julienlegault.bsky.social
Queer non-binary TTRPG designer and publisher, writer, illustrator, layout designer, musician, etc. They/them.
starlightgrove.ca
50 posts
356 followers
58 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
comment in response to
post
this is why I commit to running games that aren't finished at conventions lol it forces me to get it out the door
comment in response to
post
fuego look so good 👀
comment in response to
post
haha I am the exact opposite, this is my fav part, sometimes I make character sheets for other games for fun 😅
comment in response to
post
yes!
comment in response to
post
I've often read ttrpgs that make me think, "is this still a ttrpg?" and I see how arguing they "must" be about storytelling invalidates some amazing work. my reaction was much more like, "hey my games ARE about storytelling, and that's bad now maybe?"
comment in response to
post
also take this with a grain of salt. I witnessed some "ttrpgs aren't stories and should not be considered as such" kind of posts. I don't think they "must" be stories, but I think they very well "can" be.
comment in response to
post
this is lots to chew on! I remember I loved esoteric enough that I printed it and stitched it into a physical book when I got it haha. I think I have a better idea of why the argument is being made now, too. context is everything.
comment in response to
post
haha I'm not one that takes pride in having unchanging opinions. I'm no expert.
comment in response to
post
I think I've read "ttrpgs aren't about storytelling" when it's more "ttrpgs don't have to be about storytelling" if that makes sense. and I'm sure there's people that are using this argument to say "if your ttrpg isn't about storytelling it's not an rpg".
comment in response to
post
I love this! I often see myself as responsible for setting the vibe and structure to produce cool stories, but it's not my job to decide what stories are told. and to come full circle on it, I loved reading esoteric and it was one of the first things that really challenged what ttrpgs are for me.
comment in response to
post
honestly thanks for laying it out a bit, I'm not a big discourse person and just saw a post or two that confused me that were probably reacting to this notion.
comment in response to
post
I'm genuinely interested in hearing more about this! especially along the lines of how the "ttrpgs are not stories" argument helps change how I design games.
comment in response to
post
hey this is cool that you feel so strongly, but I actually don't have a huge stake in this and this is so aggressive for reasons I don't fully understand. truly didn't mean to cause an upset!
comment in response to
post
some things tell stories incidentally and some intentionally. some help you tell specific stories and explore life through them. what meaningful implication does believing ttrpgs aren't storytelling have when I'm designing/playing them?
comment in response to
post
I think the fundamental misinterpretation is that a storytelling medium and a story are not the same? I don't argue this because I think I'm the authority on this, but I think the definitions you choose change the art you make. how does your definition serve you or restrict you?
comment in response to
post
stories don't require editing, proofreading, or structure; marvel movies do. I've told stories through a composition, through painting, through living life and sharing it with others. storytelling is the basis of communication. stories can have many authors. stories can be unfinished.
comment in response to
post
also every time I think this thought it's accompanied by the mental image of @trueryankhan.bsky.social whispering in my ear while tenting his fingers
comment in response to
post
I don't remember but I think she ends up closing the box at the end and everything's fine, right
comment in response to
post
all games need a master and my master is the dice
comment in response to
post
I think when I first printed a hardcover project it like, blew me away seeing the spine of one of my games on my own game shelf haha it was such a reminder that I can do cool stuff
comment in response to
post
I didn't realize joining bluesky came with a free rival (I DIDN'T see it yet as a matter of fact but this was a great response)
comment in response to
post
literally hours later after saying "pique" is too esoteric I wrote a skill named "magniloquence"
comment in response to
post
that's how game design works
comment in response to
post
okay but if I give in on this one you have to design the rest of it
comment in response to
post
this would be perfect if it was more widely known haha
comment in response to
post
ohhhh I'm intrigued this is a good direction
comment in response to
post
the balance between being succinct and easily understandable is a tough one haha
comment in response to
post
pop em in the oven for 30m at 350 and they'll be ready to go