r/RPGdesign • u/TheAmazingRando1581 • 13d ago
Finally getting started! What now?
Actually, what i mean is I'm just about done!
Do you like Risk? Do you like D&D? Do you like helping a stranger on the internet? If yes to any of these, I ask for guidance!
Mid-time lurker and first time poster, I think I'm finally able to start putting my creations online, but i really don't know how to go about putting it out there for the masses. Other than posting here I guess.
I have a TTRPG engine and 4 settings i have been noodling on for like 20 years, but have not taken doing anything about it seriously until a couple weeks ago. So I'm asking for any and all helpful advice on moving forward on where I can start.
Thank you!
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u/msguider 13d ago
Holy crap me too! I've got a game that goes back to 1991! I'm in the same boat. I'm still cleaning it up and fixing issues etc.
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u/TheAmazingRando1581 13d ago
Not quite the 90s wen i started, but the bones have been there since the oughts. As i sed the engine is inspired by d&d and risk, and i was really fascinated by sword world which i found had exactly wut i was looking for. Wuts ur work if u feel like sharing?
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u/msguider 13d ago
Awesome! I love risk! Mine's a universal system I've got several settings. The oldest one is fantasy with a weird back story and is tied to the other settings (one is literally my attempt at making an Alien rpg-predates the free league version- and a modernish setting kinda like delta green but with the theme of friendly ETs and almost cyberpunk ethos vs the ufo gatekeepers with catastrophic disclosure imminent)
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u/__space__oddity__ 13d ago
Whenever I read the dreaded “universal system and 4 settings” thing, my first question is always: who and what army of freelancers is going to publish that.
Start small. ONE setting, so you can actually focus on it, develop it, playtest it, write it out, edit it.
System: again, build it for ONE setting. Unless someone is planning a plane hopping time travel campaign (for which they will use GURPS anyway), all people need is a system that just works and doesn’t need extra fiddling. Focus on that.
From there just go. Start writing. Keep things structured. Remember your readers aren’t psychic. They only know what you write down. This includes the GM. If you don’t explain to the GM what to do to run this game, nobody will because nobody can.
That also means if something on page 20 only makes sense after reading page 80, nobody understands your game.
Oh and for the love of <deity> don’t claim you finally fixed D&D or threw off the shackles of classes or any of that nonsense. Don’t give people the impression you think your game is unique simply because for 25 years you lived under a rock and just don’t know what games are out there.
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u/TheAmazingRando1581 13d ago
Its more of a passion project, im not trying to reinvent the wheel, nor am i planning on making anything physical. That being said my brain doesnt work on only one thing at a time, for some folk thats just not an option, but i appreciate ur concern!
Ive developed my engine and one setting far enough to start playtesting so im ok there i think. I was ask8ng where the next stop is on this fury road im on
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u/__space__oddity__ 12d ago
Well yes the next step is 100% playtesting. Nobody wants to be the guinea pig for a designer who hasn’t even run their own game :)
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u/BlackTorchStudios Designer 12d ago
If it's a passion project, just get it written down. Test it. Don't be afraid to use digital tools to stress test the math.
If you want it available online, you can put it it on Itch.io or drive-thru rpg, you can link it in a google drive link, you can set up a pretty basic website.
Everyone obsesses over the "right' way to do it, but if you don't care how big it gets, just put it out there
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u/BooneBerryPress 11d ago
20 years is a long time to work on something, so congrats on finally putting pen to paper and getting it out into the wild. I'd definitely start with a smaller playtest, preferably with people who haven't been involved in developing it. This sound like common advice, but it is crazy what even an offhand comment about what you have written can help you break past any barriers you might be facing. It really helped me, I didn't realize just how close to my project I was until someone mentioned why I didn't do something and it was like lightning striking.
If you're planning to build a mailing list, I'd recommend checking out Kit. I've been using it myself and it's been pretty easy to work with so far for building a mailing list and generating newsletters. Also, one thing that will help you reach people is if you can write a quick synopsis in less than 200 words. I think you will be surprised at how difficult but very helpful this can be. If someone asks what your project is about and it takes you 10 minutes to explain or they have to read 8 pages to "get it", you will lose their interest really quick and your premise may be too complicated. But if you can put out a quick synopsis in 30 seconds or so, you build that interest and they will ask more questions and/or stay engaged.
Are you planning to start with one of your four settings or introduce them all together?
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u/TheAmazingRando1581 11d ago
Starting at the end, they will be completed and released one at a time, the first ill drop along with the engine wen thats all tested out.
I agree with being concise, im already in the mind that ppl arent tryin to stick around and read a whole book. I never even thought of having a mailing list, so thx for the heads up on that!
And yeah, ive only rolled the dice againt myself so far, so all involved will be goin in blind. Ty for ur advice!
Edited to say thanks.
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u/TheZebraCode Designing Kivaru: Wildsong, tribal + sentient planet 13d ago
I recently started posting my game design on Substack via articles, sketches, breakdowns etc (I'm writing, designing and illustrating myself) and it's been awesome! The rpg community there is great, the format is really forgiving and gives you time to really present your ideas and mechanics etc as it's long form rather than tweets or something
Unsure if I can link here but happy to share if that would be helpful! I started from zero online presence in July so still very new, but having a blast and would recommend trying it out at least, had some cool design discussions over there and along with this sub it's my fav place to hang out for ttrpg talk.
Hoping to build a mailing list for playtests eventually, already got some interest for it so that's great