The famous player character notebook/3 ring binder

Dragonspear

I would say that Baldur's Gate was the game that started this trend for me (I think I got final fantasy tactics afterwards), but I always keep a notebook around to make up characters with their weapon proficiency and their party by my desk or with me. And when I come up with new character ideas I end up just writing them in there. I also find its a good place to keep lists of names handy that you can name your characters that you come up with.

Heck even in the last few weeks I went and picked up a new one since I was missing a spiral notebook at my desk for this reason.

Anyway I was wondering if anyone else did the same thing. Using a notebook or something similar to meticulously plan out your characters and their parties throughout various games?

Lemernis

I actually still have a binder of printed materials from various BG sites that I assembled for easy reference, including maps, tables, and whatnot.

Dragonspear

@Lemernis

Due to multiple moves I've lost my binder that had all of that and instead just have a bookmark folder devoted to BG and IWD

Tr_ond

Being an idiot i always forget to have a notebook ready so my play notes of games with sucky journals are spread out on post-it notes, they`re all over the place

ajwz

God I love these forums sometimes
#ImNotTheOnlyOne

Can't imagine doing that for any game at all nowadays, even the ones I like.

Keles

...I did and still do it for all the oldies that were based on the various D&D rulesets. otherwise, havent really found the need/desire for the newer games that are out now. ~

Son_of_Imoen

Nice old school feel! I make my plans in Open Office documents though. I have folders full of ideas for both bg1 and bg2. Love to look back once in a while to see how the idea for a favourite campaign originated.

jhart1018

Haven't done that, but after spending so much online time on this forum, I'm anticipating rolling up several different characters including classes I don't usually play. I'm thinking female cleric of Lathander in a playthrough with Rasaad, male chaotic neutral thief with Neera, female sorcerer and a bard because they're fun... I'd says some other evil character for Dorn, but, I really don't like playing evil characters. Crazy, sure, but not malicious.

Shin

I tend to keep it all as digital notes nowadays, but yeah.. some very long and convoluted txt documents sit in my BG folders.

zarffyn

I've never thought of this, but it's a pretty brilliant idea. I'mma jump in this bandwagon.

@jhart1018 I've been playing the BG series for 14 years, and have *never* played evil. Dorn seems interesting enough to give it a shot. So, my fiance, who doesn't play the game, is going to guide me through the evil side. He says it's all a matter of perspective. I fully intend to blame any future corruption on him.

Bjjorick

near photographic memory, not perfect, but i remember things well enough that i never keep a journal/etc. i actually wish my memory wasn't so good, as it's hard to replay games when you remember most everything that happens. I've finally forgotten enough about some old nes games that i can play though them again and be surprised.

odee

And I thought I was the only one with this strange habit . O joy , soul bro and sis ...

DukeOfSuffolk

This is great habit for games with heavy story, lots of things to remember and just general notes. As an avid interactive fiction (IF) and rogue/hack player, this habit is the only reason you can get through some games; BG a little less so, but it is SO helpful sometimes and saves time. I get sick of looking up my weapon proficiencies every time I get a new weapon.

In my opinion, modern games have moved away from this model for a number of reasons. @TrentOster famously has been preaching about the dumbing down of game for various reasons: I tend to agree. Modern gamers find the "work" (as some people think it is) involved with writing things down in addition to being on a computer or console is too much. I find it so much more immersive. On top of that, you never lose your place in a game, such as after a long break from an RPG. How many times have you restarted an Final Fantasy game because you don't remember the story?!

I still have my IF notebook with all the maps. Some may say you are removing replay value or cheating, while I believe the contrary: this enhances replay because you can worry about different choices, rather than figuring out the maze all over again. More Choices, More Depth... More Fun.

reedmilfam

Same happens to me in strategy games. "What was I going to do next?" "Where are my production centers?" Easier to re-start.

odee

Heh , I remember while playing x-com , I draw my base and plan where to put my modules .

Dragonspear

I normally don't take notes during the game itself but it allows me to keep my party ideas coherent etc. It also means I can think of a party and put it on paper and wait a few days to make sure it still sounds good and work out the finer details.

Also I'm really glad to see I'm not the only one with this habit. I thought when I made this topic that I might end up looking crazy.

HaHaCharade

I use Windows Notepad to plan out my end game party equipment, HP, Thieving skills, etc. I tend to be super anal about stuff though, so like even when I played my old SNES emulator I would record HP gains, etc. on games like Seventh Saga, lol.

Son_of_Imoen

I've said i use Open Office documents to plan my party, if I come upon an in-game riddle that's difficult to solve, I got a ring binder with notes i take to start solving the riddle on paper (like for instance the prince's and princess' age asked by the genie in the Circus).

The_New_Romance

I always fucked up that one, @Son_of_Imoen - I like the riddles in BG and I find most of them to be easy, but that one... I just answered "whatever" and charged in :P

Also, I like to plan parties in advance, but mainly for IWD. I think many games don't give you that satisfying feeling of thinking about the game while you're not playing it. Baldur's Gate does.