Unearth inspiration with TUMULUS - Just launched!
Introducing TUMULUS, a new quarterly compendium of the analog gaming inspiration you love from Skeleton Code Machine
I’m really excited to share something that I’ve been working on: TUMULUS, a new quarterly publication from Exeunt Press.
As a Skeleton Code Machine reader, you know how obsessed I am with tabletop game mechanisms, design theory, and finding ways to inspire and encourage creativity. With TUMULUS, I want to create something in print that you keep on your shelf and find valuable years from now — a lasting source of inspiration.
A tumulus (Latin for ‘mound’ or ‘small hill’) is earth and stones raised over a grave — a barrow or burial mound. I chose this word not only because it fits the Exeunt Press / Skeleton Code Machine skeletal motif, but also because it hints at my vision for this publication. I want each issue to be a collection of ideas unearthed from my design notebooks — playable micro-games, design ideas, and tools for creativity — a place to share things that would be otherwise left buried.
Each 40–60 page, A5-sized issue brings a new theme alongside “best of” articles from Skeleton Code Machine, original content, micro-games, design exercises, and creative tools to inspire you.
The first issue is complete and ready to print! It explores dystopian anxiety about malfunctioning artificial intelligence and includes android naming schemes, a cyberpunk district worldbuilding game, a logic puzzle, a hex flower game engine, and more. You can expect this variety and quality with a completely new theme in every issue! The first one (01. DO NOT TRUST ROBOTS) ships in December.1
Be one of the first 100 subscribers and become a TUMULUS Founder to get these additional items:
Numbered print of the first issue cover
Art print of Ragdoll by Strega Wolf from the first issue
Theme-O-Matic print from the Make Your One-Page RPG series
Skeleton Code Machine sticker
Personal thank-you note from the editor (me)
I started Skeleton Code Machine in January 2023 — a weekly newsletter dedicated to the exploration of tabletop game mechanisms. Now, you are one of thousands of subscribers who look forward to checking your email inbox on Tuesday mornings.2 I remain amazed and humbled by the response. Sincerely, thank you.
If you enjoy Skeleton Code Machine, I really think you’ll love TUMULUS.
Subscribe today to receive your first four issues.
— E.P. 💀
P.S. See the full details for information on international shipping for TUMULUS.
Skeleton Code Machine is a production of Exeunt Press. All previous posts are in the Archive on the web. If you want to see what else is happening at Exeunt Press, check out the Exeunt Omnes newsletter.
The themes for the next three TUMULUS issues have all been chosen and covers designed. At least for now, I’ve decided to keep the themes secret and be a surprise when released. If you hate surprises and really want to know, send me a message on Bluesky and I’ll tell you.
I had multiple people stop by the Exeunt Press booth at Save Against Fear to tell me they look forward to receiving Skeleton Code Machine each Tuesday morning. That is perhaps the highest praise I could receive, and I’m so appreciative of them taking the time to tell me.
You can give TUMULUS as a gift!
In fact I tried to make it extra "giftable" by making sure the subscription does NOT auto-renew. You can just enter your own billing info and set the shipping info to who you want to send it to. They will receive 4 issues (1 per quarter) and it's all paid for in one shot.
This is so cool!!
I don't have the means to contribute now, but at some point I'd love to hear how you did it: a kind of behind-the-scenes look at producing a physical artefact!