If you’re new to solo RPGs or have only tried one type, you might not realize how many different kinds of experiences are out there. There’s something for everyone. A recent issue of The Soloist explored the different types of solo RPGs and provided some examples of the best in each category.
An interview with Patrick Buechner of the Soloist, a newsletter on solo rpgs. Latest in series of solo gaming interviews.
Chat with Patrick Buechner of the Soloist Newsletter
Patrick Buechner is the creator of the Soloist, an indie RPG newsletter focused on solo rpgs, out every two weeks. And also working on SOLO BORG.
We have bits about the Soloist, preferred style of solo, recommendations for different types of solo, upcoming solo games excited for and the SOLO BORG porject. Among other questions.
What was your gaming story before starting The Soloist?
I’ve been playing board games for as long as I can remember.
In the 80s I played old D&D, Traveller, and GURPS. I like to say my first gaming job was when I was 15 and ran the huge arcade at a pizza place called The Magic Castle. It had a medieval theme and I wore a green polyester squire’s costume. It was awesome!
In the 90s I joined PC-game studio Maxis and was part of the small team that created the original The Sims. I was also part of the Bioware studio when we launched Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. Today I mainly consult with small indie game devs.
How did The Soloist come about?
The pandemic chewed into my RPG time. I started playing with others online, but I also discovered solo RPGs. The number and variety really took off, and I wanted to let other folks know they were out there.
Where do you get most of the updates for The Soloist newsletters?
Most of the updates come from following creators on Bluesky or scanning new releases on Itch, and the crowdfunding sites.
Sometimes I’ll request suggestions around a particular theme. And then other creators will reach out to me about what they’re working on, usually through my Bluesky account.
What are your own experiences with solo RPGs?
As a GM/DM, I really enjoy the prep work of creating a setting, NPCs, and locations. There is a lot of GM guidance about avoiding “over-prepping” and I generally agree with that. As a GM, you don’t want to get so invested in building out a world that you railroad players, limit their ability to influence the world, or just burn yourself out.
But I believe prep is play. So I gravitate to solo world building games. Games like Journey where you play as an explorer documenting a world of your own creation. Or Ex Novo, a city-building game where you define the geography, culture, and struggles of an evolving settlement.
What games do you recommend for people trying to get into solo games?
If you’re new to solo RPGs or have only tried one type, you might not realize how many different kinds of experiences are out there. There’s something for everyone.
A recent issue of The Soloist explored the different types of solo RPGs and provided some examples of the best in each category.
I recommend people start there to find something that sounds interesting to them. And they can also go to Itch.io and scan the 3600+ games tagged as “physical” and “solo RPG”.
Which upcoming solo games and projects are you most excited by
We’re just wrapping up Zine Month, the crowdfunding event for indie RPGs hosted by Kickstarter and Crowdfundr, and I backed a few solo games.
Rustpunk is a solo post-apocalyptic RPG with a lot of exploration built in.
Heavy Weighs the Crown is a solo game played from the perspective of a magical crown, watching monarchs come and go while helping to decide the fate of the realm.
And A Perfect Rock is a GM-less worldbuilding adventure game for 1-4 players about searching for a new planet to call home. You build planets using real rocks that you’ve collected!
What are the main challenges and highlights of running The Soloist?
The biggest challenge is keeping up with everything—there’s always more to cover than I have time for. The highlight is getting to meet and talk with the people behind the games and hearing from players who found games through the newsletter.
What solo projects have you been working on personally?
I’m working on SOLO BORG, a standalone game based on and compatible with MÖRK BORG.
SOLO BORG will work as a complete single-player RPG on its own, but its systems and generation tables will supplement MÖRK BORG and games that are compatible with it. It’ll have worldbuilding tools, quest generators, and a ton of great human-made art. You can get more info about it here.
Where can people find you online?
The best place is The Soloist on Substack. It’s free and comes out every two weeks.
I’m also on Bluesky where I mostly post about RPGs and share more timely news. I also have a Starter Pack for folks who are new to Bluesky and are interested in following solo and GM-less game creators.
(Patrick is also on Itch.io as the Soloist) .
Is there anything else you would like to talk about?
I’m always looking for ways to make solo RPGs more accessible and engaging. If you have a cool project or something you think I should check out, let me know!
Finishing Up
If you are into solo rpgs, sign up to the Soloist as it's one of the best sources of solo gaming updates.
There are many more articles on Rand Roll. Plus a Rand Roll Discord and instagram of Random Tables. I also create Generators at Chaos Gen and have a monthly random tools Newsletter.
