"Critical Success" Backlog

Kickstarting Your Party Dynamic

October 28th, 2013

In this episode James gives us some techniques to build strong party dynamics starting with the first session. He also shows us how to make it easier for players to live out their original character concepts.


Putting Together Your First Game Part 2

October 21st, 2013

James continues his walk-through for making your first game. In this episode you’ll learn about accounting for player strengths, using differences in scale and differences in kind, and the ever important maintaining flexibility while knowing what is going to happen in the story.


Putting Together Your First Game Part 1

October 14th, 2013

This is a big one folks. This is the first installment of a series where James walks you through the steps to setting up your very first game. In this part he breaks down a game into three essential components and he lays out the first two steps of session design.


Rules Lawyers and How to Deal With Them

September 30th, 2013

This week James tackles the subject of rules lawyers and how to talk them out of slowing down your game. Players can be difficult but sometimes all you need to do is choose your words carefully to make everyone at the table happy. If you have a question for James please send it to Jamesdamatoismagic@gmail.com


The Heart, Head, and X Factor

September 23rd, 2013

If you are running your first game, chances are you are stressed out. If you have just run your fist session and nothing wen right you are probably completely overwhelmed. The first step to running a great game is understanding who your party is and what they are after. On this episode of Crit Success we discuss understanding and categorizing player types with improv terms to help you get to know your party.