Rolling for Wisdom: Navigating AI's Impact on Tabletop Gaming
Summary:
Industry leaders from design, publishing, and law gather for a civil, nuanced conversation about AI's impact on tabletop gaming — and how the community can shape what comes next.
Description:
What role should AI play in the games we design, publish, and love? Some see an existential threat to the artists and designers who make this industry what it is. Others see a tool that could expand creative possibility. Most fall in between, hungry for a conversation deeper than social media shouting.
This panel isn't here to settle the debate. We're here to do something harder: have an honest, respectful conversation about a genuinely difficult issue, in front of a community that cares deeply about the outcome.
Our goal is to set a tone. If we can show that people with different perspectives can sit at the same table, listen, and find common ground, we can lay the foundation for an industry initiative to develop humane best practices for how AI intersects with tabletop game creation.
Panelists: Elizabeth Hargrave, Steve Hobbs, Justin Gary, Christopher Burdett, & Brian Lewis
ADHD at the table isn’t a debuff — it’s a different build. The hosts of ADHd20 and The ADHDM share real strategies for thriving as ADHD players and GMs in TTRPGs.
Description:
You love TTRPGs. You also forgot your character sheet, missed the plot hook, hyperfocused on lore for three hours, and reorganized your dice instead of planning your turn. Sound familiar?
Matt Bivins and Alison Kendrick, creators of ADHd20 and tabletopsyturvy, join Skyler Oak, The ADHDM, to share practical strategies for playing and running TTRPGs with ADHD brains.
We’ll cover session prep that survives executive dysfunction, focus supports that don’t feel infantilizing, table norms that reduce shame, and ways to harness hyperfocus and impulsivity as strengths — not liabilities.
This is not clinical advice. It’s hard-won table wisdom from neurodivergent gamers who’ve spent years testing what actually works.
Presentation followed by open Q&A. Bring your own "you won't believe what my ADHD brain did mid-session" story.
No local group? No problem. Learn the secrets of successful virtual campaigns. Get tips on finding dedicated players and mastering the digital tools needed to keep your story running for years.
Description:
Can't find people to play your favorite tabletop role-playing game in person? Fear not, there are plenty of virtual options! Mike and Amber take you through how they've been running their campaign for the past several years, including tricks and tips to get you started, ensure you can find new players, and keep them coming back year-after-year.
One of the hardest parts of writing is producing a unique character voice. Finding that voice can be harder. Our panelists discuss how you can accomplish this and what you should you avoid.
Description:
Featuring: Erin M. Evans, Gini Koch, Gregory A. Wilson, Katherine Monasterio
In this introduction to outlining, we’ll talk about all the pros and cons to the ones your know and love, why they’re important to have and the myths about pantsers and plotters.
Description:
Featuring: Christopher D. Schmitz, Danni Williams, Jordan S. Andrew