TTRPG Community Interview with Stuart of Haunted Picnic
Hey there and welcome to another TTRPG Community interview! These are low key, prewritten interviews which are available to fill out on this page. If you are a part of the TTRPG space in almost any way at all, there should be something for you!
Today, we're hearing from Stuart, a TTRPG Writer/Creator from Australia!
Please introduce yourself and the content you create!
Hi My name is Stuart H or Haunted Picnic on Itch. I make minimalist, scary and absurd ttrpgs where the focus is on the experience and less the mechanical nitty gritty.
How did you get started making TTRPG content? What motivated you to begin?
After I played D&D for the first time I found myself trying other systems and it was Monster of the Week that really opened my eyes to what a ttrpg could be. It doesn't have to be crunchy, rules heavy and can have mechanics that actually affect the narrative instead of the technical outcomes. That style of narrative impact beyond Players basic actions and actually binding that to the system itself really inspired me to create those same sandboxes or settings for Players to feel silly or scared.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Movies primarily~! Though artists too are really great because you'll come across some artwork and think "My god, that thing has to exist in a space where it moves, interacts with people"
What was the first thing you ever made? Are you still proud of it?
It was like sumo wrestling; push someone out of a ring, but also jousting with centaurs. I don't think it technically worked though I enjoyed the concept but I'd say I'm proud that I did it but of the final product compared to my work no haha maybe not so much.
What's your favourite TTRPG system to create content for?
MORK BORG
What motivates you to create content for this system specifically?
MORK BORG felt like a kindred spirit system to my own ethos for games and it just came out of the gate saying, heavy metal, brutal gameplay, here's some places and things no GO! And I love that hit the ground running style. There's a freedom to create anything but the strength of the atmosphere and aesthetic still gives you those guidelines to help inspire you.
What other TTRPG systems do you enjoy playing?
PbtA, D&D, Caltrop Core, Bad Time System
AI has proved to have a huge impact on the TTRPG community. As succinctly as possible, what is your general opinion on the use of AI for writing/content creation?
If its used as a prompt, more like a name generator (which I'm sure many have used; I know I have) to push someone towards an idea then I think that's fine. Inspiration wise! But if AI is used exclusively to fabricate a story or an image and the credit or ownership of that story/image is attributed to the "user" of the AI then I think that's wrong.
What's the next project people will see from you?
Some horror based systems and games + some more quick and easy stylised games.
Of all of the things you've created, which one is your personal favourite?
DRAIN THRESHOLD was a real milestone for me in terms of graphic design, layout and presenting information in a fun way that I and hope others enjoy! It was also real "Easy" to make as in I found myself churning through pages without getting to stumped or dissatisfied which haha is somewhat rare!
Tell us about your process when creating. Do you have any tips or tricks for other creators in the same space as you?
For me, short attention span, I find sometimes I will just create a tiny small thing, even an image if I find writers block or get stumped. I find this helps get rid of the blockage or at least soothe my mind haha. That and nothings wasted. A silly little drawing you do improves your skills and may become an icon later so don't feel like anything you do is useless or pointless.
Shout out a fellow creator! Who in the TTRPG community inspires you? Why do you admire them/their work? Please provide a link to their website/social media.
HatchlingDM is someone whose been around Twitter for a long time it seems and as someone whose only entered the ttrpg community/space about 3 years ago I'm just so impressed how they orchestrate themselves, their values and products. Everything is clear, concise and kind which I really admire.
Which subject do you wish you knew more about?
Quantum Mechanics
What is the worst gift you have ever received?
Brown Stockings
Would you rather own a horse the size of a cat or a cat the size of a horse?
Cat sized horse~!
Where should folks go to find out more about you, and/or check out your content?
Twitter and Itch & Youtube (Eventually).
Disclaimer: The information and answers contained in the interview posted above represents the views and opinions of the interviewee only and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of myself (gothHoblin). The appearance of an interview on this website does not constitute an endorsement of the interviewee or their statements.
