The True Scenario Designery Series

Anyone Mere Adventure Builder can follow the step-by-step instructions in their Game Mastery Guide to build a perfectly adequate, serviceable encounter, adventure, or campaign. But creating truly great gaming content is a work of game design art. And that art is called Scenario Design.

This series is about applying the art of game design to tabletop roleplaying games to build the best damned encounters, adventures, and campaigns you possibly can.


Course Prequel and Introduction

Just Design a Good Game

May 31, 2024

I’ve made a terrible decision. But I can’t tell you what it is until I defend my stance on worlds that level with the characters and get you to sing the game design anthem with me.

What the Hell is Scenario Design Anyway?

June 20, 2024

The Scenario Design cat is out of the bag and clawing up the furniture. Which means it’s time for a real True Scenario Designery introduction. And this is it.


Game Design Fundamentals

Designing on Purpose

June 28, 2024

It’s time for the first of three hodgepodges of game design concepts that together make a sort-of foundation for this whole True Scenario Design thing.

The Anatomy of a Game

July 7, 2024

It’s time for the second in this three-part whirlwind tour of what True Scenario Designers know about what makes games games. And this really is all about what makes games games.

What Makes a Challenge

August 28, 2024

In this last of three parts, I wrap up my introduction to basic, conceptual game design. Now, maybe we can move on to actually designing a Scenario or something. That is if you dunderheads actually grok this crap.

Scenario Design That Makes a Statement

October 28, 2024

Let’s see if I can’t help tie together the last three lessons of random, conceptual, game design bullshit by showing you how a True Scenario Designer comes up with a Design Statement.

Supplemental Materials to Game Design Fundementals

A Scenario Design Interlude: Why Are We Here?

October 31, 2024

Let’s take a moment here to consider, again, why we’re doing this whole True Scenario Designery thing. Because, listen maties, there be rough waters ahead.


Designing Scenarios You Can Win and Lose

Win, Lose, or Draw

November 29, 2024

It’s time to start a whole new True Scenario Designery module. This one’s not about Winning and Losing, but that’s where we’re starting, and boy is that a messy place to start.

Quality Wins and Losses

November 30, 2024

Last time, I told all y’all you need a more complete, more nuanced understanding of the concepts of Winning and Losing. This time, I’ll give you that understanding. Because I’m awesome.

Gaming in Fits and Starts

December 11, 2024

Now that you know what Winning and Losing are, actually, correctly, and for reals, I can tell you how gameplay is both continuous and discrete and what the Quest Structure really, truly is.

What Do Players Know Anyway?

Coming Soon