So, time for some clarification on the name of this blog. The unfocused bit comes from the fact that I can never stay on one topic for long, usually shifting all over the place on all sorts of different projects. This is a true statement. But I find that every now and then I can become rather fixated on a project, focusing my energies and attention on whatever is the matter at hand. Now fixated usually occurs within the genre, but not the topic. So my painting table can (and does) have Romans, Pulp, Fantasy, and VSF figures on it. I will switch back and forth between these items, usually unable to bring any one project to completion. If I am playing at RPGs I get started in, say fantasy, then suddenly shift my attention to Sci-fi or superhero etc.
Currently my fixation is manifesting itself in RPGs. I have been running 2-3 gaming sessions a week for many months now, to the point of consuming most of my free time. Now, within this current phase of gaming I do flip about on genre and game rules. My RPG sessions started out in Pulp 1920-1930s but now I have started up a classic D&D 3.5 Conan game, and I keep looking at some form of Superhero game flitting from system to system. The fact that I have played so many game sessions is astounding, as I have never played any game so consistently. It is the feedback of the players, the fun that we are having, and the implied commitment that keeps me going. But it does take up a lot of my free time, as I am constantly working through plot ideas, and trying to figure out how I will get myself out of the corners that my improv style of GMing has gotten me into!
A large part of that is due to the pandemic. Not getting together with people has been great! Instead of the old process of trying to make time to game in person, travel time, set up time etc, I have leveraged Roll20 to run my games. A great little system that has allowed me to expand my gaming horizon, to upload images and content to enhance the game. It does mean that I spend an excessive time searching the net for interesting images that will convey the feeling of the game, and to act as short cuts when describing things to players.
Now to that, I have added Inkarnate, a map making online tool. This has proven quite addictive. Initially I thought I would use it for world maps, but now I have found many other uses for it. I has redrawn the map for The City State of the Invincible Overlord, built my own city, and worked on a number of battle maps, and spaceships. My addictive nature shines through as I constantly look at what I have created to see how I can refine the image. Many nights staying up to 2am is testament to my addiction.
However, I backed the recent Crooked Dice Kickstarter, and I have received notice that my package is on the way, and should be here by June 1st. That is 12 buildings, and some other stuff, that I suspect may well drag me back into the miniature side of gaming. Then again the existing pile of MDF has not been worked on for nearly a year...
