playtest material has space for a few event reports its first issue. We aren't that interested in convention reports, but if you know of a game design event, workshop, talk or jam that you think produced work or opinions which would be of interest to the mag, please send us a 400-600 word summary!

oh and by the way! the closing date for submissions is TOMORROW. Have an article you're working on? get on that google doc, stat :)

Laurie O'Connel (is looking for ttrpg work (in Dublin))@laurieoc.bsky.social · 5d ago

Editing at the laundromat

I just did an interview with @jellyfishlines.itch.io about lyric games and hermit crab fiction. I think we had quite a good discussion, so I'm excited to see the finished article.

please help one of our contributors out!

tor-in-the-mud@toothandshore.bsky.social · last wk.

hello! are you a collage artist AND/OR tabletop game designer? I would be tremendously grateful if you'd fill out this survey about possible connections between the two practices, to inform a piece I'm writing for @playtestmaterial.bsky.social

still looking for this! Please contact editor at playtestmaterial dot org

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 2w ago

We are looking for anyone who attended Games For Crabs who would be interested in writing 800-1200 words on it for our magazine! The piece can take whatever form you'd like.

help me out here. Looking for TTRPG writers based in the UK and Ireland whose work has interesting things to say about war and imperialism, bonus points if they've published before and after 2023.

We are looking for anyone who attended Games For Crabs who would be interested in writing 800-1200 words on it for our magazine! The piece can take whatever form you'd like.

tor-in-the-mud@toothandshore.bsky.social · 2w ago

damn lovely weekend. got to spin up a character & drop into a beloved friend's BitD campaign, then spend 2 days at #gamesforcrabs, an experimental game design event centred on speculative evolution & sociology. where i worked with others to make a (series of) game(s) for sapient bats (not crabs)

thanks to those lovely sponsors that have already got in touch, we're able to start looking for layout and branding people to help us set issue one up for success! But to really cover our set up costs, there is a lot of ground to make up, so again - the inbox is open <3

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 4w ago

As we move towards the publication of issue one, the costs of producing something like this (which the editor is largely taking on personally) are increasing. We have a couple of very kind sponsors already. BUT if you would like to sponsor us for any amount, please get in contact.

The budget is still shoestring but please do get in touch with the magazine if you feel that you would be a good fit. The next stop after that would be building a more workable website that isn't just html I asked a family member to write as a favour. Definitely not got the funds for that yet.

I *think* that Playtest Material might finally be in a financial position to c*m*s*i*n some branding, logos, mastheads and layout templates to help out our design volunteers thanks to a few kind sponsorship donations.

As we move towards the publication of issue one, the costs of producing something like this (which the editor is largely taking on personally) are increasing. We have a couple of very kind sponsors already. BUT if you would like to sponsor us for any amount, please get in contact.

Absolutely blown away by the influx of pitches that came in yesterday. every time, it proves how needed this space is. Please be patient while we take the time to look at and discuss your submissions. The pitching window remains open for POC and writers from the Global South for another week.

Last day for pitches lads (though submissions will still be open). I would love to see more of the following: Experimental pieces Lit-essays about RPG-related experiences Shorter reviews Submissions from POC and writers from the Global South 🖊🖊🖊

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · last mo.

Playtest Material is closing for *pitches* on July 10. We'll still accept full submissions until Aug 1 but if you are pitching after that date, the likelihood is that you won't have time to work it into a good enough article to fit our publication schedule.

on taking the time to consider and personally respond to every submission – everything about playtest material's approach that i've seen so far is just good and heartening, the care for people + their perspectives as the heart of developing a critical culture

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 4w ago

I understand it can feel frustrating, but to do anything else would run counter to the goals of this magazine, which is not just to produce a single print issue every quarter but to improve the way we talk about our growing art form. That means giving people the tools and confidence. It takes time.

This is important to know for people still awaiting a reply. Part of the aim of this magazine is to train up a layer of writers, many of whom will never have written criticlaly before. This means we'll always prioritise detailed, personal feedback over a quick but form response.

Laurie O'Connel (is looking for ttrpg work (in Dublin))@laurieoc.bsky.social · 4w ago

I make a real effort to write detailed feedback for every submission which is why you can sometimes get quite long delays. I know it can be frustrating but that is the reason and I feel most people are happy to wait for a more indicidual response

Pitches close tomorrow!! I wanna see folks in the community get involved if they can! Lets see new experimental games and articles! :D

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · last mo.

Playtest Material is closing for *pitches* on July 10. We'll still accept full submissions until Aug 1 but if you are pitching after that date, the likelihood is that you won't have time to work it into a good enough article to fit our publication schedule.

I swear, being left unsupervised will be the death of me. 10 minutes ago, I hadn't heard of this opportunity, and now I'm working on a pitch before (checks watch) tomorrow. Welp, guess I should go get something written and submitted, yeah?

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · last mo.

Playtest Material is closing for *pitches* on July 10. We'll still accept full submissions until Aug 1 but if you are pitching after that date, the likelihood is that you won't have time to work it into a good enough article to fit our publication schedule.

If you've sent in a pitch and haven't received a reply yet, you should do before the 10th. It takes a while because both editors need to discuss.

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · last mo.

Playtest Material is closing for *pitches* on July 10. We'll still accept full submissions until Aug 1 but if you are pitching after that date, the likelihood is that you won't have time to work it into a good enough article to fit our publication schedule.

Playtest Material is closing for *pitches* on July 10. We'll still accept full submissions until Aug 1 but if you are pitching after that date, the likelihood is that you won't have time to work it into a good enough article to fit our publication schedule.

collage game/game collage agenda advances play along at home with your latest thing + whatever the charity shop provides. it's a good time!

Laurie O'Connel (is looking for ttrpg work (in Dublin))@laurieoc.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I was very lucky to attend a collage game workshop by @toothandshore.bsky.social at the tabletop unconcerence organised by @irny.bsky.social today. Got the chance to colllage one of my new games (I'll likely post the rest of the scans on the free tier of my p(atrium) soon) and learn something new!

Please submit, these folks give the kindest feedback!

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Next week we have time booked in to go through all our unresponded pitches and subs. Everyone awaiting responses - please hold on til next Friday. If you want your submission to be considered in this first round, you have a few days to get it in. Our subs will still be open til Aug, so don't panic.

All submissions that we received before the start of this week should now have been replied to. Please check your spam filters.

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Next week we have time booked in to go through all our unresponded pitches and subs. Everyone awaiting responses - please hold on til next Friday. If you want your submission to be considered in this first round, you have a few days to get it in. Our subs will still be open til Aug, so don't panic.

all volunteers have been responded to (if I missed you let me know) pitches and submissions on friday. we now unfortunately have a work discord, so if you are a prospective volunteer or writer DM for the link

In general we're avoiding manifestos for issue one. (Though we might ask if you'd be up for turning your piece into an article.) However you're strongly encouraged to have a look at and submit to the TTRPG manifesto jam that is running now! itch.io/jam/the-ttrp...

THE TTRPG MANIFESTO JAM

A game jam from 2025-04-30 to 2025-06-07 hosted by Jellyfishlines. A Manifesto for the TTRPG Manifesto Jam and warning for the times FREE YOUR THOUGHTS FROM CONFORMITY, YOU'LL FIND THOSE THAT WILL LOV...

itch.io

If you emailed us volunteering your time, thank you! We'll be responding to all those as early as possible next week, and you are so appreciated :) We're still looking for more: layout, branding, editorial illustrators, AND we've added to the list video/social media people.

Next week we have time booked in to go through all our unresponded pitches and subs. Everyone awaiting responses - please hold on til next Friday. If you want your submission to be considered in this first round, you have a few days to get it in. Our subs will still be open til Aug, so don't panic.

We have officially (as of yesterday) accepted three entire pitches! Still have a pile of maybes to sort through, but we have time to help you make your writing as good as it can be. We are actively looking for volunteers for: layout, branding, covers, editorial illustrations and proofreading.

Weekly reminder that we are still accepting pitches and submissions to Playtest Material. We can do other fun stuff too. Got an idea but don't have all the skills for it? Get in touch, maybe we can pair you up. Want to do something partial, experimental or serialised? Our inbox is open.

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 2mo ago

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Playtest Material Issue One: "An RPG Is Like..." SUBMISSION WINDOW: June 1-Aug 1

We are still accepting both pitches and submissions. If you want to pitch, please: 1) Explain in brief what your argument and methods are. 2) Explain how you feel it relates to the theme. 3) Let us know what kind of word count you envision.

Playtest Material Magazine@playtestmaterial.bsky.social · 2mo ago

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Playtest Material Issue One: "An RPG Is Like..." SUBMISSION WINDOW: June 1-Aug 1

Excited to already be getting so many pitches in, please don't worry if you have to wait a little bit for a definitive response!

Laurie O'Connel (is looking for ttrpg work (in Dublin))@laurieoc.bsky.social · 2mo ago

1) If your pitch is just a bad fit rn, I'll let you know immediately. 2) If it has legs and needs refining, I'll try to let you know soon so you can repitch. 3) If it's good - sorry, I might have to sit on it for a week or two to see what else is coming in. The whole thing has to work together.