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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Adam Bell @adambell.games · 6h

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

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Thomas M, Full-time Rascal @newmadras.bsky.social · 7h

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."

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 9h

“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.”

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 16h

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?

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 9d

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.

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Idle Cartulary @idlecartulary.itch.io · 22h

Today, I read Harvest, the game of creeping folk horror. Is this island a place you want to visit, or should you stay well away? Find out! idlecartulary.com/2025/10/09/i...

I Read Harvest

I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…

idlecartulary.com

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 1d

"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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 1d

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.

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 1d

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.

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 9d

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

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Evan Torner @guyintheblackhat.bsky.social · 1d

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.

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 1d

"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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 1d

"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

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Grace Gittel Lewis @incaseofgrace.bsky.social · 1d

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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 1d

SPINE wouldn't be what it is without Holly's art. Some pieces even have puzzles hidden within them.

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 9d

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.

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

A twisted sitter!

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 2d

Alright, the first in-depth article of my awards debrief is live. "How do the Ennies work?" A top-down look at my judging experience from A to Z.

Please share, leave comments, and ask questions. And don't forget to read part 1 if you haven't already.

www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-2/

How do the Ennies work?

An insider's look into the 2025 Ennie Awards. Part two. What is the award process like behind closed doors, and how do the judges select nominees?

www.explorersdesign.com

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Adam STATION @adamstation.bsky.social · 2d

heya reviewers, interviewers, actual players ... hit me up if you want to cover An Infinity of Ships!

72stations.com/products/an-...

An Infinity of Ships

An Infinity of Ships is an expansive toolkit for creating truly unique spaceships for your sci-fi tabletop roleplaying games. Featuring dozens of ships illustrated by Rob Turpin (aka thisnorthernboy) ...

72stations.com

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

Happy birthday!!

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

There are multiple clocks at the back for you!

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, randomizer or resolution tool is a good one! Page flips akin to dice and playing cards.

But I think when it's used as an oracle, some of that may get into anchor territory?

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you! I really appreciate it, and I'm excited for you to get your hands on a copy!

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

SPINE’s clock started as the Hangman game, whose gallows are a clock for the grisly word game. But it has an unsavory past.

Instead of gallows, an empty portrait is your clock. You slowly appear in the book as you're absorbed by it. And every tick of the clock is a chance to depict your character.

Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 9d

Some prompts instruct you to advance your clock at the back of the book. This clock is your portrait, and the further you are absorbed into the book, the closer your portrait approaches completion.

As you're absorbed in the book, advance your clock. Image: A clock that resembles a portrait. Inside, you draw your face as you are absorbed by the book.

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Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social · 2d

From my interview with The Lone Toad: "We underestimate how playful the act of reading is, tabletop RPGs or no. When we read detective fiction, we’re playing. We try to solve the mystery before the detective does. We scrutinize the text for clues. We do something similar with RPG books."

Croaker RPGs @croaker-rpgs.bsky.social · 4d

Get lost in a book with SPINE, a solo RPG artifact game where the book is the game! It’s a pretty cool concept and an idea this frog loved from @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social!

Check it out!
croakerrpgs.substack.com/p/spine-a-so...
#solorpgs

SPINE - A solo RPG about getting lost in a book

or Siderius Plug’s Immortality in Ninety-nine Endnotes:

croakerrpgs.substack.com

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Reposted by Asa Donald | Backwards Tabletop

Geek Native @geeknative.bsky.social · 4d

In the new solo RPG SPINE, reading a book could cost you your life. Learn more about this unique 'game-as-a-book' from Backwards Tabletop. www.geeknative.com/2...

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