John Harper
@johnharper.bsky.social
Game designer and graphic artist. Blades in the Dark, AGON, Lasers & Feelings, Lady Blackbird. johnharper.itch.io
Pinned
John Harper
@johnharper.bsky.social
· Nov 2
Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts by John Harper
A Setting & System Expansion for Blades in the Dark
johnharper.itch.io
Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts is packed with new lore, gameable details, plug-and-play systems, GM tools, crew opportunities, and new artwork.
Available now on itch and DriveThruRPG:
Itch: johnharper.itch.io/deep-cuts
DTRPG: shorturl.at/pKhsZ
Available now on itch and DriveThruRPG:
Itch: johnharper.itch.io/deep-cuts
DTRPG: shorturl.at/pKhsZ
Reposted by John Harper
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.
🚅🎲🎲🎲🌟🌟
Reposted by John Harper
Blades '68! It's all go!
Here are some chapter openers I've been working on.
Here are some chapter openers I've been working on.
November 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Blades '68! It's all go!
Here are some chapter openers I've been working on.
Here are some chapter openers I've been working on.
Reposted by John Harper
a|state second edition presents a return to the dystopian sci-fi setting of The City, now through the lens of Forged in the Dark. Featuring the Trouble Engine, which will be part of Blades '68.
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
November 13, 2025 at 11:22 AM
a|state second edition presents a return to the dystopian sci-fi setting of The City, now through the lens of Forged in the Dark. Featuring the Trouble Engine, which will be part of Blades '68.
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
It's out now. handiwork.games/games/astate
Reposted by John Harper
As the year winds down we want to take a moment.
2025 marks our twentieth year in business. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our little company with their time, money, or talent. Thank you!
To celebrate, we've put our whole catalog on sale.
evilhat.com/roleplaying-...
2025 marks our twentieth year in business. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our little company with their time, money, or talent. Thank you!
To celebrate, we've put our whole catalog on sale.
evilhat.com/roleplaying-...
November 26, 2025 at 7:44 PM
As the year winds down we want to take a moment.
2025 marks our twentieth year in business. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our little company with their time, money, or talent. Thank you!
To celebrate, we've put our whole catalog on sale.
evilhat.com/roleplaying-...
2025 marks our twentieth year in business. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our little company with their time, money, or talent. Thank you!
To celebrate, we've put our whole catalog on sale.
evilhat.com/roleplaying-...
Reposted by John Harper
When the ALA recognizes one's work, that's pretty dang cool.
"The games recognized as 2026 Platinum Play Classics are Clue, Jenga, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Apocalypse World, Call of Cthulhu, Mario Kart 8, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater."
#ApocalypseWorld #AW3rd #PBTA
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
"The games recognized as 2026 Platinum Play Classics are Clue, Jenga, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Apocalypse World, Call of Cthulhu, Mario Kart 8, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater."
#ApocalypseWorld #AW3rd #PBTA
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
GameRT Announces 2025 Platinum Play Award Recipients
www.ala.org
November 28, 2025 at 12:19 AM
When the ALA recognizes one's work, that's pretty dang cool.
"The games recognized as 2026 Platinum Play Classics are Clue, Jenga, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Apocalypse World, Call of Cthulhu, Mario Kart 8, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater."
#ApocalypseWorld #AW3rd #PBTA
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
"The games recognized as 2026 Platinum Play Classics are Clue, Jenga, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Apocalypse World, Call of Cthulhu, Mario Kart 8, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater."
#ApocalypseWorld #AW3rd #PBTA
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by John Harper
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
November 27, 2025 at 2:30 AM
"I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
Reposted by John Harper
Been reading through the play-test rules for Hexingtide, and I've got to say, its probably the most fun I've had reading through a #TTRPG all year.
Highly suggest checking this out if you're at all into horror, tabletop role playing games, or monster hero fiction!
willphillips.itch.io/hexingtide
Highly suggest checking this out if you're at all into horror, tabletop role playing games, or monster hero fiction!
willphillips.itch.io/hexingtide
Hexingtide (Early Access) by Will Phillips
Minimalist Monstrous Roleplaying
willphillips.itch.io
October 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Been reading through the play-test rules for Hexingtide, and I've got to say, its probably the most fun I've had reading through a #TTRPG all year.
Highly suggest checking this out if you're at all into horror, tabletop role playing games, or monster hero fiction!
willphillips.itch.io/hexingtide
Highly suggest checking this out if you're at all into horror, tabletop role playing games, or monster hero fiction!
willphillips.itch.io/hexingtide
Reposted by John Harper
RTs appreciated.
Are there any artists in the ttrpg space who does/has done art in this style? Essentially, images composed of simple geometry, solid colors.
For a game I'm working on. Paid work, of course.
Are there any artists in the ttrpg space who does/has done art in this style? Essentially, images composed of simple geometry, solid colors.
For a game I'm working on. Paid work, of course.
November 27, 2025 at 2:06 AM
RTs appreciated.
Are there any artists in the ttrpg space who does/has done art in this style? Essentially, images composed of simple geometry, solid colors.
For a game I'm working on. Paid work, of course.
Are there any artists in the ttrpg space who does/has done art in this style? Essentially, images composed of simple geometry, solid colors.
For a game I'm working on. Paid work, of course.
Reposted by John Harper
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by John Harper
AXL: welcome to the jungle
ME: (hoping they have fun and games and about to be pleasantly surprised)
ME: (hoping they have fun and games and about to be pleasantly surprised)
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
AXL: welcome to the jungle
ME: (hoping they have fun and games and about to be pleasantly surprised)
ME: (hoping they have fun and games and about to be pleasantly surprised)
Reposted by John Harper
Oh hey, we put up the dozen Core Playbooks, if you want to check them out. I'll talk about them a tiny bit in the thread below.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Update 7: Preview: The Core Playbooks · Apocalypse World: Burned Over
Preview: The Core Playbooks
This was supposed to be update #1, but you all blew us away. Now we're playing catch up!Click through to download the core playbook PDF set.As always, please ask any quest...
www.kickstarter.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Oh hey, we put up the dozen Core Playbooks, if you want to check them out. I'll talk about them a tiny bit in the thread below.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
I always wanted to design a custom card deck, so this was a lot of fun. (Also, the quality of the POD cards is surprisingly good!)
Blades in the Dark: Cutters Deck is available now from @johnharper.bsky.social
Get it here: tinyurl.com/3fub6ynv
Indulge your vice or put your soul on the line and cut the deck against the Dimmer Sisters. #ttrpg
Get it here: tinyurl.com/3fub6ynv
Indulge your vice or put your soul on the line and cut the deck against the Dimmer Sisters. #ttrpg
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
I always wanted to design a custom card deck, so this was a lot of fun. (Also, the quality of the POD cards is surprisingly good!)
Rewatching the classics. I might have to make a Sorcerer / Wages of Fear one shot some day. Jenga mechanics? Seems like a good start.
November 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Rewatching the classics. I might have to make a Sorcerer / Wages of Fear one shot some day. Jenga mechanics? Seems like a good start.
So this event is happening tomorrow evening at the University of Pittsburgh: The Fantastical Historical: "Alternative Industrial Revolutions" exploring the world of Blades in the Dark.
calendar.pitt.edu/event/the-fa...
If you go, let me know! Also, would love to see a video if they record it.
calendar.pitt.edu/event/the-fa...
If you go, let me know! Also, would love to see a video if they record it.
The Fantastical Historical: 'Alternative Industrial Revolutions" Game Night
calendar.pitt.edu
November 18, 2025 at 12:36 AM
So this event is happening tomorrow evening at the University of Pittsburgh: The Fantastical Historical: "Alternative Industrial Revolutions" exploring the world of Blades in the Dark.
calendar.pitt.edu/event/the-fa...
If you go, let me know! Also, would love to see a video if they record it.
calendar.pitt.edu/event/the-fa...
If you go, let me know! Also, would love to see a video if they record it.
Last night's movie: THE LOVELESS (1981). The phrase "every frame a painting" definitely applies here.
November 17, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Last night's movie: THE LOVELESS (1981). The phrase "every frame a painting" definitely applies here.
Reposted by John Harper
Trilemma Adventures Compendium is the DTRPG deal of the day! This 2x ENnie award-winning book has 55 two-page adventure sites that you can immediately drop into your fantasy setting, or use as part of the embedded campaign setting. All for a measly nine bucks?!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2...
November 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Trilemma Adventures Compendium is the DTRPG deal of the day! This 2x ENnie award-winning book has 55 two-page adventure sites that you can immediately drop into your fantasy setting, or use as part of the embedded campaign setting. All for a measly nine bucks?!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2...
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2...
Wonderful news! 💙✊
WE WON! After 42 days of striking we have a tentative agreement in hand that protects our existing 4 day work week, establishes a minimum salary, and adds protections against AI replacing jobs at our workplace!
![Graphic with multiple picket signs that reads "[up arrow] Minimum Salary", "4 day Work Week", and a big cancel sign over "AI Replacing Jobs" and so much more. Go to kickstarterunited.org to see it all!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gdife25rfr5drwr2nhncr3rf/bafkreidfgv3xytmgta3x35mjze22ojok7lwh3vlhgrcfbcwr7hjg6bb6eu@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Wonderful news! 💙✊
Reposted by John Harper
Ok, whew, now let's dig in a bit. For #AW3rd, we have been tinkering with basically everything, & as we go along, we'll talk about some of the more obvious spots. So if you're interested in #ttrpgs or #pbta or even #worldbuilding, check this out! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Update 3: Playbooks: What's Changed from 2nd Ed to 3rd Ed? · Apocalypse World: Burned Over
Playbooks: What's Changed from 2nd Ed to 3rd Ed?Here's a quick outline.On the front of the playbook:
Some of the playbooks have new names.
Aggro's in as a new stat. Hot's out.
Demand something, tackle...
www.kickstarter.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Ok, whew, now let's dig in a bit. For #AW3rd, we have been tinkering with basically everything, & as we go along, we'll talk about some of the more obvious spots. So if you're interested in #ttrpgs or #pbta or even #worldbuilding, check this out! www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Reposted by John Harper
I am not much for post apocalyptic games these days, but the Bakers could put out a new edition every year and I would buy it.
Apocalypse World is responsible for fostering curiosity and inspiring confidence in so many designers. It helped build an era for games incredibly rich with creativity.
Apocalypse World is responsible for fostering curiosity and inspiring confidence in so many designers. It helped build an era for games incredibly rich with creativity.
Here We GO! Come along, my dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:34 AM
I am not much for post apocalyptic games these days, but the Bakers could put out a new edition every year and I would buy it.
Apocalypse World is responsible for fostering curiosity and inspiring confidence in so many designers. It helped build an era for games incredibly rich with creativity.
Apocalypse World is responsible for fostering curiosity and inspiring confidence in so many designers. It helped build an era for games incredibly rich with creativity.
Reposted by John Harper
Reposted by John Harper
Apocalypse World has had a bigger impact on my life than any other roleplaying game. It's just a phenomenal game, designed by phenomenal people. You should pick up a copy of the new edition!
Here We GO! Come along, my dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Apocalypse World has had a bigger impact on my life than any other roleplaying game. It's just a phenomenal game, designed by phenomenal people. You should pick up a copy of the new edition!
Reposted by John Harper
Probably a good way to tell right now if the job you’re applying for is run by absolute dumbfucks is to ask if they’re using AI.
"The AI industry’s most important product at this moment is not a chatbot or a video generator; it’s the story the AI industry is telling about itself.... According to an MIT study, 95% of businesses that have deployed generative AI have gotten no value from it." www.theringer.com/2025/11/04/t...
How Catastrophic Is It If the AI Bubble Bursts? An FAQ.
The AI industry's most important product is not a chatbot or a video generator; it's the story the AI industry is telling about itself
www.theringer.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Probably a good way to tell right now if the job you’re applying for is run by absolute dumbfucks is to ask if they’re using AI.
Apocalypse World is far and away my favorite game, period, and this new edition is *even better*.
Here We GO! Come along, my dearies!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lum...
Apocalypse World: Burned Over
The 3rd edition of the groundbreaking original.
www.kickstarter.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Apocalypse World is far and away my favorite game, period, and this new edition is *even better*.
It's always a joy to talk to Meg and Vincent.
Ben facilitated a really fun conversation here, orbiting around Apocalypse World and spinning off into all kinds of game design thoughts.
Ben facilitated a really fun conversation here, orbiting around Apocalypse World and spinning off into all kinds of game design thoughts.
@benriggs.bsky.social brings together @johnharper.bsky.social, @megueyb.bsky.social and @lumpley.bsky.social to talk gaming while we wait for Apocalypse World Burned Over to go live...
youtu.be/Aoa7ehvou9U?...
youtu.be/Aoa7ehvou9U?...
"Games Will Prevail": A conversation with Meguey Baker, Vincent Baker & John Harper- Ep 77
YouTube video by Reading D&D Aloud
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
It's always a joy to talk to Meg and Vincent.
Ben facilitated a really fun conversation here, orbiting around Apocalypse World and spinning off into all kinds of game design thoughts.
Ben facilitated a really fun conversation here, orbiting around Apocalypse World and spinning off into all kinds of game design thoughts.
Reposted by John Harper
With the close of spooky season, it is time to ring in the season of introspection by playing We Contain Solitudes, my new 2 player ttrpg.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
We Contain Solitudes by Seven Crows Games
A 2 player TTRPG about troubled souls trapped in a time loop that plays out in prose and soliloquies.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io
November 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
With the close of spooky season, it is time to ring in the season of introspection by playing We Contain Solitudes, my new 2 player ttrpg.
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...
sevencrowsgames.itch.io/we-contain-s...