Clarity, Brevity and Respect: On Rulebook Creation for Games
February 1, 2025
Rulebook design in games can be difficult. Here are three principles to help guide your rulebook creation.
tabletop roleplaying games
Tag: tabletop roleplaying games
The Optics – and Actuality – of Depth and Replayability in Games
December 22, 2024
The Optics – and Actuality – of Depth and Replayability in Games By MARK WILSON All else being equal, it’s good if a game has
The Novelty Trap
December 8, 2024
The Novelty Trap in Tabletop Game Critique By MARK WILSON In the often-forgettable general forums for Board Game Geek, I found a lovely thread on
Framing in Game Critique
November 8, 2024
Framing in Game Critique By MARK WILSON What’s the difference between these phrases? The game’s ending was boring, merely counting up points to see who
First Bias and Reducing Influence of Bias
October 22, 2024
First Bias and Reducing Influence of Bias By MARK WILSON When you go to the grocery store, at least here in the US, often the
Useless Gaming Terms, and What the True Problem Is
October 8, 2024
Useless Gaming Terms, and What the True Problem Is By MARK WILSON Frequent any forum on gaming long enough and you’ll start to see threads
Connecting Gameplay to Theme in Tabletop Games
September 22, 2024
Connecting Gameplay to Theme in Tabletop Games By MARK WILSON I saw a depressing discussion thread recently online. I suppose that’s my fault for reading
Theme, Setting and Mechanics in Games
July 1, 2024
Theme, Setting and Mechanics in Games By MARK WILSON There’s a problem in how hobby gamers talk about tabletop games (board games + RPGs). Many
The Power of a Sincere Story
June 8, 2024
The Power of a Sincere Story By MARK WILSON R.A. Salvatore is an author best known for his many fantasy novels. In particular, his legacy
Successful Player Characters in TTRPGs
June 1, 2024
Successful Player Characters in D&D and TTRPGs By MARK WILSON How to Define PC Success in Tabletop Roleplaying Games Success is a nebulous term in
D&D’s Ranger Problem
May 22, 2024
D&D’s Ranger Problem and How to Solve It By MARK WILSON D&D has a problem, and it’s with the Ranger class. This isn’t a new
Modernism, Postmodernism and Meta-Modernism in Roleplaying
May 15, 2024
Modernism, Postmodernism and Meta-Modernism in Roleplaying By MARK WILSON I saw a good Youtube video on this topic. It was in reference to movies, but
AI Writing, Gaming Media and My Position on AI Use
May 8, 2024
AI Writing, Gaming Media and My Position on AI Use By MARK WILSON We’re still in an age where people are discovering artificial intelligence (AI)
Riding Chaos in Tabletop Games
April 15, 2024
Riding Chaos in Tabletop Games By MARK WILSON A particularly chaotic session of Inis I like chaos in games. But I also like strategy and
Provisional Gaming Reviews
April 1, 2024
Provisional Game Reviews By MARK WILSON When we write a review, we like to think it’s definitive. “Here,” we seem to say, “this is what
Asynchronous Board Games and RPGs: Pros and Cons
January 15, 2024
Asynchronous Board Games and RPGs: Pros and Cons By MARK WILSON COVID changed the world’s landscape. I’m not smart enough to encapsulate even a fraction
Thematic Games and Role Differentation
January 8, 2024
Thematic Games and Role Differentiation By MARK WILSON I don’t think it’s terribly controversial to say that so-called “thematic” board games – as loosely defined
It’s a Great Game…I Don’t Like It
August 15, 2023
It’s a Great Game…I Don’t Like It By MARK WILSON “Oh, Jimmy would love this game.” “You know, I think I should mention this to
In Defense of Subjectivity in Game Critique
June 15, 2023
In Defense of Subjectivity in Game Critique By MARK WILSON On a basic level, we all understand (or I hope we do) that gaming preferences
Podcast Appearance – Sidekicks & Sidequests
May 13, 2023
Podcast Appearance – Sidekicks & Sidequests We create Leeroy Jenkins…the Vampire By MARK WILSON I was recently a guest for the second time on a
5 Ways to Become a Better D&D Player
May 6, 2023
Become a Better Tabletop RPG Player – Part I By MARK WILSON An online discussion forum I frequent recently lamented the lack of discussion on
The Burden of Narrative in TTRPGs: Part 2
May 1, 2023
The Burden of Narrative in Tabletop Roleplaying Games: Part 2 By MARK WILSON In Part 1 of this article series, we looked at the burden
Finding Your Sweet Spot in Tabletop Gaming
April 15, 2023
Finding Your Sweet Spot in Tabletop Gaming By MARK WILSON I’m increasingly convinced that much of our gaming preferences are just people finding and defending
The Burden of Narrative in TTRPGs
April 3, 2023
The Burden of Narrative in Tabletop Roleplaying Games By MARK WILSON Avatar: Legends and My Narrative Struggle I’ve been reading the core system book and
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #44
February 16, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #44 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 12 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #43
February 14, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #43 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #42
February 13, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #42 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #41
February 12, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #41 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #40
February 11, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #40 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10-11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #39
February 10, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #39 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #38
February 9, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #38 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #37
February 8, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #37 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #36
December 12, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #36 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #35
December 6, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #35 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #34
November 29, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #34 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #33
November 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #33 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #32
November 8, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #32 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #31
October 29, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #31 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #30
October 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #30 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #29
October 8, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #29 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #28
September 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #28 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #27
September 8, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #27 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #26
August 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #26 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #25
July 12, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #25 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #24
July 5, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #24 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7-8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #23
June 25, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #23 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #22
June 18, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #22 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #21
June 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #21 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #20
June 4, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #20 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #19
May 24, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #19 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #18
May 17, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #18 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #17
May 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #17 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #16
April 27, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #16 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6-7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #15
April 19, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #15 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #14
April 12, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #14 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 currently Players:Dalia, the
Problematic Games
April 8, 2022
Problematic Games And how to have better conversations about them By MARK WILSON We’re going to discuss problematic games today. That is, games with morally
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #13
April 5, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #13 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 currently Players:Dalia, the
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #12
March 25, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #12 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 currently Players:Dalia, the
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #11
March 18, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #11 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #10
March 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #10 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #9
March 4, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #9 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #8
February 25, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #8 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #7
February 18, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #7 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #6
February 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #6 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #5
January 31, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #5 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #4
January 24, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #4 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #3
January 17, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #3 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #2
January 10, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #2 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #1
January 3, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #1 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Thousand Year Old Vampire – Session Report #2
May 13, 2021
Thousand Year Old Vampire: Session Report The Tale of Iri Thorgrimsson By MARK WILSON The Premise Thousand Year Old Vampire is a solo RPG intended
Thousand Year Old Vampire – Session Report #1
April 30, 2021
Thousand Year Old Vampire: Session Report The Tale of Saladin By MARK WILSON The Premise: Thousand Year Old Vampire is a solo RPG intended for
The Authority Roleplaying System Review
April 22, 2021
The Authority Roleplaying System Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2004 Product Link The Authority – Wildstorm’s Comic Legacy The Authority was a superhero team
Thousand Year Old Vampire RPG Review
April 15, 2021
Thousand Year Old Vampire RPG Review By MARK WILSON RPG: Thousand Year Old VampireYear Published: 2018 The Premise Thousand Year Old Vampire is a solo
Emergent Gameplay
March 8, 2021
Emergent Gameplay Emergent elements in board games, video games, and tabletop roleplaying games By MARK WILSON Emergent gameplay is a slippery duck. Any longtime gamer
Adventuring NPCs
October 3, 2020
Adventuring NPCs Creating meaningful, adventuresome non-player characters that enhance the campaign, without stealing the spotlight By MARK WILSON Alright kobolds and firbolgs, let’s talk about
Writing Good Session Reports
August 24, 2020
Writing Good Gaming Session Reports Getting the most out of your time and effort By MARK WILSON I’ve written at least dozens and potentially hundreds
Why Is Your Party Together?
June 15, 2020
Why is Your TTRPG Party Together? A necessary question for nearly any group By MARK WILSON In my first campaign as DM, I didn’t have
Quest vs. Adventure vs. Journey
April 27, 2020
Quest vs. Adventure vs. Journey Which to use, and why? By MARK WILSON Quest: Trip to accomplish a specific task. Adventure: Trip without a destination.
Five Cool Plot Hooks Vol. 4
March 30, 2020
Five Cool Plot Hooks Vol. 4 Steal these hooks if you need some inspiration! By MARK WILSON There are an endless number of great plot
Five Cool Plot Hooks Vol. 3
February 24, 2020
Five Cool Plot Hooks Vol. 3 Steal these hooks if you need some inspiration! By MARK WILSON There are an endless number of great plot
The Engagement of Adelaide Endicott Review
January 31, 2020
The Engagement of Adelaide Endicott Review By MARK WILSON System: Neutral Cost: Free! This was a fun read, but I need to say right off
Five More Cool RPG Plot Hooks
January 27, 2020
Five More Cool RPG Plot Hooks Steal these hooks if you need some inspiration! By MARK WILSON Other “Plot Hook” Articles: Part I Part III
My Gaming Review Criteria
January 26, 2020
My Gaming Reviews Criteria, preferences and other considerations By MARK WILSON Knowing a reviewer’s tendencies and biases is important to gauge whether or not you
Five Cool Plot Hooks for Roleplaying Games
November 25, 2019
Five Cool RPG Plot Hooks Steal these hooks if you need some inspiration! By MARK WILSON There are an endless number of great plot hooks.
Building Better Bases in Tabletop Roleplaying Games
July 29, 2019
Building Better Bases in Tabletop Roleplaying Games Awesome bases through collaboration By MARK WILSON Many D&D groups end up with a “home base.” It could