RolePlay in the Old West with Boot Hill
Let's travel back in time to the world of old west roleplaying games. Now, I must admit that my interest in such games was only fleeting until a friend of mine introduced me to Boot Hill. He managed to snag a set at a garage sale and was determined to get a Boot Hill campaign up and running.
Our first session, unfortunately, was a bit of a disaster. The town we ventured into turned out to be a death trap, and within the first hour, all of our characters met their demise. It was a combination of inexperienced players and an inexperienced Game Master that led to our unfortunate demise. This setback left a sour taste in our mouths, and Boot Hill was put aside for a while.
However, years later, I had the opportunity to try out the Desperado RPG system by Skycastle Games, and I instantly fell in love with the old west setting. The gameplay was thrilling, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I even took a turn as the Game Master for a couple of sessions, guiding my friends through exciting adventures in the wild west.
During this time, I felt inspired to revisit Boot Hill. I managed to find a worn copy of the game, and although I never got the chance to run a game of Boot Hill myself, it has found a special place on my shelf. I enjoy picking it up every now and then, reading through the pages, and immersing myself in the rich world of the old west.
Boot Hill holds a unique place in the realm of roleplaying games. It was the third role-playing game released by TSR, following closely in the footsteps of the iconic Dungeons and Dragons (which I still own) and Empire of the Petal Throne (which I recently sold). Developed by the talented trio of Gary Gygax, Don Kaye, and Brian Blume, Boot Hill captured the essence of the old west and provided countless players with exciting adventures and storytelling opportunities.
While my initial foray into Boot Hill was short-lived, the game left an indelible mark on me. It sparked my interest in the old west as a roleplaying setting and paved the way for my enjoyment of other games in a similar vein. So, even though Boot Hill may not have had the lasting impact I initially hoped for, it remains a treasured part of my gaming collection and a source of inspiration for future adventures.
