2023 Nearly Killed Me

So 2023 was a really rough year to make TTRPG content, but I didn't expect it to nearly kill me 😂
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Welcome to the info paragraph, this is a place to feed the great algorithm, and if you've made it here you have probably scrolled too far! Icarus Games is dedicated to helping TTRPG players and game masters improve their experience in roleplaying games. For RPG players, there are videos on learning games rules, as well as on character building, roleplaying, and optimization. For Game Masters, there are videos on making maps, improving your worldbuilding for your RPGs, and for creating homebrew TTRPG content.

[@IcarusGames]

I'm going to be taking things a lot slower in 2024 while I rest up, but if you enjoy what I do here and want to help support me the absolute best way to do that is by subscribing to SIDEQUEST magazine over on my patreon. Each month I publish a new digital issue packed with content to inspire players and game masters alike, and it includes mechanical content that's compatible with D&D 5e and Pathfinder 2e. Find out more, get the FREE Sample Issue, and sign up here: bit.ly/34FHwjT

[@bobturpin7611]

Definitely make some Worldbuilding videos, I have always enjoyed them and have been a regular participant. If you are not worried about the numbers I think having semi regular updates about what the campaign you are running, we get to know the mischief the players get up to, which in turn can help with worldbuilding. Maybe recording some remote sessions and sharing some oneshot gameplay...

[@raff3486]

I'd love to see some worldbuilding videos & the kind of videos that you love to do as well! I'm hoping that you'll feel better soon.

[@pwgreene]

Man, so sorry to hear about the burnout and health issues. As someone who constantly feels like I'm letting something slip... I completely understand. I found your channel via your Worldbuilding videos, specifically the LegendKeeper and world-map videos (WonderDraft and Inkarnate). I love all of that type of content. I would also be interested in seeing a video of you DMing in one of the worlds that you've built out in LK, just to see how your sandbox style of worldbuilding works in practice.

[@mizzrum7591]

I love to see some worldbuilding videos and some good old tips & tricks to help with DMing. But at the end of the day just want you to do what brings you joy and stay healthy. Thank you for the video and take care.

[@user-dw9et6xv1t]

My favorite things were always the homebrew worldbuilding, maps and the campaign diaries. I remember you saying you stopped them cause of analytics but it was really enjoyable to hear your process and what your players did. Helped me a lot when I first started DMing. Happy you’re doing better now, and I’m glad you’re hope you can continue to do what what you love and enjoy!

[@timothygutierrez]

Hang in there! I’ll also add that I really enjoyed your No Plan, No Problem podcast. I hope they were fun to record as well.

[@tom3266]

Reflecting on the past few months, it feels like creators are suffering from the radioactive fallout that followed the nuke called OGL 2.0. Think about it. It's a slow chain reaction of consequences. And it makes sense to step away from that negativity. It's a brave and good thing to make a video like this, I definitely recognize what you're saying. I think we all know one thing: we still like TTRPG's. I hope we can find new ways to carry the torch of passion forward together. I think you're saying a lot of wise things. Trust yourself! I for one hope to see more of 'you' content that gets YOU excited.

[@Chaz8591_]

I’d love to see more of the stuff you created in Talavar. Also totally here for if you decide to show off any of the d&d sessions you DM, kinda to see a live use case of your methods. Cheers and glad you’re better!

[@IcarusGames]

I was actually doing a little worldbuilding this evening and looking at the map thinking "damn, there's a LOT of stuff here that my players are never going to see". So I might make a video where I just talk about some of the coolest (to me) locations and little worldbuilding nuggets in the Jewel Cities map.

[@creativerealityx]

the things you mentioned as your roots - map, worldbuilding, products (and tools?) - are exactly what i enjoy most on your channel!

[@SuperMattMart]

Thanks for posting this. It's a good reminder that you're a real person. Authenticity and vulnerability go a long way with helping to actually connect. As for technical content recommendations: World building stuff is great. Talking about you and some of the character builds you enjoy. Not enough people in the pf2e talk about character builds. Reviewing physical accessories isn't really a space I've seen explored a lot and i would really enjoy, like dice towers and dice and organizers, dm screens, dice trays, etc. I loved it when i saw you with the guys over at rfc, collaboration is awesome.

[@emilyr2836]

I love your mapping, world-building, and campaign management videos! And I especially love the updates you were doing for a while on what your players did with the stuff we got to see you prep - it always inspired me to run my own games.

[@nkozi]

Not usually a commenter on TTRPG channels, but: First and foremost take care of yourself. I've been a huge fan of the channel for a while, and it helped me get back into the hobby - you have a great presentation style and lovely vibes, and I think it'd be great if you moved into video making as more of a "high production value hobby" instead of your job. As for what I'd like to see: Well, 4e is having a revival and I see those books behind you... But also I'd loooooove to see you try out more indie games! Binary Star Games is launching their first full RPG using the Total//Effect system in just a few days, and I suspect it'll be really up your street.

[@grahamlewis5888]

I'd love to get to watch you do more world building. The videos of you fleshing out the world and building pantheons etc. were so inspiring and got my creative juices really flowing for building out my own world, which has stalled over the last 18 months for various reasons, but knowing you're coming back to it makes me want to do the same. Would also very much like to hear your thoughts on Shadowdark, as it's sat on the shelf beside me, but I'm struggling to work out how I'd design a game/campaign/dungeon to run with it.

[@chanintornsilakul7915]

Whatever video you make I will watch it! But I would love to see your worldbuilding and mapmaking video again. I started using Inkarnate all those years ago because of your videos and you taught me a lot of things that that made me to be a DM I am today, you’re kind of my invisible mentor Lol. So, I wish you have a good health and a great year ahead! Happy new year 2024 Anto!

[@karrthmoonblade2467]

I'm sorry that 2023 was such a hard year for you and I fully support you in your decisions. For what it's worth your channel has been one of my favorite ones over the years when it comes to world building and homebrewing and I hope you will continue for a bit longer to give us gold nuggets :D

[@sethwillykae]

Anto, your videos, especially the mapmaking ones did so much for me when I was new to the hobby in 2020, you helped me create what I envisioned and in turn, through me, have provided so much fun and friendship for the people that have played at my tables. I am so happy to hear you are ditching the algorithm and doing what makes you happy. Kick some ass this year, heres to a happy and healthy 2024!

[@IcarusGames]

Thank you, genuinely. This job, this wonderful, infuriating, utterly bizarre job makes it so easy to forget that what you do reaches people - actual people. YT throws so much data and numbers at you all the time, and over the last year especially there's been no end of negative comments in the TTRPG online space, so it's been so easy to forget that these videos actually sometimes do what they are intended to and help people have more fun with their friends! I'm so glad you've found the videos helpful, and I hope I can make some more for you soon.

[@kasparbaktat964]

Happy to have you back and take care of yourself! YT brought me here for the world building stuff and I enjoyed that! (Not the drama)

[@christophergardens]

Looking forward to seeing some more world building videos. I think it would be great to hear about how you create NPCs to represent the the interesting elements of the places and how you create conflicts for your players to build stories in.

[@20hermanator10]

Do what's best for you man! Glad to hear you're feeling better and getting off the drama train. I'd love to see more general worldbuilding tips and tricks, using examples of what you've done but explaining the creative/logistical decisions behind how you made those specific worldbuilding ideas.

[@christianszychoski7149]

Just a small voice on the internet here, but I just wanted to say I love your content. I enjoy watching you world build and all of the products you create.

[@obsidiananubis1017]

Th Golden age of D&d has ended the age of TTRPG has begun.

[@davewilson13]

Precisely!!

[@NocturnProductions]

I'm excited for your shadowdark review, I think I'd like to see coverage of different ttrpgs outside d&d/pathfinder. I'm glad you can take a step back and just create what you enjoy.

[@user-yh5zm7uc7j]

I love your worldbuilding videos! Especially ones talking about how you organize your thoughts into notes

[@Luboffin]

Much love to you Anto. I totally get it. Glad you’re reassessing things and doing what works for you. ❤

[@Scurticus13]

Take care of yourself first. I enjoy your world building videos, especially the one on your primer. That video inspired me to create my own world primer and I have since made 9 more kingdom books for my world.

[@thebestmediocregamer]

I love your world building videos! It really helps give me inspiration and direction on my own world building! I can safely say you single handedly build 3 worlds that I sorta made.

[@dylanhyatt5705]

I think when combining a hobby with business it can spoil the original inspiration for both - certainly you were not alone in seeing a livelihood threatened by the OGL debacle. I've always enjoyed your KZbin content (I'll have to check out some of your SideQuest stuff) for its intelligence and passion. The only advice I can offer is take it easy, take your time (good for health, and good for finding where you want to be). If producing more books, rediscover the original fun - if it's TTRPG, find a campaign and friends you know you'll enjoy - whether as GM or player. Go back to the source if it is still engaging and fun - and then any content you produce will more likely to be commercially successful because its quality will be genuine. Quality products come from passion rooted in a love for that which inspires. Good luck and keep well.

[@dylanhyatt5705]

For video content - love any stuff on PF2e/Remaster, ShadowDark would be fun (I was a backer) - or even 4e if you ever give that neglected dinosaur a look,

[@matthewbeaulieu9568]

Hey man, I just got into fantasy map making and I absolutely love your videos. A lot of it seemed daunting but I have a decent grasp now thanks to you! Keep your health first, best wishes dude.

[@amsett1189]

So happy you made it through man!

[@kquixotic]

I support you taking it easy, and I would really love content focused on the fun of the hobby, this wide AND deep hobby we all have. Sidequest looks great as well, and I want you to pursue what's in your heart.

[@agilemonk6305]

Love your worldbuilding videos.

[@54Dcool]

I can definitely say that the topics you said you wanted to make videos on because you were excited by them ARE the videos that I want to see

[@macphan]

Wow, lots to digest and respond to here. In no particular order: - Glad you're OK(ish) and physically on the mend. - Would love to see more worldbuilding vids, Pathfinder vids, other TTRPG vids, and vids highlighting your products. Don't need to see you cover any of the 'drama' topics that are often overhyped these days, so I'm glad you've decided to leave those to others. - Undoubtedly there will always be haters and shitty comments by bad actors on this and most other social media platforms. Do your best to ignore the obvious hate and vitriol, focus on the positive comments, and keep an open mind about those who seem to have genuine constructive feedback. It may seem like there's more darkness out there, but it truly cannot drown out the light. - Generally have enjoyed much of your videos, so I hope you do stick around even if it's less than what it was before. ✌🏻

[@agilemonk6305]

God bless you and yours Anto. 🙏❤️🇺🇸. Love and blessings. Be you sir. 😊

[@JessieC94]

❤