Indie Game Reading Club
@indiegamereadingclub.com
I'm Paul Beakley and I write https://indiegamereadingclub.com
Support the work at https://patreon.com/igrc
Support the work at https://patreon.com/igrc
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The Indie Game Reading Club
Deep reads, play analysis, reviews and everything else about small press roleplaying today
indiegamereadingclub.com
Holy how it's a lot of new folks all the sudden. Hi new folks, I write the indiegamereadingclub.com.
If you want a good starter pack of our top work of the past year, here's a list straight out of the analytics:
If you want a good starter pack of our top work of the past year, here's a list straight out of the analytics:
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
It's amazing that so many people have followed the Kickstarter for Play Unsafe, my book about play, storytelling and TTRPGs, in the first 24 hours.
Go and follow it if you haven't already. And please spread the word, it helps!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra... #ttrpg #kickstarter
Go and follow it if you haven't already. And please spread the word, it helps!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra... #ttrpg #kickstarter
Coming soon: Play Unsafe
An all-new edition of Graham Walmsley's classic book about playing tabletop roleplaying games.
www.kickstarter.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
It's amazing that so many people have followed the Kickstarter for Play Unsafe, my book about play, storytelling and TTRPGs, in the first 24 hours.
Go and follow it if you haven't already. And please spread the word, it helps!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra... #ttrpg #kickstarter
Go and follow it if you haven't already. And please spread the word, it helps!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/gra... #ttrpg #kickstarter
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
Every RPG of the past, oh, 15 years or so has led with "role-playing is a conversation." But is it actually true? I've got a test for you ⬇️
I broke and rebuilt my own mind about a thing. Is roleplaying *really* a conversation?
Monologue Games
Not all RPGs are a conversation I’ve had this maddening…koan, I guess, spinning around in my head for a couple weeks now. It came from a buddy being completely dismissive of solo RPGs. Maybe it was…
www.indiegamereadingclub.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Every RPG of the past, oh, 15 years or so has led with "role-playing is a conversation." But is it actually true? I've got a test for you ⬇️
I just backed The Thunder Perfect Mind on @Kickstarter www.kickstarter.com/projects/flo...
I mean of course, it looks great. But also @floaker.bsky.social you priced this so reasonably! Overproduced crowdfunding has poisoned my brain.
I mean of course, it looks great. But also @floaker.bsky.social you priced this so reasonably! Overproduced crowdfunding has poisoned my brain.
The Thunder Perfect Mind
An Occult Action Thriller Tabletop RPG
www.kickstarter.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:42 PM
I just backed The Thunder Perfect Mind on @Kickstarter www.kickstarter.com/projects/flo...
I mean of course, it looks great. But also @floaker.bsky.social you priced this so reasonably! Overproduced crowdfunding has poisoned my brain.
I mean of course, it looks great. But also @floaker.bsky.social you priced this so reasonably! Overproduced crowdfunding has poisoned my brain.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
A little something-something I’ve been working on with the most awesome @scorchadoom.bsky.social Creativity in the TTRPG space. Should be going live today, it’s been a while since I did any podcast work, a brotha’s a bit rusty!
January 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM
A little something-something I’ve been working on with the most awesome @scorchadoom.bsky.social Creativity in the TTRPG space. Should be going live today, it’s been a while since I did any podcast work, a brotha’s a bit rusty!
Every RPG of the past, oh, 15 years or so has led with "role-playing is a conversation." But is it actually true? I've got a test for you ⬇️
I broke and rebuilt my own mind about a thing. Is roleplaying *really* a conversation?
Monologue Games
Not all RPGs are a conversation I’ve had this maddening…koan, I guess, spinning around in my head for a couple weeks now. It came from a buddy being completely dismissive of solo RPGs. Maybe it was…
www.indiegamereadingclub.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Every RPG of the past, oh, 15 years or so has led with "role-playing is a conversation." But is it actually true? I've got a test for you ⬇️
Oh my gosh.
The TTA books were so formative for me. Layzell was a true giant.
The TTA books were so formative for me. Layzell was a true giant.
Another sci-fi art legend leaves us. Goodbye Bob Layzell, Terran Trade Authority titan 04/05/1940-29/01/2026
January 29, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Oh my gosh.
The TTA books were so formative for me. Layzell was a true giant.
The TTA books were so formative for me. Layzell was a true giant.
I broke and rebuilt my own mind about a thing. Is roleplaying *really* a conversation?
Monologue Games
Not all RPGs are a conversation I’ve had this maddening…koan, I guess, spinning around in my head for a couple weeks now. It came from a buddy being completely dismissive of solo RPGs. Maybe it was…
www.indiegamereadingclub.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:48 PM
I broke and rebuilt my own mind about a thing. Is roleplaying *really* a conversation?
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
*I'm* not saying we make one of the most consistently interesting bodies of TTRPG work out in the world today. That's for other people to say oh hi David
Beowulf. Maskwitches. Five Evil. a|state. Cold City and Hot War. Is it possible that @handiworkgames.bsky.social have the largest, most consistently interesting body of TTRPG work out in the world today? I think it might be.
handiwork.games
handiwork.games
Handiwork Games
BEOWULF. a|state. Maskwitches. Cold City:Hot War. FiveEvil
handiwork.games
January 29, 2026 at 1:50 PM
*I'm* not saying we make one of the most consistently interesting bodies of TTRPG work out in the world today. That's for other people to say oh hi David
1. Taco Bell fry cook
2. Feature writer
3. Web guy
4. PR flack
5. Tour guide
2. Feature writer
3. Web guy
4. PR flack
5. Tour guide
1. Answering machine refurbisher
2. Theatrical lighting designer
3. Bottling plant scut
4. University accessibility coordinator
5. Hiking boot salesperson
2. Theatrical lighting designer
3. Bottling plant scut
4. University accessibility coordinator
5. Hiking boot salesperson
1. Video shop employee (which instantly dates me)
2. Clothes shop assistant stockroom monkey
3. Postman
4. Dreary corporate marketing drone
5. Historian
2. Clothes shop assistant stockroom monkey
3. Postman
4. Dreary corporate marketing drone
5. Historian
January 28, 2026 at 9:14 PM
1. Taco Bell fry cook
2. Feature writer
3. Web guy
4. PR flack
5. Tour guide
2. Feature writer
3. Web guy
4. PR flack
5. Tour guide
Slightly diminish a game:
Food Poison'd
Food Poison'd
Slightly diminish a game:
Shadowwalk
Shadowwalk
My Lunch With Master
January 24, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Slightly diminish a game:
Food Poison'd
Food Poison'd
Quote post with a gif that has a clue about where you’re from.
January 23, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Quote post with a gif that has a clue about where you’re from.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
It's hard-but-good to bring a story to its conclusion.
But the cost of that exquisite release is you have to start a fucking game. The worst.
But the cost of that exquisite release is you have to start a fucking game. The worst.
Omega and Alpha
Endings. So good. Best if served with a side of heartache. We wrapped up our Coriolis campaign this week! Suitably epic, grand scale events, razor thin margins. I left a few major decisions to the …
www.indiegamereadingclub.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:29 PM
It's hard-but-good to bring a story to its conclusion.
But the cost of that exquisite release is you have to start a fucking game. The worst.
But the cost of that exquisite release is you have to start a fucking game. The worst.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
Your best NPCs aren’t planned.
For me, they’re often player consequences.
A failed roll created Bennie.
Three sessions later, he’s an emergent antagonist with ambitions.
I wrote about letting the table grow your villains vs forcing them.
Good Monday, Gamers!!
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
For me, they’re often player consequences.
A failed roll created Bennie.
Three sessions later, he’s an emergent antagonist with ambitions.
I wrote about letting the table grow your villains vs forcing them.
Good Monday, Gamers!!
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
Monday Musings #135 🤬
Why the Most Dangerous NPCs Are Player-Generated
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Your best NPCs aren’t planned.
For me, they’re often player consequences.
A failed roll created Bennie.
Three sessions later, he’s an emergent antagonist with ambitions.
I wrote about letting the table grow your villains vs forcing them.
Good Monday, Gamers!!
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
For me, they’re often player consequences.
A failed roll created Bennie.
Three sessions later, he’s an emergent antagonist with ambitions.
I wrote about letting the table grow your villains vs forcing them.
Good Monday, Gamers!!
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
For heaven's sake this is their *job.* They need to get *paid* to *work.* That's how our accursed system works.
RPG nerds, I beg you. If you're going to demand quality for free, find yourself another activity. One where you get good shit for free I guess.
RPG nerds, I beg you. If you're going to demand quality for free, find yourself another activity. One where you get good shit for free I guess.
Hey plz dont distribute paywalled rascal articles via google docs?? Please?????? Dont??????
January 19, 2026 at 10:56 PM
For heaven's sake this is their *job.* They need to get *paid* to *work.* That's how our accursed system works.
RPG nerds, I beg you. If you're going to demand quality for free, find yourself another activity. One where you get good shit for free I guess.
RPG nerds, I beg you. If you're going to demand quality for free, find yourself another activity. One where you get good shit for free I guess.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
Last, if you want to see Rascal survive; if you want more investigative reporting, more security for our small team, and more articles that celebrate TTRPGs, any level of support helps. Our investigative work is our pride and joy but it takes time, resources, and energy. Thank you again.
Rascal News
Rascal is a tabletop roleplaying game and culture outlet striving to sustainably publish voicey journalism that is compelling, deeply-reported, and fearlessly honest. We’re also a little cheeky
www.rascal.news
January 19, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Last, if you want to see Rascal survive; if you want more investigative reporting, more security for our small team, and more articles that celebrate TTRPGs, any level of support helps. Our investigative work is our pride and joy but it takes time, resources, and energy. Thank you again.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
Five creators who worked on Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast have spent the past year fighting a legal battle against Possum Creek Games and Steve Jackson Games. Neither the tabletop RPG nor their working relationships survived the fallout.
Battle over Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast contracts leaves the book, relationships, torn apart
Creative collaborators clash with Jay Dragon and Steve Jackson Games over unfair treatment.
www.rascal.news
January 19, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Five creators who worked on Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast have spent the past year fighting a legal battle against Possum Creek Games and Steve Jackson Games. Neither the tabletop RPG nor their working relationships survived the fallout.
I run Gregor Vuga's Sagas of the Icelanders once a year at our online con. It's always a hot ticket! It's such a beautiful, flawed gem. Few other games even come close to nailing their editorial stance so confidently.
Anyway I just ran it again for the umpteenth time. Still great, 13 years later.
Anyway I just ran it again for the umpteenth time. Still great, 13 years later.
January 17, 2026 at 5:03 AM
I run Gregor Vuga's Sagas of the Icelanders once a year at our online con. It's always a hot ticket! It's such a beautiful, flawed gem. Few other games even come close to nailing their editorial stance so confidently.
Anyway I just ran it again for the umpteenth time. Still great, 13 years later.
Anyway I just ran it again for the umpteenth time. Still great, 13 years later.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
Weighing in on discourse that 99.9999% of you are unaware of, and you should not seek out if you're not (seriously):
Even the most niche corners of art are made healthier by earnest, honest critique. To attack a critic for offering such is to imperil the integrity of the art you most care about.
Even the most niche corners of art are made healthier by earnest, honest critique. To attack a critic for offering such is to imperil the integrity of the art you most care about.
January 14, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Weighing in on discourse that 99.9999% of you are unaware of, and you should not seek out if you're not (seriously):
Even the most niche corners of art are made healthier by earnest, honest critique. To attack a critic for offering such is to imperil the integrity of the art you most care about.
Even the most niche corners of art are made healthier by earnest, honest critique. To attack a critic for offering such is to imperil the integrity of the art you most care about.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
2025 by the numbers.
Not the games I bought or meant to play.
The ones that actually hit the table — plus what readers told me they need most right now, a check-in on play, people, and what really mattered.
What counted most at your table this year?
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
Not the games I bought or meant to play.
The ones that actually hit the table — plus what readers told me they need most right now, a check-in on play, people, and what really mattered.
What counted most at your table this year?
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
Monday Musings #134 🤬
Stats, sessions, and what survived contact IRL
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:04 AM
2025 by the numbers.
Not the games I bought or meant to play.
The ones that actually hit the table — plus what readers told me they need most right now, a check-in on play, people, and what really mattered.
What counted most at your table this year?
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
Not the games I bought or meant to play.
The ones that actually hit the table — plus what readers told me they need most right now, a check-in on play, people, and what really mattered.
What counted most at your table this year?
open.substack.com/pub/playfear...
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
We are surrounded by real-life horrors, but he's a review of Stay First, my game about fighting less scary, fictional horrors.
The Ultimate One-Shot Sci-Fi TTPRG? – Review: Stay Frosty (Remastered)
Stay Frosty is a sci-fi OSR-ish game of shooting aliens from Casey Garske. Originally self-published, it’s been remastered and published (through kickstarter) by Melsonian Arts Council. You can get…
burnafterrunningrpg.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:22 AM
We are surrounded by real-life horrors, but he's a review of Stay First, my game about fighting less scary, fictional horrors.
I just backed Swords Without Master on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/unw...
I first played this, oh I don't know, maybe a decade ago. Honestly surprised more games aren't built off its chassis. One of the formative titles in indie RPGs! Very happy to finally have a real book.
I first played this, oh I don't know, maybe a decade ago. Honestly surprised more games aren't built off its chassis. One of the formative titles in indie RPGs! Very happy to finally have a real book.
Swords Without Master
A ttrpg of strange sorceries, ferocious deeds, and astounding wonder by Epidiah Ravachol.
www.kickstarter.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:50 PM
I just backed Swords Without Master on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/unw...
I first played this, oh I don't know, maybe a decade ago. Honestly surprised more games aren't built off its chassis. One of the formative titles in indie RPGs! Very happy to finally have a real book.
I first played this, oh I don't know, maybe a decade ago. Honestly surprised more games aren't built off its chassis. One of the formative titles in indie RPGs! Very happy to finally have a real book.
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
This makes me very, very happy. I've spent a happy few days reading it, tweaking it and remembering how good it is.
Yes it's been that long.
Yes it's been that long.
January 12, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This makes me very, very happy. I've spent a happy few days reading it, tweaking it and remembering how good it is.
Yes it's been that long.
Yes it's been that long.
Hey @clarkvalentine.bsky.social I can't dm you! Can you hit the Slack real quick? I've got Thunder Road questions for you. 🚗💥
January 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Hey @clarkvalentine.bsky.social I can't dm you! Can you hit the Slack real quick? I've got Thunder Road questions for you. 🚗💥
Reposted by Indie Game Reading Club
I still say a|state is the best FitD game out there, and that includes the OG.
Check out our deep dive of a|state and read our actual play:
Check out our deep dive of a|state and read our actual play:
January 9, 2026 at 3:57 PM
I still say a|state is the best FitD game out there, and that includes the OG.
Check out our deep dive of a|state and read our actual play:
Check out our deep dive of a|state and read our actual play: