Overcoming Challenges through Creative Solutions
In the world of Gaslands, a thrilling post-apocalyptic dice game, the author, a games designer, has been making waves with a groundbreaking campaign system. This system, initially conceived as a response to the author's co-conspirator, John, who suggested a race season-themed campaign, has undergone significant changes since its inception in 2015.
The October 2015 update for the Gaslands beta rules brought about improvements to movement rules, vehicles, weapons, and upgrades. However, the campaign system was not left untouched. The author, recognising the potential of the dice game, saw an opportunity to apply its lessons to the main Gaslands game.
The new campaign system, set to be included in the next update, promises to redefine the Gaslands experience. Each player is given a number of additional cans before each game in the campaign, ensuring a fair starting point for all. This approach, reminiscent of the concept of "minimum viable game," focuses on a single system of the larger game, providing a simple yet effective foundation for the campaign.
The author argues that traditional campaign systems often favour skilled players over less experienced ones, a dynamic that can negatively impact the meta-game. To counter this, the author has decided to abandon the old school progression system in favour of a simple escalation format. This ensures that players begin each game on a roughly equal footing, with better players still more likely to win, but weaker players not at a mechanical disadvantage.
The dice game, with its straightforward and fast-paced mechanics, emphasises quick, high-octane action. This design approach complements the campaign system's focus on vehicular mayhem and customisation, allowing players to engage in chaotic encounters while also building longer-term narratives through campaigns involving scenario variety, environmental effects, and vehicle upgrades.
The author's innovative design strategy, dubbed "designing around the problem," has been instrumental in the development of this system. The author's blog serves as a platform to discuss the game design process and share insights, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of Gaslands.
Players who make smarter choices at the start of the season are likely to remain in a stronger position. However, the author is mindful of the potential for the campaign system to be seen as light-weight by some members of the community. Regardless, the author is interested in the community's reaction to this design decision and hopes that the campaign system will enhance the Gaslands experience, offering players a chance to craft their own anarchic futures and immerse themselves in an evolving story of post-apocalyptic vehicular carnage.
[1] This paragraph is a summary of the key points made throughout the article. It emphasises the importance of the campaign system in Gaslands and how it allows players to create their own narratives through customised vehicles and scenarios.
The author, in his innovative design strategy, has sought to integrate technology in the form of a campaign system within the Gaslands game. This system, inspired by the concept of "minimum viable game," offers players a fair start in each game and redefines the Gaslands experience, complementing the game's emphasis on gadgets and customized vehicles.
