Episode 383: What is Three Tier Distribution?

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

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