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Clayton Notestine

Clayton Notestine
Awards on a colored background. The title reads, "The Awards Debrief 2025."

Critique

Why an Awards Debrief?

An in-depth look at the Ennie Awards, its process, design, and role. Part 1. What is the goal of this series and why?

06 Oct 2025
Awards on a colored background. The title reads, "The Awards Debrief 2025."

Critique

How Do the Ennies Work?

An insider's look into the 2025 Ennie Awards. Part two. What is the award process like behind closed doors, and how do the judges select nominees?

06 Oct 2025
Awards on a colored background. The title reads, "The Awards Debrief 2025."

Critique

How Are the Ennies Designed?

An insider's look into the 2025 Ennie Awards. Part three. How does the structure of the Ennies determine its outcomes? And what does it mean for others?

06 Oct 2025
Awards on a colored background. The title reads, "The Awards Debrief 2025."

Critique

Where Do Awards Go Next?

An insider's look into the 2025 Ennie Awards. Part four. What's the point of an rpg award show? And what do we want to see in the future?

06 Oct 2025
A black table with maps, sketches, pencils, a compass, and more piled on top.

Explorateur

The Explorateur: Issue #12

Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.

01 Oct 2025
Overlapping circles representing influences come together to create new colors. Title: Exploers Design's Appendix N.

Explorers Design's Appendix N

Late to the bandwagon. Just in time to talk about books, movies, and games.

24 Sep 2025
A black table with maps, sketches, pencils, a compass, and more piled on top.

Explorateur

The Explorateur: Issue #11

Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.

01 Sep 2025
A black table with maps, sketches, pencils, a compass, and more piled on top.

Explorateur

The Explorateur: Issue #10

Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.

01 Aug 2025
Cover for Invaders of Atlantis with weathering and visuals like the Tales from the Crypt magazine.

Shop

Invaders of Atlantis

A coral-encrusted pulp-fantasy adventure. Designed for Cairn 2E. | PWYW

lock-1 29 Jul 2025
Captain America sitting down on a tv screen to give the audience a PSA. The title reads: So you want to be an ennies judge?

Education

How to Become an Ennies Judge

How to apply, what to expect, and everything else you need to know from one judge to another.

02 Jul 2025
A black table with maps, sketches, pencils, a compass, and more piled on top.

Explorateur

The Explorateur: Issue #9

Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.

01 Jul 2025
A magnifying glass inspects big type to reveal the title of the article, " 10 budget friendly typeface resources for rpg designers.

Education

10 Budget-Friendly Typeface Resources for RPG Designers

Tired of using free fonts? Here are 10 foundries and type designers who make and sell quality typefaces and fonts for indie-level budgets.

03 Jun 2025
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Explorers Design

Explorers Design

Bespoke adventures, tools, and resources for tabletop game designers.

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Explorers Design

Bespoke adventures, tools, and resources for tabletop game designers.