I'm designing a TTRPG as well at the moment and seeing that you went through the same kind of question and that Tunnel Goons has a lot of mechanics in common with my game, gave me a lot of confidence but also since it's like Tunnel Goons has less "fat" than my game, I think I'll hack a few things. It's a great inspiration. Thanks for the discovery !
TTRPGs aren't necessarily about playing with others, as I was excited to find out a few months ago. Solo-Journaling TTRPGs, for example are really good for people- like me -who have no irl friends but want to play TTRPGs as well as enjoy the creative aspects of it. Colostle, for example, is an AMAZING Solo-Journaling TTRPG with phenomenal art. Also, for a tiny adventure, there's always Alone Among The Stars by Takuma Okada. Which also happens to be completely free.
Our gaming group was just discussing Ghostbusters today and how it's a perfect format for an RPG, a team of unlikely heroes, a base of operations, payed jobs, contained environments with monster-of-the-week, all leading up to some demon big bad at the end. We were going to start making one. Then I open RUclips and this video came up in my feed. It was fate! I'll check out and see if we can get some playtesting going.
My friends and I had a blast with Ghostbusters when it first came out. The best part was having it set in our own hometown, as the game encouraged personalizing your own ghost hunting "franchise". A blast imagining actual old houses that we as kids thought were haunted. Great times!
So cool to see the progress and problems with overthinking - less is more! It sounds like you are on the right way and I am very excited to see the final result :D
If you aren't on his Patreon, get on it. They're wonderful resources, especially for learning that just a few creativity-packed prompts can lead to something that can last sessions. Plus, the physical tier is good quality, and, let's face it, it's impressive how much he pumps out. Also, JP, if you're reading this, I really appreciated how you thanked me by name on the envelope.
Super inspiring video! Tunnel Goons is great - I made a game called Afterlifers using TG where you’re trying to bust out of Heaven - good stuff. Can’t wait to see your ghost game!
as always - very cool and fun just to follow along with your positive enthusiasm - you made a train wreck of a game design sound fun and just another step on a bouncy creative journey
It’s very hard. I did it once with a simple system. d6 pool roll under 4 for success. Was very successful with my friends. Fits on 2 pages. We played it 30+ times. 76 characters created and played for this game already. I am trying to come up with a second edition. Scraped an 80% ready version last year. Started all over last week. Never give up 😁
Oh dang, I was seriously going to message you asking if you’ve played Tunnel Goons, and was so pleased to see this. I just ran my first game of it, and was blown away. I’m thinking about running Dragon Town with it.
Awesome stuff JP! I got my copy of Mausritter last week, and am looking forwards to running some fun adventures. Might have to invest in the Almanac too!
Ha! It's a little funny, I started making my own TTRPG a couple days ago, and then you released this system! Verrry helpful and fun. Definitely encouraged my mystery dungeon nonsense!
I can't decide whether I should watch more of your videos or not. They always inspire me to try some new creative stuff and damn it, I don't have the time JP! 🙈😂
Aha! I can't wait for this to come out! I've been doing a few similar things, such as porting video games into D&D 5e, such as Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Can't wait!
Alright JP hear me out... for advertising purposes, PLEASE record a session playing the game with Andy in the party. There's no way he's not a riot in a game, and I can't be the only one dying to see him role play. PS. But what if it was called Spectre Catchers....? 😂 PPS. Spectre Arresters 🤣
Hey, nice video! Im once again asking for a Mausritter-Hexmap Tutorial ;D. It would be so helpful and im so curious to see your Style Mausritter- Hexmap. Thanks and Greetings :)
The tale of your journey and challenges to complete your first tabletop RPG is really valuable, informative and entertaining for new designers, but I'd say you desperately need an editor to keep you "honest" (I mean, to help you stick to design goals, raise and keep a clear roadmap, cut unnecessary content or mechanics out, and generally see those pitfalls from a distance and prevent them).
I'm designing a TTRPG as well at the moment and seeing that you went through the same kind of question and that Tunnel Goons has a lot of mechanics in common with my game, gave me a lot of confidence but also since it's like Tunnel Goons has less "fat" than my game, I think I'll hack a few things. It's a great inspiration. Thanks for the discovery !
the more simple yet fun you make the game, the better :D
TTRPGs aren't necessarily about playing with others, as I was excited to find out a few months ago. Solo-Journaling TTRPGs, for example are really good for people- like me -who have no irl friends but want to play TTRPGs as well as enjoy the creative aspects of it. Colostle, for example, is an AMAZING Solo-Journaling TTRPG with phenomenal art. Also, for a tiny adventure, there's always Alone Among The Stars by Takuma Okada. Which also happens to be completely free.
can't overstate how great this is, and just love that art so hard!!
Our gaming group was just discussing Ghostbusters today and how it's a perfect format for an RPG, a team of unlikely heroes, a base of operations, payed jobs, contained environments with monster-of-the-week, all leading up to some demon big bad at the end. We were going to start making one. Then I open RUclips and this video came up in my feed. It was fate! I'll check out and see if we can get some playtesting going.
Nice! Looks like you an Map Crow had similar ideas
We've been chatting a bunch lately ;)
This looks amazing! I ran your Dragon Town game and my friends LOVED it. Now they want to keep playing! Thanks for all the fun!
I really enjoy all of your adventures into the design process. It is very enlightening. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
My friends and I had a blast with Ghostbusters when it first came out. The best part was having it set in our own hometown, as the game encouraged personalizing your own ghost hunting "franchise". A blast imagining actual old houses that we as kids thought were haunted. Great times!
YES! That is part of making a team in Goons and Ghosts! No real mechanical bonuses or anything, it's just fun!
So cool to see the progress and problems with overthinking - less is more! It sounds like you are on the right way and I am very excited to see the final result :D
If you aren't on his Patreon, get on it. They're wonderful resources, especially for learning that just a few creativity-packed prompts can lead to something that can last sessions.
Plus, the physical tier is good quality, and, let's face it, it's impressive how much he pumps out.
Also, JP, if you're reading this, I really appreciated how you thanked me by name on the envelope.
Appreciate all the support!!!
Super inspiring video! Tunnel Goons is great - I made a game called Afterlifers using TG where you’re trying to bust out of Heaven - good stuff. Can’t wait to see your ghost game!
as always - very cool and fun just to follow along with your positive enthusiasm - you made a train wreck of a game design sound fun and just another step on a bouncy creative journey
It’s very hard. I did it once with a simple system. d6 pool roll under 4 for success. Was very successful with my friends. Fits on 2 pages. We played it 30+ times. 76 characters created and played for this game already. I am trying to come up with a second edition. Scraped an 80% ready version last year. Started all over last week. Never give up 😁
Oh dang, I was seriously going to message you asking if you’ve played Tunnel Goons, and was so pleased to see this. I just ran my first game of it, and was blown away. I’m thinking about running Dragon Town with it.
Let me know how it goes!!!
Awesome! Can’t wait!
Awesome stuff JP! I got my copy of Mausritter last week, and am looking forwards to running some fun adventures. Might have to invest in the Almanac too!
I love it! Can't wait. :)
Ha! It's a little funny, I started making my own TTRPG a couple days ago, and then you released this system! Verrry helpful and fun. Definitely encouraged my mystery dungeon nonsense!
hype, thanks for sharing
I can't wait!
I can't decide whether I should watch more of your videos or not. They always inspire me to try some new creative stuff and damn it, I don't have the time JP! 🙈😂
Wahoo, let's go JP!
Aha! I can't wait for this to come out! I've been doing a few similar things, such as porting video games into D&D 5e, such as Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Can't wait!
Next on JP Coovert: I'm making movie franchise!!
Very cool😀
Great vid!
I love d&d games. I know they used to have a d&d game you could dress up and play in real life not a board game.
Hacking games is the best way to kick-start a game idea. Once it's stable-ish then you tweak until you have what you want.
Alright JP hear me out... for advertising purposes, PLEASE record a session playing the game with Andy in the party. There's no way he's not a riot in a game, and I can't be the only one dying to see him role play.
PS. But what if it was called Spectre Catchers....? 😂
PPS. Spectre Arresters 🤣
I'm SO tempted to make Goons of the Universe...
YOU HAVE THE POWER!!!
Hey, nice video! Im once again asking for a Mausritter-Hexmap Tutorial ;D. It would be so helpful and im so curious to see your Style Mausritter- Hexmap. Thanks and Greetings :)
Have a very cool project in the works coming in the next few month or early next year that you’ll be interested in. Keep an eye on this space!
I love your art style...
Fan Thu
Would love to help
Beta testing is fun
I wonder how to make this game you’re making solo.
There's gotta be a solo hack of tunnel goons. Check out the website, there's a list of over 100 hacks there!
What's a zeen?
A zine is a self published book or magazine. Usually small page count, folded and stapled.
The tale of your journey and challenges to complete your first tabletop RPG is really valuable, informative and entertaining for new designers, but I'd say you desperately need an editor to keep you "honest" (I mean, to help you stick to design goals, raise and keep a clear roadmap, cut unnecessary content or mechanics out, and generally see those pitfalls from a distance and prevent them).
First