Category Archives: News

Metatopia 2016 is just around the corner…

This now-five-year-old convention is the one I look forward to the most in a given year. All of Double Exposure’s conventions are great, but only one is specifically about to delivering excellent content tailored around designing games, for people designing games. And it’s open-armed, welcoming, and unbelievably full of interesting information from an incredible number of amazing people.

The games I’ve taken there have consistently gotten immensely valuable feedback. I’ve met phenomenal people and solidified casual acquaintances into fast friends. I’ve also been able to make a difference in people’s understanding of running their individual game businesses. And it’s the last part that I think is one of the most important to me. I thrive on helping people learn and succeed. And Metatopia is the single best place to do that in tabletop games.

I cannot recommend this convention enough. I really can’t.

I am going to be running four playtest slots of a game under the codename “Project CS,” which is a pickup-and-deliver deckbuilder. There are a few bits and pieces that need ironing, so if you’re going, I hope you’ll help me find and file off the remaining burrs. The game is also on the schedule for a for a formal announcement next week, so keep an eye on my twitter account (@dicefoodlodging) for more info!

Here’s the timetable of events that I’m an official part of, and I have lots of things I want to attend as well. Come and find me!

Friday
9-11am - Project CS
1-2pm - D017: Defining Success - Establishing Personal Metrics
2-4pm - Project CS

Saturday
1-2pm - D059: Theme: What is it Good For?
2-3pm - D065: Where I Stole My Best Idea
8-10pm - Project CS

Sunday
3-5pm - Project CS

Bonus: Brie Sheldon has written up some great tips on being a good playtester, just in time for Metatopia!
http://www.briecs.com/2016/10/convention-playtester-tips.html

Metatopia

Metatopia starts in earnest tomorrow, I’ll be heading out tonight to socialize and get ready for the full weekend experience. This schedule is subject to update as I get more information. Items in bold are where I’m a featured participant, whether that’s running a playtest or being a panelist.

Stepping back, Metatopia is one of the premier playtest/development conventions for games of all sorts. And since it’s the closest one to me, it’s my de facto favorite. If you’re in the area, and have even a passing interest in tabletop game development, it’s very much worthwhile. And for only $20 entry for playtesters, it’s a huge value!

The master schedule is here

Friday

Time / Code / Type / Name
1000-1100 / D006 / Panel / Helping Stores Sell Your Game
1200-1300 / D011 / Panel / Formalizing Your Game Business
1400-1600 / B161 / Playtest / Bulldogs! Deck Building Game
1600-1800 / B203 / Playtest / Bulldogs! Deck Building Game
2100-2200 / D034 / Panel / Nerd Fountain podcast
2200-2300 / D038 / Panel / Cyber Infiltration Hotsheet: Prepping to GM a Cyberheist

Saturday

0900-1100 / B319 / Playtest / Heartcatcher
1200-1300 / D056 / Panel / Gaming as Old People: Support Group
1300-1400 / D059 / Panel / Two-Player Board Games - Peaks and Pitfalls
1500-1600 / D065 / Panel / Ten (more) Ways to Make Your Rulebook Awesome
2200-2300 / D082 / Panel / Adding Envoy to Your Marketing Arsenal

Sunday

1000-1200 / D087 / Panel / Creating Space to Bring the Sexy
1200-1400 / B608 / Playtest / Heartcatcher

Cleaning up the website!

Lots of things in progress over here right now. I’m revamping the entire website. You’ll find the buy links go out to a Square Market page, and if you manage to get to the old store, it’s “down for maintenance” — meaning that I’ve decided ZenCart is more of a pain in the butt than I really want to deal with anymore; so instead I’m using an external shop or two? three? That reminds me, I should put up links to DTRPG, my Square Market store, and IPR. And now this post is quickly becoming a to-do list. Well, so be it. It’ll help me remember to finish this stuff.

  • Finish closing down the old store page
  • Update individual pages to reflect current business model
  • BC Setting Grid => DTRPG
  • Other stuff?