You Can’t End the Game Until You Know What It Means

Design Doc

Endings are hard. The ending of a roleplaying game isn’t just the culmination of the story; it’s also when the themes and purpose of the game become clear. In this episode we talk about designing a conclusion that comes at the right time, conveys the right message, and still leaves room for all the improvisation of roleplaying.

Episode mentions:

Ready Player One—but just a brief mention this time, promise!

Mother! (2017 film written & directed by Darren Aronofsky)

Other Design Doc episodes mentioned:

Epilogues in Games (May 2025)

Finding the Game's Emotional Core (March 2019)

Links:

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Credits:

Design Doc intro/outro theme by ipaghost: https://www.ipaghost.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode edited by Rob Abrazado: https://robabrazado.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

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