Episode 346: RPGs Without Obvious Combat Mechanics

RPG Design Panelcast

Recorded at Metatopia Online 2021

Presented by Moe Poplar, Michael Low, J Gurantz.

Now kids, stop fighting! RPGs are intensely emotionally engaging, deeply moving experiences - and they're fun! Much attention has been paid, recently, to their application in therapy, helping people navigate complex emotional change. This creates a question - how does the violence often built into the system - and setting - of an RPG affect players, and how can we create games where tension, drama, and struggle don't have to be wedded to destruction?