For a relatively small blog, the Delta Vectors readers are quite energetic. Usually the discussions and ideas in the comments section dwarfs the original post (and has more useful content!). When I trawl the comments to prune spam, I am always impressed by the high standards and helpfulness/good ideas in the comments. So I thought I'd harness the reader power.
So I've started a google group.
It's like a Yahoo group, only a bit less obnoxious to use and navigate.
Why would you join this group?
Do you have a homebrew rules set you want to share or seek ideas/feedback on?
Want some independent playtesters (or simply opinions) from others who aren't your immediate friends/family/club mates?
Do you want the feedback of like-minded readers when considering when to buy new rules?
Do you want to continue discussions from blog posts in a more relaxed way?
Do you want to share files with other readers?
Are you interested in getting to know fellow gamers better?
My aim:
I've noticed a lot of blog regulars have VERY similar outlook and interests that transcends a particular game system. (Like my separated-from-birth twin Paul of the Man Cave) I'd like to provide a "clubhouse" for these folk. Interested in topics as diverse as space games, 15mm sci fi, dark age skirmish, WW2 tank battles, mass battle ancients and the odd game of Warmachine?
Further, lots of people have their own "homebrew" rules they've been working on. Heck, it can just be a scribbled idea for a cool mechanism. Here's a easy way to share them and chat with people who presumably are interested in how games work (well, why else do so many sit through the "game design" wall of texts on this blog?) You'll be sharing ideas with a small group of likeminded folk, not tossing yourself to the wolves.
Finally, I often get requests to playtest/give opinions on rules. Sadly I don't have the time, energy (or sometimes simply the mini collection) to properly test many of them beyond giving a quick opinion. Having a group allows you to "hook up" with others who will come at things from a different angle.
So the focus is on rules, and making rules, but really anything goes.
I don't have big goals: ~20 members would be great and provide a useful 'think tank.'
Isn't there lots of forums/websites that already do this?
Sure. But sometimes they can be too big, or weird, or full of a-holes (*cough* TMP *cough*).
Other times they are aimed at a particular ruleset or scale. Also, they are often not properly moderated.
So how do I sign up?
1. Enter the address found here in your search bar or simply click here.
2. Choose to subscribe, enter your email address and a number to prove you aren't a bot*
3. Go to your own email address. You'll probably find the email in the junk folder.
4. Confirm you DO want to join the group (yes, you do!)
5. Await confirmation that you are indeed one of the cool kids
6. Go back to the address from #1, and you should be able to sign in and post etc.
Right now there will only be a few topics (I'll chuck up a few homebrew rules of my own soon, when I can rescue them off my old HDD) but please introduce yourself in the thread provided and feel free to make your own posts.
If you have trouble simply shoot me a line in the comments with a suitable "adjusted" email address to defeat spam bots.
(Note: At the moment I will keep this group private and individually "approve" people individually as I'm not interested in being sold Viagra or offered riches by a unknown Nigerian. Bear in mind I operate in the Australian TZ ....except when my 6-week-old keeps me up)
*I always fail these tests. I sometimes wonder: am I the 14th Cylon?
So I've started a google group.
It's like a Yahoo group, only a bit less obnoxious to use and navigate.
Why would you join this group?
Do you have a homebrew rules set you want to share or seek ideas/feedback on?
Want some independent playtesters (or simply opinions) from others who aren't your immediate friends/family/club mates?
Do you want the feedback of like-minded readers when considering when to buy new rules?
Do you want to continue discussions from blog posts in a more relaxed way?
Do you want to share files with other readers?
Are you interested in getting to know fellow gamers better?
My aim:
I've noticed a lot of blog regulars have VERY similar outlook and interests that transcends a particular game system. (Like my separated-from-birth twin Paul of the Man Cave) I'd like to provide a "clubhouse" for these folk. Interested in topics as diverse as space games, 15mm sci fi, dark age skirmish, WW2 tank battles, mass battle ancients and the odd game of Warmachine?
Further, lots of people have their own "homebrew" rules they've been working on. Heck, it can just be a scribbled idea for a cool mechanism. Here's a easy way to share them and chat with people who presumably are interested in how games work (well, why else do so many sit through the "game design" wall of texts on this blog?) You'll be sharing ideas with a small group of likeminded folk, not tossing yourself to the wolves.
Finally, I often get requests to playtest/give opinions on rules. Sadly I don't have the time, energy (or sometimes simply the mini collection) to properly test many of them beyond giving a quick opinion. Having a group allows you to "hook up" with others who will come at things from a different angle.
So the focus is on rules, and making rules, but really anything goes.
I don't have big goals: ~20 members would be great and provide a useful 'think tank.'
Isn't there lots of forums/websites that already do this?
Sure. But sometimes they can be too big, or weird, or full of a-holes (*cough* TMP *cough*).
Other times they are aimed at a particular ruleset or scale. Also, they are often not properly moderated.
So how do I sign up?
1. Enter the address found here in your search bar or simply click here.
2. Choose to subscribe, enter your email address and a number to prove you aren't a bot*
3. Go to your own email address. You'll probably find the email in the junk folder.
4. Confirm you DO want to join the group (yes, you do!)
5. Await confirmation that you are indeed one of the cool kids
6. Go back to the address from #1, and you should be able to sign in and post etc.
Right now there will only be a few topics (I'll chuck up a few homebrew rules of my own soon, when I can rescue them off my old HDD) but please introduce yourself in the thread provided and feel free to make your own posts.
If you have trouble simply shoot me a line in the comments with a suitable "adjusted" email address to defeat spam bots.
(Note: At the moment I will keep this group private and individually "approve" people individually as I'm not interested in being sold Viagra or offered riches by a unknown Nigerian. Bear in mind I operate in the Australian TZ ....except when my 6-week-old keeps me up)
*I always fail these tests. I sometimes wonder: am I the 14th Cylon?