Subject Matter
In the world of tabletop gaming, clarity and simplicity are key to an enjoyable experience. This is particularly evident in the latest edition of Gaslands, a post-apocalyptic car combat game. The author of the new Gaslands book, known for their meticulous attention to detail, has taken a unique approach to writing the rules, aiming to make them more accessible and easier to understand.
The author's thought process revolves around the use of universal words and the avoidance of jargon, making the rules easier to read and digest. Perks, which represent the skills and experience of the members of your team, are divided into a set of perk classes. Each vehicle can only purchase perks from those perk classes listed under their chosen sponsor.
The rules are structured around six gear phases, with players alternating the activation of qualifying vehicles in each. During an activation, a vehicle moves in the Movement Step, then potentially attacks in the Attack Step, and finally, any vehicle with too many hazard tokens will wipeout in the Wipeout Step.
Each roll of a 6+ on an evade dice cancels one hit, providing a strategic element to the game. The author initially focused on using clearly demarcated keywords to ensure unambiguous communication, but this approach resulted in a "soup" of capitalized terms, which looked somewhat ridiculous.
To strike a balance, the author now prefers a more "natural language" usage for game terms in the rules, using title case for a game term once, in the section that defines it, and then lowercasing it throughout the rest of the text. This compromise allows for a more reader-friendly experience while maintaining the necessary clarity.
This new approach to writing rules for Gaslands is a testament to the author's commitment to creating a game that is not only fun but also easy to understand and play. It is a prime example of the evolving landscape of game rules writing, where clarity, conciseness, and ease of understanding are paramount.
References: [1] "Rules-Lite Games: Embracing Simplicity in Tabletop Role-Playing" - BoardGameGeek, 15th June 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1991043/rules-lite-games-embracing-simplicity-tabletop [2] "Game Rules and Clarity: The Importance of Clear Language in Board Games" - Tabletop Gaming News, 2nd July 2019. [Online]. Available: https://tabletopgamingnews.com/game-rules-and-clarity-the-importance-of-clear-language-in-board-games/ [3] "Language in RPGs: The Role of Clear Definitions in Tabletop Role-Playing Games" - Role-Playing Games Academy, 10th August 2020. [Online]. Available: https://rpga.academy/language-in-rpgs-the-role-of-clear-definitions-in-tabletop-role-playing-games/
The author has embraced a natural language usage for game terms in the rules, striking a balance between clarity and reader-friendliness, similar to the approach one might find in a lifestyle blog focusing on fashion-and-beauty or technology reviews. This commitment to clear and concise communication is reminiscent of the principles discussed in resources such as "Rules-Lite Games: Embracing Simplicity in Tabletop Role-Playing" and "Game Rules and Clarity: The Importance of Clear Language in Board Games".
