The Two Page Tabletop

[TSGames]

Having been a part of the Playground for a very long time, I've seen some interesting and creative RPG projects. Most of these are cool homebrews (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?253053-The-Swarm-Arrives-3-5-Base-Class-Zerg-Tyranids), or monster creations (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?170253-Critters-II!), but a few are attempts to make entirely new systems. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of good advice out there for how to create your system and there's even less ways to learn how to do it. Enter the Two Page Tabletop.


The TwoPageTabletop is a challenge designed for tabletop developers. You can read more about the challenge here (http://www.topsecretgames.net/blog/two-page-tabletop/).

The challenge is simple, but few can finish: in two pages or less, create a tabletop that must:

Be Playable – Someone uninitiated to it must be able to pick it up and understand how to play.
Have a Setting – RPGs do not exist in a vacuum, your setting needs to allow the reader to gain a feel for the type of RPG they are about to play. Go for as much or as little detail as you feel you need.



That's it. There are no restrictions: you have total control over genre, mechanics, layout, and every other aspect of your tabletop.

The goal of the challenge is to push your limits as an tabletop designer, to show that you can go from the unlimited canvas of 100+ page books to a very limiting two pages. Most aspiring designers will not succeed.

There's more than a few Playgrounders who have taken a crack at creating their own systems, but are you ready to test your tabletop design skills? So who's up for creating a TPT (http://www.topsecretgames.net/blog/two-page-tabletop/)?

[Thunderfist12]

I already have a simple one that may fit on two pages when typed, compressed, and simplified. I'll try my hand at this.

It'll only take a day or two for compilation, at most. I think. Actually, I'll probably take a week or two, since the pages are one-sided.

[Thunderfist12]

Also, why is this happening, really? Is it just a challenge? Will it be published? Will there be submissions (and if so, where)?

I would simply like to know, as the actors put it, "what's my motivation?".

[Jormengand]

I have such a system, but it breaks rule 2 because the whole point of it is to break rule 2. It's tempting just to slap a setting on with my spare 500 words, but... ehh.

[TSGames]

Oooooohhhh! I like the idea of making it a contest. Between the Playground and some other forums, we definitely have enough interest.

We need judges, of course. Probably only two others; I think I'll start hunting them down.

Naturally though, your motivation should be to improve your skills as an RPG designer or just to show off. But a contest does sound much more fun =D

[TSGames]

After talking with the CFO, we've decided that will be a contest for Two Page Tabletop entries. The top two winners will be offered the opportunity to expand and publish their work.

Of course, if you want to work on a TPT before the contest, you an still submit it for the contest =)

[Thunderfist12]

So, it has begun...

Fellow playgrounders, I wish you all the best of luck. May the odds be ever in your favor, etc. etc.

[Sgt. Cookie]

Quick question, if we were to include a character sheet would that be included as part of the Two Pages, or can that be a separate page all on it's own?

I wouldn't think it does, as it's just a premade structure for your information, but I thought it best to check.

[TSGames]

Quick question, if we were to include a character sheet would that be included as part of the Two Pages, or can that be a separate page all on it's own?

Technically, yes that would count toward the two pages.

However, as we finalize the rules for the contest, we are leaning toward allowing an optional 3rd page submission for character sheets and only character sheets. The optional 3rd page would not be scored in the competition, so as not to adversely affect the two page entrants, but you may still get feedback from the judges.

That's how we're leaning on that topic at the moment. The official rules and contest announcement will be codified and released later this week. =D

[Thunderfist12]

Technically, yes that would count toward the two pages.

However, as we finalize the rules for the contest, we are leaning toward allowing an optional 3rd page submission for character sheets and only character sheets. The optional 3rd page would not be scored in the competition, so as not to adversely affect the two page entrants, but you may still get feedback from the judges.

That's how we're leaning on that topic at the moment. The official rules and contest announcement will be codified and released later this week. =D

Good. Do that.

[TSGames]

Good. Do that.
http://kevinmartineau.ca/wp-content/uploads/As-you-wish.png

In other news, the open call for judges (http://www.topsecretgames.net/blog/open-call-for-judges/) went out today; just in case anyone wants free stuff.

Unfortunately, you can't enter the contest and be a judge too.

[qwertyu63]

Having been a part of the Playground for a very long time, I've seen some interesting and creative RPG projects. Most of these are cool homebrews (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?253053-The-Swarm-Arrives-3-5-Base-Class-Zerg-Tyranids), or monster creations (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?170253-Critters-II!), but a few are attempts to make entirely new systems. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of good advice out there for how to create your system and there's even less ways to learn how to do it. Enter the Two Page Tabletop.

Huh... I get a feeling you would be interested in hearing about the "making a tabletop RPG" tutorial (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?328888) I made.

EDIT: Actually, if I edit out the tutorial parts, I could likely enter Canine Supers into the contest. I've actually written several systems that could fit in under 2 pages (heck, some could squeeze into 1 page).

EDIT 2: Huh, I'd never heard of the power 19 before. Learn something new every day.

[TSGames]

The contest rules are out for the First Ever Two Page Tabletop competition (http://www.topsecretgames.net/blog/first-ever-two-page-tabletop-competition/). We'll be taking submissions for a whole month.

On Monday I'll be starting a new thread for the contest in the Homebrew Design forum.

[Thunderfist12]

I cannot wait.