Recently, I wrapped up running and observing several playtests of the Game Jam Edition of Planet Kamra. It was exciting to see many of the aspects working well, but I felt inspired to take the game in some new directions. Here's what's next for the Planet Kamra.

Simplification

Forged in the Dark has been an excellent base for building the game. However, playtesters' wrestled with the cognitive load of the game's systems being at odds with how they wanted to interact with the story. One of my main goals going forward will be to strip back the game to its essentials. I hope that this will allow me to identify the core of Planet Kamra. In the future, this lightweight version might become a separate edition of the game that is focused on one-shots and a more playful tone. 

Forged in the Apocolypse? 

I've been playing a variety Powered by the Apocolypse games that are influencing me to consider aspects of that system for Planet Kamra. The player's experience when picking up a new PbtA game is simplified by the list of basic moves. Not only does it teach you the game through the play materials, but it also answers the fundamental question of "what can my character do next?". I'm going to try using FitD's core mechanics, but also introduce moves.

Back to the drawing board

From here, I'll be approaching this next version as if I'm completely starting over (but with the benefit of learning). My old work won't be thrown away but repurposed. Here's a look at a character sheet concept I'm noodling with.