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Salutations, friends!

This week, I’ve stumbled upon a recent report based on a publication from the Market Research Community focused on the Tabletop RPG market, and wanted to talk about it.

Most of the stuff in the report is already eye-witness by anyone who pays enough attention in the space, but there are a few things of interest worth highlighting. These findings are a result of intensive market research, which may serve to support or reinforce our understanding of where the space is in 2025. Enjoy!

More agile, community engaged, and unrestrained by corporate or market pressures, the indie TTRPG creator space continues to be an unshackled trove for new ideas, modes of story-telling, mechanics experimentation, and design elements.

As TTRPGs become even more widely accepted amongst a casual audience, actual-play podcasts have dominated their media representation, and the appeal for telling epic stories spreads, newer games have focused on streamlined/lighter rules in favor of bolstering mechanics that allow for better roleplaying, story prompts, improvisation, and a “rulings over rules” approach.

Not only have crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Backerkit, and Crowdfundr allowed a large assortment of cutting-edge game projects to become funded, but crowdfunding has also allowed indie creators to test the market demand for niche ideas that would otherwise fail under the bureaucracy of a large publisher.

With tariffs causing massive shifts in cost and availability of materials, and disruptions in the supply chain, many established companies have endured a strain on resources which have driven many to embrace changes in their distribution: direct download PDFs, platforms such as Itch.io, DriveThruRPG, Indie Press Revolution, Exaulted Funeral, etc., increased development and resources in VTT/online play space, and a marked increase in print-on-demand services.

In a time of growing hostility against marginalized segments of the population, the TTRPG community remains a bulwark. The continued focus on diverse representation and accessibility design choices in larger publications is reflective of outspoken advocacy. This enduring cultural core imagines a better world and play experience for everyone at the table.

Frankly, I’m not quiet about my anti gen-AI stance. … As such, the report highlights an increase in the number and use of AI tools, such as “GM Assistants”, NPC dialogue fillers, and even tools for generating whole content for RPG campaigns. While these aren’t directly associated with creator projects or the publishing of games, these continue to have residual effects on the discourse about AI.

While the report is based upon a larger publication (which costs thousands of dollars to get ones hands on), its important to highlight just how much the indie TTRPG scene is shaping how and what we play, as well as the response to forces affecting the community as a whole.

Do you feel I missed anything? Do you have thoughts about indie TTRPG scene in 2025? Please submit a comment below! … Now,… onto another super brief round-up.

NEXT WEEK, we return to the full round-up format!! Thank you for being with me as I continue to experiment with Dungeon Delves delivery. Also, YOUR feedback shapes the newsletter, so please reach out with your comments, likes, and dislikes!

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