RPG Design Panelcast

Recorded at Metatopia 2025

Presented by Ted Hayes 

In this panel, we introduce  a practical, visual way to understand how your game's systems connect. We'll explore a simple framework for representing events, quantities, and states as nodes in a graph, and see how these diagrams can quickly reveal opportunities for adding and improving mechanics. The session will be hands-on, with time to sketch and share graphs, so you leave with both a clear methodology and a new perspective on your design.

Recorded at Metatopia 2025

Presented by Meguey and Vincent Baker

Every game is based on some underlying models of our social reality. In this panel, we will discuss how to think about these models and how they will affect the games you create, with Apocalypse World as a working example.

Recorded at Metatopia 2024

Presented by Meguey Baker

Games and stories have told us that life is nasty, brutish and short, while the true story of human society is built on solidarity and empathy. In this panel, we will discuss how we can come together and care for each other in games and in life.

Note that this panel was originally focused more on world building, inspired by some of the excellent posts by Meguey on her blog at https://lumpley.games/2022/11/28/follow-the-thread-a-worldbuilding-guide/

Recorded at Metatopia 2024

Presented by Curt Covert

Self-Publishing is not for everyone, nor is opening a small business as a board game publisher. We will discuss why this is the case and then, for the undaunted, discuss the challenges, pitfalls to avoid, best practices for success and planning for managed growth. Bring your questions.

Recorded at Metatopia 2024

Presented by Stephanie Bryant and Melissa Lewis-Gentry

What's Agile and why would I use it? Join us for a quick overview of Agile principles and practices that can help you tune your game design process into more flexible, powerful, and satisfying ways of working, whether you're a solo designer or leader of an entire team.