Blog 11: Big City Dreams or Small Town Schemes

If you’ve been following along with Crime Drama, you know that every choice we make is designed to shape the game’s tone and mechanics in ways that feel natural but intentional. After a detour into game design philosophy last week, we’re back to talking about world-building. The topic is how population size defines both Schellburg and Washington County, influencing player opportunities, competition, and the campaign’s pacing.

A major metro offers more opportunities but far steeper challenges. Challenges like greater competition, more powerful organizations, and a longer, tougher climb to the top. But, by the time the dust settles, the players could find themselves among the most powerful people in the world, pulling the strings of a sprawling global empire and making billions of dollars. Smaller cities allow for quicker takeovers and a more self-contained experience, but the scope of the game will be narrower; the players will never be more than big fish in a small pond. The core design idea here is to help the group decide the size, scope, and length of their campaign before it even begins.

The population isn't just a number or set dressing. There is a mechanical component to population size in the game, and we break it down by showing how things like number of criminal organizations, law enforcement presence, and political influence shift based on the census count you choose. Do you want a city with a bustling airport, multiple federal agencies, and maybe even the state capital? Or perhaps you prefer a smaller town where a couple of factions battle over limited turf? Million-person metropolis, tight-knit community, or something in between, the goal is to give you flexibility and support your desired style of play.

What kind of city would you be interested in for your first Crime Drama experience? Let me know!