System Design for TTRPGs

Rules are the heart of any TTRPG, but time and again gamers declare that the group, not the rules, determines if a session is fun. What does that mean for system design? What is the purpose of TTRPG rules? What’s the difference between a good rule and a bad one? Where does one even start when building a new RPG engine from scratch? This panel discussion gathers three expert game designers to talk about these questions, reflect on their work, and share the insights they have gathered as they have mastered their craft.
B. Dave Walters is a writer, actor, and game designer who has worked as lead writer on A Darkened Wish D&D comic book series and lead developer for the highly anticipated Into the Mother Lands TTRPG.
Elisa Teague is the Senior Producer of Roleplaying Games at Renegade Game Studios and is lead author and producer of the G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Power Rangers Roleplaying Games.
Matt Forbeck has over 30 years of experience in the TTRPG business. He is the writer and co-designer of the upcoming Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game.