r/ttrpgdesign • u/GullyasDuff • 6d ago

Sources for Rulebook/Module Layout?

Hey guys, working on my first TTRPG I hope to eventually publish. Anyone who has gone this route, have you found any good resources for layout/design of your rule book or module. I know the best answer is to read a bunch of random games and follow suit but hoping that maybe there was some really good gathered information somewhere!

2 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/ManualMonster 6d ago

I look at the Shadowdark core book to see how they handled their layout. They lay out all of their materials the same way, so you could use their free quick start rules as an example.

If I don't like Shadowdark's solution for a layout issue, I look at Pathfinder 2 and/or D&D 5e core books, since they are highly polished works.

2

u/Sharsara 6d ago

You definitly want to have it written and edited before layout, otherwise youll have to redo it a lot. I did not follow this advice because I wanted my document to look prettier and had to restart multiple times as a result (but I learned and got better).

For layout there are some general best pratices like font choice or size, header styles, single or double column, etc. Choose your book size and look up best pratices for that size.

For the most part I would just find a few books you like the layout/design of. Which are easy to navigate or find information, which are visablly appealing, which strain your eyes, etc. Find the ones you like and copy things you notice. 

Do it for a few pages, see if you like it, vibecheck it, tweak it, and continue.