What does it really take to turn an RPG idea into a finished game?

In this episode of Continuing Conversations, Michael Dismuke and Jim Johnson sit down with veteran game designers Meric Moir, and Al Spader for an engaging discussion about the realities of RPG development. From the spark of an initial idea to the challenges of playtesting, refinement, and publication, the panel explores what happens behind the curtain of game design.

Together, they tackle big questions: Does a great RPG begin with mechanics, setting, theme, or emotion? How do designers know when to stop worldbuilding and start building a playable game? What lessons emerge when players interact with a game in ways its creators never anticipated? And perhaps most importantly, what separates the RPGs that make it to publication from the countless brilliant ideas that remain trapped in notebooks and hard drives?

Whether you're an aspiring designer, a veteran gamemaster, or simply curious about how your favorite RPGs come to life, this conversation offers practical insights, hard-earned lessons, and plenty of stories from the creative trenches.

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