Node-based Design

I've been a programmer since I was about 12 or 13 (thanks C-64 / BASIC) and doing OOP for many, many years. I have also been created other worlds slightly longer than that (thanks Cousin Bob / D&D). Between these two hobbies, I gradually had the two coalesce over the past several years. I'm not sure why I never really wrote anything down (a bad habit of mine when I have interesting thoughts). Those thoughts have become more concrete over the past few years even if still somewhat disjointed. Those pieces all fell into place when I discovered The Alexandrian, a blog by a kindred gaming/writing spirit, last week.

Over the few days, I have perused the blog and found many good posts. Some of those mirror my thoughts above. After reading the posts of Node-based Scenario Design and Advanced Node-based Design, I realized that this was almost exactly what I had been tried to figure out but put down neatly and with great detail. I was overjoyed to see that someone else not only had similar ideas but also had the resolve to write it all down coherently. Another really good series of posts, Jaquaying the Dungeon, talks about making "dungeon" maps feel more dynamic and realistic rather then linear. Without going into detail here, I strongly suggest reading those posts as well as the Node posts. Those articles helped me expand my ideas as well as fill in the gaps I didn't realize I had.

Someone asked the question of whether or not Justin (the blog's author) had consider using mind maps to supplement his node-based ideas, but I never saw (or just missed) a reply. As I was reading the original node posts, I too immediately thought of mind maps. I have attempted a few times to use mind maps for gaming (both video and tabletop), but unfortunately I did not get very far. I think the problem was with the software (freeware) I was using rather then the concept. Granted after the (failed) attempts, I'm undecided if working up a mind map is really worth the effort. Creating an adventure let alone a world/campaign is time-intensive enough. Although it would be easy (not to mention, cool) to see how everything connections visually rather then just on paper or in your head.

One last thing, I also really liked his concept of the Three Clue Rule.