
Episode 383: What is Three Tier Distribution?
From RPG Design Panelcast by Jason Pitre
October 4, 2025 · 55 min · Episode 507
About this episode
The episode discusses the three tier distribution system for self-publishing games and its implications for designers.
Recorded at Metatopia 2024 Presented by Avonelle Wing and Nicholas Ambrose My first question when someone tells me they're self-publishing a game is "What are your goals?" Sometimes, the answer is "I just want to know someone out there is playing it." Often times, though, designers are knee-deep in designing their One True Game, have sunk countless hours and funds into the process, and want it "in every game store across the country! And Target too!" For a single-title publisher, that's nearly unheard of. If you can name an exception, it proves the rule. So, join me for a discussion of what the 3-tier system is and why you should hold it in mind as a designer-publisher.
People in this episode
Host: Jason Pitre
Guests: Avonelle Wing, Nicholas Ambrose
Topics covered
- self-publishing
- game design
- three tier distribution
- game stores
- designer-publisher
Keywords
- self-publishing
- game design
- three tier distribution
- game stores
- designer-publisher
More episodes of RPG Design Panelcast
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- Episode 389: Self Publishing - Should I · January 26, 2026 · 51 min
- Episode 388: What is Agile? · January 11, 2026 · 51 min
- Episode 387: Designing for the User Experience · December 27, 2025 · 55 min
- Episode 386: Designing with Loved Ones · December 15, 2025 · 57 min
- Episode 385: Automata Design in Games · November 29, 2025 · 55 min
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