app03 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:15:14 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Unwritten Earths Symposium - Episodes Tagged with “Arcane Gems” https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/tags/arcane%20gems Wed, 17 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Welcome to the Unwritten Earths Symposium! In each episode, tabletop RPG designers Nathan D. Paoletta and Epidiah Ravachol try to trick each other into designing a game they wouldn't otherwise make. en-us episodic Discovering and designing genre-defining tabletop RPGs. Unwritten Earths Symposium Welcome to the Unwritten Earths Symposium! In each episode, tabletop RPG designers Nathan D. Paoletta and Epidiah Ravachol try to trick each other into designing a game they wouldn't otherwise make. no TTRPG, tabletop, games, rpg, design, game design Unwritten Earths Symposium provost@unwrittenearths.com The TBR Pile Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/23 a30f55ab-bd51-4a66-9803-f13920a3be6e Wed, 17 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 23 The TBR Pile Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we tackle our to-be-read piles of recent game acquisitions for our homework, highlighting more recent work that we've both been digging and finding some common themes across different genres and types of game. We then talk about "instructional" and "non-instructional" text in games, what that divide even means, and pursue some questions that that brings up for our own work. 1:03:14 no <p>In this episode we tackle our to-be-read piles of recent game acquisitions for our homework, highlighting more recent work that we've both been digging and finding some common themes across different genres and types of game. We then talk about "instructional" and "non-instructional" text in games, what that divide even means, and pursue some questions that that brings up for our own work.</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li>Check out the <a href="https://unwrittenearths.itch.io/annual-2025" rel="nofollow noopener">Adventure &amp; Hobbyist Annual 2025</a></li> <li>The <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crum/cckhcc?ref=creator_tab" rel="nofollow noopener">latest Possible Worlds Games Kickstarter funding 3 new games</a> runs through Friday, 9/26</li> </ul> <p>Games Mentioned:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://blackfiskpub.itch.io/knight-forlorn" rel="nofollow noopener">Knight Forlorn</a> (Blackfisk Publishing)</li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpg/60813/usagi-yojimbo-role-playing-game-sanguine-2nd-editi" rel="nofollow noopener">Usagi Yojimbo (2nd Edition) </a>(Sanguine Productions - it looks like it's no longer available for purchase)</li> <li><a href="https://jen-adcock15.itch.io/the-price-of-coal" rel="nofollow noopener">The Price of Coal</a> (Jennifer Adcock)</li> <li><a href="https://planetsmashergames.itch.io/the-crawling-chaos" rel="nofollow noopener">The Crawling Chaos</a> (Plant Smasher Games)</li> <li><a href="https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/tacklebox" rel="nofollow noopener">Tacklebox</a>/<a href="https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/better-strangers" rel="nofollow noopener">Better Strangers</a> (Possible Worlds Games)</li> <li><a href="https://leafydragongames.wpcomstaging.com/shop/" rel="nofollow noopener">5-Star Match</a> (Leafy Dragon Games)</li> <li><a href="https://pidj.itch.io/growing-thylacine" rel="nofollow noopener">Growing Thylacine</a> (Pidg Sorensen) </li> <li><a href="https://www.worldchamp.io/store/necronautilus-hardcover-book" rel="nofollow noopener">Necronautilus</a> (World Champ Game Co)</li> <li><a href="https://brinkwood.net" rel="nofollow noopener">Brinkwood: The Blood of Tyrants </a>(from the Far Horizons Co-Op)</li> <li><a href="https://www.tidebreakerrpg.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Tide Breaker</a> (Nick Butler)</li> <li><a href="https://kstetson.itch.io/gods-gonna-cut-you-down" rel="nofollow noopener">God's Gonna Cut You Down</a> (Keith Stetson)</li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we tackle our to-be-read piles of recent game acquisitions for our homework, highlighting more recent work that we've both been digging and finding some common themes across different genres and types of game. We then talk about "instructional" and "non-instructional" text in games, what that divide even means, and pursue some questions that that brings up for our own work.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we tackle our to-be-read piles of recent game acquisitions for our homework, highlighting more recent work that we've both been digging and finding some common themes across different genres and types of game. We then talk about "instructional" and "non-instructional" text in games, what that divide even means, and pursue some questions that that brings up for our own work.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Ludography Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/21 aa2a6228-3421-4add-9200-e28f8e6ac924 Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 21 The Ludography Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we do our game design homework of looking through game ludographies to chase down a chain of influence. It's a fun journey and we end up in very different places for our arcane gems! We also give an update on the Adventurer & Hobbyist Annual 2025, coming out soon! 54:51 no <p>In this episode we do our game design homework of looking through game ludographies to chase down a chain of influence. It's a fun journey and we end up in very different places for our arcane gems! We also give an update on the Adventurer &amp; Hobbyist Annual 2025, coming out soon!</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li>You can still late pledge for the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unwrittenearths/adventure-and-hobbyist-annual-2025?ref=e1y1hq" rel="nofollow noopener">2025 Annual</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.indie-rpgs.com/_articles/narr_essay.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Original Story Now Essay</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosfear_(series)" rel="nofollow noopener">Atmosfear</a> VHS/DVD Games</li> <li><a href="https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/b2acaafc-6009-4565-9ef4-54b97b09e193/landing" rel="nofollow noopener">Art &amp; System: Games For Expanded Play</a> is the upcoming project that includes a Dog Eat Dog re-release</li> </ul> <p>Games Mentioned:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://payhip.com/b/Y0aO" rel="nofollow noopener">Spione: Story Now in Cold War Berlin</a>, by Ron Edwards (oh, and it is <a href="https://payhip.com/b/OqTx" rel="nofollow noopener">available auf Deutsch</a>)</li> <li><a href="https://www.herogames.com/store/category/67-champions-now/" rel="nofollow noopener">Champions Now</a> (Hero Games), Ron's take on Champions</li> <li><a href="https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/grey-ranks" rel="nofollow noopener">Gray Ranks </a>(Bully Pulpit Games)</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Eat_Dog_(role-playing_game)" rel="nofollow noopener">Dog Eat Dog</a>, by Liam Liwanag Burke</li> <li>Puppetland by John Tynes (<a href="https://johntynes.com/revland2000/rl_puppetland.html" rel="nofollow noopener">1995 text</a>/<a href="https://arcdream.com/home/puppetland/" rel="nofollow noopener">2013 edition</a> from Arc Dream Publishing)</li> <li><a href="https://www.burningwheel.com/burning-wheel/" rel="nofollow noopener">Burning Wheel</a> (Burning Wheel Gold is the current edition)</li> <li><a href="http://www.halfmeme.com/master.html" rel="nofollow noopener">My Life With Master</a> (Half Meme Press)</li> <li><a href="https://thornygames.com/pages/dialect" rel="nofollow noopener">Dialect: A Game About Language and How It Dies </a>(Thorny Games)</li> <li><a href="https://www.darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/reviews/codeofunaris.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Code of Unaris</a> (Goldleaf Games)</li> <li><a href="https://a-smouldering-lighthouse.itch.io/sock-puppets" rel="nofollow noopener">Sock Puppets: An RPG</a> by A Smouldering Lighthouse</li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we do our game design homework of looking through game ludographies to chase down a chain of influence. It's a fun journey and we end up in very different places for our arcane gems! We also give an update on the Adventurer & Hobbyist Annual 2025, coming out soon!

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we do our game design homework of looking through game ludographies to chase down a chain of influence. It's a fun journey and we end up in very different places for our arcane gems! We also give an update on the Adventurer & Hobbyist Annual 2025, coming out soon!

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Spiralbound Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/19 88676336-d421-4e50-92f3-4d2be2a6f9ca Wed, 16 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 19 The Spiralbound Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we go to the copyshop to dig up spiralbound games for our game discovery homework, and get deep into the weeds on both format and substance of our picks. 1:03:59 no <p>In this episode we go to the copyshop to dig up spiralbound games for our game discovery homework, and get deep into the weeds on both format and substance of our picks.</p> <p>Games Mentioned:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/52070/black-cadillacs-steel-toed-edition" rel="nofollow noopener">Black Cadillacs (Steel Toe'd Edition)</a> (here's <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130725043307/http://achtung-spiel.com/black_cadillacs.html" rel="nofollow noopener">the Wayback Machine archive</a> of the game page)</li> <li><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnels_%26_Trolls" rel="nofollow noopener">Tunnels &amp; Trolls</a>, and specifically <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/rpg/2313/tunnels-and-trolls-7th-75-editions" rel="nofollow noopener">7th-7.5 Edition</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure!" rel="nofollow noopener">Adventure!</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberrant_(role-playing_game)" rel="nofollow noopener">Aberrant</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_(role-playing_game)" rel="nofollow noopener">Aeon: Trinity</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/307617" rel="nofollow noopener">Little Grey Cells</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://memento-mori.com/books/inspectres-book" rel="nofollow noopener">InSpectres</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/122435/mobile-frame-zero-rapid-attack" rel="nofollow noopener">Mechaton/Mobile Frame Zero</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com/carry-a-game-about-war" rel="nofollow noopener">carry. a game about war.</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://payhip.com/b/auUx" rel="nofollow noopener">kill puppies for satan</a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Adventures" rel="nofollow noopener">Primetime Adventures </a></p></li> <li><p><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/47608/nine-worlds" rel="nofollow noopener">Nine Worlds</a></p></li> </ul> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/epidiah.bsky.social/post/3ltd7rgiiik2u" rel="nofollow noopener">Wanderlust notebook</a> that Eppy saw</li> <li>Ashcan Front</li> <li>Tim O’Brien/<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Things_They_Carried" rel="nofollow noopener">The Things They Carried</a>/How To Tell a True War Story, </li> <li>Our paraphrased quote “you can’t make an anti-war film” <a href="https://quoteinvestigator.com/2025/04/12/antiwar-film/" rel="nofollow noopener">seems to come from François Truffaut</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we go to the copyshop to dig up spiralbound games for our game discovery homework, and get deep into the weeds on both format and substance of our picks.

Games Mentioned:

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we go to the copyshop to dig up spiralbound games for our game discovery homework, and get deep into the weeds on both format and substance of our picks.

Games Mentioned:

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> The Nat Barmore Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/17 72c07b65-1247-4cc4-8387-98fca97a86b2 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 17 The Nat Barmore Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode, we welcome Dread co-creator Nat Barmore to the show, try to surprise each other with Arcane Gems from deep cuts in our collections, and talk about Nat's current projects. We talk about Dread, keeping horror campaigns going in long-term play, and approaching real-world cultural conflicts in game design. Thanks for joining us, Nat! 1:21:14 no <p>In this episode, we welcome Dread co-creator Nat Barmore to the show, try to surprise each other with Arcane Gems from deep cuts in our collections, and talk about Nat's current projects. We talk about Dread, keeping horror campaigns going in long-term play, and approaching real-world cultural conflicts in game design. Thanks for joining us, Nat!</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li>Find Nat at <a href="https://woodelf.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow noopener">his blog</a> and <a href="https://www.tiltingatwindmills.net" rel="nofollow noopener">The Impossible Dream website</a>. </li> <li>We also mention <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhere_(novel)" rel="nofollow noopener">Neverwhere</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLOW_(TV_series)" rel="nofollow noopener">GLOW</a> (the Netflix series), and the <a href="https://whitewolf.fandom.com/wiki/Botch" rel="nofollow noopener">original Storyteller System Botch mechanic</a>.</li> </ul> <p>Games Mentioned:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.michtim.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Michtim: Fluffy Adventures</a></li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/48199/urchin" rel="nofollow noopener">Urchin</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/93074/amaranthine-romance-vendetta-forever?src=newest_recent" rel="nofollow noopener">Amaranthine: Romance, Vendetta, Forever</a></li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/93798/kingdom-of-nothing" rel="nofollow noopener">Kingdom of Nothing</a></li> <li><a href="https://memento-mori.com/books/lacuna-part-1-second-attempt-book" rel="nofollow noopener">Lacuna Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City (second attempt)</a></li> <li><a href="https://evilhat.com/product/don-t-rest-your-head/" rel="nofollow noopener">Don't Rest Your Head</a></li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/45312/underworld" rel="nofollow noopener">UnderWorld</a></li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/44201/hol" rel="nofollow noopener">HōL</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode, we welcome Dread co-creator Nat Barmore to the show, try to surprise each other with Arcane Gems from deep cuts in our collections, and talk about Nat's current projects. We talk about Dread, keeping horror campaigns going in long-term play, and approaching real-world cultural conflicts in game design. Thanks for joining us, Nat!

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode, we welcome Dread co-creator Nat Barmore to the show, try to surprise each other with Arcane Gems from deep cuts in our collections, and talk about Nat's current projects. We talk about Dread, keeping horror campaigns going in long-term play, and approaching real-world cultural conflicts in game design. Thanks for joining us, Nat!

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Hidden Information Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/15 aea59531-b0f3-4c4f-9ff5-51fdbd08cd06 Wed, 14 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 15 The Hidden Information Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we give a production update on the Annual 2025 before measuring our shelves for game discovery. Our homework happened to have a shared theme of hidden information, and we end up discussing the idea of "sleight of hand" to create moments of magic in play. 1:05:53 no <p>In this episode we give a production update on the Annual 2025 before measuring our shelves for game discovery. Our homework happened to have a shared theme of hidden information, and we end up discussing the idea of "sleight of hand" to create moments of magic in play.</p> <p>Games Discussed:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://memento-mori.com/books/lacuna-part-1-second-attempt-book" rel="nofollow noopener">Lacuna Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City (second attempt)</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Falkenstein_(role-playing_game)" rel="nofollow noopener">Castle Falkenstein</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.burningwheel.com/burning-wheel/" rel="nofollow noopener">Burning Wheel</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnels_%26_Trolls" rel="nofollow noopener">Tunnels and Trolls</a></li> <li><a href="https://memento-mori.com/books/inspectres-book" rel="nofollow noopener">InSpectres</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Ratscrew" rel="nofollow noopener">Egyptian Ratscrew/Slap</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unwrittenearths/adventure-and-hobbyist-annual-2025?ref=e1y1hq" rel="nofollow noopener">The Adventurer &amp; Hobbyist Annual 2025</a> (still accepting late pledges!)</li> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we give a production update on the Annual 2025 before measuring our shelves for game discovery. Our homework happened to have a shared theme of hidden information, and we end up discussing the idea of "sleight of hand" to create moments of magic in play.

Games Discussed:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we give a production update on the Annual 2025 before measuring our shelves for game discovery. Our homework happened to have a shared theme of hidden information, and we end up discussing the idea of "sleight of hand" to create moments of magic in play.

Games Discussed:

And there's more:

]]> The Trends Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/14 d372d760-13c6-48e2-8549-c8a5a55eb226 Wed, 30 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 14 The Trends Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we come back from game discovery sabbatical to talk about some esoteric picks from our itch.io libraries, and then discuss how we approach and interact with trends in the larger ttrpg industry, in game design, and in how those intersect for us. 1:01:53 no <p>In this episode we come back from game discovery sabbatical to talk about some esoteric picks from our itch.io libraries, and then discuss how we approach and interact with trends in the larger ttrpg industry, in game design, and in how those intersect for us. </p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li>We are now recording on Discord, in case things sound different</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissidia_Final_Fantasy" rel="nofollow noopener">Dissidia Final Fantasy</a> (2008)</li> <li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0830361/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520lost%2520room" rel="nofollow noopener">The Lost Room</a> (2006) (shoutout to Richard Hatem!)</li> <li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1132290/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1" rel="nofollow noopener">Warehouse 13</a></li> </ul> <p>Games Mentioned:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/390653/the-one-time-journal-of-findings-in-rpg-design" rel="nofollow noopener">One-Time Journal of Findings in RPG Game Design (Epimas Edition)</a> - Note that this may not be publically available, sorry!</li> <li><a href="https://cursenightgames.itch.io/victors-gm-less-oracle" rel="nofollow noopener">Victor’s GMless Oracle</a> by CurseNightGames</li> <li><a href="https://www.dungeoncontest.com" rel="nofollow noopener">One Page Dungeons</a></li> <li>Traverser (unreleased) &amp; <a href="http://www.halfmeme.com/clay.html" rel="nofollow noopener">The Clay That Woke</a></li> <li><a href="https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/fiasco" rel="nofollow noopener">Fiasco</a> by Bully Pulpit</li> <li><a href="https://www.wordmillgames.com/mythic-rpg.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Mythic</a> by Word Mill Games</li> <li><a href="https://tomkinpress.com/pages/ironsworn" rel="nofollow noopener">Ironsworn</a> by Tomkin Press</li> <li><a href="https://pelgranepress.com/13th-age/" rel="nofollow noopener">13th Age</a> by Pelgrane Press</li> <li>Nathan's Mech Game <a href="https://ndpdesign.itch.io/vesna-thaw" rel="nofollow noopener">Vesna Thaw</a></li> <li>Solo Wrestling Game - <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leafydragongames/5-star-match-a-solo-pro-wrestling-ttrpg" rel="nofollow noopener">5- Star Match</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unwrittenearths/adventure-and-hobbyist-annual-2025?ref=e1y1hq" rel="nofollow noopener">The Adventurer &amp; Hobbyist Annual 2025</a> (still accepting late pledges!)</li> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we come back from game discovery sabbatical to talk about some esoteric picks from our itch.io libraries, and then discuss how we approach and interact with trends in the larger ttrpg industry, in game design, and in how those intersect for us.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we come back from game discovery sabbatical to talk about some esoteric picks from our itch.io libraries, and then discuss how we approach and interact with trends in the larger ttrpg industry, in game design, and in how those intersect for us.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Eras Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/11 3a88c456-f531-41c2-93b2-838f3f2ed85d Wed, 19 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 11 The Eras Episode full Unwritten Earths Symposium Oops, all Game Discovery! In this episode we do a brief overview of the history of TTRPGS (truly-true roleplaying games), each picking a game to highlight from our birth years in each decade from the 1970s to the 2020s. We delve into some 2010s highlights for Arcane Gems, but this is a good framework for us to talk about our personal game histories as well as chart high-level changes in game design since the beginning. 1:20:01 no <p>Oops, all Game Discovery! In this episode we do a brief overview of the history of TTRPGS (truly-true roleplaying games), each picking a game to highlight from our birth years in each decade from the 1970s to the 2020s. We delve into some 2010s highlights for Arcane Gems, but this is a good framework for us to talk about our personal game histories as well as chart high-level changes in game design since the beginning.</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lumpley.bsky.social/post/3ljv33azyh22s" rel="nofollow noopener">Vincent's Bluesky thread about Dogs in the Vineyard</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bearsearscoalition.org" rel="nofollow noopener">Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition</a></li> <li>Diana Jones Award <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Jones_Award" rel="nofollow noopener">Trophy</a> and actual <a href="https://www.dianajonesaward.org" rel="nofollow noopener">Award website</a></li> </ul> <p>Games Mentioned:</p> <ul> <li>1974 - Dungeons &amp; Dragons</li> <li>1983 - <a href="https://palladiumbooks.com/fantasy/palladium-fantasy-rpg" rel="nofollow noopener">Palladium Fantasy RPG</a></li> <li>1984 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chill_(role-playing_game)" rel="nofollow noopener">Chill</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Super_Heroes_(role-playing_game)" rel="nofollow noopener">Marvel Super Heroes</a>, <a href="https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/collections/paranoia" rel="nofollow noopener">Paranoia</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle-earth_Role_Playing" rel="nofollow noopener">Middle-earth Role Playing</a></li> <li>1993 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_%26_Future_King_(Amazing_Engine)" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazing Engine: Once and Future King</a>, <a href="https://chillroleplaying.shoutwiki.com/wiki/The_Beast_Within" rel="nofollow noopener">Chill: The Beast Within</a></li> <li>1994 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wraith:_The_Oblivion" rel="nofollow noopener">Wraith: the Oblivion</a></li> <li>2003 - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartoon_Action_Hour" rel="nofollow noopener">Cartoon Action Hour</a></li> <li>2004 - Chronicles of Darkness/<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Requiem" rel="nofollow noopener">Vampire: the Requiem</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_in_the_Vineyard" rel="nofollow noopener">Dogs in the Vineyard</a></li> <li>2013 -<a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/118669/myriad-song-role-play-adventure-of-ten-thousand-worlds" rel="nofollow noopener"> Myriad Song</a> (Eppy’s Arcane Gems)</li> <li>2014 - 5th Edition D&amp;D, <a href="http://www.halfmeme.com/clay.html" rel="nofollow noopener">The Clay That Woke</a>, <a href="https://www.tckroleplaying.com/39dark/index.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Mars Colony: 39 Dark</a> (Nathan’s Arcane Gem)</li> <li>2024 - <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/478107/that-rug-a-game-of-midnight-investigations" rel="nofollow noopener">That Rug</a>, D&amp;D One, <a href="https://possumcreekgames.com/pages/yazebas-bed-breakfast" rel="nofollow noopener">Yazeba’s Bed &amp; Breakfast </a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges Oops, all Game Discovery! In this episode we do a brief overview of the history of TTRPGS (truly-true roleplaying games), each picking a game to highlight from our birth years in each decade from the 1970s to the 2020s. We delve into some 2010s highlights for Arcane Gems, but this is a good framework for us to talk about our personal game histories as well as chart high-level changes in game design since the beginning.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> Oops, all Game Discovery! In this episode we do a brief overview of the history of TTRPGS (truly-true roleplaying games), each picking a game to highlight from our birth years in each decade from the 1970s to the 2020s. We delve into some 2010s highlights for Arcane Gems, but this is a good framework for us to talk about our personal game histories as well as chart high-level changes in game design since the beginning.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Convention Slot Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/10 9fad459b-75bf-448c-9199-fc15bc06b490 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 10 The Convention Slot Episode full Unwritten Earths Symposium No, it's not a 4-hour episode! After talking about our game discovery homework guided by games we'd be excited to play at a convention (or elsewhere), we dive into how our experiences going to conventions and playing games in specific time slots has shaped our game design. 1:07:28 no <p>No, it's not a 4-hour episode! After talking about our game discovery homework guided by games we'd be excited to play at a convention (or elsewhere), we dive into how our experiences going to conventions and playing games in specific time slots has shaped our game design. </p> <p>Out inaugural project, the Adventurer &amp; Hobbyist Annual 2025 set of time-spanning game scenarios, is coming to Kickstarter soon. <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unwrittenearths/adventure-and-hobbyist-annual-2025?ref=e1y1hq" rel="nofollow noopener">Click here to get notified on launch!</a></p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.dexposure.com/home.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Double Exposure Conventions</a></li> <li><a href="https://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack/" rel="nofollow noopener">Audio Hijack</a></li> <li><a href="https://linktr.ee/thebraintrust" rel="nofollow noopener">Brain Trust Podcast</a></li> </ul> <p>Games Discussed:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://goodluckpress.co/products/black-mass" rel="nofollow noopener">Black Mass by Will Jobst (2019)</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Universe_Roleplaying_Game" rel="nofollow noopener">Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game (2003)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tao-games.com/polaris/" rel="nofollow noopener">Polaris by TAO Games (2005)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/" rel="nofollow noopener">GURPS by Steve Jackson Games</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.halfmeme.com/clay.html" rel="nofollow noopener">The Clay That Woke by Paul Czege (2014)</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges No, it's not a 4-hour episode! After talking about our game discovery homework guided by games we'd be excited to play at a convention (or elsewhere), we dive into how our experiences going to conventions and playing games in specific time slots has shaped our game design.

Out inaugural project, the Adventurer & Hobbyist Annual 2025 set of time-spanning game scenarios, is coming to Kickstarter soon. Click here to get notified on launch!

Show Notes:

Games Discussed:

And there's more:

]]> No, it's not a 4-hour episode! After talking about our game discovery homework guided by games we'd be excited to play at a convention (or elsewhere), we dive into how our experiences going to conventions and playing games in specific time slots has shaped our game design.

Out inaugural project, the Adventurer & Hobbyist Annual 2025 set of time-spanning game scenarios, is coming to Kickstarter soon. Click here to get notified on launch!

Show Notes:

Games Discussed:

And there's more:

]]> The Constraints Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/08 7ba382b5-197a-48eb-a40a-01686ed0e428 Wed, 19 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 08 The Constraints Episode full Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we discuss the arcane gems found within games we would play with our moms, give some updates on what's happening in the discord, and field a great question about productive constraints in design and play. 1:14:52 no <p>In this episode we discuss the arcane gems found within games we would play with our moms, give some updates on what's happening in the discord, and field a great question about productive constraints in design and play.</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgseries/20337/game-chef-2005-historical" rel="nofollow noopener">Iron Game Chef: Historical - Summary</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.1km1kt.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=22" rel="nofollow noopener">Iron Game Chef: Historical - Forum</a></li> </ul> <p>Games We Talked About:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.arkenstonepublishing.net/zombiecinema" rel="nofollow noopener">Zombie Cinema</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/307617/grey-cells" rel="nofollow noopener">Grey Cells</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/swords-without-master" rel="nofollow noopener">Swords Without Master</a> (in Issue 3 of Worlds Without Master)</li> <li><a href="https://www.tiltingatwindmills.net/games/dread/" rel="nofollow noopener">Dread</a></li> <li><a href="http://apocalypse-world.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Apocalypse World</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com/annalise" rel="nofollow noopener">Annalise</a></li> <li><a href="https://lumpley.games/2022/03/14/otherkind-dice/" rel="nofollow noopener">Otherkind Dice</a></li> <li><a href="https://lumpley.itch.io/psirun" rel="nofollow noopener">Psi Run</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we discuss the arcane gems found within games we would play with our moms, give some updates on what's happening in the discord, and field a great question about productive constraints in design and play.

Show Notes:

Games We Talked About:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we discuss the arcane gems found within games we would play with our moms, give some updates on what's happening in the discord, and field a great question about productive constraints in design and play.

Show Notes:

Games We Talked About:

And there's more:

]]> The Purple and Yellow Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/06 dda3e846-2725-4d15-886a-6e0b3431060a Wed, 22 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 06 The Purple and Yellow Episode full Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we do our color-guided homework, explore the realm of rpg fiction written by people who haven't played rpgs (?), and talk about Epidiah "The Night Writer" Ravachol's handwriting strategy. 1:08:18 no <p>In this episode we do our color-guided homework, explore the realm of rpg fiction written by people who haven't played rpgs (?), and talk about Epidiah "The Night Writer" Ravachol's handwriting strategy.</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobgoblin_(novel)" rel="nofollow noopener">Hobgoblin</a> by John Coyne</li> <li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1417057.Witch_and_Wombat" rel="nofollow noopener">Witch and Wombat</a> by Carolyn Cushman</li> <li>The <a href="https://proleary.com/games/the-cats-method/" rel="nofollow noopener">CATS method is by Patrick O'Leary</a>, and can be found <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S-6ScLR_XaZRfgX502QsYL3pfmyJGL0C" rel="nofollow noopener">in the TTRPG Safety Toolkit</a>&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Games We Talked About:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.worldchamp.io/store/necronautilus-hardcover-book" rel="nofollow noopener">Necronautilus</a> by Adam Vass/<a href="https://www.worldchamp.io" rel="nofollow noopener">World Champ Game Co</a> (2020)</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_World" rel="nofollow noopener">Gamma World</a> (Seventh Edition, 2010)</li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/54182/code-of-unaris" rel="nofollow noopener">Code of Unaris</a> by Gary Pratt/Goldleaf Games (and <a href="https://www.darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/reviews/codeofunaris.html" rel="nofollow noopener">here's John Kim's review of it</a>)</li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we do our color-guided homework, explore the realm of rpg fiction written by people who haven't played rpgs (?), and talk about Epidiah "The Night Writer" Ravachol's handwriting strategy.

Show Notes:

Games We Talked About:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we do our color-guided homework, explore the realm of rpg fiction written by people who haven't played rpgs (?), and talk about Epidiah "The Night Writer" Ravachol's handwriting strategy.

Show Notes:

Games We Talked About:

And there's more:

]]> The Coffee & Game Design Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/05 97c10a6a-f525-4390-9d05-eec807d870ff Wed, 08 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 05 The Coffee & Game Design Episode full Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we lay out the template for Coffee & Game Design, assign some homework, delve into the archives for some Arcane Gems, share a war story and field a listener question about promoting our games. 1:10:04 no <p>In this episode we lay out the template for Coffee &amp; Game Design, assign some homework, delve into the archives for some Arcane Gems, share a war story and field a listener question about promoting our games.</p> <p>Show Notes:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://botsin.space/@randomColorContrasts" rel="nofollow noopener">Color Contrast Bot on Mastodon</a></li> <li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/gilarpgs.bsky.social/post/3lesi7xuqrc2b" rel="nofollow noopener">Spencer Campbell's Unsung Hero thread on Bluesky</a></li> </ul> <p>Game We Talked About:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://zork.net/%7Enick/loyhargil/tsoy2/book1--rulebook.html" rel="nofollow noopener">The Shadow of Yesterday (html page with full text of the game)</a></li> <li><a href="https://mattmachell.github.io/minimum-viable-ebook/examples/tsoy/index.html#pools" rel="nofollow noopener">The Shadow of Yesterday (full text on github)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.arkenstonepublishing.net/solarsystem" rel="nofollow noopener">Solar System</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter:_The_Reckoning" rel="nofollow noopener">Hunter: the Reckoning</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwinkle_and_Rocky_Role-Playing_Party_Game" rel="nofollow noopener">Bullwinkle and Rocky Role-Playing Party Game</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnels_%26_Trolls" rel="nofollow noopener">Tunnels &amp; Trolls</a></li> <li><a href="https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/59525/usagi-yojimbo-role-playing-game" rel="nofollow noopener">Usagi Yojimbo Role-Playing Game (Sanguine Games, 1st edition)</a></li> <li><a href="https://ipressgames.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Incarnadine Press (With Great Power, Serial Homicide Unit</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tckroleplaying.com/index.html" rel="nofollow noopener">TCK Roleplaying (Mars Colony, Hero's Banner</a></li> </ul> <p>And there's more:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://unwrittenearths.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Unwritten Earths Symposium</a></li> <li><a href="https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths" rel="nofollow noopener">Our Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq" rel="nofollow noopener">Join the Discord</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ndpdesign.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Nathan's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.dig1000holes.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Eppy's games</a></li> <li><a href="https://willjobst.carrd.co" rel="nofollow noopener">Music by Will Jobst</a> </li> </ul> game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we lay out the template for Coffee & Game Design, assign some homework, delve into the archives for some Arcane Gems, share a war story and field a listener question about promoting our games.

Show Notes:

Game We Talked About:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we lay out the template for Coffee & Game Design, assign some homework, delve into the archives for some Arcane Gems, share a war story and field a listener question about promoting our games.

Show Notes:

Game We Talked About:

And there's more:

]]>