by Luka Brave
Part of the mission of indie TTRPG volunteer network Chimera Hearts is to make TTRPGs more accessible. Reducing the barrier of entry to get into new games opens up the possibilities of the tabletop roleplay hobby. Reading and playing new games helps the hobby be diverse, thriving, and supportive of independent creators. But the barrier of sitting down to read rulebooks in order to learn new games can often stop folks from branching out.
Long rulebooks often stop me from checking out new games as someone with reading and visual disabilities. Many others with busy lives are prevented by a lack of time to read new games.
Being able to listen to a TTRPG rulebook in audiobook format would solve these problems. It would also open up the hobby to more blind and low-vision players. With new initiatives like the DOTS Braille RPG Dice project, our hobby is becoming more welcoming to our disabled siblings. Accommodating disabilities not only enriches our community, but it also helps those without disability barriers. A TTRPG audiobook would allow you to learn new games while washing the dishes, walking the dog, or driving to work!
Making TTRPGs more accessible has been a large focus of my work with Chimera Hearts, leading to the Accessible Rulebook Checklist and this project, TTRPG Audiobooks for Accessibility.
The Audiobook Project
The TTRPG Audiobooks for Accessibility project is being spearheaded by:
- Luka Brave (he/they) – Project Lead
- Daniel Copper (he/they) – Team Lead
- A. A. Voigt (he/him) – Team Lead
- Mya (she/they) – Consultant
- Mya Worrell (they/them) – Volunteer Narrator
Our main goal is to encourage indie TTRPG designers to offer audiobook versions of their games to increase accessibility, engagement, and reach!
If you want to be involved with the project as a designer or volunteer narrator, want to submit your audiobook for inclusion on this page, or have questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to Luka at luka@psychhound.com or come speak with our team on the Chimera Hearts Discord server.
Resources
Daniel has created a document outlining step-by-step advice on how to record, edit, and export your own TTRPG audiobook.
You can find the audiobook advice document on Google Docs here.
TTRPGs With Audiobooks
Below is a list of indie TTRPGs with audiobook versions available. All entries are listed here with permission from the designers.
If you want your indie TTRPG audiobook to be included on this list, please reach out to luka@psychhound.com
- Anamnesis by Blinking Birch Games
- Anyone Can Wear the Mask by Jeff Stormer
- Death of the Author by Blinking Birch Games
- Here We Used to Fly by A Smouldering Lighthouse
- Nibiru by Araukana Media
- Not Yet: A Romantic Duet TTRPG by Taylor Navarro
- Serial Homicide Unit by Kat Miller [Serial Homicide Unit on DriveThru]
- Sock Puppets by A Smouldering Lighthouse
- The Sticker Game by Cassi Mothwin
- This Spells Trouble by A Smouldering Lighthouse
- With Breath & Sword by Psychhound
- your cool city needs a food supply by A. A. Voigt
- Zephyr by Araukana Media
For audiobooks of mainstream games, check out AudioRPG.
This page is a living document and may be added to or edited over time.
Header image by Findaway Voices on Unsplash
For comments, questions, or concerns, reach out to Luka at luka@psychhoundgames.com
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