Course Description

In this class, students will learn how to design and publish materials for TTRPGs (Tabletop Roleplaying Games) digitally! Not only will they get to learn and practice their skills at playing and running these games, but also creating original content for them at a professional level with a variety of fun tools. By the end of class, each student will have their very own monster, module, or even TTRPG system in a digitally publishable format that they can bring to the online TTRPG community. You’ll get to flex your creative writing muscles, learn game design concepts, dive into digital programs like Word and graphic design sites, and develop your editing abilities as well. The gameplay side of things will also let you practice your acting and creative thinking with the people around you! You’ll need a laptop or tablet, but otherwise materials will be provided.

This class will mix a lot of styles of teaching to match the many styles of learning students will bring into the classroom. We'll have a little bit of lecture on game design and writing, and plenty of time to work solo or with others on your projects and other exciting activities as well. Some days of class, we'll also be joining up with the Adventurer's Guild (and our students there will become the teachers, as you run games for the younger students)! At the end of the course, we'll also have a family play day where you can all wow your loved ones with the awesome adventures you've designed. No tabletop experience, dice, etc. are required: this is a space where all are welcome, and where you’ll have a strong community to lean on when you need help. Come join me, fellow adventurers, on the writing journey of a lifetime!

Essential Questions

  • How do creators create, design, and publish TTRPG materials online?
  • How do role playing game designers do their work? What might I do in my own game?
  • What makes TTRPG materials fun, engaging, and cool? What resources (historical, literary, scientific, philosophical, etc ) might we draw on to do so, and how do we see how others will respond to them?

Other Information

  • Students will be required to bring a laptop or similar device. The Robinson Center can provide a device if your student does not have access.

Who Should Apply

  • Students currently in 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th grade

Week Overview

Date Theme/Topic 
Week 1 Set Up: Discussing TTRPG genres & composition, as well as how to run and manage a TTRPG game. 
Week 2 Running & Writing Games: Beginning drafting their projects, discussing writing for games. Likely to crossover to Adventurer’s Guild a few days of this week.
Week 3                                        Desktop Publishing & DM Acting: Learning tools needed for formatting (Canva, mapmakers, Word, .pdf editors, etc.); continuing work on project development, including playtesting. Likely to do improv activities; possible crossover with Adventurer's Guild.
Week 4 Final touches: Copyediting, final playtests, and a family play day to close everything out!

Instructors

  • Remy Sumida-Tate

Details

Cost

  • $1450
    • $1400 (tuition)
    • $50 (registration fee)

Time

9am - 2:30pm

Location

  • University of Washington Seattle Campus
  • Building and Room TBD

Date

  • June 30th- July 23rd, 2026
  • Monday - Thursday
    • First Class is on a Tuesday

Refund and Transfer Deadlines

  • Full tuition refund: April 10th
  • 50% tuition refund: April 11th-May 8th
  • No refund: after May 8th