The Explorateur: Issue #15
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
Latest
The Jackian Magic System
Experimental mechanics that combine Mausritter inventory, Tetris, and engine-building into an alternative Vancian magic system.
How to Design Signals in Books
User-friendly definitions, tips, and tricks for tabletop rpg designers.
Critmas Gift Guide 2025
The 3 gifts every game designer wants (and a holiday party idea).
How do The Bloggies work?
The blogosphere's annual celebration is coming back.
The Explorateur: Issue #14
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
Dare to Play it Straight
The rarest tabletop genre is the simplest one. A call for more anti-mashups.
Affinity Studio First Impressions
Is Affinity Studio the right software for tabletop rpg designers?
The Explorateur: Issue #13
Monthly design jams, critique, theory, and inspiration for tabletop rpg designers by rpg designers. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
What is bleed and slug?
User-friendly layout definitions for tabletop rpg designers.
How to Promote Your Work
How to reach out to blogs, pods, and media outlets, and the 5 things creators can do to promote their work in a more community-minded way.
The Awards Debrief
A 4-part series on rpg awards, how they're designed, and what they mean for the rpg industry with a behind-the-scenes breakdown and critique of the Ennies.
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?
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?
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?
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?
Explorateur
The Explorateur: Issue #12
Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
Explorers Design's Appendix N
Late to the bandwagon. Just in time to talk about books, movies, and games.
Explorateur
The Explorateur: Issue #11
Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
Explorateur
The Explorateur: Issue #10
Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
Shop
Invaders of Atlantis
A coral-encrusted pulp-fantasy adventure. Designed for Cairn 2E. | PWYW
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.
Explorateur
The Explorateur: Issue #9
Monthly design discoveries for tabletop rpg designers including jams, critique, theory, and tools. Vetted. Looted. Curated.
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.