"... maybe this is a good enough place to begin from. May we all meet ourselves where we’re at and have fun making some things as we’re able!" Absolutely, entirely.

We've spent 2025 on sabbatical. Or, well, some of 2025. On something like a sabbatical. It didn't really go as intended. Anyhow, Kali wrote about it, with some sabbatical takeaways at the end about making games not so much because you want to but because you need to.

GORM BLOG: TOOL FEEL What I like about Trench Crusade blood markers and how it's impacting the way I think about BURN.

Hey folks! Did you know that it's really easy to find games made by poc on itch.io? Just use the "poc made" tag! There you'll find your next fav TTRPG & support some great designers, new and old! If you're a designer, tag your games poc-made so they show up on the feed! itch.io/physical-gam...

Our full catalog will be at PAXU this year including the FINAL print copies of our 9 Lives to Valhalla adventure Wreck of the Murderous! Would you believe it was inspired by true events? We had to move and it was basically like getting attacked by giant crabs.

Some upcoming designer commentary on Aeonian Citadel (the Dukk Börg adventure), building the logic of an impossible place, and how Dan writes (or sometimes doesn't)

candy jam, candy jam, go collect your candy jammmmmm

It was Skeleton Horde, Darkoath Flesh, and Snakebite Leather that helped those coins rot, specifically, in that order.

Gettin' some games packaged up, yeah yeahhh We need a new furnace, so every game you buy right now goes directly to the keeping us warm in the winter fund. Plus, you might get a lovingly rendered carnival mallet or one-eyed cat or various onomatopoeia on your package. Win-win!

New on the blog: Overloading the Faction Relationship! Because we all know it's not what you know, it's WHO you know. gemroomgames.itch.io/the-gem-room...

Secret Gem Room strats right here

yoooooooooo

Oh! We remember this! We used it to make The Shops at Hellfist Citadel (formerly dire testament to war, currently testament to outlet shopping). It's part of the 2022 Hex+Setting Collection, our system-neutral interdimensional modular hex crawl. It was fun.

ok but can you buy it at Tractor Supply Co. yet? (no seriously, and they change up their stock: www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/rpg )

Worm! Worm! Worm! Worm! (wow this thing is heavy)

Gem Room status update: - Tired - Still enjoying little package doodles when we send out games

featuring DUKK BÖRG DUKK BÖRG DUKK BÖRG at #PaxWest2025 courtesy of IPR in #Booth4320 Woo-oo-oo!

Every game is a miracle, a shining beam of love in a hard world. We dont know how anyone does anything, including us.

Is it obvious that we're catching up on notifications on this sleepy Sunday morning? We're sleepy, it's a fine use of time

🤘

Wooooo! We love a local gaming store sighting! Also shout out to @ipr.bsky.social who makes these sightings possible ❤️

We were out of town on airplane mode when this post went up but A) the Plus One team is great themselves, always working to help amplify voices & give chances to newcomers B) the list in this thread is legit

Less than $1K before these gem friends hit their funding goal - go go go check it out!!

A few close ups of the game kits in plastic totes. These kits include dice, coins, cards, character standees, etc., as required for Play by each game. Games by @junkfoodgames.bsky.social @gemroomgames.bsky.social @almostbedtime.bsky.social @smolghost.bsky.social

Dan & Kali met in library school & now a library is helping folks play one of our games. Amazing, fantastic, beautiful thing, actual joy to behold, etc.

We got books at Gen Con baybee

we're at Guardian Games in Portland and I'm thrilled to report that not only are we stocked next to @goblinmixtape.bsky.social but that Anamnesis is down to its last copy, time for an @ipr.bsky.social restock

aw yeah aw yeah listen in

DUKK YEAH

Dropping a few DUKK BÖRG fulfillment stragglers at the post office seems like a fine time to review why Kali loves EcoEnclose's kraft flatback tape. We swear there's no paid endorsement here, it's just really good tape (the brown stuff in the picture) and there's a story about why she loves it.

GORM LOVE gemroomgames.itch.io/gorm

I may not have a cool graphic, but I *do* have cool RPGs you can check out! #PaidRPGDay ostrichmonkey.itch.io

Look, copy editors also cost money

For my next trick, I'm joining #PaidRPGDay & offering my game at the astonishing rate of "the normal price it always is" :3 Go check out some cool indie projects today and help some small creators if you can! Find fox game here: chronicled-fox.itch.io/rillem #sologame #solorpg #solottrpg #ttrpg

Following another Free RPG Day, I'm proud to kick off the second annual #PaidRPGDay! Today, I'm offering my games at a price you can pay to have them! Take a look and consider supporting your favorite indie publisher today, whoever they may be. Shop (with money) now: bannerlessgames.itch.io

Today is the Second Annual #PaidRPGDay! As Gem Friend @kenlowery.bsky.social says, they're as free to buy as they are to make! What a wonderful day to support indie rpg makers by giving them money to support for their beautiful, creative labor.

GORM WORK 2025.06.19 gemroomgames.itch.io/gorm/devlog/... Stopping the FRAY to hang out with your opponents and play a sport or watch a movie for a bit now unlocked.

DUKK BÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖRG is gonna be with IPR at #Booth1203 at #Origins2025!

GORM TODO Both GODS may forfeit their WORK LOOP to BALL. BALL GODS agree on a shared activity all LIFE FORMS will engage in to remind themselves of their humanity. All LIFE FORMs take 1 BURN. All LIFE FORMS heal 1 GORM. JUNK FORMS WORK as normal.

GORM WORK: FOIL is now HALT gemroomgames.itch.io/gorm/devlog/...

In case you missed it: Yesterday we released an esoteric skirmish tactics miniatures ashcan called GORM

We willl also be giving out FREE download CODEs for @gemroomgames.bsky.social's new skirmish game GORM in the CHAT. Don't miss it. 👀 Learn more about GORM here: gemroomgames.itch.io/gorm

At the top of the HOUR, DJ SLOG (@gemroomgames.bsky.social) tries to STOP the apocalypse, figure out computers, and fend off rival GANGs with the help of some Brainsawz and the SONGs of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, HEALTH, Kid Cudi and more. JOIN us in the CHAT at: bannerless.games/void-kore

FREE GORM NITE GORM GORM GORM GORM

SPEAKING OF PEOPLE wanting to play 9 Lives to Valhalla - IPR has all NINE(!) remaining physical copies of 9 Lives adventure The Wreck of the Murderous in their warehouse of wonders. If you want your cats to wash up on a black sand beach for trials of glory, head their way!

Brian has exquisite taste in this and many other things.

Our first game design award was a Sprintie. Have you, too, conducted the miracle of creativity & logistics that is making a game? Apply for a Sprintie!

👀

If you see this post a knight (this lil' guy is from 9 Lives to Valhalla; a more noble knight you'll surely never meet)

Woo-oo-oo!