Ian Howard
@leafydragongames.bsky.social
ENNIE-winning designer of One Breath Left, Here We Used to Fly, Aurora Decree, and more. Founder of Leafy Dragon Games LLC. Narrative Lead at Button Shy Games.
http://leafydragongames.com
http://leafydragongames.com
Reposted by Ian Howard
Hello all! If you're an Australia-based ttrpg designer looking for support to finish your first ttrpg, then have j got good news for you:
🎲 The ARC TTRPG Mentor Program is back for 2026! 🎲
We have 4 mentee spots open, so follow the link to submit your EOI!
forms.gle/DgVQNrGuxVrF...
🎲 The ARC TTRPG Mentor Program is back for 2026! 🎲
We have 4 mentee spots open, so follow the link to submit your EOI!
forms.gle/DgVQNrGuxVrF...
2026 ARC TTRPG Mentoring Program Expression of Interest
Thanks for filling out this form, we can't wait to learn about you and your creativity! This expression of interest form will be open until March. All applicants will hear back on the outcome of their...
forms.gle
February 14, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Hello all! If you're an Australia-based ttrpg designer looking for support to finish your first ttrpg, then have j got good news for you:
🎲 The ARC TTRPG Mentor Program is back for 2026! 🎲
We have 4 mentee spots open, so follow the link to submit your EOI!
forms.gle/DgVQNrGuxVrF...
🎲 The ARC TTRPG Mentor Program is back for 2026! 🎲
We have 4 mentee spots open, so follow the link to submit your EOI!
forms.gle/DgVQNrGuxVrF...
Reposted by Ian Howard
ive had a cluster of opportunities lately to Intensely Talk Design with a decent number of TTRPG designers & one really lovely general community norm that i deeeeply appreciate is the habit of wearing references on sleeves & openly tying the work being produced now to the work that influenced it
February 5, 2026 at 12:55 AM
ive had a cluster of opportunities lately to Intensely Talk Design with a decent number of TTRPG designers & one really lovely general community norm that i deeeeply appreciate is the habit of wearing references on sleeves & openly tying the work being produced now to the work that influenced it
YUP. Lots of scammers out there trying to prey on desperate creators. I’m *still* getting scam emails about the Kickstarter I launched in November of last year, offering help with marketing, fulfillment, or anything else they can try to hook me with. Be super careful!
1/2
1/2
FYI for those crowd funding — it's always been the case that launching a project results in unsolicited requests for promotion. Today I started getting them from people pretending to be official Kickstarter staff. Be wary out there.
Kickstarter support, customer service, etc will not email you ads!
Kickstarter support, customer service, etc will not email you ads!
February 4, 2026 at 3:29 AM
YUP. Lots of scammers out there trying to prey on desperate creators. I’m *still* getting scam emails about the Kickstarter I launched in November of last year, offering help with marketing, fulfillment, or anything else they can try to hook me with. Be super careful!
1/2
1/2
One of my goals for this year is to spend less on games.
Looking over what’s already launched for ZiMo, and knowing there’s still 25 days to go… I think I’m going to have a hard time meeting that goal. There’s just too many cool people making too many cool things!
Looking over what’s already launched for ZiMo, and knowing there’s still 25 days to go… I think I’m going to have a hard time meeting that goal. There’s just too many cool people making too many cool things!
February 3, 2026 at 7:32 PM
One of my goals for this year is to spend less on games.
Looking over what’s already launched for ZiMo, and knowing there’s still 25 days to go… I think I’m going to have a hard time meeting that goal. There’s just too many cool people making too many cool things!
Looking over what’s already launched for ZiMo, and knowing there’s still 25 days to go… I think I’m going to have a hard time meeting that goal. There’s just too many cool people making too many cool things!
Reposted by Ian Howard
Next Tuesday, I am launching a 7-day campaign for a collection of four handmade #TTRPG zines.
These are all small-form, one-page, 8-fold, no-staple zines with full games in them.
I'll explain the four zines in this thread.
Thanks for sharing.
See more here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tra...
These are all small-form, one-page, 8-fold, no-staple zines with full games in them.
I'll explain the four zines in this thread.
Thanks for sharing.
See more here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tra...
February 2, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Next Tuesday, I am launching a 7-day campaign for a collection of four handmade #TTRPG zines.
These are all small-form, one-page, 8-fold, no-staple zines with full games in them.
I'll explain the four zines in this thread.
Thanks for sharing.
See more here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tra...
These are all small-form, one-page, 8-fold, no-staple zines with full games in them.
I'll explain the four zines in this thread.
Thanks for sharing.
See more here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tra...
Reposted by Ian Howard
Do you have a recommendation for a solo RPG that’s easy to pack and play on a plane? I have a long flight coming up and need a few. I’ll post your pics and my thoughts in an upcoming issue of The Soloist.
#solorpg #ttrpg #thesoloist
#solorpg #ttrpg #thesoloist
January 31, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Do you have a recommendation for a solo RPG that’s easy to pack and play on a plane? I have a long flight coming up and need a few. I’ll post your pics and my thoughts in an upcoming issue of The Soloist.
#solorpg #ttrpg #thesoloist
#solorpg #ttrpg #thesoloist
Reposted by Ian Howard
With this incoming storm, we have a FREE game to keep you busy! The Daily Weather is a little solo game about aligning the weather with a new puzzle each day. We released the PNP / PCIO files at our Kickstarter preview page and the response has been wild.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/239...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/239...
Coming soon: The Daily Weather
Challenge yourself to create the perfect forecast using each day’s unique conditions. Play every day!
www.kickstarter.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:03 PM
With this incoming storm, we have a FREE game to keep you busy! The Daily Weather is a little solo game about aligning the weather with a new puzzle each day. We released the PNP / PCIO files at our Kickstarter preview page and the response has been wild.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/239...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/239...
Is today the day that I go through my list of Discord servers and just leave every single one that I haven’t checked in multiple years?
No. But what a day that will be when it finally comes!
No. But what a day that will be when it finally comes!
January 16, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Is today the day that I go through my list of Discord servers and just leave every single one that I haven’t checked in multiple years?
No. But what a day that will be when it finally comes!
No. But what a day that will be when it finally comes!
Slightly diminish an RPG:
- Shadowtrot
- For the Regent
- The Quiet Season
- Kerfuffle
- Rushhome
- Shadowtrot
- For the Regent
- The Quiet Season
- Kerfuffle
- Rushhome
Slightly diminish an RPG
Vampire the Burlesque Cabaret in a Provincial Town Theatre
Vampire the Burlesque Cabaret in a Provincial Town Theatre
Slightly diminish an RPG
Torg Sometimes
Draw Iron
12th Age (obviously)
Beta World
Torg Sometimes
Draw Iron
12th Age (obviously)
Beta World
January 12, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Slightly diminish an RPG:
- Shadowtrot
- For the Regent
- The Quiet Season
- Kerfuffle
- Rushhome
- Shadowtrot
- For the Regent
- The Quiet Season
- Kerfuffle
- Rushhome
Reposted by Ian Howard
As a game creator it’s part of my mission to make games that connect people in community with one another, creating memories and cementing relationships.
In truth choosing joy, community, and play *is* a radical idea in this day and age.
Taking account of that power and using it is revolutionary.
In truth choosing joy, community, and play *is* a radical idea in this day and age.
Taking account of that power and using it is revolutionary.
Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s to another 12 months of telling stories rooted in radical imagination, centering revolutionary ways to look at each other and ourselves, and making art about the razor-sharp teeth of hope. ✨
Let’s kick 2026 in the ass!
Let’s kick 2026 in the ass!
January 2, 2026 at 5:12 PM
As a game creator it’s part of my mission to make games that connect people in community with one another, creating memories and cementing relationships.
In truth choosing joy, community, and play *is* a radical idea in this day and age.
Taking account of that power and using it is revolutionary.
In truth choosing joy, community, and play *is* a radical idea in this day and age.
Taking account of that power and using it is revolutionary.
Reposted by Ian Howard
The 2025 Indie Groundbreaker Awards are here! Have you published a LARP, table top RPG, card, board, or other analog game in 2025? We want to see it!
Submit yours today: forms.gle/Jgnu7Ev5BnkU...
Visit www.igdnonline.com/groundbreakers for more details. Submissions close on January 31st.
Submit yours today: forms.gle/Jgnu7Ev5BnkU...
Visit www.igdnonline.com/groundbreakers for more details. Submissions close on January 31st.
January 1, 2026 at 6:03 PM
The 2025 Indie Groundbreaker Awards are here! Have you published a LARP, table top RPG, card, board, or other analog game in 2025? We want to see it!
Submit yours today: forms.gle/Jgnu7Ev5BnkU...
Visit www.igdnonline.com/groundbreakers for more details. Submissions close on January 31st.
Submit yours today: forms.gle/Jgnu7Ev5BnkU...
Visit www.igdnonline.com/groundbreakers for more details. Submissions close on January 31st.
Reposted by Ian Howard
It’s time! SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD ARE OPEN! Board game designers, show us what you’ve been working on! Deadline is January 31: cardboardedison.com/award
January 1, 2026 at 1:35 PM
It’s time! SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 CARDBOARD EDISON AWARD ARE OPEN! Board game designers, show us what you’ve been working on! Deadline is January 31: cardboardedison.com/award
Reposted by Ian Howard
Hey #MAGfest folks!
I'll be at the MITS hall all weekend during MAGfest with some tiny indie ttrpgs!
In addition to selling my games, I'll be demoing Moon Rings and playtesting a new game!
Come say hi!
I'll be at the MITS hall all weekend during MAGfest with some tiny indie ttrpgs!
In addition to selling my games, I'll be demoing Moon Rings and playtesting a new game!
Come say hi!
December 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Hey #MAGfest folks!
I'll be at the MITS hall all weekend during MAGfest with some tiny indie ttrpgs!
In addition to selling my games, I'll be demoing Moon Rings and playtesting a new game!
Come say hi!
I'll be at the MITS hall all weekend during MAGfest with some tiny indie ttrpgs!
In addition to selling my games, I'll be demoing Moon Rings and playtesting a new game!
Come say hi!
These bookcases make me wish I had a much better way to display my RPG collection — and I always love seeing a copy of Here We Used to Fly on someone’s shelf!
Finally put together a Tabletop bookcase!
Which one’s your favorite 😉
Which one’s your favorite 😉
December 29, 2025 at 4:59 AM
These bookcases make me wish I had a much better way to display my RPG collection — and I always love seeing a copy of Here We Used to Fly on someone’s shelf!
Reposted by Ian Howard
Ever wanted to design a solo rpg? I can probably offer some advice. This is just how I like to design.
A key design point is tension. The player should be trying to do something, but the game should work against their goals and giving them meaningful choices.
A key design point is tension. The player should be trying to do something, but the game should work against their goals and giving them meaningful choices.
December 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Ever wanted to design a solo rpg? I can probably offer some advice. This is just how I like to design.
A key design point is tension. The player should be trying to do something, but the game should work against their goals and giving them meaningful choices.
A key design point is tension. The player should be trying to do something, but the game should work against their goals and giving them meaningful choices.
Tactical Breach Wizards was the best game I played all year and it wasn’t even close. The writing is phenomenal: it’s difficult for a video game to be both genuinely funny and genuinely heartbreaking, yet somehow TBW pulls it off flawlessly. And it’s backed by very solid tactical puzzle gameplay.
tactical breach wizards is one of the funniest games i've ever played, and it has real heart. the tale of a navy seer and his stormwitch friend trying to stop an awful war, tbw is equal parts tactics puzzle and character study + fighting fascism!
December 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Tactical Breach Wizards was the best game I played all year and it wasn’t even close. The writing is phenomenal: it’s difficult for a video game to be both genuinely funny and genuinely heartbreaking, yet somehow TBW pulls it off flawlessly. And it’s backed by very solid tactical puzzle gameplay.
YES!
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
December 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
YES!
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!
As one of the KS rewards for Sock Puppets — a LARP where you make and operate actual puppets — the inimitable @kurtrefling.bsky.social offered the chance for backers to play a game with Herman, the puppet Kurt built to hype the game.
So what game did I pick? SOCK PUPPETS.
So what game did I pick? SOCK PUPPETS.
What was your favorite gaming experience of 2025? (Note this isn't your favorite *game*, but your favorite moment that happened in a game...)
December 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
As one of the KS rewards for Sock Puppets — a LARP where you make and operate actual puppets — the inimitable @kurtrefling.bsky.social offered the chance for backers to play a game with Herman, the puppet Kurt built to hype the game.
So what game did I pick? SOCK PUPPETS.
So what game did I pick? SOCK PUPPETS.
This thread is chock-full of great writing advice!
One I’ll add from my own experience: You don’t have to write it down to write it. I workshop a lot of sentences while I’m doing chores or thinking about other things. They rarely make it to the page intact, but I still get better from the practice.
One I’ll add from my own experience: You don’t have to write it down to write it. I workshop a lot of sentences while I’m doing chores or thinking about other things. They rarely make it to the page intact, but I still get better from the practice.
a lot of writing advice is shit. magical results if you follow this 1-sentence promise. show! write every day! character driven! they're flat because either they're 1) focused on being glib instead of being 2) actionable, like, wtf does character-driven even mean 3) unrealistic. every day?
what is your least favorite piece of writing advice and why? 👀
December 24, 2025 at 3:36 AM
This thread is chock-full of great writing advice!
One I’ll add from my own experience: You don’t have to write it down to write it. I workshop a lot of sentences while I’m doing chores or thinking about other things. They rarely make it to the page intact, but I still get better from the practice.
One I’ll add from my own experience: You don’t have to write it down to write it. I workshop a lot of sentences while I’m doing chores or thinking about other things. They rarely make it to the page intact, but I still get better from the practice.
Reposted by Ian Howard
Restocked!
Necromancer Heretic is a solo journaling game about a void sorcerer trying to bring their lover back from the dead.
Content Warning: violence, death, and blood.
www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Necrom...
Necromancer Heretic is a solo journaling game about a void sorcerer trying to bring their lover back from the dead.
Content Warning: violence, death, and blood.
www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Necrom...
December 23, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Restocked!
Necromancer Heretic is a solo journaling game about a void sorcerer trying to bring their lover back from the dead.
Content Warning: violence, death, and blood.
www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Necrom...
Necromancer Heretic is a solo journaling game about a void sorcerer trying to bring their lover back from the dead.
Content Warning: violence, death, and blood.
www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Necrom...
Reposted by Ian Howard
I've been thinking about how to organize a silent/solo game meetup for a while. At a library? Somewhere else? I love the idea of playing solo ttrpg games together.
The idea is not unlike silentbook.club but the logistics, as with all things, can be complicated.
Any experiences to share?
The idea is not unlike silentbook.club but the logistics, as with all things, can be complicated.
Any experiences to share?
Solo club?? I'd love more details! I was just thinking about organizing a "silent trrpg night" where everyone is playing solo ttrpgs and I'm milling around answering questions players may have.
Kind of a play on silent bookclubs.
Kind of a play on silent bookclubs.
December 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I've been thinking about how to organize a silent/solo game meetup for a while. At a library? Somewhere else? I love the idea of playing solo ttrpg games together.
The idea is not unlike silentbook.club but the logistics, as with all things, can be complicated.
Any experiences to share?
The idea is not unlike silentbook.club but the logistics, as with all things, can be complicated.
Any experiences to share?
Reposted by Ian Howard
For no reason whatsoever, gonna remind that you can support your local trans girl by buying my games directly from my lovely publishers!
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
High Tide
High Tide is a compact 2-player strategy game that comes with a travel-friendly storage bag—perfect for beach trips, café tables, or cozy game nights. Each round, players stack and shift tiles, aiming...
www.underdoggames.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
For no reason whatsoever, gonna remind that you can support your local trans girl by buying my games directly from my lovely publishers!
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
High Tide www.underdoggames.com/products/hig...
Phantasmic buttonshygames.com/products/pha...
Reposted by Ian Howard
While I think the most obvious transferable skill from Improv to playing TTRPGs is learning how to react to situations quickly and authentically, we should also take note that Improv (especially long form) can teach narrative pattern recognition to help call back to previous themes and characters.
December 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
While I think the most obvious transferable skill from Improv to playing TTRPGs is learning how to react to situations quickly and authentically, we should also take note that Improv (especially long form) can teach narrative pattern recognition to help call back to previous themes and characters.
Reposted by Ian Howard
The 2025 Indie Groundbreaker Awards are nearly here and we need Judges! Do you know tabletop games? TTRPGs? Card games? Resource collection? We need your expertise. Join us on a panel of Judges to declare 2025’s best indie tabletop games.
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
Indie Groundbreaker Awards Judge Application
Use this form to apply to be a judge for the Indie Groundbreaker Awards.
forms.gle
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The 2025 Indie Groundbreaker Awards are nearly here and we need Judges! Do you know tabletop games? TTRPGs? Card games? Resource collection? We need your expertise. Join us on a panel of Judges to declare 2025’s best indie tabletop games.
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
forms.gle/2NpVyf4riA8v...
Reposted by Ian Howard
Today marks my 36th time around the sun!
I'm putting my stuff on sale for the next week
junkfoodgames.itch.io
I'm putting my stuff on sale for the next week
junkfoodgames.itch.io
December 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Today marks my 36th time around the sun!
I'm putting my stuff on sale for the next week
junkfoodgames.itch.io
I'm putting my stuff on sale for the next week
junkfoodgames.itch.io