Since everyone got mad at WotC for screwing up their licensing rules with the OGL controversy, I saw loads of people asking on Reddit what games should they migrate to.
Everyone has their preferred systems, but presentation wise, it’s hard to beat a good binder edition
I know hardbacks are pretty and cool, and some even have foil covers like the awesome DCC Annual Foil Edition, but a D-Ring binder is the ultimate item for the crafty Game Masters.
Back in the 90’s we didn’t have much in the way of books in Brazil. Apart from the basic books, supplements and adventures were scarce and had to be imported.
Those who had these books would lend them to other Game Masters so they could be photocopied, and every GM of worth would have his binder of copies and self-made material.
Nowadays books are way more available, and much of what we use can be seen online. I have seen GM’s who bring laptops and tablets to the gaming table, and some even carry multiple gadgets.
However, recently I began worrying about mobile phone usage and attention deficit when gaming in person.
We spend lots of times with our gadgets, and many players are on the verge of addiction, constantly dividing their attention between the game at hand and whatever is going on with their mobile phones.
Thus, eschewing digital devices when GMing may be a way to send a message to everyone at the table: let’s focus on the game at hand for a couple of ours, after that we can take a break.
That’s why I’m asking for publishers to consider making more games in binder format. The possibility of organizing a campaign binder allows people to organize their own games in accordance to their preferred methods and what they’re actually going to use.
Recently I saw that Castles and Crusades published a binder for their Monsters & Treasure book, sadly out of stock.
Imagine this: on one page you have the dungeon map, and on the following pages you have the monsters that are going to show up. After the game, the monsters go back to their place and you choose another dungeon.
Also, for those playing with megadungeons: instead of bringing the whole book, take the parts you’re actually going to use, for speedier access while gaming.
I know all of this can be done quickly with Alt+Tab and Ctrl+F on a multitude of good PDF files, but the issue is sending the message of a non-digital gaming table.
After a couple of years of gaming 100% online, those who are lucky to go back to in person gaming may find that prepping a good campaign binder is, pun intended, a gamechanger.
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