All on the Table: Side Quests Guidelines

(by Dana P., with edits from Emily)

Side Quests Overview

Side Quests is a sub-segment of The Transverse TRPG show, All On the Table. It consists of a series of single session games run by GM/hosts and played by players that can change from episode to episode. Ideally, these episodes will highlight games created by designers who are trans, queer, PoC, and/or from other marginalized communities.

Producer Responsibilities

Find the GM/Host for the episode.

Coordinate with head mod (Dani) who will set up mods for the show

Coordinate promotion

• Tell the GM/Host what they are responsible for in terms of promotion.
• Provide game details and graphics to marketing.
• Organize additional opportunities for promotion as they present themselves.
• Determine any giveaways that will be done during the game and work with the GM/Host to figure out how they will be handled.
• Provide GM and players with final promotional graphics from the marketing team so they can promote on their channels.

Set up production to fit the game being played.

• Work with marketing to produce/acquire any art needed for the episode.

Tell the GM/host anything you need them to do that’s not already covered below.

• Work with the GM/host to determine plan breaks in gameplay.

Determine if there are other shows/channels that can be thrown to or raided after the show is over.

Get the show on the air.

Coordinate any editing that needs to be done for YouTube after the live broadcast.

GM/Host Responsibilities

Pick your game.

• Should be completed in one session of no more than 5 hours. Talk to the producer before proceeding if you think it’s going to be longer.
• Games from designers who are trans, queer, PoC, and/or from other marginalized communities and smaller publishers are preferred.

Find your players.

• At least 50% of the players should be trans. Queer, PoC, and other underserved populations are preferred for the remainder of the positions, but cis-het folk are allowed.
• If you need additional players, promote your game in the gaming room on The Transverse Discord.
• Find out how the players wish to be introduced, including if they have social media or events to promote, and make sure you know their pronouns.
• Players should be 18 years or older.

Coordinate with producer about the production logistics.

• How many players do you have?
• What’s a 1-2 sentence description of the game?
• How long is your game going to go?
• What are the start and end times?
• What is the plan if the game goes long?

Tell the producer about any special requirements you may have.

• Do you need to have a map shown, or is it theater of the mind?
• Do you need to show cards that a player has or track the movement of pieces?
• Do you need Roll 20 tokens or other art work?
• Work with the producer to determine how you will handle bio breaks and other breaks during the game.

Make sure players and the producer each have a copy of the game or at least enough information to play. (This can take the form of a player guide or other similar handout).

Inform the players of their responsibilities

• Do they need to generate characters before the game?
• What equipment do they need (dice, cards, notepads, etc.)?
• When do they need to show up?
• Where are they going to play the game (Discord? Roll 20?)?

Run the game.

• Make sure all players are engaged and participating.
• Interact with chat if at all possible.

Suggested Episode Flow

• Introduce the show.
• Introduce yourself.
• Introduce the game and the game developer.
• Introduce the players and let them introduce their characters if they are already made.
• Gameplay
• Thank the audience for coming.
• Promote the Monday line-up of Transverse shows: Queerantine Kitchen at 8pm Easter/5 Pacific, Transistance news show at 9 ET/6 PT, and Behind Open Doors at 10 ET/7 PT.
• Sign off, throwing to another affiliated show if possible.