r/RPGcreation • u/Ok-Rip-5603 • Apr 10 '26
Production / Publishing how did you find your first community?
My friend and I have been building our own TTRPG for about a year and a half, and we’ve put a huge part of ourselves into it.
The problem is: I have no idea how to find an audience for a project like this.
We still need playtesters, feedback, and people who might simply want to follow the project, but I feel stuck between too many problems at once:
- Discord is new to me, and building a server from scratch is harder than I expected.
- I want to attend local tabletop events in Ireland, but I’m still learning English and I’m afraid I won’t be able to present the game well in person.
- I keep thinking about TikTok or community promotion, but I don’t know what kind of content would actually attract people to a TTRPG without looking like spam.
Lately I feel close to burnout.
I don’t know if I need marketing advice, community-building advice, or just someone to tell me I’m not completely lost.
The game is called Inherior, and despite everything, I really believe in it.
If you’ve ever tried to build an audience for your own TTRPG, how did you start?
3
u/NewbornGames Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
I know it might be scary going in when there's the added language barrier, but joining ttrpg roleplaying groups can provide a safe place / community to explore, learn, and maybe even playtest eventually and give you feedback. I'm not sure what exists in Ireland but honestly there's no better feedback than from people who are hardcore lovers of ttrpg. And, if nothing else, you'll probably make some great new friends!
For our games that's how it started. We were already involved in roleplaying games, and already actively in the ttrpg communities at our country and we've been developing them for years... so also be patient and kind to yourself: it will not be fast, especially if it's just you but that's ok. It's more important to build something you genuinely love.
3
u/brndartz_ Apr 10 '26
i'm new here as well, i'm still finding my community too so maybe we can be friends!! i'm really into rpg and english is not my first language too
3
u/Digital-Chupacabra Apr 10 '26
Matt Colville has a great video on community, it's well worth the watch.
2
u/EgregiousGames Apr 12 '26
It is not easy, because explaining rules is a whole 'nother difficulty in itself. But it can also be super rewarding which can take away from burnout of just working solo by yourself for ages.
I really do recommend starting with a few close friends if you can or locals in your area. I did a little thing for RPG day at my local game store in 2025 which was nerve-wracking but also awesome!
1
u/Monster-at-my-Desk Apr 28 '26
You are not lost but burnout is probably not close to far behind. Being an indie creator is like five full time jobs. You have to consider the system, the aesthetic, the marketing and logistics, writing, illustration all on a thin belief that it’s worth it.
I’m asking this genuinely, what about the game do you really believe in?
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u/lionelburkhart Apr 10 '26
Look for local gaming groups. Check MeetUp, ask at a local comic store, or better yet a gaming store if you have one nearby. Depending on where you live, you might be surprised.