Podcast
System Shop
Hosted by Violet & Freya · EN
Welcome to System Shop, the podcast where we deep dive into RPG design, one subsystem at a time.
Join us as we explore the origins, empirical trends, and future design space of all aspects of tabletop game design. What’s the point of mechanising carrying capacity or NPC attitudes? Why distinguish between armour and evasion, or attributes and skills? Many stories may begin with “because D&D did it”, but that’s far from the end…
We dig deeper by asking: how do differences in design decisions make players act and feel, and is this wholly intended? What is gained or lost by being able to sum up a monster with a challenge rating? How can initiative checks be used to make combat feel chaotic, tactical, or somewhere in between?
Finally, we suggest our own ideas for future innovations. Can we introduce new technologies and props? Can we shed assumptions of the past? Or should we bring them to the fore and embrace them to the extreme? Restrictions breed creativity, and our best ideas are often our most ridiculous.
System Shop is independent and ad-free. New episodes release whenever we have the time and energy to research and record a new topic.
Violet (She/her) is a recovering academic and alleged game designer, with a particular interest in system design and ludology.
Freya (She/her) is a demographer turned data engineer by day. She moonlights as collaborator, sounding board, and bad idea generator to her beloved and prolific game designer fiancée.
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Cover design by Fallible Things (fallible.net).
Font on-cover is Lineal by Frank Adebiaye, with the contribution of Anton Moglia, Ariel Martín Pérez. Distributed by velvetyne.fr.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 6: Multi-Attacks & Dual Wielding
May 30, 202501:19:23Tap to summarizeIn this all-out episode, we discuss dual wielding and various other kinds of multiplicative modes of attack. How can frequency-focused fighting styles make different characters feel different? And how can you balance attack and defense mechanics so that “just attack more” isn’t the only answer?Violet trades a strike in the hand for two in the bush. Freya studies the studs. Violet decides Drizzt is a decent dude. Freya accidentally designs a videogame (again).TimestampsMailbag - 8:29Intro to the topic - 11:08History - 26:23Taxonomicon - 33:15Design Dreams - 59:21TTRPGs discussedBand of BladesBlades in the DarkExalted (various editions) & Exalted EssencePbtA (in general)D&D (various editions)LancerCosmere RPGEmpire of the Petal ThroneRunequestPathfinderOSR (in general)Dark HeresyOld World of DarknessVampire: the (various things)One Roll System (Reign, Monsters and Other Childish Things, etc)GenesysEureka: Investigative Urban FantasyTiles and Truenames*Last Days at Honkwarts*Other games and things discussedBlue PrinceGone HomeAnimal WellLink’s Crossbow TrainingXCOMKnights of the Old Republic 2BattletechBushidoKnights of the Old Republic… 1!Total WarWarhammer 40kDissidia: Final FantasyThe concept of LARPingAbsolverCombo FighterYomiFinal Fantasy XIIISigns of the SojournerMegaman: Battle NetworkCobalt CorePaperback AdventuresNotes*Dear listeners, allow us the brief indulgence of talking about our own games during the wrapup.Some illustrated sources re the question of historic “studded leather armour”:https://www.quora.com/Was-the-studded-leather-armour-used-in-D-D-ever-used-in-real-historical-combat-situations-If-so-was-it-useful https://youtu.be/hmm_2GRa-o8?t=230 Pathfinder 2e does not use base attack bonus! It rolls the concept of weapon skill into its general tiered proficiency system, which applies the same rules to attacks, skills, saves, spellcasting, and probably several other things.The referenced clown college gag on Tumblr is apparently from 2016 and the original poster has deactivated, but it lives on in our hearts and our reblog chains, e.g. https://sunbeamstarship.tumblr.com/post/656273434937016320/new-clown-in-town-juzavoices-im-in Convention alert!Freya will be at UK Games Expo in Birmingham on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June. She will be wearing a white Journeymon promo t-shirt on at least one and possibly both of those days. Say hi if you see her!Contact us!At systemshoppodcast@gmail.comAdditional creditsOur intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Transcribe →Bonus Episode: Violet's Conpulsion Con-venture
May 3, 202500:50:26Tap to summarizeIn this unconventionally conventional episode, Violet talks about a recent event in Edinburgh.Violet has to hand it to handouts. Freya learns about a Thing or two. Violet takes the wrong notes. Freya is unexpectedly out-gayed.Thank you to everyone who emailed into our mailbag - If you too have a question, idea, or interesting game you’d like to share with us, email systemshoppodcast@gmail.comTimestampsStart of Con Discussion: 3:07Liminal Horror: 9:27Delta Green: 21:22Kaleidoscope: 26:41The Family: 34:41Games discussedLiminal HorrorDelta GreenKaleidoscopeThe FamilyBlack Hack (and OSR in general)MonsterheartsMicroscopeBelonging Outside Belonging / Dream Askew / Dream Apart / No Dice No MastersWanderhomeChuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting EngineMörk BorgAvatar LegendsMasksGames that aren't TTRPGs that we nonetheless discussed, sometimes at surprising lengthDead RisingBattlestar Galactica (the board game)Betrayal at the House on the HillMario PartyImmortality (confirmed, this is on Netflix)The ExecutiveLost Odyssey Notes & linksItch page for the designer of the Family https://clevercrumbish.itch.io/ Weird Hope Engines: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/events/events/2025/3/weird-hope-engines Video essay about Lost Odyssey - https://youtu.be/iqgSDClU4Qo?si=M1vnb3gixwhaz8zMAdditional CreditsOur intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Transcribe →Episode 5: Challenge Rating
Apr 3, 202501:20:37Tap to summarizeIn this level-appropriate episode, we discuss encounter design through the lens of totally objective ratings of enemies’ power levels. Yes, we do mention Dragonball Z - but somehow entirely refrain from any “over 9000” jokes.Violet shares tips on tipping points. Freya mopes about mopping up. Violet hates on Fate. Freya insists she liked D&D 4e all along.Thank you to everyone who emailed into our mailbag - if you have any thoughts, comments, or questions please email us at: systemshoppodcast@gmail.comTimestampsMailbag - 9:00Intro to the topic - 11:18Design questions - 19:40History - 35:40Taxonomicon - 47:45Design dreams - 1:03:15Games discussedStar Trek AdventuresLast Days at Honkwarts*The Great DalmutiMaster and Apprentice*PathfinderFateD&DDark HeresyCapersD&D 4E specificallyVampire: the Masquerade Lancer (like, a lot)13th AgeBattletech (it’s back!)GrimwildGenesysTime of MonstersVaesenMothership*These are games designed by Violet herself. She apparently forgot to even mention the name of the second one :-PNotesIt turns out that Freya’s graphics card has become eight years old since she last checked, so she’s definitely not going to play Monster Hunter Wilds, alas.The nineteen-year-old Order of the Stick comic that Freya recalls with only moderate accuracy is https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0347.html Additional creditsOur intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Transcribe →Bonus Episode: Freya's Con-tingency Conventure
Feb 10, 202501:12:35Tap to summarizeIn this first ever bonus episode, Freya reflects on the games she played at Contingency 2025 - a TTRPG convention on the wintry Norfolk coast. We discuss a pair of very yellow games, ruminate upon “A+B” dice mechanics, and analyse the comedy-to-therapy spectrum. TimestampsCBR+PNK - 2:02Yellow King RPG (sort of) - 9:16Confectioners vs Cromwell (using GM’s own system) - 16:56Never Stop Exploding - 21:47Troika! - 26:29Star Trek Adventures (1E) - 30:40JourneyMon - 39:21Tool Team - 39:50DIE - 41:57One Ring (2E) - 1:02:29Notes and linksThe extremely long Lord of the Rings video Freya mentioned: https://youtu.be/poMnJKLGYo0?si=hQO5mbdDtRnAjKOuThe Meguey Baker article we discussed: https://lumpley.games/2021/12/30/ritual-in-game-design/
Transcribe →Episode 4: Aid Another
Feb 6, 202501:09:36Tap to summarizeIn this camaraderie-ridden episode, we’re talking about mechanics for helping other characters in joint efforts. We discuss how teamwork can double the risks, double the rewards, and hopefully say something about the nature of your characters’ relationships in the process.Violet uses "Stanford prison experiment" as a verb. Freya farms friends. Violet turns over an old leaf. Freya tears and shares.Our thanks to Charlie, Joey, and Amber for writing in! If you too have a question, idea, or interesting game you’d like to share with us, email systemshoppodcast@gmail.com.TimestampsMailbag - 5:35Intro & history of helping - 14:34Design questions - 24:33Example deep dives - 32:57Gradual slip into design dreams - 51:11Games discussed in this episode(In order of first mention)DaggerheartSar-StanTiles and TruenamesWhat’s In Your Mouth?!Super Saviour SquadThe Token Bag Game Jam in generalArmour AstirWarhammer Fantasy RoleplayMystery homebrew system by Joey JonesArs MagicaDogs in the VineyardDOGS [*1]City of WinterDeath of a Hero [*2]MasksGolden Sky StoriesEmpire of the Petal ThroneD&DTunnels and TrollsTravellerApocalypse WorldMonsterheartsBlades in the DarkGenesysEdge of the EmpireVampire: the MasqueradeJourneyMonInterstitial: Our Hearts IntertwinedVaesenHeartNotes and linksTwo of the more esoteric entries on the above list can be found here:[*1] https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/274623/dogs[*2] https://babblegumsam.itch.io/death-of-a-heroThe two UK TTRPG conventions mentioned are - http://www.con-tingency.uk/ - https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/ Submissions to the Token Bag game jam can be found here: https://itch.io/jam/token-bag/entries Its follow-up - the New Year, Old Ideas game jam - has indeed already ended. Submissions can be found at https://itch.io/jam/new-year-old-ideas-jam/entries
Transcribe →System Shop Update
Nov 23, 202400:01:31Tap to summarizeJust a brief update on the podcast, which is going on a brief hiatus due to various personal issues.Our intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Transcribe →Episode 3: Death
Oct 30, 202401:20:33Tap to summarizeIn this nominally spooky episode, we’re talking about DEATH. Who decides when a hero falls - is it the whims of the dice, the demands of the narrative, or a knife-edge entente between the two?Violet calculates the exact value of her friends’ lives. Freya uses a stake to take a break.Violet brings a gun to a dice fight. Freya gets knocked down, but gets back up again.Our thanks to the listeners who mailed in with comments on last week’s topic, Initiative - if you have a question, idea, or interesting game you’d like to share with us, email systemshoppodcast@gmail.com!Games discussed in this episode:Call of CthulhuWanderhomeOD&DTravellerVampire: the MasqueradeDogs in the VineyardApocalypse World / Powered by the ApocalypseMonsterheartsVaesenDreadTen Candles*MothershipDelta GreenParanoiaPhoenix: Dawn CommandBlades in the DarkPathfinder (1e)Edge of the Empire / GenesysCosmere RPGArmour AstirDaggerheartWildseaOld School EssentialsHeartLegacy: Life Among the RuinsPendragonMummy: the CurseRogue TraderArkham HorrorAeon’s EndStar Wars ArmadaGrandiaBattletech**Forbidden StarsGame of Thrones (the board game)Gears of WarControlWildermythRogue***Magic: the GatheringNotes:* less spooky, but perhaps more manageable, than thirteen candles.** the videogame by Harebrained Schemes, not the tabletop wargame, for once!*** and its roguelike descendants.1. Violet’s Bag Jam can be found at https://itch.io/jam/token-bag , running from Friday 1st to Saturday 23rd November 2024.2. Shared Fantasy: Role Playing Games as Social Worlds, by Gary Alan Fine, was first published in 1983.3. A helpful chart: https://xkcd.com/1890/ A disclaimer: Freya is a volunteer playtester for both the Cosmere RPG and Daggerheart. She is not being paid in any way, and draws examples from their open beta material when relevant because they’re fresh in her mind!Additional credits:Our intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Spooky halloween music by Divider Line (dividerline.bandcamp.com)Sound effects by the BBC © copyright 2024 BBC (https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/search?q=07043402)Editing, musical stings, and other sound effects by Violet Henderson
Transcribe →Episode 2: Initiative
Oct 11, 202401:01:35Tap to summarizeHow do you figure out who’s on first? And how do you balance the excitement of surprise against the satisfaction of a perfectly executed plan?Violet advocates for inaction. Freya trusts in the heart of the cards. Violet reaches into her bag of tricks. Freya turns into a lighthouse.Games discussed in this episode:D&DTunnels & TrollsTravelerPhoenix: Dawn Command* Deadlands / Savage WorldsTroikaEdge of the Empire / GenesysVaesen / Mutant Year ZeroDaggerheart**Cosmere RPGMothership13th Age (briefly)Monsters & Other Childish Things / Reign / One Role SystemArkham HorrorBlood BowlBattletechFallingSpace AlertQuacks of QuedlinburgCobalt CoreTactical Breach WizardsNotes:* I don’t know why this is the only game where I also named the author. No disrespect intended towards other designers! - F** Speaking of which, and to answer a Q from the discussion: the lead designer is Spenser Starke; Mr Mercer is credited as creative advisor.A disclaimer: Freya is a volunteer playtester for both the Cosmere RPG and Daggerheart. She is not being paid in any way, and draws examples from their open beta material when relevant because they’re fresh in her mind!Additional credits:Our intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Editing, musical stings, and other sound effects by Violet Henderson
Transcribe →Episode 1: Inventory Management
Oct 11, 202401:14:17Tap to summarizeWelcome to the very first* episode of System Shop, the podcast where we deep dive into RPG design, one subsystem at a time.Today, we’re talking about inventory systems: what’s the point of tracking all your bits and bobs, and can it actually be fun?Violet can’t wait to talk about Ryuutama, and wants everyone to know it. Freya can’t stop talking about counting missiles (ancient and modern). Violet gleefully torments her players with maths homework. Freya has no idea how heavy 1lb is**. Blades in the Dark defies the Taxonomicon, for what will surely not be the last time.Games discussed in this episode:Dungeons and DragonsWorld of DarknessApocalypse World / PBTAPathfinderBlades in the DarkDogs in the Vineyard KnaveRyuutamaTroikaMausritterHeavy GearBlack HackShadow of MoggThey Do Not Stop, You Must Not FailMistborn (the 2011 TTRPG, not the upcoming one)WingspanBattletech (the tabletop wargame, not the excellent strategy videogame)Battlestar Galactica (the board game)Galaxy TruckerResident EvilDiabloMegaman: Battle Network 2 (Blue Version)Backpack HeroHalo: Combat EvolvedGoing UnderBreath of the WildGears of WarHomestuckNotes:* Unless we become bold enough at a later date to release our secret Episode Zero!** The D&D 5e Player’s Handbook says a longsword weighs 3lbs, in defiance of Wikipedia’s estimate of 4-6.6lbs. Either way, I was way out - F.The “inciting blog post” discussed in this episode can be found at https://harbingergames.blogspot.com/2020/04/if-your-torches-burn-for-only-one-hour.htmlAdditional credits:Our intro music is "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Editing, musical stings, and other sound effects by Violet Henderson
Transcribe →