ShowrunnerRPG
@showrunnerrpg.bsky.social
An RPG where you're playing characters in a story AND the actors portraying them, fighting to keep your TV show on the air against your crazy Producers demands.
Showrunner doesn't have Long Rests or Downtime, it has Montage Scenes to rest and recover resources.
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
January 21, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Showrunner doesn't have Long Rests or Downtime, it has Montage Scenes to rest and recover resources.
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
In most roleplaying games, your agency ends when the dice start. Showrunner's Influence system lets players decide when a roll is important.
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
January 20, 2026 at 10:27 PM
In most roleplaying games, your agency ends when the dice start. Showrunner's Influence system lets players decide when a roll is important.
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
In Showrunner, the main villain of your Show pales in comparison to the villains who run the studio.
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
January 19, 2026 at 2:57 PM
In Showrunner, the main villain of your Show pales in comparison to the villains who run the studio.
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
Alternative history? Political drama? Comedy?
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Alternative history? Political drama? Comedy?
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
Showrunner is taught through a "roguelite" Show One: you make a Show about whatever you want while hitting "beats" given by your crazy producers.
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
January 17, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Showrunner is taught through a "roguelite" Show One: you make a Show about whatever you want while hitting "beats" given by your crazy producers.
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
Perhaps it's an impossible dream: a narrative-first game inspired by PbtA but with deep mechanical "crunch" and a universal engine.
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
Showrunner RPG Quickstart by Showrunner RPG
An RPG where you're playing characters in the story AND the actors behind them, fighting to keep your show on air.
showrunners.itch.io
January 16, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Perhaps it's an impossible dream: a narrative-first game inspired by PbtA but with deep mechanical "crunch" and a universal engine.
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
The core book sketches out the inspiration for 20 distinct Shows your Cast may want to create, but the game is designed to facilitate any Show you can imagine.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
January 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The core book sketches out the inspiration for 20 distinct Shows your Cast may want to create, but the game is designed to facilitate any Show you can imagine.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
I scrapped my Christmas launch to rewrite the whole game. Why? Because most rulebooks are boring. Scripts are fun. Learn to play by playing.
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
January 14, 2026 at 8:40 PM
I scrapped my Christmas launch to rewrite the whole game. Why? Because most rulebooks are boring. Scripts are fun. Learn to play by playing.
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
In our Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader playtest game, a player took out a cult on their ship. A psyker onboard happened to be adopted by the cult leader.
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
January 14, 2026 at 2:14 AM
In our Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader playtest game, a player took out a cult on their ship. A psyker onboard happened to be adopted by the cult leader.
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
Key Assets are one of my favorite parts of Showrunner. Plot-bound gear, implants, titles, and bloodlines that grant you unique powers and level up as you use them.
In Showrunner, everything levels up.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiedev #indiegame #DnD #showrunner
In Showrunner, everything levels up.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiedev #indiegame #DnD #showrunner
January 13, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Key Assets are one of my favorite parts of Showrunner. Plot-bound gear, implants, titles, and bloodlines that grant you unique powers and level up as you use them.
In Showrunner, everything levels up.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiedev #indiegame #DnD #showrunner
In Showrunner, everything levels up.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiedev #indiegame #DnD #showrunner
Once the core books are out, development focus shifts to Showlo, the solo version so you can create your own Show. Options will include a minimal version and, if all goes well, a version that helps you write actual scripts for a Show out of the emergent play.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 12, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Once the core books are out, development focus shifts to Showlo, the solo version so you can create your own Show. Options will include a minimal version and, if all goes well, a version that helps you write actual scripts for a Show out of the emergent play.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Just finished writing Episode 12: the players learn they can push past their normal limits, for a price.
Also, new progression choice: do I level up my Character or level up my Star? Better character or better actor?
Plus the usual learn through play.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #rpg #showrunner
Also, new progression choice: do I level up my Character or level up my Star? Better character or better actor?
Plus the usual learn through play.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #rpg #showrunner
January 10, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Just finished writing Episode 12: the players learn they can push past their normal limits, for a price.
Also, new progression choice: do I level up my Character or level up my Star? Better character or better actor?
Plus the usual learn through play.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #rpg #showrunner
Also, new progression choice: do I level up my Character or level up my Star? Better character or better actor?
Plus the usual learn through play.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #rpg #showrunner
95% of Showrunner GM prep is the Writer's Room mini-game between sessions: the Supporting Cast create Subplots to weave back into the narrative during play.
Result? A rich cast and emergent story that surprises the GM as much as players.
showrunnerrpg.com
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev
Result? A rich cast and emergent story that surprises the GM as much as players.
showrunnerrpg.com
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev
Showrunner RPG
Showrunner RPG Homepage
showrunnerrpg.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
95% of Showrunner GM prep is the Writer's Room mini-game between sessions: the Supporting Cast create Subplots to weave back into the narrative during play.
Result? A rich cast and emergent story that surprises the GM as much as players.
showrunnerrpg.com
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev
Result? A rich cast and emergent story that surprises the GM as much as players.
showrunnerrpg.com
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev
If you can think of a Show, you can run it in Showrunner. What will you create?
#ttrpg #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 8, 2026 at 2:11 PM
If you can think of a Show, you can run it in Showrunner. What will you create?
#ttrpg #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Just finished writing Episode 11: Props and Wardrobe. The players just unlocked inventory and get to gear up.
Imagining real players doing this instead of imaginary ones in the rule book is the fuel gets me up at 5am to work on Showrunner before work.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Imagining real players doing this instead of imaginary ones in the rule book is the fuel gets me up at 5am to work on Showrunner before work.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 7, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Just finished writing Episode 11: Props and Wardrobe. The players just unlocked inventory and get to gear up.
Imagining real players doing this instead of imaginary ones in the rule book is the fuel gets me up at 5am to work on Showrunner before work.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Imagining real players doing this instead of imaginary ones in the rule book is the fuel gets me up at 5am to work on Showrunner before work.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
The "examples of play" sections are often my favorite bits of an RPG manual. Love the behind-the-scenes look at the story and the story of the story.
Showrunner's entire manual is one continuous example of play. Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner's entire manual is one continuous example of play. Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
The "examples of play" sections are often my favorite bits of an RPG manual. Love the behind-the-scenes look at the story and the story of the story.
Showrunner's entire manual is one continuous example of play. Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner's entire manual is one continuous example of play. Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #rpg #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
How do you make an RPG that fits any setting while still offering a satisfying level of "crunch" and character development?
All good stories are about people, the setting is support. Showrunner's focus is on the characters and NPCs.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
All good stories are about people, the setting is support. Showrunner's focus is on the characters and NPCs.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
How do you make an RPG that fits any setting while still offering a satisfying level of "crunch" and character development?
All good stories are about people, the setting is support. Showrunner's focus is on the characters and NPCs.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
All good stories are about people, the setting is support. Showrunner's focus is on the characters and NPCs.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
The Showrunner core book includes ideas and concept art for 20 Shows ranging from alternate history to horror to epic fantasy.
Whatever setting, whatever characters, Showrunner supports it!
#ttrpg #roleplayer #alternativeuniverse #indiegames #indiedev #rpg
Whatever setting, whatever characters, Showrunner supports it!
#ttrpg #roleplayer #alternativeuniverse #indiegames #indiedev #rpg
January 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
The Showrunner core book includes ideas and concept art for 20 Shows ranging from alternate history to horror to epic fantasy.
Whatever setting, whatever characters, Showrunner supports it!
#ttrpg #roleplayer #alternativeuniverse #indiegames #indiedev #rpg
Whatever setting, whatever characters, Showrunner supports it!
#ttrpg #roleplayer #alternativeuniverse #indiegames #indiedev #rpg
Two weeks of vacation plus insomnia equals almost half-way done with the script rewrite. Currently on track for January 31st release of Showrunner!
Until then, try the free Quickstart!
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Until then, try the free Quickstart!
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner RPG Quickstart by Showrunner RPG
An RPG where you're playing characters in the story AND the actors behind them, fighting to keep your show on air.
showrunners.itch.io
January 3, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Two weeks of vacation plus insomnia equals almost half-way done with the script rewrite. Currently on track for January 31st release of Showrunner!
Until then, try the free Quickstart!
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Until then, try the free Quickstart!
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner is run in three layers:
1) GM and Players at the table
2) Director and Stars on the set
3) World and Characters in the setting
Shift seamlessly between layers while crafting your own show live with Showrunner.
#ttrpg #roleplayer #DnD #indiegame #showrunner
1) GM and Players at the table
2) Director and Stars on the set
3) World and Characters in the setting
Shift seamlessly between layers while crafting your own show live with Showrunner.
#ttrpg #roleplayer #DnD #indiegame #showrunner
January 2, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Showrunner is run in three layers:
1) GM and Players at the table
2) Director and Stars on the set
3) World and Characters in the setting
Shift seamlessly between layers while crafting your own show live with Showrunner.
#ttrpg #roleplayer #DnD #indiegame #showrunner
1) GM and Players at the table
2) Director and Stars on the set
3) World and Characters in the setting
Shift seamlessly between layers while crafting your own show live with Showrunner.
#ttrpg #roleplayer #DnD #indiegame #showrunner
New Year, new script. 2026 is the year of the Showrunner. Revised script due January 31st.
If you can't wait, join the 300+ who have already downloaded the quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
If you can't wait, join the 300+ who have already downloaded the quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner RPG Quickstart by Showrunner RPG
An RPG where you're playing characters in the story AND the actors behind them, fighting to keep your show on air.
showrunners.itch.io
January 1, 2026 at 1:11 PM
New Year, new script. 2026 is the year of the Showrunner. Revised script due January 31st.
If you can't wait, join the 300+ who have already downloaded the quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
If you can't wait, join the 300+ who have already downloaded the quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
#ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
This is how we handle the crunch: narrative rules explanation in the "core script" on the left, rules summaries in "sticky notes" on the right.
Forget a rule, skim back through sticky notes to find it.
#ttrpg #RPG #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Forget a rule, skim back through sticky notes to find it.
#ttrpg #RPG #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
December 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This is how we handle the crunch: narrative rules explanation in the "core script" on the left, rules summaries in "sticky notes" on the right.
Forget a rule, skim back through sticky notes to find it.
#ttrpg #RPG #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Forget a rule, skim back through sticky notes to find it.
#ttrpg #RPG #roleplayer #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Visualize your Show in your mind. Think of the stories that can emerge from your setting.
If you can picture it, you can shoot it in Showrunner.
#ttrpg #rpg #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
If you can picture it, you can shoot it in Showrunner.
#ttrpg #rpg #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
December 29, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Visualize your Show in your mind. Think of the stories that can emerge from your setting.
If you can picture it, you can shoot it in Showrunner.
#ttrpg #rpg #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
If you can picture it, you can shoot it in Showrunner.
#ttrpg #rpg #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
One of the first rules of writing: "Show Don't Tell."
Showrunner is the first roleplaying game where the whole rulebook follows that rule, teaching through play.
#roleplay #ttrpg #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner is the first roleplaying game where the whole rulebook follows that rule, teaching through play.
#roleplay #ttrpg #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
December 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
One of the first rules of writing: "Show Don't Tell."
Showrunner is the first roleplaying game where the whole rulebook follows that rule, teaching through play.
#roleplay #ttrpg #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
Showrunner is the first roleplaying game where the whole rulebook follows that rule, teaching through play.
#roleplay #ttrpg #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner