Modifying Gaming Regulations
In the world of post-apocalyptic gaming, Gaslands: Refuelled has made a splash as a revised and expanded version of the original Gaslands game. The author, who has gained a reputation for their work in the wargaming industry, is using this opportunity to reflect on their craft and apply lessons learned to their next project, A Billion Suns.
The author's approach during the editing of Gaslands: Refuelled is different, focusing primarily on the overall user experience of the rulebook. They are working to ensure it is easy and enjoyable to read, with a clear, consistent, and concise writing style. This emphasis on user experience stems from the author's observation of common editing mistakes in wargame rulebooks, particularly by first-time writers.
These mistakes often center around clarity, consistency, and completeness. Unclear terminology or phrasing can lead to player confusion and disputes during gameplay. Inconsistent terminology and rules make the rulebook difficult to follow. Overly complex or convoluted rules slow down learning and play, while insufficient examples or illustrations make it hard for players to understand how rules apply in practice. Poor structure and layout can make navigation frustrating, and uncorrected typographical and grammatical errors reduce professionalism and may cause interpretive issues.
To avoid these mistakes, the author recommends iterative playtesting, having the rulebook reviewed by experienced editors and players unfamiliar with the game, consistent use of terminology, including diagrams, examples of play, and illustrative scenarios, keeping rules as simple and intuitive as possible, clear layout and formatting, and planning for ongoing updates post-release.
In the case of Gaslands: Refuelled, the game mechanics remain unchanged from the original version. However, the author is checking examples in the rulebook thoroughly to avoid confusion caused by contradictory examples. The author did not focus enough mental energy on the question of how the rulebook should be laid out to communicate the game effectively, which was a point of criticism for the original Gaslands rulebook.
The author, at the time of writing the original Gaslands rulebook, had no experience in writing or editing rulebooks of that size. The process of preparing the manuscript for Osprey for Gaslands: Refuelled was primarily one of editing rather than game design. A revised and expanded hardback edition of Gaslands, titled Gaslands: Refuelled, has been announced, and players are eagerly anticipating the improved user experience.
As the author continues to work on Gaslands: Refuelled and prepares for the launch of A Billion Suns, they are addicted to commas and are making an effort to use fewer of them. They are also reflecting on what they have learned during the editing process and are working on using more full stops and fewer commas. The author finds the process of editing Gaslands into its revised and expanded version liberating, as they are reorganizing and editing an existing game that has been played and enjoyed by tens of thousands of gamers.
The author, in their journey towards improving the rulebook for Gaslands: Refuelled, has shifted their focus to sports-like engagement, incorporating elements of hockey to ensure the rulebook is easy to comprehend, engaging, and free from conflicts. This new approach stems from their past experiences, where unclear and inconsistent rulebooks, similar to a disorganized hockey game, can lead to confusion and disputes among players.
