What in the heck is Rulepop?
Included player aid.
Each Rulepop site is a player aid that is included with the game and provided by the publisher. Unlike many websites, visitation is not monetized in any way. Players don't need to create an account or sign up for anything.
Quick reference + in-depth rules.
It's a twofer! We include quick "cheat sheets" like rules summaries, icon references, and components listings that are all linked to in-depth rules entries.
Tools & multimedia.
Quick reference is super useful, but we an also build-in great features like scoring calculators, campaign trackers, narration, process animation, or how-to videos.
Web app.
Every Rulepop is both a standalone website and an installable app — combining the advantages of both.
Component Upgrade.
We think of Rulepop as the ultimate upgrade to a vital component — the rulebook!
Why Rulepop is so snazzy!
Rulepop has a lot of advantages over PDFs, store apps, and printed rules. We bring a lot to the game table…
Fast.
It's super fast to find a rule on a Rulepop site. Reduce frustration and preserve the flow of the game with a super-quick rules reference.
Interconnected.
Game rules are inherently self-referential. Related rule entries on a Rulepop site are linked to one another. This reinforces concepts, helps players make connections, and increases understanding of rule systems.
Comprehensive.
a Rulepop site can nicely combine all of a game's rules — including expansions, appendices, errata & FAQs. That's so much better than juggling and searching through multiple documents!
Distributed.
Every player at the game table can have a copy of their own rules reference on their preferred device. No more one-rulebook bottleneck.
Sharable.
Anyone can share a specific rule in a Rulepop site. It’s really handy when answering rules questions or discussing rules in online forums.
Canonical.
Officially sponsored Rulepop sites are always kept up to date, so visitors automatically get the most updated rules. With PDFs, players must first discover that the rules have been updated, then find and download the latest version.
Available.
It’s very easy to bookmark a Rulepop site or install it as an app, so it’s always just a click away.
Offline.
Each Rulepop site is also an app that can be installed and used even when you’re offline.
Responsive.
A Rulepop site automatically adjusts its layout for optimal viewing on any screen size.
Maintainable.
Rulepop doesn’t require difficult layout changes to add or change content. Making corrections, adding errata, and even including expansion rules is never a problem.
Accessible.
The Web is much more accessible than PDFs for people with visual impairments and to search indexers like Googlebot. Better accessibility means more visibility for the game.
Promotional.
A Rulepop site can feature links to the game's webpage, expansions, publisher, and other online resources.
How it's made…
Making a Rulepop site is intentionally low-effort for the game maker, but there's a lot that Rulepop does! Here's a typical project process.
- In-Depth Game Analysis:
- Read the rules and play the game extensively to develop a comprehensive understanding.
- Incorporate insights from player strategies and common gameplay scenarios.
- Community Feedback Review:
- Review player feedback from forums and video reviews to identify common questions and player aid needs.
- Engage with the gaming community for direct input and suggestions.
- Asset Review:
- Ensure all provided assets are complete and compatible with web formats.
- Content Conversion and Markup:
- Convert rules text from layout formats (like PDF or InDesign) to plain text.
- Mark up text with HTML, emphasizing semantic structure and web accessibility.
- Web Project Setup:
- Establish the web project infrastructure.
- Create structural wireframe for organizing content and navigation.
- Rules Integration and Remixing:
- Remix and integrate rules (often from multiple sources) into the wireframe for a comprehensive reference.
- Ensure clarity and coherence in the presentation of rules.
- Graphic Design and Image Creation:
- Create web graphics and composite images (like numbered keys, game setups, examples).
- Focus on visual clarity and consistency with the game's aesthetic.
- Website Theming:
- Develop a site theme including colors, background images, and typography that align with the game's theme.
- Ensure the theme is responsive and visually appealing across devices.
- Layout and Design Pattern Refinement:
- Refine entry layouts to improve flow and appearance across all screen sizes.
- Develop and incorporate design patterns for optimal content presentation.
- Create Links Within Rules Text:
- Add contextual linking in rules text for easy navigation to related content or definitions.
- Feature Development:
- Design and develop additional website features based on needs and feedback.
- Include tools like search functions, interactive examples, or gameplay helpers.
- Indexing and Term Linking:
- Build a comprehensive and linked index of terms for quick reference.
- Proofreading and Error Checking:
- Thoroughly proofread the website to correct errors introduced during production.
- Conduct usability testing to ensure accuracy and user-friendliness.
- Publisher Feedback Integration:
- Incorporate feedback from the game maker for accuracy and brand alignment.
- Progressive Web App Development:
- Build the site as a Progressive Web App for offline access and improved user experience.
- Launch and Promotion:
- Plan and execute the website launch.
- Promote the website through appropriate channels to reach the target audience.
- Support players by answering rules questions in online forums and providing relevant links.
We welcome game creators to be actively involved in the process, or if preferred, we can operate independently.
How much does it cost?
Rulepop projects vary in terms of scope, effort, and cost. Our commitment is to work within your budget, offering great value to game developers. We invite you to get in touch with us to explore details and customize our services to suit your budgetary needs.
Not available in any stores!
Each game has its own standalone website and subdomain at rulepop.com. The web app for each game is installed directly from the game site — not from an app store.
Everything is hosted in a big data center in Dallas TX, but is backed up to a super-secret bunker far underground at an undisclosed location.
When is the best time for Rulepop?
Rulepop is useful when learning, remembering, or just playing a game. We think it’s most useful to new players, so it’s great to have when the game is first published.
We’ve also found that the process of creating a Rulepop site can reveal new insights for game makers that can be very helpful during game development.
Most Rulepop projects take around 3 weeks to complete.
Who is responsible for this?
Rulepop is the culmination of many years of web development and tabletop gaming. Jans Carton is the company creator and sole proprietor, but he is supported by friends and colleagues who are also passionate gamers and talented web professionals. We partner with game makers with the goal to help people enjoy the wonderful games they produce.
Rulepop operates in cooperation with WebSanity. A company that has been making websites since 2005.
