Games, Stories, and Systems
Fred Z.Personal journal of Fred Z., veteran game-designer and occasional adventurer. Dedicated to the process of making games, storytelling, and the systems that influence both. (Opinions are solely the author's and do not reflect those of any employer.)
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 77 | Founded | 2 years ago | Last Issue | 2 months ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
fredzed.substack.comLatest Issues
Bugbears: the Cutscene
That cutscene was where it all started going wrong. Also, spoilers for a (remake of a) game from nearly thirty years ago, I guess.
I may be the only narrative designer who hates cutscenes.
Like many story- and game-obsessed nerds, I grew...
The Alert
This is a stupid and frustrating time to be alive.
Being alive is still probably better than the alternative, but don’t quote me on that.
If you’re alert, if you know enough history or economics or just human nature, you can see the path...
Responsive Storytelling
Be ready to adjust your story to meet your audience where they’re at.
At the risk of coming across as a “more gamer than thou” sort of dude, I need to explain that I literally grew up playing games with my family. My father would play text...
Player Investment: Break It Your Way
Ah, character creation. Everyone’s favorite first chance to see how badly they can break a game.
During the development of Fallout 3, one of the side quests I pitched involved the player setting up their own radio station and populating it...
Emergent Narratives: Finding Ghosts in the Machine
Slight differences in tracking behaviors give the ghosts in Pac-Man have led players to ascribe different personalities to each. As games get even more complex, narratives emerge as we read stories into ever-more complex systems.
Towards t...
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for Games, Stories, and Systems.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 67 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
Explore More
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Game designer and accidental adventurer, born in America and living in Europe. Most likely to be found out on a hike, in front of a computer, or in the corner of a bar, giving adventure prompts to anyone who joins for a drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for Games, Stories, and Systems?
You can find recent issues that have been published by Games, Stories, and Systems on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does Games, Stories, and Systems have?
To see how many people subscribe to Games, Stories, and Systems, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in Games, Stories, and Systems?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch Games, Stories, and Systems as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like Games, Stories, and Systems?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact Games, Stories, and Systems using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to Games, Stories, and Systems?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like Games, Stories, and Systems. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact Games, Stories, and Systems?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.