The Explorateur: Issue #1

I never liked the name "content curation." The word "content" conjures up images of clickbait and tweets. And yet, I love content curation. I love it because it's handpicked—it's human. No algorithms. No ad spend. Just a person, exploring the internet, listening to friends, and pushing past the noise with a simple list. It's not a new concept. Thomas Manuel's Indie RPG Newsletter is one of the best and many other designers like Warren of Prismatic Wasteland, Nova of Playful Void share links regularly in their posts.

Today's newsletter is an experiment—the Explorers version of designer curation. Until it slays me, you can expect a new issue on the 1st of every month. Inside, you'll find blog posts, projects, videos, and more. I'll refine it as I go until it's something distinct from the pack. Today's issue is launching early while the inspiration is strong.

Let me know what you think! As always, never stop exploring.

Quest Givers

There's always something new to write and design for. This section shares any game jams, contests, and collaborations. If you want to share a community event, jam, or project message me on Bluesky.

• Apply to the 2025 Ennie Awards. Remember to submit early. Anything published between April 1st, 2024, and March 31st, 2025 is eligible. Don't message me directly—I'm a judge and can't afford to get too chummy.
• Rascalian writers wanted. The independent news team at Rascal News is looking for contributors and freelancers to expand their coverage. Check it out.
• Tabletop Game Designers Association. The non-profit is accepting new members. Join and get resources and support from other designers.
• TTRPG Creator Directory. Looking for work? DC Bradshaw made a directory for indie creators. It takes fewer than 5 minutes to set up. There are some familiar faces in there.
• Durf Jam 2024. Make a one-page adventure for the plucky rules-lite fantasy rpg from the Cult of the Lizard King. Jam ends on November 24th.
• CBR+PNK Jam 2024. This cyberpunk game took the Forged in the Dark system and made it lighter than a floppy disk. Jam ends on November 27th.

Reviews & Exhibits

Critique and examinations of tabletop rpgs, adventures, and more. I try to share exhibits with something to say other than the usual, "Is this worth buying?"

• Between Two Cairns reviews Bakto's Terrifying Cuisine. Tabletop's Bert and Ernie teams up with Reynaldo Madriñian of Break! to review a modern classic. The interview with Reynaldo is a lovely bonus.
• Knight at the Opera reviews Mothership 1E. This negative but insightful review came out in August. Now, with the undeniable success of Mothership Month, I wonder—what does this teach us about Mothership and rpgs?
• Playful Void reviews the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide. There are lots of changes in the new edition, but it's the things that haven't changed I'm fascinated by.
• Technical Grimoire reviews Barkeep on the Borderlands. Comedy is a hard thing in rpgs. Technical Grimoire gives us a look at how Barkeep does it.

Rumors & Bestiary

The never-sponsored section of the newsletter. When I find an exciting game, tool, or project, I'll mark our maps in this section.

• Mothership Month is upon us. This stunning collaboration led by Tuesday Knight Games features some of Mothership's best third-party publishers. I see a few familiar faces among the entries. Check out Johnson Squared, Daedalus Station, The Dose Makes the Poison, and Awaiting the Burning Gods.
• Dead Weight by Norgad. Stop what you're doing and read the opening. The Explorers Design discord was lucky enough to get an early look at this Mothership module.
• Postmark Games. I've grown obsessed with this little print-and-play studio. The clean design and elegant rules have my brain burning about new projects.
• Analog Game Logos by Lone Archivist. If you're designing a logo and want to see how others do it—I have good news—Lone Archivist did your homework.

Theory & Advice

Any ideas, guidance, and tools that make playing and creating in the tabletop space more engaging, meaningful, and rewarding. This is the catch-all section.

• Mechanics as Bits by Zedeck Siew. An exploration of game mechanics, actual plays, and how certain rules enable or empower dramatic tension.
• Thermodynamics for Game Design by Benign Brown Beast. Readers know I love a metaphor-as-lens for game design. This one's about bookkeeping.
• How to Overcome Your Hyperdiegesis Allergy by Playful Void. Worldbuilding by negative space. My favorite kind of worldbuilding.
• Gygax's Fortress by All Dead Generations. We're still discovering D&D decades after its creation. In this article, Gus explores Gary Gygax's design sensibilities in early D&D adventures. No more spoilers.
• Slay Word Kobolds by Explorers Design. Avoid these three copywriting mistakes when making a sales pitch. (That's right. My stuff's in here too.)

Design Lore

Design inspiration from beyond tabletop rpgs. I share them when I find them.

• Shut Up & Sit Down: The Gang. Video. This is a board game review. It's also an examination of how familiar concepts can onboard players.
• The Secret to My Productivity. Video. This is an old video but the lesson is still apt. If you're a designer who suffers from perfectionism, watch this.
• Space Exploration Logo Archive. Website. This gorgeous website archives over 300+ logos from the golden age of space exploration.
• How We Read. Website. What happens when we read and how does that impact legibility and readability? This article is a fantastic primer.

This newsletter uses the occasional affiliate link to support Explorers Design. If you notice any bad actors, fascists, or exploitation in this newsletter, please let me know so I can cast Remove Curse on the newsletter.

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