New Years Resolutions from the local DM

This time of year is a time for reflecting, looking back and thinking about the future. Last year was pretty rubbish for just about everyone, so let’s not bother thinking about it any more. Instead, I want to look to the future, with some things I want to achieve in my playing and running TTRPGs in 2021.

1. Write this blog regularly.

I don’t want to commit to weekly, as I’m sure that there will be times when life takes over and I don’t have time to write, but I do want to keep writing this blog regularly. I’m really enjoying putting my thoughts to paper, and It’s helping me to solidify and refine my ideas about DnD and DMing. It’s making me a better DM, and hopefully those of you reading it are being entertained, and maybe even picking up the odd tip and trick of your own.

1. Play and GM more games.

In 2020, I played and DMed a lot of DnD, I played and GMed Monster of the Week and I played a game called Starhold, which is like Monster of the Week, but set in space. That’s pretty good going, but I’ve written before about how playing and GMing a variety of games makes you a better player and better GM. I want to keep getting better, so I want to keep experiencing more variety. I also enjoy TTRPGs - they’re my main hobby, so I want to play and GM more of them, because they’re fun.

1. Make more progress on the TTRPG I am designing.

I’ve not written about this before, but I have started writing my own RPG. It is an Age of Mythology style game, using the PBTA system (like Monster of the Week), inspired by TV shows like Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess. I’ve so far got most of the player-facing design done, but not really figured out most of the stuff for the GM going on in the background. I have done literally zero play-testing so far, so would love to do that this year (see resolution #2), write up some more GM notes and design some adventures and characters that could be picked up and played easily. I doubt it will ever be published, but it’s good fun to write and think about.

Those are my New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe I’ll write another post in 12 months time to see how I did with them!