Why We Roll

The Stillfleet Studio

Why We Roll is a streaming show and podcast about designing tabletop roleplaying games, hosted by Chris Pickett (Danse Macabre) and Wythe Marschall (Stillfleet). Chris and Wythe host in-depth conversations with professional game designers with a focus on contemporary indie TTRPGs. They also occasionally run actual-play sessions and offer behind-the-scenes looks at the games they’re developing. Topics covered to date include game-design inspirations and best practices, the politics of games, illustrating game concepts, cards as mechanics, character backstories, party formation, eco-catastrophes, epic powers and “boss fights,” espionage in games, faction rules, genres, “medieval” settings, hit points versus wounds, “madness” rules, safety at the table, solo RPGs, the OSR or even the NSR, what makes a game a game, what makes a system a system, product development, the business of indie RPGs, and so much more! Why We Roll is recorded in Brooklyn and Queens, NYC.

  1. 5 days ago

    WWR 91 ☉ Axolotl with a Gun w. Bri de Dannan & Jon Boyle of Bright Bard Games

    Christopher Pickett (Danse Macabre: Medieval Horror Roleplaying) and Wythe Marschall (Stillfleet, PICARO!) talk to Jon Boyle and Bri de Danann of Bright Bard Games about Axolotl With a Gun 2e, L.G.B.T. (Longsword, Glock, Bat, Taser the game), whimsy in games, expanding/updating existing games, crowdfunds, dice pools, action movies, neotenic animals, and much more!  We learn facts about axolotls, briefly touch on food games (I Crave the Loop), dive into video-game elements in TTRPGs (coin-operated participation), talk convention sales, and get into direct action and games as political education. Bri and Jon are great, so if you don't know their work, give this episode a listen! Key links:  ☉Pick up games by Bright Bard: https://brightbardgames.com  ☉ Go back L.G.B.T. – Longsword, Glock, Bat, Taser – on BackerKit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/...  ☉ Order Axolotl with a Gun: An Arcade-Style Roleplaying Game 2e: https://axolotl-with-a-gun-2e.backerk...  Follow Bri and Jon everywhere:  ☉https://linktr.ee/brightbard  ☉https://brightbardgames.itch.io  ☉https://bridanann.itch.io  ☉https://www.bridedanann.com ☉The Grit System Game Jam is running all summer ☞ https://stillfleet.com/gamejam2026  ☉Join the conversation: https://discord.stillfleet.com ☉Support the show on Patreon https://patreon.com/stillfleet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    WWR 91 ☉ Axolotl with a Gun w. Bri de Dannan & Jon Boyle of Bright Bard Games

About

Why We Roll is a streaming show and podcast about designing tabletop roleplaying games, hosted by Chris Pickett (Danse Macabre) and Wythe Marschall (Stillfleet). Chris and Wythe host in-depth conversations with professional game designers with a focus on contemporary indie TTRPGs. They also occasionally run actual-play sessions and offer behind-the-scenes looks at the games they’re developing. Topics covered to date include game-design inspirations and best practices, the politics of games, illustrating game concepts, cards as mechanics, character backstories, party formation, eco-catastrophes, epic powers and “boss fights,” espionage in games, faction rules, genres, “medieval” settings, hit points versus wounds, “madness” rules, safety at the table, solo RPGs, the OSR or even the NSR, what makes a game a game, what makes a system a system, product development, the business of indie RPGs, and so much more! Why We Roll is recorded in Brooklyn and Queens, NYC.

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