We have doubled the number of backers since my last update, so hello all old and new! Please go back and read the first update if you want to get a feel for where we are going. I am so grateful for the trust around these little projects of mine.
RPG ZINES First of all, I didn't realize it has been 2.5 years since I crowdfunded an RPG zine. That is far too long. However, in the meantime (between designing train games, card games, a full-time job, and being a PhD student) I have still been working on and creating RPG zines. I won't lie, I probably have 3 more in some final 10%. In fact, the three that I have come with a fourth one. The zines are seasonal, multiplayer RPGs about exploring friendships. Maybe after this semester I can finalize that last one and send those out.
But I digress...
ASTRONOMICAL The reason why I think that history is important is because for years now I have wanted to create a zine that actually came with two zines. I wanted players to experience the game together, but this could involve different prompts, mechanisms, and more. Astronomical is my first venture into this journey.
So in case you didn't even read the description pages: You will receive two 8-page zines. The zines are about 50% the same (across most instructions and outcomes), but the prompts and mechanisms are different. This means that the purple zine and the turquoise zine are different, and depending on how you play and which one you pick up, the game will be slightly different. I think that's fun. I hate games where one person has to prep for 3 hours before the game begins. It's not my thing.
To play, you need DICE, CARDS, and PAPER.
DICE represent people on planets. When you roll your 12 dice, some will naturally pair up (like you roll multiple "2"s) and some might be singles (as in you roll only one "5"). Paired dice are people on separate planets who have had some relationship but are currently separated by space. Single dice are people on planets perfectly content living their own lives alone.
CARDS you play from your hand correspond to prompts in your zines, longings, thoughts, emotions, or something else. You will use those prompts to write a short 2-3 sentence letter. If it's a paired die, that letter is addressed to someone on the other planet. If it's a single die, that letter is a wondering or hope for the person who is alone.
PAPER can be index cards, sticky notes, or something else. These are what you write the letter on, and then tuck them underneath the die.
Players do this simultaneously until all 12 dice have been "lettered" and each player has written 6 letters. Then, you resolve what happens to the letters. Do they get delivered or do they get lost?
I'll let you find out that part by yourself.
Thanks everyone. We will be in touch in a couple of days where I start talking about some of the other games up for reprint!
