Chronological Blog Archive

A close-up of a hand tossing several dice against a dark background, symbolizing chance and luck.

Dice Modes: Simulation, Narrative, Oracles

RPG DesignPlay (activity),Simulation,Plot (narrative),Motif,Ironsworn,JDR,TTRPG,Narrative,Game mechanics,Oracle,Gameplay,Storytelling,System,Motif Toolkit,Dice,TRPG,Blades in the Dark,Motif Story Engine(58)

Dice in TTRPGs: Tools That Shape Play Dice in tabletop RPGs are more than mere…

Artistic depiction of a person with twigs and antlers submerged in water, eyes closed.

Immersion and Authoring in TTRPGs

RPG Designgame design,Storytelling game,Game balance,TTRPG,Story arc,Group dynamics,Narrative,Concept,Role-playing game,Game mechanics,Dungeons & Dragons,Character (arts),Game,Gameplay,Dice,Blades in the Dark,Decision-making,Narration,Player character,Theme (narrative)(77)

Immersion and Authoring: Two Pillars of TTRPG Playstyles When exploring RPG mechanics and playstyles, two…

Chess pieces balanced on a scale depicting equality or strategy in decision making.

TTRPG Mechanics Model: Granularity, Modularity, Connectivity, Fidelity

RPG DesignModularity,Game theory,Play (activity),Creativity,Apocalypse World,Simulation,game design,JDR,Savage Worlds,TTRPG,Call of Cthulhu (role-playing game),Narrative,Game mechanics,Dungeons & Dragons,Gameplay,Mechanics,System,Improvisation,TRPG,Tabletop role-playing game,Blades in the Dark,Granularity(28)

Understanding TTRPG Design Through Four Overlapping Scales When discussing tabletop RPGs, terms like “crunch” or…

Dynamic illustration of Newton's Cradle showing motion and reflection concepts in physics.

Getting in the (Dice) Swing of Things

RPG DesignGame theory,RPG theory,game design,JDR,Pattern,Oracle,Gambling,TTRPG,Game engine,Uncertainty,Game,Randomness,Outcome (probability),Accuracy and precision,System,Complexity,Choice,Dice,TRPG,Decision-making(13)

On Swingy Dice: The Design of Motif Dice systems play a key role in shaping…

A group of diverse colleagues joins hands in teamwork, symbolizing unity and collaboration.

Genre Emulation and Buy-In in TTRPGs

RPG DesignMeaningful play,Theme (narrative),Intuition,Conceptual framework,Fictional universe,Art,Collaboration,Genre,Abstraction,Narrative,Gamification,TTRPG,Trope (literature),Game mechanics,Emulator,Suspense,Storytelling,Suspension of disbelief,Gameplay,Mechanics,Point of view (philosophy),System,Tabletop role-playing game,Player character(28)

Suspension of Disbelief and Buy-In: Foundation Elements TTRPGs thrive on a balance of imagination, mechanics…

three women posed artistically, close to each other

Motif Approach to Conflict: Universal Hits & Conditions

RPG DesignConflict theories,Creative problem-solving,Experiment,Creativity,Design,Conversation,Character (arts),roleplaying,Strategy,combat system,TTRPG,Game,universal hits,Storytelling,Social conflict,Negotiation,Social relation,System,Humiliation,Thinking outside the box(30)

Universal Hits and Social Conflict in Motif One of the most fascinating and often surprising…

Mysterious forest road at night with a solitary silhouette, creating a haunting atmosphere.

RPG Idea: Hard Road Ahead

RPG DesignDecision-making,Free license,System,Public domain,Starvation,Hunger,Hallucination,game design,Roll a D6,Subtext,Game mechanics,Narrative,TTRPG,Depression (mood),Fatigue,Studio Ghibli,Dice(26)

Something I may never complete. Inspired to share this from my slush pile by my…

Woman with drink playing dice amidst casino smoke, evoking a mysterious nightlife vibe.

Dice Labels: The Heart of the Motif Approach

RPG DesignDice,Tabletop role-playing game,Let’s roll,RPG design,Looting,Creative problem-solving,Dungeon crawl,Game theory,RPG theory,dice labels,narrative dice,game design,Role-playing game,Motif Toolkit,Worldbuilding,Narrative,Mechanics,Storytelling,Motif Story Engine,Act (drama)(55)

Thinking About Dice Labels and Narrative Dice in Motif Also check out the free RPG…

A man wearing a white suit with angel wings, sitting by an old building outdoors.

Free Duo Game: The Immortal’s Affairs

Free TTRPGtabletop rpg,Surrealism,Tabletop role-playing game,Dream,Understanding,free game,Vulnerability,free RPG,Self-reflection,Roll a D6,free TTRPG,Bittersweet Goodbye,Immortality,All Things Pass,Existence,Gameplay,Grief,Point of view (philosophy),Death,Human bonding,Psychological resilience(26)

The Immortal’s Affairs – A TTRPG About Legacy and the Passage of Time Dug up…

Cute gnome figurine skiing in snowy landscape, adding charm to winter decorations.

Free Christmas TTRPG: Holiday Anomalies Division (HAD)

Free TTRPGTTRPG,TRPG,Thinking outside the box,Dice,Entertainment,Problem solving,tabletop rpg,Motif,Play (activity),free game,Creative problem-solving,Indie game,Spontaneous order,JDR,Candy cane,Christmas and holiday season,Mistletoe,Tabletop role-playing game,Slush pile,Humour,Fun,Creative Commons license,Christmas market,Holiday Magic,Snowman,Joy(98)

Happy holidays! For the season, I’ve dug up another unfinished tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) from…

A black woman conducting a spiritual ritual indoors with a pendant, evoking mystical themes.

Mastering Intrigue: Crafting Suspense and Tension in TTRPGs

TTRPG Thoughts,StorytellingSocial influence,Psychic,Social science,Complexity,Social group,Storytelling,Power (social and political),Information overload,Intuition,Conformity,Competition,Norm of reciprocity,Plot (narrative),Cognitive load,Flow (psychology),Decision-making,Manipulation (psychology),Normative social influence,Social status,Reciprocity (social psychology),Politics,Reciprocal altruism,Illusion,Conspiracy theory,Control theory,Game theory,Misdirection (magic),Debt,Tabletop role-playing game,Genre,Interpersonal relationship,Complex system,Social structure,Sleight of hand,Quid pro quo,Uncertainty,Performing arts,Cognitive bias,Psychology,Persuasion,Obligation,Magic (illusion),Suspense,Confirmation bias,Motivation,Gamemaster,Backstory,Improvisation,Mechanics,Social proof,Sales,Espionage(141)

Handling Intrigue in Tabletop RPGs with Trackers, Tags, and Motif Rolls Political intrigue in tabletop…

A detective decoding cipher documents with a magnifying glass, notebook in hand.

Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 2)

TTRPG ThoughtsReward system,Behavior,Nonlinear narrative,Player character,Curiosity,Plot twist,Psychological stress,Heist film,Mystery fiction,Gameplay,Complex dynamics,Problem solving,Surprise (emotion),Storytelling,Adventure film,Detective fiction,Story arc,Context (linguistics),Trial and error,Novelty seeking,Decision-making,Closer to the Truth,Creative problem-solving,Deductive reasoning,Unsolved Mysteries,Role-playing,Research,Critical theory,Interpersonal relationship,Conspiracy theory,Character arc,Character (arts),Action (philosophy),Critical thinking,Story structure,Villain,Psychology,Zeigarnik effect,Truth,Tabletop role-playing game,Suspense,Insight,Motivation,Red herring,Nonlinear gameplay,Role-playing game,Subplot,Loss aversion(61)

More TTRPG Tips To Make Your Mysteries Unforgettable Be sure to check out Part 1…

A classic noir scene with a detective taking notes in a dimly lit bar, emphasizing mystery and intrigue.

Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 3)

TTRPG ThoughtsRole-playing game,Choice,Ethical dilemma,Reward system,Social influence,Value (ethics and social sciences),Complexity,Social group,Foreshadowing,Information design,Plot twist,Protagonist,Mystery fiction,Recognition memory,Gameplay,Deus ex machina,Plot (narrative),Experience,Problem solving,Deception,Manipulation (psychology),Revelation,Reveal (narrative),Storytelling,Detective fiction,Misinformation,Creativity,Event (philosophy),Semiotics,Decision-making,Cognitive dissonance,Closure (psychology),Deductive reasoning,Role-playing,Emotional intelligence,Trope (literature),Critical theory,Group cohesiveness,Character (arts),Action (philosophy),Unreliable narrator,Presupposition,Collective intelligence,Villain,Confirmation bias,Sense of agency,Psychology,Truth,List of narrative techniques,Backstory,Suspense,Trust (social science),Adaptation(86)

Even More TTRPG Tips To Make Your Mysteries Unforgettable Be sure to also check out…

A captivating image of an open book under a dramatic spotlight, symbolizing knowledge.

Rebutting the Criticisms of Rules-Light Systems

TTRPG Thoughts,RPG DesignGameplay,Agency (philosophy),Group decision-making,Storytelling,Mental space,Mindset,Extended play,Plot (narrative),Motif,Cognitive load,Flow (psychology),Decision-making,Conceptual framework,Paradigm shift,rules light,Ironsworn,Theme (narrative),Play (activity),Context (linguistics),Learning curve,rules lite,Creative problem-solving,Risus,Schema (psychology),Creativity,Tabletop role-playing game,Complex system,Spontaneous order,Action (philosophy),Collaboration,Critique,Pathfinder Roleplaying Game,Logical consequence,Tradition,Presupposition,Dungeons & Dragons,Gamemaster,Simplicity,Role-playing game,Improvisation,Game mechanics,Criticism,Worldbuilding,Conventional wisdom,Choice,Cognition,Social psychology,TTRPGs,Decision fatigue,Motif Story Engine,Complexity,Aesthetic interpretation(69)

Also be sure to check out the contrasting defense of rules heavy systems! A Case…

Portrait of a joyful African woman with afro hair, wearing colorful bracelets and gold earrings, enjoying the sunny day.

Rebuttals to Criticisms of Rules-Heavy TTRPGs

TTRPG Thoughts,RPG DesignMechanics,Pleasure,Joy,Role-playing game,Skill,Systems theory,Reward system,Psychological stress,Learning,Social integration,Complexity,Intuition,Autonomy,Gameplay,Social norm,Learning curve,The Burning Wheel,Rules lawyer,Analysis paralysis,Problem solving,Play (activity),Storytelling,Consensus decision-making,Game theory,Creativity,Puzzle,Complex system,Hobby,Pathfinder Roleplaying Game,Decision-making,Contentment,Strategy,Role-playing,Critical thinking,communication,Psychological safety,Dungeons & Dragons,Shadowrun,Action (philosophy),Structure,Game mechanics,Tabletop role-playing game,Negotiation,Narrative,Improvisation,Psychology,Motivation,Educational psychology(138)

Also be sure to check out the contrasting defense of rules lite games! Why Complexity…

Selective focus side view photo girl in gray sweater selecting vinyl records from a music store

In Defense of Optional Rules

TTRPG ThoughtsPreference,Adaptation,Convention (norm),Choice,Vampire: The Masquerade,Role-playing game,Dice,Social group,World of Darkness,Disruptive innovation,Norm (philosophy),Gameplay,Social norm,The Burning Wheel,House rule,Storytelling,Complex system,Community,Decision-making,Argument from poor design,Role-playing,Criticism,Strategic depth,Game mechanics(13)

Expanding, Not Complicating, the RPG Experience Optional rules and alternative subsystems often find themselves at…

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Thought Punks

Chronological Blog Archive

Dice Modes: Simulation, Narrative, Oracles

Immersion and Authoring in TTRPGs

TTRPG Mechanics Model: Granularity, Modularity, Connectivity, Fidelity

Getting in the (Dice) Swing of Things

Genre Emulation and Buy-In in TTRPGs

Motif Approach to Conflict: Universal Hits & Conditions

Let’s Talk About “Ghibli-inspired” TTRPGs

RPG Idea: Hard Road Ahead

Dice Labels: The Heart of the Motif Approach

Free Duo Game: The Immortal’s Affairs

Great TTRPG Newbie Paradox (they’re easier to teach)

Mastering the Art of Illusion: GM & Play Tips for Prophecies

Free Christmas TTRPG: Holiday Anomalies Division (HAD)

Mastering Intrigue: Crafting Suspense and Tension in TTRPGs

Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 1)

Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 2)

Handling Mysteries in Tabletop Roleplaying Games (Part 3)

Rebutting the Criticisms of Rules-Light Systems

Rebuttals to Criticisms of Rules-Heavy TTRPGs

In Defense of Optional Rules

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