So, dear Game Master.
With this rulebook and the basic world descriptions, you should have a solid foundation at hand to give you and your players a good introduction to the world of Steam’n’Steel.
Last but not least, I’d like to share three things with you.
One for all and all together:
Even though it’s your job to challenge your players with exciting obstacles and you often pour a lot of passion into designing their nasty adversaries. If, despite all camaraderie, they should occasionally struggle in order to properly savor the following success, always remember one thing: In the end, it’s always about ALL OF YOU having fun at the game nights.
So, give them their successes and let yourself be rewarded by their joy. And make sure that you also enjoy the game’s style and approach.
A successful session is one in which, at the end, everyone has a smile on their face.
That brings me to point two:
Expectations:
Before you start a new campaign that will run for more than one or two sessions, sit down together and discuss your expectations. A so-called Session Zero can help ensure that everyone knows roughly what to expect and doesn’t enter the game with the wrong expectations.
Agree on whether you’d rather play a cinematic hero style or a dark band of rogues who fight hard for their dirty survival.
Let the players loosely coordinate their characters so they don’t end up killing each other by session three.
And you should also be clear about what behavior you expect from the players so that you enjoy the game. After all, you are the one putting the most effort into your shared time.
And the last point goes in exactly that direction:
Have fun!
The world of Steam’n’Steel and the rulebook are designed to let you experience wild and/or heroic adventures in fantastical worlds.
Be it discovering alien secrets on other planets or the Resistance and the Outer Planets fighting for freedom against the Commonwealth’s dark power over the Inner Planets.
In all seriousness, in all mystique, and also, if you’re into it, with all the alien horror, this game should above all be — casual entertainment with a light wink.
So, have fun!
The author.