web02.fireside.fm Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:09:17 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Unwritten Earths Symposium - Episodes Tagged with “Game Design” https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/tags/game%20design Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0800 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 Hacks Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/33 408243d5-ecb6-4592-9254-41d9dbd0ff7b Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 33 The Hacks Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back about their "do this with that" homework assignment. Eppy debuts The Marion and Robin Party Roleplaying Game, and Nathan outlines how Remember Tomorrow reconfigures Fair Winds and Following Seas. Then, we reflect on how using other games as the basis of new work (hacks, if you will) can be a really helpful part of the game design process. 1:00:55 no In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back about their "do this with that" homework assignment. Eppy debuts The Marion and Robin Party Roleplaying Game, and Nathan outlines how Remember Tomorrow reconfigures Fair Winds and Following Seas. Then, we reflect on how using other games as the basis of new work (hacks, if you will) can be a really helpful part of the game design process. Show Notes: * Eppy plays Swords Without Master with New Edge Sword & Sorcery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzABrQA3pRE&t=3s) * New Edge's 2026 Backerkit (https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/brackenbooks/new-edge-sword-sorcery-2026)(runs through March 14!) * List of Games that Blew our Minds (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q6Jujz_YHFelXHIdBodfWgBSsjehH7PK3ebKfYxEJAI/edit?gid=0#gid=0), courtesy of Camilla Zamboni Games Mentioned: * Remember Tomorrow (http://www.gregorhutton.com/boxninja/remember/index.html) * Bullwinkle & Rocky Role Playing Party Game (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwinkle_and_Rocky_Role-Playing_Party_Game) * PSI'RUN (https://lumpley.itch.io/psirun) * Otherkind Dice (https://lumpley.games/2022/03/14/otherkind-dice/) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back about their "do this with that" homework assignment. Eppy debuts The Marion and Robin Party Roleplaying Game, and Nathan outlines how Remember Tomorrow reconfigures Fair Winds and Following Seas. Then, we reflect on how using other games as the basis of new work (hacks, if you will) can be a really helpful part of the game design process.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back about their "do this with that" homework assignment. Eppy debuts The Marion and Robin Party Roleplaying Game, and Nathan outlines how Remember Tomorrow reconfigures Fair Winds and Following Seas. Then, we reflect on how using other games as the basis of new work (hacks, if you will) can be a really helpful part of the game design process.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Mind-Blown Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/32 0601afb6-2f5f-4d0d-b233-7b1ae8fe2dc1 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 32 The Mind-Blown Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium Nathan and Eppy assigned homework off-mic, to discuss some games that showcase thinking about games in a way we never would have, or that made such an impression on us that we've made them part of our toolkits. We discuss what we mean by our minds being blown, then go over our lists. Then, we assign homework for next episode: to sketch out what one of our works-in-progress would look like, if we used one of our mind-blowing influences as a model! We're still aiming to make new games this season, and this was a really productive conversation to help us both along. 56:33 no Nathan and Eppy assigned homework off-mic, to discuss some games that showcase thinking about games in a way we never would have, or that made such an impression on us that we've made them part of our toolkits. We discuss what we mean by our minds being blown, then go over our lists. Then, we assign homework for next episode: to sketch out what one of our works-in-progress would look like, if we used one of our mind-blowing influences as a model! We're still aiming to make new games this season, and this was a really productive conversation to help us both along. Show Notes: * Friday the 13th: The Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th%3A_The_Series) * Everything Everywhere All At Once (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_Everywhere_All_at_Once) * Avery Alder (https://buriedwithoutceremony.com) * Central Michigan University Press is republishing The Mountain Witch Art & System: Games for Expanded Play (https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play) Games Mentioned: * The Mountain Witch (https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-system-games-for-expanded-play) * Teen Witch (https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/variations-on-your-body) * Still Life (https://www.goldencobra.org/pdf/Still%20Life.pdf) via Golden Cobra (https://www.goldencobra.org) * Remember Tomorrow (http://www.gregorhutton.com/boxninja/remember/index.html) * Bullwinkle & Rocky Role-Playing Party Game (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwinkle_and_Rocky_Role-Playing_Party_Game) * 1001 Nights (https://payhip.com/b/1NCb) * Black Sun Deathcrawl (https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/186373/black-sun-deathcrawl) * Darkpages (Aschan) (https://memento-mori.com/pdf/darkpages-sketchbook-gencon-2008-ashcan) * Apocalypse World (http://apocalypse-world.com)(Read a Sitch, specifically) * Urban Jungle (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/194021/urban-jungle-anthropomorphic-noir-role-play?manufacturers_id=793) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges Nathan and Eppy assigned homework off-mic, to discuss some games that showcase thinking about games in a way we never would have, or that made such an impression on us that we've made them part of our toolkits. We discuss what we mean by our minds being blown, then go over our lists. Then, we assign homework for next episode: to sketch out what one of our works-in-progress would look like, if we used one of our mind-blowing influences as a model! We're still aiming to make new games this season, and this was a really productive conversation to help us both along.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> Nathan and Eppy assigned homework off-mic, to discuss some games that showcase thinking about games in a way we never would have, or that made such an impression on us that we've made them part of our toolkits. We discuss what we mean by our minds being blown, then go over our lists. Then, we assign homework for next episode: to sketch out what one of our works-in-progress would look like, if we used one of our mind-blowing influences as a model! We're still aiming to make new games this season, and this was a really productive conversation to help us both along.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Survey Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/31 9718d8ee-6f5f-4770-b4a2-828acc02f6e2 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 31 The Survey Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode, Nathan and Eppy respond to listener feedback, talk about a recent play experience, and then go through some of the projects we're each working on or thinking about that are not the One Without Master. It's a high-level survey of where we're at, game-design-wise, going into 2026! 53:07 no In this episode, Nathan and Eppy respond to listener feedback, talk about a recent play experience, and then go through some of the projects we're each working on or thinking about that are not the One Without Master. It's a high-level survey of where we're at, game-design-wise, going into 2026! Check out Soapbox Game Mechanics! It's from All My Friends Are Stories (https://www.patreon.com/cw/AllMyFriendsAreStories) (Patreon), they have some of the games for sale here (https://www.patreon.com/collection/1723522?view=expanded), and here's the youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuqMREWEUQo&list=PLufUF8E82Oi0gAxEF9vrwEaE4LCGunX5Y). Eppy's episode hasn't been posted at the time of recording, but should be up eventually! Show Notes: * At the Edge: Art of the Fantastic (https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/exhibitions/past/at-the-edge-art-of-the-fantastic/)(Allentown Art Museum) * Bryant Johnson (https://bryantpauljohnson.com) * Jennifer Adcock (https://jen-adcock15.itch.io) - check out The Price of Coal (https://jen-adcock15.itch.io/the-price-of-coal) and Dollhouse D.R.A.M.A. (https://jen-adcock15.itch.io/dollhouse-drama) * Kenny Omega vs Haruka (age 9) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0Sk6mxe_M) * Invisible Man vs. Invisible Stan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cslu7zFmPjM) (TWO invisible wrestlers!) * Apple Human Interface Guidelines (https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/) Games Mentioned: * Quest RPG (https://www.adventure.game) * Mork Borg - Bare Bones Edition (https://morkborg.com/content/) (the plain text version) * Necronautilus (https://www.worldchamp.io/store/necronautilus-hardcover-book) * Gamma World 7E (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_World) * Prince Valiant Storytelling RPG (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Valiant:_The_Story-Telling_Game) * Five Star Match (https://leafydragongames.wpcomstaging.com) * Plasmodics: mutant freaks in the weird future (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goodluckpress/plasmodics?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=plasmodics&total_hits=11) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode, Nathan and Eppy respond to listener feedback, talk about a recent play experience, and then go through some of the projects we're each working on or thinking about that are not the One Without Master. It's a high-level survey of where we're at, game-design-wise, going into 2026!

Check out Soapbox Game Mechanics! It's from All My Friends Are Stories (Patreon), they have some of the games for sale here, and here's the youtube channel. Eppy's episode hasn't been posted at the time of recording, but should be up eventually!

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode, Nathan and Eppy respond to listener feedback, talk about a recent play experience, and then go through some of the projects we're each working on or thinking about that are not the One Without Master. It's a high-level survey of where we're at, game-design-wise, going into 2026!

Check out Soapbox Game Mechanics! It's from All My Friends Are Stories (Patreon), they have some of the games for sale here, and here's the youtube channel. Eppy's episode hasn't been posted at the time of recording, but should be up eventually!

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Constraints Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/29 4e9560aa-12d4-4579-b5bf-5db04798b186 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 29 The Constraints Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode, Eppy brings a discussion of where the "technological" creative constraints in game design come from. We talk about what this means in the context of tabletop, how constraints surface through the design, and how we handle them as designers. This builds a little on our conversation about design surfaces, and is ultimately another part of a long-term conversation about, well, game design! We also do our final homework for 2025, bringing some holidays from different projects in our back catalogue to celebrate the season. 1:04:02 no In this episode, Eppy brings a discussion of "technological" creative constraints in game design. We talk about what this means in the context of tabletop, how constraints surface through the design, and how we handle them as designers. This builds on our recent episode about design surfaces, and is ultimately another part of a long-term conversation about, well, game design! We also do our final homework for 2025, bringing some holidays from different projects in our back catalogue to celebrate the season. This is our last episode of the year, and we'll be taking a few weeks off over the holidays. See you in 2026, Scholars! Show Notes: * Missile Command Box Cover (https://www.thecoverproject.net/view.php?game_id=3666) * Yar’s Revenge (and many other similar cover + gameplay images) (https://retrosecret.com/best-games-for-atari-2600/) * Sorcerer: An Intense Roleplaying Game (https://payhip.com/b/JDT8) by Ron Edwards * The Shrike (https://sadpress.itch.io/the-shrike) * Vampire: the Requiem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Requiem) * Trial & Terror: Supernatural Victims Unit (free download! (https://dig1000holes.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/trial-and-terror-svu-free-edition-v2.pdf)) * Fantasy World (https://fantasyworldrpg.com) * The City of Fire & Coin (https://unwrittenearths.itch.io/the-city-of-fire-coin) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode, Eppy brings a discussion of "technological" creative constraints in game design. We talk about what this means in the context of tabletop, how constraints surface through the design, and how we handle them as designers. This builds on our recent episode about design surfaces, and is ultimately another part of a long-term conversation about, well, game design! We also do our final homework for 2025, bringing some holidays from different projects in our back catalogue to celebrate the season.

This is our last episode of the year, and we'll be taking a few weeks off over the holidays. See you in 2026, Scholars!

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode, Eppy brings a discussion of "technological" creative constraints in game design. We talk about what this means in the context of tabletop, how constraints surface through the design, and how we handle them as designers. This builds on our recent episode about design surfaces, and is ultimately another part of a long-term conversation about, well, game design! We also do our final homework for 2025, bringing some holidays from different projects in our back catalogue to celebrate the season.

This is our last episode of the year, and we'll be taking a few weeks off over the holidays. See you in 2026, Scholars!

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> The Surfaces Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/27 7aa93be1-ebf1-4a41-a88c-b40656a0c017 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 27 The Surfaces Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back on their recent work on PET CRIMES, centering on making digital tools for play. This leads into a discussion of the concept of designing the "surfaces" of your game - what are the things (physical, relational, temporal) that you need to design in order to enable someone to play? This is just the start of this conversation, but it feels like a useful framework as we continue to make games in this season of the podcast! 1:00:21 no In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back on their recent work on PET CRIMES, centering on making digital tools for play. This leads into a discussion of the concept of designing the "surfaces" of your game - what are the things (physical, relational, temporal) that you need to design in order to enable someone to play? This is just the start of this conversation, but it feels like a useful framework as we continue to make games in this season of the podcast! Patrons are getting access to PET CRIMES and it's associated digital tools as we develop them. Join them for just $3/month over at our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths)! Show Notes: * One More Thing online playspace (https://tinyurl.com/OMTplayspace) (Google Sheet) * Eppy's game Vast and Starlit (https://epidiah.itch.io/vast-starlit) * Jason Morningstar's The Skeletons (https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/the-skeletons) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back on their recent work on PET CRIMES, centering on making digital tools for play. This leads into a discussion of the concept of designing the "surfaces" of your game - what are the things (physical, relational, temporal) that you need to design in order to enable someone to play? This is just the start of this conversation, but it feels like a useful framework as we continue to make games in this season of the podcast!

Patrons are getting access to PET CRIMES and it's associated digital tools as we develop them. Join them for just $3/month over at our Patreon!

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode, Nathan and Eppy report back on their recent work on PET CRIMES, centering on making digital tools for play. This leads into a discussion of the concept of designing the "surfaces" of your game - what are the things (physical, relational, temporal) that you need to design in order to enable someone to play? This is just the start of this conversation, but it feels like a useful framework as we continue to make games in this season of the podcast!

Patrons are getting access to PET CRIMES and it's associated digital tools as we develop them. Join them for just $3/month over at our Patreon!

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> The Card Concepts Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/26 eecbdc2f-efbd-4d37-850e-b9363ab6169a Wed, 05 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0800 Unwritten Earths Symposium 26 The Card Concepts Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this all-homework episode, we each bring an initial sketch of the cards that could drive each of our card-based game concepts. Nathan's "Big Lore" game explores using card decks to reveal things about the game world and guide character progression, while Eppy's "Exploration Legacy" game uses cards to map out geography as well as encounter types for a game that becomes more unique the more its played. This is early-stage concept stuff, so listen in to hear how the vegan sausage is made! 1:03:57 no In this all-homework episode, we each bring an initial sketch of the cards that could drive each of our card-based game concepts. Nathan's "Big Lore" game explores using card decks to reveal things about the game world and guide character progression, while Eppy's "Exploration Legacy" game uses cards to map out geography as well as encounter types for a game that becomes more unique the more its played. This is early-stage concept stuff, so listen in to hear how the vegan sausage is made! Check out our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) for a post that includes the images of the cards we describe in this episode (no subscription required!) Games Mentioned: * Search for the Emperor's Treasure (http://www.tomwham.com/search.html), by Tom Wham * Minion Hunter (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/679/minion-hunter)from GDW Games * The Best of Dragon Magazine Games (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/5811/the-best-of-dragon-magazine-games) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this all-homework episode, we each bring an initial sketch of the cards that could drive each of our card-based game concepts. Nathan's "Big Lore" game explores using card decks to reveal things about the game world and guide character progression, while Eppy's "Exploration Legacy" game uses cards to map out geography as well as encounter types for a game that becomes more unique the more its played. This is early-stage concept stuff, so listen in to hear how the vegan sausage is made!

Check out our Patreon for a post that includes the images of the cards we describe in this episode (no subscription required!)

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this all-homework episode, we each bring an initial sketch of the cards that could drive each of our card-based game concepts. Nathan's "Big Lore" game explores using card decks to reveal things about the game world and guide character progression, while Eppy's "Exploration Legacy" game uses cards to map out geography as well as encounter types for a game that becomes more unique the more its played. This is early-stage concept stuff, so listen in to hear how the vegan sausage is made!

Check out our Patreon for a post that includes the images of the cards we describe in this episode (no subscription required!)

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> The Season Two Premiere Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/25 12b2c607-a8c4-4aea-b95d-d27540045d21 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 25 The Season Two Premiere Episode full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium We're moving into the next season of our podcast! In this one, Nathan and Eppy talk about how we're turning from the scholarly side of our project to the instructional side, and how our show homework is changing to match. What this means for our listeners is that you'll be hearing more about new game designs and works in progress, and less research and hunting out arcane gems from other games. Thanks for listening, Scholars! 45:00 no We're moving into the next season of our podcast! In this one, Nathan and Eppy talk about how we're turning from the scholarly side of our project to the instructional side, and how our show homework is changing to match. What this means for our listeners is that you'll be hearing more about new game designs and works in progress, and less research and hunting out arcane gems from other games. Thanks for listening, Scholars! Remember to sign up for the Swords Without Master fixup campaign (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unwrittenearths/swords-without-master?ref=9uxdgk), coming early 2026. And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges We're moving into the next season of our podcast! In this one, Nathan and Eppy talk about how we're turning from the scholarly side of our project to the instructional side, and how our show homework is changing to match. What this means for our listeners is that you'll be hearing more about new game designs and works in progress, and less research and hunting out arcane gems from other games. Thanks for listening, Scholars!

Remember to sign up for the Swords Without Master fixup campaign, coming early 2026.

And there's more:

]]> We're moving into the next season of our podcast! In this one, Nathan and Eppy talk about how we're turning from the scholarly side of our project to the instructional side, and how our show homework is changing to match. What this means for our listeners is that you'll be hearing more about new game designs and works in progress, and less research and hunting out arcane gems from other games. Thanks for listening, Scholars!

Remember to sign up for the Swords Without Master fixup campaign, coming early 2026.

And there's more:

]]> The Episode Without Master https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/24 0ab4a5d0-9054-4d15-8335-90f36d38a10d Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 24 The Episode Without Master full 2 Unwritten Earths Symposium The Season of Swords is upon us! Nathan and Eppy talk about Eppy's sword & sorcery classic Swords Without Master, how it came to be, how it works, and what's next for the game: a full standalone release, coming early 2026! 59:20 no The Season of Swords is upon us! Nathan and Eppy talk about Eppy's sword & sorcery classic Swords Without Master, how it came to be, how it works, and what's next for the game: a full standalone release, coming early 2026! Show Notes: * Swords Without Master is in Worlds Without Master, Issue 3 (https://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/bazaar/worlds-without-master-issue-3) (for now...) * We're pumped to welcome Shel Kahn (https://www.portablecity.net/art-direction/) as our Art Director for the project. And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges The Season of Swords is upon us! Nathan and Eppy talk about Eppy's sword & sorcery classic Swords Without Master, how it came to be, how it works, and what's next for the game: a full standalone release, coming early 2026!

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> The Season of Swords is upon us! Nathan and Eppy talk about Eppy's sword & sorcery classic Swords Without Master, how it came to be, how it works, and what's next for the game: a full standalone release, coming early 2026!

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> The Sailing Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/20 82a7f027-714f-4aa4-9209-6a4c2dea7931 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 20 The Sailing Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we talk about handling multiple ongoing projects as full-time working creative people, and then Nathan brings a game idea for discussion: a game that creates or invokes the simultaneous closed-in-ness and open-ness of sailing. We have some fun ideas for creating slow-burn drama with constrained resources. Have we.... made a game yet? 55:02 no In this episode we talk about handling multiple ongoing projects as full-time working creative people, and then Nathan brings a game idea for discussion: a game that creates or invokes the simultaneous closed-in-ness and open-ness of sailing. We have some fun ideas for creating slow-burn drama with constrained resources. Have we.... made a game yet? Show Notes: * A&E's Hornblower series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornblower_(TV_series)) * Tower of Hanoi math problem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Hanoi) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we talk about handling multiple ongoing projects as full-time working creative people, and then Nathan brings a game idea for discussion: a game that creates or invokes the simultaneous closed-in-ness and open-ness of sailing. We have some fun ideas for creating slow-burn drama with constrained resources. Have we.... made a game yet?

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we talk about handling multiple ongoing projects as full-time working creative people, and then Nathan brings a game idea for discussion: a game that creates or invokes the simultaneous closed-in-ness and open-ness of sailing. We have some fun ideas for creating slow-burn drama with constrained resources. Have we.... made a game yet?

Show Notes:

And there's more:

]]> The White Whale Episode https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/16 6cd55f71-e23c-42f8-9ef3-465b270b50c1 Wed, 28 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700 Unwritten Earths Symposium 16 The White Whale Episode full 1 Unwritten Earths Symposium In this episode we talk about our "white whale" game design projects, both those we're currently in pursuit of and those we managed, at long last, to catch. 50:41 no In this episode we talk about our "white whale" game design projects, both those we're currently in pursuit of and those we managed, at long last, to catch. Show Notes: * We talk about these Robin Hoods: Howard Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merry_Adventures_of_Robin_Hood) (1883), Robin of Sherwood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_of_Sherwood) (1984-1986), Disney's Robin Hood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood_(1973_film)) (1973), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood:_Prince_of_Thieves)(1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood:_Men_in_Tights)(1993), Robin Hood and Other Outlaw Tales (https://metseditions.org/editions/0pA5QGajC2P8qU3LrhVA5RIRGyYR6aMq)(1997) Games Mentioned: * Imp of the Perverse (https://www.ndpdesign.com/imp) * Swords Without Master (https://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/swords-without-master) * Monkeydome (https://dig1000holes.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/monkeydome_screen.pdf) And there's more: * Unwritten Earths Symposium (http://unwrittenearths.com) * Our Patreon (https://patreon.com/UnwrittenEarths) * Join the Discord (https://discord.gg/cgJa5hWcVq) * Nathan's games (https://www.ndpdesign.com) * Eppy's games (https://www.dig1000holes.com) * Music by Will Jobst (https://willjobst.carrd.co) game design, ttrpgs, indie games, indie game publishing, playtesting, rpgs, challenges In this episode we talk about our "white whale" game design projects, both those we're currently in pursuit of and those we managed, at long last, to catch.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

]]> In this episode we talk about our "white whale" game design projects, both those we're currently in pursuit of and those we managed, at long last, to catch.

Show Notes:

Games Mentioned:

And there's more:

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