Infrequently Asked Questions
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Systemic Insanity is a small gaming company that produces tabletop RPG systems and settings, based in College Station, TX. Okay, right now it's five guys in their spare time who just really, really love gaming. But we're dedicated to producing the very best products possible—and we're not saying that just because it sounds like great advertising. We really do want to build the best RPG systems possible—we care about the math. We care about making the game balanced, playable, and fun. We think a system should do what it sets out to do—which, among other things, includes supporting the settings you want to use it to play in. It doesn't always work to use d20 for everything. That's why we're here. |
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Because the more you care we exist, the better stuff we'll be able to produce for you. We're not kidding. Truth be told, we'll be building and refining systems whether or not our “small gaming company” ever does well. But they won't be as good—and you won't ever get to see them. We want you to benefit from our hard work. We want your feedback. Past that, though, let us parse our name for you: First, we're “systemic.” We build systems, and we do it systematically. Tabletop RPGs have come a long way since D&D First Edition; gamers have developed a way of thinking about and building systems that just wasn't possible when roleplaying was a relatively novel idea. It's possible to take a step back and think about what does and doesn't work. Think about it: When was the last time you played in, or even ran, a campaign where there were parts of the system that just didn't gel with the kind of game you were trying to play, or the kind of character you were trying to create? That usually happens because the system is too generalized—it's trying to do too many things, and can't. It also happens when the system is matched to its setting, but the system's shoddy because it just wasn't given enough time and energy. We take a “systemic” approach to system-building: Does the system balance? Is it comprehensible, and playable? Are the mechanics reasonable? Is the learning curve palatable? And, most importantly of all, does the system create the kind of play experience appropriate to the kind of campaigns it supports? And second, we're insane. We're going to think outside the box to find new approaches and new solutions to tackle system-building and game balance. We come up with crazy ideas and run with them, just to see where we end up. We brainstorm about a video game RPG while playing video games; we brainstorm about an anime RPG while watching anime; we brainstorm about a superhero RPG while sitting in the line for the midnight showing of The Dark Knight so we can watch Heath Ledger mesmerize and terrify us into our next incarnations. Then we take all those insane ideas, and make them work. That's us. That's Systemic Insanity. |
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First and foremost—buy our stuff. Die Type System is a great RPG system for just $15, and there'll be more products like it soon. If you don't want to spend that much right now, the FunRaisers are small, inexpensive products priced at $5 or less (usually around $3)--have a look, and see what you like. Or, if you just have a dollar or two burning a hole in your pocket, please feel free to donate. Every dollar we get, the more time and energy we can put into bringing you some really great products. |