Turtlebun
@turtlebun.com
We're Hannah and Evan. We design ttrpgs and zines, and host Design Doc, a podcast about making games. This account is for news and updates. Personal accounts at adrawnnovel.bsky.social and hanbandit.bsky.social
Episode 103 of Design Doc is a two-game debrief! We each ran games at a convention for the first time since the pandemic. We talk about how it went, and how to (hopefully) protect one of those games from scope creep. open.spotify.com/episode/5Lxe...
Making Game Hacks That Stay Small
open.spotify.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Episode 103 of Design Doc is a two-game debrief! We each ran games at a convention for the first time since the pandemic. We talk about how it went, and how to (hopefully) protect one of those games from scope creep. open.spotify.com/episode/5Lxe...
Reposted by Turtlebun
It’s the final day to get the itchio bundle for the Palestinian Children’s Relief fund! For $10 you can get Questlandia and Noirlandia + over 240 other games. It’s a great way to round out your weird indie library while supporting the fight for Palestinian liberation.🇵🇸 itch.io/b/3299/pales...
November 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
It’s the final day to get the itchio bundle for the Palestinian Children’s Relief fund! For $10 you can get Questlandia and Noirlandia + over 240 other games. It’s a great way to round out your weird indie library while supporting the fight for Palestinian liberation.🇵🇸 itch.io/b/3299/pales...
We've made 100 episodes! Thank you to everyone who has listened.
We just celebrated a milestone—episode 100 of Design Doc! “The Realest Place on Earth” is a two-hour special chronicling our attempt to playtest a roleplaying game at Six Flags and all the ways it failed miserably, and some actually good game design it resulted in! open.spotify.com/episode/0nTC...
The Realest Place on Earth
open.spotify.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
We've made 100 episodes! Thank you to everyone who has listened.
We brought Wonderland to a real-life theme park! In the latest episode of Design Doc, we talked about how to take tabletop rules off the table. What needs to be simplified, what can be dropped, and what should we wear?
July 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
We brought Wonderland to a real-life theme park! In the latest episode of Design Doc, we talked about how to take tabletop rules off the table. What needs to be simplified, what can be dropped, and what should we wear?
Reposted by Turtlebun
my friend @nynphaiel.bsky.social has been taking in stray cats, but they're struggling to get the money together to care for, and feed them. as a recent immigrant they're not able to work, so this kind act is costing them dearly.
so, we've put together an @itch.io bundle. love cats? check it out.
so, we've put together an @itch.io bundle. love cats? check it out.
Catpuccino Sanctuary Relief Bundle by Volvodja Press and 13 others
Catpuccino Sanctuary Relief Bundle: up to 22 items starting at $15.00
itch.io
July 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
my friend @nynphaiel.bsky.social has been taking in stray cats, but they're struggling to get the money together to care for, and feed them. as a recent immigrant they're not able to work, so this kind act is costing them dearly.
so, we've put together an @itch.io bundle. love cats? check it out.
so, we've put together an @itch.io bundle. love cats? check it out.
Reposted by Turtlebun
Another good example of this is Enter the Orb by @turtlebun.com which has you all watch the trippy 1990s 3D animation video together and then play to create more. The shared context, as they say, is built in.
July 20, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Another good example of this is Enter the Orb by @turtlebun.com which has you all watch the trippy 1990s 3D animation video together and then play to create more. The shared context, as they say, is built in.
Reposted by Turtlebun
New Design Doc out today! This one is about our attempt to plan a game of Escape from Wonderland at Six Flags, and whether it’s actually possible to LARP on a roller coaster. Probably one of my favorite recent episodes. 😄
episodes.fm/1298080097/e...
episodes.fm/1298080097/e...
Roleplaying in the Park
Listen to Roleplaying in the Park from Design Doc wherever you get your podcasts!
episodes.fm
July 16, 2025 at 2:13 PM
New Design Doc out today! This one is about our attempt to plan a game of Escape from Wonderland at Six Flags, and whether it’s actually possible to LARP on a roller coaster. Probably one of my favorite recent episodes. 😄
episodes.fm/1298080097/e...
episodes.fm/1298080097/e...
Reposted by Turtlebun
New Design Doc today! In the episode @adrawnnovel.bsky.social and I talk about how even the ToC of a roleplaying game can help tell the game’s story and set the tone.
open.spotify.com/episode/3Sfs...
open.spotify.com/episode/3Sfs...
The Rules Tell a Story
Design Doc · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
New Design Doc today! In the episode @adrawnnovel.bsky.social and I talk about how even the ToC of a roleplaying game can help tell the game’s story and set the tone.
open.spotify.com/episode/3Sfs...
open.spotify.com/episode/3Sfs...
The latest Design Doc is about epilogues!
How do you end a game on the best possible note, while also letting the players pick the tune?
Is it unbearable to introduce new rules at the end of a long session?
Why do games need to end, anyway??
How do you end a game on the best possible note, while also letting the players pick the tune?
Is it unbearable to introduce new rules at the end of a long session?
Why do games need to end, anyway??
May 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The latest Design Doc is about epilogues!
How do you end a game on the best possible note, while also letting the players pick the tune?
Is it unbearable to introduce new rules at the end of a long session?
Why do games need to end, anyway??
How do you end a game on the best possible note, while also letting the players pick the tune?
Is it unbearable to introduce new rules at the end of a long session?
Why do games need to end, anyway??
The latest episode of Design Doc is about how mechanics can swing from one extreme to the other. Adjusting your rules *just enough* is an art form in itself!
You can find it here: pod.link/1298080097/e...
...or wherever you get your podcasts!
You can find it here: pod.link/1298080097/e...
...or wherever you get your podcasts!
May 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The latest episode of Design Doc is about how mechanics can swing from one extreme to the other. Adjusting your rules *just enough* is an art form in itself!
You can find it here: pod.link/1298080097/e...
...or wherever you get your podcasts!
You can find it here: pod.link/1298080097/e...
...or wherever you get your podcasts!
It's the last day for our spring PDF sale! 11 more hours! 💟 itch.io/s/149803/tur...
All our games are on sale on itch through the end of the month! Grab a game individually for 20% off, or PDFs of every one of our games for $35 for the whole bundle.
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
April 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It's the last day for our spring PDF sale! 11 more hours! 💟 itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Reposted by Turtlebun
All our games are on sale on itch through the end of the month! Grab a game individually for 20% off, or PDFs of every one of our games for $35 for the whole bundle.
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
April 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
All our games are on sale on itch through the end of the month! Grab a game individually for 20% off, or PDFs of every one of our games for $35 for the whole bundle.
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
All our games are on sale on itch through the end of the month! Grab a game individually for 20% off, or PDFs of every one of our games for $35 for the whole bundle.
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
April 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
All our games are on sale on itch through the end of the month! Grab a game individually for 20% off, or PDFs of every one of our games for $35 for the whole bundle.
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Cheers, and happy Spring! 🌷🐢🐇
itch.io/s/149803/tur...
Reposted by Turtlebun
Did you know it's Rex Manning Day??
Did you know that @hanbandit.bsky.social wrote an amazing game based off of the movie Empire Records, where that originates?
AAAAAANND... did you know we did an AP of it?! With @mattbartlettvo.bsky.social @nicolemackie.bsky.social and @brentpoynter.bsky.social!!
Did you know that @hanbandit.bsky.social wrote an amazing game based off of the movie Empire Records, where that originates?
AAAAAANND... did you know we did an AP of it?! With @mattbartlettvo.bsky.social @nicolemackie.bsky.social and @brentpoynter.bsky.social!!
Damn the Man, Save the Music! [Actual Play, part 1]
The QueerXP · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Did you know it's Rex Manning Day??
Did you know that @hanbandit.bsky.social wrote an amazing game based off of the movie Empire Records, where that originates?
AAAAAANND... did you know we did an AP of it?! With @mattbartlettvo.bsky.social @nicolemackie.bsky.social and @brentpoynter.bsky.social!!
Did you know that @hanbandit.bsky.social wrote an amazing game based off of the movie Empire Records, where that originates?
AAAAAANND... did you know we did an AP of it?! With @mattbartlettvo.bsky.social @nicolemackie.bsky.social and @brentpoynter.bsky.social!!
The latest Design Doc is out!
This one is about a troublesome playtest. We had an extra player, which complicated things—but was that the only culprit?
Listen wherever you get your podcasts! Or click one of the links below.
This one is about a troublesome playtest. We had an extra player, which complicated things—but was that the only culprit?
Listen wherever you get your podcasts! Or click one of the links below.
March 26, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The latest Design Doc is out!
This one is about a troublesome playtest. We had an extra player, which complicated things—but was that the only culprit?
Listen wherever you get your podcasts! Or click one of the links below.
This one is about a troublesome playtest. We had an extra player, which complicated things—but was that the only culprit?
Listen wherever you get your podcasts! Or click one of the links below.
The latest Design Doc is about pacing in TTRPGs! We talk about session counts, story arcs, and how to linger on the best moments.
You can listen to Design Doc wherever you download podcasts!
You can listen to Design Doc wherever you download podcasts!
March 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The latest Design Doc is about pacing in TTRPGs! We talk about session counts, story arcs, and how to linger on the best moments.
You can listen to Design Doc wherever you download podcasts!
You can listen to Design Doc wherever you download podcasts!
Our latest episode of Design Doc is about rewarding players with information. When making rules for intangible rewards, it's tough to make sure they'll match the mood at the table. We discuss and do some designing on the fly!
Out now in all the podcast places 💡
Out now in all the podcast places 💡
February 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Our latest episode of Design Doc is about rewarding players with information. When making rules for intangible rewards, it's tough to make sure they'll match the mood at the table. We discuss and do some designing on the fly!
Out now in all the podcast places 💡
Out now in all the podcast places 💡
Our latest episode of Design Doc is about rewards and prizes! We talk about the difference between character and player-level rewards, and do a little live design for claw machine prizes!
Listen wherever you get podcasts! Or here, on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4lFH...
Listen wherever you get podcasts! Or here, on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4lFH...
February 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Our latest episode of Design Doc is about rewards and prizes! We talk about the difference between character and player-level rewards, and do a little live design for claw machine prizes!
Listen wherever you get podcasts! Or here, on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4lFH...
Listen wherever you get podcasts! Or here, on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4lFH...
Reposted by Turtlebun
Good morning! It’s my birthday and we have a new Design Doc up about Rewards and Prizes in roleplaying games! 🎁 Your character can be getting absolutely walloped while you as a player are like Hell Yea. Give it a listen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Rewards and Prizes
Podcast Episode · Design Doc · 02/12/2025 · 45m
podcasts.apple.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Good morning! It’s my birthday and we have a new Design Doc up about Rewards and Prizes in roleplaying games! 🎁 Your character can be getting absolutely walloped while you as a player are like Hell Yea. Give it a listen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Reposted by Turtlebun
A great list! I'd recommend Design Doc from @turtlebun.com! Hannah and Evan are great, very experienced and have history - a deep library to choose from!
For myself, I'd gently like to promote my own actual play, @wederrakeep.bsky.social. It's accessible - episodes are mostly ~30 min (ep 1 is 40).
For myself, I'd gently like to promote my own actual play, @wederrakeep.bsky.social. It's accessible - episodes are mostly ~30 min (ep 1 is 40).
February 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A great list! I'd recommend Design Doc from @turtlebun.com! Hannah and Evan are great, very experienced and have history - a deep library to choose from!
For myself, I'd gently like to promote my own actual play, @wederrakeep.bsky.social. It's accessible - episodes are mostly ~30 min (ep 1 is 40).
For myself, I'd gently like to promote my own actual play, @wederrakeep.bsky.social. It's accessible - episodes are mostly ~30 min (ep 1 is 40).
Our latest episode of Design Doc is about perfection in art - what people expect of artists, and how we can define perfection for ourselves.
You can find it here on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3R8N...
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎨
You can find it here on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3R8N...
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎨
February 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Our latest episode of Design Doc is about perfection in art - what people expect of artists, and how we can define perfection for ourselves.
You can find it here on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3R8N...
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎨
You can find it here on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3R8N...
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎨
Reposted by Turtlebun
This week's Unbundled game is Damn the Man, Save the Music!, a TTRPG about working at a struggling record store in the 90s by @turtlebun.bsky.social
January 16, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This week's Unbundled game is Damn the Man, Save the Music!, a TTRPG about working at a struggling record store in the 90s by @turtlebun.bsky.social