Season: RPG – GM as Designer with Justin Alexander
RPGSeries
In this episode of the RPG series, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Justin Alexander , a renowned game designer and thought leader in tabletop RPGs. Known for his influential essays and innovative GM techniques, Justin shares insights into the role of the Game Master as designer. They dive into how GMs can connect narrative ideas to mechanics, the philosophies behind crafting memorable RPG experiences, and the challenges new GMs often face. Whether you’re building worlds or running them, this episode offers practical tools and deep design wisdom.
Episode Outline
0:00 Beginning of Show
0:50 End of Intro
12:00 Introductions/an overview of Justin as a Game Designer and DM
18:00 How to connect thoughts and concepts to the mechanics of the game as a DM
33:00 Justin’s characteristics and philosophies for making a great RPG
45:00 Designing with the understanding that there is an interpretive layer with the facilitator
58:00 The cracks and uncertainties many new DMs face when learning how to properly manage a game
1:01:00 Advice for Listeners
1:02:00 Outro
1:02:00 End of Show
In this Episode
Justin Alexander - thealexandrian.net
