Design Doc

While Evan's away, Hannah reflects on the announcement that Hampshire College, an unconventional school founded in the 1970s, is closing its doors. It was flawed, idealistic, and not always what was promised. But it was a special place that encouraged weirdos to be weird, and paved our own winding path to game design. Hampshire College Workers' Emergency Relief Fund Help Hampshire workers faced with sudden job loss: https://www.helphampshireworkers.com/ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/hampshire-college-workers-emergency-relief-fund Turtlebun Links Turtlebun Discord:⁠⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/ajP36nzPb2⁠⁠⁠ Turtlebun on Patreon:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Turtlebun webstore:⁠⁠ ⁠https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episodes edited by Rob Abrazado:⁠⁠ ⁠https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky:⁠⁠ ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠⁠⁠

We've always struggled to juggle multiple projects at a time. Right now, finishing the design on Escape from Wonderland is the top priority. But we don't want to set aside every other game and dream. What would it take to do two things at once? Links & Credits: Turtlebun Discord:⁠ ⁠https://discord.gg/ajP36nzPb2⁠⁠ Turtlebun on Patreon:⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Our website, for games/art/zines:⁠ ⁠https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost:⁠ ⁠https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episodes edited by Rob Abrazado:⁠ ⁠https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky:⁠ ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠⁠⁠

How many generations does it take to get into a canoe-making class? In this episode we go on a quest to redesign a queue system for a local craft school and quickly find that you cannot make a perfect queue without systemic social change. Episode Mentions: Hill Institute (With their mission right there on the front page) What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets by Michael J. Sandel, 2013 (This link takes you to bookshop.org supporting one of our local bookstores—you can set your own!) Happy Rex Manning Day! We are having a game sale! Visit ⁠turtlebun.com⁠ for 20% off TTRPGs and ⁠turtlebun.itch.io⁠ for 35% off PDFs. Links & Credits: Turtlebun Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/ajP36nzPb2⁠ Turtlebun on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Where to buy our games: ⁠https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: ⁠https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episodes edited by Rob Abrazado: ⁠https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠⁠

A discussion about how to design a liminal zone in a TTRPG leaves us trapped in an in-between place. Episode mentions: r/backrooms House of Leaves (2000 - Horror novel by Mark Z. Danielewski) The Last Unicorn (1982 - Animated movie based on 1968 book by Peter S. Beagle) Ultimate Haunted House (1994 - Point-and-click video game with art by Gahan Wilson) Play it on archive.org here. Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/ajP36nzPb2 Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Where to buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episodes edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

In this episode, we talk fatigue. Is fatigue something to conquer, or is it a warning sign on the way to a physical and emotional crash? Evan is tired, but we’ve got strategies! After years of learning what the burnout cycle looks like while working on a game, we’re eager to intervene before exhaustion gets the best of us. Episode mentions: Ever so briefly, The Witness (2016 video game, Jonathan Blow) Snowpiercer (2013 movie, Bong Joon Ho) Links: Join us on Discord! ⁠ https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Support our work Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games online: ⁠⁠https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: ⁠⁠https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: ⁠⁠https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Game design questions can be longer and more complex than their answers. In this episode, we initially set out to do a live-design session tackling an issue from our latest playtest, but discovered that describing the question required revisiting nearly every other part of the game. Join us for a chat about Twilight rules, open-eyed investigations, and escaping a cursed amusement park. Links: We have a Discord! Come talk about Design Doc and Star Trek. ⁠https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Turtlebun on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Our games: ⁠https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: ⁠https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: ⁠https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Who designs the game? Is it the players, who make decisions in real time at the table? The GM, who’s at the ready to suggest ideas or dole out consequences? Or the designers, who… well… make the game? In this episode, we talk about when and how to distribute control of the experience between the players, the GM, ourselves as designers, and random rolls of the dice. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/ApNfNvUk Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Check out our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Hannah watched 51 movies in 2025. Not all of them were helpful for game design, but there was inspiration to be found everywhere—in the form of left-behind robots, edgy existential planets, sci-fi noir, and Mother. Mother? Mother! Follow along and find every movie mentioned in the episode here: https://letterboxd.com/hanbandit/diary/films/for/2025/by/added-earliest/ Watch movies through your library on Kanopy: https://www.kanopy.com/ More Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episodes edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Sometimes a design problem can't be solved in any straightforward way. You need an epiphany! That can't be forced, but it can be encouraged. Hannah and Evan talk about the epiphanies that shaped their previous games and how to attract those mysterious flashes of insight. Links: We have a Discord! Come talk about Design Doc and Star Trek. https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Turtlebun on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

As the year draws to a close we talk about New Year's resolutions. Hannah makes them every year, Evan does not. Hannah shares her elaborate system for setting goals of masteries, experiences, and skills. And together, we consider Turtlebun's upcoming year. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Conventions are an opportunity for us to get our games in front of a bigger audience, and PAX Unplugged is our biggest show. The stakes feel high, and we have to balance our ambitious goals with practical preparations. In this episode, we talk about what we were proud of, what we wish we’d done differently, and how every year we get a little better. Episode mentions: Thoughtcrime Games - https://thoughtcrimegames.itch.io/ Elliot Davis - https://www.moreblueberries.com/ World Champ Game Co. - https://www.worldchamp.io/ Links: Public Guest 5: https://turtlebun.com/products/public-guest-5-notebook Worldbuilding Art Print: https://turtlebun.com/products/worldbuilding-art-print Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Design Doc on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Just a quick announcement that we'll be skipping a release cycle for the Thanksgiving holiday. See you back in two weeks with a new episode! In the meantime you might consider: Joining the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Supporting Design Doc on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Picking up one of our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Design Doc Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

It's hard for us to make a hack that doesn't grow into a game of its own. In this episode, we talk about two playtests—one for a game variant, another for a new hack—and say what went well, what needs work, and how to keep small things small. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Design Doc Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Check out our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Endings are hard. The ending of a roleplaying game isn’t just the culmination of the story; it’s also when the themes and purpose of the game become clear. In this episode we talk about designing a conclusion that comes at the right time, conveys the right message, and still leaves room for all the improvisation of roleplaying. Episode mentions: Ready Player One—but just a brief mention this time, promise! Mother! (2017 film written & directed by Darren Aronofsky) Other Design Doc episodes mentioned: Epilogues in Games (May 2025) Finding the Game's Emotional Core (March 2019) Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Is Design Doc a game design podcast? A saga about the challenges of making art for a living? A never-ending field trip? In episode 101 we talk about how Design Doc began, what it became, and what we hope it could become. Plus, dinosaurs! Episode mentions: Internet Shaquille video about short-form content - “I Posted a Short EVERY Day and THIS Happened!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvu3SDigoMA Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

We conclude our discussion of Ready Player One with an updated review of the movie. In pondering this mid movie, we leave no stone unturned... and no critically-acclaimed director forgiven. Come for the movie critique, stay for the poetry! Find part 1 of the discussion, Ernest Cline's Stinker (Part 1), here. Find our original review of the movie on Patreon here. Episode Mentions: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013 directed by Tommy Wirkola) Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

We’re pulling an unaired episode from the archives this week! We talk about Ready Player One, the dystopian virtual-world novel that took the world by storm over a decade ago. We each completed the book independently, then came together in this conversation to share our thoughts with each other (and the world). In part 1 we discuss the novel, in part 2 we watch the movie and read an illuminating poem. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Happy Design Doc episode 100! In this special episode, we take a field trip with our game Escape from Wonderland. Trapped in an amusement park with a half-finished game, we explore liminal spaces, shuttered VIP lounges, and mind-bendingly long queues. To escape Six Flags New England, we must first fix our broken larp. Creepy circus music is ⁠Creepy Circus Music from Derek Fiechter & Brandon Fiechter on Soundcloud⁠ Roller coaster screams captured by Carrie, who can be found ⁠here⁠ Find Jill Bernard's Small Cute Book of Improv here Find Thank You, Places in Philadelhpia Experience Houdini's Great Escape The ⁠circular piano keyboard patent⁠ The ⁠⁠Brock360 Circular Keyboard⁠⁠ Previous Six Flags episode include Roleplaying in the Park and The Liminal Spaces of Six Flags And more links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by (and spooky laugh by) Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

In an impromptu recording, we decided to take turns setting a 6-minute timer and sharing whatever topics came to mind. The result was a series of compressed design conversations and a snapshot of our current ambitions and troubles. 1 - Sandbox exploration (chicken) 2 - Questlandia audio drama (cow) 3 - Traits & Conditions accounting (duck) 4 - Making the bed (whale) 5 - Null result (seagull) 6 - Mud gallery (horse) Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode edited by Hannah Shaffer. Episode editing usually by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

We're going back to the park and taking Wonderland with us! To get the game off the table and into the real world, there are a number of changes we'll have to make. We talk fanny packs, waterproof paper, coordinated outfits, and ditching friends. You can listen to our previous episode about Six Flags here. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

Even after years of working together, there are times where we just can’t agree. The work grinds to a halt, and we end up frustrated and confused. When there’s a breakdown in collaboration, how do you diagnose what went wrong, repair the rift, and move forward together? Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com⁠

In the early stages of a game's design, it's hard to even know what questions to answer. We've hit a turning point with Escape from Wonderland where we can see the shape of the game taking form. Big, abstract questions are getting small and specific. Now that the game has real structure, what comes next? Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord:⁠⁠⁠ https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠⁠  Buy our games:⁠⁠⁠ https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado:⁠⁠⁠ https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠⁠ Bluesky:⁠⁠⁠ https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

After you’ve made the rules, you need to decide how you’re going to tell them. The right rule in the wrong order can make all the difference! In this unscripted episode, we share our initial thoughts about how we want our next rulebook to start, how to include immersive writing without sacrificing clarity, and (for some reason) reminisce about spooky VHS covers we encountered as children. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord:⁠⁠ https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠⁠ Support our work on Patreon:⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠⁠  Buy our games:⁠⁠ https://turtlebun.com/⁠⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost:⁠⁠ https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado:⁠⁠ https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/turtleandbun⁠ Bluesky:⁠⁠ https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

Story endings are hard! The epilogue of a game not only has to logically wrap up the story and tie up any loose ends—it’s also the moment to reflect on how your character has grown over many sessions, and a moment for you as the player to feel like the time spent playing was worthwhile. In this episode, we talk about what makes roleplaying game epilogues special, and how we're approaching epilogue design in Escape from Wonderland. Episode Mentions: Return to Oz (1985 film) Fortunately (1964 illustrated book, Remy Charlip) Something Wicked this Way Comes (1962 novel, Ray Bradbury) Tuiti and R2D2 at Dakin Animal Shelter Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord:⁠ https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz⁠ Support our work on Patreon:⁠ https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun⁠  Buy our games:⁠ https://turtlebun.com/⁠  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost:⁠ https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado:⁠ https://robabrazado.com/⁠ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Bluesky:⁠ https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

This week, we talk about the unpredictable mechanical swings that can happen between different versions of a game. Small tweaks to mechanics can trigger a cascade of unintended effects, causing the game design pendulum to swing from too many choices to too few and back again. We talk through examples of how we've managed these swings in Escape from Wonderland, and discuss our ongoing efforts to find the right balance. Links: Join the Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun  Buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

We’re introducing a new dynamic to our latest roleplaying game! You all came to this amusement park as friends, but one of you started serving the park’s demonic forces. And things are about to get mean. How can characters become enemies while players remain friends? When the rules ask you to clash with you peers, care and consideration needs to be given to keeping the antagonism fun. Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Support Design Doc monthly on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun  Where to buy our games: https://turtlebun.com/  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

Hannah had to get a full time office job. Since then, finding the time and energy for creative work has been an uphill battle. In this episode, Hannah sits down with close friend and fellow game designer Joshua A.C. Newman to talk about life, art, and staying true to your values in trying times. Support Joshua’s work! https://www.patreon.com/joshua https://www.patreon.com/PunkPedagogy Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/turtlebun  Website: https://turtlebun.com/  Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

Hannah and Evan discuss Wonderland's first four-player playtest. When a playtest goes wrong, it can be tricky to diagnose the cause. How much is due to the rules, and what's connected to the more subtle influence of mood and flow? Links: Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

Slow and steady wins the race... but does it work in a one-session RPG? From what we've seen in Escape from Wonderland, not quite. In this episode, we discuss pacing in roleplaying games: from the moment players arrive at the table to leaving everyone feeling satisfied with the story's twists and turns. We dig into the challenge of building uncanny horror—where a slow burn creates the best dread—and whether it's possible to communicate that in a single sitting. Mentioned in this episode: Visioneers (2008 film) Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

Sometimes a secret is worth more than gold. But how do you make concrete rules for something intangible? Hannah and Evan talk about the secrets of Wonderland and what to do when the rules are out of step with the story. Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun We're now on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/turtlebun.com

Even when things are going wrong for your characters, you as a player might feel rewarded by narrative twists and turns. In this episode, Hannah and Evan discuss the ways that games can reward both players and characters, and do some live game design about claw machine prizes... Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

When people decide what art is worth looking at, they look for the very best. In a world that demands creative endeavors be perfect, how do we find the confidence to make and share our own art? Episode mentions: Olga Smirnova / Dutch National Ballet: https://www.operaballet.nl/en/dancers/olga-smirnova Toki Pona: https://tokipona.org/ A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart (essay): https://worrydream.com/refs/Lockhart_2002_-_A_Mathematician's_Lament.pdf The Jewish Wedding by Jovan Obican (lithograph): https://rogallery.com/artists/jovan-obican/jewish-wedding-2/ Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

Is playtesting more of a science, or more art? How prepared should you be for a playtest if you're testing rules that might change on the fly, never to be seen again? In this episode we talk about playtesting our newest game, Escape from Wonderland, and how that went! Links/Credits: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

Our newest game, Escape from Wonderland, began as a hack of Questlandia. But what happens when the mechanics of an old game don't work with the story you want to tell? In this episode we talk about hacking games to do what we want them to do. Links: Support Design Doc on Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Find our games at: turtlebun.com Credits: Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc

We often ask ourselves, "Do we need a mechanic for that?" In our newest game, Escape from Wonderland, we want to encourage players to travel across a haunted amusement park. How can the rules create meaningful choices about the places they should and shouldn't go? And when is it better to lose that choice, and end up somewhere randomized or predetermined? Join us as we navigate these questions and arrive in unexpected places! Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

We're taking a week off to recharge! We'll see you back in two weeks with a new episode of Design Doc. Rest easy. Sincerely, Hannah and Evan Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

We recently realized that we’ve drifted apart not just from our games community, but from our community at large. Now, in a world where the future feels uncertain and dire, we're asking ourselves: how do we reconnect? Escape from Wonderland has just one week left on Kickstarter. You can read more and back the project here. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc on Patreon: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

The Kickstarter for Escape from Wonderland is LIVE! Support the game here! How do you know when a game is ready for Kickstarter? How far along should it be before bringing it to the world? In this episode, we talk about the delicate balance of presentation—slick, but not *too* slick; done, but not *too* done. We explored how crowdfunding has changed for small creators now that big, well-resourced companies are bringing their games to Kickstarter too. When faced with a rising standard of "doneness," should we try to match them, or pave our own scrappy way? Mentioned in this episode: Yes, L'Oreal did do a Kickstarter (we're not linking to it). Double Fine's adventure game Kickstarter (for the game that would eventually be called Broken Age). Czech Dream documentary. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc on Patreon: Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

The first conversation we've had about cover design in games! We discuss how book covers are often the first thing people see of our games, how a well-designed cover can stick in someone's memory, and how a great cover isn't just about first impressions—it can make you want to pick up a book again and again. And a special thanks to our editor, Rob, for letting us know that yes, Scholastic Book Fairs do still exist. Link here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com Covers mentioned: The Martian Chronicles (Link to cover, art by Michael Whelan) The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Link) The Golden Compass (Link to cover, art by Eric Rohmann) Our covers mentioned, all by Evan Rowland: Questlandia original edition Questlandia second edition Noirlandia Mud: A Golem Memoir Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

One of the hardest lessons in game design is coming to terms with the fact that many of our favorite ideas will remain unrealized. In this episode, we explore the games we may never complete, our lingering dream of bringing them to life, and how accepting their incompleteness might help us face the reality of death. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

Evan and Hannah try playing their new game with a very rough draft of the rules, in a cross between a playtest and design session. New ideas and new questions abound as they explore uncharted territory. To follow along with the design, Questlandia character sheets and reference rules can be downloaded for free here: https://turtlebun.com/pages/downloads Questlandia can be purchased here: https://turtlebun.itch.io/questlandia-second-edition https://turtlebun.com/products/questlandia Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

We're joined by public historian and musical improviser Alanna Shaffer to discuss real-world amusement park horror and Dippin' Dots scams at Dorney Park. Alanna shares thoughts about story vs plot, new character drives, and everyone's personal breaking point after a day with no water. To see Alanna and Thank You, Places in person, check out their monthly improvised musical every last Thursday of the month at Tavern on Camac! Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a one-time tip: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord (we chat about Design Doc here!): https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

We continue our design of a creepy amusement park game, starting with the question, "What does bad behavior look like in an amusement park?" In this episode, we begin with a lot of questions, and end with a roadmap to a first playtest that includes character weaknesses, theme park-related goals, and an unreliable park map filled with skulls and crossbones. To follow along with the design, Questlandia character sheets and reference rules can be downloaded for free here: https://turtlebun.com/pages/downloads Questlandia can be purchased here: https://turtlebun.itch.io/questlandia-second-edition https://turtlebun.com/products/questlandia Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Support Design Doc with a one-time tip: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

How can you use simple rules to create a complex setting? In the second part of this live design series, Hannah  and Evan take a swing at world and character mechanics. To create a spooky, surreal environment, they’re forced to come up with new ways to approach worldbuilding and character design. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Support Design Doc with a one-time tip: https://ko-fi.com/designdoc Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

What makes a game hack manageable in scope and size? Hannah and Evan delve back into game design to create a creepy amusement park Questlandia hack on the fly. They begin by brainstorming moods, moments, mechanics, and materials for a spoooooky game. From doppelgangers to malevolent crowds to corn dogs, they end with a wealth of ideas for the next design session. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/ Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/ Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun

Hannah and Evan face off in a battle of inspiration and ego to outdo each other's most founder ideas. Then, they set impostor syndrome aside and dilute those ideas down to something they'd both be willing to try. Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat King Jingle news by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/460424/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun twitter.com/turtleandbun twitter.com/designdocpod

From Mood, Moments, Mechanics, Materials (MMMM) to "Be aware, be charming," our Design Doc conversations over the years have inspired some of our favorite game design ideas. We talk about the ideas that have had a lasting impact on our game design, and how we're incorporating each one into our most recent project. Show notes: Okay, Let's Redesign Noirlandia, for Mood, Moments, Mechanics, Materials Scopeful Optimism, for discussion of scope FLETs, for fiddly little end things Imperfect Inspiration Kudos Conundrum Numbers Hide Everything Founder Energy Fish People, for "Be aware, be charming" High Life (2018 film) Lincoln in the Bardo (2017 George Saunders novel) Links/Credits: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat King Get in touch: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Turtlebun Discord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz instagram.com/turtleandbun twitter.com/turtleandbun twitter.com/designdocpod

Public radio icon Ira Glass has a famous quote describing the gap between taste and talent in trying to hone your creative work. When you start out, your tastes are always bigger than your skill. It's a frustrating gap, and one that causes a lot of people to give up. In this episode we talk about everything that plays a part in the taste-skill gap. From personal energy and health, to money, ability, mood, and your relationship to the project as a whole. We talk about how our changing tastes have made our recent work all the more challenging. EPISODE MENTIONS: Ira Glass on the taste-talent gap: https://youtu.be/91FQKciKfHI?si=2PxIFIGoOwWvM7ty Chris Ware's Building Stories: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/books/review/building-stories-by-chris-ware.html Design Doc episode 49, Imperfect Inspiration: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/imperfect-inspiration/id1298080097?i=1000570727332 LINKS/CREDIT Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat King GET IN TOUCH: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Join the Turtlebun Discord! https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Turtlebun Twitter: twitter.com/turtleandbun Design Doc on Twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

Hannah and Evan talk about how to transform a beloved movie, book, or show into a game, using their latest project as an example: An adaptation of a 1779 book of cosmetic chemistry, The Toilet of Flora. EPISODE LINKS/CREDITS: Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat King Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ Toilet of Flora: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44276 OUR GAMES: Website: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun GET IN TOUCH: Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Join the Turtlebun Discord! https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Turtlebun Twitter: twitter.com/turtleandbun Design Doc on Twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

In a perfect world, we'd make a living just making roleplaying games. But sometimes, duty calls, and you've got to work around another job. In this episode, we talk about rolling with the punches in a moment when the creative work is competing with a new and time-consuming reality—that of a day job. FOLLOW/CREDITS: Our games: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Join the Turtlebun Discord! https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Get in touch! Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) com Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat King Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun Turtlebun Twitter: twitter.com/turtleandbun Design Doc on Twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod