A new episode has been added to the database: EP221 | A Timely Visit Part 9 - Weight of Time | 12/03/2026

A new episode has been added to the database: HOW TO PLAY STAR WARS: EDGE OF THE EMPIRE 1: Every Roll Tells a Story

A new episode has been added to the database: [PREVIEW] Design Session #75: Consequences

by Bifford [White Hare Games] (Sam)

The Thursday Thing aims to highlight contests and other interesting things on RPG Geek.
Please Geekmail me suggestions and In My Own Words articles.


On an RPG's writing style making a good first impression
by [username=Bifford]Bifford[/username]

I have been asked to be the editor for an RPG, which I am very much considering. I finally got around to reading the first half dozen pages of the manuscript, as that's kind of important in the whole "knowing if I could work with this and do something to it" thing. Right from the off I like the writer's style of writing. It strikes me that this is a majorly important thing in any book (or you won't enjoy reading it and therefore likely won't finish reading it), but most especially in an RPG where you are going to have to go back and re-read paragraphs, or even whole sections, in order to get familiar with the system, the world, the scenarios, the equipment, and so on.

Of all the people I've worked with as proofreader, editor, and the like, I've never really come across anyone whose writing style I havn't liked. Sure, some of them had English as their second language so I had to do a fair amount of editing to make it work, but the basic writing style was solid and enjoyable.

I have read "normal" books which I just did not like because of their writing style, but there hasn't really been many RPGs which I just couldn't get on with so got rid of. There may be some, but I can't think of them right now. I think that is quite an achievement really! To make something as complex as we need to be able to run games, but for people to like the style to boot - that's a good ability to have.

What are some games you do or do not like the writing style of?



Our Owlbear is being generous again! She really does give a hoot.
March Fo(u)rth to Support the Geek!


Glug, glug! Everyone loves a good random potion, and when a book on them is by Philip Reed you know it'll be worth your money.
[Roger's Reviews] Drink Me!


I lvoe a good train, and the Orient Express is most certainly a good train. Apart from when there's a murder on it.... although these guys are not on the train....
Horror on the Orient Express


Every day there's a new Question of the Day. Most of them are game-related but once in a while we get one that'a more geek-related like favorite movies or books. The question changes every day and you can even suggest a QOTD. When you check out this week's Question of the Week, you can see a link to all the old questions and the chance to suggest a question of your own. Here's this week's QOTD:
QOTD MAR 8: What was your favorite convention to go to? Have any stories related to TTRPG's and conventions?


GM "day" is almost over. Everywhere I look I see Dolmenwood and another RPG I can't think of atm. Grab Domenwood at 50% off.
Dolmenwood Campaign Book (PDF) 50% off!!


Here are some other things you might want to check out.
Geek of the Month is a chance to learn more about our community members.
Behind the Screen is an archive of advice by/for GMs written by our community.
RPG Spotlight Event Tracker focuses on questions and ideas for specific games.
Solo RPGs you have played - Subscription Thread

European RPG - Heap of Generosity is the European "Pay it Forward" geeklist (you do not have to give something to receive!)
[US] RPGG Pay It Forward: Traditional List is for the US traditional swap of things (2026 edition).
[US] RPGG Pay It Forward: No Obligation List is for the US non-traditional swap/not of things (2026 edition).

Kickstarter RPG Game Books - 2026 details Kickstarter crowdfunding projects in 2026.
BackerKit RPG Projects details Backerkit crowdfunding projects 2021-2026.

Contest Subscription Thread is where we go to find contests on the RPG side.
2026 RPG Character Creation Challenge
2026 Run 5 RPGs New to You in 2026 Challenge
2026 Play 5 RPGs New to You in 2026 Challenge
2026 Ladder of Insanity
2026 Review Challenge

Banners are by the talented [username=pdzoch]Patrick[/username].

by Rachel

Busy, busy. Prepping video and audio for teaser trailers and re-jigging files. Mostly for Unlucky Spirits but video and audio for others too. I got a lot of "little" tasks done but nothing complete to share after today's long day.

Still, there is good news to share: the annual Jack Vasel Memorial Fund auction starts tomorrow! I'm a page master again :geek_grin:.

Catch you all tomorrow!

Game Over On borrowed time...

Happy Wednesday and happy playing!
-Rachel

Thank you for reading my blog. If you liked it; then please click the green thumb [microbadge=23724] at the top of the page. If you really liked it; then please subscribe.

A new rpg item has been added to the database: A Dungeon for All Seasons

A new episode has been added to the database: Episode #5: Dragon Delve Pt. 2

A new episode has been added to the database: State of the OSR at PAGE 3

A new episode has been added to the database: 187 - Justice Served with a Complimentary Tapestry

A new episode has been added to the database: #153 – Redemption Points, Zoot Suits, and Tax Tingles

A new episode has been added to the database: Expounded Universe 321 – Dinosaur Teeth

by Lowell Kempf

I don't know if This is How You Lose the Time War is my favorite book that I read in 2025 but it may be the best written one. And I did enjoy reading it a lot.

Spoilers

Spoilers

Spoilers

Spoilers

Spoilers

Spoilers

Spoilers

This is How You Lose the Time War is about how two agents on the opposite sides of a great time war fall in love. One friend of mine described it as Spy Versus Spy as a love story. Which isn't entirely wrong but doesn't come close to doing the book justice.

So many elements of the book are so well done. The actual scope of the time war is an incredible work of world building. There are layers upon layers of details and the authors do an amazing job of showing, not telling. We aren't lectured on how the world works but shown how Red and Blue interact with their world. And what is left unsaid helps make us suspend our disbelief, the details we don't need to be told.

The actual plot is dynamic and engaging. I've spent most of my life watching Doctor Who so I wasn't particularly surprised by any plot choices. However, I can appreciate how well they were done.

And the character development is the glue that holds everything together. Over the course of the story, Red and Blue change and their relationship changes as well. We get to know who they are and understand them, which is impressive all by itself since the book goes into serious transhuman territory. Truth to tell, we can question if they count as human at all. However, the book makes us invested in them.

Both Red and Blue, the protagonists who fall in love, are identified as female. Since they change shape through out the book, down to the genetic level, I wasn't sure if they had a meaningful gender identity. However, we the readers do so I decided that it did have meaning.

The format of the book is also fascinating. Most of the chapters, which go back and forth between Blue and Red's viewpoints, are divided between the active characters up to some high concept time shenanigans and a letter from the other. (The physical nature of each letter gets increasingly bizarre) This gives us multiple layers to understand both characters.

This is How You Lose the Time War is a short work, which made it easy to fit into a busy schedule. However, I was rewarded by finding out that it is brilliant.