I’ve been watching solo plays and it got me thinking.

Somewhere in my BRP Design Challenge entry there’s got to be a chapter on solo play options. The way this game is coming together in my head there will be plenty of options for generating a hexcrawl and lots of possibilities for ruins or random “dungeons” to explore. I can build a simple oracle off of percentile dice. It’s me, so there were already going to be some random tables for creatures, hazards, etc. (d12 style. Sorry, Chaosium. This is my exception.)

A random hexcrawl generator seems like a good option regardless with the way my game is coming together. I don’t have a set-in-stone world map as much as key set encounters that the players may or may not run into. I’m using a map of North America with all of the names removed as my test map. Obviously there’s no real Earth history or demographics in my game, just borrowing the map.

Why Solo gaming?

I wrote about solo roleplaying in this article clear back in 2022. Solo TTRPGs have become even more prevalent since then. I recently discovered several YouTube channels devoted to solo gaming and even more products on DriveThruRPG than ever.

I think the stigma of solo roleplay has finally come to pass. What used to be considered nonsense or taboo is now becoming a standard among some of us. I see it a lot in the OSR settings more than with more popular games. I think we’ve all gotten over the notion that one must absolutely have to find a group in order to roleplay properly.

Who can really blame us for wanting to go solo?

I will shamelessly admit that I love solo TTRPG gameplay and have for many years. My games have changed over the years, but I’ve remained a big fan. I hope more people will come out of that closet and admit it, too.

Why is it getting more popular, though? My guess is there are multiple reasons. First, it’s a good, quiet downtime activity where no one will judge, argue, flip the table or criticize your decisions. It’s a good way to unplug for a few minutes or a few hours. Some of us have been ousted from more popular game groups and this is our last resort. (Some of us who “can’t leave fast enough for the hobby” I suspect are in this category.) Then there’s the ever-present scheduling conflicts with a group. Last, it allows some of us to stay away from other people.

Solo gaming is better for me personally than gaming with a group for a number of reasons. I have Social Anxiety Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, probably undiagnosed Autism, and Chronic Pain Disorder. I just generally don’t do well on teams or with small groups. (*Hey, don’t judge.) There are a lot of times when I’m just really uncomfortable around the human race and video games just don’t scratch that particular gaming itch.

I’m also a Cishet Caucasian Male over the age of 50, (presumed heterosexual.) How do I say this without pissing a bunch of people off? I think there are going to be a fair number of gaming tables where I’m just not going to feel terribly welcome these days. That’s not intended as disrespect to anyone, I just accept it as a reality our hobby is headed into. (*I can talk more about that in a separate article.) I’m fine not being everyone’s cup of tea, not that I ever was to begin with.

Oh, and if you think I’m exaggerating how bad things can get in general, look on Reddit under almost any of the TTRPG forums, especially r/rpghorrorstories. There’s a reason I don’t mention Reddit on here very often. No matter how bad X (Twitter) might be, Reddit is far more toxic for TTRPG fans.

Disclaimer: Statements expressed in this article are strictly my opinion. If you disagree or have a different opinion, that’s okay. I’m not an expert on everything. I’m not always right. I’m just writing from my experience as I know it. Your mileage may vary.

Some hidden benefits of solo gameplay.

I heard someone today compare solo TTRPG gameplay and journaling to be comparable to meditation. We all know I love meditation. I love TTRPGs. Match made in heaven as far as I’m concerned.

Another benefit of solo gameplay is embracing as many or as few rules as you’d like. Basic RolePlaying: The Universal Engine tends to be a tad bit rules intensive. (*Review coming eventually.) However, it can be stripped down any number of ways to create an immersive solo experience. The way I’m working it into my game concept is going to be as more of a resource management and exploration game. I may still test some combat solo, too.

Can you tell I’m excited?

Another thing that was mentioned about solo roleplay during a couple of the videos I watched today was you can’t get it wrong. I you get sidetracked and read the lore section of the rulebook for three hours, you’ve still enjoyed your solo roleplay time. If you fight out a complex battle with minis on a grid map, it’s just as valid. There’s not going to be anyone telling you, “You’re roleplaying it all wrong.”

Solo play is practically therapeutic at times. Not to mention all of the great stories to be told if you like journaling or write fiction based on your solo character. Best believe some of my BRP Design Challenge fiction is coming from my solo endeavours. Not to mention it is very relaxing because there are no screens, computer, or other people to get in the way of a good time.

Yes, solo gameplay will probably be in part of the pitch to the judges.

I think it will sound reasonable to pitch solo gameplay as a potential selling point. It might change up the dynamics of the game a bit, but it will allow players to continue to explore without a group present. It’s also going to test my skills as a designer coming up with an oracle and enough attractions to explore without giving away all the world’s secrets. I want some things to remain mysterious and magical to solo players and for GMs to fill in on their own.

I can think of few better ways to spend a couple of hours on Sunday night after the kids go to bed and the blog is done for the day. I could watch a movie or play a video game, but those things don’t engage my mind the same way a TTRPG does. I’m practically banking on the fact that I’m not alone in this. I’m planning to offer a fun mental experience to fill those quiet hours.

Thank you for being here today with me. I appreciate you. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy.