My Metatopia 2014 Schedule
3 November 2014
I’m putting this here on the blog so I can refer back to it later. Last year, I went as a playtester (even though I used the convention to get my name out there as an editor, with several projects resulting from it). This year I’m going as an industry professional (remember: this just means I’ve been paid to do a thing and that I paid a higher price to be able to schedule playtests of my design work).
I’ve got one panel I’m sitting on (What Can an Editor Do For You?) and two playtests of my LB/A/N/N hack inspired by Iron Edda). Oh, I’m also now a member of the IGDN) (Surprise!), so I’ve definitely got to be there for the meet and greet.
Okay, enough preamble.
[D002] “Computer Hacking In Games”
Presented by Shane Harsch
An actual professional in information security discusses the actual process/stages of intrusion (what we call the “Kill Chain”) and then facilitates a discussion about the challenges of turning that real-world process into an actionable and fun gaming experience.
Friday 9:00AM-10:00AM
One Session
All Ages
[D008] “Meet The IGDN!
Presented by Marissa Kelly, Jason Pitre, Brie Sheldon, and Mark Diaz Truman
Over the past three years, the Indie Game Developer Network has grown from a small group of hopeful publishers to a trade organization with nearly fifty dues-paying members. Come learn more about this organization, how we’re organized, what our goals are for 2015, and what the future holds for the IGDN!
Friday 11:00AM-12:00PM
One Session
All Ages
[D010] “Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Analysis”
Presented by Rob Donoghue & Jason Pitre
So, the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons is out. Now it’s time to dig into the design and talk about the rules, procedures and advice that the game brings to the RPG design field. Let’s look at the crunchy bits!
Friday, 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Serious, All Ages
[D021] “What Can An Editor Do For You?”
Presented by John Adamus, Jeremy Morgan, and Amanda Valentine.
Cleaning up your tortured syntax and fixing your punctuation is only the beginning. A good editor can help you improve the presentation of your game on many levels.
Friday 3:00PM-4:00PM
One Session
All Ages
[R176] Iron Edda; “Memories of Metal and Bone”
By Stormin’ Da Castle
Presented by Jeremy Morgan
Memories of Metal and Bone is based on Iron Edda, using mechanics from Lady Blackbird and Always/Never/Now. Midgaard lies in ruin, and we’ve gone into space aboard our Jotunn living ships, but the damned Dwarves also found a way to develop spacecraft, and they’re up here too. We’re the crew of the Stormbeard, and we search for why Ragnarok didn’t happen.
Friday, 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Serious, 18 & Over ONLY
[R228] Iron Edda; “Memories of Metal and Bone”
By Stormin’ Da Castle
Presented by Jeremy Morgan
Memories of Metal and Bone is based on Iron Edda, using mechanics from Lady Blackbird and Always/Never/Now. Midgaard lies in ruin, and we’ve gone into space aboard our Jotunn living ships, but the damned Dwarves also found a way to develop spacecraft, and they’re up here too. We’re the crew of the Stormbeard, and we search for why Ragnarok didn’t happen.
Friday, 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Serious, 18 & Over ONLY
[D035] “Designing For Disability Access”
Presented by Elsa S. Henry
Elsa is a multiply disabled game designer and player. Her game reviews - Blind Lady Versus - have enabled her to begin spotting general issues which game designers can avoid. Games can be accessible for everyone, from tabletop to LARP, from blindness to mobility issues. Games are for everyone.
Saturday 9:00AM-10:00AM
One Session
All Ages
[R303] “Noir World”
By The Writer Next Door
Presented by John Adamus
Noir World is a collaborative-GM Apocalypse Word hack focusing on a noir world of both classic and neo film tropes. Players take on the roles of detectives, femme fatales, mooks, war vets and more in tragic tales of crime, suffering and corruption as they not only direct play but shape the story they’re telling. This game’s influences run a gamut from The Maltese Falcon. Double Indemnity and Out of the Past to neo-noirs like Pulp Fiction, Sin City and Brick.
Saturday, 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Serious, 18 & Over ONLY
[R335] “Ars Magica GUMSHOE RPG”
By Atlas Games
Presented by Cam Banks
The Quaesitors of House Guernicus are the executors of Mythic Europe’s magical traditions, seeking out the rot that festers in the heart of the Order of Hermes. Using hermetic magic and the assistance of their trusty companions & grogs, Quaesitors must solve mysteries impossible to solve with 13th century methods. Join designer Cam Banks in testing this marriage of gaming’s premier investigative rules with the award-winning world of Ars Magica.
Saturday, 2:00PM - 4:00PM
Fun, 18 & Over ONLY
[R360] “Headspace”
By Green Hat Designs
Presented by Mark Richardson
Headspace is a cyberpunk game where the players are operatives fighting against evil corporations. You’ll need to make use not only of your own hyper-competence but that of your teammates by use of shared mental and emotional consciousness, the Headspace. There’s a catch though: Everyone’s got baggage and digging too deeply into the Space can quickly turn a simple Op into a battle for your very mind and spirit. Headspace, powered by the Apocalypse, explores the boundaries between cinematic fiction and cinematic feelings.
Saturday, 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Serious, 18 & Over ONLY
[R385] “The Dark Road”
By Magpie Games
Presented by Mark Diaz Truman
The gunslinger, the priest, and the mother come to the town of Charcas, searching for signs of the El Hombre Muerto. Their journey has already carried them away from the sea of dreams to this forsaken place. What will they find here? Will they survive this town? Will they honor the Law and return to the Road?
Saturday, 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Serious, 18 & Over ONLY
[R417] “TimeWatch Parallel Realities”
By Pelgrane Press
Presented by Kevin W. Kulp
There are infinite realities out there, and there are corporations mining them for their resources. Instead of time traveling, you slide between parallel universes as company troubleshooters. But there are rats in the system, and it’s up to you to track them down… TimeWatch Parallel Realities is a sci-fi setting for the newly Kickstarted GUMSHOE game of time travel, investigation and chronal mayhem.
Saturday, 8:00PM - 12:00AM
Serious, 18 & Over ONLY
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