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Thoughts about RPG Layout

I saw somewhere a post about RPG layout, specifically the actual maps. It's an age-old issue of having to flip back and forth between the map and the descriptions on that map.

I look at the one-page dungeons as a good way to handle that issue until someone recommended Weird Discoveries for Numenera.

In Weird Discoveries, it appears that each map is two pages wide (the book is open and it lays flat on the table) with descriptions surrounding the map in the middle of the spread.

From my experience as a training content developer, the arrows to different locations are hard to read. That is why the old dungeons had numbered rooms in the first place.

When I begin creating content for my writing stint, I'm going to try a two-page spread type of layout with indicators instead of arrows. To save time, I'll start with one of Dyson's available designs and go from there.

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8 Comments

  1. Jacob Hurst

    You could always try and make it fit on the spread.
    https://plus.google.com/photos/

  2. Jacob Hurst

    And put each level (or coherent section) on its own page (or spread if it makes sense). So then you see what you need, when you need it.
    https://plus.google.com/photos/

  3. Keith J Davies

    I’m interested in what you come up with, John Payne. I’ve got some thoughts on the topic and I’d like to see what you do.

  4. John Payne

    Jacob Hurst I plan to do something similar. Basically, the image is centered in the spread, but it is surrounding by key text. I’ll have a mockup next Monday.

  5. John Payne

    Keith J Davies It’s one of those things where I say that it Monte Cook can do it and it is well-received in playtesting, it is probably a good thing.

    I don’t believe I’m doing anything groundbreaking, but we’ll see if it works well.

    Look forward to your thoughts.

  6. Keith J Davies

    John Payne heh, I dunno. Malhavoc used that dinky font for years… but seemed to do well. I found it almost unreadable on screen, though.

  7. John Payne

    Keith J Davies True enough. I’m in search of a not-so-dinky font. 🙂

  8. Keith J Davies

    John Payne I’ve been quite happy with Heuristica. It’s big for its size.

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