Supporting a safer gaming environment

The non-profit project seeks to promote, distribute and encourage the use of safety tools in tabletop roleplaying games. The project has sourced artist-illustrated X Cards, combined with a selection of safety tools recommended by the Gaming Research and Investigation Laboratory (G.R.A.I.L) at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.

School of Design Lecturer Claire Hackett and Short Course Coordinator Trish Matson have both contributed to the card artwork, alongside a slew of other artists. The artworks all display the letter X in a uniquely stylised image.

According to X Card creator John Stavropoulos, “The X-Card is an optional tool that allows anyone in your game (including you) to edit out any content anyone is uncomfortable with as you play. Since most Role Player Games (RPGs) are improvisational and we won't know what will happen till it happens, it's possible the game will go in a direction people don't want. An X-Card is a simple tool to fix problems as they arise.”

Combined with the cards are a selection of safety tools recommended by Shaun Garea from G.R.A.I.L at Massey. These are tools, usually introduced by the dungeon master/games master/storyteller that help make the game a safer environment for everyone at the table, and allow players to explore complex, and sometimes uncomfortable, ideas and scenarios knowing that it’s not putting people at the table at risk.

Some of these tools include lines, which are hard limit ‘do not cross the line’ content identified by players before a game session begins, and wishes, which are elements of the game that players would like to explore and see in future sessions.

Mr Kaneko has developed a Kickstarter page that allows people to pledge towards a monetary goal for the project. Those who pledge will receive printable files for the X Cards and safety tools. All of the proceeds will go towards printing physical cards and distributing them, for free, at conventions and events.

While the Kickstarter has reached its initial goal of $500, thanks in part to the support of the members of the Massey Albany UniQ and Massey Tabletop students clubs, the campaign will continue, with the goal of raising further funds to help distribute the tools internationally.

“Safety tools not only make games safer for everyone, but they also give players the freedom to explore more complex and nuanced ideas, knowing that other players at the table have the ability to express when something is in danger of pushing past their personal boundaries. My hope is that this project puts safety tools on as many games tables as possible,” Mr Kaneko says.