In a bizarre twist of fate, I’ve now been making TTRPGs full-time for 5 years! Before this, I was a freelance games journalist writing for a bunch of different sites and magazines. Most notably, Tabletop Gaming Magazine, who gave me my start in games journalism back in 2017!
It was sheer luck that I came across the second Zinequest on Kickstarter and I’m so glad I decided to take a shot at making something. I think I had a week between learning about Zinequest - and zines in general - and launching the DELVE Kickstarter.
It feels like a lifetime ago and yet I can still remember it so vividly. The sheer excitement and fear as we flew past the funding goal and just kept climbing. Thankfully the TTRPG scene is full of incredible people who were able and willing to help guide this little newbie through those first few projects!
For those of you who might not be familiar with it, DELVE was my first (proper) game. It is a solo map drawing game where you dig into the earth and build your fortress. As you dig, you uncover resources, ruins, monsters, and more which you will have to deal with.
A huge inspiration for the game were people’s stories from their Dwarf Fortress playthroughs. Especially those done by the Youtuber, Kruggsmash as his characterful hand drawn art and colourful storytelling turned the randomly generated chaos of Dwarf Fortress into something amazing and I wanted to capture that.
I remember seeing the first DELVE Holds appearing on the Discord back in late 2020 as Kickstarter backers got their hands on the PDFs. Stories of dropping goblin armies down volcanic shafts, of flooding grand libraries, of fallen holds and hilarious mistakes.
Over the years, players have continued to amaze me with their creativity. Playing different species, making their own expansions, playing in Minecraft, or even trying to turn DELVE into a videogame!
I couldn’t have hoped for a better response to DELVE and to know that so many people have played it over the years has been mindblowing.
But with 5 years of experience under my belt now, I feel that it’s time to revisit the game that started it all.
Starting in January, I will be developing DELVE: Reforged. A full sequel to DELVE that aims to provide you with everything you need to create grand, storyfilled dwarven holds. With tonnes of new content, reworked mechanics, an actual tutorial, and so much art by Kruggsmash (Adam Palozie) and Mrs K (Ashley Palozie).
Coming full circle and working alongside my favourite Dwarf Fortress youtuber is a dream come true and I’m so excited to see what we can do.
Over the course of 2026, I will be releasing dev blogs on Patreon.com/AnnaBlackwell. If you want to keep up to date with what’s happening and potentially get access to test builds of the game, head on over and check it out!
FSCSAW
I have been working on my massive sci-fi TTRPG, For Small Creatures Such As We for nearly 4 years and it is just about ready to go to print!
The feedback from playtesters has been very useful and I’ve been making my way through it at a decent pace. At this point I’d be happy to say that the core game and Love & Lust are done. Guide To Fauna still needs some work on the Expedition mechanics to make sure they’re fun and easy to understand and I haven’t tackled the War! feedback yet.
At my current speed though, I’m hoping to have them off to the printers in February which will be the 4 year mark.
Of course, this won’t be the end of FSCSAW. We’ve already got ideas for more expansions that dive into alien religions, crime and law, and even one where you get to start your own frontier settlement!
But first thing’s first, we need to get the Kickstarter fulfilled!
Shirefolk
My Hobbit inspired solo TTRPG about building your own burrow and living a relaxing life in the ‘shire had to get put on the backburner while I finalised FSCSAW but it won’t be long until I can get working on it again!
I’m not going to stress myself out by committing to a release window but I’ve done more of this than even I had realised! Again, if you want to follow its development, head on over to my Patreon :)
Your support is what makes it possible for me to make these games after all!
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Other Stuff
Outside of RPG design, I’m excited to explore some new creative outlets in 2026.
The big one being that I am now actually looking to get work as a stilt walker! I’ve been pointed at some awesome sounding opportunities and will hopefully have a costume prepared in time for festival season!
And the other is that I am planning on re-learning video game development! Before TTRPGs and before games journalism, I actually went to college and uni to study Video Game Design. It was… not the best. Mostly because the courses were out of date (we were learning Flash in 2015).
My goal is to spend one day a week learning how to make video games and who knows. Maybe I’ll be able to make an Apothecaria video game one day! XD
Until then, we here at Blackwell Games hope you have a great festive season and a happy new year!
Love,
- Anna & Shanice
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