Trapped Chest
@trappedchest.bsky.social
Trapped Chest is a Canadian based company that is owned and operated by Jed Doerksen, focusing on the development and publication of tabletop games.
www.TrappedChest.com
www.TrappedChest.com
Having a hobby other than game design is something I suggest every developer look into.
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
December 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Having a hobby other than game design is something I suggest every developer look into.
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
Sometimes you need to switch it up and hobby #2 helps with that.
I brew mead, because alcohol helps keep those pesky brain cells in line.
#indiedev #brewing #mead #gamedesign #hobby
My next appearance will be at Game-itoba in Winnipeg, January 23-25.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
In 2026, I want to attend more TTRPG cons in Canada 🍁
West coast is a lot easier, but I can travel for a good enough event!
Do any of my moots attend Canadian cons? What conventions do y’all recommend?
West coast is a lot easier, but I can travel for a good enough event!
Do any of my moots attend Canadian cons? What conventions do y’all recommend?
December 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
My next appearance will be at Game-itoba in Winnipeg, January 23-25.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
I am planning on going to more than ever this year and branching out from Manitoba.
If you do it right the first time you won't need to fix it later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
If you do it right the first time you won't need to fix it later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
Cutting corners may save time now, but it will cost time later.
Have we gotten to the point where charisma can just be dropped from system design?
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
November 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Have we gotten to the point where charisma can just be dropped from system design?
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
Reducing a social interaction to a dice roll always seemed counterintuitive and felt like taking the role playing out of role playing games.
#ttrpg #indiedev #dnd #gamedesign
Reposted by Trapped Chest
Check out this cool solo TTRPG by fellow CCU Member Daniel Kwan:
Wicked Congregation by Daniel Kwan
A solo journaling game about cults, objects of power, and isolation inspired by Resident Evil and the SCP Foundation.
danielhkwan.itch.io
November 30, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Check out this cool solo TTRPG by fellow CCU Member Daniel Kwan:
Reposted by Trapped Chest
We are often told to think outside the box, but sometimes you should stay inside the box.
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
November 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
We are often told to think outside the box, but sometimes you should stay inside the box.
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
Giving yourself a strict limit instead of a massive playground will force you to optimize.
#indiedev #gamedesign #tabletop
Design tip: When giving the player multiple choices, consider why they would choose each one.
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
November 28, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Design tip: When giving the player multiple choices, consider why they would choose each one.
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
If one choice is clearly the "correct" choice, it's not really a choice.
#indiedev #gamedesign #balance
I have been considering hosting an RPG game jam with cash prizes for the best entries, but I currently don't have the reach and engagement to make it viable.
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I have been considering hosting an RPG game jam with cash prizes for the best entries, but I currently don't have the reach and engagement to make it viable.
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
#gamejam #indiedev #ttrpg #tabletop #socialmedia
There are a great many tasks that I plan to get to eventually, but life keeps getting in the way and other things take priority.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
November 26, 2025 at 3:50 AM
There are a great many tasks that I plan to get to eventually, but life keeps getting in the way and other things take priority.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
There is the idea that I will get to these things the next time I have a day off, but the more I look at it the more I realize a single day off is not nearly enough.
Reposted by Trapped Chest
For those of us who aren’t able to attend PAXu, let’s try & make a few new friends in the TTRPG space virtually!?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
November 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM
For those of us who aren’t able to attend PAXu, let’s try & make a few new friends in the TTRPG space virtually!?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
Tell me about you & your work, then scroll down and boost and let’s share one another’s work. It’s not the same as sharing a drink at the Marriott, but let’s be friends anyway?
RPGs don't need to have set in stone stat blocks. It is important to be able to be able to build a creature on the fly.
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
November 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
RPGs don't need to have set in stone stat blocks. It is important to be able to be able to build a creature on the fly.
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
This is a hill I will gladly die on.
#ttrpg #indiedev #tabletop #gamedesign
The end goal is to do game development as my primary job.
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The end goal is to do game development as my primary job.
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
To make this happen I need 2 massive evergreen hits.
Unfortunately, 1 might just be a fluke.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
I have been running Linux full time for several years.
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
November 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I have been running Linux full time for several years.
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
It used to require tinkering, but now everything just works.
No pop ups, no viruses, no bloat, just my system, my way.
Valve has done an amazing job in making it more compatible with everything.
#linux #valve #gaming #computers #tech
Being a developer is fun and fulfilling, but being a publisher is stressful and time consuming.
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Being a developer is fun and fulfilling, but being a publisher is stressful and time consuming.
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
I did this for ethical reasons and to maintain control over my work.
Why did you choose your path into the games industry?
#tabletop #indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #developer #publishing #gaming
It is amazing how many things can be improved by simply sticking some googly eyes on them.
November 15, 2025 at 4:15 AM
It is amazing how many things can be improved by simply sticking some googly eyes on them.
One of the frustrating parts of being indie is when you realise that you can't wear all the hats, but you really need to wear all the hats.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
November 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
One of the frustrating parts of being indie is when you realise that you can't wear all the hats, but you really need to wear all the hats.
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
#indiedev #ttrpg #boardgames #tabletop
Hexes are better than squares and all my games make use of a hex system, either baked into the rules or just defaulting to it for maps.
I am however working on a game that uses squares. Not because it works for the game, but because I am trying to convert D&D payers.
#ttrpg #indiedev #d&d #dnd
I am however working on a game that uses squares. Not because it works for the game, but because I am trying to convert D&D payers.
#ttrpg #indiedev #d&d #dnd
November 12, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Reposted by Trapped Chest
If you’re looking for Canadian TTRPG creatives.
This is a great place to start!
If you are a Canadian TTRPG creative you should consider joining us in CCU!
This is a great place to start!
If you are a Canadian TTRPG creative you should consider joining us in CCU!
If you want a great Canadian TTRPG Creator Starter Kit, consider adding this one!
CCU Members Pack 01
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
If you’re looking for Canadian TTRPG creatives.
This is a great place to start!
If you are a Canadian TTRPG creative you should consider joining us in CCU!
This is a great place to start!
If you are a Canadian TTRPG creative you should consider joining us in CCU!
Customer: I need an RPG that does this!
Me: Have I got news for you! Quest Nexus does that!
Customer: Cool!, where can I buy it?
Me: ...you can't, it's not out yet ...sorry.
The end is in sight, but I still need to build up the mailing list before crowdfunding.
#indiedev #ttrpg #crowdfunding
Me: Have I got news for you! Quest Nexus does that!
Customer: Cool!, where can I buy it?
Me: ...you can't, it's not out yet ...sorry.
The end is in sight, but I still need to build up the mailing list before crowdfunding.
#indiedev #ttrpg #crowdfunding
November 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Customer: I need an RPG that does this!
Me: Have I got news for you! Quest Nexus does that!
Customer: Cool!, where can I buy it?
Me: ...you can't, it's not out yet ...sorry.
The end is in sight, but I still need to build up the mailing list before crowdfunding.
#indiedev #ttrpg #crowdfunding
Me: Have I got news for you! Quest Nexus does that!
Customer: Cool!, where can I buy it?
Me: ...you can't, it's not out yet ...sorry.
The end is in sight, but I still need to build up the mailing list before crowdfunding.
#indiedev #ttrpg #crowdfunding
Reposted by Trapped Chest
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to support indie creators. Not just as a designer, but as a fan. Here’s why I think buying indie TTRPGs makes such a difference (and a special 10% thank-you for the upcoming Small Business Supporting Day!).
bit.ly/IndieTTRPGSu...
bit.ly/IndieTTRPGSu...
November 9, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to support indie creators. Not just as a designer, but as a fan. Here’s why I think buying indie TTRPGs makes such a difference (and a special 10% thank-you for the upcoming Small Business Supporting Day!).
bit.ly/IndieTTRPGSu...
bit.ly/IndieTTRPGSu...