The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Two years is a particularly long wait for a book that is pretty much essential for playing a game. Still, the publication of a Gamemaster's Guide was a bit of a "Godsend" (if you don't mind the pun.)

Essentially a "grab bag" of ideas and suggestions, the In Nomine Gamemaster's Guide is fairly mixed assortment of good and bad material. While a majority of the material is extremely useful and handy - as well as some great research on religions - there is one thing that, for me, really lets this book down. It is absoulutely boring to read.

Now, I am somewhat unsure as to why gaming companies have become so anal about writing methods - but so many companies seem to have the mistaken view that good writing has to be exact and perfect. I'm absolutely certain that INGG is grammatically pure. Unfortunately good grammar does not necessarily equal good writing. The entire book is as exciting as reading a stereo instruction manual. You keep thinking "I can't wait to try that out" but inexorably you start to fall asleep. Definitely not a "read in sequence" book. Which is a shame, because there is a lot here.

Each chapter carefully lays out individual concepts - allowing the GM to gradually come to terms with the many complex elements of an In Nomine Campaign. If there is one flaw it is the campaign style tips. In an attempt to open up the flexibility of the setting there are tips for running Light (comedic/satirical) campaigns as well as dark horror style campaigns. It's a bit of a shame that the Light suggestions are somewhat lame. Instead of being intelligent and witty the writers would rather stick with weak stereotypes of the various Archangels and Demon Princes - never once willing to push the envelope. Especially when handling God. Still, there are heaps of great tips for roleplaying the superiors, so this somewhat makes up for it.

In the end, I would have to say that this is a vital purchase for those wanting to play In Nomine. I just wish that SJG would learn to get punchier writers who make reading the material fun. 7th Sea, Adventure!, HKAT and Feng Shui all had wonderfully written rules that helped keep me interested in the game and eager to play. In contrast, most of In Nomine seems to be extremely clinical to read - like a bad school textbook.

In Nomine Gamemaster's Guide
In Nomine Gamemaster's Guide Capsule Review by Conan McKegg on 18/12/01 Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty) A mixed bag of tips and ideas for In Nomine GMs. Great concepts, but its like reading a Stereo Manual. Product: In Nomine Gamemaster's Guide Author: David Edelstein Category: RPG Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Line: In Nomine Cost: Page count: 128 Year published: 1999 ISBN: 1-55634-415-5 SKU: 3317 Comp copy?: no Capsule Review by Conan McKegg on 18/12/01 Genre tags: Fantasy Modern day Historical Horror Comedy Espionage Conspiracy Gothic Superhero Other	Two years is a particularly long wait for a book that is pretty much essential for playing a game. Still, the publication of a Gamemaster's Guide was a bit of a "Godsend" (if you don't mind the pun.) Essentially a "grab bag" of ideas and suggestions, the In Nomine Gamemaster's Guide is fairly mixed assortment of good and bad material. While a majority of the material is extremely useful and handy - as well as some great research on religions - there is one thing that, for me, really lets this book down. It is absoulutely boring to read. Now, I am somewhat unsure as to why gaming companies have become so anal about writing methods - but so many companies seem to have the mistaken view that good writing has to be exact and perfect. I'm absolutely certain that INGG is grammatically pure. Unfortunately good grammar does not necessarily equal good writing. The entire book is as exciting as reading a stereo instruction manual. You keep thinking "I can't wait to try that out" but inexorably you start to fall asleep. Definitely not a "read in sequence" book. Which is a shame, because there is a lot here. Each chapter carefully lays out individual concepts - allowing the GM to gradually come to terms with the many complex elements of an In Nomine Campaign. If there is one flaw it is the campaign style tips. In an attempt to open up the flexibility of the setting there are tips for running Light (comedic/satirical) campaigns as well as dark horror style campaigns. It's a bit of a shame that the Light suggestions are somewhat lame. Instead of being intelligent and witty the writers would rather stick with weak stereotypes of the various Archangels and Demon Princes - never once willing to push the envelope. Especially when handling God. Still, there are heaps of great tips for roleplaying the superiors, so this somewhat makes up for it. In the end, I would have to say that this is a vital purchase for those wanting to play In Nomine. I just wish that SJG would learn to get punchier writers who make reading the material fun. 7th Sea, Adventure!, HKAT and Feng Shui all had wonderfully written rules that helped keep me interested in the game and eager to play. In contrast, most of In Nomine seems to be extremely clinical to read - like a bad school textbook.