Push SRD

WHAT IS PUSH? Push is a lightweight, story-driven RPG system designed for cooperative, action-packed adventures. This is a genre-agnostic engine that you can use to create your own games about extraordinary characters embarking on perilous quests through fantastic worlds. A single core mechanic powers the whole system, pushing the story forward through emergent complications and inviting players to assume higher risks and use their imagination. The complete absence of stats brings story weaving to center stage and invites beginners and veteran players alike to try a freer, lighter role-playing experience. The conciseness of the rules allows you, the designer, to fit an entire game on a single sheet of paper if you want to. A two-page template for your new game is provided with this SRD. THE CORE MECHANIC Push-powered games apply a single mechanic to all types of conflict resolution: Whenever your character attempts something that you consider dramatically interesting, roll 1d6. Check your result: • On a 7 or higher, it's a MISS. • On a 5 or 6, it's a STRONG HIT. • On a 4 or lower, it's a WEAK HIT, but you can choose to roll +1d6. If you do so, you must add it to your result With this simple core rule, Push-powered games invite drama into the narrative and offer this unique push-your-luck blackjack-like feel to your players. CORE PREMISES Cooperative gameplay: No Game Masters. All players share the responsibility to bring the story to life and take turns under the spotlight. Stat-free: Characters, foes, weapons, items, money. Nothing has a number nor a mechanic attached to it. Dice rolls are influenced by luck and risk-taking only. Emergent narrative: No preloaded lore of the world. Instead, the quest-centered design provides players with evocative prompts that can be acted upon. Imagination first: No grids, rulers or prescriptive definitions of abilities and challenges. Players are encouraged to use their imagination. Dice bring drama: Rolling the dice is always an option, never an obligation. And circumstances change after every roll. Competent protagonists: Characters are unique and capable of influencing the course of their story. And they don't die unless their player decides so. WHAT'S IN THE BOOK? A breakdown of the core mechanic, with detailed explanations on how you could implement it in your gamesA step-by-step guide on how to create Push-powered games, including a full exampleTables to help you come up with adventures, missions, complications and challengesDesigner notes for the main game design philosophy choices License information and templates for your games PUSH-POWERED GAMES A collection of games created using the Push SRD.