What's an ashcan - and why are people so excited about Austin Walker's?
Briefly

Austin Walker, a prominent figure in tabletop RPG design, has announced 'Realis,' a diceless game focused on how language shapes reality. The game, set in the imaginative world of the Thousand Moons, encourages players to construct complex, flawed characters through sentence creation. Although described as an ashcan version—meaning it's an unfinished but playable prototype—it has already generated considerable excitement in the gaming community. The term 'ashcan,' initially rooted in the comics industry, refers to early copies meant only for copyright purposes, but has evolved to encompass various stages of game development.
Austin Walker, renowned for his work in tabletop gaming and narrative design, is set to release 'Realis,' an innovative RPG that discusses how language shapes our realities.
The game, despite being an unfinished ashcan version, contains robust rules and remarkable narrative depth, inviting players into a unique exploration of character complexity.
The ashcan concept, borrowed from the comics industry, describes unfinished game editions providing necessary mechanics without the complete polish, captivating tabletop enthusiasts with potential stories.
The term 'ashcan' reflects the evolution of media terminology, showcasing how language plays a pivotal role in the perception and delivery of gaming experiences.
Read at Polygon
[
|
]