ShowrunnerRPG
@showrunnerrpg.bsky.social
An RPG where you're playing characters in a story AND the actors portraying them, fighting to keep your TV show on the air against your crazy Producers demands.
Most universal RPGs feel generic yet limited. Is it DnD with the serial numbers filed off? DnD in space?
Showrunner is designed to let you create any Show imaginable from cartoon to carnage, mystery to military.
What will your show be about?
#indiedev #ttrpg #indiegame #roleplaying #rpg #scifi
Showrunner is designed to let you create any Show imaginable from cartoon to carnage, mystery to military.
What will your show be about?
#indiedev #ttrpg #indiegame #roleplaying #rpg #scifi
February 10, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Most universal RPGs feel generic yet limited. Is it DnD with the serial numbers filed off? DnD in space?
Showrunner is designed to let you create any Show imaginable from cartoon to carnage, mystery to military.
What will your show be about?
#indiedev #ttrpg #indiegame #roleplaying #rpg #scifi
Showrunner is designed to let you create any Show imaginable from cartoon to carnage, mystery to military.
What will your show be about?
#indiedev #ttrpg #indiegame #roleplaying #rpg #scifi
Forgot to buy a grenade? No you didn't. Spend a Preparation token to reveal you had it all along. It’s the "Ace up your Sleeve" mechanic that rewards player cleverness in the moment instead of inventory management.
#ttrpg #indiegames #IndieDevs #RPG #showrunner
#ttrpg #indiegames #IndieDevs #RPG #showrunner
February 9, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Forgot to buy a grenade? No you didn't. Spend a Preparation token to reveal you had it all along. It’s the "Ace up your Sleeve" mechanic that rewards player cleverness in the moment instead of inventory management.
#ttrpg #indiegames #IndieDevs #RPG #showrunner
#ttrpg #indiegames #IndieDevs #RPG #showrunner
Most RPGs have two layers: The players and the characters. Showrunner adds a third: The Studio. You're playing a thief and you're playing the actor playing the thief, busy hassling the Director for better lines and retakes.
#ttrpg #indiedev #RPG #indiegame #showrunner #DnD
#ttrpg #indiedev #RPG #indiegame #showrunner #DnD
February 7, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Most RPGs have two layers: The players and the characters. Showrunner adds a third: The Studio. You're playing a thief and you're playing the actor playing the thief, busy hassling the Director for better lines and retakes.
#ttrpg #indiedev #RPG #indiegame #showrunner #DnD
#ttrpg #indiedev #RPG #indiegame #showrunner #DnD
Two chapters left and the core book is complete. Then a couple weeks to edit, polish, and start work on the second book: the Director's Guide full of consolidated rules, deep tables for Actor and Location generation, random Specialties, Flaws, and much more!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaying
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaying
February 5, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Two chapters left and the core book is complete. Then a couple weeks to edit, polish, and start work on the second book: the Director's Guide full of consolidated rules, deep tables for Actor and Location generation, random Specialties, Flaws, and much more!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaying
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaying
Showrunner starts with a 20-Episode introductory Show with a roguelike "achievements" system that allows you to unlock new rules by using the ones you just unlocked.
Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #roguelike #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #roguelike #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
February 4, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Showrunner starts with a 20-Episode introductory Show with a roguelike "achievements" system that allows you to unlock new rules by using the ones you just unlocked.
Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #roguelike #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
Learn to play by playing.
#ttrpg #roguelike #indiegames #indiedev #showrunner
Creating a Show starts with the Pitch: who are the Stars and what's the Premise?
The #DnD default is a group of heroes killing monsters and taking their stuff, but how about special forces trying to study and contain a mysterious outbreak?
What will your Show be about?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
The #DnD default is a group of heroes killing monsters and taking their stuff, but how about special forces trying to study and contain a mysterious outbreak?
What will your Show be about?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
February 3, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Creating a Show starts with the Pitch: who are the Stars and what's the Premise?
The #DnD default is a group of heroes killing monsters and taking their stuff, but how about special forces trying to study and contain a mysterious outbreak?
What will your Show be about?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
The #DnD default is a group of heroes killing monsters and taking their stuff, but how about special forces trying to study and contain a mysterious outbreak?
What will your Show be about?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
The Supporting Cast are key drivers for the success of shows in real life, why wouldn't they be in Showrunner?
Their power is not just their strength in the world, it's their narrative staying power. Every time they appear in the credits, they grow stronger.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #indiegame
Their power is not just their strength in the world, it's their narrative staying power. Every time they appear in the credits, they grow stronger.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #indiegame
February 2, 2026 at 10:32 PM
The Supporting Cast are key drivers for the success of shows in real life, why wouldn't they be in Showrunner?
Their power is not just their strength in the world, it's their narrative staying power. Every time they appear in the credits, they grow stronger.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #indiegame
Their power is not just their strength in the world, it's their narrative staying power. Every time they appear in the credits, they grow stronger.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #indiegame
Showrunner's goal is to maximize the amount of time playing and minimize the amount of time reading rules or doing math. Everything from character sheet design to combat rules focuses on play over schoolwork.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 31, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Showrunner's goal is to maximize the amount of time playing and minimize the amount of time reading rules or doing math. Everything from character sheet design to combat rules focuses on play over schoolwork.
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
Tired of erasing holes into your HP box?
Showrunner takes a page from board games and uses physical tokens for commonly-used resources. Fast, tactile, and let's you gauge your in-game situation visually.
Add coins/chips for money to make your kinesthetic player swoon!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
Showrunner takes a page from board games and uses physical tokens for commonly-used resources. Fast, tactile, and let's you gauge your in-game situation visually.
Add coins/chips for money to make your kinesthetic player swoon!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
January 30, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Tired of erasing holes into your HP box?
Showrunner takes a page from board games and uses physical tokens for commonly-used resources. Fast, tactile, and let's you gauge your in-game situation visually.
Add coins/chips for money to make your kinesthetic player swoon!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
Showrunner takes a page from board games and uses physical tokens for commonly-used resources. Fast, tactile, and let's you gauge your in-game situation visually.
Add coins/chips for money to make your kinesthetic player swoon!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev
Some pitches make you just want to jump into the Show NOW! You'll have to wait until 2/28. Only 3 chapters left to write!
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 29, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Some pitches make you just want to jump into the Show NOW! You'll have to wait until 2/28. Only 3 chapters left to write!
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #RPG #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
What if your group had a HP/Action Point/mana pool you could use when you were working together? What if the group leveled up along with your character?
Then you're playing Showrunner.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedeveloper #roleplaying #showrunner
Then you're playing Showrunner.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedeveloper #roleplaying #showrunner
January 28, 2026 at 9:01 PM
What if your group had a HP/Action Point/mana pool you could use when you were working together? What if the group leveled up along with your character?
Then you're playing Showrunner.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedeveloper #roleplaying #showrunner
Then you're playing Showrunner.
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedeveloper #roleplaying #showrunner
The rulebook is a slow build up, learned through play.
Writing the rulebook is also a slow build up, written one page at a time.
Thanks for sticking with Showrunner as we push towards release!
#indiegame #ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #showrunner
Writing the rulebook is also a slow build up, written one page at a time.
Thanks for sticking with Showrunner as we push towards release!
#indiegame #ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #showrunner
January 27, 2026 at 5:18 PM
The rulebook is a slow build up, learned through play.
Writing the rulebook is also a slow build up, written one page at a time.
Thanks for sticking with Showrunner as we push towards release!
#indiegame #ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #showrunner
Writing the rulebook is also a slow build up, written one page at a time.
Thanks for sticking with Showrunner as we push towards release!
#indiegame #ttrpg #RPG #indiedev #showrunner
Production Update: Karen reviewed the Showrunner release schedule and determined 'Qualitative Metrics' are trending below the 'Satisfaction Threshold.'
To prevent a 'Brand Integrity Event', she demanded a "Temporal Deployment Re-Assignment" to 2/28.
Larry is currently throwing a chair.
#indiedev
To prevent a 'Brand Integrity Event', she demanded a "Temporal Deployment Re-Assignment" to 2/28.
Larry is currently throwing a chair.
#indiedev
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Production Update: Karen reviewed the Showrunner release schedule and determined 'Qualitative Metrics' are trending below the 'Satisfaction Threshold.'
To prevent a 'Brand Integrity Event', she demanded a "Temporal Deployment Re-Assignment" to 2/28.
Larry is currently throwing a chair.
#indiedev
To prevent a 'Brand Integrity Event', she demanded a "Temporal Deployment Re-Assignment" to 2/28.
Larry is currently throwing a chair.
#indiedev
The initial Showrunner release has unfortunately been pushed back to the end of February.
Even getting up at 5am to write wasn't enough to re-write 20 chapters in a completely new format. The new deadline will give time to
1) complete the last 4 chapters
2) edit
3) playtest final tweaks
#indiedev
Even getting up at 5am to write wasn't enough to re-write 20 chapters in a completely new format. The new deadline will give time to
1) complete the last 4 chapters
2) edit
3) playtest final tweaks
#indiedev
January 26, 2026 at 12:31 AM
The initial Showrunner release has unfortunately been pushed back to the end of February.
Even getting up at 5am to write wasn't enough to re-write 20 chapters in a completely new format. The new deadline will give time to
1) complete the last 4 chapters
2) edit
3) playtest final tweaks
#indiedev
Even getting up at 5am to write wasn't enough to re-write 20 chapters in a completely new format. The new deadline will give time to
1) complete the last 4 chapters
2) edit
3) playtest final tweaks
#indiedev
A little over a week until Showrunner's target release date. What show will you create?
#ttrpg #RPG #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #RPG #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
January 23, 2026 at 6:27 PM
A little over a week until Showrunner's target release date. What show will you create?
#ttrpg #RPG #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
#ttrpg #RPG #DnD #indiegame #indiedev #showrunner
The Stars determine the plot. It's their story until they fail a roll, when the GM picks from the consequence menu. They deal with it and continue.
If they roll a Disaster, however, then GM crashes into the story until they can wrestle it back into their control.
#indiegame #rpg #ttrpg #showrunner
If they roll a Disaster, however, then GM crashes into the story until they can wrestle it back into their control.
#indiegame #rpg #ttrpg #showrunner
January 22, 2026 at 10:24 PM
The Stars determine the plot. It's their story until they fail a roll, when the GM picks from the consequence menu. They deal with it and continue.
If they roll a Disaster, however, then GM crashes into the story until they can wrestle it back into their control.
#indiegame #rpg #ttrpg #showrunner
If they roll a Disaster, however, then GM crashes into the story until they can wrestle it back into their control.
#indiegame #rpg #ttrpg #showrunner
Showrunner doesn't have Long Rests or Downtime, it has Montage Scenes to rest and recover resources.
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
January 21, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Showrunner doesn't have Long Rests or Downtime, it has Montage Scenes to rest and recover resources.
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
But you only get one per Episode: choose when to use it wisely!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #roleplay #showrunner
In most roleplaying games, your agency ends when the dice start. Showrunner's Influence system lets players decide when a roll is important.
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
January 20, 2026 at 10:27 PM
In most roleplaying games, your agency ends when the dice start. Showrunner's Influence system lets players decide when a roll is important.
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
The ultimate: Plot Armor, what makes main characters "main". It's precious; spend it wisely.
#rpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplayer
In Showrunner, the main villain of your Show pales in comparison to the villains who run the studio.
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
January 19, 2026 at 2:57 PM
In Showrunner, the main villain of your Show pales in comparison to the villains who run the studio.
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
Your nemesis will get your Character written off if you're not careful; Karen and Larry will end the entire Show if they don't get their way!
#ttrpg #indiegame #IndieGameDev #rpg #showrunner
Alternative history? Political drama? Comedy?
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Alternative history? Political drama? Comedy?
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
Most RPGs push you into combat. Showrunner uses universal rules to resolve whatever stands in the Character's way from a jilted lover to an angry titan, blockade to stock trade.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegames #showrunner
Showrunner is taught through a "roguelite" Show One: you make a Show about whatever you want while hitting "beats" given by your crazy producers.
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
January 17, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Showrunner is taught through a "roguelite" Show One: you make a Show about whatever you want while hitting "beats" given by your crazy producers.
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
Hit them all? Greenlight the next Episode, new rules.
Characters strive via the plot. Stars strive by keeping the show on the air.
#ttrpg #indiegame
Perhaps it's an impossible dream: a narrative-first game inspired by PbtA but with deep mechanical "crunch" and a universal engine.
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
Showrunner RPG Quickstart by Showrunner RPG
An RPG where you're playing characters in the story AND the actors behind them, fighting to keep your show on air.
showrunners.itch.io
January 16, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Perhaps it's an impossible dream: a narrative-first game inspired by PbtA but with deep mechanical "crunch" and a universal engine.
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
Get a taste in the free quickstart.
showrunners.itch.io/showrunner-q...
Full book drops 1/31. 5 years in the making!
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #DnD #showrunner
The core book sketches out the inspiration for 20 distinct Shows your Cast may want to create, but the game is designed to facilitate any Show you can imagine.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
January 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The core book sketches out the inspiration for 20 distinct Shows your Cast may want to create, but the game is designed to facilitate any Show you can imagine.
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
What Show will you create?
#ttrpg #indiegame #indiedev #roleplaytwt #showrunner
I scrapped my Christmas launch to rewrite the whole game. Why? Because most rulebooks are boring. Scripts are fun. Learn to play by playing.
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
January 14, 2026 at 8:40 PM
I scrapped my Christmas launch to rewrite the whole game. Why? Because most rulebooks are boring. Scripts are fun. Learn to play by playing.
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
Showrunner premieres Jan 31.
#ttrpg #indiedev #indiegame #RPG #showrunner
In our Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader playtest game, a player took out a cult on their ship. A psyker onboard happened to be adopted by the cult leader.
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
January 14, 2026 at 2:14 AM
In our Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader playtest game, a player took out a cult on their ship. A psyker onboard happened to be adopted by the cult leader.
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg
During the next Writer's Room between sessions, I rolled that psker. She killed the player's father in revenge. Emergent not planned.
#indiegame #rpg