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The most overlooked part of editing is making information easier to process. It should be a high priority for mechanics, layout, and writing.
Wanna learn how to do this? Good. It's thread time.
Wanna learn how to do this? Good. It's thread time.
1 WHY?
1.1 It's an accessibility issue. Many neurodivergences make it hard to read a ttrpg book.
1.2 It's a barrier-to-entry for new players, which means it's also a marketing issue.
1.3 Why not just make your game better and easier for everyone?
1.1 It's an accessibility issue. Many neurodivergences make it hard to read a ttrpg book.
1.2 It's a barrier-to-entry for new players, which means it's also a marketing issue.
1.3 Why not just make your game better and easier for everyone?
2 HOW?
2.1 Group rules separately from lore.
2.2 Streamline and simplify rules where you can. This includes using simpler words for non-native speakers and others.
2.3 Improve referencing by numbering and titling pages/sections, turning bullet points into numbered lists.
2.1 Group rules separately from lore.
2.2 Streamline and simplify rules where you can. This includes using simpler words for non-native speakers and others.
2.3 Improve referencing by numbering and titling pages/sections, turning bullet points into numbered lists.
2.4 Add an index and a glossary.
2.5 Provide an example of play as a separate document, and/or as blockquotes nearby (be sparing).
2.6 Identify complex rules and address their complications in footnotes (these are also a good case for a blockquoted example of play).
2.5 Provide an example of play as a separate document, and/or as blockquotes nearby (be sparing).
2.6 Identify complex rules and address their complications in footnotes (these are also a good case for a blockquoted example of play).
2.7 Use full words rather than acronyms/shortenings where possible. Expand in brackets a shortening in the first place it appears. I promise stats don't need to be three letters long.
2.8 Provide a separate reference sheet that covers basic rules (like board game action cards)
2.8 Provide a separate reference sheet that covers basic rules (like board game action cards)
2.9 Remember the usual accessibility stuff: check text for legibility, contrast, colour blindness, dyslexia/dyscalculia, etc.
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It can be worth skipping some of the layout suggestions for smaller projects. Use your judgement as to what applies.
Anyway, hope this helps.
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It can be worth skipping some of the layout suggestions for smaller projects. Use your judgement as to what applies.
Anyway, hope this helps.
With apologies to whoever expressed interest in reading this when I said I was writing it days and/or weeks ago. I think it was @jaceaddax?
