The Game Master's Handbook of Collaborative Campaign Design

Jonah Fishel, Tristan Fishel

ISBN 10: 1964487048 / ISBN 13: 9781964487045

Published by Media Lab Books, US, 2025

About this Item

Following the example of the first volume in the Game Master's Handbook series, this new entry forgoes stat blocks and maps in favor of clear explanations and guides that focus on developing and running an original campaign.Homebrewing an original setting and story is one of the most challenging and rewarding things a GM can do. It's tough to get started with worldbuilding, plotting, and resolving your campaign - but this book walks GMs already somewhat familiar with running the game through a process for designing a homebrew campaign to be proud of, from scratch. At the core of the book is one big idea: The purpose of a TTRPG is to discover a story together with your friends, not to tell them a story you've already written.Have an idea for a game? If so, this book teaches you the process for transforming pages of notes into a fully-realised campaign outline. You'll learn how to write narrative arcs that develop with the players and end satisfyingly even without an ending being written in advance. You'll even learn how to design mechanical details for your setting that complement the story the group is telling at the table.Finally, you'll learn a simple system for adapting existing content (professionally published or from other homebrew sources) to fit in your campaign (with a special focus on the material provided by the other books in the Game Master's series).

Seller Inventory # LU-9781964487045

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Game Master's Handbook of Collaborative Campaign Design
• Publisher: Media Lab Books, US
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1964487048
• ISBN 13: 9781964487045
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Eidenschink, Luke
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 14.1W x 1.65H x 21.59D centimeters 14.1 centimeters width by 1.65 centimeters height by 21.59 centimeters depth
• Weight: 432 grams

About this title

Synopsis

BUILD BETTER WORLDS―TOGETHER!

• A game-changing TTRPG guide to collaborative storytelling and campaign creation
• Written by Jonah Fishel and Tristan Fishel, bestselling creators of The Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying• Perfect for Dungeon Masters who want deeper, more meaningful storytelling

The Game Master’s Handbook of Collaborative Campaign Design redefines what it means to run a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Instead of relying on stat blocks or pre-written modules, this essential roleplaying guide teaches Game Masters how to co-create immersive stories with their players―building worlds, character arcs, and emotional payoffs that everyone invests in.

Inside, you’ll find step-by-step methods for planning, writing, and running collaborative campaigns that adapt to your players’ ideas in real time. Learn how to build narrative arcs that evolve organically, write satisfying endings, and design encounters that fit your world’s tone and themes.

With detailed case studies, ready-to-use templates, and “Session 1” collaboration exercises, this tabletop RPG handbook helps you master the art of shared storytelling. Whether you’re running D&D 5e, Pathfinder, or a homebrew RPG, this is the ultimate toolkit for crafting adventures your players will remember for years.

About the Author

Jonah Fishel has been playing TTRPGs for nearly twenty years, and has game mastered more than his fair share of campaigns. He is the co-author of the bestselling book The Game Master's Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying. Away from the gaming table, Jonah is a learning differences tutor. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with his wife, daughter, and dog.

Tristan Fishel is the co-author of The Game Master's Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying, among other TTRPG products. He’s been playing TTRPGs for only slightly less time than his brother, with whom he runs The Game Master's Laboratory, an online school for game masters. In his spare time, Tristan enjoys running home games for his friends, writing fiction, and serving as a devoted caretaker to his beloved cat, Cupcake. Tristan lives in Newport News, Virginia.