"Movie Monster" Campaign [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Movie Monster" Campaign [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
D&D_Madness 5000
09-13-05, 09:33 PM I plan on creating a campaign about movie monsters (Godzilla, Imhotep, Wolfman,etc) But I'm not sure how long it will take to finish. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it takes to create a campaign? :(
Ringmereth
09-13-05, 10:32 PM A couple hours can be enough to get a main plot arch figured out, given a flash of inspiration and a premade setting. On the other hand, detailing each session and all it's eventualities is a huge amount of work-probably an hour of prep for every hour you play.
boredgremlin
09-14-05, 02:21 AM yeah it definately depends on whether you use a premade game world or not. And how much extra effort you really plan on going to.

For instance if you want your feel to revolve around certain beasties you should make up new random encounter tables for the types of creatures you think belong in this game.

Then for a good campaign you should create a few power groups. Some good and some bad and decide what they are up to and what the general timeline of thier plans is. Then since you have this specific feel figure how that ties into your movie monsters. Set a few specific stories with monsters unrelated to the power groups but keep it open so you can just try to hook the players to your beastie but they can do it whenever they want not neccesarily under any time constraint. Players like that better. They feel free in the world to play how they want.

I would say not to get too detailed on story arcs and such. That sort of thing can lead to a DM railroading because your under prepared for the PC's to go off and do what they want to do. Rather create the world they live in and then set them loose in it. It will likely take you a few hours a day for a week or two. Then a little more time each week to update a few things based on what the players did in the last session. It makes for a very rewarding game though.
D&D_Madness 5000
09-14-05, 05:33 PM yeah it definately depends on whether you use a premade game world or not. And how much extra effort you really plan on going to.

For instance if you want your feel to revolve around certain beasties you should make up new random encounter tables for the types of creatures you think belong in this game.

Then for a good campaign you should create a few power groups. Some good and some bad and decide what they are up to and what the general timeline of thier plans is. Then since you have this specific feel figure how that ties into your movie monsters. Set a few specific stories with monsters unrelated to the power groups but keep it open so you can just try to hook the players to your beastie but they can do it whenever they want not neccesarily under any time constraint. Players like that better. They feel free in the world to play how they want.

I would say not to get too detailed on story arcs and such. That sort of thing can lead to a DM railroading because your under prepared for the PC's to go off and do what they want to do. Rather create the world they live in and then set them loose in it. It will likely take you a few hours a day for a week or two. Then a little more time each week to update a few things based on what the players did in the last session. It makes for a very rewarding game though.

Premade? Oh no :mad: I plan on expanding it! Making it fresh new! Just as big or famous as Legends Of the Shining Jewel. Ok :( It may not be sponsored by the RPGA but it's still D&D. I will make a new world. New lands, new names, new famous NPC's, new everything! Not ONE thing will be left unaccounted. That should give specifics for what I plan to reach! :D I will make a completely new world. Now, I'm not sure if I will make it Forgotten Realms or whatever but either way... ;)
tennesseefats
09-14-05, 05:41 PM A couple hours can be enough to get a main plot arch figured out...

Which is twice as long as it took to write most of those movies in the first place.
/zing!
D&D_Madness 5000
09-14-05, 06:13 PM Which is twice as long as it took to write most of those movies in the first place.
/zing!

And this funny comment will preview my doom how? :confused:
boredgremlin
09-15-05, 05:10 AM Premade? Oh no :mad: I plan on expanding it! Making it fresh new! Just as big or famous as Legends Of the Shining Jewel. Ok :( It may not be sponsored by the RPGA but it's still D&D. I will make a new world. New lands, new names, new famous NPC's, new everything! Not ONE thing will be left unaccounted. That should give specifics for what I plan to reach! :D I will make a completely new world. Now, I'm not sure if I will make it Forgotten Realms or whatever but either way... ;)

Ahh, well then i would say to do what the DMG says and build one little piece at a time. Most big game worlds have developed over years with whole teams working on them.
High Octane
09-15-05, 11:10 AM Campaigns take from 1 hour to your whole life to create.

Campaigns that are well loved are constantly evolving. One DM I have has been playing for some 22 years, DMing for 14, and is still creating his 1st edition campaign world.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
D&D_Madness 5000 09-13-05, 09:33 PM	I plan on creating a campaign about movie monsters (Godzilla, Imhotep, Wolfman,etc) But I'm not sure how long it will take to finish. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it takes to create a campaign? :(
Ringmereth 09-13-05, 10:32 PM	A couple hours can be enough to get a main plot arch figured out, given a flash of inspiration and a premade setting. On the other hand, detailing each session and all it's eventualities is a huge amount of work-probably an hour of prep for every hour you play.
boredgremlin 09-14-05, 02:21 AM	yeah it definately depends on whether you use a premade game world or not. And how much extra effort you really plan on going to. For instance if you want your feel to revolve around certain beasties you should make up new random encounter tables for the types of creatures you think belong in this game. Then for a good campaign you should create a few power groups. Some good and some bad and decide what they are up to and what the general timeline of thier plans is. Then since you have this specific feel figure how that ties into your movie monsters. Set a few specific stories with monsters unrelated to the power groups but keep it open so you can just try to hook the players to your beastie but they can do it whenever they want not neccesarily under any time constraint. Players like that better. They feel free in the world to play how they want. I would say not to get too detailed on story arcs and such. That sort of thing can lead to a DM railroading because your under prepared for the PC's to go off and do what they want to do. Rather create the world they live in and then set them loose in it. It will likely take you a few hours a day for a week or two. Then a little more time each week to update a few things based on what the players did in the last session. It makes for a very rewarding game though.
D&D_Madness 5000 09-14-05, 05:33 PM	yeah it definately depends on whether you use a premade game world or not. And how much extra effort you really plan on going to. For instance if you want your feel to revolve around certain beasties you should make up new random encounter tables for the types of creatures you think belong in this game. Then for a good campaign you should create a few power groups. Some good and some bad and decide what they are up to and what the general timeline of thier plans is. Then since you have this specific feel figure how that ties into your movie monsters. Set a few specific stories with monsters unrelated to the power groups but keep it open so you can just try to hook the players to your beastie but they can do it whenever they want not neccesarily under any time constraint. Players like that better. They feel free in the world to play how they want. I would say not to get too detailed on story arcs and such. That sort of thing can lead to a DM railroading because your under prepared for the PC's to go off and do what they want to do. Rather create the world they live in and then set them loose in it. It will likely take you a few hours a day for a week or two. Then a little more time each week to update a few things based on what the players did in the last session. It makes for a very rewarding game though. Premade? Oh no :mad: I plan on expanding it! Making it fresh new! Just as big or famous as Legends Of the Shining Jewel. Ok :( It may not be sponsored by the RPGA but it's still D&D. I will make a new world. New lands, new names, new famous NPC's, new everything! Not ONE thing will be left unaccounted. That should give specifics for what I plan to reach! :D I will make a completely new world. Now, I'm not sure if I will make it Forgotten Realms or whatever but either way... ;)
tennesseefats 09-14-05, 05:41 PM	A couple hours can be enough to get a main plot arch figured out... Which is twice as long as it took to write most of those movies in the first place. /zing!
D&D_Madness 5000 09-14-05, 06:13 PM	Which is twice as long as it took to write most of those movies in the first place. /zing! And this funny comment will preview my doom how? :confused:
boredgremlin 09-15-05, 05:10 AM	Premade? Oh no :mad: I plan on expanding it! Making it fresh new! Just as big or famous as Legends Of the Shining Jewel. Ok :( It may not be sponsored by the RPGA but it's still D&D. I will make a new world. New lands, new names, new famous NPC's, new everything! Not ONE thing will be left unaccounted. That should give specifics for what I plan to reach! :D I will make a completely new world. Now, I'm not sure if I will make it Forgotten Realms or whatever but either way... ;) Ahh, well then i would say to do what the DMG says and build one little piece at a time. Most big game worlds have developed over years with whole teams working on them.
High Octane 09-15-05, 11:10 AM	Campaigns take from 1 hour to your whole life to create. Campaigns that are well loved are constantly evolving. One DM I have has been playing for some 22 years, DMing for 14, and is still creating his 1st edition campaign world.