Roll three, pick two in Rumble Nation
Exploring how simple dice mechanisms can be used to create deep decision spaces in strategy games via Rumble Nation published by Hobby Japan.| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring how simple dice mechanisms can be used to create deep decision spaces in strategy games via Rumble Nation published by Hobby Japan.| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring deduction and induction games and learning the differences between the two using Signal (DVC Games) as an example. Can we make more highly thematic induction games?| Skeleton Code Machine
The latest issue of TUMULUS is shipping now, including creative inspiration, game design exercises, deep sea treasures, pirate islands, and unfortunate shipwrecks. Plus a simplified order page!| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring the world of library catalog and bibliographic data, and why it is important for indie creators to understand the basics. Let's talk about ISBNs, MARC records, and CIP blocks!| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring the First Eligible initiative system used in Fred Serval's A Gest of Robin Hood published by GMT games. Turn order becomes part of the tough decisions in this asymmetric game.| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring how the choice of cards, dice, tokens, coins and how the player physically interacts with can support (or break) the theme of a tabletop game. There's more to it than equivalent probability.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
I lost a game of Kingmaker when plague struck Calais and I've been thinking about it ever since. Exploring thematic vs. abstract and random vs. low-luck games and the idea of zero-luck TTRPGs.| Skeleton Code Machine
An interview with Steph from TTRPGkids about choose your own adventure games, playing TTRPGs with kids, non-violent obstacles, and more.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring how the design of Ghost Beacon for the One-Page RPG Jam taught me some lessons about game design. Keeping good notes, feedback on what's (not) fun, and using project management tools.| Skeleton Code Machine
Use these five fonts the next time you want to branch out from the usuals. All of them are free, versatile, and particularly readable at a range of sizes.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring the game design questions Python can (and can't) help us answer when making a new board game or TTRPG.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring the impact of game state changes on the ability of players to have a strategy and plan their turns in advance. The difference between strategic vs. tactical player experiences.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring how Dune: War for Arrakis uses input randomness to assign dice and limit player actions, creating a unique wargame mechanism... and how this might apply to TTRPGs.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring action drafting, worker placement, and worker placement with dice workers in The White Castle, and how it creates tough choices in a tight game.| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring the concept of Hobson's Choice in tabletop games, how to identify them, and when they are a good (or bad) part of a game's design.| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring increasing and decreasing decision spaces in tabletop games, and how they can be manipulated to create the best player experience.| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring how small changes to the usual deck-building game conventions make The Tea Dragon Society Card Game a bit more accessible (and cozy) to a wider range of players| Skeleton Code Machine
Exploring how Gladiator (1981) uses mechanisms to support the theme of combat and a fickle crowd in the arenas of ancient Rome.| Skeleton Code Machine
The latest issue of TUMULUS is shipping now, including creative inspiration for dungeon crawls, pub dice games, locks, keys, depth crawls, weird flora, and a bug hunt from Skeleton Code Machine.| Skeleton Code Machine
An updated list of the best articles you may have missed, including both old and new. If you are one of the 2,000+ new subscribers over the last year, here's where to start!| Skeleton Code Machine
10 of the best questions to ask after a board game or TTRPG playtest, and 3 questions you should avoid. Lessons learned from playtesting at Unpub 2025.| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
ADVENTURE! is a new guide from Skeleton Code Machine covering everything you need to make your first (or next) TTRPG adventure. Available for pre-order now!| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring the common elements of dungeon crawl games and how to make them better| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
Exploring the many ways to make a randomly generated map for your next dungeon crawl using dice and cards| www.skeletoncodemachine.com
