Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
@backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
1.1K followers 340 following 1.4K posts
He/him. Designing indie ttrpgs In beta: SPINE - A dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book https://backwards-tabletop.itch.io/spine
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
NEW (FREE) GAME FORTHCOMING:

SPINE is a dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book.

In SPINE, you are a researcher who has inherited a strange book from an estranged relative…
You are a researcher who has inherited a strange book from an estranged relative… Image: Print copy of SPINE
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
I'd be grateful if someone shared this link in the rpg, sole_roleplaying, or rpgpromo Reddits, as permissible. My posts are stuck in a filter, and I've been waiting for Reddit to clear my account for months (no joke).

I’d love for people to be able to claim the game while it’s still free!
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
SPINE is in beta, and it will be free for a limited time on @itch.io

The beta will be released on itch on October 14th and will include digital versions as well as a printable booklet. A physical beta will go on sale at the end of October.

backwards-tabletop.itch.io/spine
A dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book. Free for a limited time. Art: Cover preview of SPINE, featuring a spine in the shape of a vortext.
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
diceynova.bsky.social
My eyes are open as hell 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
NEW (FREE) GAME FORTHCOMING:

SPINE is a dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book.

In SPINE, you are a researcher who has inherited a strange book from an estranged relative…
You are a researcher who has inherited a strange book from an estranged relative… Image: Print copy of SPINE
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
It's probably some dark conspiracy against designers whose names begin with A.
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
I'd be grateful if someone shared this link in the rpg, sole_roleplaying, or rpgpromo Reddits, as permissible. My posts are stuck in a filter, and I've been waiting for Reddit to clear my account for months (no joke).

I’d love for people to be able to claim the game while it’s still free!
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
SPINE is in beta, and it will be free for a limited time on @itch.io

The beta will be released on itch on October 14th and will include digital versions as well as a printable booklet. A physical beta will go on sale at the end of October.

backwards-tabletop.itch.io/spine
A dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book. Free for a limited time. Art: Cover preview of SPINE, featuring a spine in the shape of a vortext.
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
gothhoblin.me
Monster Truckers by @tablecatgames.com is out now in digital!

This exciting TTRPG is really easy to learn and perfect for a fun Halloween game with friends, with players as classic monsters driving big rigs across a post apocalyptic wasteland 🧟‍♀️🚚

It also includes an adventure written by me! 💖🧛‍♀️
tablecatgames.com
Just in time for the spookiest of seasons comes an rpg that’s bursting with monsters! Monster Truckers is available in digital form. Experience the thrills and chills of unlife on the open road as a truck driving monster.

Links below!
Cover of Monster Truckers game on a faked out ipad. Featuring monsters and a semi truck.
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
When you lose yourself in a book, it’s called transportation. External stimuli fade, and the fiction carries us away.

SPINE asks: What if we cannot find our way back from the fiction? What if something insidious is happening inside us while we are distracted?
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
SPINE is in beta, and it will be free for a limited time on @itch.io

The beta will be released on itch on October 14th and will include digital versions as well as a printable booklet. A physical beta will go on sale at the end of October.

backwards-tabletop.itch.io/spine
A dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book. Free for a limited time. Art: Cover preview of SPINE, featuring a spine in the shape of a vortext.
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
“If we're going to have the book at the table, we should use the book in play. It shouldn't just be a reference point. It should be an active participant and an active toy in that play process.”
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
Part of my writing process for SPINE was to write exploratory essays and conduct interviews on ideas that informed the project.

The first interview in this series is with @jdragsky.bsky.social on playing with books, what ttrpgs can learn from fiction, and being a “slut for physical books”!
Jay Dragon on Bookplay
An interview with Jay Dragon about how ttrpgs play with books
www.backwardstabletop.com
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
Sonya is great to work with, is so talented, and is a great person too.

Check out her work!
sonybaloneyart.bsky.social
Currently available for freelance! I really need the work!
sonybaloneyart.bsky.social
Hi #PortfolioDay! I'm Sonya &I'm character designer and award winning illustrator.

I'm available for freelance, studio work & seeking representation!

Past clients: Greenbrier Games, Gran Via Productions, Skybound Entertainment, Darrington Press

sonybaloneyart.com
[email protected]
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
sonybaloneyart.bsky.social
Currently available for freelance! I really need the work!
sonybaloneyart.bsky.social
Hi #PortfolioDay! I'm Sonya &I'm character designer and award winning illustrator.

I'm available for freelance, studio work & seeking representation!

Past clients: Greenbrier Games, Gran Via Productions, Skybound Entertainment, Darrington Press

sonybaloneyart.com
[email protected]
Character design sheet illustration of two skeleton chefs and chinese opera ghost performer 
character design sheet girl in a dirty dress crying on the stairs
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
adambell.games
create a cast of characters, build out a playlist, and play a little bit of music trivia with your friends in Melisma

adambell.itch.io/melisma

This is a fun lil game I've been designing to sell at the pittsburgh zine fair later this month, released yesterday for the #MinimalistJam
Melisma by adambell
Character Creation Music Trivia Party Game
adambell.itch.io
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
newmadras.bsky.social
It was a real pleasure to chat with @shannonappelcline.bsky.social about his upcoming new set of books.
"Appelcline: I was delighted to write about the original edition of Palace of the Silver Princess. This is one of the most legendary products ever published by TSR because the first edition of it was destroyed. They printed it, they gave out copies to the people at TSR, they got some out to distributors, and then — this is all hearsay, but that's part of what made it exciting, trying to figure out what happened — management, apparently, got a look at it and said, oh, this is terrible, we can't send it out. They went around, they collected the copies from everyone at TSR, they tried to get whatever copies that they'd sent out back. And then they had one person in charge of bringing them out to the landfill and watch as they were bulldozed under, so that no one else got copies of them."
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
“If we're going to have the book at the table, we should use the book in play. It shouldn't just be a reference point. It should be an active participant and an active toy in that play process.”
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
Part of my writing process for SPINE was to write exploratory essays and conduct interviews on ideas that informed the project.

The first interview in this series is with @jdragsky.bsky.social on playing with books, what ttrpgs can learn from fiction, and being a “slut for physical books”!
Jay Dragon on Bookplay
An interview with Jay Dragon about how ttrpgs play with books
www.backwardstabletop.com
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
When you lose yourself in a book, it’s called transportation. External stimuli fade, and the fiction carries us away.

SPINE asks: What if we cannot find our way back from the fiction? What if something insidious is happening inside us while we are distracted?
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
SPINE is in beta, and it will be free for a limited time on @itch.io

The beta will be released on itch on October 14th and will include digital versions as well as a printable booklet. A physical beta will go on sale at the end of October.

backwards-tabletop.itch.io/spine
A dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book. Free for a limited time. Art: Cover preview of SPINE, featuring a spine in the shape of a vortext.
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
"A thing that I'm really thinking about is the holistic quality of the game. This is a game that, even if you don't ever actually get a group together to play it, it enriches your life and it provides you with meaning and you can sit down with it and engage with it."
Interview: Jay Dragon on Bookplay
An interview with Jay Dragon about how ttrpgs play with books
www.backwardstabletop.com
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
Totally okay with spoilers and streaming. Fair warning: it may be challenging to stream. I'll DM you with details and you can determine how to proceed.
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
explorersdesign.bsky.social
Part 3 is here. The deep dive into the Ennies. If you're someone who doesn't know much about the Ennie Awards, you should read parts 1 and 2. But if you like a bit of inside baseball and are interested in award shows in general—this is the article for you.

www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-3/
How are the Ennies designed?
An insider's look into the 2025 Ennie Awards. Part three. How does the structure of the Ennies determine its outcomes? And what does it mean for others?
www.explorersdesign.com
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
This offer still stands. If you are willing to read and review SPINE, I am happy to send an advance copy your way, including a physical copy (if practical).

Please let me know if you’re interested.
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
NEW (FREE) GAME FORTHCOMING:

SPINE is a dark solo ttrpg about losing yourself in a book.

In SPINE, you are a researcher who has inherited a strange book from an estranged relative…
You are a researcher who has inherited a strange book from an estranged relative… Image: Print copy of SPINE
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
guyintheblackhat.bsky.social
Long live Nobilis, the Werewolf: the Apocalypse with the raised-claw-mark cover, first ed Unknown Armies, the Italian edition of 1001 Nights, and of course Yazeba's for being BOOK TTRPGs where the book itself will change your life.
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
"A thing that I'm really thinking about is the holistic quality of the game. This is a game that, even if you don't ever actually get a group together to play it, it enriches your life and it provides you with meaning and you can sit down with it and engage with it."
Interview: Jay Dragon on Bookplay
An interview with Jay Dragon about how ttrpgs play with books
www.backwardstabletop.com
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
"A thing that I'm really thinking about is the holistic quality of the game. This is a game that, even if you don't ever actually get a group together to play it, it enriches your life and it provides you with meaning and you can sit down with it and engage with it."
Interview: Jay Dragon on Bookplay
An interview with Jay Dragon about how ttrpgs play with books
www.backwardstabletop.com
Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop
incaseofgrace.bsky.social
LOOK AT MY CHILDREN I SPENT SO MUCH TIME REDESIGNING THIS WEBBED SITE

Also need to note-- there's an RSS feed you can follow to stay up to date! apra.incaseofgrace.com/apra.xml

Don't like RSS but don't want to miss an article? Follow my newsletter! incaseofgrace.beehiiv.com

#icog
Website screenshot Website screenshot
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
SPINE wouldn't be what it is without Holly's art. Some pieces even have puzzles hidden within them.
backwardsttrpg.bsky.social
SPINE has several contributors who have helped make it special. The book features beautiful block prints by Holly Freiberg.
Featuring hand-carved prints by Holly Freiberg. Image: A linocut print of a bleed heart and an inkwell.