Hey everyone,

This year, I’ve set myself a challenge: to design a micro-TTRPG every month. It’s a way to push myself, sharpen my skills, and learn the craft of game design through practice. January’s game is The Maple Island Massacre—a solo horror game inspired by 80s slashers.

I wanted to capture the feeling of being the last survivor in a horror movie—the final girl (or guy), running through the woods, hiding, desperately searching for a way to fight back while a relentless killer closes in. 

One of the mechanics I’m happiest with is the constant tension between searching the island and staying ahead of the Engineer. Every time you dig through the ruins or venture deeper into the island, there’s a risk—will you find a weapon? A clue? Or will the Engineer be right behind you, machete in hand? There’s a strong push-and-pull between exploration and survival, forcing you to have a plan, an escape route, and a backup in case things go wrong (which they often will).

This has been a fun first step in my one-game-a-month challenge. I’ve already learned a lot, and I’m excited to carry that forward into February’s project - I'm toying with the idea of a follow up to my previous game "Pulp Dreadful"

If you give The Maple Island Massacre a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts—what worked, what didn’t.

Thanks for reading, and happy surviving!