Random Links for 1/16

Wednesday is turning into Random Links Dump Day, since I tend to get done with work late. So here are three more:

- I liked the thesis of this article:

The Basis of the Game is Making Decisions

I won't agree with everything he says, and I have no idea about anything on Critical Role (or much about it at all), but I agree with the thesis. The game is about making decisions. I think it's better to present a game about how it's played - and what you do - first of all. "This is a game of building giant space empires and negotiating with alien races!" might sound awesome, but if what you do is "draw a card, read it, and roll a die and see what happens" it's a game of drawing cards and rolling dice. RPGs are about decisions. And if you play point-based like I do, you're making them right from the start and those decisions influence other ones. The monsters providing an interesting basis for those decisions.

- This game review makes the game sound tempting. Maybe when I have more free time.

- I'm sad I missed out on this boxed set of minis, based solely on the words "Lords of Decay" and "Julie Guthrie."