Tabletop Simulator Version Now Available!

Skrap Packs Tabletop Simulator Mod

Hi Everybody,

I've made a Tabletop Simulator mod for Skrap Packs that you can use to run your own games online!

This version features fillable character sheets and copies of the rules and cheat sheet to help run games, along with digital cards of the current Arcane Horror set. 

Let me know what you think!

PLEASE NOTE: Requires a copy of Tabletop Simulator and Steam Account to run. Character sheets cannot be saved at this time. I am working on a solution, but in the meantime you'll need to either record your character sheet data elsewhere, or stick with one-shots. Thank you for your patience in the meantime!

Get the Mod Here!

Thank You, MAGFest!

 

See more photos on the Skrapped Games discord!

Hi everyone, I had a great time showing off Skrap Packs and Alter Arms in the MAGFest Indie Tabletop Showcase this past weekend at MAGFest 2024! 

Some notable experiences included:

• Defeating a vampire by throwing a packet of taco-mix spices into its mouth (the players reasoned it contained garlic powder, so the undead enemy lit up like magnesium
• A player used the wild draw mechanic to get a bonus as they tried to catch their friend as they were floating away into the air, only to end up drawing the harpoon card as their tool! It worked, but it was a bit of overkill...
• That same player was able to defeat multiple armed knights through sheer psychic damage as they kept attacking them with a ballpoint pen they found while screaming "the pen is mightier than the sword! The pen is mightier than the sword." 
• This same encounter saw another player successfully bribe an enemy to just quit their master's employ
• A player came up with their character title by assuming their items of the Faded Business Card and Rubber Chicken must mean that they were "Big Steve, The CEO Clown"

Thank you very much to everyone who came by!

Following Skrap Packs release, I have a patch that I'm going to publish next week to add some minor tweaks to card language and clarify some rules. This will be available to anyone who purchased the game already, and they will also be notified upon its publication.

Afterwards, I'm going to get back to working on the Tabletop Simulator version of the game so folks can give the online version a try with their friends!

I still want to work on the Sci-Fi deck, and am going to likely look for a physical release as well.

My next stop is likely KatsuCon 2024!

Skrap Packs Release!

Skrap Packs cover

After a few years of development, the print & play version of Skrap Packs is now available for purchase! 

Thank you all for your support over the years, from playing the game at conventions or inquiring when the game will be available.

This release features artwork on all cards, along with diagrams for how they, the character sheets and the general play area can be understood.

Cards are laid out for print on a 8.5 in x 11 in. sheet of paper, in a 3 x 3 grid to print 9 per sheet. I also included a similar grid for card backs that can be used if you wish to include them.

Get the Game Here

In addition to this print & play, I am working to get a Tabletop Simulator version up and running, and both more mundane cards, and a sci-fi-themed set of artifact cards available as well this year.

Depending on how well this digital release does, I'd like to look into a physical release in the future similar to something like the box for Fiasco.

If you happen to purchase a copy, feel free to let me know what you think. Any feedback will help in improving the current rules and releasing a better product.

Thanks again!

Skrap Packs logo and cover

 Hi Everyone! I failed to put out the game by the end of 2023 and I'm sorry for that! 

The rules have been written, I've received the first batch of edits, and have created infographics and a new cover. Right now, my current goal is to lay everything out.

2023 Winter Skrap Packs Update pt 2

 Looks like I didn't keep my promise to have the rules ready by the end of the week. I'm sorry everyone! I'm going to try to have everything ready by the end of the year. Thank you very much for your patience in the meantime! 

To show I'm making progress, please see the first page of the rules posted below:

Skrap Packs by Duffy Austin

Materials to run the game:

17 Sentimental Item Cards: Each player character begins with one of these items, which represent an item they have sentimental attachment to. These are only used at character creation.

82 Mundane Item Cards: Items that are common in the current setting and have no intrinsic, special values outside of a few rules associated with a limited number of cards and typical properties of the items as interpreted by the players and game master.

25 Artifact Cards: Cards representing items unique to the current setting. These are used by the game master to help generate the scenarios, and often have significance to the plot.

Each set of cards is kept separate by the GM.

Character sheets (One for each player)

Writing Implements

4 fudge dice (6-sided dice with 2 sides with ‘-’ on them, 2 sides with ‘+’ on them, and 2 blank sides). In a pinch, normal 4d6 can work:

·        1-2 being the ‘-’ sides
(representing -1 to a roll)

·        3-4 being the blank sides
(representing 0 change to the roll)

·        5-6 being the ‘+’ sides
(representing +1 to the roll)

Multiple d4s, d6s, d8s, d10s, d12s and d20s

Skrap Packs is run by a Game Master (GM) who creates the world and events for the players, including environments and characters. The GM chooses a setting either by using a premise from the set of cards being used, or by creating one themselves. This initial set uses the following premise:

It’s been 10 years since your high school graduation, and you’ve been invited to the Percival Estate, a creepy decrepit mansion on an island off the coast of town by your friend Alex. They say they want to have a reunion, but something more may be in store.

This is a horror movie-inspired scenario, and from the above premise, the GM can use any item card to help generate the story by reading the inspiration text at the bottom and using that to come up with an environment, character, or crisis. It’s best to start with one of the artifact cards, which represent some lingering horror that dwells within the manor halls.

There are two kinds of cards that can be used by the GM to generate the story for the players. These same items are also acquired by the players for resolving the different problems that they represent

·        Artifact cards (artifact symbols in the lower-right corner. In the case of the first set, it is XXX or ‘Arcane Horror’) = used to generate larger scenarios or plot points.

·        Mundane cards = used to generate encounters.

2023 Winter Skrap Packs Update

 Hi Folks! I'm working to get the rules finalized by the end of the week, but wanted to post a diagram of the character sheet and cards in the meantime. I'm currently at 9 pages and working to get the rules right to make sure that GMs and players have everything they need to run their own games. 

The current count of cards is:

17 Sentimental Item Cards

82 Mundane Item Cards

25 Artifact Cards

Thank you all for your patience and enthusiasm! 

2023 Fall Skrap Packs Update

 

Each Skrap Packs deck comes with a set of plot cards. These are denoted by a unique symbol in the lower-right corner. They denote which subset, or setting, they belong to. When the GM is running a game, they can draw one of these to introduce a new unique item for the players, or a threat inspired by the text in the lower-left margin.

As of right now, I'm planning on publishing Skrap Packs as a print-and-play by the end of the year. The rules are currently at 4 pgs. I plan to expand them with a diagram for cards, and an expanded section to give game masters (GMs) guidance on how to run the game. 

The plot cards for this release, which are unique items that are used to drive the plot of sessions, are all focused on the occult or horror themes. 

The plan going forward is to release expansion packs featuring more cards that represent unique and mundane items. The first set of plot cards I have planned are all science-fiction-themed items.

Stay-tuned here for future updates!

AwesomeCon 2023 Wrap-Up

 Thank you to everyone who stopped by AwesomeCon to try out Skrap Packs!

I got some good feedback regarding defensive options for combat, inspiration text on cards used to help the GM generate the story, and how to handle a character's sentimental items.

I currently have the rules written out to 4 pages (without diagrams) and want to reduce that page count further. The plan is still to publish online by the end of the year, likely as a print-and-play.

My next planned playtests are during Free RPG Day at the Game Kastle in College Park, MD

2023 Summer Games Update

 Hi folks, quick updates on the status of games.

I was able to show off Skrap Packs at Break My Game recently and was able to figure out some aspects I wasn’t sure how to codify.

The rules are written, and now I’m trying to cut them down from 17 pages to something more manageable. I’m looking to post the game on sale online sometime before the end of the year.

For Alter Arms, I’m tweaking some special abilities still but otherwise on track. I want to get the setting stuff fleshed out more.

Regarding upcoming public games: I’m running at AwesomecCon in Washington, DC at as part of Games on Demand June 16 - 18. I hope to see you there!

KatsuCon 2023

 

I had a great set of demos at KatsuCon this past weekend with some awesome players! Highlights include the Alter Arms player who played a hero with a Stage Magician gimmick, allowing them to tie up opponents with escapology chains and use balloons to gather intel. There was also the Skrap Packs player who combined their metal gauntlet with a potato peeler to make a clawed glove they named “Can I Borrow a Peeling.”

Regarding testing feedback, notable findings include:

The major takeaway from this session was codifying consequences for losing health.

The game has PCs hold three items as on-hand (face up, ready for use) at a time. When they lose health from enemy attacks or traps, I want a consequence to be focused on the status of their items. I’ve decided on the following.

PCs have 20 total health.

If they lose 5 health in a single round of combat, they drop one of their items on-hand at random. It falls to the field of combat but can still be recovered on their turn for a penalty.

If they lose 10 health in a single round of combat, one of their items on-hand is destroyed at random. They lose it and it is given to the GM to put back into the deck of items that can be found in the game world.

If they lose all of their health, all of the items they have on-hand are destroyed. The character then returns to 10 health, but must now scrounge for new tools.

Sentimental items (which have personal value to the PC and special mechanics in different circumstances) can be destroyed in the previously mentioned methods. If at any time a personal item is destroyed in the above situations, then the character returns to full health and the opponent who caused the item to be destroyed falls to half of their current health.

 

Be sure to check back for updates on upcoming events and release info!

2023 Games Updates and Next Live Demos

PAX Unplugged and MAGFest were both delightful experiences where I got some great feedback from folks about the status of both of my games.

For Alter Arms, I had some minor updates for special abilities, and have introduced tokens into physical play to keep track of turns.

For Skrap Packs, I’ve updated some cards and included mechanics for restricting inventory. This has encouraged players to be more considerate of the items their characters keep, use and combine.

My current upcoming goal is to work on additional theme cards for Skrap Packs—this time based on medieval fantasy adventures—and setup Skrap Packs for sale on Itch.io by the end of the year.

The current plan is to demo both games during KatsuCon 2023 on both Friday and Saturday. 

2022 Fall Update (PAX Unplugged, MAGFest)

 

I have two conventions coming up where I’ll be running both Alter Arms and Skrap Packs.

The first is PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Dec. 2 & 3 as part of Games on Demand.

The next will be at Super MAGFest in National Harbor, MD at the Gaylord Convention Center, Jan 5-7, 2023 as part of the MAGFest Indie Tabletop Showcase (MITS).

Some changes I am implementing for playtests the playtests include:

Skrap Packs Updates:

• Introduced the concept of back size limits. Can upgrade packs to hold additional cards by finding cards with the Material suite. These items can be discarded in order to expand pack size.

• Introduced the concept of Advantage (ADV) where a character’s proficiency in using the items for the task will allow them to reroll any number of the 4 dice once per move.

• More special items have been given unique effects, such as providing ADV once per encounter, or allowing you to gain double your normal bonus.

I hope to see you at these event! If not, feel free to either reach out to me or join my discord for more frequent updates.

Coming Up: BlerdCon 2022

 

I'll be in the tabletop room at BlerdCon 2022 on Saturday, July 9 from 2PM - 8PM Eastern time. Be sure to stop by for a demo at one of my favorite conventions!

Learn more here about the event here!

Coming Up: AwesomeCon 2022

I'll be running Skrap Packs at AwesomeCon 2022 in the tabletop gaming room on Saturday, June 4 during two, 2-hour sessions.

Find the listings and sign-up here. Hope to see you there!

Welcome to the Skrap Packs Production Blog!

This is the production blog for the crafting tabletop roleplaying game Skrap Packs. Here, I will be posting updates on the status of the game and general information for those who want to find out more about it. 

How Do You Play Skrap Packs?

In Skrap Packs, players create characters that explore settings, scavenge items and assemble new ones that they can use to solve problems. Each item is in the form of a card, which are also used to help the game master (GM) in generating the world.

Each item is represented by a card that the GM pulls from one of the game decks, different decks representing a different kind of item.

Mundane Item

• Mundane Items: Cards representing normal, everyday things that the player characters can find in the world. These are drawn to give player characters a reward for defeating enemies, searching the area, or building flavor for a new place or non-player character they're first encountering.
  

• 

  Plot Item

  Plot Items: Unique items to the overall genre or setting of the story that the GM is presenting. These can be things like sci-fi weaponry, cursed objects, or even living creatures that act as tools.
  

• 

  Sentimental Item

  Sentimental Items: Unique items with personal value to the player character. These are things that help them recover when in a tight spot, and can be sacrificed in order to resolve a problem as well as develop the character's identity.

When presented with a challenge, players will look at the items they have and propose to the GM how they can use them to resolve the issue. The GM and player go over a checklist to calculate a bonus that they'll apply to a roll to see if the move is successful or not. 

What's This About Crafting?

There might be times when players realize their characters have items to put together a more useful tool than what they already have. When they do so, they present to the GM what they want to make, and the items they want to use to make it. The GM and player then go over a checklist to calculate a bonus that they'll apply to a roll to see how many uses this new crafted item will have.

Creating a Character

The current Skrap Packs character sheet

Both when calculating the bonus for using items, and when calculating the bonus for how many uses an item could have, a major factor is what the character's title, or background is. There are no real stats in Skrap Packs, instead, characters effectiveness at performing actions is focused around the items they use to perform a task, and their character's effectiveness at using those tools for that task.

Players create their characters' title by interpreting two things: 

1. The scenario that their characters exist in, such as they are teens the night before graduation, partying at a cabin in the woods, or passengers on a cruise ship that has run ashore of a desert island. In campaigns, players take the role of interdimensional scavengers, going to different universes and getting caught-up in adventures as they attempt to steal everything that's not nailed down.
2. The items their character starts with. Players are given a set of mundane items and a sentimental item that they compare with their scenario and decide who they're playing as.

Players write their character's title at the top of the page, and reference it as they play the game to calculate their bonuses. 

Gameplay has players come up with interesting ways to use the items they start with, scavenge, or create, based on who their character is and how they develop over the course of the game.

Marketing Plan

The marketing plan for Skrap Packs is to produce individual packs based around themes. Each pack would contain a deck of mundane, plot and sentimental cards. There would be one deck of mundane cards that revolve around things you could randomly find in the setting proposed by the pack. There would be at least two different decks of plot cards, each for different paths that the plot could go down based on the pack's setting. Lastly, the single sentimental items deck would provide new fodder for character creation, both for players and non-players.

This ties into campaign play; players take the role of interdimensional scavengers, with each pack offering new locations to visit, plots to experience, and items to collect.