Build Worlds That Tell Stories
Create role-playing game systems and campaign settings that invite players into memorable adventures where their choices shape the narrative
Back to HomeWhat This Course Provides
This course guides you through developing tabletop role-playing game systems and campaign settings. You'll learn to create mechanics that support storytelling, build engaging worlds, and design adventures that bring players together.
System Design Knowledge
Understand how dice mechanics, character progression systems, and resolution frameworks work together to create engaging gameplay. You'll explore different approaches to RPG system design and find what serves your creative vision.
Worldbuilding Foundations
Develop comprehensive campaign settings that feel lived-in and invite exploration. You'll learn techniques for creating cultures, histories, conflicts, and locations that support meaningful stories.
Adventure Writing Skills
Learn to craft adventures that balance structure with player agency. You'll understand how to create scenarios that guide without restricting, offering memorable moments while honoring player choices.
Inclusive Design Approaches
Discover how to incorporate safety tools, facilitate session zero conversations, and create inclusive gaming environments. You'll learn to design RPG experiences that welcome diverse players and honor different play styles.
You'll finish this course with a working RPG system, a developed campaign setting, and practical knowledge of how to facilitate engaging tabletop role-playing experiences.
Common Challenges in RPG Creation
Creating tabletop role-playing games involves unique challenges related to balancing mechanics with narrative, designing for player agency, and building worlds that feel authentic. These obstacles are familiar to RPG creators.
Balancing Mechanics and Story
Finding the right balance between mechanical systems and narrative freedom can be challenging. You might struggle with creating rules that support storytelling without overwhelming the creative aspects, or wonder how much mechanical detail serves your game's goals.
Creating Consistent Worlds
Building campaign settings that feel cohesive and believable requires attention to many interconnected elements. Developing cultures, histories, conflicts, and geography that work together naturally involves considerable creative effort and planning.
Designing for Player Agency
Writing adventures that provide structure while honoring player choices presents a unique challenge. You might find it difficult to prepare scenarios that remain engaging regardless of how players approach them, or struggle with balancing preparation with flexibility.
Understanding Facilitator Tools
Knowing what game masters need to run your RPG effectively involves understanding facilitation challenges you might not have encountered. Creating useful GM tools, clear procedures, and helpful references requires insight into how your game will actually be played at tables.
These challenges are part of the RPG design journey. Through focused learning and practical experience, you can develop approaches that help you create role-playing games that facilitate engaging stories and memorable experiences.
Our Approach to RPG Design
This course provides comprehensive instruction in tabletop RPG creation, addressing both system design and campaign development. You'll learn to create games that support collaborative storytelling.
Dice Mechanics and Resolution
Explore different dice systems and resolution mechanics, understanding how they affect gameplay feel and narrative pacing. You'll learn to design mechanical frameworks that support your game's themes and play style.
Character Progression Systems
Design character development systems that create satisfying growth arcs. You'll understand how different progression approaches affect long-term play and player investment in their characters.
Worldbuilding Techniques
Learn structured approaches to creating campaign settings that feel authentic and invite exploration. You'll develop skills in building cultures, conflicts, and histories that support compelling stories.
Adventure Structure and Writing
Understand how to write adventures that provide engaging scenarios while respecting player agency. You'll learn techniques for creating flexible structures that remain coherent regardless of player choices.
Safety Tools and Session Zero
Explore how to incorporate safety tools into your game design and facilitate productive session zero conversations. You'll learn to create inclusive environments that welcome different players and play styles.
GM Tool Development
Design practical tools that help game masters run your RPG effectively. You'll create reference sheets, procedural generation systems, and organizational frameworks that support smooth gameplay.
Your Design Journey
Throughout the course, you'll develop your own tabletop RPG system and campaign setting. This hands-on approach ensures you're applying concepts to actual creative work.
System Design
Create mechanics and resolution frameworks
World Development
Build campaign settings and adventures
Playtesting
Test and refine through actual play
Your Course Experience
The course creates a collaborative environment where you can develop your RPG design skills while working on a project that reflects your creative vision.
Course Sessions
Each session explores different aspects of RPG design, from mechanical systems through to narrative frameworks and facilitation techniques. You'll have opportunities to discuss concepts, share ideas, and receive guidance from instructors experienced in RPG creation.
The learning approach combines instruction with practical work time, allowing you to apply concepts to your own RPG project immediately. You'll see how theoretical principles translate into actual game design decisions.
Project Development
Throughout the course, you'll design your own tabletop RPG system and campaign setting. This hands-on project means you're not just learning about RPG design abstractly, but actively creating a playable game.
You'll test your RPG with other course participants, gather feedback on how the mechanics and setting work in practice, and refine your design based on actual play experiences. This process helps you understand what makes RPGs engaging at the table.
Collaborative Learning
Work with fellow RPG designers who bring different creative perspectives and design interests. You'll exchange ideas, playtest each other's systems, and build connections within the RPG design community.
Instructors provide feedback tailored to your specific project and design goals. Whether you're creating narrative-focused story games, tactical combat systems, or experimental RPG frameworks, you'll receive relevant guidance.
Development Timeline
The course duration provides adequate time to develop both your RPG system and campaign setting thoughtfully. You'll have opportunities between sessions to write adventures, refine mechanics, and prepare materials for playtesting.
Course Investment
Complete Tabletop RPG Creation Course
Course Includes
- Comprehensive instruction in RPG system and setting design
- Project development with personalized feedback
- Playtesting sessions with RPG-focused feedback
- Worldbuilding templates and design frameworks
- Safety tools and facilitation guidance resources
Lasting Value
- Skills applicable to various RPG design projects
- Connections with RPG design community
- Complete RPG system and campaign setting
- Understanding of independent publishing options
- Confidence in facilitating RPG experiences
This investment supports your growth as an RPG designer, providing you with knowledge, practical experience, and community connections that serve your creative work for years to come.
How the Course Supports Your Development
Established Curriculum
The course curriculum draws from years of RPG design experience and has been refined based on what helps creators develop their skills effectively. Each topic builds on previous learning.
You'll work with design principles that successful RPG systems have demonstrated, while exploring approaches that reflect your unique creative vision.
Hands-On Focus
Every concept you learn gets applied to your RPG project immediately. This practical approach helps you understand how design principles work when creating actual games.
The course environment encourages experimentation with different mechanical approaches and narrative frameworks, helping you discover what serves your design goals.
Visible Progress
As your RPG system and campaign setting develop from initial concepts to playable experiences, you'll see tangible evidence of your growing capabilities. Playtesting provides concrete feedback on how your design is functioning.
Thoughtful Pacing
The course timeline allows adequate time to absorb RPG design concepts, work on your projects between sessions, conduct playtests, and refine your system based on actual play feedback.
What You Can Expect to Create
By completing this course, you'll have developed a functional tabletop RPG system with coherent mechanics, a campaign setting with depth and consistency, and adventure modules that demonstrate how your game facilitates engaging stories.
Beyond your project, you'll have gained understanding of RPG design principles that you can apply to future creative work. You'll know how to create systems that support storytelling and have connections with other RPG designers to support your ongoing development.
Our Commitment to Your Learning Experience
We're committed to providing a supportive environment where you can develop your RPG design skills thoughtfully. Your experience in this course is important to us.
Knowledgeable Instruction
Our instructors have created tabletop RPG systems and campaign settings across different genres. They understand the challenges you'll face and provide guidance relevant to your project.
Accessible Guidance
When questions arise during your design work, instructors are available to provide support. We want you to feel comfortable seeking guidance throughout the course.
Clear Course Information
We provide transparent details about course content, time commitments, and learning outcomes so you can make an informed decision about enrollment.
Initial Conversation
Before enrolling, you're welcome to discuss your RPG design interests with us and ensure the course matches your creative goals.
We understand that selecting a course involves thoughtful consideration. We encourage you to contact us with questions about the curriculum, teaching approach, or whether this course aligns with your current interests in RPG design.
Beginning Your RPG Design Journey
Starting your journey in tabletop RPG creation is straightforward. Here's how to connect with the course.
Connect With Us
Use our contact form to express interest in the Tabletop RPG Creation course. Share your RPG design interests and any questions you have.
Discuss the Course
We'll reach out to provide course information, answer questions, and discuss whether it aligns with your creative goals.
Begin Creating
After enrollment, you'll receive session details, material information, and preparation guidance. Your RPG design journey begins.
Following Your Inquiry
After receiving your message, we'll respond within a few days to discuss your interest in RPG design. This conversation helps us understand your background and creative aspirations.
We'll provide comprehensive course information, upcoming session dates, and answers to your questions. This initial conversation carries no obligation, it's simply an opportunity for you to learn more.
If you decide the course suits your needs, we'll guide you through enrollment and provide everything needed to prepare for your first session.
Ready to start creating tabletop RPG systems?
Start Your RPG Design Journey
Connect with us to learn more about the Tabletop RPG Creation course and explore how it can support your creative vision. We're here to answer questions and help you determine if this course is right for you.
Contact Us TodayExplore Other Course Options
Interested in other areas of game design? We also offer programs in board game design and card game development.