Rascal Interview: Agency, frustration, and secrets in Asa Donald's SPINE

Heads up: We explain some large structural spoilers for SPINE during this interview but stay away from particular details.

While Thomas plans the next seasons of the Reading Club, Chase invites designer Asa Donald for a conversation about his ENNIE-nominated solo RPG, SPINE. The peculiar title wrestles with questions of player agency and the capacity of words to reflect ourselves - or, at least, a version of us. An academic and early modernist by day, Asa explains the literary and classical roots underpinning SPINE's tale of immortality and discusses how the endnotes system creates fruitful frustration.

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Find SPINE here and the rest of Asa's work on Backwards Tabletop.

Hosted by Chase Taylor-Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social).

Featuring guest Asa Donald (@backwardsttrpg.bsky.social).

Theme song by People Need Goals.

Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).

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Games we discuss:

SPINE

The King is Dead

Firebrands

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Asa's retrospective on SPINE and printing your own copy of the game.

Game Studies Study Buddies' episode on The Ludic Self in Seventeeth-Century English Literature.