TTRPGs from Cozy to Horror (or both?) Innocent Goblin Chats with IGO!
Meet the mind behind some of the goofiest (and spookiest) tabletop games on the market
We recently had the extreme (and hilarious) joy of sitting down with Michael Sweeney, the designer behind "Pirouette," "Everyone Deserves Shelter," "Grotty Gobbo’s Tea Grotto," and many other emotionally diverse indie TTRPGs. Also known as Innocent Goblin online, Michael is impossibly well versed in all the different styles of solo TTRPG space. Don't be fooled though! There's are a couple of phenomenal 2 player games and even some DND homebrew you can snag from the itch.io shop. In this conversation, we dove into game design process, inspirations, and the heartfelt (and occasionally horrifying) storytelling woven throughout their work.
A Designer with Many Vibes
Michael’s games often begin in one of three ways: from a feeling, from a fandom, or from a funny title that bears infinite repeating (purderer anyone?) Whether drawing on pop culture inspirations like The Magnus Archives or writing a horror ballet RPG because the word "Pirouette" is just too good to ignore, Michael’s design instincts are wide-ranging, bold, and unafraid to get weird. It's one of my favorite things about these games. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a dungeon crawl, but seeing the unearthed corners where TTRPGs can take us is REALLY exciting.
Some games are introspective and healing, others hilarious and slightly unhinged (necessary in 2025). From the corporate satire in Interns & Interlopers to the cozy, goblin-run world of Grotty Gobbo’s Tea Grotto, there’s a deep well of variety across the catalog. It's of note that each work carries a strong narrative voice and sense of identity.
On Designing Solo RPGs
Solo games hold a special place in Michael’s heart. (And ours too) To share a quote :"You can go deeper into personal and emotional themes in a solo RPG than you often can in a group setting". This is part of what makes games like Everyone Deserves Shelter and We Are All One so impactful. With journaling mechanics, player reflection, and open-ended storytelling, these games invite deep introspection. It's not something I've personally gone through in a solo-RPG yet, and it's an exciting new horizon I'm curious to watch unfold.
Michael also often uses tarot cards as a common mechanic in TTRPGs. Originally made as a game, tarot decks now offer a rich combination of randomization and built-in meaning. “It’s a mechanic that adds both structure and immersion,” Michael explained. “You can theme prompts around the symbolism of each card, which is amazing for replayability.”
On a personal note, we're going to need to get our hands on a deck of Welcome to Nightvale Tarot Cards 👀
Collaboration and Catharsis
Many of Michael’s works are collaborative at heart. Year of Queer, a journaling game about self-discovery and queer identity, was co-developed with a close friend and designed to reflect a deeply personal journey through a tough time in someone's life. Michael credits much of the game’s emotional resonance to this partnership.
Other collaborators such as playtesters and artists have been instrumental in the development of InnocentGoblin titles as well. With Pirouette, a horror ballet solo RPG, Michael brought on a ballet advisor to ensure realism, accuracy, and worked closely with layout artist Seb Pines to bring the haunting tone to life. Community feedback helped refine key mechanics during the playtest phase, including tension-building elements that evoke both performance pressure and impending doom. The games may be solo, but the development is deeply collaborative.
From Cosy Apocalypses to Eldritch Horror Ballet
The wide variety of tonality across games is frankly impressive. One moment you might be a hermit crab searching for a home. The next you’re a dancer risking bodily injury for a mysterious eldritch audience. But no matter how surreal the premise, the games are grounded in emotional authenticity. A direct quote: "I want to keep writing these weird little games."
When discussing body horror and the approach to balancing the potential of *too* much horror Michael shared the quote: “Nobody wants to lose a hand; everybody wants to lose an eye.” That sweet spot of tension, tragedy, and character development is where stories shine. We're psyched to be playing these as soon as that fresh tarot deck arrives.
What’s Next: Ghosts, Folklore, and Local Legends
Michael gave us a sneak peek at an upcoming project: What Haunts Us. It's a ghost-hunting RPG inspired by local folklore from around the British Isles featuring the influence of many locals and their experiences and knowledge around local hauntings. The game will feature regional expansions written by guest writers, and draws on extensive real-world ghost-hunting research for added flavor and authenticity. As former ghost hunters in the 2000's, this might be the game we're most excited about!
The project is planned for crowdfunding later this year SO MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW INNOCENT GOBLIN ON BLUESKY. From eldritch ballet to haunted teapots, Michael is steadily building a catalog of TTRPGs that challenge, charm, and chill.
Where to Find Michael Sweeney
You can follow Michael’s work on:
Stay tuned for Pirouette’s haunting release and updates on What Haunts Us. And if you're new to solo games, Michael recommends starting with Everyone Deserves Shelter—a gentle, crabby introduction to introspective play.
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