People often ask me, “How do I start making TTRPGs?”
And it is a good question!
When you’re starting out, the whole process can seem overwhelming with loads of different things to think about and consider. Also, the TTRPG community is spread over many sites, forums, and Discord servers. So there isn’t a single place for those looking to dip their toes into game creation to find tips or advice.
I’ve been asked this question often on podcasts, during streams, and in private. But I realized I’ve never actually written any of my tips down. So, if you’re keen to make some TTRPGs, here are some tips to help you get started.
Obviously, these are not universal rules. There is no right way to make a game. So, like any artistic advice, feel free to take what you need and discard the rest.
Start Making Them
I know it is trite to say, but you can make a game!
You don’t need specific knowledge, qualifications, or permission to make a game. If you want to try making a game, then you can. You just need to throw yourself in and make it. The most crucial first step is getting over that initial imposter syndrome and putting those first few words down. Once you get going, you’ll find it way easier to continue.
Don’t Worry About Quality.
First attempts are usually not great, but that is not an excuse not to try. It would be like walking into a kindergarten class and mocking all the kids for not being able to do long division. Of course, they can’t do it. They’ve not got there yet. And that’s fine!
The same goes for you. Your first game may not be fantastic, but all art is a learning process. And if you don’t try, you don’t improve. Being kind to yourself is hard (god knows I struggle with it,) but when you’re starting out, be gentle with yourself and give yourself space to explore.
Also, “bad art” is fine. It has a right to exist! Not everything needs to be a perfect, genre-defining masterpiece. It is okay to have fun making something and only create it for the sake of creating it. If you enjoy the process, then fuck everyone else who says otherwise.
The best thing about TTRPGs is that they’re not life or death. No one will be hurt or injured if your first game doesn’t turn out perfectly. The world won’t end if you make a typo or write a confusing mechanic. It’s okay to try and just see where it takes you.
Start Small
When making your first TTRPG, it is wise to limit your scope. While it is tempting to try and create a game with the size and scope of Dungeons And Dragons or Pathfinder, doing that can be a massive undertaking, especially if you’re a solo designer.
There is nothing wrong with taking it slow and starting with a small one or two-page game. In fact, some of the best games I’ve played in recent years have only been a couple of pages long!
Try Game Jams
Game Jams are a fantastic resource.
If you’re new to the concept, a game jam is an event where people try to make games within a fixed time limit. Game Jams often have themes or rules that creators must follow when creating their games. For instance, a Game Jam may say that games can’t go beyond a specific length or may only use certain types of dice.
Itch has a whole section for jams, and there is a calendar that keeps track of TTRPG-focused Game Jams here.
The best thing about game jams is that they give you a structure and a base to work from, and the time limit can motivate you to keep pushing forward and get your game finished.
If you’re just starting, format jams are excellent. Game jams like the 1 Page RPG Jam, Bookmark Jam, and the Business Card Jam limit you to a specific amount of space. This stops you from accidentally letting your game grow out of control. They can also help make the design experience less intimidating as the restrictions help you focus on your game’s core elements.
These jams are also great for learning. The limited scope evens the playing field, letting you see how other designers approach the same idea without vast differences in team size and budget muddying the comparison.
Don’t Feel The Need To Break The Bank.
If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of TTRPGs, don’t feel pressured to spend lots of money. You can make and release a game using free software, assets, storefronts, and a low-end computer.
In fact, this accessibility is one of the joys of the medium!
Get Your Software And Resources Ready
Obviously, if you’re making games digitally, you’ll need software. Thankfully, it is easier than ever to get ahold of the stuff you need to make a game.
Every designer will have their own software of choice. But I’m going to list some common ones. To give you a starting point for research:
- Writing/Layout: Affinity Publisher, LibreOffice Writer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign, Scribus
- Image Editing: Affinity Photo, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, GIMP
Also, if you’re looking for resources to use, I maintain a list of free, cheap, and Creative Commons TTRPG resources here!
I hope this helps you take your first steps in TTRPG creation! This is likely something I’ll update or come back to if I notice that I’m getting asked a specific question regularly.
However, the main takeaway of this post is simple. If you want to make games, you can!
Jonathon Greenall is a freelance writer, artist, and tabletop roleplaying game designer who has written for CBR, Polygon, Nintendo Life, Gayley Dreadful, Enbylife, and many other publications. They have also published several popular and highly-praised tabletop roleplaying games including “You Have One Ability….The Ability To Fuck This Up,” “Macarons, Milkshakes, And Magic,” and “Wander Wizards.”
Jonathon has always been fascinated by media, from the big hitters to the small, obscure, and often overlooked titles that linger on the sidelines, capturing both the on and off-camera stories that make these shows so fascinating.
Jonathon is also a major anime fan, having been exposed to the medium through shows like Sailor Moon and Revolutionary Girl Utena. Since then, Jonathon has maintained a passion for anime, watching most new shows each season and hunting down overlooked gems from previous ones.