Alex @Plane Sailing Games 🔜 Dragonmeet
@planesailinggames.com
Ennie-nominated Designer and publisher of indie ttrpg games including A Cool and Lonely Courage https://planesailinggames.com/
Pinned
I run Plane Sailing Games, where I publish a trad space opera game and smaller story games where simple rules tell stories with big feelings. #indiettrpg
Last weekend I was at Metatopia, a convention for game designers in New Jersey. It is brilliant (as always) and I’ve written up details about all the games I played - it’s a moderately long read, but I’m excited by upcoming games! Please take a read and share! planesailinggames.com/review/2025-...
Metatopia 2025
Metatopia continues to be a brilliant convention for game designers who want to alpha- and beta- test their game designs with smart, capable people from the design and playtest community
planesailinggames.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Last weekend I was at Metatopia, a convention for game designers in New Jersey. It is brilliant (as always) and I’ve written up details about all the games I played - it’s a moderately long read, but I’m excited by upcoming games! Please take a read and share! planesailinggames.com/review/2025-...
Ideally when rolling dice, there is a tension, a sense that something significant might happen. There is the possibility of rolling a crit and everyone cheers, or a fumble and everyone groans!
For me it isn’t the dice rolling per se that I like, it is the communal appreciation of high and low rolls
For me it isn’t the dice rolling per se that I like, it is the communal appreciation of high and low rolls
This is a good thread, and I’m about to agree with and disagree with it, but in a way that I hope is more clearly agreement because a) these are good takes but b) I *do* like rolling dice.
This seems a conundrum.
This seems a conundrum.
Short thread of random thoughts on this truism of "players like to roll dice", using the classic "pick a lock" example:
Parker, the World's Greatest Thief is confronted with a lock. As a GM you have 3 options:
1. If it can be picked, she picks it. The player can narrate how. Parker's badass
[1/4]
Parker, the World's Greatest Thief is confronted with a lock. As a GM you have 3 options:
1. If it can be picked, she picks it. The player can narrate how. Parker's badass
[1/4]
November 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Ideally when rolling dice, there is a tension, a sense that something significant might happen. There is the possibility of rolling a crit and everyone cheers, or a fumble and everyone groans!
For me it isn’t the dice rolling per se that I like, it is the communal appreciation of high and low rolls
For me it isn’t the dice rolling per se that I like, it is the communal appreciation of high and low rolls
Great thread. I 100$ agree with this point, and I’m glad that more recent games will frame a low roll as ‘you failed because of circumstances’ rather than the traditional ‘haha you had a pratfall’ which really undermines the character competence.
Unless playing Paranoia of course!
Unless playing Paranoia of course!
There are few things less satisfying than having your character be rendered incompetent in their area of strength by the dice. There are other considerations to the dice’s lack of judgement, but that one is probably the clearest and most essential.
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Great thread. I 100$ agree with this point, and I’m glad that more recent games will frame a low roll as ‘you failed because of circumstances’ rather than the traditional ‘haha you had a pratfall’ which really undermines the character competence.
Unless playing Paranoia of course!
Unless playing Paranoia of course!
I think this distinction between PLOT and STORY is a really helpful one to bear in mind generally In RPGs
2
A lot of STORY will emerge during play - even in the shortest of games - but the plot has to be straightforward.
Rightly or wrongly, I’ve tended to stick to the framework of:
Intro - conflict with Mooks - investigation - conflict with Boss and Minions - epilogue.
2
A lot of STORY will emerge during play - even in the shortest of games - but the plot has to be straightforward.
Rightly or wrongly, I’ve tended to stick to the framework of:
Intro - conflict with Mooks - investigation - conflict with Boss and Minions - epilogue.
2
November 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I think this distinction between PLOT and STORY is a really helpful one to bear in mind generally In RPGs
Reposted by Alex @Plane Sailing Games 🔜 Dragonmeet
Especially if you are going to Dragonmeet this year, please can you boost this post? Would love to meet new faces at the hang out and have a good attendance to our panel 💜
I am BACK at Dragonmeet this year and we're doing things a bit differently. There's no all-day PoC Lounge this year but the midday hangout is STILL ON so come join us at any time between 12:30 and 2:30. We're also doing one panel where EVERYONE is welcome so catch us on Seminar Track 3 at 3:30💜
November 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Especially if you are going to Dragonmeet this year, please can you boost this post? Would love to meet new faces at the hang out and have a good attendance to our panel 💜
Reposted by Alex @Plane Sailing Games 🔜 Dragonmeet
Just to emphasize this: this has been a solved problem in RPG design for over two decades. In enough different ways to provide a laundry list of options.
It’s cool if you don’t WANT your game to do it, but there’s nothing requiring it be so.
It’s cool if you don’t WANT your game to do it, but there’s nothing requiring it be so.
You also need to understand that if your immediate reaction to those two examples was "wait, those actually make sense because Having One Character Who's More Powerful Than Other Characters Is Always Bad", you are very much part of the problem.
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Just to emphasize this: this has been a solved problem in RPG design for over two decades. In enough different ways to provide a laundry list of options.
It’s cool if you don’t WANT your game to do it, but there’s nothing requiring it be so.
It’s cool if you don’t WANT your game to do it, but there’s nothing requiring it be so.
Reposted by Alex @Plane Sailing Games 🔜 Dragonmeet
“Everything’s fucked and nearly everyone’s dead” - Nukeromancers: Rise of the Cabalites
Another bare bones playtest edition that’s nearly ready for print. This’ll be at Dragonmeet too, if all goes well.
Another bare bones playtest edition that’s nearly ready for print. This’ll be at Dragonmeet too, if all goes well.
November 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
“Everything’s fucked and nearly everyone’s dead” - Nukeromancers: Rise of the Cabalites
Another bare bones playtest edition that’s nearly ready for print. This’ll be at Dragonmeet too, if all goes well.
Another bare bones playtest edition that’s nearly ready for print. This’ll be at Dragonmeet too, if all goes well.
This is my birthday month, and if you wanted to encourage a small indie game designer, it would be lovely if you bought one of my games from my shop 👉👈
planesailinggames.com/pages/shop/
planesailinggames.com/pages/shop/
Shop
Shopping powered by Shopify You can also purchase them from Purchase from Indie Press Revolution Plane Sailing Games store Purchase from DriveThruRpg Plane Sailing Games store Purchase from itch.io Pl...
planesailinggames.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This is my birthday month, and if you wanted to encourage a small indie game designer, it would be lovely if you bought one of my games from my shop 👉👈
planesailinggames.com/pages/shop/
planesailinggames.com/pages/shop/
Use to fret about ‘mystery meat‘ user interfaces on web pages, where it wasn’t clear what you could click to do things.
I just came across this with the airpods pro 3. Some idiot decided that having a dedicated pairing button at the back of the case was a mistake, so guess how you pair now?
I just came across this with the airpods pro 3. Some idiot decided that having a dedicated pairing button at the back of the case was a mistake, so guess how you pair now?
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Use to fret about ‘mystery meat‘ user interfaces on web pages, where it wasn’t clear what you could click to do things.
I just came across this with the airpods pro 3. Some idiot decided that having a dedicated pairing button at the back of the case was a mistake, so guess how you pair now?
I just came across this with the airpods pro 3. Some idiot decided that having a dedicated pairing button at the back of the case was a mistake, so guess how you pair now?
The Daniel Craig era just started again from day 1, he should just do the same.
Nobody cares one iota what people scripted in previous bond actor outings
Nobody cares one iota what people scripted in previous bond actor outings
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The Daniel Craig era just started again from day 1, he should just do the same.
Nobody cares one iota what people scripted in previous bond actor outings
Nobody cares one iota what people scripted in previous bond actor outings
Back home in the UK (well, nearly home) after a brilliant time at Metatopia. Exhausted from the journey but buzzing with ideas!
November 11, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Back home in the UK (well, nearly home) after a brilliant time at Metatopia. Exhausted from the journey but buzzing with ideas!
I’m on my way home from Metatopia which was as brilliant as always. So much good intel for the games I brought, such fun playing the creative endeavours of others!
I’m going to write a whole blog post about everything when I’m actually home with a keyboard - so much to say!
I’m going to write a whole blog post about everything when I’m actually home with a keyboard - so much to say!
November 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I’m on my way home from Metatopia which was as brilliant as always. So much good intel for the games I brought, such fun playing the creative endeavours of others!
I’m going to write a whole blog post about everything when I’m actually home with a keyboard - so much to say!
I’m going to write a whole blog post about everything when I’m actually home with a keyboard - so much to say!
@jenkatwrites.bsky.social thank you for your advice to stick with Emily’s game on Sunday - it was brilliant!
November 9, 2025 at 11:52 PM
@jenkatwrites.bsky.social thank you for your advice to stick with Emily’s game on Sunday - it was brilliant!
Great meeting some old friends at Metatopia Thursday evening. Feeling set up for a day of gaming tomorrow!
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Great meeting some old friends at Metatopia Thursday evening. Feeling set up for a day of gaming tomorrow!
Hello America! I am now in your country!
November 5, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Hello America! I am now in your country!
If you are able to come along, this is a great industry event.
📣MuppetMeet 2025 Announcement!
Join us and a host of fantastic guest speakers on the evening before Dragonmeet (Friday 28th Nov) for an evening of #TTRPG industry networking and knowledge sharing.
Be sure to grab your FREE tickets here: dragonmeet.co.uk/tickets
👇Read more about what's on 👇
Join us and a host of fantastic guest speakers on the evening before Dragonmeet (Friday 28th Nov) for an evening of #TTRPG industry networking and knowledge sharing.
Be sure to grab your FREE tickets here: dragonmeet.co.uk/tickets
👇Read more about what's on 👇
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
If you are able to come along, this is a great industry event.
Thought I’d try the Elizabeth line to get to the airport. Never again! No signage, trains cancelled, standing on the platform for 20 mins.
I’ll go back to the old faithful Piccadilly line in the future. It’s old but at least it works.
2 out of 3 failures on it
I’ll go back to the old faithful Piccadilly line in the future. It’s old but at least it works.
2 out of 3 failures on it
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Thought I’d try the Elizabeth line to get to the airport. Never again! No signage, trains cancelled, standing on the platform for 20 mins.
I’ll go back to the old faithful Piccadilly line in the future. It’s old but at least it works.
2 out of 3 failures on it
I’ll go back to the old faithful Piccadilly line in the future. It’s old but at least it works.
2 out of 3 failures on it
Reposted by Alex @Plane Sailing Games 🔜 Dragonmeet
Hate doing this, because everyone is skint, but Oz is the only important thing in my life and I'm too broke to cover his additional surgery. If you'd like to help, please use OZVET20 at checkout on fenrisgames.com/shop for a nice discount or ko-fi.com/fenrisgames if you don't need toys.
Thankyou 💔
Thankyou 💔
November 3, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Hate doing this, because everyone is skint, but Oz is the only important thing in my life and I'm too broke to cover his additional surgery. If you'd like to help, please use OZVET20 at checkout on fenrisgames.com/shop for a nice discount or ko-fi.com/fenrisgames if you don't need toys.
Thankyou 💔
Thankyou 💔
I’ve just watched the 2019 film “Tolkien” which for some reason I’ve been putting off.
What a marvellous, sad, uplifting, tragic story.
Knowing something of the outcome of WW1 made the early parts all the more poignant.
www.imdb.com/title/tt3361...
What a marvellous, sad, uplifting, tragic story.
Knowing something of the outcome of WW1 made the early parts all the more poignant.
www.imdb.com/title/tt3361...
Tolkien (2019) ⭐ 6.8 | Biography, Drama, Romance
1h 52m | PG-13
www.imdb.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I’ve just watched the 2019 film “Tolkien” which for some reason I’ve been putting off.
What a marvellous, sad, uplifting, tragic story.
Knowing something of the outcome of WW1 made the early parts all the more poignant.
www.imdb.com/title/tt3361...
What a marvellous, sad, uplifting, tragic story.
Knowing something of the outcome of WW1 made the early parts all the more poignant.
www.imdb.com/title/tt3361...
Excellent slate of games for testing at Metatopia 2025. Happy that I’ve been able to register for all the ones I hoped to!
November 2, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Excellent slate of games for testing at Metatopia 2025. Happy that I’ve been able to register for all the ones I hoped to!
Just finished watching Thunderbolts* for the first time since I saw it in the cinema, and I think it holds up well. The through line of depression carries through the whole thing nicely, and I put it up with the 1st generation of marvel films for quality.
One weird thing in the credits though…
One weird thing in the credits though…
November 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Just finished watching Thunderbolts* for the first time since I saw it in the cinema, and I think it holds up well. The through line of depression carries through the whole thing nicely, and I put it up with the 1st generation of marvel films for quality.
One weird thing in the credits though…
One weird thing in the credits though…
Over on Mastodon, this thread gives some wonderful information about how the complexity of Vietnamese pronouns adds real flavour to Star Wars when watched there. Worth a read!
dice.camp/@BrianBinh/1...
dice.camp/@BrianBinh/1...
Brian Bình (@BrianBinh@dice.camp)
Because of the complexity of its pronouns, the Vietnamese translation adds an extra layer of depth to the otherwise shallow dialogue of the Star Wars original trilogy, which I watched on TV in Vietnam...
dice.camp
November 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Over on Mastodon, this thread gives some wonderful information about how the complexity of Vietnamese pronouns adds real flavour to Star Wars when watched there. Worth a read!
dice.camp/@BrianBinh/1...
dice.camp/@BrianBinh/1...
Now this is truly amazing
Image of the Sun.
Taken at night.
Not looking up at sky but down through 8000 miles of rock to the other side of the Earth.
Not with light but neutrinos.
Taken at night.
Not looking up at sky but down through 8000 miles of rock to the other side of the Earth.
Not with light but neutrinos.
November 1, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Now this is truly amazing
#Affinity
There is a post with a video over on twitter where their chief product officer is clarifying how and why they are making #Affinity free (for those who are interested)
x.com/Affinity/sta...
There is a post with a video over on twitter where their chief product officer is clarifying how and why they are making #Affinity free (for those who are interested)
x.com/Affinity/sta...
Affinity on X: "Hear it directly from Canva's co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Cameron Adams. Affinity is 100% free. 💚 No catch, just powerful design tools made for people who are done with paying too much for creativity. And no, your content in affinity is not used to train AI features. https://t.co/Ow20gxvOQL" / X
Hear it directly from Canva's co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Cameron Adams. Affinity is 100% free. 💚 No catch, just powerful design tools made for people who are done with paying too much for creativity. And no, your content in affinity is not used to train AI features. https://t.co/Ow20gxvOQL
x.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
#Affinity
There is a post with a video over on twitter where their chief product officer is clarifying how and why they are making #Affinity free (for those who are interested)
x.com/Affinity/sta...
There is a post with a video over on twitter where their chief product officer is clarifying how and why they are making #Affinity free (for those who are interested)
x.com/Affinity/sta...
Reposted by Alex @Plane Sailing Games 🔜 Dragonmeet
The last survivor of the Crimean War died in 2004.
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The last survivor of the Crimean War died in 2004.
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".