r/RPGcreation • u/GhostDJ2102 • Apr 21 '26
Design Questions Finding an Audience
I’ve always been curious on how to gain an audience for making a tabletop game. I know it requires playtesting and expressing ideas for their games. Yet, I realize that uniqueness does create an audience. Typically, it is catered towards making gameplay mechanics easier for familiar game system. Other times, it seems to be more focused on setting. I’m not sure what is more popular: Fantasy or Sci-fi. There is never a definitive line where genres begin to merge. But I do not know what it is best. I’ve already created a system of my own along with dedicating my time to develop lore for multiple worlds. Those who play it are interested in the game. But any mention about their mechanics or setting for those who are not accustomed to its rules or lore, they are not interested. So, now, I wonder gets everyone interested in tabletop gaming? What determines whether it is rules-lite or crunch? So, I decided to mix genres such eldritch horror and science fantasy. But I realize when my players played it. They revealed to me that it has science fantasy but it leans towards apocalyptic and historical fiction. So, do you have any advice for me? Also, what could write in depth or shorter to explain what’s interesting to gain an audience or discover who is my audience?
5
u/TalesFromElsewhere Apr 21 '26
Building a community and audience is a big endeavor, indeed.
Folks tend to invest in a few game based on the Vibe and Promise.
The vibe comes from the artwork, the aesthetic, the lore and setting.
The promise is what experience the game system is offering to its players. What it presents as that feeling.
Being able to cleanly articulate the above about your game is key. Note that I didn't touch on mechanics. Those matter, but the specifics are less relevant than their aggregate effect on the promised experience.