array (
'From' => 'Eric Oakland <Eric@scalybeast.com>',
'To' => 'no.thanks@gmailemail.biz',
'Subject' => 'From ROMPS into RACES in 5 steps.',
'Date' => 'Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:45:08 +0000 (UTC)',
'Message-ID' => '<92ul7xvvv6inh64wl5zt9hzoxm933bwh0l7p7@convertkit-mail2.com>',
'Body' => 'Hello ROOMSmiths & Roominauts!,
Only a 10 days until the Kickstarter launch and I’ve still got
lots to do! The most important thing this week is to tell a bunch
of people about it and point them towards the Kickstarter
pre-launch page. SO…if you’ve not gone over there and clicked the
“Notify me…” button, please go do that.
-->RIGS & RACES Launch Page! (
https://0a1212a5.click.convertkit-mail2.com/92ul7xvvv6inh64wl5zt9hzoxm933bwh0l7p7/l2hehmhlq35dqou6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua2lja3N0YXJ0ZXIuY29tL3Byb2plY3RzL3NjYWx5YmVhc3Qvcmlncy1hbmQtcmFjZXMtaW4tcm9vbWlubz9yZWY9ZjJ1bDds
)
RIGS & RACES Launch Page! (
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scalybeast/rigs-and-races-in-roomino?ref=f2ul7l
)
***********************
When it Finally Clicks!
***********************
Of the two books, RIGS in Roomino! and RACES in Roomino!, I was
definitely struggling more with RACES. I was in a mind-set that I
needed to come up with ROOMS that were unique to a racing
experience or that I needed to add a bunch of new mechanics, like
an inventory system, to make this work. But all this stuff felt
like it was going to break the Explore ROOMS experience of a
rules-light RPG that you can play anytime or anywhere.
And this week it all clicked. Here’s how we turn Classic Explore
ROOMS into a racing simulation that introduces failure in fun and
silly ways.
1. Running Away From or Towards Something
-----------------------------------------
The first part is simple. We need a One Thing that can move
through ROOMs and motivates them; We need light stakes for the
race.
2. Consequences and Clocks, Tension and Release.
------------------------------------------------
Typically when a Roominaut interacts with One Thing in a ROOM,
you “Yes And…” it as the right answer, or you give them unlimited
guesses to get to the interaction you’re looking for. For Races,
a mismatched interaction would trigger a ‘tug-of-war’ clock and
move the Avalanche one tick closer to them. But a correct
interaction would jump them to the next room and widen the gap.
The simple clock would let you adjust the tension of the
interaction to suit your kiddo.
3. Rewards & Boosts
-------------------
We already give kiddos rewards that provide new ways to explore
Roomino! In a Race, those rewards could help them get out of a
failure, help other Roominaut succeed, or simply rocket them
forward. These are likely expended or lost along the way.
4. Rewinds & Redos
------------------
Here’s where the influence of Zelda where when you die, you just
respawn with fewer resources. The kiddos restart the race with
all the knowledge of how to solve puzzles and get to the puzzle
they last failed with more time to get it right.
5. Finales and Failing Sideways
-------------------------------
Lastly, ending the race with a party or something spectacular. My
daughter always used to end Explore ROOMS with a party of your
favorite people and foods. This gives them something unique and
fun no matter the outcome of the race. And at the end of the day,
we want to teach kids that losing or failure isn’t the end, it’s
often a path towards something more amazing.
On one hand, it can be really hard not to make something more
complex and instead find the things to cut. On the other hand,
presenting something this simple makes you feel silly for missing
it.
Let me know your thoughts on these 5 elements that turn an
Explore ROOMS Romp into a Race. And go follow my launch page!
-->Follow the RIGS & RACES Launch Page! (
https://0a1212a5.click.convertkit-mail2.com/92ul7xvvv6inh64wl5zt9hzoxm933bwh0l7p7/l2hehmhlq35dqou6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua2lja3N0YXJ0ZXIuY29tL3Byb2plY3RzL3NjYWx5YmVhc3Qvcmlncy1hbmQtcmFjZXMtaW4tcm9vbWlubz9yZWY9ZjJ1bDds
)
Follow the RIGS & RACES Launch Page! (
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scalybeast/rigs-and-races-in-roomino?ref=f2ul7l
)
I’ll see you in the next ROOM!
Eric Oakland
---------------------------
Find us out there on social
---------------------------
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