Anything managerial will require a hell of a lot of bookkeeping unless a computer does most of the work for you.
>>
Never tried it, but solo might be a way to go with a time travel campaign. They're nearly impossible to pull off with a group since everyone's too retarded, but if you craft your own world with a timeline of pivotal events it's a great sandbox to mess around with.
>>
>>74419496
Never thought of that, but it could be brilliant. I've always wanted to run a tim travel campaign, but didn't want to keep track of all the things 4 players did each time-jump and all the repercussions, but with just 1 person that should be manageable.
>>
>>74419389
I don't really mind as long as I'm entertained by it. I think it'd actually be pretty cool to have a binder full of campaign documents, actually.
>>
>>74386998
Given the filename I'm not gonna hold my breath but sauce?
>>
I can't figure out for the life of me how to solo role play well. I can come up with a setting and then do things with a character but it doesn't feel like a story with a purpose, even if my character is motivated to accomplish something and they run into conflicts along the way it feels cheap. I want something like a movie, only improvised with randomness using an oracle. Overall I'm disappointed with solo role play and I think it's my lack of creativity.
>>
>>74422146
>I think it's my lack of creativity.
Sounds like that's the problem. Try something a bit more guided like Ironsworn.
>>
It's cringe.
Get a normal game.
Set up a gamefinder.
>>
>>74422591
I can give it a shot. I've heard of the system before. This show I watch called Me, Myself, and Die on YouTube is about to run Ironsworn.
>>
File: beer pour loop.gif (447 KB, 700x394)
447 KB
447 KB GIF
>>74417877
Unless you're actually simulating a group by yourself, in which case it is.
>>
So, when you singleplayer, do you talk out loud, or just, like, think stuff to yourself..?
>>
>>74423617
m-maybe
>>
>>74365681
Masturbatory.
>>
>>74367105
Based
>>
>>74423617
Talk, type, write, think, or whatever works.
>>
>>74423617
Solo isn't really about simulating a social group environment. This is a common misconception because people go "oh look, he doesn't have anyone to play with so he's playing with himself", but solo RPGs are not really about that. Only thing you're actually replacing is the GM with whatever method of choice you go to introduce randomness.
>>
>>74422146
You can use a more guided game like Ironsworn or use a framework like The 9Qs or Perilous Intersections (or 9 Steps and a Bloody Heart for mysteries). All free.
Perilous Intersection's pdf is a mess though. You need to read it at least twice to understand it, but it's worth it.
>>
>>74425066
There is the inevitable dialogue question though. I'm not that anon and I think solo sounds like it'd be fun as shit once you get down to it but I've tried to set up a couple solo games and then I try to prep NPCs and I just think "wait so what the fuck does the NPC say? I'm just having two characters talk back and forth and I'm doing the whole thing myself?"
There's gotta be a way to it that I haven't though of yet. UNPC Emulator just creates characters and their demeanor so I'm lost
>>
>>74425524
>9 Steps and a Bloody Heart
Link? googol gives nothing
>>
>>74425654
https://lostpangolin.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/nsaabh.pdf
>>
>>74413959
Maybe? If you're familiar with the Powered by the Apocalypse engine. It's harder for people who are not familiar with that style of play. Not very hard, but it's a different beast than Pathfinder/WH/D&D/CoC/etc.
>>
>>74411137
There are other ways. Instead of yes/no and all that jazz some oracles are open-ended. Can be images, 2 words oracles, etc. You use logic+imagination/inspiration to interpret them.
Some are about creating options (usually 2, but sometimes more. Usually negative/positive/opposite, but sometimes just different) with different chances of occuring. Sort of like a gamebook in a way. It's less random, of course, but works well if you get inspired easily. In these cases a negative roll usually introduce a complication and require another roll and so on depending on how hard the thing is to do. It can be really fun to watch your character get deeper and deeper into shit lol
>>
>>74367105
are you implying creating the art in question is not working on art?
>>
>>74365681
read a fucking book
>>
File: 1586658132835.png (461 KB, 870x722)
461 KB
461 KB PNG
>>74426613
Heres your (You)
>>
>>74426613
>start to read a book
>get lost in my imagination and ccreate an entire new stories from the same ideas
>realize I mecanically read 40 pages but can't remember any of it
>>
>>74425633
Mythic Variations has tables for NPC behavior and disposition. That's enough to get their feelings about the PC and any requests made of them. I personally prefer a more abstracted way of interacting as opposed to a GM performing as the NPC, so that's fine for me.
>>
>>74425633
Lots of solo engines have NPC reaction tables.
From the basic Friendly/Neutral/Hostile to more complex tables. They can help narrow down what happens in a conversation. But you also don't NEED to playact a conversation, just like a GM can decide not to roleplay a convo with an NPC and just narrate it instead.
>>
>>74425633
You have to find a method that works for you. You can get solid generic tables from Scarlet Heroes and Mythic Variations (as anon said), combining them with seeds you rolled.
Personally, I use a disposition/mood system with a lot of specific conversation types that I made for myself. I only use it if I'm stuck or want to roll on how a conversation starts.
Here's an example for a random NPC:
>UNE Roll
Demeanor: hostile
UNE Bearing: surrender
Focus: parents
So the smith is actually the smith's apprentice, and he's sulking (hostile and surrender) about being forced into something by his parents.
Convo table roll
>Conversation: Offer local advice (Merchant), Highlight trait (40)
The roll on the merchant conversation table got a highlight trait trigger, meaning it will be heavily influenced by his pride - which has been wounded.
Let's get a seed to get our last clue.
>Seed: Fight Investment
"If it's arms and armor you want stranger, just go on down to Torvar's Smithy down that way, all we make here are horseshoes."
Now our merchant smith is a somewhat alive NPC is a few rolls.
Obviously you don't want to roll this way all the time but if you feel like fleshing out NPCs or the story merits it you can roll a few times and get an answer quick.

>>74425935
>creating multiple options
Mind going in detail on how you do this? I will try it when I play later.
>>
>>74423795
Thanks for your contribution, wankfag.
>>
>>74425633
>wait so what the fuck does the NPC say? I'm just having two characters talk back and forth and I'm doing the whole thing myself?
Yes. Why is that an issue for you?
>>
>>74428146
mind sharing some of your random tables?
>>
>>74428146
I have to go soon. I'll post more tomorrow if the thread is still here.
But for now:
there's a few solo games based on the concept

Bivius:
https://lostpangolin.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/bivius-solo-rpg1.pdf

https://lostpangolin.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/bivius-companion_v1-1.pdf

https://lostpangolin.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/bivius-tunnels-dragons-beta-5.pdf

Zathrum:
https://lostpangolin.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/zathrum_2.pdf

Miso:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_-xbQHT9wDGUklVRzRjNmZMLXc/view

For even more simple (but not solo) there is Shadows:
https://files.meetup.com/132903/Shadows%20RPG.pdf

The way I do it is to come up with a few possibilities of what might happen in a scene. One positive and one negative (or 2 opposites if it's not a conflict/test situation) is the bare minimum. I go for short and concise options at this point.

I assign a dice to each option. For example a d6 for Option A and a d12 for Option B if Option B (the "fail" option) is more likely to happen (depending on skills, strenghts, weaknesses, etc.). I roll and the highest number happens.
Let's say the negative option wins. I check the difference between the 2 rolls and that gives me a reference for how much shit I'm into now.
I roleplay the option in more detail and add a few consequences that weren't in the original option if the 2 rolls are very far apart.
>>
>>74428285
>Why is that an issue for you
I like having systems for things.
>>
>>74365681

As a player, I would rather just play some RPG video game, so at least I don't know what's going to happen next.

As a DM, I'd rather just write and sell a fantasy novel.
>>
>>74428146
Great example, anon. Figuring out how the story will progress or how a character will act based off a few keywords is so satisfying to me. Shit is fun.
>>
Its awesome because its allow you to play any rule you want with any houserule you want.

You could play a fatal or gurps with all the rules that dont contradict themselves being sure you will find the amount of players needed to play it (one).
>>
>>74428401
You could determine the type of convo and then turn it into rounds of dicerolling to see how the whole thing goes?
Or use something like the James Bond RPG Seduction Rules (easily hackable for other relationships types).
I don't have my JB rulebook right now, but there is a Savage World hack of it online. Savage 007 I think?
>>
>>74367922
>What is the point? If you are going to play solo, you may as well play a CRPG.
Tabletop rpg has more detail that even ultra complex/detailed games like dwarf fortress
>>
>>74368101
>There's no essential difference between solo and non-solo roleplaying,

If with solo you dont include one player and one dm that don't dmpc, yes there is a difference.
But talking about player + DM that dont DMPC, there is no difference between those.
>>
>>74428356
www.mediafire.com/file/66o6y1rw6d7k0j5
They're made to be randomly selected from a computer so if you're going to dice them you'll to do some tweaking. The conversationstable.txt is the master list if you want to roll randomly.
>>
>>74428373
Thanks. I'll try something out until I find one that works.
>>
>>74428576
Awesome. I love random tables, and these are great.
>>
>>74428373
oh, and sometimes I just go full Golden Dragon gamebooks with the fighting system
I compare my character with the adversary and create a table of 4 options like this one:
1d10
1: The Soul Scourge stabs you with its sword. Lose half of your Survival Points right now and 1 per round after that until you can stop the bleeding.
2-3: The Soul Scourge stabs or slash you with his sword. Lose 3 Survival Points.
4-5: The Soul Scourge kicks you, slams you into the wall or hits you with the pommel of his sword. Lose 1 Survival Point.
6-7: You kick, slam into the wall or hit with the handle of your axe the Soul Scourge. It loses 2 Survival Points.
8-9: You slash or hit the Soul Scourge with your axe. It loses 4 Survival Points.
10: You cut the Soul Scourge's head clean off. It dies.
>>
>>74428901
*6 options*
The number of options depends on how hard or complex I want the fight to be.
>>
File: 1575265267363.jpg (147 KB, 828x894)
147 KB
147 KB JPG
I have nothing to add but theres a lot of good resources on the thread so here's hoping people post more
>>
>>74365681
Why is this even a question? Am I being memed?
>>
>>74365681
I'd rather just write my own light novel and self-publish it.
>>
Playing to start a new solo campaign later this month when work slows down. I'll be using one of the 40k RPGs by FFG and a mix of different Oracle systems I've put together over the years. Ive done this multiple times since 2015 and always had a lot of fun.
>>
>>74428439
>As a DM, I'd rather just write and sell a fantasy novel.
How many have you sold so far?
>>
>>74430244
>I'd rather just write my own light novel and self-publish it.
What's stopping you?
>>
>>74430546
What kind of campaign is it going to be?
>>
I remember borrowing these really old books from the library that were essentially solo roleplaying games. One of them was about this fighter dude who wore a wolfskin and went around exploring. I can't remember the name, but that shit was awesome when I was in the fourth grade.
>>
I recommend not using any systems specifically designed for solo play, outside of 'oracle' tables that tell you where to go, how NPCs react, and so on. if you invest some time learning well established systems like D&D and warhammer it will be a lot easier to fit into a group in the future
>>
File: 1465899279576.jpg (28 KB, 400x396)
28 KB
28 KB JPG
>>74365681
I've tried to make it work, but nothing replaces the face-to-face game...
>tfw mid-30's
>my kids aren't interested
>friends are too busy
>>
>>74433229
Bigger problem with using regular games or systems to play solo is the fact they're not designed for it. Meaning you actually have to fiddle with stuff like encounters and challenge ratings in general just to get it working for solo experience.
>>
>>74433229
This is what I do. I take my system of choice and just use a GM Emulator. Gives much more freedom than a dedicated solo system.
>>
>>74434447
true, it takes more time to set up a session and in some cases it might not be worth the extra effort. but regular systems also have a LOT more content (monsters, items, npcs) to fill up your campaign. you can also use a pregenerated adventure.
>>
>>74435440
And you can always just shy away from the more crunch-heavy systems in favour of those that are easier to run from a GM's point of view.



Delete Post: [File Only] Style:
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

[Enable Mobile View / Use Mobile Site]

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.