Welcome to Skeleton Code Machine
“Few blogs are writing about the ins and outs of game mechanics with as much creativity as Skeleton Code Machine. Straddling the worlds of board games and RPGs, the site regularly finds fresh ways of thinking about how games work, both in theory and on the table. At a time when blogging is starting to feel like a lost art, SCM has picked up the baton and run with it.” — Cardboard Edison, “Best Board Game Resources of 2025” 1/5/2026
“Hugely useful, thoughtful and well written resource for any aspiring - or experienced! - tabletop designers here. I link to one of these in basically every BoardGameWire newsletter, always super insightful stuff.” — BoardGameWire 12/8/2025
“There’s a reason SCM is in our regular rotation of sites we check when compiling #TuesdayNewsday each week.” — Armchair Dragoons 12/8/2025
“Your blog is a great resource for me when I’m designing. I always find great information and new ways of seeing things there…” — Weird Place 2/26/2026
Skeleton Code Machine is an ENNIE-nominated and CRIT award-winning weekly newsletter exploring tabletop game mechanisms — named one of the Best Board Game Resources of 2025 by Cardboard Edison.
Skeleton Code Machine gives you tools and structures think about and make tabletop games. Spark your creativity as a game designer or enthusiast and think differently about how games work. Subscribe for game design inspiration!
Get the Skeleton Code Machine guides
ADVENTURE! Make Your Own TTRPG Adventure
Written by the author of the ENNIE-nominated Skeleton Code Machine, ADVENTURE! covers the essential TTRPG adventure-making elements such as hooks, encounters, maps, and NPCs. Each chapter includes practical exercises to encourage hands-on learning — accessible for both beginners and experienced designers. With art by Evlyn Moreau!
Create your own roleplaying game that fits on a single sheet of paper. Written by the creator of the ENNIE nominated Exclusion Zone Botanist, this Skeleton Code Machine guide takes you through every step of the process from initial concept to publication. It offers practical advice and examples you can use.
Tenebrous: Make Dark & Weird Things for MÖRK BORG
Grab two six-sided dice and roll on the included tables for mediums, monsters, items, rumors, and locations. Dark and weird MÖRK BORG creations are just a few dice rolls away.
Get more inspiration with TUMULUS
TUMULUS is a print-only, quarterly compendium of analog gaming inspiration, tools, design theory, and playable content from the award-winning Skeleton Code Machine. Each printed issue explores a different theme, with articles, games, random tables, and game design exercises. It is available as a four-issue subscription or as individual back issues. Learn more at tumulus.exeunt.press.
Where should I start?
If you are a new subscriber, you should start here! Also, all previous Skeleton Code Machine posts are available in the archive.
Who’s behind all this?
Exeunt Press is an independent tabletop game design company creating games that blend storytelling with structured mechanisms. Explore a dark and corrupting forest, sell cursed items to unsuspecting customers, or become a stale muffin. Weird and wonderful games await. Learn more at www.exeunt.press.
Skeleton Code Machine is written by John Mulligan, one half of the Exeunt Press team. The other half (as unpaid intern) is an old dog named Murphdog. You can tell Murphdog she’s a good girl at murphdog@exeunt.press.
Skeleton Code Machine and TUMULUS are written, augmented, purged, and published by Exeunt Press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission. TUMULUS and Skeleton Code Machine are Copyright 2026 Exeunt Press.
For comments or questions: games@exeunt.press
