ABOUT MICRO RPG
Micro RPG It is a one person indie small press publisher of solitaire role-playing games! My name is Noah Patterson and I am a queer and autistic designer who specializes in solitaire and cooperative tabletop role-playing games. My goal is to create simple and accessible tabletop games that can be played solo, co-op, or even in a traditional manner with a Game Master. As a genderqueer, nonbinary, autistic person, I try to make all of my games welcoming and inclusive for everyone who wishes to game with an open mind. This means my game books include inclusive language, pronouns, and stories about LGBTQ+ and autistic characters.
If you don't like this aspect of my company, or disagree with the ethics and ideals of being inclusive to everyone regardless of sexuality, gender, race, etc. please find a different game system, as there are many many systems out there for you. Just not this one.
If you ARE okay with these aspects of my company and the game system, WELCOME! I am happy to have you here!
If you don't like this aspect of my company, or disagree with the ethics and ideals of being inclusive to everyone regardless of sexuality, gender, race, etc. please find a different game system, as there are many many systems out there for you. Just not this one.
If you ARE okay with these aspects of my company and the game system, WELCOME! I am happy to have you here!
What is the Micro RPG System?
MICRO RPG (also known in past iterations as Micro Chapbook RPG) is an easy solo role-playing system that spans many genres. At its heart, it is a dungeon crawler. It uses randomized die rolls and tables to build the adventure as you play! However, more than a dungeon crawler with dice and tables, it is a personal storytelling game to help you live out your deepest heroic fantasies. The system is used for the Gay Realms world of books as well as many other genres including horror, gothic, sci-fi, science fantasy, and many more.
How Micro RPG Came to Be
The earliest iteration of Micro RPG, and the advent of the company, comes from early 2016 in a game titled The Dark West. It was a tiny book that I made mostly so that me, my brother, and my closest friend could play grim Italian Western style role playing sessions. That strange and distant game book used a deck of cards over dice to capture the "poker" aspect of the wild west. After our enjoyment of the game, I put the rules together in a very, very simplistic and bare bones booklet for sale on DriveThruRPG and Amazon print services . . . and quickly forgot about it.
I did various other tiny projects over the years, including a Sword and Sorcery Barbarian version of the game, as well as other little free roll and writes (such as One Page Dungeon), but mostly never thought it would amount to anything.
Then came 2020.
I did various other tiny projects over the years, including a Sword and Sorcery Barbarian version of the game, as well as other little free roll and writes (such as One Page Dungeon), but mostly never thought it would amount to anything.
Then came 2020.
Micro RPG During the Pandemic
Micro RPG as it is better recognized now began as a single page (printed on both sides) micro game that I created and gave away for free at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020. (Skeleton Cavern, which is pictured here, was one of the most popular one-page Miro RPG releases) At the time, I only asked customers to donate a dollar or two if they could spare it to help continue supporting new game releases, otherwise, they could have the game for free and just enjoy it during a difficult time when we were all locked down inside out homes.
Thankfully, the game system really skyrocketed in popularity due to its simplicity, ease of access, and ability to play the game solo. I realized I needed to keep up with the market and began putting out new single page adventures and micro expansions each week or so. The game has grown organically over time. I've tweaked it, updated it, and changed it many many times during its lifespan thus far.
Thankfully, the game system really skyrocketed in popularity due to its simplicity, ease of access, and ability to play the game solo. I realized I needed to keep up with the market and began putting out new single page adventures and micro expansions each week or so. The game has grown organically over time. I've tweaked it, updated it, and changed it many many times during its lifespan thus far.
Growth and Change of Micro RPG
You see, I didn't set out to be a full time game designer and game book writer. This was a side hobby next to my usual ghost writing I did for a larger indie mystery publisher. However, when the game started doing so well, and I realized I could make this my full-time job, I did.
Since than, Micro RPG has morphed and changed as I saw it needed updating, or I got new ideas or inspirations. This has been a sort of "two-steps forward, one step back" sort of journey as I've learned more about indie publishing, indie game design, and how to run a micro publisher in general.
As such, Micro RPG, while always popular, hasn't always been consistent. There is a TON of content out there for the system. So much so that there is probably a little something for every gamer out there. This also means Micro RPG can be a bit confusing/overwhelming for newcomers, can get too complex in some iterations and books, and was ultimately spread a little thin as I explored and learned more.
Since than, Micro RPG has morphed and changed as I saw it needed updating, or I got new ideas or inspirations. This has been a sort of "two-steps forward, one step back" sort of journey as I've learned more about indie publishing, indie game design, and how to run a micro publisher in general.
As such, Micro RPG, while always popular, hasn't always been consistent. There is a TON of content out there for the system. So much so that there is probably a little something for every gamer out there. This also means Micro RPG can be a bit confusing/overwhelming for newcomers, can get too complex in some iterations and books, and was ultimately spread a little thin as I explored and learned more.
Present and Future of Micro RPG
In Jan 2023, I realized I'd strayed a little off course, missing the "micro" part of Micro RPG. Determined to get back to the roots of the system, and to cultivate and care for my own passion for the system to prevent future burnout, I decided it was time to basically go back to the drawing board with a brand new version of the game. This is how Micro RPG-R came to be.
This new version set to be released in Q1 of 2023 feels like I'm making my first game book all over again . . . but with all the skill, knowledge, training, and talent I've gained from the past 8+ years of game design . . . and of myself as a designer.
Starting in 2023, Micro RPG-R will be the CORE VERSION of the Micro RPG system on which all other expansions and releases will be based. The first core rules booklet will be the standard fantasy setting so many have come to know and love in the Micro RPG world. Future releases will take the game into new genres and worlds.
Look for new releases each month, and stay up to date with all Micro RPG-R products by following along on my social media platforms.
This new version set to be released in Q1 of 2023 feels like I'm making my first game book all over again . . . but with all the skill, knowledge, training, and talent I've gained from the past 8+ years of game design . . . and of myself as a designer.
Starting in 2023, Micro RPG-R will be the CORE VERSION of the Micro RPG system on which all other expansions and releases will be based. The first core rules booklet will be the standard fantasy setting so many have come to know and love in the Micro RPG world. Future releases will take the game into new genres and worlds.
Look for new releases each month, and stay up to date with all Micro RPG-R products by following along on my social media platforms.
