A Real Talk from the Ground Floor of the TTRPG Creator World.

Passion Isn’t a luxury, it’s the Fuel I’ve run seven or eight sessions at conventions just for a $30 badge. I’ve paid my own way into cons and volunteered to run six games, some of them completely off-the-cuff. Why? Because I love this hobby. Because helping players tell stories is what I live for. Not everything I do is tied to a monetization funnel, and that’s okay.

When you’re truly passionate about this stuff, you don’t need a castle, a fancy hotel, or 21K subscribers. You just need a table, a few players, and some dice.

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.

It’s okay to say, “No,” but don’t make a whole video about it.

If a paid gig isn’t right for you, that’s totally fine. But turning that “no” into a sympathy-fishing episode while still benefiting from the publicity of having been there? That’s where it starts to feel disingenuous.

I get it. Being a full-time content creator is hard. It’s your full time job. It’s your living.

But try explaining burnout to the thousands of folks in this hobby who’ve never once been paid to run a game, and never will. Folks like me, who have mounting bills and would love to get flown out somewhere to share their love of TTRPGs.

The Real Work Happens in the Trenches

Bob’s response to my YouTube comment was polite enough. He reminded me it’s his full-time job and said skipping pay would be like telling his boss he doesn’t need a paycheck. Sure. Fair. But let’s be honest: many of us are doing this exact kind of work for free all the time.

Let me quote my own comment:

“I don’t know Da Ropp. I have a tiny YouTube channel myself. Doubt any of y’all would care. But I’m here to tell you if someone offers me a free hotel room, a con badge, AND travel? When and how many sessions of what?”

That’s not bitterness. That’s hunger. That’s drive. That’s doing the damn work because it’s in your blood.

Let’s Bring the Fun Back

One thing I find frustrating is that a lot of DungeonTuber videos only show up when there’s a controversy or a product launch. I miss the days when people made content just because they had something cool to share.

If you’re getting paid, awesome. If you’re struggling, I see you. But please—remember what brought you to this hobby in the first place. Remember the joy. The stories. The laughter around the table. Let’s bring some of that back.

Final Thoughts

This post isn’t meant to be a takedown. It’s not a callout. It’s a shout upward from the bottom rungs of the creator ladder. I’m not bitter. I’m motivated. I’m building something real down here, and I’d love it if more of the big names remembered how they got started.

This hobby is magical. It should stay that way. No castles required.

Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.