Seminar
Whether you’re running a horror campaign and want to incorporate elements of the macabre into a different genre, our panel of experts can provide their design insights and experiences to set you on the road to terror.
A good adventure combines dramatic scenes, tactical challenges, and plenty of room for the player characters to turn, twist, and bend the story in ways that GMs never can seem to predict. In this panel, you’ll have the chance to talk to some of the TTRPG industry’s best designers and learn their tricks for creating […]
Educators – come see how the Reacting Consortium gathers, publishes, and distributes classroom RPGs to increase student engagement and learning for topics including medieval history, the French Revolution, the creation of the FDA food pyramid, and global warming. We will discuss the range of Reacting games, how they work, their benefits, and how you can […]
Drag queens. Trans rights to health care. Gay marriage. With queer identities under attack, it is more important than ever to understand and accept LGBTQIA+ gamers. This panel discusses how to create safe spaces for queer players, how to include queer issues sensitively in your games, and how to create games that include queer characters […]
Come to a live recording of the Mastering Dungeons podcast, where your hosts Teos Abadia and Shawn Merwin will discuss the business and game design of D&D and other RPGs. They’ll take your questions and hear your thoughts on this amazing hobby and game we share.
Military Veterans who have become TTRPG creators discuss their journey into TTRPGs and the impacts their military service has on their TTRPG creations.
Get ready for an electrifying experience with Mind Twist, the ultimate game show event for Magic: The Gathering fans! Witness the excitement unfold as three awesome contestants go head-to-head in a thrilling series of rounds, showcasing their knowledge and wits through trivia challenges and captivating charades. But here’s the twist: audience participation is key! Cheer […]
A good monster can make the difference between another bland dungeon run and a terrifying crawl that keeps the players on the edge of their seats. In this panel, you’ll hear advice from veteran monster designers and have the chance to ask questions to sharpen your own creature building skills.
Narrative design stands at the intersection of game design and writing. On one hand, a good story can pull in a player and keep them engaged. On the other, games are player-driven experiences. How does a designer weight those two elements? What are the distinct challenges and opportunities in narrative design? Our panel of experts […]
Want to publish a gaming resource for a pre-existing system? This is the panel for you. We’ve run the gauntlet of licenses so you don’t have to. Q&A to follow. Presented by World of Game Design.
Vikings have never been more popular! Andrew Valkauskas, author of the Illuminated Edda will bring the authentic myths to life. Dispelling some of the made-up elements by Marvel and others, you’ll get to hear the real tales as they inspired Lord of the Rings and much of our geek culture. Q&A will follow.
As TTRPGs have developed, a variety of design approaches have developed in response to player and DM demand. Over the past few years, some designers have taken the game play from the first decade for TTRPG design and melded it with mechanics from the latest decade. This panel tackles this design approach, providing insight and […]
Join Ghostfire Gaming’s Lead Producer Joe Raso and Lead Designer Shawn Merwin as they talk about the process and perils of creating many different games within a single world (Grim Hollow), as well as creating many different genres of play using a single rules set (5e D&D). They’ll talk through the design and publication process, […]
If you’re interested in designing your own RPG or partaking in the many and new “OGL”-like systems out there you’ll need to rise above and create some unique ideas. This panel focuses on unique game mechanics and how to implement them in order to stand out without over doing it.
Learn tips and strategies for navigating the world of writing using others intellectual property (IP) from industry greats including Andrew Gaska, Matt Forbeck, and James Lowder.
Join this panel of mental health professionals, creatives, and gamemasters as we have an open discussion on how you can create spaces and tell stories that support the overall health of the players at your table. This conversation isn’t meant for mental health professionals (although they are welcome) – this is information for the layperson […]
Experienced project leads, designers, and creatives share their insights with you on how you can make it in the TTRPG industry. They’ll discuss the realities of pay and work opportunities as well as pitfalls to avoid on your adventure into the TTRPG design space.
While playing games can be fun professionals are finding uses for games in the classroom, in treatment facilities, and outpatient therapy. Unfortunately, research is often lacking on how games can be used. Our panel of experts will discuss the research questions they would most like to see investigated, as well as provide feedback for any […]
Join Chris Perkins and a group of D&D creatives from Wizards of the Coast as they share their tips, tricks, and insights into leveling up your DM game!
An intriguing discussion of where the Traveller universe came from and where it is going. He will cover the ideas to make Traveller adventures interesting and fun. Includes a question and answer session.
Join our celebrity and industry players as they form a group of veteran shadow runners and embark on a one-shot mission for nothing more than a little paydata. The audience may help steer this game with suggestions, votes and audience cheers! This ain’t no milk run folks, though, they may require a little cheddar after […]
Join Dr. Megan Connell as she discusses how therapists are using TTRPGs in therapy. She will discuss the impact of the Satanic panic on research on TTRPGs, how ethics and issues of diversity can be addressed in TTRPGs. She also will talk about how TTRPGs are used in therapy, and where clinicians can learn more.
A free-ranging discussion of the Traveller role-playing game rules system with system designer Marc Miller. He will cover the concepts and philosophies of the Traveller rules including a question and answer session.
A wide-ranging discussion of the Traveller role-playing game universe with designer Marc Miller. He will cover the concepts and philosophies of the Traveller universe, background, and history including a question and answer session.
Almost every TTRPG fanatic has dreamed of building their own game. In this panel, you’ll learn the basics of TTRPG design from some of the most accomplished creators working in the field today. You’ll learn about building your core mechanic, balancing mechanics between players and DMs, and finding the right mix between detail and playability.