π Levi Kornelsen
@levikornelsen.bsky.social
Canadian maker of tabletop RPG bits and assorted weirdness.
Most of my things are at: https://levikornelsen.itch.io/
Most of my things are at: https://levikornelsen.itch.io/
Pinned
Having reached a thousand followers here (!), it's clearly time for me to do a big ol' self-promo thread of "Here's the parts of my TTRPG work I think you should know about!".
So here we go:
#ttrpg
So here we go:
#ttrpg
Shot and chaser.
February 19, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Shot and chaser.
"Instructional design for dummies" is the one I'm deepest into, and "Next-level instructional design" is getting occasional looks. The third one was specifically about the ADDIE method, and I've already put it aside as "The dummies book is covering this with less jargon; might come back later".
February 19, 2026 at 4:39 PM
"Instructional design for dummies" is the one I'm deepest into, and "Next-level instructional design" is getting occasional looks. The third one was specifically about the ADDIE method, and I've already put it aside as "The dummies book is covering this with less jargon; might come back later".
I mean, it's STILL not amazing, but holy cats is it better than nothing.
February 19, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I mean, it's STILL not amazing, but holy cats is it better than nothing.
I don't think it's absurd to position the GM as teacher, but it requires actually priming them to do that job.
"Here's your lesson plan."
(Though of course you'd probably call it something else)
"Here's your lesson plan."
(Though of course you'd probably call it something else)
February 19, 2026 at 4:17 PM
I don't think it's absurd to position the GM as teacher, but it requires actually priming them to do that job.
"Here's your lesson plan."
(Though of course you'd probably call it something else)
"Here's your lesson plan."
(Though of course you'd probably call it something else)
Second note:
Many TTRPGs are written for solo learning (you learn by reading the book), not as collaborative learning (group goes through material together). This implies everyone should have and read a copy; they often do not and won't.
Many TTRPGs are written for solo learning (you learn by reading the book), not as collaborative learning (group goes through material together). This implies everyone should have and read a copy; they often do not and won't.
First note:
Extended character creation IS a system tutorial (though often a weak one); truncating it to get into play quickly means *you're skipping that tutorial.*
Extended character creation IS a system tutorial (though often a weak one); truncating it to get into play quickly means *you're skipping that tutorial.*
Aaaaand now I'm reading three different books about instructional design and making notes.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
February 19, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Second note:
Many TTRPGs are written for solo learning (you learn by reading the book), not as collaborative learning (group goes through material together). This implies everyone should have and read a copy; they often do not and won't.
Many TTRPGs are written for solo learning (you learn by reading the book), not as collaborative learning (group goes through material together). This implies everyone should have and read a copy; they often do not and won't.
I mean, it both exemplifies this AND ALSO does a bunch of other stuff in there, and it's the reputation around that thicket (not the reality, but the rep) that spooks people away.
I think.
I think.
February 19, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I mean, it both exemplifies this AND ALSO does a bunch of other stuff in there, and it's the reputation around that thicket (not the reality, but the rep) that spooks people away.
I think.
I think.
First note:
Extended character creation IS a system tutorial (though often a weak one); truncating it to get into play quickly means *you're skipping that tutorial.*
Extended character creation IS a system tutorial (though often a weak one); truncating it to get into play quickly means *you're skipping that tutorial.*
Aaaaand now I'm reading three different books about instructional design and making notes.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
February 19, 2026 at 3:54 PM
First note:
Extended character creation IS a system tutorial (though often a weak one); truncating it to get into play quickly means *you're skipping that tutorial.*
Extended character creation IS a system tutorial (though often a weak one); truncating it to get into play quickly means *you're skipping that tutorial.*
Aaaaand now I'm reading three different books about instructional design and making notes.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
February 19, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Aaaaand now I'm reading three different books about instructional design and making notes.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
Just once, I would like to control where my fucking brain goes, but noooooo.
Reposted by π Levi Kornelsen
Danceyβs impact was really interesting to me, because I am intimately familiar with how opening up an RPG was prior to the OGL. It was flawed, but it was light years ahead of other options (creative commons wasnβt yet suited, and most other open licenses were software specific).
Sometimes you give Dancey the benefit of the doubt because OGL created an industry boom in the '00s.
But you have to remember he did it for Machiavellian reasons, and successfully killed any number of young RPG publishers.
Late-era capitalism is probably the theme the runs through his history.
But you have to remember he did it for Machiavellian reasons, and successfully killed any number of young RPG publishers.
Late-era capitalism is probably the theme the runs through his history.
I think the damage was largely done back in 2000 when Ryan Dancey (then in charge of RPG development in WotC) came up with the OGL, with the explicit intention of driving all other systems out of the market. By opening up D&D, it enticed other publishers to support D20, and forget their own stuff.
February 19, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Danceyβs impact was really interesting to me, because I am intimately familiar with how opening up an RPG was prior to the OGL. It was flawed, but it was light years ahead of other options (creative commons wasnβt yet suited, and most other open licenses were software specific).
This is the correct opinion.
I donβt want to see another bullshit fantasy rpg with pictures of different kinds of swords, I want all the battle beast weapons
February 19, 2026 at 3:22 AM
This is the correct opinion.
Lenses thing:
Instructional design is 100% a lens for looking at a text...
theplayreports.com/posts/instru...
Instructional design is 100% a lens for looking at a text...
theplayreports.com/posts/instru...
The Play Reports
TTRPGs Need Instructional Designers
theplayreports.com
February 19, 2026 at 3:10 AM
Lenses thing:
Instructional design is 100% a lens for looking at a text...
theplayreports.com/posts/instru...
Instructional design is 100% a lens for looking at a text...
theplayreports.com/posts/instru...
The boss insisted. You KNOW he did.
February 18, 2026 at 6:19 PM
The boss insisted. You KNOW he did.
In fascist America, secretary of health is worried you have too much of it.
In fascist America, "Your kids are going to meet the president" is a threat.
In fascist America, bank robs you.
In fascist America, the pharmaceutical industry regulates the government.
In fascist America, television watches you.
In fascist America, you sound like LLM.
In fascist America, the pharmaceutical industry regulates the government.
In fascist America, television watches you.
In fascist America, you sound like LLM.
February 18, 2026 at 6:03 PM
In fascist America, secretary of health is worried you have too much of it.
This is why I did Skinchangers, basically.
February 18, 2026 at 5:41 PM
This is why I did Skinchangers, basically.
It has become clear why the Soviet sense of humour was Like That.
February 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
It has become clear why the Soviet sense of humour was Like That.
In fascist America, "Your kids are going to meet the president" is a threat.
In fascist America, bank robs you.
In fascist America, the pharmaceutical industry regulates the government.
In fascist America, television watches you.
In fascist America, you sound like LLM.
In fascist America, the pharmaceutical industry regulates the government.
In fascist America, television watches you.
In fascist America, you sound like LLM.
February 18, 2026 at 5:14 PM
In fascist America, "Your kids are going to meet the president" is a threat.
I mean, he's a management type, so.
February 18, 2026 at 5:11 PM
I mean, he's a management type, so.
As a reference point on the lenses thing:
The "cycles and loops" zines I did were intended to be a lens; looking at the entirety of how a game is built from a flow-of-play viewpoint. It's not a total view; it's something you put on, examine the game, and then move on.
levikornelsen.itch.io/cycles
The "cycles and loops" zines I did were intended to be a lens; looking at the entirety of how a game is built from a flow-of-play viewpoint. It's not a total view; it's something you put on, examine the game, and then move on.
levikornelsen.itch.io/cycles
February 18, 2026 at 3:42 PM
As a reference point on the lenses thing:
The "cycles and loops" zines I did were intended to be a lens; looking at the entirety of how a game is built from a flow-of-play viewpoint. It's not a total view; it's something you put on, examine the game, and then move on.
levikornelsen.itch.io/cycles
The "cycles and loops" zines I did were intended to be a lens; looking at the entirety of how a game is built from a flow-of-play viewpoint. It's not a total view; it's something you put on, examine the game, and then move on.
levikornelsen.itch.io/cycles
Nothing so novel; just giving babble about how soon it'll be possible to replace creatives with AI.
February 18, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Nothing so novel; just giving babble about how soon it'll be possible to replace creatives with AI.
As the last time it went around, I need no likes to deliver my unhinged takes, and refuse to confine them to a single thread.
February 18, 2026 at 7:46 AM
As the last time it went around, I need no likes to deliver my unhinged takes, and refuse to confine them to a single thread.
Oh, tons, but also: Almost all LARP specifically.
February 18, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Oh, tons, but also: Almost all LARP specifically.
The hegemony play was part of what he was right about, is the thing.
February 18, 2026 at 7:38 AM
The hegemony play was part of what he was right about, is the thing.
Reposted by π Levi Kornelsen
Everybody's talking TTRPG theory blurbs and manifestos lately. And I didn't have a lot of focus for other stuff and I was bored. So read the SNAP! inspired The Strange Confession. Feel free to hate it with the fire of 1000 suns. As long as you write yours too!
thoughtpunks.com/the-strange-...
thoughtpunks.com/the-strange-...
February 18, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Everybody's talking TTRPG theory blurbs and manifestos lately. And I didn't have a lot of focus for other stuff and I was bored. So read the SNAP! inspired The Strange Confession. Feel free to hate it with the fire of 1000 suns. As long as you write yours too!
thoughtpunks.com/the-strange-...
thoughtpunks.com/the-strange-...
Yeh:
Reposting with ALT because this kind of phenomenal disdain and disrespect from within the industry literally against two of their own titles and the designer who made them is important to recognize.
February 18, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Yeh:
It's true that he was extremely right once, but he has fallen, notch by notch, and has now become an AI Bro who would love to replace creative workers with slop.
I think it's time.
I think it's time.
February 18, 2026 at 5:15 AM
It's true that he was extremely right once, but he has fallen, notch by notch, and has now become an AI Bro who would love to replace creative workers with slop.
I think it's time.
I think it's time.