Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 9h

Yeah it has definitely changed. It’s so big now (and the industry is even bigger proportionally). I kind of wish I was there for the corridor year, that sounds like fun.

1

Reposted by Clayton

Spencer Campbell @gilarpgs.bsky.social · 18h

Grab a big bundle of Slayers!

Monster hunting. An infinite city. Asymmetric class design. Incredible art.

Slayers has everything you need for your next TTRPG night.

itch.io/s/151766/sla...

Slayers Bundle by Gila RPGs

A bundle by Gila RPGs, $25.00 for 6 games

itch.io

1 9 12

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

Usually it goes well, being shared on Reddit, but I still sit up in my seat and say, “Here we go” before clicking on it.

1 3

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

Oh boy. It broke out of containment and ended up on Reddit.
www.reddit.com/r/rpg/commen...

1 12

Reposted by Clayton

Brent Jans (he/they)💜🖤🤍 @dorklordcanada.bsky.social · 1d

As a past judge this series is a great look at Ennies bts, and I find myself nodding along with the criticism. The awards were created for a TTRPG industry that no longer exists, and since then they've been tripping downhill to keep pace.

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

1 3 12

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks for the retweet Zedeck! You taught me some new Latin.

2

Reposted by Clayton

Zedeck Siew @zedecksiew.bsky.social · 1d

🚨ENNIE POSTMORTEM ALERT🚨

Some critical analysis about TTRPGs' biggest awards. @explorersdesign.bsky.social 's locus standi for this commentary is impeccable; he served as judge in the most recent Ennies!

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

1 5 19

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

I don’t know what that looks like, but if you packaged it up and posted it on a lark, I’m sure people would like it.

A Brian Yakasha game jam where everyone is illustrating and laying out the same manuscript/table by you would rip. You’ve got that florid prose that’s fun to picture.

1 1

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks for reading! I still recommend submitting to the Ennies, too. It’s obviously not perfect (no award show is), but nothing beats getting nominated.

3

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

It's the part that seems to be catching people off guard the most. The nice thing is that Zoom is perfectly normal, and that is what we mostly used.

I never thought in my life I would yearn for Slack.

1 4

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

I think it's the gonzo that makes a lot of mutation tables just cheap gimmicks or cheap stand-ins for style and tone. Obviously, I'm not surprised you would be looking at them more holistically.

1 1

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

When you see an adventure that has the writing, layout, and illustration done by one person—get it. Daniel H's style is one-of-a-kind. Super excited by the collaborator list, too.

Brian Yakasha, Walton Wood, Emil Kaaen, Dai Shugars? That's a deep bench.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/dan...

Duginthroat Divided

Weird fiction meets fairytale whimsy in this dungeon on your doorstep! For Old School Essentials and other roleplaying games.

www.kickstarter.com

1 2 19

Reposted by Clayton

Brian Yaksha (He/They) @brianyaksha.bsky.social · 2d

Duginthroat Divided launched on KS.

It is one of those rare instances of a work I am proud of.

I was able to push some angles in ways that got my brain firing up right.

I was able to witness something come to form that made me appreciate a modality I otherwise often ignore.

I endorse the work.

Plus One Exp | Staying Home For PAXU (cause we live in Philly) @plusoneexp.bsky.social · 2d

I have had a blast playing a few session of this sandbox with @iknowadamseats.bsky.social Ivy & @danielharila.bsky.social!

We finish our adventures tomorrow, but I'll be excited to get back into play when the whole thing is out!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/dan...

Duginthroat Divided

Weird fiction meets fairytale whimsy in this dungeon on your doorstep! For Old School Essentials and other roleplaying games.

www.kickstarter.com

1 11 28

Reposted by Clayton

Personable | Markus @personable.bsky.social · 1d

If you liked part one and two, you will probably have been seriously anticipating this one, and it absolutely delivers.

If you didn't read part one and two, go and do that, then come back and realise that I'm right.

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

2 4

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 1d

Part 1, my intro to The Awards Debrief, is here: www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-1/

Part 2, my hands-on tour of the process from A to Z, is here: www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-2/

Part 3 is my analysis of how the Ennie Awards are designed.
Part 4 will have my thoughts on future rpg awards.

The Awards Debrief 2025

An in-depth look at the Ennie Awards, its process, design, and role from the perspective of one former judge.

www.explorersdesign.com

9

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

7 48 83

Reposted by Clayton

arcane jelly cult @arcanejellycult.itch.io · 1d

Go read @explorersdesign.bsky.social's 3rd entry in his ENNIES debrief.

The awards have always felt arcane to me in a way that I never really understood why certain games sank and swam or were nominated for categories that didn't make sense.

Well worth your time!

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

4 4

Reposted by Clayton

Zedeck Siew @zedecksiew.bsky.social · 2d

Landmark postmortem of the Ennies by @explorersdesign.bsky.social continues:

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

1 12

Reposted by Clayton

𝖂.𝕯. @icastlight.bsky.social · 2d

Now we are getting to the 🍖 of Clayton's ENNIES debrief. This post provides a boots-on-the-ground view of judging and offers general tips for applicants. 🏆Gold, people, gold!🥇

1 8 27

Reposted by Clayton

Plus One Exp | Staying Home For PAXU (cause we live in Philly) @plusoneexp.bsky.social · 2d

Peel back the curtain!!!!

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

1 7

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 2d

It's a ton of fun and incredibly rewarding. You get to read, talk about, and play so many games with people who are just as into it as you are.

At the very least, I highly recommend starting an rpg book club.

2

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks! I'm glad it's not just a retread for everyone. My goal is to make it feel anything other than esoteric.

1 1

Reposted by Clayton

Lone Archivist @lonearchivist.bsky.social · 3d

Hey! I'm Lone Archivist. A games and graphic designer.

Looking for help on your next project? My commissions are open for all of the following services and more!

Logo Design
Brand/Visual Identity Design
Manuscript/Editorial Layout
Sci-Fi Cartography
Crowdfunding Graphics
Interface/Terminal Design

2 19 46

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 2d

Here's part 1 of The Awards Debrief 2025 for anyone who missed it yesterday.

bsky.app/profile/expl...

Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 3d

I love award shows. It's no secret. It's why I've spent months writing, refining, and trying to distill my Ennies judging experience.

It's a 4-part series (I know, I know). One article a day. Today's lays out my goals and puts the focus on awards in general.

www.explorersdesign.com/ennies-1/

The Awards Debrief 2025

An in-depth look at the Ennie Awards, its process, design, and role from the perspective of one former judge.

www.explorersdesign.com

1 11

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

5 39 69