I much prefer a pre-determined set of events to a random table, so they can be written with a clearer narrative in mind. Although its nice when they respond to player's actions too.
It’s all a matter of taste! I think the nice thing about an event sequence is you can more readily model cause and effect, you just need to be ready to modify things when the players inevitably pull some tricks!
From the design theory side it avoids producing a more brittle or linear narrative. Random events are a bit more flexible to player decision making and there’s not the potential for them to break the chain of causation like in a set event sequence. Which needs to be a possibility on the table to maintain player agency.
So it’s kind of a toss-up between more brittle cause and effect modelling vs. flexibility without explicit cause and effect modelling. For me, neither are superior. They are just different tools in your toolbox!
And Lazy Litch has a super big sale on itch right now, as if the stars couldn't become more aligned!
Fantastic! Such good stuff, it's a crime to pass on it!
I much prefer a pre-determined set of events to a random table, so they can be written with a clearer narrative in mind. Although its nice when they respond to player's actions too.
It’s all a matter of taste! I think the nice thing about an event sequence is you can more readily model cause and effect, you just need to be ready to modify things when the players inevitably pull some tricks!
What do you like about randomized events? I sort of fail to see the appeal personally.
From the design theory side it avoids producing a more brittle or linear narrative. Random events are a bit more flexible to player decision making and there’s not the potential for them to break the chain of causation like in a set event sequence. Which needs to be a possibility on the table to maintain player agency.
So it’s kind of a toss-up between more brittle cause and effect modelling vs. flexibility without explicit cause and effect modelling. For me, neither are superior. They are just different tools in your toolbox!
You should check out Longwinter and Witchburner for prewritten background events covering … uh … time ;)
I love Witchburner ;) haven't picked up Longwinter yet but it's on the list of things to grab!