From “Murder-Ents” to rigid world-building, discover how the names you give your monsters and settings can either cement your immersion or accidentally kill the mystery.
Genre Police: Issues With Commitment
Are your most reliable players sacrificing their own fun to keep your campaign moving? Learn why “engine” players often miss out on character development and how to fix it.
Genre Police: Lost In Static
“Help! My player won’t leave the inn!” We break down the four types of passive players and how to engage them without railroading.
Genre Police: The 5-Step Campaign Refresh
Stuck in a rut? We revisit the five pillars of the Genre Police column – from Dials to The Self – and show you how to use them to design a unique campaign like Arcane.
From travel writer to DM: How real-world wanderlust shapes extraordinary RPG locations
We interview Duncan Rhodes about his new book, The Creative Game Master’s Guide to Extraordinary Locations. Learn how his background as a travel writer helps him turn generic fantasy maps into versatile, session-sustaining set pieces.
Changing class names until D&D is low-key sinister
Rebranding a class changes how a player interacts with the world. A wizard who is an Academic or a Censor treats reality like a document to be edited. These sinister titles shift the focus from heroic fantasy to a cold and clinical obsession.
Theater of the mind – Inspiration from the golden age of radio drama
Explore how the “theater of the mind” from Old-Time Radio can enhance roleplaying games. Learn five audio techniques to build immersion, from verbal tricks to sound science.
Genre Police: Catch It On A Re-Run
Running the same roleplaying game one-shot for different groups? It’s a masterclass in GMing. Learn how re-running a scenario teaches vital skills in design, pacing, refinement, and adapting to group dynamics.
Genre Police: System Expectations
Feeling bored with your regular roleplaying games? Challenge yourself as a GM. Learn to push systems to their limits, change basic rules, and mash up genres for exciting new play.
Why the scariest D&D monsters only exist in your mind
Learn how to describe D&D monsters to make them truly scary. A guest post by Tom Gilbert of LunaBear Games, creator of the Deck of Holding Kickstarter.
