web01.fireside.fm Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:43:37 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Unwritten Earths Symposium - Episodes Tagged with “Homework” https://unwrittenearths.fireside.fm/tags/homework 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 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 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 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: * Check out the Adventure & Hobbyist Annual 2025 (https://unwrittenearths.itch.io/annual-2025) * The latest Possible Worlds Games Kickstarter funding 3 new games (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crum/cckhcc?ref=creator_tab) runs through Friday, 9/26 Games Mentioned: * Knight Forlorn (https://blackfiskpub.itch.io/knight-forlorn) (Blackfisk Publishing) * Usagi Yojimbo (2nd Edition) (https://rpggeek.com/rpg/60813/usagi-yojimbo-role-playing-game-sanguine-2nd-editi)(Sanguine Productions - it looks like it's no longer available for purchase) * The Price of Coal (https://jen-adcock15.itch.io/the-price-of-coal) (Jennifer Adcock) * The Crawling Chaos (https://planetsmashergames.itch.io/the-crawling-chaos) (Plant Smasher Games) * Tacklebox (https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/tacklebox)/Better Strangers (https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/better-strangers) (Possible Worlds Games) * 5-Star Match (https://leafydragongames.wpcomstaging.com/shop/) (Leafy Dragon Games) * Growing Thylacine (https://pidj.itch.io/growing-thylacine) (Pidg Sorensen) * Necronautilus (https://www.worldchamp.io/store/necronautilus-hardcover-book) (World Champ Game Co) * Brinkwood: The Blood of Tyrants (https://brinkwood.net)(from the Far Horizons Co-Op) * Tide Breaker (https://www.tidebreakerrpg.com) (Nick Butler) * God's Gonna Cut You Down (https://kstetson.itch.io/gods-gonna-cut-you-down) (Keith Stetson) 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 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:

]]>