How to Host a Dungeon: Clash of Civilizations
Last month, Ben, Jonathan, and I got together for a playtest of How to Host a Dungeon: Clash of Civilizations. This is gigantic multi-player How to Host a Dungeon variant. I'm just getting around to digesting the learnings now.
For a while I thought I'd just junk this whole idea. The things I like about How to Host a Dungeon solo play feel dull in group play. Counting my Dwarven population to see what they build feels very flat.
But then I read Dawn of Worlds and I was inspired to take another look at my assumptions. Jonathan's also working on a multi-player collaborative world building game that's inspiring me.
So I'm revising Clash with some new fundamentals:
- Instead of rigid build lists, loose guidelines
- Breeders breed, delvers build, Drow enslave, and so on: these are the fundamentals, so keep them simple and automatic
- Replace the more arcane procedures with open-ended instructions to the players
Labels: clash of civilizations, design, How to host a dungeon, playtest
Thanks for brining "Dawn of Worlds" to my attention. I've been trying to figure out "How to Host a Wilderness" version of "How to Host a Dungeon". Maybe Dawn will be what I want or atleast push me in right direction.
And don't give up on Clash of Civilizations, it sounds cool.
Posted by Norman J. Harman Jr. | 8:27 PM
This sounds awesome. I would love to see this completed.
Posted by Mark | 7:04 AM
Hello,
I'm wondering what your time frame for releasing Clash of Civilizations?
I've tried Dawn of Worlds once. I really like the idea but it seemed way too free form for me. So maybe your game might suit me better.
Thanks.
Posted by Mike | 11:12 PM
Any movement on this? I love both HtHaD and DoW, so a game combining elements of both would be right up my alley...
Posted by Murk | 8:08 AM
Man...'Clash' sounds really *really* fun. I hope it hasn't fallen off your radar completely.
Posted by Anonymous | 11:09 AM