Applied Phantasticality

17 November 2025

Non-Blogging, Stop

I think my computer is on the verge of expiring. Regular blogging will probably not resume until I can afford to replace it. I do not know when that will be. In the meantime, take care.

01 November 2025

Negatory NOvember

Oh, hello. It is November the 1st, and I am in a negative mood. Here are some highlights that are on topic.

I am annoyed by licensed role-playing games that become discontinued because the publisher lost the license to continue publishing them and related materials. It happens over and over and over. Sometimes the games are great and sometimes they're not, but when they're great, the loss is painful to the players, the publishers, and probably the designers. At this point, I may just give up on ever buying another licensed role-playing game. I'm tired of these yo-yo shenanigans. If I want to play a game based on a novel, movie, television program, etc., I'll just adapt it using a system I already know and enjoy. I'm tired of "official" rules and licensing nonsense.

I am bored by blowhards who argue about "the right way to play" role-playing games. What's right for you is what's right for you and maybe your gaming group. Who knows? There may be differences of opinion even amongst fellow gamers you've known for years. Role-playing is a leisure activity, not a science. Invest in a sense of humor.

I am growing weary of crowdfunding projects, especially when the "almost final draft" is released to backers with a plea to help find typographical errors and it turns out the draft is so poorly written and organized that it would require massive rewrites and untold hours of proofreading to make it anywhere near worthy of publication. If you want us to do this much work on a project, PAY US. If you can't pay us to do actual work that is unequivocally essential to the product's success (or existence), at least give us our copies for free. Competent proofreading, editing, and writing services ARE WORK DESERVING OF COMPENSATION. It makes me not want to support these projects in the future.

I am not supporting any product that uses "a.i." artwork, cartography, writing, or design in any way. If it isn't worth creating yourself, it isn't worth anyone else's time, money, or attention. I have no interest in rewarding laziness or incompetence. Peddle your slop in Hell.

Have a nice day!

30 October 2025

Please Stand By

I am experiencing technical difficulties with my computer, as well as the usual difficulties of being who I am as I try to exist in these space-time coordinates. My blogging will resume as soon as possible, probably even more sporadically than before, but such is Whatever This Is Called. If you are a living being who reads what I write, thank you for being there, somewhere. It means something to reach someone, even if I never know I reached anyone.

Perhaps.

Be seeing you...

14 September 2025

Beasties Forever

"Print Versions of the Cyclopedia of Common Animals" by Daniel J. Bishop are now available.

This is at the top of my RPG shopping list.

31 August 2025

RPGaDay 2025: Day 31

31. Reward

Role-playing is its own reward. This is true of most hobbies, but the role-playing game is also the quintessential example of the game that isn't played to be won, but to be experienced. The reward is in the play itself.