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What software do you use for managing your games?

infojunky

SOC-14 1K
Peer of the Realm
What software do you use for managing your games?

Pondering some new game ideas, and the question came up what are people using for their games.

Please this is just a general question about and and all of what y'all are using, i.e. Mapping, management, art, etc. etc...
 
3x5 index cards.
Oddly doing that for another game I am running, and even have color-coded cards: pink NPCs, blue locations, etc. but then I misplace my cards before the game so despite wanting to be organized I still lack organizational skills!

edit: but as to software, plain text files, my blog, Publisher if going to make handouts, Google Draw, etc. Sadly nothing all encompassing.
 
Aside from using various physical aids (Referee's Screens, equipment cards, a book of example tasks, and a physical notebook for temporary notes made at the game table), for my main notes I use OneNote ('cos I already had it, so why not?).

I have a dedicated OneNote workbook for gaming, which is organised at the top level using the PARA method (google it). So, for example, within Projects I have chapters for various games (including one for my current T5 campaign), while in Resources I have chapters for different game systems (including Traveller, obviously), and so on. (And within any chapter, OneNote allows you to have pages, sub-pages, and sub-sub-pages ... allowing for a degree of ad-hoc organising at the lower levels.)

I should also add that that OneNote workbook is on OneDrive (again, 'cos I already had it), which means I can access it both on my home PC, tablet PC *and* even from my cellphone if necessary. One of my players can't leave her home (reasons), so we play at her house ... hence the need for mobility (though I try to avoid screen use as much as possible during actual play).

There are other programs that offer similar features ... the key thing is how you organise your notes so you don't lose control and get swamped. (I speak from experience.)
 
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I've recently started using Obsidian, too. It automates enough formatting to handle my writing without all the crap that comes with using a full wordprocessor, and the built-in organisation tools are very useful - much better than my previous method of folders full of random text and word files. Also it's vastly lighter and faster than a wordprocessor.
 
I use on-line subsector generators/editors for starting areas, on-line character generators (for both PCs and NPCs), and the various ship designs posted all over. PDF form-fillable character sheets (mostly from the Polyhedral Nonsense blog), and regular desktop tools for house rules, ideas, etc. During the game I only use a notebook to actually write things down, otherwise my memory usually fails later.
 
What software do you use for managing your games?

Pondering some new game ideas, and the question came up what are people using for their games.

Please this is just a general question about and and all of what y'all are using, i.e. Mapping, management, art, etc. etc...

python program
'''
cd /path/to/Crew
python Crew.py
'''
Scratch.csv = random ideas
locations.csv = places...
you get the idea?

JUST STARTED
 
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Personally, I have a massive Excel spreadsheet
The "main page" is the character tracking page.
Next, are character-driven specialty pages. Like how much experience each player has built up towards a skill they are studying, or what their "standard gear kits" are for specific types of situations.

Next, are "Subject Pages" like Corporations and MegaCorps and notes on how the PC's have been in contact with the corps - if they knew it or not....

After that, is the "Bulk Section"
Using only the Spinward Marches, I have a page for each Subsector
A page for each Fleet in that subsector
And a page for each world in that subsector - including images of the worlds which I've developed
Each World page also has a history page which
1) covers what the PC's have done in that system
2) Covers news and OTU history notes for that system
3) Covers personalities in that system as well as rulers and Important people

Finally, there is a page (which kind of started this back in the 1980's) called "Concordance.
That page contains
1) All the OTU historic events scrubbed from every source I have - By date and location
2) All actions my PC's have carried out - Also by date and location

Of course, this gets entertaining since Mongoose Publishing can't seem to settle on common dates for the same event in a single book they release much less between books which mention the same event.
 
Primarily Word and OneNote, I use Publisher very occasionally and I have a couple of Excel spreadsheets (more akin to legacy software that I don't want to transfer the contents over to Word or OneNote).

Oh, and a PDF Reader...

D.
 
I use to use an MS Access database that fed ASP website for my Champions campaign.

When hard copy was needed I would export to Excel or Word.

I was setting up something similar for a TNE campaign but my gaming group exploded due to some personality conflicts
 
Finally, there is a page (which kind of started this back in the 1980's) called "Concordance.
That page contains
1) All the OTU historic events scrubbed from every source I have - By date and location
2) All actions my PC's have carried out - Also by date and location

That's actually one of the things I have in an Excel file also. I work to develop very detailed character histories (more like a Cyberpunk Lifepath) for my players, and that's one of the things I use to keep it all straight. Not as detailed as yours sounds I suspect, but it's somewhat invaluable.

D.
 
That's actually one of the things I have in an Excel file also. I work to develop very detailed character histories (more like a Cyberpunk Lifepath) for my players, and that's one of the things I use to keep it all straight. Not as detailed as yours sounds I suspect, but it's somewhat invaluable.
Here's a sample of one of my char record sheets:

Enlisted: Imperial Marine Corp.
1104: 4479th Marine Training Company, Bendor system (Glisten)
After completing her secondary education Jocelynn left to try enlisting in the Imperial Navy. When that failed, Jocelynn enlisted in the Imperial Marine Corp. Transported to the Bendor system (via the New Rome and Glisten systems) she received basic military training in weapons as well as military and combat operations.

1105: Assigned: 2332nd Imperial Marine Security Company, Louzy system (Jewell)
Jocelynn was assigned to the Delta fire team in the company's Alpha platoon during internal security operations, based off the Fleet Escort ship Antigua. While her unit's operations supported raids occurring in that system, Jocelynn only ever saw "penny ante" actions which did nothing more than waste time and help her learn to be a better brawler. At the least, it gave her time to work on her job skills and by the end of the year, she was promoted to Lance Corporal (E-2).

1106: Retained: 2332nd Imperial Marine Security Company, Efate system (Regina)
Jocelynn remained assigned to the Alpha platoon, Delta fire team as the company was attached to marine forces supporting the Imperial Army's 1197th Separate Light Infantry Brigade. That unit was engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Vandere district of Kormoron, Efate's northern continent. During combat operations, for which she was awarded a Combat Service Ribbon(CSR), Jocelynn was wounded (shot in the left shoulder). She was awarded the Purple Heart for her wounds and worked hard to recover and return to her unit. Her zeal to get back into the fight earned her an improved physical condition and a promotion to Corporal (E-3).

1107: Assigned 1607th Special Forces Training School, Inthe system (Regina)
After the 2332nd was withdrawn from the Efate system, Jocelynn was assigned to commando training in the Inthe system(Regina). Jocelynn's training included specialized evolutions covering Battledress and sapper operations. As she and her fellow trainees learned of the beginning of the Fifth Frontier War, they hoped to be deployed together and created the team name 'The Black Suns'. Still, they continued to train as more and more data was received of invaded systems and sieges. After they'd completed their training, Jocelynn was required to re-enlist due to the war.
 
Here's a sample of one of my char record sheets:

I'll see you the favor, here's one of mine - as a note I allow Nobles to start CharGen at age 14, and I have a system for "Finishing School" for nobles that shows up occasionally. This reflects both of those.

1051​

Ambrose Eddington-Vicquemarre IV was born on 072-1051 on Chios, a freezing, mostly water, planet in the Old Expanses. The fifth child of Tomas, Marquis of Whist. An old family that was once far more important than it is now, they were supporters and favorites of Arbellatra during and after the Civil War, but fell out of favor during the Psionic Suppressions of Paula II’s reign. Stripped of their higher titles, the family retreated to the Imperial frontier and the Old Expanses of Terra, continuing to support and serve an Imperium that had treated them poorly. Despite this, they are very much part of the “high nobility” of the Imperium, rich and monied, with a surplus of titles and estates. No longer in disfavor, the family is merely obscure and somewhat provincial – though often more politically powerful than would be assumed.

The family does have a secret though, one that they have maintained for many years now, they secretly test and train all their children for psionics – while remaining deeply committed to the Imperium and it’s values. They are also part of the founding families of the Fellowship of Far Travellers, a fraternal organization with ties to the Trader’s Guild and the Traveller’s Aid Society.

1065​

As was the family tradition, at age 14, Ambrose travelled to boarding school in the Imperial Core, taking residence at Eddington Hall of Taltos College in order to spend the next four years finishing his schooling before entering one of the service academies. As one of the oldest and most prestigious of the public schools in the Imperium, Taltos College sees it’s job as turning out the next generation of the high nobility with all the requisite social and academic skills needed, as well as the connections to insure that the Imperium is held together by more than simply feudal bonds – it has also been educating members of the Vicquemarre family for generations.

1066​

Ambrose found himself thriving at Taltos College in his second year, continually adding to his education both academically and simply the skills and knowledge that very young nobleman needs – focusing on fencing as a form of exercise to match his burgeoning interest in starship engineering. As the local scion of the Eddington line, Ambrose attracts the attention of the local Hall of the Fellowship of Lost Travellers, and its Master Navigator, Kendall Eddington (a distant cousin). Given his family, and the traditions involved, Ambrose is slowly instructed in the basics of the Fellowship, introduced to the practice of the Black Lodge as a Birthright Initiate.

1067​

Turning sixteen this year, Ambrose was inducted into both the Black Lodge and the Ancient & Honorable Rite of Sylea of the Fellowship of Lost Travellers, quickly passed to Traveller and accelerated into the Secret Craft of the Black Night due to his heritage. There he discovers the truth of the Fellowships birth in the death of the Order of the White Star in 824 during the Psionic Suppressions. His studies at Taltos College continue, and Ambrose excels academically. With both with his family connections, as well as with the influence of the Fellowship, he is provisionally accepted to the Sylean Naval Academy, the oldest and most exclusive Imperial Naval Academy on Sylea itself.

1068​

Ambrose continues to excel in his final year at Taltos College, graduating with high honors, and confirming his attendance at the Sylean Naval Academy – where is likely to at least meet the Throne Prince, Stephon himself. Ambrose similarly does well in his more esoteric studies in the Fellowship – he is initiated into the Hidden Craft of the Blood Cross, as one of the Shrouded Companions of Crimson Star, sworn to the protection of defense of the Imperium and the Iridium Throne.
 
1051
Ambrose Eddington-Vicquemarre IV was born on 072-1051 on Chios, a freezing, mostly water, planet in the Old Expanses. The fifth child of Tomas, Marquis of Whist. An old family that was once far more important than it is now, they were supporters and favorites of Arbellatra during and after the Civil War, but fell out of favor during the Psionic Suppressions of Paula II’s reign. Stripped of their higher titles, the family retreated to the Imperial frontier and the Old Expanses of Terra, continuing to support and serve an Imperium that had treated them poorly. Despite this, they are very much part of the “high nobility” of the Imperium, rich and monied, with a surplus of titles and estates. No longer in disfavor, the family is merely obscure and somewhat provincial – though often more politically powerful than would be assumed.

1067​

Turning sixteen this year, Ambrose was inducted into both the Black Lodge and the Ancient & Honorable Rite of Sylea of the Fellowship of Lost Travellers, quickly passed to Traveller and accelerated into the Secret Craft of the Black Night due to his heritage. There he discovers the truth of the Fellowships birth in the death of the Order of the White Star in 824 during the Psionic Suppressions.
One question and one "Like Minds"...LOL

So, IIRC, Admiral Arbellatra ended the 2FW and then lit out for the Core to end the Civil War in the OTU.
So, where you way "they were supporters and favorites of Arbellatra during and after the Civil War",
Are you altering the OTU version and putting Arbellatra in charge sooner, or are you suggesting the family were in the Spinward Marches, and
were Naval officers with commands that supported her in those events?

As for "Like Minds", I had written a storyline involving the "Order of the White Star" some years ago and began dropping hooks.
One of those hooks had taken hold, but had been on the outer limits of my PC's plans until recently.
As a result, their 'current plans' are to jump from Ghandi(Lanth - Spinward Marches) to Lanth itself, and then to the Interdicted Sonthert system.

There, they have some data the Order of the White Star had a base which has been "erased from history" and are hoping to find artifacts and lost tech toys. My plans are to have them meet up with the drifting hulk of the Sword of Arbellatra and experience a modified set of the events contained in the adventures published in the Traveller's Digest issues 14 - 17
 
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