Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterCreating Monsters: The Three Ingredients of Great BestiariesMonster as actor, monster as story, monster as art piece12 min read·Dec 8, 2023--7--7
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterThe Art of Mystery in RPGsFive principles for better investigation adventures9 min read·Nov 14, 2023--7--7
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterWorlds Live Between Story and GenreHow audiences suspend their disbelief7 min read·Oct 27, 2023--1--1
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterHow Zine Quest Could Remake the Tabletop RPG LandscapeInsights from food trucks and Kickstarter data10 min read·Oct 20, 2023--1--1
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterThe One Hard Rule for Creating Good RPG CharactersThe what, why, and how of character motivations7 min read·Oct 9, 2023--5--5
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterTabletop RPGs Have a Design Debt to PayHow bad design haunts us6 min read·Oct 1, 2023--7--7
Sam HolloninThe Ugly Monster3 Better Ways to Roll Ability Scores in D&DRandomness doesn’t have to be unbalanced5 min read·Sep 18, 2023--1--1
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterWorldbuilding at the IntersectionsHow interacting perspectives draw us in16 min read·Sep 7, 2023--16--16
Sam HolloninThe Ugly MonsterThe Most Overlooked Rules in D&D: Why the Dungeon Master SurvivesGame design, power dynamics, and culture at the gaming table.20 min read·Sep 16, 2022--1--1
Sam HolloninUX CollectiveTabletop game UX: 6 types of damage mechanicsMapping how damage mechanics shape a game’s focus and play experience16 min read·Sep 7, 2022----