Welcome to Tabletop Journeys!

This week, Josh and Lewanika sit down with Shawn Merwin, a titan in the tabletop role-playing game industry. Known for his extensive work with Wizards of the Coast, Ghostfire Gaming, Star Trek Adventures, and other favorites, Shawn shares insights from his decades-long career.

We dive into Shawn’s inspiring origin story, the challenges of professional game design, and his unique philosophy on creativity and success. You'll hear about his work on D&D, Star Trek games, and the innovative systems in Ghostfire Gaming's Grim Hollow Transformed. Whether you're a seasoned GM, an aspiring designer, or just a fan of fantastic stories, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the TTRPG world.

Timestamps

0:00:00 - Introduction

0:03:00 - Shawn's Extensive TTRPG Resume

0:05:34 - Shawn's Origin Story

0:08:50 - The Art of Game Design

0:11:28 - Running Games for Diverse Groups

0:15:08 - Halls of Undermountain & Production Limitations

0:26:05 - Defining Success and the Drive to Create

0:30:24 - Grim Hollow Transformed

0:41:20 - Podcasting's Impact on Design & Writing Process

0:47:19 - Grim Hollow Traits

0:54:48 - Dream IP to Work On

0:58:10 - Community Members Shawn Merwin Would Like to Meet

01:01:23 - Conclusion#TabletopJourneys #ShawnMerwin #TTRPG #GameDesign #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #GrimHollow #GhostfireGaming #MasteringDungeons #EldritchLorecast #HardyBoys #NancyDrew #GameMaster #ContentCreation #RPG #TabletopGames #Interview