That's exactly how I started in solo RPGs... and how it's currently going hahah. There are so many brilliant games around on Itch and Drivethrough, some on sale, some free, that is just natural to hoard. Isn't it?
There's a Japanese term for this: tsundoku. The accumulation of books and reading materials you don't read.
I feel your pain. I want to play ALL THE THINGS. And I feel like if I don't buy it now it won't be available later. On top of that I also have a boardgame addic...hobby. But, I do combine resources so where it feels right to me. So my Sundered Isles campaign has also incorporated Pirate Borg, Troika, Downcrawl 2ed, setting books by Andrew Kolb etc. Also, The Bad Spot has a homebrew rule that only uses one track, so no more Quests, bonds, discoveries, background vow, it's all just one track of 10 squares so when it's full you campaign ends. This has focused my game more. I hope this helps.
I know exactly what you mean with this. It took me bloody ages to finally start focussing on my solo game. Before then I bounced around playing the Witcher, Zweihander and a smattering of others solo. All of them faded away after a few sessions, mainly due to the overwhelming aspect of the hobby you’ve described - there’s just SO MUCH to play and it’s hard to nail down just playing the one game as the temptation to play all this cool stuff you can buy/download is too great. But once it clicks, it does click!
You are absolutely not the only one. I keep seeing recommendations on Reddit for this great solo rpg or that one, and they're often the kind of thing that I'm curious about and so I end up buying them and it being months before I actually get around to playing any of them.
Blogging about solo RPGs has made it worse in some ways. Mainly, not wanting my play sessions to outpace my ability to write session reports has been my biggest challenge. That and the fear of forgetting what my character is doing if I go too long between session.
I try to stay within the same system so that it's easier to experiment with hacks but I also want to play Kal Arath and Delta Green solo.
I recommend having 3 games to rotate...
One for simplicity, one with engaging combat, and another to drown yourself in (setting matters most for this one).
You’re not wrong on the blogging - it definitely adds a lot of time (and work) to the process. I still think I’ll stick with it, though. It feels good to have that journaling aspect to my games!
That's exactly how I started in solo RPGs... and how it's currently going hahah. There are so many brilliant games around on Itch and Drivethrough, some on sale, some free, that is just natural to hoard. Isn't it?
There's a Japanese term for this: tsundoku. The accumulation of books and reading materials you don't read.
Anyway, great post!
Thanks, Jake. I'm going to start using that word all the time now!
I feel your pain. I want to play ALL THE THINGS. And I feel like if I don't buy it now it won't be available later. On top of that I also have a boardgame addic...hobby. But, I do combine resources so where it feels right to me. So my Sundered Isles campaign has also incorporated Pirate Borg, Troika, Downcrawl 2ed, setting books by Andrew Kolb etc. Also, The Bad Spot has a homebrew rule that only uses one track, so no more Quests, bonds, discoveries, background vow, it's all just one track of 10 squares so when it's full you campaign ends. This has focused my game more. I hope this helps.
Combining systems, eh? That sounds a bit like a recipe for even more overwhelm, lol
I know exactly what you mean with this. It took me bloody ages to finally start focussing on my solo game. Before then I bounced around playing the Witcher, Zweihander and a smattering of others solo. All of them faded away after a few sessions, mainly due to the overwhelming aspect of the hobby you’ve described - there’s just SO MUCH to play and it’s hard to nail down just playing the one game as the temptation to play all this cool stuff you can buy/download is too great. But once it clicks, it does click!
Yes, it's a great hobby, for sure. I love it! I just need to find an extra few hours every day...
You are absolutely not the only one. I keep seeing recommendations on Reddit for this great solo rpg or that one, and they're often the kind of thing that I'm curious about and so I end up buying them and it being months before I actually get around to playing any of them.
I think I'm just gonna have to accept I'll never play everything I want!
Blogging about solo RPGs has made it worse in some ways. Mainly, not wanting my play sessions to outpace my ability to write session reports has been my biggest challenge. That and the fear of forgetting what my character is doing if I go too long between session.
I try to stay within the same system so that it's easier to experiment with hacks but I also want to play Kal Arath and Delta Green solo.
I recommend having 3 games to rotate...
One for simplicity, one with engaging combat, and another to drown yourself in (setting matters most for this one).
I
You’re not wrong on the blogging - it definitely adds a lot of time (and work) to the process. I still think I’ll stick with it, though. It feels good to have that journaling aspect to my games!
I understand the feeling. I'm getting ready to run an Ironsworn solo soon. First time. Reading and prepping now.
Great article!
Oooh, hope you’ll write this up!
Will do.
What is the settlement building hack for Ironsworn?
Ironsworn: Reign
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/419256/ironsworn-reign
I just bought modern war with supplements, heeeelp meeee