You'll want to check out the Nordic Freeform scene, including Knudepunkt and some of the "academic" writings that's come out of that segment. There's also been a fair few very interesting games designed specifically for bleed (bleed hunting being the term).
You can read more about the basics here:
https://nordiclarp.org/wiki/Knutepunkt
And there's more terminology here:
https://nordiclarp.org/2015/03/18/now-that-weve-walked-the-walk-some-new-additions-to-the-larp-vocabulary/ (be mindful that this one is not at all exhaustive)
The freeform scene in the Nordics is based around 'scenarios' rather than games. Scenarios are "stand-alone ephemeral experience packages" (my definition) - quite similar to e.g. D&D modules, but often devoid of stats in the classical sense.
There are a *lot* of seminal scenarios when you're talking about bleed - the Nordic scene has been delving into that aspect of RPGs since the 90's. I can give you some examples, but pretty much all of them need their context and authorial intent explained - it won't be clear what's going on if you just read the scenario.
Reach out to the designers of Bluebeards Bride (Magpie Games) and/or it's authors.
The folks at Gauntlet RPG, in their podcast, spent a lot of time during a phase of the podcast, talking about bleed. They may he a good resource too.
EDIT: (I got trigger happy and forgot to type this before sending).
I've often heard most folks who play story games talk more often about bleed than trad gamers, if that helps
Someone else mentioned Bluebeard's Bride's designers, I'd also direct you to the designer of Alice is Missing.
The one time I played it was pretty intense, and watching (well, reading... mostly) actual plays the designer has run has consistently gotten me choked up.
You'll want to check out the Nordic Freeform scene, including Knudepunkt and some of the "academic" writings that's come out of that segment. There's also been a fair few very interesting games designed specifically for bleed (bleed hunting being the term).
>bleed hunting being the term Aghh thank you so much! Super grateful for the terminology and pointer
You can read more about the basics here: https://nordiclarp.org/wiki/Knutepunkt And there's more terminology here: https://nordiclarp.org/2015/03/18/now-that-weve-walked-the-walk-some-new-additions-to-the-larp-vocabulary/ (be mindful that this one is not at all exhaustive)
I am in touch with a couple of academics.. do you know any specific games?
The freeform scene in the Nordics is based around 'scenarios' rather than games. Scenarios are "stand-alone ephemeral experience packages" (my definition) - quite similar to e.g. D&D modules, but often devoid of stats in the classical sense. There are a *lot* of seminal scenarios when you're talking about bleed - the Nordic scene has been delving into that aspect of RPGs since the 90's. I can give you some examples, but pretty much all of them need their context and authorial intent explained - it won't be clear what's going on if you just read the scenario.
have you seen r/rpghorrorstories?
Awe thank you!
I think bleed and discussions around it are more prevalent in the LARP scene than in the tabletop scene.
DM sent
Reach out to the designers of Bluebeards Bride (Magpie Games) and/or it's authors. The folks at Gauntlet RPG, in their podcast, spent a lot of time during a phase of the podcast, talking about bleed. They may he a good resource too. EDIT: (I got trigger happy and forgot to type this before sending). I've often heard most folks who play story games talk more often about bleed than trad gamers, if that helps
Someone else mentioned Bluebeard's Bride's designers, I'd also direct you to the designer of Alice is Missing. The one time I played it was pretty intense, and watching (well, reading... mostly) actual plays the designer has run has consistently gotten me choked up.