RJ Lackie
@rjlackie.com
Writer @ Epic Games. Screenwriter. Emerging tabletop RPG designer. Gay as hell, broken in a fundamental but amusing way, and trying his best to make you laugh and/or cry.
He/him.
He/him.
Pinned
RJ Lackie
@rjlackie.com
· Sep 4
RJ Lackie's Into the Portal
Thoughts, stories and ideas from a budding TTRPG designer.
www.rjlackie.com
Heyo! I’m RJ, a game writer, screenwriter and burgeoning self-taught TTRPG designer who’s three years into a grand adventure at Epic Games. I’m gay as fuck, very friendly, and a barely-functioning human being with a general addiction to yearning.
You can find my TTRPG ramblings at Into the Portal.
You can find my TTRPG ramblings at Into the Portal.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
We're having a sale! To celebrate our move, new subscribers can enjoy their first month of Aftermath for just $1.
More info here:
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
Direct sale link (for anyone not already a paying subscriber) here:
aftermath.site/11-06-2025-01-...
More info here:
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
Direct sale link (for anyone not already a paying subscriber) here:
aftermath.site/11-06-2025-01-...
November 11, 2025 at 11:36 AM
We're having a sale! To celebrate our move, new subscribers can enjoy their first month of Aftermath for just $1.
More info here:
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
Direct sale link (for anyone not already a paying subscriber) here:
aftermath.site/11-06-2025-01-...
More info here:
aftermath.site/aftermath-rela...
Direct sale link (for anyone not already a paying subscriber) here:
aftermath.site/11-06-2025-01-...
I just sat down and read through @thismaybegraham.bsky.social’s UNDER THE AUTUMN STRANGELY, and, fuck, this is a cool storytelling game. And I happen to have the perfect number of players available to me... #ttrpg
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I just sat down and read through @thismaybegraham.bsky.social’s UNDER THE AUTUMN STRANGELY, and, fuck, this is a cool storytelling game. And I happen to have the perfect number of players available to me... #ttrpg
With the release of Reflections in a Dying World on Itch (and prev posting projects like The Station & fae gothic here), I've made a small tweak to my bio: 'emerging TTRPG designer', a milestone that I think I'm cautiously ready to own.
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
With the release of Reflections in a Dying World on Itch (and prev posting projects like The Station & fae gothic here), I've made a small tweak to my bio: 'emerging TTRPG designer', a milestone that I think I'm cautiously ready to own.
The innovations we're seeing lately, of TTRPGs building out new mechanical systems by integrating inspirations from board games, is SO cool. I can't wait to see what amazing places this trend takes the form as a whole. #ttrpg
THE MANY SIDED NEWSLETTER
@brianflaherty.bsky.social reflects on the rise in novel mechanics from board games making their way into TTRPGs
Plus news, recommendations, and more!
manysidednewsletter.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
@brianflaherty.bsky.social reflects on the rise in novel mechanics from board games making their way into TTRPGs
Plus news, recommendations, and more!
manysidednewsletter.substack.com/p/the-rise-o...
The Rise of Novel Mechanics in TTRPGs
Board game mechanics are finding new life within TTRPGs
manysidednewsletter.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
The innovations we're seeing lately, of TTRPGs building out new mechanical systems by integrating inspirations from board games, is SO cool. I can't wait to see what amazing places this trend takes the form as a whole. #ttrpg
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Here's another article I wrote recently for @startplaying.bsky.social about getting better at improv in TTRPGs
startplaying.games/blog/posts/i...
startplaying.games/blog/posts/i...
Improv for Gamers (How to Improve your Improv) | StartPlaying
TTRPGs are vehicles for improvised, collaborative stories. Basically, we’re all just making it up as we go! And the idea of making up a compelling story on the spot can be a little intimidating, but i...
startplaying.games
May 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Here's another article I wrote recently for @startplaying.bsky.social about getting better at improv in TTRPGs
startplaying.games/blog/posts/i...
startplaying.games/blog/posts/i...
It turns out I'm in good company in writing The Markus Project, as legendary TTRPG artist and graphic designer Johan Nohr seems to be doing a similar series of blog posts. 😁 Check out his post on making a very chill Slugblaster character here. #ttrpg
November 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It turns out I'm in good company in writing The Markus Project, as legendary TTRPG artist and graphic designer Johan Nohr seems to be doing a similar series of blog posts. 😁 Check out his post on making a very chill Slugblaster character here. #ttrpg
I haven’t read this one yet, but Crafty TV Writing was my bible when I was training to write scripted TV, so I imagine this is similarly excellent.
If you are thinking of making your own indie game, get some who loves you to give you Crafty Game Writing for Christmas. It's focused on how to think about new i.p., because that's what I've done, almost entirely. $55 USD from Routledge: www.routledge.com/Crafty-Game-...
Crafty Game Writing: Secrets of Great Videogame Narrative
Every writer dreams of creating their own game world and telling their own stories. But creating a new game from scratch is different from working on an established franchise. If you’re writing for St...
www.routledge.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I haven’t read this one yet, but Crafty TV Writing was my bible when I was training to write scripted TV, so I imagine this is similarly excellent.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
"You two can be the family you were always meant to be, free from the sins of generations past, if you let me do what needs doing."
Scarlet Hollow Episode 5 releases in February, on Friday the Thirteenth.
A huge shout out to our friends at @smallbu.bsky.social for animating this trailer!
Scarlet Hollow Episode 5 releases in February, on Friday the Thirteenth.
A huge shout out to our friends at @smallbu.bsky.social for animating this trailer!
October 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
"You two can be the family you were always meant to be, free from the sins of generations past, if you let me do what needs doing."
Scarlet Hollow Episode 5 releases in February, on Friday the Thirteenth.
A huge shout out to our friends at @smallbu.bsky.social for animating this trailer!
Scarlet Hollow Episode 5 releases in February, on Friday the Thirteenth.
A huge shout out to our friends at @smallbu.bsky.social for animating this trailer!
So… Pluribus is fascinating. Curious to see where it goes from here.
November 9, 2025 at 5:03 AM
So… Pluribus is fascinating. Curious to see where it goes from here.
Trying to figure out what the best guidelines are for something like this.
— 100% newbie friendly (e.g. doesn’t just use terms like d6 w no explanation)
— Keep external components simple, compact & recognizable as possible (no block towers,‘unusual’ dice)
I think those are the big ones.
— 100% newbie friendly (e.g. doesn’t just use terms like d6 w no explanation)
— Keep external components simple, compact & recognizable as possible (no block towers,‘unusual’ dice)
I think those are the big ones.
TTRPG folk, if you were eating alone in a diner, what solo RPG do you think you’d enjoy playing? Or if you were with a friend, any duo RPGs you’d particularly enjoy?
November 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Trying to figure out what the best guidelines are for something like this.
— 100% newbie friendly (e.g. doesn’t just use terms like d6 w no explanation)
— Keep external components simple, compact & recognizable as possible (no block towers,‘unusual’ dice)
I think those are the big ones.
— 100% newbie friendly (e.g. doesn’t just use terms like d6 w no explanation)
— Keep external components simple, compact & recognizable as possible (no block towers,‘unusual’ dice)
I think those are the big ones.
TTRPG folk, if you were eating alone in a diner, what solo RPG do you think you’d enjoy playing? Or if you were with a friend, any duo RPGs you’d particularly enjoy?
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 PM
TTRPG folk, if you were eating alone in a diner, what solo RPG do you think you’d enjoy playing? Or if you were with a friend, any duo RPGs you’d particularly enjoy?
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Finally, I've finished up a new Markus post for INTO THE PORTAL that isn't a refeature! In my fourth post, I build a Markus in DAGGERHEART, and fall in love with the Experiences system and campaign frames... #ttrpg
The Markus Project, pt. 4: Daggerheart
Welcome to the 4th post in my Markus Project, a blog series building the same character archetype in a bunch of TTRPG systems. Our next system is Darrington Press' DAGGERHEART!
www.rjlackie.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Finally, I've finished up a new Markus post for INTO THE PORTAL that isn't a refeature! In my fourth post, I build a Markus in DAGGERHEART, and fall in love with the Experiences system and campaign frames... #ttrpg
Finally, I've finished up a new Markus post for INTO THE PORTAL that isn't a refeature! In my fourth post, I build a Markus in DAGGERHEART, and fall in love with the Experiences system and campaign frames... #ttrpg
The Markus Project, pt. 4: Daggerheart
Welcome to the 4th post in my Markus Project, a blog series building the same character archetype in a bunch of TTRPG systems. Our next system is Darrington Press' DAGGERHEART!
www.rjlackie.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Finally, I've finished up a new Markus post for INTO THE PORTAL that isn't a refeature! In my fourth post, I build a Markus in DAGGERHEART, and fall in love with the Experiences system and campaign frames... #ttrpg
Finished the new eps of DISPATCH.
1 - 😮
2 - LET ME ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS FLAMBAE 🔥🔥🔥
1 - 😮
2 - LET ME ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS FLAMBAE 🔥🔥🔥
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Finished the new eps of DISPATCH.
1 - 😮
2 - LET ME ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS FLAMBAE 🔥🔥🔥
1 - 😮
2 - LET ME ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS FLAMBAE 🔥🔥🔥
The bit in here about the feature working ‘too well’ makes me hope they explore wrapping a new game around that system. That would be really cool.
Obsidian had a huge and ambitious investigation-like component to key dialogue moments in Outer Worlds 2, which would've been a big step forward for RPGs. The catch? It took months to fully write a single conversation
www.polygon.com/outer-worlds...
www.polygon.com/outer-worlds...
Outer Worlds 2's most ambitious (but cut) feature would have added years to development
A cut feature and a compromise led to more player choice
www.polygon.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The bit in here about the feature working ‘too well’ makes me hope they explore wrapping a new game around that system. That would be really cool.
Perfection.
November 4, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Perfection.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
It's cool how we keep proving over and over and over again that there's a significant market for narrative-heavy, character-driven, single-player experiences in video games and publishers just categorically refuse to believe us
Dispatch has sold 1 million copies in under two weeks
Dispatch has sold 1 million copies in under two weeks
The episodic superhero comedy features big-name actors like Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
It's cool how we keep proving over and over and over again that there's a significant market for narrative-heavy, character-driven, single-player experiences in video games and publishers just categorically refuse to believe us
👏👏 Well deserved!!
Now is the perfect time for yall to make a DLC where I can romance Flambae, @adhocstudio.com.
Now is the perfect time for yall to make a DLC where I can romance Flambae, @adhocstudio.com.
Dispatch has sold 1 million copies in under two weeks
Dispatch has sold 1 million copies in under two weeks
The episodic superhero comedy features big-name actors like Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright.
www.gamedeveloper.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
👏👏 Well deserved!!
Now is the perfect time for yall to make a DLC where I can romance Flambae, @adhocstudio.com.
Now is the perfect time for yall to make a DLC where I can romance Flambae, @adhocstudio.com.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
i owe so many video game designers an apology
November 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
i owe so many video game designers an apology
Also, my semi-regular reminder that if you haven't checked out our D&D 53 ('14) subclasses - the PORTALIER ARTIFICER and the PACT OF THE EMPTY WARLOCK - they're up on DM's Guild and we're still really proud of 'em.
Warlock: Pact of the Empty Subclass - Dungeon Masters Guild | Dungeon Masters Guild
This subclass for the Warlock is all about melee, control, and consuming your enemies in an endless void! Lay down a damage-dealing aura, while protecting yourself with damage resistances and temporar...
www.dmsguild.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Also, my semi-regular reminder that if you haven't checked out our D&D 53 ('14) subclasses - the PORTALIER ARTIFICER and the PACT OF THE EMPTY WARLOCK - they're up on DM's Guild and we're still really proud of 'em.
REFLECTIONS IN A DYING WORLD has been downloaded six times on Itchio! For a little game I cooked up quickly as essentially an exercise, with a really minimal description on the site, it's pretty exciting to me that a half-dozen people gave it a shot. 😁 #ttrpg
Reflections in a Dying World by portalierpress
Alternate selves work together to save the last world in this microTTRPG for Portalier Press.
portalierpress.itch.io
November 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
REFLECTIONS IN A DYING WORLD has been downloaded six times on Itchio! For a little game I cooked up quickly as essentially an exercise, with a really minimal description on the site, it's pretty exciting to me that a half-dozen people gave it a shot. 😁 #ttrpg
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Running the same adventure twice might seem repetitive. One author argues it is actually a powerful technique for mastering the craft of GMing. It reveals flaws in design you might otherwise miss.
Genre Police: Catch It On A Re-Run
Running the same roleplaying game one-shot for different groups? It's a masterclass in GMing. Learn how re-running a scenario teaches vital skills in design, pacing, refinement, and adapting to group dynamics.
www.geeknative.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Running the same adventure twice might seem repetitive. One author argues it is actually a powerful technique for mastering the craft of GMing. It reveals flaws in design you might otherwise miss.
So… DISPATCH is a hell of a lot of fun, huh?
November 1, 2025 at 4:18 AM
So… DISPATCH is a hell of a lot of fun, huh?
We’re no longer in ‘sitting writing in the summer sunshine’ weather… but we *are* now in the ‘decompressing after work in the chilly twilight wearing a warm hoodie’ weather, which in some ways is just as good.
October 31, 2025 at 10:18 PM
We’re no longer in ‘sitting writing in the summer sunshine’ weather… but we *are* now in the ‘decompressing after work in the chilly twilight wearing a warm hoodie’ weather, which in some ways is just as good.