The Forge

A site created by Ron Edwards and Clinton R Nixon that developed from the old reviews site; Hephaestos Forge. The site focusses on gaming theory and independent game design. There is a notable focus on GNS theory at the forge, but it's far from omnipresent. Recently, analysis of actual play has been pushed as something of equal importance to theories of gaming and game design.

Design and theory at the forge is mostly based around the idea that system does matter (from the Ron Edwards essay of the same name). Accordingly, most discussion in the game design forum is centred on question of mechanics and systems rather than setting. Common questions to would-be designers include "What is your game about?", "How does the system support this?", "What do the PCs do?" and (in the case of potential fantasy heartbreakers, "Why not use D&D?".

The forge has been accused of being a home for pretentious intellectuals, emphasising theory over practise,dictatorial moderation and even being "the cult of Ron Edwards". However, prominent game designers have acknowledged that the forge has given rise to many useful ideas and many popular indie rpgs have been written by members. Notable examples include dogs in the vinyard, my life with master and the shadow of yesterday.