In the meantime, I have just added to the description more details of what is included.
Basunat
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Usually, my books on DriveThruRPG include previews (with a link on itch.io) so you can easily review the content. While Al-Shams is not yet available on DTRPG, I will be uploading it in the next few days, and it will include a 20-page preview.
About AI, my priority is a rich, immersive narrative and engaging mechanics, all thanks to human writing and playtesting experience. I chose to omit illustrations due to budget constraints and to avoid using AI-generated images.
When Al-Shams is live on DriveThruRPG, I will add the preview link to the book description above. Thank you for your interest!
Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm glad you found the PDF files useful.
As for your question, "Losers" covers the basics of how to play. Since it's a solo RPG, it may look a little different if you're new to the genre, but don't worry, it's designed to be accessible even for beginners. "Losers" explains the basic mechanics, character creation, examples and how to run your sessions.
For the "Disgrace" campaign, the expansion is based on "Losers" rules, so I recommend starting with the main game first to familiarize yourself with the system. Once you have assimilated the basics of “Losers”, you will find “Disgrace” easy to integrate.
Once again, thank you for giving my games a try. I hope you find the Play Guide below useful.
Play Guide
For Losers
- Character Creation (pages 12–18) : This is where you begin shaping your character. You'll allocate points across three core attributes—Grit (toughness), Style (charisma), and Weird (connection to the supernatural). The PDF includes examples like "Gloria, the Hopeful Hustler," which should give you an idea of how to create a well-rounded character.
- Core Mechanics : Once your character is ready, the game revolves around rolling dice (1d6, 2d6, or 3d6 depending on the situation) to resolve actions. There are clear guidelines for interpreting rolls: Downfall (1-2), Hollow Success (3-4), and Triumph (5-6).
- Solo Play : Since this is a solo RPG, there are tools like the Random Event Generator, NPC Reaction Table, and Location Oracle to keep things unpredictable. These systems help simulate interactions with the city of Los Angeles and its inhabitants.
- Narrative Elements : Don't worry too much about rules here—the focus is on storytelling. Use the prompts provided in the Solo Journaling section to write entries from your character's perspective. It's part role-playing, part creative writing!
- Advanced Rules : If you want more structure or complexity, the Advanced Rules section offers additional mechanics like Called Shots, Teamwork Maneuvers, and Stance Systems. However, these are optional and not necessary for beginners.
For Disgrace: The Shadow Conspiracy
This expansion builds on the foundation laid by "Losers" . While it introduces new elements such as recurring enemies (like Agent K and Eliza Nightshade) and deeper conspiracy-based missions, the core mechanics remain the same. If you've grasped the basics of Losers , you'll find Disgrace easy to integrate.
If you're feeling lost, here’s what I recommend:
- Start with the Full Character Creation process outlined in the Losers PDF (pages 12–18). It walks you step-by-step through creating a character.
- Try one of the pre-made solo missions, such as "Run and Hide" (starting on page 62). These missions provide structured scenarios to ease you into the gameplay.
- Experiment with the Random Event Generator (page 61) during your sessions—it adds unpredictability and keeps the story dynamic.
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback regarding the print book of "Losers" and "Disgrace." I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.
I noticed that your comment seems to refer to the printed version of the book, which is available on Amazon, rather than the PDF version sold on itch.io. To clarify, the font size was intentionally kept smaller to manage production costs. By reducing the number of pages, I aimed to keep the price affordable for all customers while still delivering a comprehensive and enjoyable product. Unfortunately, this decision may have inadvertently affected readability for some readers, and I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. This is an area where improvements can be made. In the meantime, I will update the product description to explicitly warn readers about the smaller font size in the current printed edition to better manage expectations. (Less extensive printed books have a normal font).
Regarding your dissatisfaction with the purchase, I would like to offer you a free copy of both "Losers" (and its expansion, "Disgrace") in PDF format. You can use these links:
Losers: https://basunat.itch.io/losers/download/aHGbTQ1WiAd7qjIvMQ93sGEi3Qew9Nhk3wWcEPTQ
Disgrace: https://basunat.itch.io/losers-disgrace/download/ST5LGr3i__KcagoStAX29bFp9LXMj4yH3x7c4PXV
Once again, I regret any disappointment this experience may have caused and hope you'll give my games a chance in their digital form. Thank you for your understanding.
When you read a book or see a movie or a painting, and then create something, are you stealing those works? All artists before creating their works have acquired the knowledge of many previous works and no one calls that stealing.
Sad is that people like you dismiss a new way to play Solo RPG without trying it, not even knowing it thoroughly and without prejudice. I guess you haven't read the book, have you?
Of course. The book includes examples that show how to create scenes, and how the system works in different situations and genres. You have example scenes of fantasy, science fiction, horror, post-apocalyptic genres. The Scene system also includes rules for connecting scenes in an unexpected way.
You can read the table of contents and how to create a character in the preview at Drivethrurpg.