RPG Master Class

Currently Playing: Core Loop First: What Modularity and MVP Can Teach You About Designing Your Own Game

Dr. Ben discusses Modularity and Minimal Viable Product Theory for TTRPGs (Episode #187). #dnd #pathfinder #ttrpg #wfrp Pattern Language: https://youtu.be/quHi4MW0PwY Website https://rpgphd.com/ Discord https://discord.gg/e49rJVQCwW RPG PHD swag!!! https://rpg-phd.myspreadshop.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089593636905 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rpg_phd/ Bluesky @rpg-phd.bsky.social Special thanks to Evelina for the thumbnail template, much appreciated!! 😊 DESCRIPTION This episode pairs two theories from completely outside game design, Modularity Theory from systems engineering and Minimum Viable Product from lean startup methodology, to give you an actual method for building your own tabletop RPG. Using an original case study (a flooded-city salvage game inspired by Sinking Cities and Salvage Union) we walk through finding your core loop, designing clean interfaces between subsystems, and knowing when to cut a module that isn't earning its place. Includes the common pitfalls that trip up solo designers and a full step-by-step guide you can apply to your own homebrew system. TAGS TTRPG design, tabletop RPG design, game design theory, how to design a TTRPG, indie game design, Modularity Theory, Minimum Viable Product, MVP game design, lean startup, Eric Ries, Herbert Simon, systems engineering, core game loop, game design process, homebrew RPG, RPG design tips, playtesting, game design for beginners, RPG PHD, tabletop game mechanics, subsystem design, game balance --------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 01:15 The Theory 05:33 Case Study 10:38 Further Considerations 15:15 Pitfalls 18:45 Step-By Step Guide 22:18 Thoughts? -------------------------------------------- Works Cited Simon, H. A. (1962). The architecture of complexity. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 106(6), 467–482. Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., & Silverstein, M. (1977). A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. Oxford University Press. Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Crown Business. Music and Sounds: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Erdns8jA3D/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/MRyCi54t7M/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/AQBpWzOsID/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/yCvSWOBYUe/ Music: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/c0X3Z8H8uZ/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/yCvSWOBYUe/ Music: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/bWHPOsoaql/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/uDAHxg3lIS/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/e3mQvva1kZ/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/e3mQvva1kZ/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/e3mQvva1kZ/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/2dLRmfzdA5/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/jrNZjxJQqZ/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/c0X3Z8H8uZ/ https://www.epidemicsound.com/sound-effects/tracks/8c51eca6-dbb5-4925-b4ec-7ee51630322e