Simon Burley
@squadronuk.bsky.social
Created/co-wrote Golden Heroes (it’s in Wikipedia). Write/publishes various other TTRPGs on an iPAD in his bedroom. Coming to a UK Convention near you soon!
My games:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/721/Simon-Burley-Productions
My games:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/721/Simon-Burley-Productions
Reposted by Simon Burley
September 26, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Simon Burley
Asymmetrical games are great. GM and players have different roles as well as different rolls. Why should the GM have to play to the same cognitive load as other folk only steering one character? Make life easier for the GM, while also providing funky mechanics or monster powers etc.
September 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Asymmetrical games are great. GM and players have different roles as well as different rolls. Why should the GM have to play to the same cognitive load as other folk only steering one character? Make life easier for the GM, while also providing funky mechanics or monster powers etc.
A subject that interests me from someone I respect.
I probably should be interested in this.
But - let’s face it - I don’t even listen to the Grognard files.
I probably should be interested in this.
But - let’s face it - I don’t even listen to the Grognard files.
The weather's cooled down, the aircon is off, and it's time to finally unveil the teaser episode of my podcast, The Con Cave, with episode 1 to follow shortly.
If you're a con organiser and would like to be on the show, you know where to find me.
open.spotify.com/episode/6vIF...
If you're a con organiser and would like to be on the show, you know where to find me.
open.spotify.com/episode/6vIF...
Welcome to the Con Cave
The Con Cave · Episode
open.spotify.com
September 26, 2026 at 8:48 AM
A subject that interests me from someone I respect.
I probably should be interested in this.
But - let’s face it - I don’t even listen to the Grognard files.
I probably should be interested in this.
But - let’s face it - I don’t even listen to the Grognard files.
I approve.
(We failed when we tried this. The authors of The Boys, Invincible et al unfortunately never played Golden Heroes back in the 1980’s.)
(We failed when we tried this. The authors of The Boys, Invincible et al unfortunately never played Golden Heroes back in the 1980’s.)
September 26, 2026 at 8:44 AM
I approve.
(We failed when we tried this. The authors of The Boys, Invincible et al unfortunately never played Golden Heroes back in the 1980’s.)
(We failed when we tried this. The authors of The Boys, Invincible et al unfortunately never played Golden Heroes back in the 1980’s.)
It’s a good day when you ask a question and get the answer.
A GM needs to be consistent, fair and a fan of the PCs.
However, that does not mean they should always let the players get their way nor do they need the same rules as the players. I do like a basic core system though that helps outline the "art of the possible or improbable".
However, that does not mean they should always let the players get their way nor do they need the same rules as the players. I do like a basic core system though that helps outline the "art of the possible or improbable".
September 26, 2026 at 8:26 AM
It’s a good day when you ask a question and get the answer.
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
How much asymmetry should there be between the GM’s side of the table & the players?
I maintain a list of random thoughts I jot down as they occur & keep until I need them.
I saw that two of them are basically the same. One was:
Different spell lists for goodies & baddies?
1
1
How much asymmetry should there be between the GM’s side of the table & the players?
I maintain a list of random thoughts I jot down as they occur & keep until I need them.
I saw that two of them are basically the same. One was:
Different spell lists for goodies & baddies?
1
September 26, 2026 at 8:02 AM
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
How much asymmetry should there be between the GM’s side of the table & the players?
I maintain a list of random thoughts I jot down as they occur & keep until I need them.
I saw that two of them are basically the same. One was:
Different spell lists for goodies & baddies?
1
1
How much asymmetry should there be between the GM’s side of the table & the players?
I maintain a list of random thoughts I jot down as they occur & keep until I need them.
I saw that two of them are basically the same. One was:
Different spell lists for goodies & baddies?
1
Reposted by Simon Burley
September 25, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Simon Burley
September 25, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Strong one.
There’s less pedants than they’re used to be.
September 25, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Strong one.
#TTR{GTHOUGHTS
1
“You can do* anything.” Sounds like an easy concept but some people find it incredibly hard to to parse.
* “try”.
A couple of days I posited the idea of people being given an image of a character and simply role-playing that rather than a written list of allowed options.
1
1
“You can do* anything.” Sounds like an easy concept but some people find it incredibly hard to to parse.
* “try”.
A couple of days I posited the idea of people being given an image of a character and simply role-playing that rather than a written list of allowed options.
1
September 25, 2026 at 5:53 AM
#TTR{GTHOUGHTS
1
“You can do* anything.” Sounds like an easy concept but some people find it incredibly hard to to parse.
* “try”.
A couple of days I posited the idea of people being given an image of a character and simply role-playing that rather than a written list of allowed options.
1
1
“You can do* anything.” Sounds like an easy concept but some people find it incredibly hard to to parse.
* “try”.
A couple of days I posited the idea of people being given an image of a character and simply role-playing that rather than a written list of allowed options.
1
Reposted by Simon Burley
Secret Panel HERE 👏 patreon.com/mrlovenstein/posts/things-to-do-32419113
September 24, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Secret Panel HERE 👏 patreon.com/mrlovenstein/posts/things-to-do-32419113
i enjoy Refereeing #TTRPGS. But I’m not into forming long-term relationships. When playing a game I get a couple of hours with group of friends. Faux friends but friends.
I go to conventions running demo games to get that feeling. I don’t care if it’s people who have played before or newbies.
I go to conventions running demo games to get that feeling. I don’t care if it’s people who have played before or newbies.
Is there any other artform that's as obsessed with onboarding as ttrpgs?
September 24, 2026 at 5:34 PM
i enjoy Refereeing #TTRPGS. But I’m not into forming long-term relationships. When playing a game I get a couple of hours with group of friends. Faux friends but friends.
I go to conventions running demo games to get that feeling. I don’t care if it’s people who have played before or newbies.
I go to conventions running demo games to get that feeling. I don’t care if it’s people who have played before or newbies.
Would you sign up for this game at a convention?
#ttrpg pitch: Spy game, inspired by Slow Horses or Ipcress Files. Twist: PCs are mimics (or transformers I don't care) who can only shift between a specific humanoid form, and the shape of a specific item from the 2020 IKEA catalogue. Can they protect Brirain from terrorists? We play to find out!
September 24, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Would you sign up for this game at a convention?
#STRANGENEWWORLDS
In the era of Star Trek TOS, shuttle bays had DOORS.
Please don’t do “prequels” unless you’re willing to commit.
(Shame because it spoils an otherwise brilliant episode. If all #SNW had been like this I’d’ve been very happy.)
In the era of Star Trek TOS, shuttle bays had DOORS.
Please don’t do “prequels” unless you’re willing to commit.
(Shame because it spoils an otherwise brilliant episode. If all #SNW had been like this I’d’ve been very happy.)
September 24, 2026 at 4:19 PM
#STRANGENEWWORLDS
In the era of Star Trek TOS, shuttle bays had DOORS.
Please don’t do “prequels” unless you’re willing to commit.
(Shame because it spoils an otherwise brilliant episode. If all #SNW had been like this I’d’ve been very happy.)
In the era of Star Trek TOS, shuttle bays had DOORS.
Please don’t do “prequels” unless you’re willing to commit.
(Shame because it spoils an otherwise brilliant episode. If all #SNW had been like this I’d’ve been very happy.)
The list on the left always works. The list on the right work once - possibly twice - each. Once you commit to that approach you’re stuck with having to invent 100’s engaging phrases.
IMHO - the left is fine with occasional use of the right-hand approach.
Except “pseudo psychic combat arena”.
IMHO - the left is fine with occasional use of the right-hand approach.
Except “pseudo psychic combat arena”.
September 24, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The list on the left always works. The list on the right work once - possibly twice - each. Once you commit to that approach you’re stuck with having to invent 100’s engaging phrases.
IMHO - the left is fine with occasional use of the right-hand approach.
Except “pseudo psychic combat arena”.
IMHO - the left is fine with occasional use of the right-hand approach.
Except “pseudo psychic combat arena”.
Reposted by Simon Burley
When it comes to late realisations, I think @muskratjohn.bsky.social said it best:
September 24, 2026 at 1:30 AM
When it comes to late realisations, I think @muskratjohn.bsky.social said it best:
There are people that run games I’ve written better than I do.
There are people that play in my games at conventions because I’m a good convention referee.
I’m probably better known on the UK scene as a convention referee than a designer at this point.
There are people that play in my games at conventions because I’m a good convention referee.
I’m probably better known on the UK scene as a convention referee than a designer at this point.
On those rare times that I run games at cons, I am very much engaged in expectation management. Just because it's a game I designed it doesn't mean that it's going to be Best Game Evar!
Fun fact: Once had a player drop out of a campaign because they knew I made TTRPGs, put me on a pedestal, and then lost respect for me when I just ran a pretty normal game (all their own words).
They were genuinely upset that I didn’t live up to their expectations.
I think about that a lot. :/
They were genuinely upset that I didn’t live up to their expectations.
I think about that a lot. :/
September 24, 2026 at 10:19 AM
There are people that run games I’ve written better than I do.
There are people that play in my games at conventions because I’m a good convention referee.
I’m probably better known on the UK scene as a convention referee than a designer at this point.
There are people that play in my games at conventions because I’m a good convention referee.
I’m probably better known on the UK scene as a convention referee than a designer at this point.
It’s a good day when the OP generates well thought out and explained response threads.
In systems where most of the rules are built around combat, it can certainly feel like the designers intend it to be an important part of the action.
Would, for example, an entire adventure without any combat be a satisfying D&D (or similar) experience? Not sure. Probably not.
Would, for example, an entire adventure without any combat be a satisfying D&D (or similar) experience? Not sure. Probably not.
September 24, 2026 at 8:25 AM
It’s a good day when the OP generates well thought out and explained response threads.
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
How far can you go without having a fight?
It’s become a bit of a trope to look down on combats in #TTRPGs.
#TTRPGs grew out of wargames. Initially they were basically skirmish wargames with players controlling a single figure rather than an army.
Then, as they were…
1
1
How far can you go without having a fight?
It’s become a bit of a trope to look down on combats in #TTRPGs.
#TTRPGs grew out of wargames. Initially they were basically skirmish wargames with players controlling a single figure rather than an army.
Then, as they were…
1
September 24, 2026 at 7:58 AM
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
How far can you go without having a fight?
It’s become a bit of a trope to look down on combats in #TTRPGs.
#TTRPGs grew out of wargames. Initially they were basically skirmish wargames with players controlling a single figure rather than an army.
Then, as they were…
1
1
How far can you go without having a fight?
It’s become a bit of a trope to look down on combats in #TTRPGs.
#TTRPGs grew out of wargames. Initially they were basically skirmish wargames with players controlling a single figure rather than an army.
Then, as they were…
1
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
Do you buy a #TTRPG rulebook and stop reading when it says - “If you’re only going to play this game stop reading now. The rest of the book is for Game Masters* only”?
Really?
* or Mistresses.
I know, this is an argument for people writing a rulebook in two parts.
1
1
Do you buy a #TTRPG rulebook and stop reading when it says - “If you’re only going to play this game stop reading now. The rest of the book is for Game Masters* only”?
Really?
* or Mistresses.
I know, this is an argument for people writing a rulebook in two parts.
1
September 23, 2026 at 11:13 AM
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
Do you buy a #TTRPG rulebook and stop reading when it says - “If you’re only going to play this game stop reading now. The rest of the book is for Game Masters* only”?
Really?
* or Mistresses.
I know, this is an argument for people writing a rulebook in two parts.
1
1
Do you buy a #TTRPG rulebook and stop reading when it says - “If you’re only going to play this game stop reading now. The rest of the book is for Game Masters* only”?
Really?
* or Mistresses.
I know, this is an argument for people writing a rulebook in two parts.
1
Reposted by Simon Burley
September 23, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Simon Burley
September 22, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Why am I reminded of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the Golden Tickets where everyone had a chance of winning?
I'm not much of a Pokémon person, but my son is & trying to buy him cards at retail prices has been nigh on impossible the last couple of years, and I refuse to pay scalpers for anything. So it warms the cockles of my heart to see so many of them having a full meltdown about the recent set. Enjoy!!
September 22, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Why am I reminded of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the Golden Tickets where everyone had a chance of winning?
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
Should NPCs be created using the same systems as PCs?
I’m finding my vocab limited this morning. The engineer in dry dock is a non-player character. But their droid isn’t. Is it?
I’m not currently finding the words for non-player but active tangibles with which PCs interact.
1
1
Should NPCs be created using the same systems as PCs?
I’m finding my vocab limited this morning. The engineer in dry dock is a non-player character. But their droid isn’t. Is it?
I’m not currently finding the words for non-player but active tangibles with which PCs interact.
1
September 22, 2026 at 10:03 AM
#TTRPGTHOUGHTS
1
Should NPCs be created using the same systems as PCs?
I’m finding my vocab limited this morning. The engineer in dry dock is a non-player character. But their droid isn’t. Is it?
I’m not currently finding the words for non-player but active tangibles with which PCs interact.
1
1
Should NPCs be created using the same systems as PCs?
I’m finding my vocab limited this morning. The engineer in dry dock is a non-player character. But their droid isn’t. Is it?
I’m not currently finding the words for non-player but active tangibles with which PCs interact.
1