It seems counter-intuitive, but the longer I play RPGs (and really any games), the more I appreciate limitations as a tool for creativity. For a lot of people this is already second nature, and it’s something that I’ve often experienced over the years. But the... No related posts ..read more

Once upon a time I used to play exclusively power fantasy games – D&D, and everything like it. There were explosions, it was awesome and very epic. But eventually I wanted something… more. Something that I could really feel. Without realising what “genre” I was... Related posts: What I Learned About RPGs From Running a Game Shop #1 After I finished my Kickstarter for Infected RPG back in... GMing Lessons #12: Running Dynamic Combats I had an amazing game last night, and it really inspired me... GMing Lessons #9: Running Epic Battles When you first think of running large-scale co ..read more

I read a great little book a little while ago, called “We Are All Weird” by Seth Godin. I wish I had read it a few years ago. But I feel its lessons apply to everyone trying to create something – whether that’s a book,... Related posts: Alpha Blue and Girls Gone Rogue – An Interview with Venger Satanis Venger Satanis has been featured here before, and now he’s... Game Publishers Guild Immersion Studios is now officially part of the Game Publishers... A One-Shot of Infected Zombie RPG played by Ghost DM Ghost DM, of the blog “Ghost’s Bump in the Night ..read more

After I finished my Kickstarter for Infected RPG back in 2015, I had big plans for creating lots more good RPG content. And then I ended up starting a family, moving cities, and buying a shop! It’s been quite an adventure. I put my RPG-design... Related posts: Game Design Lesson #14: What Is An ISBN And Do You Need One? If you’ve finished your book, you’ll want to get it... Game Publishers Guild Immersion Studios is now officially part of the Game Publishers... GMing Lessons #12: Running Dynamic Combats I had an amazing game last night, and it really inspired me ..read more

For many people, gaming is a luxury they just don’t have time for. Life’s busy. Many people, work, have families, run businesses, have other interests and commitments – squeezing in a few extra hours every week to sit down with some mates and roll dice... Related posts: GMing Lessons #14: My Gaming Revolution I have been gripped by a gaming revolution. It’s not... GMing Tips #16 Character and Context I’ve been stumbling around slowly learning how to make great... GMing Tips #17: Questions That Must Be Answered Getting players to continue their interest in a game is ..read more

Mark Hamilton is a game designer living in Canberra, Australia. He’s currently working on Rasania Chronicles, a neo-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG, utilizing the Immersion RPG system. This is his first guest blog post. One of the biggest hurdles all budding writers face I feel is the ability... Related posts: Game Design Lessons #17: Believing is Half the Battle I’ve started running a game shop (of all things) in... Talent Vs Persistence : Game Design Lessons #18 When I was a kid, it seemed fairly evident that... Game Design Lesson #15: Keeping Up Appearances I’ve come to realise a very importan ..read more

So you’ve read Infected! and maybe you’ve played the scenario in the back. But now what? Your friends are coming over and they expect an awesome game – you need some ideas, goddammit! Drum roll please… here are 5 scenario ideas for Infected RPG! Some could be... Related posts: GM Tips #19: Use Your Best Ideas AJ Pickett is one of the most ingenious and imaginative... GMing Lessons #15: How to Make One-Shot Adventures I recently ran a few games at Aethercon IV, the... Infected Zombie RPG On Drive Thru RPG! It’s official! As of today, Infected! is live on Drive ..read more

If you’re creating an RPG or board game, chances are you want to put it on Kickstarter. But to do so you’ll need to show people what your game is about, and one of the key ways to do so is to create a Quick... Related posts: Game Design Lesson #6: Road to Kickstarter: Where Do You Start? So you’re confident that your product is good, that what... Game Design Lesson #8: When to Lock Down and Charge Cards on Backerkit Infected! has been my first-ever Kickstarter experience, and as part... Game Design Lesson #7: Art. What Is It Good For? If you’re creating an RPG, you’re likely to fairly rapidly ..read more

There was a time when I would have combats in a story just because I liked combats. The game actually revolved around them. The combats seemed to be the story. We would calculate bonuses very carefully, feats and abilities, the powers of swords, exact actions in every... Related posts: Story in Combat : GMing Tips #23 Combat can be awesome, or it can simply be one... GMing Tips #17: Questions That Must Be Answered Getting players to continue their interest in a game is... GMing Tips #16 Character and Context I’ve been stumbling around slowly learning how to make great ..read more

Combat can be awesome, or it can simply be one grind after another. But how do you keep each combat from blurring into the next? Even more so, how do you make it so that your players don’t just attack every obstacle and kill everyone... Related posts: GMing Tips #17: Questions That Must Be Answered Getting players to continue their interest in a game is... GMing Lessons #15: How to Make One-Shot Adventures I recently ran a few games at Aethercon IV, the... GMing Lessons #14: My Gaming Revolution I have been gripped by a gaming revolution. It’s not ..read more