John Runs Games

Thanks for stopping by. I’m John, the guy behind the keyboard. Or the webcam. Or the GM screen. And hopefully, causing glorious chaos.

I’m a longtime believer in the power of games and storytelling. The focus for this site is RPG gaming obviously… but for my money, the beating heart of all games, writing and learning is storytelling.

Storytelling, for me, is rooting in respecting the game and the players, and dedicating yourself to understanding the rules and how to most equitably apply them.

I am a big believer in DIY, open source, inclusive tech and games. I believe in theater of the mind over virtual tabletops as a result. I hold with in Gene Rodenberry’s philosophy of infinite diversity in infinite combinations.

I believe diversity and acceptance make us better people, storytellers and gamers. I think often of Jeri Taylor’s writing, delivered by Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard citing fictional judge Aaron Satie:

With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.

Star Trek imagines a hopeful future, but one with its own unique problems–a future that needs champions to fight for it (which sounds like a worthy life goal AND gaming quest).

As a GM I want to include everyone and make a world all players can thrive in. The most bonkers, amazing stuff happens when you stop being afraid and follow the lead your players set.

Sound good? Roll the dice and see what happens.