🍼Sharing Memories with Your Daughter
On creating a game about self-reflection and fatherhood
With this post, I’m introducing a new section in Save Point called Save Point Press, where I’ll share the backstories of the tabletop RPGs released under this imprint, along with some design insights. These posts will be written in English, while most of the other content on Save Point will remain in Spanish.
Over the past few months, I've been immersing myself in independent role-playing games. Titles like Alice is Missing, A Quiet Year, and Brindlewood Bay have not only introduced me to fresh ideas but also brought me a sense of joy and warmth. This inspired me to create my own game, though I kept postponing it due to other creative projects and work commitments. Recently, however, two events aligned perfectly: the One-Page TTRPG Jam began, and Exeunt Press released an excellent guide on creating a One-Page TTRPG. With the timing just right and some projects already wrapped up, I had no more excuses.
👨🏽🍼 A Game About Fatherhood
When people learn you’re expecting a baby, they love to offer advice. One common suggestion is, "You should write her a letter." While I liked the idea and enjoy writing, I wanted to do something different—a game seemed like an interesting approach. But how do you create a game about fatherhood?
Role-playing games are fantastic because they can be about anything. If Brindlewood Bay can be about a group of elderly women solving mysteries in a Cthulhu-like setting, why not make one about fatherhood? I also wanted the game to be deeply personal, allowing each player to have a unique experience based on their own background and life story.
That’s how So You Are Going to Be a Girl Dad came to life. It’s a solo journaling game where you write short messages or anecdotes to your future daughter, drawing from your own experiences. Depending on your dice rolls and life events, some entries might be powerful messages, while others could be simple, humorous anecdotes. Initially, I considered offering choices for some prompts, but due to space constraints (everything had to fit on two pages), I set that idea aside.
✍🏽 Solo Journaling as Self-Reflection
Journaling is a popular genre, especially for solo games. These games prompt you to write—whether on paper or in a word processor—based on tables or dice rolls. This process encourages you to reflect before putting your thoughts down, which is exactly the goal of this game: to put you in the mindset of a father who’s about to welcome a baby girl. Although the target audience is specific, the game can also be enjoyed by others who want to explore the experience of expecting a daughter. Some prompts in the game delve into topics like sexism and relationships with others, offering a chance for deep reflection.
The game can be played in a single sitting, usually under 60 minutes, though it varies depending on your dice rolls—mirroring how pregnancies don’t always go as planned. Another key aspect is that, as a solo game, you choose whether or not to share what you’ve written. The game suggests saving your entries to share with your daughter later in life, but ultimately, it serves as a private space for self-reflection.
🧭 Starting Small with a Well-Crafted Guide
A one-page TTRPG is an excellent way to dip your toes into game design. You can quickly prototype an idea and have something ready for testing in an afternoon. Participating in a game jam is also a fantastic way to share your work, receive feedback, and learn from others.
The “Make Your Own One-Page RPG” guide from Exeunt Press is the best resource for anyone looking to create a one-page TTRPG. It’s well-organized, covering everything from concept to layout, making it easy to turn your idea into something tangible. For the illustrations and layout of my game, I collaborated with Karoline Jimenez, whose style I knew would be a perfect fit. Her contributions gave the game the warmth I was aiming for.
So, if you’ve been toying with a quirky idea for a role-playing game, or just want to try your hand at TTRPG design, start small and check out Exeunt Press’s guide.
You can download So You Are Going to Be a Girl Dad for free on Itch.io.