So You Wanna Have A Bad Time…

If you’re reading this, you want to make a Bad Time Game. Great! But what is that?

Simply put, the Bad Time Game system is a d4-based system for creating RPGs where characters have a very bad time. In more technical terms, the core of the system is not to empower success but to encourage failure for the purposes of storytelling and player enjoyment. Inspired by the likes of Paranoia and Fiasco, it asks players to put aside what other games ask for (strong characterization, stat optimization, in-depth storytelling) and instead focus on having a collaborative experience that revolves around good-natured failure and its results.