Story Synth Formats
Shuffled
In this format, players draw a series of card prompts from one or more decks. The order of cards for the first deck is always the same, which makes it a fit for instructions. Subsequent decks are randomized within each deck (e.g. you'll randomly draw through all of deck B before moving to deck C).
Inspired by For the Queen and The Quiet Year.
Templates: Simple Deck, Multi-deck
Example Games: Clash at Ikara and Raised by Mechs
Generator
This format shows randomly selected options from different categories over a customized layout of rows and columns. Players can regenerate (i.e. reroll) the entire page of selections or just individual categories.
Template: Generator Template
Example Games: Aethelred's Academy and Umberdred Institute
Hexmap
This format features a map made of hexagons, each containg content relevant to the players and / or faciliator. Maps can be fixed or randomly generated.
Template: Hexmap Template
Example Game: Hexmap Demo
Hexflower
This format features a big hexagon made of smaller hexagons, with each hex having it's own content. Players can click to select different hexes or roll to randomly move among them.
Inspired by the Hexflower Cookbook
Template: Hexflower Template
Example Game: Hexflower Demo
Phases
In this format, players draw a series of cards from different decks. The Phases format is different from Shuffled in that cards are drawn from different decks in a rotation (e.g. A, B, C, A, B, C).
Template: Phases Template
Example Game: Around the Realm
Secrets
In this format, players select roles and then receive prompts over a series of round. In each round, players will recive one public prompt (seen by all) and one secret prompt (unique to their role).
Template: Secrets Template
Example Game: The July Crisis
Slot Machine
In this format, players draw cards that have been randomly assembled from a series of lists. It is similar to the Generator format except that the randomly selected prompts appear on a card and that all the cards are assembled at the start of a session.
Template: Slot Machine Template
Example Game: Post-Work Paradise
Monster
In this format, players go through a non-random series of card prompts. Some cards give a player the option to select among multiple different options which start collapsed (mostly hidden) but can be expanded for them.
Template: Monster Template
Example Game: Dawn of the Monster Invasion
Timed
In this format, players select roles and then start a shared timer. Then, private messages appear for each player at pre-determined timestamps.
Inspired by Find / Fix / Finish
Template: Timed Template
Example Game: Timed Demo
Extensions
Story Synth has a variety of extensions that add functionality to any of the formats. Here's a quick overview of the different extensions. Check out the Extensions Page of the documentation to learn more.
- Static Box: shows a simple text box that is always visable
- Player Turn Order: lets players track turn order
- Plus-Minus: shows a state tracking system where players can increase or decrease the values of things they are tracking
- Editable Lists: creates a list that players can edit, adding and deleting items
- Dice Roller: lets players can roll dice by typing commands like '2d6'
- Standard Deck: provides a way of drawing from a deck of playing cards
- Journal Entries: allows players to write journal entries
- Hexflower as Extension: embeds a hexflower in a different game format
- Generator as Extension: embeds a Generator in a different game format
Custom Options
There are many ways to further customize your game, including visual styles, images, metadata, and more. Check out the Options Page in the documentations to learn more.