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Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game.

Posted by Lord_Johnny
Lord_Johnny
member, 107 posts
Sat 13 Aug 2016
at 00:56
  • msg #1

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

So, it's seemed to me that there are several games for the HP world that seem fun...except they're all in Hogwarts. I've pretty much decided to stop waiting for someone else to do one, and I am thinking of doing one myself.

Core idea is getting people who graduated from their schooling, and are now thrust into the wide world to seek what they may. Be it Light, or Dark Wizards, the world would be built by them, and their interactions. Definitely sandbox with players doing the story vs there being a story to tell.

Right now, trying to see:

1. If this sounds interesting to people.
2. Should I do entirely homebred system, or a modified 7th Sea system.


Thoughts?
StarMaster
member, 188 posts
Sat 13 Aug 2016
at 01:01
  • msg #2

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

I'm sure you'll find several takers if you start one. I would think, though, that you should offer some sort of hook to get players interested. Expecting the players to figure that out seems like a good to doom the game.


As for the system, have you looked at Broomstix & Kauldronz?

You don't actually need a system at all, particularly if you are expecting players to provide plots. That pretty much begs for a freeform game.
Lord_Johnny
member, 109 posts
Sat 13 Aug 2016
at 01:12
  • msg #3

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

I haven't considered B&K...because I've never heard of it let alone run it. Not opposed to that system, but probably don't want to run it without having learned through play.

Definitely a lot of this is going to be free form, but I've noticed a distinct lack of the Empire building/sandbox incentives in most free forms. The idea of for the game system would be a much better ability to see what is or isn't happening in things other than direct player to player interaction. Successes/failures type idea.


What sort of hook did you have in mind?
StarMaster
member, 189 posts
Sat 13 Aug 2016
at 04:34
  • msg #4

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

Actually, I've found that running a game here on RPoL is a good way to learn a game, but, of course, that's what works for me.


I didn't have any hook in mind, but like the Harry Potter books, the hook was defeating Voldemort.

If the characters will be adventuring out in the real world/Wizarding world, you should have a hook that will draw in players.... whether that's finding out what's wrong with dragons or finding some lost magical artifact or perhaps Voldemort tampered with things he shouldn't have (wouldn't be the first time) and now some ancient threat has been released.

Just free-wheeling some ideas there. It all depends on what kind of scope you want for the game. Maybe just run a scavenger hunt. Or maybe a wizarding tournament.
Lord_Johnny
member, 110 posts
Sat 13 Aug 2016
at 14:54
  • msg #5

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

Definitely an idea, but I really want people to be developing their own story, and have sandbox / Empire building for the game.

IE, player 1 wants to be a dark Overlord, with plenty of minions. Player 2 just wants to be rich, with lots of shops, etc.

Both would be doable, and would have the opportunity to interact. This would definitely not be a single story.
Lord_Johnny
member, 112 posts
Thu 18 Aug 2016
at 14:54
  • msg #6

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

So...would it be fair to say that there doesn't seem to be much interest in this concept?
StarMaster
member, 193 posts
Fri 19 Aug 2016
at 00:09
  • msg #7

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

There are already a few Harry Potter games on this site, and I could say if all those players check this board/thread.

The only real way to find out is to start the game and recruit players. If you don't get enough players then, it might be because players aren't interested in the premise, not necessarily Harry Potter.
willvr
member, 957 posts
Fri 19 Aug 2016
at 00:37
  • msg #8

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

One thing to note though, is that even for a sandbox style game, you do need -some- overall hook. Even if it's just a starting point. Because just throwing everything wide open becomes overwhelming.
Gaffer
member, 1383 posts
Ocoee FL
40 yrs of RPGs
Fri 19 Aug 2016
at 02:31
  • msg #9

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

For me, a large part of the attraction in role-playing games is interacting with other players. Personal goals are fine, but if there isn't some sort of common thread or story, it can become a bunch of separate individuals pursuing their own goals. I think people can become bored or overwhelmed and lose interest. That also means that every other post has to be made by the GM, which can be a lot of work.
StarMaster
member, 194 posts
Fri 19 Aug 2016
at 03:37
  • msg #10

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

That all depends on the game and the players. A couple of 7th Sea games had players posting so much that they almost didn't need a GM. That was partly true of the Harry Potter games, too.

That being said, as Gaffer stated, be prepared for some work... just in case.
Lord_Johnny
member, 114 posts
Thu 25 Aug 2016
at 21:28
  • msg #11

Interest check/ Advice in Harry Potter Game

*nods* at this point I've been doing a lot of work on trying to get "background" done if you will. Things like spell books and lists done, or what skills you use to make potions or fix wands, etc.
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