I find one page RPGs a unique challenge. I struggle with brevity (anyone who reads my newsletters will know). My first ever game was meant to be one page and ended up a dozen!
This is exactly the kind of manifesto I didn’t know I needed. That quote from The Complete Book of Wargames reads like an unintentional love letter to zine culture — and your reframing of “crude, amateur, and small” as a strength made me grin. There’s something magic about the constraint of a one-page RPG—it forces clarity, tone, and creative risks you might otherwise polish away.
I’m especially curious about one-page RPGs designed for use in the wild—museums, art stores, bookstores, even nature walks. Something light, poetic, maybe map-based. Almost like a playable field journal or a social ritual. If anyone’s played with that format, I’d love to see what came out of it.
And the “Consume & Create” framework? Might steal that for my next writing group.
Subscribed instantly. Already plotting a trifold of my own.
Didn't even need to read the whole thing! Just ordered the A5 print!
At one question consideration - I would love to see how to create one-page rpg's for people to bring into for exploration of their community spaces! Arts stores, museums, social gatherings, coffee shops... etc...
No idea yet! I've seen photos of 'RPG bookmarks' that might be in the same avenue...
Seems like they could be a museum educational tool... or a city exploration tool... or a social 'who shall I speak to' tool... or public storytelling... or crafting a story from public spaces...
So excited for this! Thanks for sharing your resources 🔥 I just made a post about the game jam, and I intend to use my blog as a sort of devlog for the game I make! https://stormseye.substack.com/p/one-page-rpg-jam-2024
My game is Scum City Power Washers!
A game of dystopian sci-fi, super-sentai, teen drama in which players will take on the role of Power Washers, who don super hazmat suits with military-grade sanitation equipment to cleanse the Metropolis of toxic waste-born monstrosities, and the corrupt corporatocracy that created them. Meanwhile, they will have to avoid mutations and corporate suspicion, manage their social lives, and get good grades in school to uphold their secret identities and keep their loved ones safe.
I find one page RPGs a unique challenge. I struggle with brevity (anyone who reads my newsletters will know). My first ever game was meant to be one page and ended up a dozen!
Looking forward to these tips!
I have the same problem. Having a fixed limit means I’ll actually finish it. :)
This is exactly the kind of manifesto I didn’t know I needed. That quote from The Complete Book of Wargames reads like an unintentional love letter to zine culture — and your reframing of “crude, amateur, and small” as a strength made me grin. There’s something magic about the constraint of a one-page RPG—it forces clarity, tone, and creative risks you might otherwise polish away.
I’m especially curious about one-page RPGs designed for use in the wild—museums, art stores, bookstores, even nature walks. Something light, poetic, maybe map-based. Almost like a playable field journal or a social ritual. If anyone’s played with that format, I’d love to see what came out of it.
And the “Consume & Create” framework? Might steal that for my next writing group.
Subscribed instantly. Already plotting a trifold of my own.
Thank you so much for this comment! Made my day!!!
I'm teaching a Make Your Own One-Page RPG at my public library next month, and I hope they share your enthusiasm!
I didnt even finished reading the post. I clicked download and got my copy!
Now, to finish reading the post lol
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it!
Came across this sub stack while looking into articles on layout design, and was quickly hooked!
Ordered the print version of this article series right away but still making my way through the digital versions and bookmarking a lot of links!
Also... Came for the RPG analysis, but Staying for the Python/DataViz + Public Library stan + broad game exploration!
This comment made my day! Thank you! 😊
The ADVENTURE! prints just arrived and they look good. I am starting to ship those out this week, so watch for a shipping notification!
Didn't even need to read the whole thing! Just ordered the A5 print!
At one question consideration - I would love to see how to create one-page rpg's for people to bring into for exploration of their community spaces! Arts stores, museums, social gatherings, coffee shops... etc...
What comes to mind with this?
Thank you so much! If you placed an order today, it will ship out this week.
I’m intrigued by the idea of connecting one-page RPGs to community spaces. I’d love to learn more. Any examples or more info you could share?
No idea yet! I've seen photos of 'RPG bookmarks' that might be in the same avenue...
Seems like they could be a museum educational tool... or a city exploration tool... or a social 'who shall I speak to' tool... or public storytelling... or crafting a story from public spaces...
Just an idea so far...
I like it! There is a lot to be explored in the intersection of writing and games. And it can be done in a very small space like a sheet of paper.
All in All : Thank you - as this is what I hope to develop with said purchase. If ideas are implanted - I'd be happy to explore them in this avenue.
So excited for this! Thanks for sharing your resources 🔥 I just made a post about the game jam, and I intend to use my blog as a sort of devlog for the game I make! https://stormseye.substack.com/p/one-page-rpg-jam-2024
My game is Scum City Power Washers!
A game of dystopian sci-fi, super-sentai, teen drama in which players will take on the role of Power Washers, who don super hazmat suits with military-grade sanitation equipment to cleanse the Metropolis of toxic waste-born monstrosities, and the corrupt corporatocracy that created them. Meanwhile, they will have to avoid mutations and corporate suspicion, manage their social lives, and get good grades in school to uphold their secret identities and keep their loved ones safe.
Love it! Good luck with the game design!
Excited to see how your advice can help shape the game!