Frequently Asked Questions | NextGen RPG

Frequently Asked Questions

NextGen RPG is our effort at bringing you an innovative, easy to use website, that will provide you an inviting community to play and share your role playing games and stories.  We encourage feedback from our GMs, Storytellers and Players, so that we can continue to provide you with the most efficient and useful tools to grow your games, stories and your worlds.  Our site provides a method for collaborating on games of all genres, and a place to archive your efforts so that it will be available to you, your players and lurkers/readers in the future.

We role play!  Instead of sitting around a table and gaming face to face, we use the written word to tell our stories.  It's similar to a pbem or a pbp, but the collaboration method is more streamlined and makes for easier to read stories.  At NextGen RPG, we store each active game file and allow the users and GMs to edit the same document as they tell their story.  Think of it as a living, breathing compile, that lends itself to telling one cohesive story, without sprouting multiple story lines or timelines that are impossible to edit later into one smooth compilation.

Game commitment levels will vary from one GM to another.  A good rule of thumb is being able to check the site at least three times a week, and if you have an open tag in one of your games, taking the opportunity to reply to it.  Some GMs may have higher expectations for posting and others may only require a minimum of one post per week.  It's important to understand the GM Expectations for each game that you're involved in, these can be found in your game specific forum.

Click on the Create Account link under the User Login section in the left hand column.  Once you are done following the instructions, you will need to go to your email to confirm your account.  Follow the link and instructions provided and change your password, when you return to the site.

Once you've had a chance to look around and decide that you'd like to stick around and play, please come by the Introductions thread and introduce yourself.

If you're looking for a game, you should check out our Casting AreaStaging Area in the Forum.  The Casting Area is is where a GM makes a casting call to fill their game, and the Staging Area is where the GMs kick around ideas to gauge for player interest.  If you don't see anyone looking for a player, feel free to give a shout in the Characters for Hire thread, so that we know you're looking.

NextGen RPG welcomes all game genres and systems.  We want our players and GMs to be enthusiastic about their games, so as long as it appeals to them, it works for us.  Our emphasis here is on original fiction and concepts, so most fan related games that are based on television shows, movies, and other existing media would not be a good fit for the site.  This isn't meant to exclude anyone or diminish the value of those games, only that it diverges from the original fiction aspect that we're striving for here.

Nope.  However, we have no objections to GMs choosing to run in the same world, but independent games are also very welcome.  Collaborating on a joint endeavor can be more complex, but we're willing to open a higher level forum to help you with your efforts.  ...and we're willing to help put whatever tools we can into place to help your players stay in tuned with your world level efforts through our tools.  Once we know individual needs we can help you on a more personal level with that.


The most common errors are due to privileges.  Most of the content can be seen by anyone, but unless you have privileges to a game, you can't edit the game moves.  The exception to this is the pieces that have an adult rating.  To get adult privileges to the site, you need to fill out your birth date in your Control Panel and then send a PM to Chairman to let her know that this was done. Upon receiving the PM, she will grant you privileges.
Our forum has a help desk that is always available for members to voice their questions, suggestions, issues and concerns.  For the most part, all site related issues can be handled effectively in one of our forums.  You can also ask for help in our chat room. Please be patient and remember that all of our admins are volunteers. 

However if you have a problem that is better answered in a private setting, please PM your GM first, and if they can't resolve it, one of the site admins.  Any issues about other members or GMs should be sent to China.  It is very important that we keep the drama in the games and out of the site.


  1. The GM will create the opening move and you will see it on the front page.
  2. Click into the game move to read it
  3. When you are ready to edit it, click on the edit tab near the top, it's situated next to the view tab. (You have to have privileges to the game or you will not see the edit tab.)
  4. Find the spot in the game file where you would like to make your additions.
  5. Use the text editor for any formatting as you add in your new content. (If you don't like the editor you can turn it off, below the text entry box.)
  6. Click Preview to make sure it's how you want it, and when it is, click Submit.

Rules - Keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

We're not big on rules or restrictions here. Most rules will be implemented on a game level by the GM. Each game will have a forum with a thread that will outline your GM's expectations. Expect them to vary from game to game, and do your best to abide by them. GM's game = GM's rules, if you disagree with them find a way to make a graceful exit, and we'll work to help you find another game that's more suited to your style.

NextGen RPG isn't about controlling your games, your worlds, your ideas or your players, but we do have expectations.  So please make sure that you have a firm commitment to meet these expectations before moving forward with running a game at NextGen RPG.


This medium is notorious for games starting, and then either never getting off of the ground, or having the GM disappear before the game gets going.  This of course can not be totally eliminated, real life happens and we all bow to real life priorities.  With that said, however, we ask that potential GMs take a serious moment before creating their games, and spend just as much time thinking about whether they are committed to running a game, as they do about what kind of game they want to run.

We can help you recruit players, we can help you find the resources and tools that you need, we can help with a lot of things, but we can not get you excited enough about the game to keep you committed.  That's your job, perhaps your most important job as a GM, and it's the only thing that we ask you to commit to before running a game.  Games can end ... we expect games to end, it's even necessary for games to end. We just ask that you handle this with respect to your players.  Keep up active communication from beginning to end, and if you do that, when you want to run again, our doors will be open!

One of the most common questions that newcomers have is, where do you play your games?  They wonder if the pages here are just compilations of Forum Posts (as in Play By Post games) or compilations of emails (like Play By E-Mail games).  The key to this medium of game play is that we do all of our story telling on-site using shared documents.  A GM creates a page in our editor, and then the players log into the game file and make their additions.  We treat it as a living breathing compile.  ANY document that you click on in this site was created the same way, and has the ability for multiple authors to edit it, IF they have the correct permissions.

Our forum has a help desk that is always available for members to voice their questions, suggestions, issues and concerns.  For the most part, all site related issues can be handled effectively in one of our forums.  You can also ask for help in our chat room. Please be patient and remember that all of our admins are volunteers. 

However if you have a problem that is better answered in a private setting, please PM your GM first, and if they can't resolve it, one of the site admins.  Any issues about other members or GMs should be sent to China.  It is very important that we keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

For site related issues and concerns, please send a PM to Chairman or Gypsyav, as these admins are on with the most frequency.  For immediate help with site related questions and quick help issues, please post a message in the help desk.  The members are friendly and it will provide you the quickest resolution to those types of questions.

For more serious issues concerning conflict resolution, please send a PM to Chairman or Big Dave (Admelior), after trying to resolve the issue with your GM or fellow player.

Click on any link to initiate a Private Message to an admin.

Big Dave - (Admelior)

Captain Bunty - (Bunty)

Chairman - (Mayhem & Admin)

Gypsyav - (Heatwave)

Imajica

Game commitment levels will vary from one GM to another.  A good rule of thumb is being able to check the site at least three times a week, and if you have an open tag in one of your games, taking the opportunity to reply to it.  Some GMs may have higher expectations for posting and others may only require a minimum of one post per week.  It's important to understand the GM Expectations for each game that you're involved in, these can be found in your game specific forum.

If you're looking for a game, you should check out our Casting AreaStaging Area in the Forum.  The Casting Area is is where a GM makes a casting call to fill their game, and the Staging Area is where the GMs kick around ideas to gauge for player interest.  If you don't see anyone looking for a player, feel free to give a shout in the Characters for Hire thread, so that we know you're looking.

Our forum has a help desk that is always available for members to voice their questions, suggestions, issues and concerns.  For the most part, all site related issues can be handled effectively in one of our forums.  You can also ask for help in our chat room. Please be patient and remember that all of our admins are volunteers. 

However if you have a problem that is better answered in a private setting, please PM your GM first, and if they can't resolve it, one of the site admins.  Any issues about other members or GMs should be sent to China.  It is very important that we keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

The forums are not used for playing the games at NextGen RPG. The forum is a community tool to allow our members to keep in touch and get to know each other better. In addition, each Game will have its own forum to discuss the out of character aspects of their game, make story requests, and deal with any comments or game related critiques that they may encounter.

The forums are not used for playing the games at NextGen RPG.  The forum is a community tool to allow our members to keep in touch and get to know each other better.  In addition, each Game will have its own forum to discuss the out of character aspects of their game, make story request, and deal with any comments or game related critiques that they may encounter.

Post to a Forum Thread
  1. Click on Forums from the Left Hand Navigation Column
  2. Note that in red at the top of each forum page, is a list of new forum threads.  Once you read them, the listing will disappear.
  3. Locate the topic of interest
  4. Click 'Reply', 'Quote' or scroll to the bottom to make your entry in the text box.
  5. Click Save.


The key to this medium of game play, is that we do all of our story telling on line, on this site, using shared documents. A GM creates a page in our editor, and then the players log into the game file and make their additions. We treat it as a living breathing compile. Any document that you click on in this site was created the same way, and has the ability for multiple authors to edit it, if they have the correct permissions.


  1. The GM will create the opening move and you will see it on the front page.
  2. Click into the game move to read it
  3. When you are ready to edit it, click on the edit tab near the top, it's situated next to the view tab. (You have to have privileges to the game or you will not see the edit tab.)
  4. Find the spot in the game file where you would like to make your additions.
  5. Use the text editor for any formatting as you add in your new content. (If you don't like the editor you can turn it off, below the text entry box.)
  6. Click Preview to make sure it's how you want it, and when it is, click Submit.

Please be considerate when you apply for a game. Ask yourself if you have the time and energy required to add it to your line-up of life. Each GM will have specific requirements, but a good rule of thumb is that you should be able to post 2 or 3 times a week, and stay caught up with the story. In a game with a fast pace, or players who like to write a lot, that can easily add up to several hours a week. We're always understanding of real life commitments, and real life always comes first! ...but we do ask that players realistically consider their game commitments, do their best to meet the expectations that the GMs set and do their best to communicate with the GM when real life makes participating difficult or impossible.

We ask that our GMs show a commitment to their game before making a call for characters. Text based games have a notorious reputation for starting and never getting off of the ground, or faltering shortly after they do. This of course will happen sometimes, and we understand this. We just ask that serious thought and effort be put into the decision before running here. If a GM gains a reputation for not being able meet the expectations that they set for their players, then we would have to kindly decline their request to run another game at NextGen RPG, until they can convince us that they have the time and energy to make that commitment.

Once you're certain that you have the time and energy to run a game, take a bit to decide what kind of game you want to run.  The best advice I can offer you is to run something that you're excited about, you lead your cast of players, and you will fuel their enthusiasm, so pick something that excites you!  If you're a little nervous that nobody will like your idea, you can test it in the Forum's Staging Area, however, I'm a firm believer in - Build It and They WILL Come.  Enthusiasm, from my experience, is contagious.  When you're ready send a PM or email to China, and include the following information.

  1. What's the name of your game?
  2. A blurb for your game, a short synopsis of some sort that gives me some insight about it. (example: Hudson City - Where Heroes Lose Their Innocense)
  3. What system will you be using to run it, or if it will be free form.
  4. What tools do you need that we don't have on the site to help you run it better?
  5. A sample of your casting call, if you have one prepared.
  6. Will this be a full fledged campaign, or a short one-off story.
  7. If this will be associated with another campaign, like in the same universe, let me know so that I can start brainstorming about ways to make it easy for all GMs involved to keep track of the campaigns in your shared world.
  8. Lastly, let us know what we can do to help you get your game off the ground.

You can locate the sandbox at this link.

This is a place for you to try out the method of game play at NextGen RPG.  It allows you to go into the Sandbox, make edits and additions and save the file.  This will allow you to get a feel for how game play and collaborative writing works at our site.  Feel free to ask questions while you're in there, and someone will answer them for you.  

  • Picture - This is where you upload or delete your Avatar for use on the site.  Your avatar will be placed next to all of your blog and forum entries.
    • To Upload an Avatar Picture
      • Go to your Control Panel
      • Click on the Edit tab
      • Click on Browse under Upload Picture
      • Locate the image on your local computer and click Open
      • Click on Save at the bottom of the page
    • To Delete an Avatar Picture
      • Go to your Control Panel
      • Click on the Edit tab
      • Check the box next to Delete Picture
      • Click on Save at the bottom of the page


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Image & this will open your image entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your image
  4. Click on the Image Gallery drop down box and select the gallery most suited for your image.
  5. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  6. Unless your image is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  7. Select Browse in the Image Field to Locate the image that you would like to upload.
  8. Body - This is where you add any notes or body cast information that you would like to share about your image.
  9. Click Save

How do I post a Blog Entry?

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Blog Entry & this will open your blog entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your fiction piece
  4. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  6. Optional: Characters, NPCs & Villains. Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece. It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create. Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
  7. Author is an optional but recommended field. Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games.
  8. Body - This is where you write or paste your piece into your blog. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  9. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. See the next question.
  10. Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it.
  11. Click Save

How to assign my Blog Entries to my games?

  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.


  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Joint Post & this will open your entry screen
  3. Select JP for the Story Acronym until the piece is completed.
  4. Fill out the rest of the required and optional fields and write or paste your intro bit into the Joint Post. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  5. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. You can do this after the JP is completed if you prefer.
  6. Save your JP
  7. Now that the Joint Post is created you need to go in and assign your collaborators. Click on the Access Control Tab at the top,
  8. Collapse or Ignore the first section labeled 'Role Based Access Control Settings'
  9. Scroll Down to 'User Access Control Lists'
  10. Fill out the 'Grant View Access' and 'Grant Update Access' sections. The box will autofill, it is important that you get the handle correct in order for the other contributors to gain access. You WILL get an error if it doesn't recognize the handle.
  11. Very Important. When you are done granting your view and update access privileges, don't forget to SAVE. This is an easy thing to forget.


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Joint Post & this will open your entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your fiction piece
  4. Click on the Story drop down box and select the JP acronym (after the JP is complete, this will be replaced by the game acronym).
  5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  6. Optional: Characters, NPCs & Villains. Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece. It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create. Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
  7. Author is a required field. Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games. (example: My handles are Chairman and Mayhem, but I use China in the author field.)
  8. Body - This is where you write or paste your intro bit into the Joint Post. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  9. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. You can do this after the JP is completed if you prefer.
  10. Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it. DO NOT FORGET TO HIT SAVE if you preview first. Common mistake and very easy to forget.
  11. Click Save
  12. Now that the Joint Post is created you need to go in and assign your collaborators. Click on the Access Control Tab at the top,
  13. Collapse or Ignore the first section labeled 'Role Based Access Control Settings'
  14. Scroll Down to 'User Access Control Lists'
  15. Select 'Grant View Access'
  16. Add User Handles that you would like to allow view access to your Joint Post. If you begin typing a name it will autofill. It is important that you get the handle correct in order for the other contributors to gain access. You WILL get an error if it doesn't recognize the handle.
  17. Click the 'Add User Button' after each new viewer.
  18. Select 'Grant Update Access' and repeat numbers 16 & 17.
  19. Very Important. When you are done granting your view and update access privileges, don't forget to SAVE. This is an easy thing to forget.

 

  • Click on the Access Control Tab
  • Under the first section labeled 'Role Based Access Control Settings', click on the first two items in the very first row. (see screen shot A below)
  • Click Save and your Piece will become visible to the Site
  • Click back into the Edit Tab of your piece
  • Select the Story drop down box and change the selection from JP to your game acronym (Example: MD)
  • Scroll down to Authoring Options and delete the date and time and it will auto assign the current date and time when you save it. This will make sure that it shows up at the top of the front page where it belongs. (see screen shot B below)
  • If you haven't already assigned your JP to the Game's Book Outline, please do so Now. (see screen shot B below)
  • Save your changes.

A. 

 
B.

Yes. You can turn it off by clicking on Switch to plain text editor under the text editor box in any move. If you wish to turn it off permanently, follow these directions. This is NOT recommended by the Site Administrator.

  1. Go to your Control Panel located under My Tools
  2. Click on the Edit Tab in your Control Panel
  3. Select the triangle next to Rich Text Editor
  4. Select the Default State drop down box, and select Disable

Sometimes during game play, it becomes useful to have a place to make notes to yourself. Things that you want to keep private, whether it's secrets that you've uncovered during game play, or lines that you want to use, or things that you don't want to forget, etc. This is a place for you to create notes that will only be seen by you. Some other uses might include, posting character sheets or stats, spell lists, power lists, catch phrases, verbiage of arcane spells (so that you don't have to get the Latin translation or equivalent each time), and clues.

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Notes & this will open your note entry screen
  3. Add your title in the title section.
  4. Add your note in the note section
  5. Click Save
  6. To access Notes later, select My Notes under My Tools in the left hand navigation column.

Yes. Any content that is adult in nature MUST include the 'Adult' rating when it is submitted. This is located in a drop down box labeled 'Rating'. Adult access is granted upon joining the site after verifying birth date, if you want this access removed, send a note to an admin and they can remove this feature from your account. Unless you have this permission all adult rated content will be completely invisible to you on the site.

Technically anything NC17 or greater should be tagged adult, which basically isn't very limiting. If sexual content with penetration, is introduced in a story, it must have the adult rating. ...however, that's a little too lenient for my personal tastes. So...technicalities aside, once anything adult, gets to the point where it makes ya blush, go ahead and tag it.

If you aren't sure, tag it adult and one of the administrators will verify it. If they see something not tagged that should be, they'll tag it. If they see something tagged that they don't think needs to be, they'll untag it. Basic Nudity, Excessive violence (unless it contains sex) and excessive language do not need to be tagged as Adult. But an advisory note at the top of the page or near the graphic violence, is always welcomed.

example links

- The Purifier (Part 3) (Conquistadors) - The above contains nudity and some violence, enough so that I felt the reader should be forewarned.

- Meanwhile 3 (Tabula Rasa) - The above contains sexually explicit material that requires an adult rating tag. IF you can't see this, it's because you don't have Adult privileges. Your birth date must be entered and approved by an Admin before granting those privileges.

NextGen RPG utilizes a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Editor.  We are striving for a gaming environment that is intuitive and that requires a minimal learning curve.  This section will explain the WYSIWYG Editor, any known issues with using it, and details on how to turn the editor off, for those that prefer to use straight html coding.
Basic Layout and Buttons.
How do I paste from MS Works?
How do I paste from MS Works?
How do I upload an image to a game move or blog post?
Known Issues & Bugs

The following are the two recommended ways to find your content.

The top of almost every page, has access to three very useful drop down boxes. They are fairly self explanatory and easy to use. Depending on the content that you are looking for you can use one, two or all of the boxes to narrow your search before clicking apply.

If you are already involved in a game, the My Games page, located under My Tools in the Left Hand Navigation column, will be very helpful. You will be automatically subscribed to all games that you have permissions to, and all blog, game, image, poll and forum updates will show up there. You will also find a quick search table at the bottom of this page, that will allow you to find content that you might like to follow, even if you aren't in the games.  The table will default to your preferences each time you use it.

As the site grows, these two tools will be the quickest and most useful ways for finding your new game moves, catching up on blogs and finding other site related content.
 

Other Methods
 
  • Doing a search, located on the top left of NextGen RPG's home page
  • Clicking on Recent Content in the Navigation Column, this lists all content contributions from newest to oldest
  • Clicking on the Track Tab in your Control Panel
  • New/Updated Content Blocks, but disappear once you've seen the new content.  (You can turn blocks on and off in your Control Panel under the Edit tab)
  • Clicking on Campaigns in the Content Directory, and finding it in the campaign's home page directory

 

A good way to find your game initially and read up on game details and game moves, is by going to the main campaign page for your game. You can locate your game's home page by looking in Campaigns, located in the Content Directory section on the left hand navigation column. Once you are inside of your Campaign's home, the GMs will have links to their galleries, forums and game guidebooks. In addition, all old moves will be archived and a list will be available from this page that will allow you to read through them.  You can find the list on your left hand navigation column.

For game play purposes, establish a habit of checking your My Games Page. This will provide disappearing blocks for all of the games that you have permissions to and if there is new content in any of them, it will show up.

When a game move is created or updated, you will see it listed in your My Games Page. Simply click on this link when you have a chance to read it and it will take you to the game file for you to read the new content.

For members that would like to customize their experience a bit more, following are some options.  ...but remember, if you want to keep it simple, at first, the 'My Games' Page will keep you on top of your game.

There is also an optional block available to add to your left hand navigation section, called New & Updated Game Moves. You can turn this on in the Edit Tab section of your Control Panel.  When using this block, it is important to understand that after a link is visited, it disappears from the New & Updated Game Move block, and the link will not reappear until it is edited again.  This block will show all new game content and not just your games, the five most current updates will always be on top.  If you have no block available after activating it, it's because there is no new content available.  Click here for instructions.

In addition to the official game moves, many of the games will have opportunities for side fiction pieces that tie into the overall game. A lot of GMs will encourage their players to post these into their player blog. There is another optional block, located on the left hand Navigation Column, called New & Updated Blogs. This section will list all new blogs that have appeared since the last time you logged on. Once the link is clicked on, it will disappear from the block.  You can turn this on in the Edit Tab section of your Control Panel. This block will show all new blog content and not just your games, the five most current updates will always be on top.  If you have no block available after activating it, it's because there is no new content available. Click here for instructions.

There is also a Recent Content page located on the left hand navigation menu that will take you to pages where you can cycle through the most recent content.  And another useful place to look, is in the Track tab of your Control Panel, but it is important to note, that until you post to a game move or blog, it will not show up in that tab.

  1. Click on your Control Panel, located on the left hand navigation Bar.
  2. Click on the Edit Tab.
  3. It will default to Account Information
  4. Scroll down to Block Configuration and choose which blocks you would like to see

Following is a complete list of content blocks that are available.

  • Block Configuration - This is the place that you go to turn on and off the blocks of content that are located in the left hand Navigation Column and My Games Page.  Most of the blocks are set as on off default, but please feel free to customize this to your liking.  Following are instructions on how to turn them on/off, as well as descriptions of each of the blocks.
    • Scroll down to Block Configuration
    • Place a checkmark next to the blocks that you want to see.  Descriptions to follow.
      •  Optional: new_update_book: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content.  Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.  Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      •  Optionaol: new_update_blogs: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move. Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      • Recommended: new_update_forum: Block - This only shows in the forum and will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.
      • Recommended: my_games_favorite: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page.  It provides a quick search table on all Next Gen content.
      • Optional: Community_Forum_Updates: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page, and show new/updated community forum posts.
      • Optional: Helpdesk_Forum_Updates: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page, and show new/updated helpdesk posts.
      • Recommended: Book Navigation: Block - This appears in your game moves and blog pieces that are assigned to a book outline.  It will show the book outline of your game in the left hand column, under the Navigation Information.
      • Optional: Recent_ImageContent: Block - Shows the last five uploaded image links
      • Optional: Dice Roller - Block that contains the die roller
      • Optional: Counter - This block shows only on the front page, and gives PHP Site Stats.
      • Optional: Most recent poll - disappearing block, it will only show poll content if there are some
      • Optional: Who's Online
      • Optional: Who's New
      • Optional: Latest Image
      • Optional: Random Image

Yes. Underneath the text of a game move you will see the Subscribe option. When you subscribe to a page you will get an email every time the page is updated. You can also subscribe to authors, characters, or even all content in a campaign (not recommended - you'll be swamped with emails!) You can manage your Subscriptions from your Control Panel. Click on your Subscriptions tab, and select which items you would like to send you email notifications when they're updated. I will warn you that they can sometimes be prolific, so be ready to tweak them until you're happy with the number of email notifications that you are receiving.

On the home page you'll find an RSS link for all new content. This feed won't tell you when content is updated; we're working on that.

There are a few different ways to do this, the easiest of which is to use the drop down boxes at the top of the home page, or the favorites quick search table on your My Games Page. These will allow you to search by content type (game move, gallery, blog, etc.), game/story or by author. It will list the items in order of the most recent to the oldest.

Other ways to find your item of interest include

  • Doing a search, located on the top left of NextGen RPG's home page
  • Clicking on Campaigns in the Content Directory, and finding it in the campaign's home page directory
  • Clicking on Blogs in the Content Directory will list all blogs from most recent to oldest
  • Clicking on Recent Content in the Content Directory, this lists all content contributions from newest to oldest

Some GMs will use color codes to help with this problem, and others may rely completely on the highlighted text. This will be decided on a game by game basis. The best way to ensure that you don't miss any new content, is to click into your game move, and select the author drop down box (ex: #6 Torchwood). Find the last update that you are sure that you've read, and from there, click on each author revision, one by one. Ensure that the checkmark box next to highlight changes is checked and click view revision.

What this will do, is highlight only the text that was touched by that author. Yellowed areas will indicate new content or changed content. Gray text is an indicator of content that was removed. Do note that sometimes an entire sentence or paragraph might be highlighted, even if their change was a minor edit. Skimming for obvious new content will make for good results. GMs that use color coding as well, will find that when they go into the file to remove the codes, it will make for a lot of highlights in the view screen. It is recommended, that they drop the code first, and then do a fresh edit to incorporate any new content. It will help their players find the new content easier.

Some additional notes:



If you expand it you will see a list of recent revisions to the document.

This will allow you to see who added to the game and cycle through each addition with the latest revision at the top.

By selecting a version and clicking the view revision button the text added in that version will be highlighted in the main body of the document.



By cycling through the revisions you can see what each person added.

The New and Updated Content Blocks will list all items that you haven't looked at. So when you're on the site and see no new content block, it is because there is no new content.  The same is true with your New Content Game Blocks on your My Games Page.  If they aren't there, it's because there is no new content.


  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.

Subscriptions Tab - This tab is used for controlling the content notifications that you would like sent to your preferred email account.  All subscription notifications will be delivered to the email address that you have indicated in your account settings.  There are five subtabs located in the subscriptions area; Overview, Pages, Blogs, Content Types and Categories.

  • Overview Tab: This is the quick reference tab to see all of your subscriptions
  • Pages Tab: Every page at NextGen RPG, has the subscription option.  This is a great way to follow just the game moves that you participate or lurk in.  As you select subscriptions to individual pages, they will show up in this tab.
  • Blogs Tab: The blogs tab allows you to subscribe to your favorite user's blog.  Each time they add content to their blog, you will be notified via email.
  • Content Types: This is a way to subscribe to broad sections of the site.  I will warn you that this could become overwhelming, so subscribe with caution.  You can select certain content types, such as blogs or forums that you would like to receive notifications on, when new items are posted.
  • Categories: This tab allows finite control over the content that you want to subscribe to.  It contains forum categories, game books, authors, characters and galleries.  Once you subscribe to a catagory, you will get email notifications, every time new or existing content is added or updated with the category tags that you've subscribed to.

Track Tabs - The Track Posts Tab follows you as you navigate through NextGen RPG.  It keeps track of each piece of content that you've edited or commented on.  When you visit this tab, it will show a 'red' new or updated alert on any of your tracked content, if it has been added or changed since your last visit.  The Track Page Visits Tab keeps a list of your most recently viewed content.

Some GMs will use color codes to help with this problem, and others may rely completely on the highlighted text. This will be decided on a game by game basis. The best way to ensure that you don't miss any new content, is to click into your game move, and select the author drop down box (ex: #6 Torchwood). Find the last update that you are sure that you've read, and from there, click on each author revision, one by one. Ensure that the checkmark box next to highlight changes is checked and click view revision.

What this will do, is highlight only the text that was touched by that author. Yellowed areas will indicate new content or changed content. Gray text is an indicator of content that was removed. Do note that sometimes an entire sentence or paragraph might be highlighted, even if their change was a minor edit. Skimming for obvious new content will make for good results. GMs that use color coding as well, will find that when they go into the file to remove the codes, it will make for a lot of highlights in the view screen. It is recommended, that they drop the code first, and then do a fresh edit to incorporate any new content. It will help their players find the new content easier.

Some additional notes:



If you expand it you will see a list of recent revisions to the document.

This will allow you to see who added to the game and cycle through each addition with the latest revision at the top.

By selecting a version and clicking the view revision button the text added in that version will be highlighted in the main body of the document.



By cycling through the revisions you can see what each person added.

The New and Updated Content Blocks will list all items that you haven't looked at. So when you're on the site and see no new content block, it is because there is no new content.  The same is true with your New Content Game Blocks on your My Games Page.  If they aren't there, it's because there is no new content.


  1. Locate the game move, and click into the file.
  2. Select the Edit tab at the top of the document, located next to the view tab.
  3. IF you do not see an edit tab you are either not logged in, or do not have privileges to that game.
  4. Find the place in the document that you would like to reply, and insert your text. (Feel free to add any place in the game file, as long as it does NOT contradict or interrupt the flow of what comes later in the existing game move.)
  5. Use the text editor to add any special formatting. If you dislike the WYSIWYG editor, you can turn it off: click on Switch to plain text editor below the text entry box. This is NOT recommended by the Site Administrator.
  6. Preview your move and then click Submit, once you're happy with it. DO NOT FORGET TO HIT SAVE if you preview first.
  7. Files are locked when a user clicks Edit, and will be unlocked when changes are saved. This prevents multiple people from editing the document at the same time. If a file you need is locked, please check in later after you see your move updated.


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Image & this will open your image entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your image
  4. Click on the Image Gallery drop down box and select the gallery most suited for your image.
  5. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  6. Unless your image is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  7. Select Browse in the Image Field to Locate the image that you would like to upload.
  8. Body - This is where you add any notes or body cast information that you would like to share about your image.
  9. Click Save


  1. Locate and open the blog or game move that you want to insert your image into
  2. Click on where you want the image to be inserted
  3. Click the Mountain Icon or the Image Assist Icon in the text editor - it's located on the second row of buttons, to the right of the Anchor.  Try them both until you find which one feels easier for you.
  4. Mountain Icon
    1. Click on the Browse Server button in the first line
    2. If you recently uploaded your image into a game gallery, you should see it on the first screen.
    3. If you would like to search, The Image Assist Upload is a better choice.
    4. Select your image and choose the size you would like to insert (Thumbnail, Preview or Original)
    5. Once you're back to the main screen, select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image
    6. Click the okay button
    7. Once you're back in the game move, click on the image and drag it to size it correctly
  5. Image Assist
    1. This method will automatically take you to the screen of your uploaded Gallery Images (If the picture you want wasn't uploaded by you, you will need to find it in the gallery)
    2. Cycle through them by page or Browse Images by Gallery at the top.
    3. Select the image you want to insert into your game move or blog
    4. Select the size that you want to insert.
    5. Chose alignment for text wrapping
    6. Click Insert
    7. If the image did NOT wrap correctly, which is a common issue, right click on the image and select Image Properties.
    8. Select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image
    9. Click the okay button
    10. Once you're back in the game move, click on the image and drag it to size it correctly

Note on the Differences:

A note on a difference between the two methods of inserting images handle wrapping text. The Image Assist method will *only* move the image to the location you choose, it does not add the necessary HTML code to wrap text, so if you want the text wrapped around the picture you *will* have to right click on it afterward, and select image properties. (select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image)

The Mountain Icon inserts the proper HTML for the text to wrap correctly but is a pain to find the image you want.

Both methods have their advantages and weaknesses so it really is a matter of preference but these are the only major differences I can think of.

Most GMs will prefer that game fiction written for their game, but that does not coincide directly with their current game thread, be posted in the player's blog. The blog piece will then be front paged so that everyone can see it, until it is bumped off the front page by new content. The piece will also be assigned to your game move, so that when someone is reading the game story, from beginning to end - in chapter/book format, they will be able to read your fiction piece as it falls into the overall time line.

How to assign my Blog Entries to my games

  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should

For every game, there is information that needs to be made available to the players. Things like: how to create your characters, information about the game system and world, character profiles, and any other little thing that the GM may feel is important. Our Guidebooks contain this information. GMs may retain exclusive control over these pages, or allow players to edit and add to them. These are optional resources, and if a GM prefers to host something off-site, that's fine, and we'll add links in its place.

OoC conversation usually happens in the game's forum or in the comment section of the game move. GMs may assign specific rules for their games, so check with them if you need additional guidance.

Some GMs will post character sheets and some will not. It's up to the GM whether to put them on the forum or game's guide book. However, feel free to put a copy of your character sheet in your Notes, that way you can access it any time you need to, no matter who's computer you're using.

How do I post a Blog Entry?

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Blog Entry & this will open your blog entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your fiction piece
  4. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  6. Optional: Characters, NPCs & Villains. Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece. It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create. Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
  7. Author is an optional but recommended field. Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games.
  8. Body - This is where you write or paste your piece into your blog. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  9. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. See the next question.
  10. Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it.
  11. Click Save

How to assign my Blog Entries to my games?

  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.


  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.

JPs are Joint Posts, it's an alternative way to privately collaborate on a story without needing to utilize an outside source like your email or google docs. You are welcome to use them whenever you would like, some people even use them for solo 'work in progress' types of pieces. Anything that you would like to have on the site for convenient editing, but that you would like to keep private until publishing.

JPs are optional, so there is no pressure to use them if you prefer another method. However people have found that JPs are convenient because they are almost impossible to miss on the site. A JP notification will show up on the left hand navigation bar for all contributors when there is an update, and will also show up on a Users My Game page. It allows privacy and collaborative additions and editing in such a way the all contributors can see what was changed and by who, things that could get overlooked in bouncing an email or google doc back and forth.

It means someone else i sediting the file right now. The lock will release when either an hour has passed or when the game file is updated and submitted. Please check back in when you see the move updated.

Sometimes during game play, it becomes useful to have a place to make notes to yourself. Things that you want to keep private, whether it's secrets that you've uncovered during game play, or lines that you want to use, or things that you don't want to forget, etc. This is a place for you to create notes that will only be seen by you. Some other uses might include, posting character sheets or stats, spell lists, power lists, catch phrases, verbiage of arcane spells (so that you don't have to get the Latin translation or equivalent each time), and clues.

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Notes & this will open your note entry screen
  3. Add your title in the title section.
  4. Add your note in the note section
  5. Click Save
  6. To access Notes later, select My Notes under My Tools in the left hand navigation column.

Rules - Keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

We're not big on rules or restrictions here. Most rules will be implemented on a game level by the GM. Each game will have a forum with a thread that will outline your GM's expectations. Expect them to vary from game to game, and do your best to abide by them. GM's game = GM's rules, if you disagree with them find a way to make a graceful exit, and we'll work to help you find another game that's more suited to your style.

Each GM is in charge of setting up the player expectations for their game. As a player, we ask that you know what those requirements are and do your best to live up to them. As someone that has played in this medium for over a year, a good suggestion is checking into the site (active games and forums) 3-4 times a week, and making yourself available to update the game move if you have a tag.

Yes. Any content that is adult in nature MUST include the 'Adult' rating when it is submitted. This is located in a drop down box labeled 'Rating'. Adult access is granted upon joining the site after verifying birth date, if you want this access removed, send a note to an admin and they can remove this feature from your account. Unless you have this permission all adult rated content will be completely invisible to you on the site.

Technically anything NC17 or greater should be tagged adult, which basically isn't very limiting. If sexual content with penetration, is introduced in a story, it must have the adult rating. ...however, that's a little too lenient for my personal tastes. So...technicalities aside, once anything adult, gets to the point where it makes ya blush, go ahead and tag it.

If you aren't sure, tag it adult and one of the administrators will verify it. If they see something not tagged that should be, they'll tag it. If they see something tagged that they don't think needs to be, they'll untag it. Basic Nudity, Excessive violence (unless it contains sex) and excessive language do not need to be tagged as Adult. But an advisory note at the top of the page or near the graphic violence, is always welcomed.

example links

- The Purifier (Part 3) (Conquistadors) - The above contains nudity and some violence, enough so that I felt the reader should be forewarned.

- Meanwhile 3 (Tabula Rasa) - The above contains sexually explicit material that requires an adult rating tag. IF you can't see this, it's because you don't have Adult privileges. Your birth date must be entered and approved by an Admin before granting those privileges.

My Tools (1)


In our effort to make NextGen RPG a dynamic place for GMs to run their games and for players to play, we've utilized a lot of tools to help us.  This section is dedicated to explaining them and how to use them.

The control panel is your tool to control your participation at NextGen RPG.  First and foremost, it's where you can share a bit about yourself with the rest of the community, and control your account settings, the content that you see on the site and the content that you subscribe to. 

Our goal is to provide you with a customizable site that will allow you to turn on and off the blocks of data that you want to see.  To locate your Control Panel look in the left hand navigation column, it is located immediately under the My Tools section.  Clicking on the CP link will take you to the default view, which will show you what other members will see.  Other members will only see a link to your blog, a listing of how long you've been a member, and things that you provide in the About Me section.

About Me (1)

About Me - Click on this tab and fill out the items that will help us get to know you better.  Feel free to upload pictures and write about yourself in the About Me Text Window.  The information in this section will be available to the other members.

  1. Click on your Control Panel, located on the left hand navigation Bar.
  2. Click on the Edit Tab.
  3. It will default to Account Information
  4. Scroll down to Block Configuration and choose which blocks you would like to see

Following is a complete list of content blocks that are available.

  • Block Configuration - This is the place that you go to turn on and off the blocks of content that are located in the left hand Navigation Column and My Games Page.  Most of the blocks are set as on off default, but please feel free to customize this to your liking.  Following are instructions on how to turn them on/off, as well as descriptions of each of the blocks.
    • Scroll down to Block Configuration
    • Place a checkmark next to the blocks that you want to see.  Descriptions to follow.
      •  Optional: new_update_book: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content.  Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.  Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      •  Optionaol: new_update_blogs: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move. Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      • Recommended: new_update_forum: Block - This only shows in the forum and will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.
      • Recommended: my_games_favorite: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page.  It provides a quick search table on all Next Gen content.
      • Optional: Community_Forum_Updates: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page, and show new/updated community forum posts.
      • Optional: Helpdesk_Forum_Updates: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page, and show new/updated helpdesk posts.
      • Recommended: Book Navigation: Block - This appears in your game moves and blog pieces that are assigned to a book outline.  It will show the book outline of your game in the left hand column, under the Navigation Information.
      • Optional: Recent_ImageContent: Block - Shows the last five uploaded image links
      • Optional: Dice Roller - Block that contains the die roller
      • Optional: Counter - This block shows only on the front page, and gives PHP Site Stats.
      • Optional: Most recent poll - disappearing block, it will only show poll content if there are some
      • Optional: Who's Online
      • Optional: Who's New
      • Optional: Latest Image
      • Optional: Random Image

Yes. You can turn it off by clicking on Switch to plain text editor under the text editor box in any move. If you wish to turn it off permanently, follow these directions. This is NOT recommended by the Site Administrator.

  1. Go to your Control Panel located under My Tools
  2. Click on the Edit Tab in your Control Panel
  3. Select the triangle next to Rich Text Editor
  4. Select the Default State drop down box, and select Disable

Account Information - You will need to be logged into the site before you can save your settings.

To change your account settings and to customise the content that you see on the site, you will need to Edit the Account Information section.  Following are descriptions of each of the sections and instructions on how to change each item.
 

  • Account Information - This section will allow you to change your email address and password.
    • Email Address
    • Password
    • Confirm Password
      • Go to your Control Panel
      • Click on the Edit tab
      • Input your new email
      • Your current or new password
      • Confirm as necessary
      • click on Save at the bottom of the page
  • Rich Text Editor Settings - This section allows you to control how you enter your data into your game moves, comments, blogs and forums.  It is recommended that people use the default WYSIWYG editor.  It does have a few quirks that will be explained in the Known Issues section, but not using it can be frustrating when you try to locate your insertion points into game moves.  For those that prefer to use straight html code, this is where you would toggle to that option.
    • Go to your Control Panel
    • Click on the Edit tab
    • Select Default State
    • Choose Disabled to turn off the WYSIWYG editor or Enabled to turn on your WYSIWYG editor
    • Click on Save at the bottom of the page

THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE SITE ADMINISTRATOR

  • Picture - This is where you upload or delete your Avatar for use on the site.  Your avatar will be placed next to all of your blog and forum entries.
    • To Upload an Avatar Picture
      • Go to your Control Panel
      • Click on the Edit tab
      • Click on Browse under Upload Picture
      • Locate the image on your local computer and click Open
      • Click on Save at the bottom of the page
    • To Delete an Avatar Picture
      • Go to your Control Panel
      • Click on the Edit tab
      • Check the box next to Delete Picture
      • Click on Save at the bottom of the page
  • Block Configuration - This is the place that you go to turn on and off the blocks of content that are located in the left hand Navigation Column and My Games Page.  Most of the blocks are set as on off default, but please feel free to customize this to your liking.  Following are instructions on how to turn them on/off, as well as descriptions of each of the blocks.
    • Scroll down to Block Configuration
    • Place a checkmark next to the blocks that you want to see.  Descriptions to follow.
      •  Optional: new_update_book: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content.  Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.  Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      •  Optional: new_update_blogs: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move. Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      • Recommended: new_update_forum: Block - This only shows in the forum and will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.
      • Recommended: my_games_favorite: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page.  It provides a quick search table on all Next Gen content.
      • Recommended: Book Navigation: Block - This appears in your game moves and blog pieces that are assigned to a book outline.  It will show the book outline of your game in the left hand column, under the Navigation Information.
      • Optional: Random FAQ - Random selection of 5 FAQs located on the MyGames Page.  Recommended for new users.
      • Optional: Recent_ImageContent: Block - Shows the last five uploaded image links
      • Optional: Dice Roller - Block that contains the die roller
      • Optional: Counter - This block shows only on the front page, and gives PHP Site Stats.
      • Optional: Most recent poll - disappearing block, it will only show poll content if there are some
      • Optional: Who's Online
      • Optional: Who's New
      • Optional: Latest Image
      • Optional: Random Image

Subscriptions Tab - This tab is used for controlling the content notifications that you would like sent to your preferred email account.  All subscription notifications will be delivered to the email address that you have indicated in your account settings.  There are five subtabs located in the subscriptions area; Overview, Pages, Blogs, Content Types and Categories.

  • Overview Tab: This is the quick reference tab to see all of your subscriptions
  • Pages Tab: Every page at NextGen RPG, has the subscription option.  This is a great way to follow just the game moves that you participate or lurk in.  As you select subscriptions to individual pages, they will show up in this tab.
  • Blogs Tab: The blogs tab allows you to subscribe to your favorite user's blog.  Each time they add content to their blog, you will be notified via email.
  • Content Types: This is a way to subscribe to broad sections of the site.  I will warn you that this could become overwhelming, so subscribe with caution.  You can select certain content types, such as blogs or forums that you would like to receive notifications on, when new items are posted.
  • Categories: This tab allows finite control over the content that you want to subscribe to.  It contains forum categories, game books, authors, characters and galleries.  Once you subscribe to a catagory, you will get email notifications, every time new or existing content is added or updated with the category tags that you've subscribed to.
Track Tab (1)

Track Tabs - The Track Posts Tab follows you as you navigate through NextGen RPG.  It keeps track of each piece of content that you've edited or commented on.  When you visit this tab, it will show a 'red' new or updated alert on any of your tracked content, if it has been added or changed since your last visit.  The Track Page Visits Tab keeps a list of your most recently viewed content.

JPs are Joint Posts, it's an alternative way to privately collaborate on a story without needing to utilize an outside source like your email or google docs. You are welcome to use them whenever you would like, some people even use them for solo 'work in progress' types of pieces. Anything that you would like to have on the site for convenient editing, but that you would like to keep private until publishing.

JPs are optional, so there is no pressure to use them if you prefer another method. However people have found that JPs are convenient because they are almost impossible to miss on the site. A JP notification will show up on the left hand navigation bar for all contributors when there is an update, and will also show up on a Users My Game page. It allows privacy and collaborative additions and editing in such a way the all contributors can see what was changed and by who, things that could get overlooked in bouncing an email or google doc back and forth.


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Joint Post & this will open your entry screen
  3. Select JP for the Story Acronym until the piece is completed.
  4. Fill out the rest of the required and optional fields and write or paste your intro bit into the Joint Post. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  5. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. You can do this after the JP is completed if you prefer.
  6. Save your JP
  7. Now that the Joint Post is created you need to go in and assign your collaborators. Click on the Access Control Tab at the top,
  8. Collapse or Ignore the first section labeled 'Role Based Access Control Settings'
  9. Scroll Down to 'User Access Control Lists'
  10. Fill out the 'Grant View Access' and 'Grant Update Access' sections. The box will autofill, it is important that you get the handle correct in order for the other contributors to gain access. You WILL get an error if it doesn't recognize the handle.
  11. Very Important. When you are done granting your view and update access privileges, don't forget to SAVE. This is an easy thing to forget.


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Joint Post & this will open your entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your fiction piece
  4. Click on the Story drop down box and select the JP acronym (after the JP is complete, this will be replaced by the game acronym).
  5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  6. Optional: Characters, NPCs & Villains. Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece. It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create. Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
  7. Author is a required field. Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games. (example: My handles are Chairman and Mayhem, but I use China in the author field.)
  8. Body - This is where you write or paste your intro bit into the Joint Post. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  9. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. You can do this after the JP is completed if you prefer.
  10. Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it. DO NOT FORGET TO HIT SAVE if you preview first. Common mistake and very easy to forget.
  11. Click Save
  12. Now that the Joint Post is created you need to go in and assign your collaborators. Click on the Access Control Tab at the top,
  13. Collapse or Ignore the first section labeled 'Role Based Access Control Settings'
  14. Scroll Down to 'User Access Control Lists'
  15. Select 'Grant View Access'
  16. Add User Handles that you would like to allow view access to your Joint Post. If you begin typing a name it will autofill. It is important that you get the handle correct in order for the other contributors to gain access. You WILL get an error if it doesn't recognize the handle.
  17. Click the 'Add User Button' after each new viewer.
  18. Select 'Grant Update Access' and repeat numbers 16 & 17.
  19. Very Important. When you are done granting your view and update access privileges, don't forget to SAVE. This is an easy thing to forget.

 

  • Click on the Access Control Tab
  • Under the first section labeled 'Role Based Access Control Settings', click on the first two items in the very first row. (see screen shot A below)
  • Click Save and your Piece will become visible to the Site
  • Click back into the Edit Tab of your piece
  • Select the Story drop down box and change the selection from JP to your game acronym (Example: MD)
  • Scroll down to Authoring Options and delete the date and time and it will auto assign the current date and time when you save it. This will make sure that it shows up at the top of the front page where it belongs. (see screen shot B below)
  • If you haven't already assigned your JP to the Game's Book Outline, please do so Now. (see screen shot B below)
  • Save your changes.

A. 

 
B.

For every game, there is information that needs to be made available to the players. Things like: how to create your characters, information about the game system and world, character profiles, and any other little thing that the GM may feel is important. Our Guidebooks contain this information. GMs may retain exclusive control over these pages, or allow players to edit and add to them. These are optional resources, and if a GM prefers to host something off-site, that's fine, and we'll add links in its place.

Some GMs will post character sheets and some will not. It's up to the GM whether to put them on the forum or game's guide book. However, feel free to put a copy of your character sheet in your Notes, that way you can access it any time you need to, no matter who's computer you're using.

Our current solution to making a Game Site/Guidebook, is by using our WYSIWYG editor.  You select Guide Page under Create Content, and create your home page and navigation menu, please feel free to recruit an Admin for help.  And as you create your additional pages, you link them in.  We're happy to provide assistance with this when you are ready.  If you already have a game site, you can add a link directly from your campaign's main book page.

Blogs (4)

Most GMs will prefer that game fiction written for their game, but that does not coincide directly with their current game thread, be posted in the player's blog. The blog piece will then be front paged so that everyone can see it, until it is bumped off the front page by new content. The piece will also be assigned to your game move, so that when someone is reading the game story, from beginning to end - in chapter/book format, they will be able to read your fiction piece as it falls into the overall time line.

How to assign my Blog Entries to my games

  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should

How do I post a Blog Entry?

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Blog Entry & this will open your blog entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your fiction piece
  4. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  6. Optional: Characters, NPCs & Villains. Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece. It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create. Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
  7. Author is an optional but recommended field. Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games.
  8. Body - This is where you write or paste your piece into your blog. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting. If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will strip some of the unnecessary code from the document
  9. Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game. See the next question.
  10. Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it.
  11. Click Save

How to assign my Blog Entries to my games?

  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.


  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.

What are the recommended and welcome uses of my Blog at NextGen RPG?
Every user account comes equipped with a blog.  We encourage you to use this space for your character related game material.  You can be as creative as you like!  Some examples of blog entries are; side fiction pieces, joint posts, diary entries, newspaper articles, letters, and character blogs.  Blogs are very intuitive, but come equipped with a lot of options related to assigning them to books and subscriptions that might cause some confusion. 

Please make sure that your blog entries are contributions to the site and if applicable, to your game.  Does it tell a story or provide insight into your character?  If it's informational in nature, it is more suited for the Forum, most games will have a 'Getting to know the Cast' Thread.  If it is personal in nature, as in player related, it is more suited for the 'Real Life' section in the Forum.  If it's incomplete, please wait until the piece is completed to post it.  This will help ensure that the rest of the community have a chance to read your completed blog entry. 

There are always exceptions, but generally a quality blog entry will be at least one page long in a traditional word processor.  If your peice is long, over ten pages, it might be a good idea to separate it into two parts to allow for easy viewing.  There are no rules in place for this, but personally - I find that a blog entry over 10 pages should be broken into two parts.

Directions for Posting a Blog
  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Blog Entry & this will open your blog entry screen
  3. Required:  Title of your fiction piece
  4. Suggested: Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  5. Unless your piece is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  6. Suggested: Characters, NPCs & Villains.  Allows you to enter names of important characters in your piece.  It will autoselect if it's already in the database, if it isn't it will auto create.  Check with your GM to see if they have a preference as to whether you fill this out.
  7. Required: Author is an optional but recommended field.  Try to be consistent with the name that you'd like to use across all of your games. 
  8. RequiredBody - This is where you write or paste your piece into your blog. Feel free to use the text editor for special formatting.  If you are pasting from Word, please use the Pasting from Word button on the text editor, it will  strip some of the unnecessary code from the document.  Click here for additional tips on using the WYSIWIG Editor.
  9. The Editor is equipped with a spell checker (button looks like an ABC with a checkmark), if you haven't already, please review your post to ensure your best effort and spell check it.
  10. Suggested: Book Outline - This is where you assign your fiction piece to the correct game.  See the next question.
  11. Optional: Click Preview to ensure your post is how you want it. DO NOT FORGET TO HIT SAVE if you preview.
  12. Click Save
  13. IF the page looks broken, never worry or panic.  Just contact an admin, we can fix it or revert to the previous version.  Standard rule is to blame Chairman for all page breaks, because it's ultimately her fault cuz she insists on having the WYSIWYG editor. 

How to assign my Blog Entries to my games

  1. When you are in your blog piece, select Book Outline
  2. Click on Book, and select the game that your story is associated with
  3. Click on Parent Item, and select the catagory AND/OR the order chronologically where your piece should fall.
Forum (3)

The forums are not used for playing the games at NextGen RPG. The forum is a community tool to allow our members to keep in touch and get to know each other better. In addition, each Game will have its own forum to discuss the out of character aspects of their game, make story requests, and deal with any comments or game related critiques that they may encounter.

OoC conversation usually happens in the game's forum or in the comment section of the game move. GMs may assign specific rules for their games, so check with them if you need additional guidance.

The forums are not used for playing the games at NextGen RPG.  The forum is a community tool to allow our members to keep in touch and get to know each other better.  In addition, each Game will have its own forum to discuss the out of character aspects of their game, make story request, and deal with any comments or game related critiques that they may encounter.

Post to a Forum Thread
  1. Click on Forums from the Left Hand Navigation Column
  2. Note that in red at the top of each forum page, is a list of new forum threads.  Once you read them, the listing will disappear.
  3. Locate the topic of interest
  4. Click 'Reply', 'Quote' or scroll to the bottom to make your entry in the text box.
  5. Click Save.
Galleries (4)


  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Image & this will open your image entry screen
  3. Required: Title of your image
  4. Click on the Image Gallery drop down box and select the gallery most suited for your image.
  5. Click on the Story drop down box and select the game that the piece is for.
  6. Unless your image is adult in nature, you do not need to mess with Rating.
  7. Select Browse in the Image Field to Locate the image that you would like to upload.
  8. Body - This is where you add any notes or body cast information that you would like to share about your image.
  9. Click Save


  1. Locate and open the blog or game move that you want to insert your image into
  2. Click on where you want the image to be inserted
  3. Click the Mountain Icon or the Image Assist Icon in the text editor - it's located on the second row of buttons, to the right of the Anchor.  Try them both until you find which one feels easier for you.
  4. Mountain Icon
    1. Click on the Browse Server button in the first line
    2. If you recently uploaded your image into a game gallery, you should see it on the first screen.
    3. If you would like to search, The Image Assist Upload is a better choice.
    4. Select your image and choose the size you would like to insert (Thumbnail, Preview or Original)
    5. Once you're back to the main screen, select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image
    6. Click the okay button
    7. Once you're back in the game move, click on the image and drag it to size it correctly
  5. Image Assist
    1. This method will automatically take you to the screen of your uploaded Gallery Images (If the picture you want wasn't uploaded by you, you will need to find it in the gallery)
    2. Cycle through them by page or Browse Images by Gallery at the top.
    3. Select the image you want to insert into your game move or blog
    4. Select the size that you want to insert.
    5. Chose alignment for text wrapping
    6. Click Insert
    7. If the image did NOT wrap correctly, which is a common issue, right click on the image and select Image Properties.
    8. Select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image
    9. Click the okay button
    10. Once you're back in the game move, click on the image and drag it to size it correctly

Note on the Differences:

A note on a difference between the two methods of inserting images handle wrapping text. The Image Assist method will *only* move the image to the location you choose, it does not add the necessary HTML code to wrap text, so if you want the text wrapped around the picture you *will* have to right click on it afterward, and select image properties. (select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image)

The Mountain Icon inserts the proper HTML for the text to wrap correctly but is a pain to find the image you want.

Both methods have their advantages and weaknesses so it really is a matter of preference but these are the only major differences I can think of.

Game galleries are located here - http://www.nextgenrpg.com/image.

Each game is assigned a game gallery. Common categories include; Cast, NPCs, Villains, Maps & Misc. When you have a bodycast or picture that you would like to share, you will upload it into the proper gallery.

If the picture is only related to one story, and not important to the over all game, you can upload it directly into the game file, if you prefer. This way it will be available to anyone reading that game piece, but will otherwise not remain to clutter the game galleries.

Each game is assigned a game gallery, with any subcategories that the GM requests.  Common categories include; Cast, NPCs, Villains, Maps & Misc.  When you have a bodycast or picture that you would like to share, you will upload it into the proper gallery.  If the picture is only related to one story, and not important to the over all game, you can upload it directly into the game file, if you prefer.  This way it will be available to anyone reading that game piece, but will otherwise not remain to clutter the game galleries.

Directions for Posting an Image
  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Image & this will open your note entry screen
  3. Add your title in the title section.
  4. Select the Story associated with the image.
  5. IF and only if it is inappropriate, mark Rating as Adult.
  6. Select the Browse button and locate the image on your computer (click open or upload, once file is selected)
  7. Add bodycast information and details in the body section, if applicable
  8. Click Save
  9. To access Galleries later, select Galleries under the Content Directory in the left hand navigation column.

The following are the two recommended ways to find your content.

The top of almost every page, has access to three very useful drop down boxes. They are fairly self explanatory and easy to use. Depending on the content that you are looking for you can use one, two or all of the boxes to narrow your search before clicking apply.

If you are already involved in a game, the My Games page, located under My Tools in the Left Hand Navigation column, will be very helpful. You will be automatically subscribed to all games that you have permissions to, and all blog, game, image, poll and forum updates will show up there. You will also find a quick search table at the bottom of this page, that will allow you to find content that you might like to follow, even if you aren't in the games.  The table will default to your preferences each time you use it.

As the site grows, these two tools will be the quickest and most useful ways for finding your new game moves, catching up on blogs and finding other site related content.
 

Other Methods
 
  • Doing a search, located on the top left of NextGen RPG's home page
  • Clicking on Recent Content in the Navigation Column, this lists all content contributions from newest to oldest
  • Clicking on the Track Tab in your Control Panel
  • New/Updated Content Blocks, but disappear once you've seen the new content.  (You can turn blocks on and off in your Control Panel under the Edit tab)
  • Clicking on Campaigns in the Content Directory, and finding it in the campaign's home page directory

 

A good way to find your game initially and read up on game details and game moves, is by going to the main campaign page for your game. You can locate your game's home page by looking in Campaigns, located in the Content Directory section on the left hand navigation column. Once you are inside of your Campaign's home, the GMs will have links to their galleries, forums and game guidebooks. In addition, all old moves will be archived and a list will be available from this page that will allow you to read through them.  You can find the list on your left hand navigation column.

For game play purposes, establish a habit of checking your My Games Page. This will provide disappearing blocks for all of the games that you have permissions to and if there is new content in any of them, it will show up.

There are a few different ways to do this, the easiest of which is to use the drop down boxes at the top of the home page, or the favorites quick search table on your My Games Page. These will allow you to search by content type (game move, gallery, blog, etc.), game/story or by author. It will list the items in order of the most recent to the oldest.

Other ways to find your item of interest include

  • Doing a search, located on the top left of NextGen RPG's home page
  • Clicking on Campaigns in the Content Directory, and finding it in the campaign's home page directory
  • Clicking on Blogs in the Content Directory will list all blogs from most recent to oldest
  • Clicking on Recent Content in the Content Directory, this lists all content contributions from newest to oldest
  • Block Configuration - This is the place that you go to turn on and off the blocks of content that are located in the left hand Navigation Column and My Games Page.  Most of the blocks are set as on off default, but please feel free to customize this to your liking.  Following are instructions on how to turn them on/off, as well as descriptions of each of the blocks.
    • Scroll down to Block Configuration
    • Place a checkmark next to the blocks that you want to see.  Descriptions to follow.
      •  Optional: new_update_book: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content.  Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.  Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      •  Optional: new_update_blogs: Block - This will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move. Similar functionality can be found on the My Games page.
      • Recommended: new_update_forum: Block - This only shows in the forum and will eventually disappear after you click through all the content. Once that happens you will ONLY see this block if there is new or updated content since your last move.
      • Recommended: my_games_favorite: Block - This only appears in your My Games Page.  It provides a quick search table on all Next Gen content.
      • Recommended: Book Navigation: Block - This appears in your game moves and blog pieces that are assigned to a book outline.  It will show the book outline of your game in the left hand column, under the Navigation Information.
      • Optional: Random FAQ - Random selection of 5 FAQs located on the MyGames Page.  Recommended for new users.
      • Optional: Recent_ImageContent: Block - Shows the last five uploaded image links
      • Optional: Dice Roller - Block that contains the die roller
      • Optional: Counter - This block shows only on the front page, and gives PHP Site Stats.
      • Optional: Most recent poll - disappearing block, it will only show poll content if there are some
      • Optional: Who's Online
      • Optional: Who's New
      • Optional: Latest Image
      • Optional: Random Image
Notes (2)

Some GMs will post character sheets and some will not. It's up to the GM whether to put them on the forum or game's guide book. However, feel free to put a copy of your character sheet in your Notes, that way you can access it any time you need to, no matter who's computer you're using.

Sometimes during game play, it becomes useful to have a place to make notes to yourself. Things that you want to keep private, whether it's secrets that you've uncovered during game play, or lines that you want to use, or things that you don't want to forget, etc. This is a place for you to create notes that will only be seen by you. Some other uses might include, posting character sheets or stats, spell lists, power lists, catch phrases, verbiage of arcane spells (so that you don't have to get the Latin translation or equivalent each time), and clues.

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Notes & this will open your note entry screen
  3. Add your title in the title section.
  4. Add your note in the note section
  5. Click Save
  6. To access Notes later, select My Notes under My Tools in the left hand navigation column.
WYSIWYG (4)


  1. Locate and open the blog or game move that you want to insert your image into
  2. Click on where you want the image to be inserted
  3. Click the Mountain Icon or the Image Assist Icon in the text editor - it's located on the second row of buttons, to the right of the Anchor.  Try them both until you find which one feels easier for you.
  4. Mountain Icon
    1. Click on the Browse Server button in the first line
    2. If you recently uploaded your image into a game gallery, you should see it on the first screen.
    3. If you would like to search, The Image Assist Upload is a better choice.
    4. Select your image and choose the size you would like to insert (Thumbnail, Preview or Original)
    5. Once you're back to the main screen, select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image
    6. Click the okay button
    7. Once you're back in the game move, click on the image and drag it to size it correctly
  5. Image Assist
    1. This method will automatically take you to the screen of your uploaded Gallery Images (If the picture you want wasn't uploaded by you, you will need to find it in the gallery)
    2. Cycle through them by page or Browse Images by Gallery at the top.
    3. Select the image you want to insert into your game move or blog
    4. Select the size that you want to insert.
    5. Chose alignment for text wrapping
    6. Click Insert
    7. If the image did NOT wrap correctly, which is a common issue, right click on the image and select Image Properties.
    8. Select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image
    9. Click the okay button
    10. Once you're back in the game move, click on the image and drag it to size it correctly

Note on the Differences:

A note on a difference between the two methods of inserting images handle wrapping text. The Image Assist method will *only* move the image to the location you choose, it does not add the necessary HTML code to wrap text, so if you want the text wrapped around the picture you *will* have to right click on it afterward, and select image properties. (select the align box (very bottom), and choose left or right, depending on which way you want the text to wrap around your image)

The Mountain Icon inserts the proper HTML for the text to wrap correctly but is a pain to find the image you want.

Both methods have their advantages and weaknesses so it really is a matter of preference but these are the only major differences I can think of.

Yes. You can turn it off by clicking on Switch to plain text editor under the text editor box in any move. If you wish to turn it off permanently, follow these directions. This is NOT recommended by the Site Administrator.

  1. Go to your Control Panel located under My Tools
  2. Click on the Edit Tab in your Control Panel
  3. Select the triangle next to Rich Text Editor
  4. Select the Default State drop down box, and select Disable
  • Rich Text Editor Settings - This section allows you to control how you enter your data into your game moves, comments, blogs and forums.  It is recommended that people use the default WYSIWYG editor.  It does have a few quirks that will be explained in the Known Issues section, but not using it can be frustrating when you try to locate your insertion points into game moves.  For those that prefer to use straight html code, this is where you would toggle to that option.
    • Go to your Control Panel
    • Click on the Edit tab
    • Select Default State
    • Choose Disabled to turn off the WYSIWYG editor or Enabled to turn on your WYSIWYG editor
    • Click on Save at the bottom of the page

THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE SITE ADMINISTRATOR

NextGen RPG utilizes a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Editor.  We are striving for a gaming environment that is intuitive and that requires a minimal learning curve.  This section will explain the WYSIWYG Editor, any known issues with using it, and details on how to turn the editor off, for those that prefer to use straight html coding.
Basic Layout and Buttons.
How do I paste from MS Works?
How do I paste from MS Works?
How do I upload an image to a game move or blog post?
Known Issues & Bugs

How to GM (20)

NextGen RPG welcomes all game genres and systems.  We want our players and GMs to be enthusiastic about their games, so as long as it appeals to them, it works for us.  Our emphasis here is on original fiction and concepts, so most fan related games that are based on television shows, movies, and other existing media would not be a good fit for the site.  This isn't meant to exclude anyone or diminish the value of those games, only that it diverges from the original fiction aspect that we're striving for here.

Nope.  However, we have no objections to GMs choosing to run in the same world, but independent games are also very welcome.  Collaborating on a joint endeavor can be more complex, but we're willing to open a higher level forum to help you with your efforts.  ...and we're willing to help put whatever tools we can into place to help your players stay in tuned with your world level efforts through our tools.  Once we know individual needs we can help you on a more personal level with that.

We ask that our GMs show a commitment to their game before making a call for characters. Text based games have a notorious reputation for starting and never getting off of the ground, or faltering shortly after they do. This of course will happen sometimes, and we understand this. We just ask that serious thought and effort be put into the decision before running here. If a GM gains a reputation for not being able meet the expectations that they set for their players, then we would have to kindly decline their request to run another game at NextGen RPG, until they can convince us that they have the time and energy to make that commitment.

For every game, there is information that needs to be made available to the players. Things like: how to create your characters, information about the game system and world, character profiles, and any other little thing that the GM may feel is important. Our Guidebooks contain this information. GMs may retain exclusive control over these pages, or allow players to edit and add to them. These are optional resources, and if a GM prefers to host something off-site, that's fine, and we'll add links in its place.

OoC conversation usually happens in the game's forum or in the comment section of the game move. GMs may assign specific rules for their games, so check with them if you need additional guidance.

Some GMs will post character sheets and some will not. It's up to the GM whether to put them on the forum or game's guide book. However, feel free to put a copy of your character sheet in your Notes, that way you can access it any time you need to, no matter who's computer you're using.

JPs are Joint Posts, it's an alternative way to privately collaborate on a story without needing to utilize an outside source like your email or google docs. You are welcome to use them whenever you would like, some people even use them for solo 'work in progress' types of pieces. Anything that you would like to have on the site for convenient editing, but that you would like to keep private until publishing.

Sometimes during game play, it becomes useful to have a place to make notes to yourself. Things that you want to keep private, whether it's secrets that you've uncovered during game play, or lines that you want to use, or things that you don't want to forget, etc. This is a place for you to create notes that will only be seen by you. Some other uses might include, posting character sheets or stats, spell lists, power lists, catch phrases, verbiage of arcane spells (so that you don't have to get the Latin translation or equivalent each time), and clues.

  1. Locate the Create Content link, in the left hand Navigation Column, under My Tools
  2. Click on Notes & this will open your note entry screen
  3. Add your title in the title section.
  4. Add your note in the note section
  5. Click Save
  6. To access Notes later, select My Notes under My Tools in the left hand navigation column.

NextGen RPG isn't about controlling your games, your worlds, your ideas or your players, but we do have expectations.  So please make sure that you have a firm commitment to meet these expectations before moving forward with running a game at NextGen RPG.


This medium is notorious for games starting, and then either never getting off of the ground, or having the GM disappear before the game gets going.  This of course can not be totally eliminated, real life happens and we all bow to real life priorities.  With that said, however, we ask that potential GMs take a serious moment before creating their games, and spend just as much time thinking about whether they are committed to running a game, as they do about what kind of game they want to run.

We can help you recruit players, we can help you find the resources and tools that you need, we can help with a lot of things, but we can not get you excited enough about the game to keep you committed.  That's your job, perhaps your most important job as a GM, and it's the only thing that we ask you to commit to before running a game.  Games can end ... we expect games to end, it's even necessary for games to end. We just ask that you handle this with respect to your players.  Keep up active communication from beginning to end, and if you do that, when you want to run again, our doors will be open!

Once you're certain that you have the time and energy to run a game, take a bit to decide what kind of game you want to run.  The best advice I can offer you is to run something that you're excited about, you lead your cast of players, and you will fuel their enthusiasm, so pick something that excites you!  If you're a little nervous that nobody will like your idea, you can test it in the Forum's Staging Area, however, I'm a firm believer in - Build It and They WILL Come.  Enthusiasm, from my experience, is contagious.  When you're ready send a PM or email to China, and include the following information.

  1. What's the name of your game?
  2. A blurb for your game, a short synopsis of some sort that gives me some insight about it. (example: Hudson City - Where Heroes Lose Their Innocense)
  3. What system will you be using to run it, or if it will be free form.
  4. What tools do you need that we don't have on the site to help you run it better?
  5. A sample of your casting call, if you have one prepared.
  6. Will this be a full fledged campaign, or a short one-off story.
  7. If this will be associated with another campaign, like in the same universe, let me know so that I can start brainstorming about ways to make it easy for all GMs involved to keep track of the campaigns in your shared world.
  8. Lastly, let us know what we can do to help you get your game off the ground.

As long as your game was an original concept, consider your game approved unless you hear otherwise.  I suppose there are always exceptions, but I'm failing to think of any off the top of my head.  Once the admins have finished setting up the following items, they will let you know and you can make your casting call.

  1. Admin will create your Book Page
  2. Admin will create your Forum
  3. Admin will create your Galleries
  4. Admin will give you GM level permissions to your game
  5. Admin will give you permission to the GMs Lair in the Forum
  6. Admin will get with you about placing your casting call on appropriate game forums to help with recruitment.
  7. Feel free to communicate your needs for a guide book (mini website) for your campaign, and an Admin will help you get one together.
  8. You can count on an Admin's participation throughout this process to help find your players and ensure that they feel welcome when they get here. 

Whatever you want as long as it has original value.  We would like to keep the games here fresh.  Being inspired heavily by a television show, book, movie or other media is A-okay.  ....but if you're looking to recreate an existing television show, book, movie or other media - casting for the same roles of famous characters, then that diverges from our vision of this site.

Whatever you want, or you can use our site for collaborative fiction or free form role playing.

Be aware of your own limitations, and try to stay within them.  We have no site rules regarding managing your games. You're the GM, that's your job.

You tell us.  If you feel like you have a special concern or need, let us know from the start so that we can figure out how to accommodate you.

We have a privacy rating system in place, that allows adult content to be invisible to site visitors and to members that are not of mature viewing age.  Whether or not you decide to allow adult content in your game, is your decision, however we do require any adult content, to be marked appropriately in the rating.  We require this on a file basis, so only the game moves or files with Adult ratings would be marked as such, the rest of the files will be available to all of NextGen RPG's community and visitors.

One of the most common questions that newcomers have is, where do you play your games?  They wonder if the pages here are just compilations of Forum Posts (as in Play By Post games) or compilations of emails (like Play By E-Mail games).  The key to this medium of game play is that we do all of our story telling on-site using shared documents.  A GM creates a page in our editor, and then the players log into the game file and make their additions.  We treat it as a living breathing compile.  ANY document that you click on in this site was created the same way, and has the ability for multiple authors to edit it, IF they have the correct permissions.

Our current solution to making a Game Site/Guidebook, is by using our WYSIWYG editor.  You select Guide Page under Create Content, and create your home page and navigation menu, please feel free to recruit an Admin for help.  And as you create your additional pages, you link them in.  We're happy to provide assistance with this when you are ready.  If you already have a game site, you can add a link directly from your campaign's main book page.

Here are some things to consider when you're putting together your game call.

1. Right off the bat, hit on your style of play.  (Dedicated and committed GM looking for like minded players.  And anything that you feel should be shared about your GMing style).  It's a leap of faith for players to create a character, and the more they sense that you're committed the more they'll be willing to jump through any submission hurdles that you set up.

2.  Information about the game.  At least one - two meaty paragraphs about what kind of vision you have and what you'd like to explore in the game. 
a.  Genre? 
b.  Books, movies or television programs that may have the right look or feel of your vision. 
c.  Mention any character criteria or exemptions, anything you won't be allowing.  Help the potential talent focus their energy on ideas that will get you excited.
d.  Also game system information if this pertains.  Free Form is fine, but if you do have a system to use as a backbone, let people know what it is, and how important it is to you if they know it.  (For example, I use Hero, but I could care less if my players know it, as long as we can communicate through the creation process.)

3.  Posting Requirements.  (I think this is critical.  Let prospective players know up front what your expectations are in this area.  Minimum post of one, two, three, whatever times per week.

4.  Submission Information.  What is your ideal number of players?  Tell the perspective players how you want your submissions (text, .doc, etc.), and what you want (Character bio, writing sample or link, etc. etc.)

5.  Contact information.  Most importantly where to send it.  Your email address, or whatever your preference is.  Also, let them know where to send questions, via site PM or email, or whatever is good for you.

6.  Deadline.  This is the easiest to forget after writing all that other stuff.  But remember to tell people when the deadline is.  Us gamers tend to be procrastinators.


The most common errors are due to privileges.  Most of the content can be seen by anyone, but unless you have privileges to a game, you can't edit the game moves.  The exception to this is the pieces that have an adult rating.  To get adult privileges to the site, you need to fill out your birth date in your Control Panel and then send a PM to Chairman to let her know that this was done. Upon receiving the PM, she will grant you privileges.

The New and Updated Content Blocks will list all items that you haven't looked at. So when you're on the site and see no new content block, it is because there is no new content.  The same is true with your New Content Game Blocks on your My Games Page.  If they aren't there, it's because there is no new content.

It means someone else i sediting the file right now. The lock will release when either an hour has passed or when the game file is updated and submitted. Please check back in when you see the move updated.

JPs are Joint Posts, it's an alternative way to privately collaborate on a story without needing to utilize an outside source like your email or google docs. You are welcome to use them whenever you would like, some people even use them for solo 'work in progress' types of pieces. Anything that you would like to have on the site for convenient editing, but that you would like to keep private until publishing.

It means someone else i sediting the file right now. The lock will release when either an hour has passed or when the game file is updated and submitted. Please check back in when you see the move updated.

You can locate the sandbox at this link.

This is a place for you to try out the method of game play at NextGen RPG.  It allows you to go into the Sandbox, make edits and additions and save the file.  This will allow you to get a feel for how game play and collaborative writing works at our site.  Feel free to ask questions while you're in there, and someone will answer them for you.  

The control panel is your tool to control your participation at NextGen RPG.  First and foremost, it's where you can share a bit about yourself with the rest of the community, and control your account settings, the content that you see on the site and the content that you subscribe to. 

Our goal is to provide you with a customizable site that will allow you to turn on and off the blocks of data that you want to see.  To locate your Control Panel look in the left hand navigation column, it is located immediately under the My Tools section.  Clicking on the CP link will take you to the default view, which will show you what other members will see.  Other members will only see a link to your blog, a listing of how long you've been a member, and things that you provide in the About Me section.

Each game is considered a campaign, and the pages that make up the game moves and eventually the game history are referred to as the Campaign's Story Book.

NextGen RPG utilizes a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Editor.  We are striving for a gaming environment that is intuitive and that requires a minimal learning curve.  This section will explain the WYSIWYG Editor, any known issues with using it, and details on how to turn the editor off, for those that prefer to use straight html coding.

Every user account comes equipped with a blog.  We encourage you to use this space for your character related game material.  You can be as creative as you like!  Some examples of blog entries are; side fiction pieces, joint posts, diary entries, newspaper articles, letters, and character blogs.  Blogs are very intuitive, but come equipped with a lot of options related to assigning them to books and subscriptions that might cause some confusion. 

Please make sure that your blog entries are contributions to the site and if applicable, to your game.  Does it tell a story or provide insight into your character?  If it's informational in nature, it is more suited for the Forum, most games will have a 'Getting to know the Cast' Thread.  If it is personal in nature, as in player related, it is more suited for the 'Real Life' section in the Forum.  If it's incomplete, please wait until the piece is completed to post it.  This will help ensure that the rest of the community have a chance to read your completed blog entry. 

There are always exceptions, but generally a quality blog entry will be at least one page long in a traditional word processor.  If your peice is long, over ten pages, it might be a good idea to separate it into two parts to allow for easy viewing.  There are no rules in place for this, but personally - I find that a blog entry over 10 pages should be broken into two parts.

For every game, there is information that needs to be made available to the players.  Things like, how to create your characters, information about the game system and world, character profiles, and any other little thing that the GM may feel is important.  Our Guidebooks and Wikis contain this information.  These are optional resources, and if a GM prefers to host something off-site, that's fine, and we'll add links in it's place.

Sometimes during game play, it becomes useful to have a place to make notes to yourself.  Things that you want to keep private, whether it's secrets that you've uncovered during game play, or lines that you want to use, or things that you don't want to forget, etc.  This is a place for you to create notes that will only be seen by you.  Some other uses might include, posting character sheets or stats, spell lists, power lists, catch phrases, verbiage of arcane spells (so that you don't have to get the Latin translation or equivalent each time), and clues.

Rules (6)

Rules - Keep the drama in the games and out of the site.

We're not big on rules or restrictions here. Most rules will be implemented on a game level by the GM. Each game will have a forum with a thread that will outline your GM's expectations. Expect them to vary from game to game, and do your best to abide by them. GM's game = GM's rules, if you disagree with them find a way to make a graceful exit, and we'll work to help you find another game that's more suited to your style.

Each GM is in charge of setting up the player expectations for their game. As a player, we ask that you know what those requirements are and do your best to live up to them. As someone that has played in this medium for over a year, a good suggestion is checking into the site (active games and forums) 3-4 times a week, and making yourself available to update the game move if you have a tag.

Yes. Any content that is adult in nature MUST include the 'Adult' rating when it is submitted. This is located in a drop down box labeled 'Rating'. Adult access is granted upon joining the site after verifying birth date, if you want this access removed, send a note to an admin and they can remove this feature from your account. Unless you have this permission all adult rated content will be completely invisible to you on the site.

Technically anything NC17 or greater should be tagged adult, which basically isn't very limiting. If sexual content with penetration, is introduced in a story, it must have the adult rating. ...however, that's a little too lenient for my personal tastes. So...technicalities aside, once anything adult, gets to the point where it makes ya blush, go ahead and tag it.

If you aren't sure, tag it adult and one of the administrators will verify it. If they see something not tagged that should be, they'll tag it. If they see something tagged that they don't think needs to be, they'll untag it. Basic Nudity, Excessive violence (unless it contains sex) and excessive language do not need to be tagged as Adult. But an advisory note at the top of the page or near the graphic violence, is always welcomed.

example links

- The Purifier (Part 3) (Conquistadors) - The above contains nudity and some violence, enough so that I felt the reader should be forewarned.

- Meanwhile 3 (Tabula Rasa) - The above contains sexually explicit material that requires an adult rating tag. IF you can't see this, it's because you don't have Adult privileges. Your birth date must be entered and approved by an Admin before granting those privileges.

NextGen RPG isn't about controlling your games, your worlds, your ideas or your players, but we do have expectations.  So please make sure that you have a firm commitment to meet these expectations before moving forward with running a game at NextGen RPG.


This medium is notorious for games starting, and then either never getting off of the ground, or having the GM disappear before the game gets going.  This of course can not be totally eliminated, real life happens and we all bow to real life priorities.  With that said, however, we ask that potential GMs take a serious moment before creating their games, and spend just as much time thinking about whether they are committed to running a game, as they do about what kind of game they want to run.

We can help you recruit players, we can help you find the resources and tools that you need, we can help with a lot of things, but we can not get you excited enough about the game to keep you committed.  That's your job, perhaps your most important job as a GM, and it's the only thing that we ask you to commit to before running a game.  Games can end ... we expect games to end, it's even necessary for games to end. We just ask that you handle this with respect to your players.  Keep up active communication from beginning to end, and if you do that, when you want to run again, our doors will be open!