SlugAtlasUC Santa Cruz

ARTG 137Experimental Tabletop RPG Design

5 creditsUndergraduateStudent Option

Explores experimental mechanics, dynamics, themes, and aesthetics within the tabletop RPG form. In groups and individually, students will play, run, design, write, workshop, and print/produce experimental tabletop RPGs, as well as conduct usability tests focused on layout, design cohesion, and accessibility.

Prerequisites

Enrollment is restricted to art and design: games and playable media declared majors.

  • UCSC Students - All declared ARTG majors are eligible to enroll.
  • All non-ARTG majors (including Visiting Students): If you would like to request an exception to the restriction, please contact the instructor for approval to enroll - Elizabeth Swensen, eswensen@ucsc.edu.

Find a section and add it to your scheduleLive seat counts, time-conflict checks and the walk from your previous class.

When it runs

Winter 2027Open Winter 2027

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Studio
Mon Wed 9:20am–10:55am
Digital Arts 230J. KemperOpen 0/25

Summer 2026Open Summer 2026

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Studio
Tue Thu 9:00am–12:30pm
OnlineE. A. SwensenOpen 18/24

Fall 2025Open Fall 2025

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Studio
Tue Thu 9:50am–11:25am
Digital Arts 230E. A. SwensenClosed 29/25

Who teaches it

InstructorRatingDifficultyWould take againReviews
Elizabeth Swensen4.8 / 52.8 / 5100%5

From RateMyProfessors, which is student-submitted and not a survey. Small review counts move a long way on one bad quarter.

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