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
Only 2 copies left of Substratum Protocol hardcover!
We are NOT reprinting the hardcover version, so this is your last chance to get it!
In January we will switch to softcover.
Grab it here: pandiongames.com/products/sub...
We are NOT reprinting the hardcover version, so this is your last chance to get it!
In January we will switch to softcover.
Grab it here: pandiongames.com/products/sub...
December 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Only 2 copies left of Substratum Protocol hardcover!
We are NOT reprinting the hardcover version, so this is your last chance to get it!
In January we will switch to softcover.
Grab it here: pandiongames.com/products/sub...
We are NOT reprinting the hardcover version, so this is your last chance to get it!
In January we will switch to softcover.
Grab it here: pandiongames.com/products/sub...
My most cancelworthy opinion remains that I don’t overly care about movie theatres. I generally like that they exist, I support folks who love them and I appreciate how they enable movies to actually make a profit (unlike streaming)… but emotionally I am largely uninvested.
December 7, 2025 at 4:49 AM
My most cancelworthy opinion remains that I don’t overly care about movie theatres. I generally like that they exist, I support folks who love them and I appreciate how they enable movies to actually make a profit (unlike streaming)… but emotionally I am largely uninvested.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
New subscriptions to Rascal News will be rising by $1 in 2026. If you've been waiting to support us, we're currently running a holiday sale where the first two months of our entry tier is only $1/month!
Independent journalism on the cheap? Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!
Independent journalism on the cheap? Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!
We’re raising Rascal’s subscription prices by $1 in 2026
But you can lock in the old price right now with a holiday discount!
www.rascal.news
December 1, 2025 at 3:11 PM
New subscriptions to Rascal News will be rising by $1 in 2026. If you've been waiting to support us, we're currently running a holiday sale where the first two months of our entry tier is only $1/month!
Independent journalism on the cheap? Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!
Independent journalism on the cheap? Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!
we always imagined first contact being a political overture, a plea for friendship, a declaration of war.
instead, it was a letter delivered in a standard envelope, notifying the Miss Universe competition it was being sued for false advertising by the representatives of 62 planets and one asteroid.
instead, it was a letter delivered in a standard envelope, notifying the Miss Universe competition it was being sued for false advertising by the representatives of 62 planets and one asteroid.
why is miss universe always from earth
December 6, 2025 at 7:41 PM
we always imagined first contact being a political overture, a plea for friendship, a declaration of war.
instead, it was a letter delivered in a standard envelope, notifying the Miss Universe competition it was being sued for false advertising by the representatives of 62 planets and one asteroid.
instead, it was a letter delivered in a standard envelope, notifying the Miss Universe competition it was being sued for false advertising by the representatives of 62 planets and one asteroid.
The introductory version of this: a D&D where every party member is an arcanically frozen and recently thawed transplant from different eras of the world’s history, and they each use sheets and mechanics from a different edition: D&D, Advanced, 3e, and so forth.
A TTRPG actual play where every member of the party is using character sheets from, and entangling with the mechanics of; a different TTRPG.
December 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The introductory version of this: a D&D where every party member is an arcanically frozen and recently thawed transplant from different eras of the world’s history, and they each use sheets and mechanics from a different edition: D&D, Advanced, 3e, and so forth.
Kim Addonizio, To the Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Next Stall
December 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Kim Addonizio, To the Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Next Stall
A TTRPG actual play where every member of the party is using character sheets from, and entangling with the mechanics of; a different TTRPG.
December 6, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A TTRPG actual play where every member of the party is using character sheets from, and entangling with the mechanics of; a different TTRPG.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Looking for a gift for a tabletop gamer?
Never Fear!
The Many Sided Media Gift Guide is here!
Check out some great game recommendations from around the Many Sided Network
manysidednewsletter.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...
Never Fear!
The Many Sided Media Gift Guide is here!
Check out some great game recommendations from around the Many Sided Network
manysidednewsletter.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...
December 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Looking for a gift for a tabletop gamer?
Never Fear!
The Many Sided Media Gift Guide is here!
Check out some great game recommendations from around the Many Sided Network
manysidednewsletter.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...
Never Fear!
The Many Sided Media Gift Guide is here!
Check out some great game recommendations from around the Many Sided Network
manysidednewsletter.substack.com/p/the-2025-m...
Watched the new Heated Rivalry, and I would like to thank the gods for François Arnaud.
a hockey player wearing a bauer helmet holds a stick
ALT: a hockey player wearing a bauer helmet holds a stick
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Watched the new Heated Rivalry, and I would like to thank the gods for François Arnaud.
A message my campaigns keep coming back to is: Fixing the world is fucking hard. You can’t just kill a monster and everything is solved. Those who crave power will seek to fill every void you create, doing good is more complex than it seems, and making lasting change might require ugly choices.
Question for the GMs, writers, and worldbuilders out there, and I think the folks running Actual Plays will really like this one;
What is the theme, motif, or message of your writing?
This can be overall, or something you meditate upon with a specific character or place, up to you.
#TTRPG
What is the theme, motif, or message of your writing?
This can be overall, or something you meditate upon with a specific character or place, up to you.
#TTRPG
December 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM
A message my campaigns keep coming back to is: Fixing the world is fucking hard. You can’t just kill a monster and everything is solved. Those who crave power will seek to fill every void you create, doing good is more complex than it seems, and making lasting change might require ugly choices.
We’ve still got about a month — including winter break! — left to go in 2025, but my frontrunners for my fav games of the year are looking like:
Blue Prince, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch, Dispatch, Split Fiction, The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy
Blue Prince, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch, Dispatch, Split Fiction, The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy
December 4, 2025 at 11:39 PM
We’ve still got about a month — including winter break! — left to go in 2025, but my frontrunners for my fav games of the year are looking like:
Blue Prince, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch, Dispatch, Split Fiction, The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy
Blue Prince, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch, Dispatch, Split Fiction, The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy
Reposted by RJ Lackie
What To Know About ‘Heated Rivalry’ https://theonion.com/what-to-know-about-heated-rivalry/
December 4, 2025 at 11:00 PM
What To Know About ‘Heated Rivalry’ https://theonion.com/what-to-know-about-heated-rivalry/
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Reposted by RJ Lackie
can someone do a wellness check on @rjlackie.com? he hasn’t referenced Those Who Walk Away From Omelas yet this week
December 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
can someone do a wellness check on @rjlackie.com? he hasn’t referenced Those Who Walk Away From Omelas yet this week
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Mud Ghost Estate is a spooky tumbling block tower-based TTRPG inspired by the urban legends and folklore of Hong Kong. 👻
The Redux edition is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
The Redux edition is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
November 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Mud Ghost Estate is a spooky tumbling block tower-based TTRPG inspired by the urban legends and folklore of Hong Kong. 👻
The Redux edition is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
The Redux edition is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wha...
Reposted by RJ Lackie
Scottish friends! I'm looking for a voice actor (roughly 30-40 years old, female) for an unannounced game✨
You definitely don't need to be an established actor, but you must be UK based with your own recording equipment.
This is a paid role, DM for brief! #voiceacting
You definitely don't need to be an established actor, but you must be UK based with your own recording equipment.
This is a paid role, DM for brief! #voiceacting
December 3, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Scottish friends! I'm looking for a voice actor (roughly 30-40 years old, female) for an unannounced game✨
You definitely don't need to be an established actor, but you must be UK based with your own recording equipment.
This is a paid role, DM for brief! #voiceacting
You definitely don't need to be an established actor, but you must be UK based with your own recording equipment.
This is a paid role, DM for brief! #voiceacting
Reposted by RJ Lackie
After a pause, we are once again accepting pitches for games.
If you've designed a TTRPG (especially one built on PbtA, Forged in the Dark, or Fate) that's near-complete, you can find details about how to pitch us (and the services we provide) here:
evilhat.com/game-submiss...
If you've designed a TTRPG (especially one built on PbtA, Forged in the Dark, or Fate) that's near-complete, you can find details about how to pitch us (and the services we provide) here:
evilhat.com/game-submiss...
December 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
After a pause, we are once again accepting pitches for games.
If you've designed a TTRPG (especially one built on PbtA, Forged in the Dark, or Fate) that's near-complete, you can find details about how to pitch us (and the services we provide) here:
evilhat.com/game-submiss...
If you've designed a TTRPG (especially one built on PbtA, Forged in the Dark, or Fate) that's near-complete, you can find details about how to pitch us (and the services we provide) here:
evilhat.com/game-submiss...
I’m proud of all the games in the packet, but this is the one I’m most excited to see people try…
December 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I’m proud of all the games in the packet, but this is the one I’m most excited to see people try…
I also broke multiple broom handles using them as pretend bo staffs.
So did you practice the way you’d throw a Poké Ball when you were a kid or were you normal
December 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM
I also broke multiple broom handles using them as pretend bo staffs.
Reposted by RJ Lackie
GDC 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN 📣
Our alumni say it best!
🗣️"This opportunity allowed me to connect with other marginalized game designers, who helped me navigate challenging experiences in AAA & continue to act as mentors for me."
✏️ www.gamedevsofcolor.org/scholarship
#GDC2026 #gamedev
Our alumni say it best!
🗣️"This opportunity allowed me to connect with other marginalized game designers, who helped me navigate challenging experiences in AAA & continue to act as mentors for me."
✏️ www.gamedevsofcolor.org/scholarship
#GDC2026 #gamedev
December 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM
GDC 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN 📣
Our alumni say it best!
🗣️"This opportunity allowed me to connect with other marginalized game designers, who helped me navigate challenging experiences in AAA & continue to act as mentors for me."
✏️ www.gamedevsofcolor.org/scholarship
#GDC2026 #gamedev
Our alumni say it best!
🗣️"This opportunity allowed me to connect with other marginalized game designers, who helped me navigate challenging experiences in AAA & continue to act as mentors for me."
✏️ www.gamedevsofcolor.org/scholarship
#GDC2026 #gamedev
Though they’re still in early, unplaytested state, I had a ton of fun designing these games and am very excited to share ‘em with folks. If you are at all curious about em, please check them, and Into the Portal, out. I promise to be respectful of your email inbox 😁 #ttrpg
It's out! Portalier Press' first packet of playtestable micro-TTRPGs -- which includes previously released REFLECTIONS IN A DYING WORLD, THE STATION and FAE GOTHIC, and new games THE BOX, STORY BUILDERS and GILDED BLADES -- is up at the blog for all subscribers! #ttrpg
Portalier Press Playtesting Packet, Fall '25
Welcome to Portalier Press' first Playtesting Packet! Featuring six games: Reflections in a Dying World, The Box, Story Builders, Gilded Blades (created by RJ Lackie & Megan MacKay), fae gothic and Th...
www.rjlackie.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Though they’re still in early, unplaytested state, I had a ton of fun designing these games and am very excited to share ‘em with folks. If you are at all curious about em, please check them, and Into the Portal, out. I promise to be respectful of your email inbox 😁 #ttrpg
D&D day is upon us, and the DM is adorned with roses.
November 30, 2025 at 7:07 PM
D&D day is upon us, and the DM is adorned with roses.
It's out! Portalier Press' first packet of playtestable micro-TTRPGs -- which includes previously released REFLECTIONS IN A DYING WORLD, THE STATION and FAE GOTHIC, and new games THE BOX, STORY BUILDERS and GILDED BLADES -- is up at the blog for all subscribers! #ttrpg
Portalier Press Playtesting Packet, Fall '25
Welcome to Portalier Press' first Playtesting Packet! Featuring six games: Reflections in a Dying World, The Box, Story Builders, Gilded Blades (created by RJ Lackie & Megan MacKay), fae gothic and Th...
www.rjlackie.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It's out! Portalier Press' first packet of playtestable micro-TTRPGs -- which includes previously released REFLECTIONS IN A DYING WORLD, THE STATION and FAE GOTHIC, and new games THE BOX, STORY BUILDERS and GILDED BLADES -- is up at the blog for all subscribers! #ttrpg
Unless something goes awry, I should be posting Portalier Press' first packet of playtestable micro-TTRPGs tomorrow on the blog!
If you're interested to see (and test!) our first wave of creations, subscribe - for zero dollars! - at Into the Portal to make sure you get access to the PDF. 😁 #ttrpg
If you're interested to see (and test!) our first wave of creations, subscribe - for zero dollars! - at Into the Portal to make sure you get access to the PDF. 😁 #ttrpg
RJ Lackie's Into the Portal
Thoughts, stories and ideas from a budding TTRPG designer.
www.rjlackie.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Unless something goes awry, I should be posting Portalier Press' first packet of playtestable micro-TTRPGs tomorrow on the blog!
If you're interested to see (and test!) our first wave of creations, subscribe - for zero dollars! - at Into the Portal to make sure you get access to the PDF. 😁 #ttrpg
If you're interested to see (and test!) our first wave of creations, subscribe - for zero dollars! - at Into the Portal to make sure you get access to the PDF. 😁 #ttrpg
The Portalier Press page on my site has been updated with our Itch.io page, and to welcome @mmmegan.bsky.social publicly to this nonsense. 😁 Y'all will get a glimpse of Megan's contributions to Portalier pretty soon.
Portalier Press
Portalier Press is an independent TTRPG publisher, currently known for creating D&D 5e supplements including the Portalier Artificer subclass and the Pact of the Empty Warlock subclass. They are curre...
www.rjlackie.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The Portalier Press page on my site has been updated with our Itch.io page, and to welcome @mmmegan.bsky.social publicly to this nonsense. 😁 Y'all will get a glimpse of Megan's contributions to Portalier pretty soon.