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Alphastream
The Alphastream Game Design Blog
Latest posts
Dark Sun Returns!
Dark Sun is back in 2027! Let's look at the announced products and what makes the D D setting unique and awesome!
The Beautiful Game (Your RPG Isn’t the World Cup)
The similarities and differences between RPGs and sports can help us realize what makes RPGs such a wonderful hobby.
How Often Should We Roll Skill Checks, If At All?
Let's look at the impact on play with and without skill checks and consider our own approach to how often we should have players roll them!
How Many PCs Can Try a Skill Check?
A character tries to roll a skill check in D D or another RPG. The rest of the players want to roll at the same time. Should we allow that? Let's examine the math!
How Many Times Can a PC Reroll a Check?
A character tries to roll a skill check in D D, Pirate Borg, or another RPG. They fail. Can they try again?
Watched Stranger Things? Here’s How to Start Playing D&D!
Here is how to get started with D D, as a player or Dungeon Master. Find how to learn the rules, pick a starting adventure, find players, and get started as a DM.
Build a Daggerheart Fear Tracker!
Here is how to build a fear tracker for the Daggerheart RPG! This is a low cost, easy, and fun project!
What Did We Accomplish In a Year?
Let’s take a look at ways we can measure a year and what might help us achieve a healthy and productive 2026.
My New Initiative Tracking System for Draw Steel
I get crafty and find an excellent way to track initiative in Draw Steel. I share how I made it, so you can too!