Designing Problems

Tracy Sizemore & Kristian Serrano
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Hosts Kristian Serrano and Tracy Sizemore explore the ins and outs of RPG design, production and publishing. We cover the entire process from the creative woes of working on your own game or setting, to your decision to share it with the world, to the details of layout, working with artists and running a crowdfunding campaign.

  1. 12/23/2025

    Problem #41: What's Next?

    In our penultimate encore episode, Tracy and Kristian explore the prospects of life after crowdfunding. How to keep momentum going, How to sell product on-hand, and specifically, some of the thinking both large and small that might apply to your product's future--all through the lens of Tracy's personal experience with and future plans for Han Cluster. Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    1h 4m

  2. 12/12/2025

    Problem #40: Fulfillment

    In our next extra long encore episode, we talk about the many facets of crowdfunding fulfillment, looking through the lens of Han Cluster. From digital delivery of product through DriveThruRPG to the physical shipping and all the logistics that go along with it, Tracy shares her experience after Han Cluster arrived from overseas. Order Han Cluster: https://hancluster.com

    1h 21m

  3. 11/18/2025

    Problem #39: Offset Printing

    Kristian and Tracy are back for a few encore episodes due to requests from the community!  It's only temporary, but we thought we'd record a couple more to go more in depth about the crowdfunding and publishing process. This episode is about offset printing. What is it, why you might want to do it, and how the process of getting it done works.  It's a long episode, but we think its an informative one.Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    1h 18m

  4. 08/05/2025

    Problem #38: Saying Goodbye

    In our FINAL, extra-long episode, Kristian and Tracy are joined by community member and SWAG author, John Doom, to talk about letting go of your projects once you finish them, and then we answer some questions people had from our discord server. Goodbye everyone! And thanks for listening!  The discord server will remain open, so come join us! Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    1h 42m

  5. 07/29/2025

    Problem #37: Criticism

    On our penultimate episode, Kristian and Tracy tackle the topic of feedback and criticism. How to seek it, how to take it, and how to give it. Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    55 min

  6. 07/22/2025

    Problem #36: Genre

    This week, Kristian and Tracy meander through the topic of genre, but more specifically, how to facilitate creating the stories you want to tell. Though we use genre as a medium to do that, we also use other tropes, mechanics, and even expectations (whether we meet them or subvert them) to not just tell, but SHOW our players and their heroes what our game is all about.  Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    59 min

  7. 07/08/2025

    Problem #35: Virtual Table Tops

    This week, Kristian and Tracy invite virtual table top guru, developer, and overall awesome guy, Chris Valentine to talk about the promise and perils of virtual table tops. The discussion ranges from what's out there, what's possible, what's doable, and what perhaps is too much. We talk about VTTs from a designer's perspective, and what we need to do to get our work into module format, how they get developed for the various platforms, pricing, and more. Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    53 min

  8. 07/01/2025

    Problem #34: Graphic Design

    This week, Kristian and Tracy are joined by the amazing Karl Keesler. Karl is a graphic designer by trade, and has been the designer for several PInnacle Entertainment books for Savage Worlds, including Pinebox Middle School, Lost Colony, Holler, Deadlands, the companions and many more. He also created the trade dress for Han Cluster, and for Kristian and Jen's upcoming Campaign Cartomancy. We talk to Karl about the purpose and importance of creating a cohesive look for your product, how to approach and communicate with a graphic designer, and a few other tricks and tidbits. Join our discord!: https://discord.gg/Bc9dvuzZYJThe Han Cluster® Role Playing Game Website: https://hancluster.comImmaterial Plane: https://immaterialplane.com/

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hosts Kristian Serrano and Tracy Sizemore explore the ins and outs of RPG design, production and publishing. We cover the entire process from the creative woes of working on your own game or setting, to your decision to share it with the world, to the details of layout, working with artists and running a crowdfunding campaign.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracy Sizemore & Kristian Serrano
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) 2024 Tracy Sizemore and Kristian Serrano
  • Show Website
    Designing Problems