In This Episode
What kind of settings do you enjoy more? Heavy magic, low magic, or a more realistic milieu with near-zero casting? This episode we discuss merits and preferences on the level of magic in a gaming setting. Just a freewheeling discussion about magic levels. We also quickly touch base on a new release for “Boy Problems,” the Carly Rae Jepsen TTRPG.
“Boy Problems: Side B” (00:40)
Crit me, maybe? We chat briefly about the recent release of “Boy Problems: Side B,” the sequel/expansion to Colin Cummings’ 2019 indie TTRPG, “Boy Problems,” a “Carly Rae Jepsen-inspired Cyberpop Heist Tabletop RPG.”
From Cummings’ itch.io page:
“Boy Problems: Side B” is an expansion for Colin Cummings’ 2019 “Boy Problems,” a Carly Rae Jepsen-inspired TTRPG.
“It is many years into the future. A wealthy and powerful person (or persons) has claimed a rare and much sought-after prize: the “vault” of 200 unreleased (this is real!) songs from renowned Canadian pop artist, Carly Rae Jepsen.
“Hired by an anonymous sponsor, your team of highly trained individuals will raid a well-defended location to retrieve said item. From planning to set-up to execution, you will see this heist through to its completion, whether that be a success or failure. There will many twists and turns along the way, and don’t always trust the specialists by your side.”
“Side B” dives deeper into the world of Top-40-hit heists with new jobs, mechanics and customization options for your characters.
“Boy Problems” is based on the “Lasers and Feelings” system but Cummings says many of the ideas in both the original and expansion can easily be viewed as system-agnostic and ported over to your game of choice.
It’s a fun and lighthearted take on low complexity game systems and allow for quick pick-up-and-play one-shot opportunities. And the setting’s mélange of Blade Runner, Snowcrash, Cowboy Bebop, and zine-style art is an invigorating change of pace from both grim-and-gritty and bucolic fantasy alike.
Both the original and expansion can be had in digital form for a total of $12.
What’s Your Game Style? Low Magic? No Magic? Tons of Magic? (06:02)
A freewheeling discussion about setting preferences when it comes to magic. Do you prefer the deus-ex-magicka of being able to heal wounds at the snap of a somatic gesture? Or does your Old School Renaissance heart pine for the days of one expensive potion to be split among four dungeon delvers until they have left only enough life to crawl their way back to town for days of rest before continuing?
You might argue that over reliance on magic (and magically derived healing such as potions) breeds incaution in the players, allowing them to make foolish decisions knowing salvation is only a spell component away. But, then again, it’s a game and maybe you don’t want to have to force your players to make a dozen trips back to town with no guarantee of resurrection?
It’s a good conversation! Email us at contact@goblinsandgrowlers.com or let us know how you feel via Twitter @goblinsgrowlers.
Brandon’s takeaway: I think I’ve realized through this discussion that my preferred play style is struggle..
Additional Resources
- https://boyproblems.itch.io/
- https://www.patreon.com/colincummings (Boy Problems creator)
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The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying-game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.
