Archive - RPG Design Theories

Components and Formats

I get asked about format and presentation of MCG games a lot.

Dec 17 •

November 2024

The Tipping Point

Every project—and I'm not exaggerating, EVERY project—that I have ever worked on and probably ever will work on has a sort of tipping point moment.

Nov 12 •

September 2024

Understanding the Vibe

I work with the Cypher System a lot.

Sep 12 •

July 2024

If It’s Easy, You’re Doing It Wrong

When a designer sits down to work on a new project, they should be challenged.

Jul 30 •

June 2024

Give Yourself a Break

This article is not what you think.

Jun 21 •

May 2024

Every roleplayer has heard it from their GM a million times: “Okay, what do you do?” It’s practically the defining phrase of RPG play.

May 3 •

March 2024

PCs are Not NPCs

It’s no secret that 3rd Edition D&D made player characters more complex.

Mar 8 •

February 2024

Keeping to the Theme

I’ve written about the importance of how you describe the rules being as important as the rules themselves before, but it’s worth revisiting.

Feb 5 •

December 2023

Rules With Multiple Purposes

One of the great challenges of writing a rulebook is that you’re creating both a teaching tool and a reference work.

Dec 1, 2023 •

October 2023

Design Toward Rather Than Away

Encouraging good play is better than prohibiting its opposite.

Oct 5, 2023 •

August 2023

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