Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 9hOctober fog has rolled into the bay. Yay for spooky mornings. 0120
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 30/09/2026I ran a 12-hour session of Crows: Fortune or Death and I want to play more! The crafting, spellcasting, usage die, village development, trait, expertise, and advancement are so good! 4828
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Running away is hard to do. I generally think it's a terrible idea (as a GM) to assume PCs will run away or surrender. It just never happens. Players always find some way of solving the problem or defeating their foe. Until they don't... 🧵 4283
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Want to see what’s it like when a score goes south in Blades in the Dark. Watch as Crown of Doskvol accidentally summons the One within Many (a forgotten god) and then runs away to survive! Thank you @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social for delivering on the danger you forecasted! youtu.be/xZEdFD8UVnU?...youtu.beBlades in the Dark: Crown of Doskvol Session 5 Part 1YouTube video by Actual Play 1174
Reposted by Sean NittnerJudd Karlman (he/him) @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Getting together with @seannittner.bsky.social to get back to Doskvol, circa IE 857 or Unity Era 12 in a few... www.twitch.tv/actualplay 2355
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 16/09/2026My Daughter, The Queen of France by Daniel Wood is so good. I played it once in 2017 and again recently. I forgot how poignant it is to replay a scene over and over, layering on additional elements, and changing up the actors and portrayals of the characters. CW: assisted suicide 160
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Just played a solo version of 15 Minute Futures by @gamefiend.bsky.social and decided to create both a utopian and dystopian version. You know, for kicks. These aren't complete futures, but ideas to spin futures out of. I enjoyed the exercise. 193
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 12/09/2026At the end of 2024 I started making monthly State of the Hat videos with status updates for all @evilhat.bsky.social projects. The more I do them, the more I realize how much I love talking about games, particularly ones that I'm working on personally, even more sone those that I'm playing! 1171
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026When we make choices in rpgs, what are they in service of? The story? Character arcs? Advancement? Plot? Optimizing success? Engaging the mechanics? All of these things and more I'm sure. This is a thread about when there is tension between those objectives. Game: Draw Steel 1357
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Yay, I'm so happy to see this in layout, and of course Tim's art is absolutely amazing. I'm in love with the bubble all over again. 0151
Reposted by Sean NittnerMegueyB 🔜Metatopia @megueyb.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Just another round of #FuckCancer, while we're at it. Spare a healing thought for my friend M, if you can. 0724
Reposted by Sean NittnerFattig @fattig.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Cardamom? If she wants into this club, then yeah. 062
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 13/08/2026100% inspired by @ema-acosta.com Turbofighter heist prompt, I named our the session from our last Spell & Blade game: Reasons to steal a Skyship Read the post. I don't think you can fault our logic. seannittner.com/reasons-you-...seannittner.comReasons to steal a Skyship (8/10/2026) – Sean Nittner 091
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Played our second session of In A Wicked Age by @lumpley.bsky.social and I'm so full of thoughts, doubts, and questions. Did I do it right? We struggled a lot. Was that my GMing, issues with the game, or our play style? Here's my thoughts: 3222
Reposted by Sean NittnerKaren Twelves @ktwelves.bsky.social · 08/08/2026Hire me to edit your games I will remove about 75% of the instances of "that" if not more but I still charge by the word pre-edit so yeah sorry you still gotta pay for each "that." 45917
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 08/08/2026I love this concept. I was going for something like this with Vigilantes but never felt like I hit it. Excited to see what they do!! 0121
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 08/08/2026I've been searching for my platonic dungeon crawling experience and here's what I've come to so far: - Exploring naked and afraid in the dark. You are not prepared to face everything you encounter. - Answers are in the game, not your character sheet. Success requires looking to the world. 5579
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 06/08/2026It me! Posting about what's going on under the Hat. I love sharing what goes into makings our games. The hardest part is always keeping my mouth shut about un-announced projects, which we currently have three of! 13410
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 05/08/2026A friend asked me what makes a good GM. It’s a personal question as difficult to answer as “what makes good art?” I don’t have the definitive answer, but I do have an answer. A good GM invests in the characters and shows how their actions change the world, e.g @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social 3526
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 05/08/2026After many years of having it on my bucket list, I finally started the Great Pendragon Campaign. @stillisgaming.bsky.social is GMing and we started our first session doing character creation, being knighted, and going on our first excursion. seannittner.com/the-great-pe... 5647
Reposted by Sean NittnerKaren Twelves @ktwelves.bsky.social · 01/08/2026I hear the book on the top right is pretty good #buymybook 04210
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Got back from @goplaynw.bsky.social this week and I finished my AP reports, so I‘m treating myself to boba tea. That’s how it works right? Go Play was a mix of very good times, donut math hi-jinx, and a little bit of putting up boundaries to protect those good times. Here’s the skinny. 1213
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Since posting this I’ve heard of several other house cons that have happened in the last year or are happening soon. I love this so much. So happy people are making time and space to play games with friends. 2186
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Tim's design sensibilities and skills are incredible. Each one of these stretch goals is getting a bespoke layout. It is amazing. 0134
Reposted by Sean NittnerEvil Hat @evilhat.bsky.social · 31/07/2026🕙🕥🕚Today is the FINAL DAY for this charity bundle supporting designer Rae Nedjadi after a serious illness and extended hospital stay. Get over $285 worth of games for just $25! A terrific collection of TTRPGs, and 98% of each purchase goes directly to Rae. www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... 05144
Reposted by Sean NittnerDr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 30/07/2026I am unbelievably touched that @dropout.tv titled my @dimension20.dropout.tv Adventuring Academy episode “A Duty of Care” I’m overwhelmed today, but I want to circle back in a while to share the links to everyone & everything I cited. More soon.watch.dropout.tvA Duty of Care (with Dr. Emily Friedman) - Season 7 - DropoutDr. Emily Friedman joins Brennan to discuss the history of actual play and the best gaming system. Content Warning: Misophonia (Crunching) - [throughout 54:37-1:01:03] 50700123
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Update. We're pushing back 30 min. Starting around 6PM Pacific. See you in the North Hook. 030
Reposted by Sean NittnerPam, Godkillingway v.2026, Patch "Even Eepier" @thedovetailor.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Y'all if you haven't already bought this please do. Medical emergencies are death on the finances and the soul. If you can't buy it, that's fine. Signal boost it. 02118
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Tonight at 5:30 PM Pacific (ish), @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social and I are returning to Doskvol as Crown tries to infiltrate the Spirit Wardens at the behest of the Unseen. She's also got ties to the head of the Bluecoats and the Blackcoats. What could go wrong? www.twitch.tv/actualplay 23211
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 24/07/2026The irony is that I’m sending this just before heading to Seattle for @goplaynw.bsky.social. Hah! I haven’t abandoned cons, I just realize I don’t need the glam of Pax to spend a weekend gaming with friends! 1101
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Since stepping down as steward of Big Bad, I’ve focused on small events, what I call housecons. No flights, no hotel, communal meals, and scheduling that is either very loose (let’s play some games) or fully scheduled in advance (welcome to SeanCon, here’s your itinerary). My thoughts. 49522
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Going live with @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social. Join is for Crown of Doskvol, a story of one criminal just out of Ironhookm returning to a home she doesn't recognize. www.twitch.tv/actualplaytwitch.tvActualPlay - Live on TwitchCrown of Doskvol | Streaming talk shows & podcasts. 1105
Reposted by Sean NittnerMad Jay @madjay.bsky.social · 22/07/2026One day left! 🤘🏾 Free yourself!kickstarter.comPsiRun Second EditionWhoever was holding you captive, you're free, for now. You have superpowers & amnesia. You know they're after you. What could go wrong? 0136
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Tim’s layout + stretch goal creators’ content = dopest ass shit imaginable. 1131
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 03/07/2026Rarely does writing AP reports give me such satisfaction as when I can capture an entire campaign. We played 26 nine-hour sessions of Mask of Nyarlathotep to bring this epic adventure to its conclusion. Thank you @stillisgaming.bsky.social for running an amazing game. seannittner.com/tag/masks-of... 070
Reposted by Sean NittnerEvil Hat @evilhat.bsky.social · 02/07/2026NEW: A special TTRPG charity bundle to help designer Rae Nedjadi offset their medical expenses after serious illness and a month-long hospital stay. Includes Apocalypse Keys plus a terrific selection of other games. Get over $285 in games for just 25 bucks! 👇 www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... 4297274
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 01/07/2026What does a con who is fresh out of Ironhook do when she finds her old crew has scatted to the winds while she put away? Join @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social and I to find out in Crown of Doskvol. Starting in at 7PM-ish. www.twitch.tv/actualplay 3237
Reposted by Sean NittnerMegueyB 🔜Metatopia @megueyb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Let's GO! The project is LIVE! #PsiRun2e #ttrpg #PBTA #SuperPowerskickstarter.comPsiRun Second EditionWhoever was holding you captive, you're free, for now. You have superpowers & amnesia. You know they're after you. What could go wrong? 6131101
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Tomorrow night, a little after 5:30 PM PST, @juddthelibrarian.bsky.social and I are playing a Blades in the Dark duet. My scoundrel went into Ironhook in the days of Blades and came out in the time of Deep Cuts, his old crew is scatted to the wind. Tune in to learn his fate www.twitch.tv/actualplaytwitch.tvActualPlay - TwitchActual Play is the home of indie rpg streamed by Stras, Sean, Ash, Judd, and Jay. Join us! 7389
Reposted by Sean NittnerKaren Twelves @ktwelves.bsky.social · 21/06/2026An epic session of Metal Showcase 11pm by @jmstar.bsky.social! It was (guitar) neck and neck with Black Ibis but in the end we shredded our way to victory 🤘🤘🤘 381
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 20/06/2026I about to eat one-forth of this. @ktwelves.bsky.social is amazing. 4360
Reposted by Sean NittnerTom Lommel @tomlommel.com · 18/06/2026Lot of very worthy nominations here but notably I believe this is the first time the DJAs could potentially grant a posthumous award. Glad to see Rob Wieland recognized with a nom. Rob, man. Miss you buddy. You worked hard at the thing you loved and we are all grateful for that effort. 0327
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 14/06/2026I played The Blue Way years a couple of times in 2019 and both of them were heartbreaking stories. I can only imagine how much @jmstar.bsky.social has improved it (read: made it more devastating) since then! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/c...backerkit.comThe Blue Way: A Game of Lost Stories Launch PartyGet excited about The Blue Way: A Game of Lost Stories on BackerKit - come join! 194
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Slammed. Crushing it. Top Dog. This is peak level distillation of the paragon rules wrapped in the sexiest turbocharged action movie genre. FUCKING LOVE IT. 1152
Sean Nittner @seannittner.bsky.social · 30/04/2026Surfacing for a moment to share this. Rae is an incredible game designer and dear friend. If you haven't already played his games, pick one up today. If you have them already, spread the word. 02718
Reposted by Sean NittnerCraig (Third Floor Wars) @thirdfloorwars.bsky.social · 10/02/2026Listen to me and @seannittner.bsky.social from @evilhat.bsky.social discuss everything from mechanics vs narrative, play testing, and effective habits for making and publishing games. On all platforms and here: open.spotify.com/episode/3O7O... 13213
Reposted by Sean NittnerEvil Hat @evilhat.bsky.social · 13/05/2025Your game, reforged! One week from today we launch Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts. This expansion by creator @johnharper.bsky.social puts more lore, technology, and backgrounds at your fingertips. Streamline your game with alternate rules and mechanics! Sign up here: www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti... 114947
