Archive - RPG Design Theories

Hanging on Tight

When modifying a rules set, most people focus on what’s changing, but just as— if not more—important is what remains the same.

Jul 14 •

What's in a Genre?

One of the hallmarks of the Cypher System is the fact that we’ve tried to make it usable with almost any genre.

Jul 7 •

June 2025

Designing the Game We Want to Play

When you drive a car and something doesn’t work precisely the way you think it should, you notice.

Jun 30 •

Talking About Games (Part 2)

Last time, I wrote about games discourse, whether online or in person, and things to remember while you participate in such conversations.

Jun 2 •

May 2025

Talking About Games (Part 1)

You can’t work on RPGs for thirty-five years without having a lot of discussions about games.

May 19 •

April 2025

Narrative, Not Math

(or, Words, Not Numbers)

Apr 2 •

March 2025

I remember, as 3rd Edition D&D was in its last stages of development, I looked at the long list of modifiers based on situation that would appear in the…

Mar 5 •

January 2025

Most TTRPGs fall into the genres of fantasy or sci-fi.

Jan 13 •

December 2024

Components and Formats

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

Dec 17, 2024 •

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, 2024 •

September 2024

Understanding the Vibe

I work with the Cypher System a lot.

Sep 12, 2024 •

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, 2024 •

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