GM Joe
@gmjoe.bsky.social
Joe Kiewra - TTRPG designer, video maker, distillery owner, ADHD haver, dinosaur lover, improviser, socialist, Pittsburgher He/Him
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/children-with-wands/children-with-wands
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/children-with-wands/children-with-wands
Pinned
Reposted by GM Joe
Reposted by GM Joe
#GameDev Tea?
Video game UI is a helper, it exists to reinforce design, and worst-case to fill in where the design has failed to convey the intended gameplay.
If you find yourself playing the UI instead of the game - there's been a disconnect between the design and the player experience you built.
Video game UI is a helper, it exists to reinforce design, and worst-case to fill in where the design has failed to convey the intended gameplay.
If you find yourself playing the UI instead of the game - there's been a disconnect between the design and the player experience you built.
December 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
#GameDev Tea?
Video game UI is a helper, it exists to reinforce design, and worst-case to fill in where the design has failed to convey the intended gameplay.
If you find yourself playing the UI instead of the game - there's been a disconnect between the design and the player experience you built.
Video game UI is a helper, it exists to reinforce design, and worst-case to fill in where the design has failed to convey the intended gameplay.
If you find yourself playing the UI instead of the game - there's been a disconnect between the design and the player experience you built.
Reposted by GM Joe
Ok, that bird was up to no good. Woodland creatures stealing human things... for the holidays! 🎄🐿️🦡🦅
And the 4-day Kickstarter goes live next week!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/two...
And the 4-day Kickstarter goes live next week!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/two...
Coming soon: Gift of the Magpie: A Woodland Critter Heist TTRPG
Play as woodland critters on a heist to steal a Christmas tree star in this one-shot role playing game. Based in the Score system.
www.kickstarter.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Ok, that bird was up to no good. Woodland creatures stealing human things... for the holidays! 🎄🐿️🦡🦅
And the 4-day Kickstarter goes live next week!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/two...
And the 4-day Kickstarter goes live next week!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/two...
Reposted by GM Joe
This bird’s greed delights me
December 4, 2025 at 11:13 AM
This bird’s greed delights me
Reposted by GM Joe
One thing I encourage with GMs is to let players justify a skill check rather than tell them what they have to roll. Encourage them to get creative with the skills they have rather than force them to roll a skill they suck at. Sure, sometimes you gotta do that, but it works better.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
December 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by GM Joe
I'M LOOKING AT YOU TTRPG DEVS!
Have you got a new game coming out, or being crowfunded next year?
Gimme the deets so I can yap about them In a video checking out and celebrating the upcoming TTRPGs of 2026.
Have you got a new game coming out, or being crowfunded next year?
Gimme the deets so I can yap about them In a video checking out and celebrating the upcoming TTRPGs of 2026.
December 1, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I'M LOOKING AT YOU TTRPG DEVS!
Have you got a new game coming out, or being crowfunded next year?
Gimme the deets so I can yap about them In a video checking out and celebrating the upcoming TTRPGs of 2026.
Have you got a new game coming out, or being crowfunded next year?
Gimme the deets so I can yap about them In a video checking out and celebrating the upcoming TTRPGs of 2026.
Reposted by GM Joe
Cannot stress the importance of a ttrpg cover beyond mere aesthetics.
- It will inspire you each time you look at it.
- It gives your supporters a taste of the game to come.
- It’s essential for marketing.
- It pays artists struggling against AI.
Ripples cover by @crowva.bsky.social
- It will inspire you each time you look at it.
- It gives your supporters a taste of the game to come.
- It’s essential for marketing.
- It pays artists struggling against AI.
Ripples cover by @crowva.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Cannot stress the importance of a ttrpg cover beyond mere aesthetics.
- It will inspire you each time you look at it.
- It gives your supporters a taste of the game to come.
- It’s essential for marketing.
- It pays artists struggling against AI.
Ripples cover by @crowva.bsky.social
- It will inspire you each time you look at it.
- It gives your supporters a taste of the game to come.
- It’s essential for marketing.
- It pays artists struggling against AI.
Ripples cover by @crowva.bsky.social
Reposted by GM Joe
everyone: my job sucks my social life is dead everything is too expensive and i have no hope for the future
experts: very interesting that you think that, but the numbers just don't back it up. i'm more concerned by your lack of financial literacy, to be perfectly honest
experts: very interesting that you think that, but the numbers just don't back it up. i'm more concerned by your lack of financial literacy, to be perfectly honest
November 30, 2025 at 10:43 PM
everyone: my job sucks my social life is dead everything is too expensive and i have no hope for the future
experts: very interesting that you think that, but the numbers just don't back it up. i'm more concerned by your lack of financial literacy, to be perfectly honest
experts: very interesting that you think that, but the numbers just don't back it up. i'm more concerned by your lack of financial literacy, to be perfectly honest
Reposted by GM Joe
I just found out there is a BEAUTIFUL senior cat named MRS. DOUBTFIRE up for adoption in Centre County, Pennsylvania! So, of course, I had to spread the word.
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
November 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I just found out there is a BEAUTIFUL senior cat named MRS. DOUBTFIRE up for adoption in Centre County, Pennsylvania! So, of course, I had to spread the word.
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
If you’re in Central Pennsylvania, please help this elegant lady find a home!
centrecountypaws.org/cats/adopt
Every once in a while I think about a story my dad told me. At one point in his life he was so poor he couldn’t afford a blanket, so he stole an American flag to use as one.
My dad is punk as hell.
My dad is punk as hell.
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Every once in a while I think about a story my dad told me. At one point in his life he was so poor he couldn’t afford a blanket, so he stole an American flag to use as one.
My dad is punk as hell.
My dad is punk as hell.
Reposted by GM Joe
Let's talk about community copies for a moment. First, I'm always going to offer them. I want to make enough money to keep paying contributors, yes, but I also want folks to have access to what's in The Hearth. I think it's really great, homegrown writing, and I want these folks to get read.
Why a reverse sale? A few reasons. First, we offer community copies on Itch, so if you can't afford to buy an issue we encourage you to grab one of those. Second, this is an opportunity to throw some support to the magazine and get 2026 off to a great start!
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Let's talk about community copies for a moment. First, I'm always going to offer them. I want to make enough money to keep paying contributors, yes, but I also want folks to have access to what's in The Hearth. I think it's really great, homegrown writing, and I want these folks to get read.
Reposted by GM Joe
4 word prompt!
50 for mice "game" illos!
50 for mice "game" illos!
November 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
4 word prompt!
50 for mice "game" illos!
50 for mice "game" illos!
Reposted by GM Joe
There's talk of "victory of the nerds" but something got lost along the way. Time was "nerd" meant "enthusiast" (is "otaku" clearer?). US massmarket nerd-dom isn't for enthusiasts. Disney/Sony sells you a pipe of things you probably like. Enthusiasts don't want to like things, they want to love them
November 28, 2025 at 11:40 PM
There's talk of "victory of the nerds" but something got lost along the way. Time was "nerd" meant "enthusiast" (is "otaku" clearer?). US massmarket nerd-dom isn't for enthusiasts. Disney/Sony sells you a pipe of things you probably like. Enthusiasts don't want to like things, they want to love them
Reposted by GM Joe
Let's get an indie ttrpg HYPE TRAIN going and recommend some cool games for people to buy/gift.
If you're a small #ttrpg creator (or there's an indie game you really love) drop a quick pitch and a link below.
🚅🎲🎲🎲🌟🌟
If you're a small #ttrpg creator (or there's an indie game you really love) drop a quick pitch and a link below.
🚅🎲🎲🎲🌟🌟
November 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Let's get an indie ttrpg HYPE TRAIN going and recommend some cool games for people to buy/gift.
If you're a small #ttrpg creator (or there's an indie game you really love) drop a quick pitch and a link below.
🚅🎲🎲🎲🌟🌟
If you're a small #ttrpg creator (or there's an indie game you really love) drop a quick pitch and a link below.
🚅🎲🎲🎲🌟🌟
It is wierd how the song “Here Comes Santa Clause” gets really Jesusy about halfway through.
November 28, 2025 at 9:20 PM
It is wierd how the song “Here Comes Santa Clause” gets really Jesusy about halfway through.
This Black Friday don’t forget to pick up Fish Blade Troubled Waters.
Free today! (And every other day, but that feels less special)
joe-kiewra.itch.io/fish-blade-t...
Free today! (And every other day, but that feels less special)
joe-kiewra.itch.io/fish-blade-t...
Fish Blade - Troubled Waters by Joe Kiewra
Keep your Fish close and your Blade closer
joe-kiewra.itch.io
November 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
This Black Friday don’t forget to pick up Fish Blade Troubled Waters.
Free today! (And every other day, but that feels less special)
joe-kiewra.itch.io/fish-blade-t...
Free today! (And every other day, but that feels less special)
joe-kiewra.itch.io/fish-blade-t...
Reposted by GM Joe
What a great headline
November 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
What a great headline
Holiday hot tip, think about the size of the turkey you buy. Don’t just grab a large one and say this seems fine. If you are cooking largely for yourself you do not need a 19 lbs turkey
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Holiday hot tip, think about the size of the turkey you buy. Don’t just grab a large one and say this seems fine. If you are cooking largely for yourself you do not need a 19 lbs turkey
So an interesting game came up in my Steam Discovery cue, a 1940s detective story. This sort of thing is my jam. Then there was their AI disclosure. "All the game content has been created and crafted by humans, with great effort, love, and dedication." then why taint that with AI for a few posters?
November 27, 2025 at 9:59 PM
So an interesting game came up in my Steam Discovery cue, a 1940s detective story. This sort of thing is my jam. Then there was their AI disclosure. "All the game content has been created and crafted by humans, with great effort, love, and dedication." then why taint that with AI for a few posters?
Reposted by GM Joe
the only time i ever gave back to my community (cinephile dorks whose parents claim they can't see it but we suspect are messing with us a little)
November 27, 2025 at 1:19 AM
the only time i ever gave back to my community (cinephile dorks whose parents claim they can't see it but we suspect are messing with us a little)
So I uninstalled the dating app Boo because it showed me AI adds for it. If you cannot afford real actors for your 10 second adds how can I trust you to help me find a romantic partner?
November 27, 2025 at 2:23 AM
So I uninstalled the dating app Boo because it showed me AI adds for it. If you cannot afford real actors for your 10 second adds how can I trust you to help me find a romantic partner?
Put two white guys in a room for long enough and they will start a podcast
November 26, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Put two white guys in a room for long enough and they will start a podcast
Reposted by GM Joe
After "film trilogy that dropped a critical plot point exclusively via timed Fortnite event" and "video game series whose story only makes sense if you're aware of the events of a canon pachinko machine", I feel like there are whole frontiers of user-hostile narrative design waiting to be explored.
November 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
After "film trilogy that dropped a critical plot point exclusively via timed Fortnite event" and "video game series whose story only makes sense if you're aware of the events of a canon pachinko machine", I feel like there are whole frontiers of user-hostile narrative design waiting to be explored.
I stumbled into a small distillery while looking for something to do while waiting to see my roommate do standup, I am now the production manager and partial owner of that distillery
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 AM
I stumbled into a small distillery while looking for something to do while waiting to see my roommate do standup, I am now the production manager and partial owner of that distillery