Dr. Martin Buinicki, English professor and Richard P. Baepler Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, has released the book “Designing TTRPGs for Dummies.”
The book is part of Wiley’s “for Dummies” series.
Over the course of the book, Buinicki gives veteran players and newcomers a guide on how to get into the hobby and create epic adventures with tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs).
With the prominence of TTRPGs in popular media, the industry has been projected to see 13% growth per year through 2028, reaching $40 billion in revenue and attracting countless new players.
“One of the hurdles is this idea that the rules are very complex,” Buinicki said in a press release. “I hope that one of the things my book might do is, by explaining how the rules work, you can realize that they’re not really that complicated, and that there are hundreds of games now with all kinds of rulesets.”
Chapters in the book cover topics ranging from worldbuilding to specific mechanics, with advice on how to select an appropriate genre for a setting, rule systems for combat and crafting a compelling story. Those wanting to share their creations with a broader audience can also find guidance on how to format their story for publication and the steps needed to see their work in print.
A lifelong enjoyer of pen-and-paper adventures, Buinicki began playing tabletop games with early editions of Dungeons and Dragons. He is currently the lead writer for TTRPG company Gaming Honors. Since 2022, he has taught RPG writing at Valparaiso University.
“The voice that I use in my classroom is pretty much the voice I use in this book,” Buinicki said. “It’s supposed to be engaging and encouraging, and when you’re preparing for a class, you want to think about how to get your students to get from one point to another. This book was a great opportunity for me to do that chapter by chapter.”
Buinicki has helped introduce the learning potential of gaming across Valparaiso University’s campus. The Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment opened in February 2025, as a space to explore video games, board games, TTRPGs and streaming. Buinicki has also developed the university’s relationship with Goodman Games, a TTRPG publisher that has brought multiple Valpo students on as interns.
