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.