Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #rpgdesign, aggregated by home.social.
🌞 Good morning all my lovely #TTRPG friends! 🌞
The hashtags of the day are #TabletopTuesday to share promos and/or celebrate the hobby and #TTRPGThoughts to share your ideas about games from play advice to #RPGDesign. Let's have some fun and mix it up today!
🌞 Good morning all my lovely #TTRPG friends! 🌞
The hashtags of the day are #TabletopTuesday to share promos and/or celebrate the hobby and #TTRPGThoughts to share your ideas about games from play advice to #RPGDesign. Let's have some fun and mix it up today!
Bronwen Winter Phoenix caught up with Robin D. Laws at Tabletop Scotland to talk Page Turners, player agency, dramatic tension, GUMSHOE, and how RPG rules shape the stories players create.
Thanks to Geek Native for the interview!
My previous design idea flopped, but this one seems to be working.
On the stat level I merged body and mind (leaving the soul its own stat), though the skills allow you to build characters who are smart or strong.
#rpgdesign
#solottrpg
#solorpg
In a bold move (definitely has been done before) I decided that in my game PCs no longer can truly fail a test, only succeed at a cost. So far it's working well.
#ttrpg
#rpgdesign
Hey #ttrpgCommunity!
What accessibility features do you wish more #ttrpg books included?
Dyslexia-friendly fonts? Screen reader compatibility? High contrast modes? Something else?
#rpgdesign #accessibility #dnd #rpg
I don't know if plausible, but I still wish I could find a way to utilize my alien species who resemble insects, are silicon based, and feed on the higher wavelengths of the EM spectrum. They live near a highly energetic star.
#rpg-design #tttrpg #ttrpgdesign #aliens #sci-fi
I’ve created some tools to help with #OpenD6 design
Hey #ttrpgCommunity! What accessibility features do you wish more #ttrpg books included? Dyslexia-friendly fonts? Screen reader compatibility? High contrast modes? Something else? #rpgdesign #accessibility #dnd #rpg
Real talk for #indie #ttrpg creators: What's your actual income breakdown? Itch.io vs DriveThruRPG vs Kickstarter vs Patreon? No judgment, just trying to understand what actually works in 2025. #indiedev #rpgdesign #ttrpgCommunity
Tales from the Golden Dragon progress: The next update will be a big one.
Since I am trying to target my book more at newcomers, the core rules of Fate will be included.
But then I realized that I needed to include advice on writing aspects. I had bits and pieces of advice here and there, so I thought I could just put them all in one place. Editing all this stuff together made me realize it wasn't enough. The book needs more advice!
New post: Terrorsaur Badlands – Part 2: A Land Etched in Stone and Time
https://www.hodgepocalypse.com/2026/04/terrosaur-badlands-part-2-land-etched.html
This one’s all about terrain and environmental storytelling:
• Bonezones as necromantic batteries
• Maze Lands that rewrite geography
• Echo Storms made of prehistoric screams
• Spell-Fire that hunts magic users
Built for play at the table.
"How to make your #RPGs not suck" by FrozenEMU
http://www.petesqbsite.com/sections/tutorials/tuts/rpgnotsuck.html
Hey #ttrpgCommunity, especially #indie creators! Where do you source your stock art and illustrations? What sites or artists do you recommend for budget-conscious publishers? #ttrpg #indiedev #rpgdesign #kickstarter
The Robin D. Laws AMA is now live on r/rpg.
Jump in to ask about GUMSHOE, DramaSystem, investigative RPGs, horror design, and the craft of tabletop games. Come join the discussion.
#TTRPG #AMA #RPGDesign
Robin D. Laws will be joining us on r/rpg this Friday for an AMA. Ask about GUMSHOE, DramaSystem, investigative RPGs, horror design, and the craft of tabletop games.
Bring your questions and join the conversation.
#TTRPG #AMA #RPGDesign
https://bit.ly/4sIjsC9
Clues and leads are not the same thing. One answers a question. The other points you toward the next one.
Clues vs Leads breaks down how this difference keeps investigations moving and prevents stalls at the table. Clean structure. Better mysteries.
#GUMSHOE #TTRPG #RPGDesign
https://bit.ly/4aTCK1i
If Game of Thrones ran on DramaSystem, who would owe who a favor? Who would push, concede, or burn a bridge for leverage?
See how shifting emotional stakes and character goals reshape the story at the table.
#DramaSystem #TTRPG #RPGDesign
https://bit.ly/468AaBS
Our table is open this Sunday on #Roll20.
We’re running The Last Horn, hosted by the game’s creator.
If you’ve ever wanted to see how TTVG actually plays — this is it.
#TTRPG #IndieTTRPG #Worldbuilding #GameDesign #TabletopGames #RPGDesign #CreatureDesign #PixelArt #TTVG #indiedev
Nice interview with @morrus about his experiences running EN Publishing
https://www.rpgdrop.com/reliability-over-hype-russ-morrissey-on-running-an-rpg-publishing-company/
NEW: "Why Shadowdark Matters More Than You Think"
This isn't a review of Shadowdark’s rules. It's an important discussion about what the game represents.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3_DYm4xi3w
READ: https://ruckerworks.com/2026/01/why-shadowdark-matters/
#rpg #dungeonmaster #ttrpg #shadowdark #rpgdesign #tabletopgaming #indierpg #dnd
My interest in the #mythology of #JackTheRipper began when I was an undergraduate in London in the 1990s. The student haunt of Brick Lane was popular for its legendary curry houses. A few steps away, on the corner of Fournier Street and Commercial Street, in the shadow of the strange, looming, obelisk-shaped steeple of Christ Church Spitalfields, stood the Ten Bells Public House.
https://www.strangequark.eu/rpg/inspirational-sources/
#TTRPG #RPGdesign #blog #inspiration #history #horror #psychogeography
Tip for inexperienced #ttrpg writers: Your book is going to be used many ways—for learning the system, as a reference at the table, just as a fun read, etc. It’s best when to cater to all of those uses. #dnd #rpgdesign #rpg #ttrpgCommunity
Just posted a new article on my site that explains what Ashes of Isar feels like if you already play D&D. If you enjoy tense stealth missions, real S.O.E. history, and lightweight tactical rules, this one’s for you.
Read it here: https://ruckerworks.com/2025/11/ashes-of-isar-for-dd-players/
#TTRPG #DnD #DND5E #IndieRPG #WW2 #Espionage #SOE #RPGDesign #AshesOfIsar #TabletopRPG
In my #RaidersOfArismyth game, each session is self-contained. That means, that even while all the sessions take place in a continous story and coherent world, the party disbands after the session, and reforms from a regular cast of characters at the start of the next one. Generally, the whole setup is a West Marshes Style game.
Treasure is important here, as that is also the mechanic to gain advancements for the characters. In order to reduce bookkeeping, I have so far immediately told players what their treasure will be worth when they sell it. And when a scenario says "valuable gems", I rolled a few dice and thus came up with the specific number.
Which robs all of us of the wonderful / nasty side game of judging "is this worth carrying along?" Last session, this became even more apparent: The rumours they heard before entering the place told them that a particular thing might be very valuable, but in reality, it was utterly worthless. When I tell them that as soon as they pick it up, it kinda destroys that part.
In the actual game situation, I kinda glossed over it, and it wasn't a big issue, but it bugged me immensely: How do I reduce bookkeeping while keeping the game flow interesting and fast?
Enter these little treasure envelopes: I'll pregenerate a bunch of them in different treasure groups (small fry, medium, rich, phenomenal, or something like that) and then have these individual stacks ready to hand out. On the outside, I'll then write the item name or description, and the inside tells the players what they'll get for it at the market.
There'll also be a bunch of blank ones so I can write specific values in, and maybe I'll come up with some extra notes like "as you try to sell it, the buyer alerts the town guard, as that thing was reported stolen" or something like that :D #TTRPG #rpgdesign
Follow up, a 2nd culture.
Solicit feedback on your game! It’s a fantastic way to get people talking and make them feel involved in your process. You might even uncover a design blind spot. Just remember to take it all with a grain of salt: it's still your vision. (6/10) #RPGdesign #Playtesting #GameDesign
Make friends, not just contacts. Follow other #TTRPG designers, #writers, and #artists. The #indie scene is incredibly collaborative and supportive. Celebrate their wins, share their #Kickstarter's, and build a real network. Community over competition! (2/10) #TTRPGCommunity #IndieDev #RPGdesign
Blast from the past! Our #Lore24 series looked at building a world, inspired by Dungeon23. A great exploration of RPG design and collaborative worldbuilding. Take a trip down memory lane! #ttrpg #worldbuilding #gamedev #rpgdesign #archive #classicpost https://busywyvern.com/2024/01/02/lets-build-a-world-lore24/
Poll time! What’s your preferred #ttrpg format? 8.5 x 11 inch (Letter) 6.14 x 9.21 inch (Trade) Something else? #rpgdesign #dnd #ttrpgCommunity #ttrpgsky
Poll time! What’s your preferred #ttrpg format? 8.5 x 11 inch (Letter) 6.14 x 9.21 inch (Trade) Something else? #rpgdesign #dnd #ttrpgCommunity #ttrpgsky
Give followers a peek behind the curtain. Solicit feedback on mechanics, run polls about lore and show off art as it comes in. Involving your audience helps us feel invested in your work. (4/11) #GameDev #TTRPGdesign #RPGdesign #IndieRPG
Start small! Your first project shouldn't be a 500-page tome. A one-page RPG, a small adventure or a focused micro-game is a fantastic way to learn the ropes and, most importantly, actually finish something. (3/9) #OnePageRPG #TTRPGdesign #GameDevTips #RPGdesign
Come to terms with the fact that what you want from the game isn't going to be what all people want from the game. Not all feedback you get will fit your vision. Learn to differentiate helpful critique from ill-fitting suggestions. (6/9) #GameDesign #TTRPG #IndieDev #RPGdesign
Start small! Your first project shouldn't be a 500-page tome. A one-page RPG, a small adventure or a focused micro-game is a fantastic way to learn the ropes and, most importantly, actually finish something. (3/9) #OnePageRPG #TTRPGdesign #GameDevTips #RPGdesign
Some tips for breaking into tabletop RPG design! (1/9) To create an RPG, you must first WRITE one. Pick a concept and go for it. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Just get something on the page. Your journey begins with that first paragraph. #TTRPGdesign #GameDev #RPGdesign #IndieRPG
How does an RPG transform from scattered text files into something you can play? 🎲
We documented some of the Godflesh quickstart process: tool switches, hunting missing rules, design decisions, and all the unglamorous work behind polished games.
Behind-the-scenes reality: https://zeroprep.io/blog/1500-raw-text-to-playable-game/
General Edict RPG Playtest Notes
Everyone had fun, the most important metric.
The dice pool system works well, but the dice economy will need tweaking. Players are cautious about resting because it triggers a monster event.
The attributes need rebalancing. The favorite was muscle. Charm and agility got the short end of the stick.
Everyone used an ability. That's a clear improvement.
My adventure building framework improved.
Character creation went smoothly.
Edict RPG changelog.
Improved the introductory pages.
Made minor balance tweaks to inheritances and rewrote them to be more closely related to inheriting something.
Did some prep work on a new adventure.
Organized many pages of notes into minor changes or into a document related to the note for later.
I've been slowly tweaking details I have on combat and been experimenting with ways to make huge enemy’s more straightforward to run.
A thread.
This post is fascinating. In 20 minutes she takes a 5 theme dungeon, and breaks it down into a procedure. She then creates her own 5 theme dungeon.
🎲🤺 Ah, nothing like an RPG design diary that delivers a riveting zero points of "actionable intelligence" and instead treats us to an odyssey of historical blog bingeing. Because when you're crafting a medieval fantasy wargame, the real quest is in reading how fast armies moved 700 years ago, right? 📜🗺️
https://samsorensen.blot.im/cataphracts-design-diary-1 #RPGdesign #medievalfantasy #historicalblogging #gamedevelopment #wargames #HackerNews #ngated