John Harper
@johnharper.bsky.social
Game designer and graphic artist. Blades in the Dark, AGON, Lasers & Feelings, Lady Blackbird. johnharper.itch.io
Pinned
John Harper
@johnharper.bsky.social
· Nov 2
Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts by John Harper
A Setting & System Expansion for Blades in the Dark
johnharper.itch.io
Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts is packed with new lore, gameable details, plug-and-play systems, GM tools, crew opportunities, and new artwork.
Available now on itch and DriveThruRPG:
Itch: johnharper.itch.io/deep-cuts
DTRPG: shorturl.at/pKhsZ
Available now on itch and DriveThruRPG:
Itch: johnharper.itch.io/deep-cuts
DTRPG: shorturl.at/pKhsZ
Navigating through a packed Sea Tac airport, I squeezed past a man in sunglasses, practically chest to chest. He sort of smiled and said, "Crowded today." It was Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
January 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Navigating through a packed Sea Tac airport, I squeezed past a man in sunglasses, practically chest to chest. He sort of smiled and said, "Crowded today." It was Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Reposted by John Harper
This year I put out We Contain Solitudes, a duet rpg that I am very proud of.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
Next year I am aiming to finish, if not publish, Eutopea's Wake, a new project. A sort of alternate history 1930s morality/ideology game.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
Next year I am aiming to finish, if not publish, Eutopea's Wake, a new project. A sort of alternate history 1930s morality/ideology game.
We Contain Solitudes by Seven Crows Games
A 2 player TTRPG about troubled souls trapped in a time loop that plays out in prose and soliloquies.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io
January 1, 2026 at 4:53 AM
This year I put out We Contain Solitudes, a duet rpg that I am very proud of.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
Next year I am aiming to finish, if not publish, Eutopea's Wake, a new project. A sort of alternate history 1930s morality/ideology game.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
Next year I am aiming to finish, if not publish, Eutopea's Wake, a new project. A sort of alternate history 1930s morality/ideology game.
Me, to 2025:
a pixelated image of a man with a mustache and the words well
Alt: Powers Boothe in Tombstone saying "Well... bye."
media.tenor.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Me, to 2025:
It was great to be a part of this video alongside beloved friends and peers. Aaron did so much work to put this together! Highly recommended.
My End of Year video is on the "Golden Age of Indie RPGs," from roughly 2010 to 2025. I start with Apocalypse World's release, work through the Google+ Era, and follow design lineages and historical events that have impacted the hobby up through 2025.
The Golden Age of Indie RPGs: 2010-2025
YouTube video by A.A. Voigt
youtu.be
December 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
It was great to be a part of this video alongside beloved friends and peers. Aaron did so much work to put this together! Highly recommended.
I don't know the best way to deal with living in this shitty world, but: ending every evening watching Baywatch has been a big success for a long time now.
a person holding a life preserver that says baywatch on the sleeve
Alt: a person holding a life preserver that says baywatch on the sleeve
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I don't know the best way to deal with living in this shitty world, but: ending every evening watching Baywatch has been a big success for a long time now.
I love that this exists. Was just thinking about Invitation to Love the other day.
Also I discovered Nestflix, a site that catalogs fictional movies and TV shows, and it's kinda amazing. nestflix.fun
Nestflix
A platform for fictional films and shows within other films and shows.
nestflix.fun
December 29, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I love that this exists. Was just thinking about Invitation to Love the other day.
Reposted by John Harper
I (kind of lazily) maintain a FitD designers starter pack. Please let me know if you would like to be added!
December 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I (kind of lazily) maintain a FitD designers starter pack. Please let me know if you would like to be added!
Reposted by John Harper
Tacklebox is kinda blowing up at the moment, thanks to Quinn's Quest (~1500 copies & counting). Just in case anyone's interested, I would also be open to co-publishing some of my other games (Geiger Counter, Planarch Codex, Restless, Tomb Priestesses, Lofty Beacons, Metrofinal, Last Kings, etc).
December 23, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Tacklebox is kinda blowing up at the moment, thanks to Quinn's Quest (~1500 copies & counting). Just in case anyone's interested, I would also be open to co-publishing some of my other games (Geiger Counter, Planarch Codex, Restless, Tomb Priestesses, Lofty Beacons, Metrofinal, Last Kings, etc).
Reposted by John Harper
Happy Solstice! From now through the end of the year, all of my digital zines are half off, or get all 50 zines for $25!
itch.io/s/176550/202...
itch.io/s/176550/202...
December 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Happy Solstice! From now through the end of the year, all of my digital zines are half off, or get all 50 zines for $25!
itch.io/s/176550/202...
itch.io/s/176550/202...
Two days left on this Forged in the Dark sale bundle!
bundleofholding.com/presents/For...
bundleofholding.com/presents/For...
Forged in the Dark Bundle 3
Adventurer! This Forged in the Dark Bundle 3 is our third array of recent standalone tabletop roleplaying games that use the Forged in the Dark rules system based on John Harper's Blades in the Dark f...
bundleofholding.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Two days left on this Forged in the Dark sale bundle!
bundleofholding.com/presents/For...
bundleofholding.com/presents/For...
Reposted by John Harper
Forged in the Dark innovators thread! Who's doing cool new stuff with the FitD model? (promote your own or someone else's).
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
December 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Forged in the Dark innovators thread! Who's doing cool new stuff with the FitD model? (promote your own or someone else's).
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
Reposted by John Harper
The Old Dog Games year in review, including some Blades '68 artwork I haven't shared before.
olddoggames.substack.com/p/the-old-do...
(sorry for still using substack etc etc etc)
olddoggames.substack.com/p/the-old-do...
(sorry for still using substack etc etc etc)
The Old Dog Games year in review
Looking back at 2025, and ahead to 2026
olddoggames.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The Old Dog Games year in review, including some Blades '68 artwork I haven't shared before.
olddoggames.substack.com/p/the-old-do...
(sorry for still using substack etc etc etc)
olddoggames.substack.com/p/the-old-do...
(sorry for still using substack etc etc etc)
Forged in the Dark innovators thread! Who's doing cool new stuff with the FitD model? (promote your own or someone else's).
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
December 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Forged in the Dark innovators thread! Who's doing cool new stuff with the FitD model? (promote your own or someone else's).
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
I'll start: Slugblaster, by @wilkiescandylab.com is a smart hack of the core systems, tweaked in just the right way to fit the more light-hearted adventure style of the game.
Reposted by John Harper
Apocalypse World is profoundly important work. It has shaped the landscape of roleplaying games for over a decade, and with this third edition, I'm sure it'll continue to shape it for a decade more. Clever, gripping, and human. There's still a few hours to snag your kickstarter copy!
Here it is. The final 24 hours. You've helped coax banked embers into a steady flame. Tell me, what is one thing you'll bring with you into What-Comes-Next? Seeds? Thread? A good kitchen knife? What will you make of what's left? Together, let's light up the world.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Apocalypse World is profoundly important work. It has shaped the landscape of roleplaying games for over a decade, and with this third edition, I'm sure it'll continue to shape it for a decade more. Clever, gripping, and human. There's still a few hours to snag your kickstarter copy!
Reposted by John Harper
insanely good thing to say when you enter a room
December 13, 2025 at 9:04 AM
insanely good thing to say when you enter a room
30 hours left for Apocalypse World: Burned Over on @kickstarter.com. Would love to see it hit 200k! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:43 PM
30 hours left for Apocalypse World: Burned Over on @kickstarter.com. Would love to see it hit 200k! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Reposted by John Harper
Been thinking on the use of GenAi for mood boards. Ethics and legal risks aside, I truly believe using GenAi as references deprives one of many pivotal things.
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
December 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Been thinking on the use of GenAi for mood boards. Ethics and legal risks aside, I truly believe using GenAi as references deprives one of many pivotal things.
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Here’s a blurb on what I mean:
Reposted by John Harper
It's winter sales on @itch.io . This year, I want to celebrate the third anniversary of Bloodstone's launch, with version 1.4:
* An improved version with better colors, fonts, and readability. And some rules clarification.
* A whole new city map, with some additional rules and new challenges.
* An improved version with better colors, fonts, and readability. And some rules clarification.
* A whole new city map, with some additional rules and new challenges.
December 17, 2025 at 10:21 PM
It's winter sales on @itch.io . This year, I want to celebrate the third anniversary of Bloodstone's launch, with version 1.4:
* An improved version with better colors, fonts, and readability. And some rules clarification.
* A whole new city map, with some additional rules and new challenges.
* An improved version with better colors, fonts, and readability. And some rules clarification.
* A whole new city map, with some additional rules and new challenges.
Reposted by John Harper
1978 JVC Video Capsule 3100R
December 15, 2025 at 12:52 AM
1978 JVC Video Capsule 3100R
Reposted by John Harper
People say AI is a magic shortcut to creativity & success. I’ll tell you the real secret and it’s voraciously reading, being interested in everything, being diligent in the pursuit of learning, paying attention to the interior lives of others & keeping a heart open to the world.
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 AM
People say AI is a magic shortcut to creativity & success. I’ll tell you the real secret and it’s voraciously reading, being interested in everything, being diligent in the pursuit of learning, paying attention to the interior lives of others & keeping a heart open to the world.
Reposted by John Harper
#TTRPG persons: you have until Christmas Day to get hold of our beloved and acclaimed TEETH zines of 18th century horror, lost pigs, and ballgowns, at a bold 50% off!
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
TEETHazine Bundle by TEETH: A ROLEPLAYING GAME
A bundle by TEETH: A ROLEPLAYING GAME, $13.00 for STRANGER & STRANGER, BLOOD COTILLION, MORE TEETH
itch.io
December 17, 2025 at 12:32 PM
#TTRPG persons: you have until Christmas Day to get hold of our beloved and acclaimed TEETH zines of 18th century horror, lost pigs, and ballgowns, at a bold 50% off!
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
It's the incredibly toothsome TEETHAZINE Bundle: itch.io/s/167336/tee...
Reposted by John Harper
12 hours left, hackers.
Turn your deck of playing cards into a cyberdeck. Use it it to navigate The NUWESTPAC Seaboard and other cyberpunk networks as you upgrade your cards, dodge ICE, and free communities from corporate tyranny.
CARD DRIVES: www.kickstarter.com/projects/not...
Turn your deck of playing cards into a cyberdeck. Use it it to navigate The NUWESTPAC Seaboard and other cyberpunk networks as you upgrade your cards, dodge ICE, and free communities from corporate tyranny.
CARD DRIVES: www.kickstarter.com/projects/not...
Card Drives
Turn playing cards into a cyberdeck in this cyberpunk rogue-like deckbuilding solo RPG!
www.kickstarter.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:18 AM
12 hours left, hackers.
Turn your deck of playing cards into a cyberdeck. Use it it to navigate The NUWESTPAC Seaboard and other cyberpunk networks as you upgrade your cards, dodge ICE, and free communities from corporate tyranny.
CARD DRIVES: www.kickstarter.com/projects/not...
Turn your deck of playing cards into a cyberdeck. Use it it to navigate The NUWESTPAC Seaboard and other cyberpunk networks as you upgrade your cards, dodge ICE, and free communities from corporate tyranny.
CARD DRIVES: www.kickstarter.com/projects/not...
Reposted by John Harper
BOOM! 10x funded. 4 days remain.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Update 12: Boom! 10x! · Apocalypse World: Burned Over
Boom! 10x!Well my friends, I just watched our total roll on past $180,000, our final stretch goal, 10x our original goal. In addition to bigger bonuses for Annika, Bret, Elliot, and Josh, this means t...
www.kickstarter.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:44 PM
BOOM! 10x funded. 4 days remain.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Reposted by John Harper
I think it's time for 10 cool things about DANGER CLOSE, my tactical military skirmish ttrpg!
Rules available for freeee on itch: dicegoblingames.itch.io/danger-close...
Rules available for freeee on itch: dicegoblingames.itch.io/danger-close...
December 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I think it's time for 10 cool things about DANGER CLOSE, my tactical military skirmish ttrpg!
Rules available for freeee on itch: dicegoblingames.itch.io/danger-close...
Rules available for freeee on itch: dicegoblingames.itch.io/danger-close...