Last week, @the-soloist.itch.io published my essay "Playing Alone Together" about my experience running solo rpgs for groups at Breakout Con. With permission, I'm reposting it in my own newsletter plus a little nugget of my own, where I give my "nutshell" take on how solo RPGs are never truly solo.

Did you know playing #soloRPG together is a thing?! In the new issue of The Soloist Asa Donald @backwardsttrpg.bsky.social shares his experience running SPINE at a con. Lars Huijbregts @dicegoblin.blog talks about running a shared war with his solo sci-fi, DANGER CLOSE. Have you soloed together?

Project Hail Mary was a fun watch but also a great LISTEN thanks to @danielpemberton.bsky.social's epic score. It's become my springtime creative work soundtrack. AMAZE! AMAZE! open.spotify.com/album/47Kmv7...

I just backed Residue! #soloRPG

Played Old Morris Cave by @timhutchings.bsky.social. It's a solo archaeology game where you excavate a cave that's been used continuously for 1000 years. You build a strata map from the bedrock up, drawing layers every d6 inches and past events (campfires, bones). Here's my map: #soloRPG

Oooooh! 🌛

Mail call! Picked up some new books during the @ospreygames.bsky.social sale!

The new issue of The Soloist covers Spark Tables, the matrixes of words that (when smashed together) can help you come up with gameplay ideas, surprises, and details without a GM. Includes tips on when to use them, how to interpret results, examples, and my “Generic Fantasy Spark Table.” #solorpg

I just backed Triple-O: the player character emulator by @capacle.bsky.social. There are less than two days left to pledge! #soloRPG fans should check it out!

Muppet Treasure Island is 30?! This is a lovely interview with the actor who played young Jim Hawkins.

I just backed Fantasy Map Maker by Doopy Games because I’m a sucker for worldbuilding cartography. #soloRPG

Do you have a recommendation for a solo RPG that’s easy to pack and play on a plane? I have a long flight coming up and need a few. I’ll post your pics and my thoughts in an upcoming issue of The Soloist. #solorpg #ttrpg #thesoloist

There is nothing more ironic than an ICE agent wearing a Gadsden flag patch on their body armor while beating protestors. The state doesn't get to claim "Don't Tread on Me." Take it back.

The Yes/No Oracle is an esssential piece of your solo RPG toolkit. The newest issue of The Soloist tackles when and how to use it, types of questions to ask, and handling the "Buts" and "Ands." soloist.substack.com #solorpg #ttrpg

I just backed Arathi Sector from @castlegrief.bsky.social. Old school solo sci-fi #ttrpg. Last day to pledge!

Love sci-fi? Interested in solo and co-op RPGs? The new issue of The Soloist is for you and it’s out today. Beam it up! #ttrpg #solorpg

Very excited for this.

I just backed @nightcrewgames.bsky.social’s Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyb...

🧑‍🚀 I'm working on The Soloist's annual sci-fi special edition. It's always a popular issue and my favorite to write. If you have recommendations for new/upcoming games to include or suggestions for other sci-fi features, reply, send a DM, or write me at [email protected]. #solorpg #ttrpg

Trying to get some extra money together for my kid's 4th birthday! Please repost & share!

The Time We Have: A Conversation Between Brothers is NOW AVAILABLE A tragic two-player zombie roleplaying game played on opposite sides of a closed door. A game about what it means to be a brother. Want to learn more about the game? It's time for a megathread ⬇️

🚨 Scam Alert 🚨 Someone posing as my “cousin” (names used: Parker or Ryan) is contacting Kickstarter creators offering consulting services. This person is not related to me, not affiliated with me, and is a fraud. Ignore, report, and block.

When asked "Why play solo RPGs?", I try to hit: - Flexibility: play anytime - Creativity: build your own worlds, characters, stories - Skills: learn systems, practice GMing - Focus: center on one character - Immersion: explore personal experiences and emotions - Community: share your stories

When the awesome sci-fi film Prospect hit theaters in 2018, writer-directors Chris Caldwell and Zeek Earl released a Guide to the Green Moon. Brilliant worldbuilding just for the hell of it. Ready made for a @mothership.bsky.social mission. #TTRPG

Every time I see the AccuWeather icon on my phone, I see the Imperial Sunburst, symbol of the 3rd Imperium (Traveller). #ttrpg

This is one of the coolest write-ups ever! @the-soloist.itch.io plays through a solo Star Borg adventure and presents the story in such a rad way. Definitely worth a read through! soloist.substack.com/p/solo-sessi...

A new issue of The Soloist is out today with: ✍️ Tips for better solo RPG journaling 🚀 Star Borg “Solo Session” play report 😄 New indie game releases & crowdfunding campaigns 🎁 Free zines, sales, & bundles A big thanks to Bluesky solo RPGers who shared journaling tips! #TTRPG #soloRPG

Today I need to finish an illustration for the Character Creation page of MORK ORG. I'm going to share blow by blow. Here's what I've got so far

How do you answer your phone?

I love @the-soloist.itch.io's newsletter, but missed they shouted out our now-funding solo RPG Chuck in their Gen Con roundup! Check out the highlights (including Better Strangers: store.possibleworldsgames.com/product/bett...) & pre-order Chuck via our campaign! www.kickstarter.com/projects/cru...

✍️ I'm working on a piece for the next issue of The Soloist about journaling tips for solo RPGs. What do you find useful when keeping a record of your solo play? Would love to here your ideas and resources. #Soloist #soloRPG

I wrote up my impressions as a 1st time Gen Con attendee. While I spent most of my time playing games with friends, I also talked with a bunch of designers and found a bunch of new solo RPGs. I also included advice for first-timers and what I’d do differently next year. #gencon #solorpg #ttrpg

Happy Birthday Sam! 🎂 Love the new site and logo!

One of the artists for Solo Borg shared a look at his process for creating an illustration of The Messenger class.

Gen Con 2025 is in the dice bag! I had an incredible time thanks in no small part to the company of Jason Lutes, @jpcoovert.bsky.social and @outridercreative.bsky.social. Awesome chats with so many great indie #TTRPG folks like @explorersdesign.bsky.social (in pic) and @willjobst.bsky.social!

I'm heading to my first Gen Con this week and wrote up a list of solo-first and solo-friendly boardgames as well as some RPG things I'll be checking out. Open to more suggestions! #gencon

That moment you realize the painting in your living room is the view from Starfleet Academy. 🖖 #startrek

Gorgeous.

New Solo Session play report is out covering Space Aces: Voyages in Infinite Space. It’s a whimisical #TTRPG casting you as a sci-fi gig worker. Star Trek Lower Decks and Hitchhicker’s Guide vibes. Not built specifically for solo play, but works very well. No GM emulator needed. #StarTrek #SoloRPG

#TTRPG mail call! Backed these a long ago and they both arrived today! Some books I get for reading, these I want to get to the table! I didn’t realize Coriolis had solo rules. Will need to give those a shot soon.

Another great issue of Wyrd's newsletter out today and it's PACKED with #TTRPG goodies! And a new website too?! Great to see one of my favorites keeping it fresh!

Interested in solo #TTRPGs? It’s your lucky day! A new issue of The Soloist is out with: 🛰️ Tabletop Citizen Sleeper 🐭 Fantasy mice 🎲 5 New solo games 💰 Summer sales 🍯 Game jams 📝 Interviews ➕ And more!

Declaring July 13th to be the "indie ttrpg share something nice, cool, the work of your fellows" day. Not self-promo. Not awards. Corny? Yes. So what. not "i just bought this" pics or the "this just came from KS" pics, but some more of the "why, how, where, when" Pass it on, re-skeet!

🎲 Over the past 2 years, 26 TTRPG creators have played The Inquiracle, The Soloist’s self-interview microgame where they roll dice to generate a question that they then answer. I’ve put together an index so you can check out their responses, insights, and surprises. #solorpg #ttrpg

If The Soloist's preview of Galactic & Going Rogue piqued your interest in the Star Wars/Andor inspired TTRPGs, now’s the moment. Do, or do not! The Kickstarter closes in less than 24 hours! #GMlessRPGs #ttrpg @jessfrom.online

Good list of RPG newsletters. Was following most of these writers already, but there were a couple I didn't have. Thanks for including The Soloist @wobblerocket.com! soloist.substack.com

Awe, thanks Jess! You're Inquiracle quedstion/answer was great!

i feel like "yaay talking through the thought process behind your choices in actual play yaaaay!!" is becoming a thing i never shut up about & i'm delighted by @jessfrom.online mentioning @foliopod.bsky.social as a place to hear that done specifically to bring as a utility into playtesting

New issue of The Soloist is out today! soloist.substack.com #soloRPG #ttrpg

just 62 backers from a free copy of The Scum & Villains Expansion 🦹 sent immediately to ALL backers, 24 hours to go! we got 300 backers day 1, so 60 in 24hrs is SO doable! if you've been considering pledging (or looking at the KS page 🎲) now's a great time! 🔗: www.kickstarter.com/projects/gal...