Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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Dr. Ben discusses Crispy Edge, Soft Middle Design for TTRPGs (Episode #135). #dnd #pathfinder #ttrpg #wfrp

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:47 Crispy Edge, Soft Middle
03:19 Canonical Examples
06:20 Design Anatomy
07:41 Benefits: Why Codifying Matters
12:32 Criticisms & Objections
17:00 Designing CE/SM Mechanics
21:47 When NOT to use this Approach
22:55 Thoughts?
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Music and Sounds:
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Music: creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0
epidemicsound.com/track/c0X3Z8H8uZ
epidemicsound.com/track/yCvSWOBYUe
Music: creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0
epidemicsound.com/track/bWHPOsoaql
epidemicsound.com/track/uDAHxg3lIS
epidemicsound.com/track/e3mQvva1kZ
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epidemicsound.com/track/jrNZjxJQqZ
epidemicsound.com/track/c0X3Z8H8uZ
epidemicsound.com/sound-effects/tracks/8c51eca6-dbb5-4925-b4ec-7ee51630322e

Sources & Further Reading (selected)
Hunicke, LeBlanc, Zubek. “MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design & Game Research.” (2004). cs.northwestern.edu
Salen & Zimmerman. Rules of Play (MIT Press). (2004). gamifique.files.wordpress.com
Juul, Jesper. Half-Real (MIT Press). (2005). MIT Press
Sicart, Miguel. Play Matters (MIT Press). (2014). (Book page + review). MIT Pressgamestudies.org
Apocalypse World / Dungeon World SRD references on move results & GM moves. Dungeon World SRD+1
Blades in the Dark Player Kit (position/effect, consequences, clocks). Blades in the Dark
Fate Core: Invoking & Compelling Aspects; official cheat sheet. fate-srd.comEvil Hat Productions
GUMSHOE: “You always get the core clues.” Pelgrane Press Ltd
OSR: Matt Finch, A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming; critiques/expansions. Friend or Foegoblinpunch.blogspot.com
Fortune in the Middle (The Forge glossary & discussions). indie-rpgs.com+1
5e Basic Rules (D&D Beyond, “Adjudicate the Rules”). D&D Beyond