<h1 id="three-ideas-on-design">Three Ideas on Design</h1><ol><li><strong>Never skip the test print. </strong>Nothing finds mistakes faster than printing the book. Print your drafts. Pay for the press proofs. Give yourself an opportunity to double check your work at every stage of production.</li><li><strong>A record scratch can be desirable. </strong>An imperfection, burr, or oddity in a game's design calls attention to itself and thus the overall experience. To quote the potter, Pete Pinnell, "Sometimes, something that's completely resolved isn't as interesting..."</li><li><strong>Playtest early. Playtest often. </strong>Lo-res prototypes keep play focused on fewer parts, and encourage a wider range of feedback. High-res prototypes can pose too many variables, and feel too set-in-stone for players to provide honest feedback.</li></ol><div class="kg-card kg-callout-card kg-callout-card-green"><div class="kg-callout-emoji">✋</div><div class="kg-callout-text"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap">Did you know this post gets updated? </strong></b>Sometimes I miss something and add it later. Don't forget to check out the web version for the latest treasure trove of links.</div></div><h3 id="explorers-loot">Explorers' Loot</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/dominant-mechanics/"><strong>Against Dominant Mechanics.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Rules form relationships with each other. Some share the spotlight. Some hog it. My latest 1 HP Dragon design notes.</li><li><a href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/top-5-newsletters/"><strong>My 5 Favorite RPG Newsletters.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Forget about algorithms. We've got smart, curious people to show us around the best corners of the rpg blogosphere.</li><li><a href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/the-bloggies-hall-of-fame/"><strong>The Bloggies Hall of Fame.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Every winner and host in one place. The result is a parade of influential ideas, untapped possibilities, and a slice of rpg history.</li></ul><h3 id="quests-rumors">Quests &amp; Rumors</h3><p>Game jams, contests, and opportunities. Drop me a line on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/explorersdesign.bsky.social">Bluesky</a>. </p><ul><li><strong>⚔️ </strong><a href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/"><strong>Bloggies Voting is Coming!</strong></a><strong> </strong>Bookmark the official page. The Battle Royale of rpg blogs is about to begin later this month.</li><li><a href="https://www.backerkit.com/c/collections/zinetopia-2026"><strong>Zinetopia</strong></a><strong> &amp; </strong><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/zinequest?ref=section-homepage-promo-launch-an-rpg-zine-this-february"><strong>Zinequest</strong></a><strong> 2026.</strong> A month-long celebration where creators share and launch new DIY zines. They're both running this February. </li><li><a href="https://www.backerkit.com/c/collections/ose-month?ref=bk-discover-leftnav"><strong>Old-School Essentials Month.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Prepare your spirit for a collab project led by Exalted Funeral and Necrotic Gnome on Backerkit. May 5th – June 6th.</li><li><a href="https://itch.io/jam/8-bit-shadowdark-game-jam"><strong>Shadowdark 8-Bit Game Jam.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Take inspiration from classic NES-era games and produce fresh, table-ready Shadowdark content! Ends Feb 12th.</li><li><a href="https://itch.io/jam/nightsong-living-world-season-1"><strong>Nightsong Living World S1.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Make something for Fari RPG's upcoming old-school-style game, Nightsong. Build a living world. Jam ends Feb 22nd.</li><li><a href="https://itch.io/jam/david-lynch-game-jam-2"><strong>Fix Your Hearts or Die Jam.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Create a game in honor of David Lynch. In other words: make it unflinching and unusual. Jam ends Feb 24th.</li><li><a href="https://itch.io/jam/swyvers-heistable-hovels-jam-"><strong>Swyvers Heistable Hovels Jam</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Build an entire city one house at a time alongside other Swyvers-like scoundrels. Jam ends Feb 28th.</li><li><a href="https://itch.io/jam/total-effect-jam"><strong>Total//Effect//Jam.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Binary Star's hosting a jam to celebrate the launch of Null_Space, a sci-fi game with novel mechanics. Jam Feb 16th – April 30th.</li><li><a href="https://itch.io/jam/makemoves"><strong>Make Moves Jam.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Create or share singular Moves using Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) design philosophies. Jam lasts all year. Ends Dec 31st.</li></ul><h3 id="reviews-critique">Reviews &amp; Critique</h3><p>Critique and examinations of tabletop rpgs, adventures, and more. </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.valerialoves.com/the-electrum-archive-is-prescription-medication/"><strong>The Electrum Archive is Prescription Medication</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Valeria Loves. "</em>All games are not created equal, but there are innumerable ways to be perfect."<em> </em></li><li><a href="https://oldmenrunningtheworld.com/threedom-deathmatch-island/"><strong>Deathmatch Island</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Old Men Running the World. </em>An in-depth conversation about the design of Deathmatch Island and the future of AGON.</li><li><a href="https://toastedblogel.jofrank.com/posts/"><strong>It's... [The Monty Python Game]</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Benign Brown Beast. </em>A play report and review of the Monty Python RPG. It's way more interesting than you think.</li><li><strong>🎙️ </strong><a href="https://shows.acast.com/between-two-cairns/episodes/696910340c88d43b28252d5b"><strong>Pollute the Elfen Memory Water</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Between Two Cairns. </em>Yochai, Brad, and Sam are joined by Liam Pádraig Ó Cuilleanáin<em>.</em></li><li><strong>🎥 </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9w8YVqYs5I"><strong>We Need to Talk about Goodman Games</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Questing Beast. </em>A layout and design comparison of Good Man Games (DCC/MCC/etc.) and Necrotic Gnome (OSE/Dolmenwood/etc.)<ul><li><a href="https://orthopraxy.bearblog.dev/eating-the-book-a-response-to-we-need-to-talk-about-goodman-games/"><strong>Eating the Book</strong></a> <em>by Orthopraxy. </em>A counter-argument for why Goodman Game's florid presentation works for many GMs because it's prose-like.</li><li><a href="https://dungeon-merlin.leaflet.pub/3mcasvels6s2m"><strong>Why not both?</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Dungeon Merlin. </em>A counter-counter-argument that posits both approaches are valid while explaining why. (I like this one.)</li></ul></li></ul><p><a href="https://save.vs.totalpartykill.ca/review/crown-of-salt/"></a></p><h3 id="exhibits-best-iary">Exhibits &amp; Best-iary</h3><p>The spotlight section of the newsletter full of showcases and projects.</p><ul><li><a href="https://mediumsandmessages.bearblog.dev/the-winners-of-the-2025-gloggies/"><strong>The Winners of the 2025 Gloggies.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Goblin Laws of Gaming. A rules-lite, hack-heavy rpg community. They just released their top blog posts of last year.</li><li><a href="https://idlecartulary.com/2026/01/01/idle-cartulary-awards-for-excellence-in-elfgames/"><strong>Idle Cartulary Awards for Excellence in Elfgames.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Friend of the blog, Nova, gives us her top modules, rpgs, pods, and more from last year. Excellent.</li><li><a href="https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/75378330-9efa-4e3e-8290-f96ea3e63fc0/landing?ref=discover_email_landing_pages"><strong>Zinetopia: Reservoir</strong></a> <em>by Cameron Maas. </em>This is the project I'm most excited for on Backerkit's Zinetopia. The cover is disgusting (complimentary).</li><li>🎥 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm2OpQaoW2E"><strong>A Primer on Tabletop Magazines, Zines, and Periodicals</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by The Weekly Scroll. </em>If you're hungry for writing <em>about </em>rpgs, this video has it.</li><li>🎥 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXpjxPvG5aU"><strong>The Secret Sauce of Italian RPGs</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Weird Place. </em>The tabletop games coming out of Italy are different, I read many of them for the Ennies. </li><li>🎥 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvZjG2zW_rQ"><strong>Show Me Your Moves</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Plus One EXP. </em>A show all about making Powered by the Apocalypse-style moves. This episode features the Bakers. </li><li><strong>🎥 </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@directsun"><strong>Puzzle Dungeon Jam Critiques</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Directsun. </em>One of the best methods for learning is watching someone else get feedback. This series is that for puzzle-based adventures.<ul><li><strong>🎥 </strong><a href="https://youtu.be/VN_dXqco1A0?si=xFvGdn1PcNIzzcl3"><strong>Perils of the Tower Wizard w/ guest Amanda P</strong></a></li><li><strong>🎥 </strong><a href="https://youtu.be/UwnGABGrbR8?si=zRrd6W0_NUWrqUWL"><strong>Outcast Unseelie and the Ooze Between w/ guest Arnold K</strong></a></li><li><strong>🎥</strong> <a href="https://youtu.be/MkuJgCxscEA?si=C-SXjmsJR7-ekMBP"><strong>Reservoir w/ guest Ben Laurence</strong></a></li></ul></li></ul><h3 id="theory-craft">Theory &amp; Craft</h3><p>Design tools, resources, theory, and advice for rpg designers from rpg designers.</p><ul><li><a href="https://graftbound.com/2026/01/20/game-copy-and-layout/"><strong>How to Deliver your Game Copy to a Layout Designer</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Graftbound. </em>A lot of projects would be improved by non-layout designers following this article.</li><li><a href="https://newschoolrevolution.com/turning-the-dial/"><strong>Turning the Dial</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by New School Revolution. </em>Playing the game is how you understand it. "Playing rules-as-written isn't obedience. It's literacy."</li><li><a href="https://baatag.blogspot.com/2026/01/elements-of-key-2.html"><strong>Elements of a Key Pt. 2</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by BAATAG. </em>An interesting look at adventure design through the lens of its consumption—design, prep, and play.</li><li><a href="https://golemproductions.substack.com/p/designing-for-pirate-borg"><strong>Designing for Pirate Borg 1/3</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by OSR Rocks! </em>"Designing for Pirate Borg (or any game you want to be compatible with) starts with constraints, not freedom."</li><li><a href="https://todistantlands.github.io/2026/01/15/how-to-not-do-zines-wrong.html"><strong>How to Not Do Zines Wrong</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by To Distant Lands. </em>So you want to make an honest-to-god, scrappy, print-at-home zine? Not the polished stuff. Read this.</li><li><a href="https://www.failforward.moe/2026/01/the-loot-sickos-dilemma.html"><strong>The Loot Sicko's Dilemma</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Fail Forward. </em>How to have gear and loot in your game without having the rest of the game get buried in said loot.</li><li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/affinity-tables-149504320"><strong>Affinity Tables Suck</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Fari RPGs. </em>Affinity Studio made tables easier to use—but they're still a pain. Fari teaches a simple workaround using text styles.</li><li><a href="https://muto2525.substack.com/p/the-five-room-dungeon-expanded"><strong>The Five Room Dungeon Expanded</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Zackary Ellis. </em>A theory on designing expansive one-shot dungeons with a focus towards replayability.</li><li><a href="https://elmc.at/common-recalled-obscure/"><strong>Common, Recalled, Obscure</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Elmcat. </em>What if you combined "knowledge checks" with DIY &amp; Dragon's <a href="https://diyanddragons.blogspot.com/2019/10/landmark-hidden-secret.html"><em>Landmark, Hidden, Secret</em></a>? You get this.</li><li><strong>🎙️ </strong><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7dp7KyNhiPuHJ8ziczC4Aw?si=_weKCdIQRGO1o6hDFjkatw"><strong>Designing for GMless Play</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Talk of the Table. </em>Brian and Elliot are joined by Nat Mesnard, a game designer and professor, on GMless design.</li><li><strong>🎥 </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFMYiNA2bMk"><strong>You Can Turn Photos into Zine Art</strong></a><em> by Odin's Beard. </em>Not an illustrator? No problem. This Photoshop process is a great technique to start with. </li><li>🎥 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaoJKELrhf4"><strong>How to Draw a Sci-Fi Building Map</strong></a> <em>by JP Coovert. </em>If you're like me and drawing maps intimidates the hell out of you, check out this friendly video.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/cairnies-2025-146425813?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&amp;utm_source=copyLink&amp;utm_campaign=postshare_fan&amp;utm_content=web_share"></a></p><h3 id="inspiring-non-roleplaying">Inspiring &amp; Non-roleplaying</h3><p>Design tools, theory, and inspiration from the world beyond tabletop rpgs.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.pentadact.com/2026-01-08-15-years-of-indie-dev-in-4-bits-of-advice/"><strong>15 Years of Indie Dev in 4 Bits of Advice</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Tom Francis. </em>The advice is specifically for video game developers, but has immediate parallels to analog.</li><li><a href="https://www.truegrittexturesupply.com/blogs/news/how-to-start-freelancing"><strong>How to Thrive and Survive As a Freelancer</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by True Grit. </em>An illustrator-focused article with some great wisdom from illustrators and designers.</li><li><a href="https://github.com/readme/guides/publishing-your-work"><strong>Publishing your Work Increases your Luck</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Aaron Francis. </em>Every little project you share is like buying a lottery ticket for massive success.</li><li><a href="https://www.galleriesnow.net/"><strong>GalleriesNow.</strong></a><strong> </strong>If you're the sort of designer who looks to fine art for inspiration, this website cataloging gallery showings might be for you.</li><li><a href="https://jayacunzo.com/blog/dont-be-the-best-be-their-favorite"><strong>Don't Be the Best; Be their Favorite</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Jay Acunzo. </em>Push through the marketing-feel if it gives you hives: the advice is true. Do what <em>you</em> like.</li><li><strong>🗄️ </strong><a href="https://www.modernillustration.org/"><strong>Modern Illustration Archive.</strong></a><strong> </strong>An archive of illustration from c.1950-1975, shining a spotlight on pioneering illustrators and their work.</li><li><strong>🗄️ </strong><a href="https://readymag.com/readymag/websites-of-the-year/?ref=blog.readymag.com"><strong>Readymag's Websites of the Year 2025.</strong></a><strong> </strong>This year's websites were experimental, boundary-free, and chosen by a <a href="https://blog.readymag.com/websites-of-the-year-2025/">specially formed jury</a>. </li><li><strong>🗄️ </strong><a href="https://typespiration.com/"><strong>Typespiration.</strong></a><strong> </strong>Google Font pairings with an emphasis on web. It includes hex codes for color pairings as well. Now all it needs is sizing notes.</li></ul><h3 id="design-archive">Design Archive</h3><p>Old articles, famous and the overlooked, resurrected from the dead.</p><ul><li><a href="https://goblinpunch.blogspot.com/2016/05/game-design-when-to-be-random.html"><strong>Game Design: When to Be Random</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Goblin Punch. </em>The ins and outs of random tables — one of the most misunderstood bits of tech in old-school.</li><li><a href="https://www.bastionland.com/2018/09/the-ici-doctrine-information-choice.html"><strong>The ICI Doctrine: Information, Choice, Impact</strong></a><strong> </strong><em>by Bastionland. </em>Essential reading, especially for GMs that run games that focus on problem-solving.</li></ul><hr /><h3 id="missed-the-last-issue-read-it-here">Missed the last issue? Read it here.</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-bookmark-card"><a class="kg-bookmark-container" href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/the-explorateur-issue-15/"><div class="kg-bookmark-content"><div class="kg-bookmark-title">The Explorateur: Issue #15</div><div class="kg-bookmark-description">Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.</div><div class="kg-bookmark-metadata"><img class="kg-bookmark-icon" src="https://www.explorersdesign.com/content/images/icon/Bookshop_Icon_Working_Squares-48.png" alt="" /><span class="kg-bookmark-author">Explorers Design</span><span class="kg-bookmark-publisher">Clayton Notestine</span></div></div><div class="kg-bookmark-thumbnail"><img src="https://www.explorersdesign.com/content/images/thumbnail/Explorateur2-2-2.webp" alt="" /></div></a></figure><hr /><p><em>This newsletter uses the occasional affiliate link to support Explorers Design. If you notice any broken links, mistakes, or bad actors, please let me know.</em></p><hr /><p><a href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/" rel="noreferrer"><em>Explorers Design</em></a><em> is a production of Clayton Notestine. If you liked this issue, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing. </em></p><div class="kg-card kg-signup-card kg-width-regular kg-style-accent" style="display:none"> <div class="kg-signup-card-content"> <div class="kg-signup-card-text kg-align-center"> <h2 class="kg-signup-card-heading" style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Sign up for Explorers Design</span></h2> <p class="kg-signup-card-subheading" style="color:#FFFFFF"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Get The Explorateur, reviews, and other design resources. </span><br /><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">(Or follow along using your favorite </span><a href="https://www.explorersdesign.com/rss/"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">RSS Feed</span></a><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">...)</span></p> <div class="kg-signup-card-fields"> <input class="kg-signup-card-input" id="email" type="email" required="true" placeholder="Your email" /> <button class="kg-signup-card-button " style="background-color:#f0b40f;color:#000000" type="submit"> <span class="kg-signup-card-button-default">Subscribe</span> <span class="kg-signup-card-button-loading"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" width="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24"> <circle cx="4" cy="12" r="3"></circle> <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="3"></circle> <circle cx="20" cy="12" r="3"></circle> </svg></span> </button> </div> <div class="kg-signup-card-success" style="color:#FFFFFF"> Email sent! 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A welcoming, family-friendly, no-politics server for the discussion of TTRPGs of all sorts. We also host regular Q&As. | 2287 members

A welcoming, family-friendly, no-politics server for the discussion of TTRPGs of all sorts. We also host regular Q&As. | 2287 members