Trapped Chest
@trappedchest.bsky.social
Trapped Chest is a Canadian based company that is owned and operated by Jed Doerksen, focusing on the development and publication of tabletop games.
www.TrappedChest.com
www.TrappedChest.com
The #BGG listing for Essence of the Arcane is finally up and the release date is only a month out.
It will be for sale at Game-itoba in Winnipeg if you want to be the first to get it.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46...
#indiedev #boardgame #spotlight #tabletop
It will be for sale at Game-itoba in Winnipeg if you want to be the first to get it.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46...
#indiedev #boardgame #spotlight #tabletop
Essence of the Arcane
An abstract strategy game about controlling magical energy.
boardgamegeek.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:41 AM
The #BGG listing for Essence of the Arcane is finally up and the release date is only a month out.
It will be for sale at Game-itoba in Winnipeg if you want to be the first to get it.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46...
#indiedev #boardgame #spotlight #tabletop
It will be for sale at Game-itoba in Winnipeg if you want to be the first to get it.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46...
#indiedev #boardgame #spotlight #tabletop
Essence of the Arcane has a UPC now. I guess this means it's official.
Manufacturing will start over xmas and release is happening the third weekend of January.
#indiedev #boardgames
Manufacturing will start over xmas and release is happening the third weekend of January.
#indiedev #boardgames
December 16, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Essence of the Arcane has a UPC now. I guess this means it's official.
Manufacturing will start over xmas and release is happening the third weekend of January.
#indiedev #boardgames
Manufacturing will start over xmas and release is happening the third weekend of January.
#indiedev #boardgames
There are few things as frustrating as having a great idea and then as soon as you sit down to put it on paper your brain just shuts off.
December 12, 2025 at 11:50 PM
There are few things as frustrating as having a great idea and then as soon as you sit down to put it on paper your brain just shuts off.
100% this!
Victory does not mean killing the monster, it means completing the goal. Sometimes there are creative ways of doing things and that just makes for an interesting narrative.
Victory does not mean killing the monster, it means completing the goal. Sometimes there are creative ways of doing things and that just makes for an interesting narrative.
December 12, 2025 at 11:49 PM
100% this!
Victory does not mean killing the monster, it means completing the goal. Sometimes there are creative ways of doing things and that just makes for an interesting narrative.
Victory does not mean killing the monster, it means completing the goal. Sometimes there are creative ways of doing things and that just makes for an interesting narrative.
I have been considering hosting a game jam with cash prizes for the best entries.
January seems like the best time, but I have a small con to attend and I am ramping up for a board game release, so I don't have the time.
#ttrpg #boardgames #indiedev #gamejam
January seems like the best time, but I have a small con to attend and I am ramping up for a board game release, so I don't have the time.
#ttrpg #boardgames #indiedev #gamejam
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I have been considering hosting a game jam with cash prizes for the best entries.
January seems like the best time, but I have a small con to attend and I am ramping up for a board game release, so I don't have the time.
#ttrpg #boardgames #indiedev #gamejam
January seems like the best time, but I have a small con to attend and I am ramping up for a board game release, so I don't have the time.
#ttrpg #boardgames #indiedev #gamejam
Having a hobby other than game design is something I suggest every developer look into.
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
December 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Having a hobby other than game design is something I suggest every developer look into.
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
My next appearance will be at Game-itoba in Winnipeg, January 23-25.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
In 2026, I want to attend more TTRPG cons in Canada 🍁
West coast is a lot easier, but I can travel for a good enough event!
Do any of my moots attend Canadian cons? What conventions do y’all recommend?
West coast is a lot easier, but I can travel for a good enough event!
Do any of my moots attend Canadian cons? What conventions do y’all recommend?
December 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
My next appearance will be at Game-itoba in Winnipeg, January 23-25.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
If you do it right the first time you won't need to fix it later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
If you do it right the first time you won't need to fix it later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
Have we gotten to the point where charisma can just be dropped from system design?
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
November 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Have we gotten to the point where charisma can just be dropped from system design?
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
Reposted by Trapped Chest
Check out this cool solo TTRPG by fellow CCU Member Daniel Kwan:
Wicked Congregation by Daniel Kwan
A solo journaling game about cults, objects of power, and isolation inspired by Resident Evil and the SCP Foundation.
danielhkwan.itch.io
November 30, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Check out this cool solo TTRPG by fellow CCU Member Daniel Kwan:
Reposted by Trapped Chest
We are often told to think outside the box, but sometimes you should stay inside the box.
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
November 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
We are often told to think outside the box, but sometimes you should stay inside the box.
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
Design tip: When giving the player multiple choices, consider why they would choose each one.
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
November 28, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Design tip: When giving the player multiple choices, consider why they would choose each one.
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
I have been considering hosting an RPG game jam with cash prizes for the best entries, but I currently don't have the reach and engagement to make it viable.
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I have been considering hosting an RPG game jam with cash prizes for the best entries, but I currently don't have the reach and engagement to make it viable.
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
There are a great many tasks that I plan to get to eventually, but life keeps getting in the way and other things take priority.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
November 26, 2025 at 3:50 AM
There are a great many tasks that I plan to get to eventually, but life keeps getting in the way and other things take priority.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
Reposted by Trapped Chest
For those of us who aren’t able to attend PAXu, let’s try & make a few new friends in the TTRPG space virtually!?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
November 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM
For those of us who aren’t able to attend PAXu, let’s try & make a few new friends in the TTRPG space virtually!?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
RPGs don't need to have set in stone stat blocks. It is important to be able to be able to build a creature on the fly.
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
November 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
RPGs don't need to have set in stone stat blocks. It is important to be able to be able to build a creature on the fly.
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
The end goal is to do game development as my primary job.
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The end goal is to do game development as my primary job.
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
I have been running Linux full time for several years.
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
November 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I have been running Linux full time for several years.
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
Being a developer is fun and fulfilling, but being a publisher is stressful and time consuming.
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Being a developer is fun and fulfilling, but being a publisher is stressful and time consuming.
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
It is amazing how many things can be improved by simply sticking some googly eyes on them.
November 15, 2025 at 4:15 AM
It is amazing how many things can be improved by simply sticking some googly eyes on them.