Thought: An IMDB for RPGs

March 1, 2010 5 comments

This isn’t something UncleBear Media has the time or resources to do, but is an idea I’d like to see someone run with: a site that looks nearly identical to the Internet Movie Data Base, but containing roleplaying campaign information. Movie title = campaign title, director = gamemaster, player = actor, etc. So each campaign would have a page, listing the GM and players. Each player would have a page with all of the campaigns they’d been in, and the characters they played. Like IMDB, there would be a comments sections on each page.

Of what possible use could this be, you ask? I can think of several. First, imagine the idea mining you could do, looking at summaries of campaign and adventures (“episodes”, for IMDB TV listings). Want to check out a new player? See what types of things she’s played and the types of characters she’s run. Want to check out a GM? Again, see what he’s run; this could be especially useful if players are able to rate campaigns the way IMDB users rate movies. The character entries could link to character sheets, either text forms or uploaded PDFs. Forget your character sheet? Download him! Need some NPCs, complete with names and histories? Raid other campaigns.

I know that there are similar services online, geared toward campaign management. This would be more akin to a social network. Who’s done what, played what, run what. Link it with Google Maps or a similar service, and you can find people in your area. Link it to Obsidian Portal, and you can see the campaign data in detail. Link it to Pen & Paper and you can see what players have written. Link it to Amazon and/or DriveThruRPG and you can buy the games and adventures you’re reading about.

There’s so much potential in this idea. Sadly, as I said, UncleBear Media has neither the time nor the capital to undertake such a venture. I’m posting this in the hope that someone who has the resources will say “hey! great idea!” and pick up the ball and run with it. If you do, pleas contact me. I’d love to help in any way I can.