Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

X-Card

The X-Card is an optional safety mechanism devised by John Stavropoulos for tabletop role-playing games and interactive simulations, featuring an index card marked with a prominent "X" that any participant can tap to signal discomfort with unfolding content, thereby instructing the group to instantly halt, rewind the scene, and excise the problematic element without demanding an explanation or discussion.^[1] Created during an informal gaming session in Queens, New York, prompted by a player's unease with the session's direction, the tool emerged as a discreet alternative to verbal interruptions, particularly suited for one-off games with unfamiliar participants where trust is limited.^[2] Since its introduction, the X-Card has gained traction across various tabletop gaming communities, integrated into digital platforms like Roll20 and rulesets such as Pathfinder, as a means to foster participant comfort and continuity.^[3]^[4] However, it has drawn criticism from some practitioners for potentially fragmenting narrative immersion or enabling avoidance of challenging themes inherent to certain genres, like horror, thereby diluting the intended experiential intensity.^[5]

Concept and Mechanics

Description and Purpose

The X-Card is a simple, optional safety mechanism employed in tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) to enable participants to halt and redirect narrative content that induces discomfort. It typically involves placing an index card marked with a bold "X" in the center of the gaming table, serving as a visible signal accessible to all players, including the game master. Created by designer John Stavropoulos in 2013, the tool empowers any attendee to tap or point to the card during play, immediately pausing the scene to excise the objectionable element—such as themes of violence, trauma, or personal triggers—without necessitating justification or group discussion.^[6]^[7] The core purpose of the X-Card is to cultivate an inclusive and psychologically secure gaming environment, particularly in transient settings like conventions where players lack prior rapport and cannot anticipate each other's sensitivities. By prioritizing rapid de-escalation over narrative continuity, it mitigates risks of emotional distress, allowing sessions to proceed with minimized interruptions while respecting individual boundaries.^[8]^[9] Proponents argue it democratizes control over session content, fostering trust and encouraging participation from diverse groups, though its efficacy hinges on participants' willingness to honor the signal without reprisal or probing.^[10]^[11] This approach contrasts with pre-game content negotiations, offering an in-the-moment intervention suited to improvisational RPG dynamics.^[1]

Operational Procedure

The operational procedure commences with the preparation and introduction of the X-Card at the start of a session. A game master or facilitator draws a prominent "X" on an index card or equivalent and positions it centrally on the table for universal access. Participants are informed via a standard script: "I’d like your help. Your help to make this game fun for everyone. If anything makes anyone uncomfortable in any way… just lift this card up, or simply tap it. You don’t have to explain why. It doesn’t matter why. When we lift or tap this card, we simply edit out anything X-Carded."^[12] During gameplay, any individual—player or facilitator—may tap or raise the card to signal discomfort with ongoing content. Activation prompts immediate narrative adjustment: the uncomfortable element is excised without query or justification, typically by rewinding to a prior point, advancing beyond it, or steering the scene in an alternative direction. This ensures seamless continuation while prioritizing participant comfort.^[12]^[13] Post-activation, if ambiguity persists regarding the excised content, any member may request a brief, private recess for clarification or boundary discussion. The mechanism underscores that interpersonal dynamics outweigh narrative fidelity, permitting pauses as required, though verbal alternatives to the card remain viable.^[12]^[11] The procedure presumes group consensus on respectful implementation and permits repeated use sans repercussion, with facilitators encouraged to demonstrate it to foster normalization. It operates as an elective tool, not mandating adoption over conventional communication.^[12]^[14]

Intended Safeguards and Assumptions

The X-Card mechanism embeds safeguards to minimize disruption and social pressure during invocation. Participants signal discomfort by tapping, lifting, or touching the card, prompting the game master or group to immediately edit out the offending element—such as rewinding the narrative to a prior safe point and omitting it moving forward—without requiring any verbal justification or explanation.^[15] This no-questions-asked protocol, applicable to any player including the game master, aims to halt potential escalation of unease swiftly while preserving overall session momentum.^[15] For less assertive users, subtler gestures like a mere touch suffice as a cue, broadening accessibility.^[15] If the trigger remains ambiguous to the group, an optional private break can be called for clarification, though emphasis remains on non-confrontational resolution to avoid derailing play.^[15] To enhance efficacy, the tool's creators advocate normalizing its use through occasional non-critical applications, which desensitizes participants to stigma and heightens responsiveness during true emergencies.^[15] Originally tailored for sessions with unfamiliar players, such as at conventions, these features prioritize immediate inclusivity and psychological safety over exhaustive pre-session vetting.^[15] Underlying assumptions frame the X-Card as a contingency for inherently subjective and unforeseeable triggers in collaborative storytelling, where individual tolerances for themes like violence, trauma echoes, or tonal mismatches cannot be fully anticipated via broad content advisories alone.^[15] It presumes gaming as a voluntary group endeavor that elevates participant comfort above unyielding fidelity to scripted elements or plot integrity, requiring collective buy-in to honor invocations in good faith rather than as vetoes for stylistic preferences.^[15] Preemptive talks on expected motifs—e.g., gore or interpersonal conflict—are viewed as complementary but insufficient, given variability in personal histories and reactions.^[15] The system's viability thus hinges on mutual respect and an ethos of editing for harmony, assuming abuse is rare in consenting adult groups attuned to shared enjoyment.^[15]

Historical Development

Origins and Creation

The X-Card was created by John Stavropoulos during a tabletop role-playing game session at his home in Queens, New York, prompted by a player named Dave's discomfort with the game's direction.^[2] James Mendez Hodes, another participant, witnessed the tool's inception on that Wednesday night.^[2] Stavropoulos devised the mechanism as a non-verbal signal: participants place an index card marked with an "X" on the table, and tapping it indicates the need to rewind or omit uncomfortable content, allowing the game to proceed without explicit discussion.^[2] This approach aimed to maintain session flow while prioritizing participant comfort.^[2] The concept was formalized and first published in 2013 under the title "X-Card: Safety Tools for Simulations and Role-Playing Games," distributed via a Google Document that remains accessible.^[1]^[16] The document outlined the tool's procedure and emphasized its optional, collaborative nature.^[1]

Initial Publication and Dissemination

The X-Card was first formalized and published by John Stavropoulos in 2013 through a self-released digital document titled Safety Tools for Simulations, Role-Playing, and Games. This PDF outlined the tool's mechanics, purpose, and implementation guidelines, drawing from Stavropoulos's experiences as a game master at conventions. Released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license, it explicitly permitted reproduction, adaptation, and inclusion in other works without restriction, facilitating immediate accessibility.^[17]^[6] Initial dissemination relied on direct online sharing within niche tabletop RPG circles, including personal websites, email lists, and early social media posts by Stavropoulos. The document circulated via downloads and handouts at gaming conventions, where it addressed challenges in stranger-led sessions prone to discomfort. Adoption accelerated through word-of-mouth among indie designers and facilitators prioritizing player agency, with the tool's simplicity—requiring only an index card marked with an "X"—aiding its propagation without formal marketing.^[18] By 2015, the X-Card gained visibility in RPG blogs and resources, such as endorsements in Monte Cook Games' convention advice and The Geek Initiative's safety recommendations, signaling broader awareness beyond originators.^[19]^[20] Early integrations appeared in session zero discussions and game supplements, though usage remained concentrated in convention and indie play rather than mainstream publications.^[21]

Evolution and Updates

The X-Card mechanism, initially detailed in a 2013 document by John Stavropoulos, has undergone refinements based on practical application and community feedback, emphasizing non-coercive implementation and avoidance of post-tap interrogation to prevent discomfort.^[1] Stavropoulos noted in updated sections of the original resource that extensive experience post-publication revealed nuances in facilitation, such as reinforcing group consensus to rewind scenes without assigning blame or requiring justification from the signaler.^[1]^[12] A key evolution emerged with the integration of the O-Card variant, developed by Kira Magrann around 2016, which augments the original by placing an "O" on the reverse side to silently indicate a desire for continuation or intensification of positive content, thereby balancing veto power with affirmative signaling.^[1]^[7] This dual-sided approach, often termed X&O, addresses limitations in the unidirectional X-Card by enabling proactive engagement, as documented in Stavropoulos's guidelines crediting Magrann's innovation for enhancing session flow.^[1]^[22] Subsequent discourse, including 2018 analyses, highlighted the need for explicit pre-game discussions on X-Card etiquette to mitigate misuse, such as over-reliance leading to fragmented narratives, prompting creators to advocate for it as one tool among complementary methods rather than a standalone solution.^[7] By 2024, while core mechanics persisted unchanged, physical distributions via projects like the X-Card Kickstarter incorporated these evolutions into accessible formats, underscoring sustained adaptation without altering foundational principles.^[23]

Adoption and Usage

Integration in Tabletop RPGs

The X-Card integrates into tabletop RPG sessions as an optional, non-disruptive mechanism for content moderation, placed visibly in the center of the gaming table alongside dice, character sheets, and rulebooks. Participants are briefed prior to play that tapping the card signals discomfort with ongoing narrative elements, prompting the game master and players to immediately pause, rewind the scene, or pivot the story without requiring justification or discussion. This process leverages the improvisational nature of RPGs, where outcomes are collaboratively determined rather than rigidly scripted, allowing seamless retroactive edits akin to narrative vetoes in systems emphasizing player agency.^[1]^[9] In practice, integration occurs across diverse RPG formats, from convention one-shots to ongoing campaigns in games like Dungeons & Dragons, where it supplements session zero discussions on boundaries. For instance, dungeon masters may distribute individual X-Cards to each player for private signaling, enhancing accessibility in larger groups or online play via virtual tokens. Its adoption aligns with broader safety protocols in indie RPG circles and public events, such as those organized by RPG Alliance, where it ensures content remains suitable without derailing momentum. Proponents note its minimal overhead, requiring no additional rules tracking, which facilitates uptake in flexible systems over structured ones like Pathfinder, though it remains unofficial and group-dependent.^[24]^[13] Variations enhance integration for specific contexts, such as combining the X-Card with "O-Cards" to affirm positive elements or adapting it for youth-oriented sessions to foster inclusive storytelling. In educational settings like libraries, it pairs with explicit content guidelines to mitigate risks in introductory RPGs, promoting sustained engagement by addressing triggers proactively. Despite its simplicity, effective integration hinges on group consensus during setup, as unilateral imposition can disrupt trust; surveys and anecdotal reports from RPG forums indicate higher usage in consent-focused communities, with tap rates varying by session themes involving sensitive topics like violence or trauma.^[25]^[26]

Guidelines for Implementation

Implementation of the X-Card begins with the facilitator introducing the tool at the outset of the session using a scripted explanation to set expectations and normalize its use. The recommended introduction script states: "I’d like your help. Your help to make this game fun for everyone. If anything makes anyone uncomfortable… [draw X on index card]… just lift this card up, or simply tap it [place card at center of table]. You don’t have to explain why. It doesn’t matter why. When we lift or tap this card, we simply edit out anything X-Carded. And if there is ever an issue, anyone can call for a break and we can talk privately. I know it sounds funny but it will help us play amazing games together and usually I’m the one who uses the X card to help take care of myself. Please help make this game fun for everyone. Thank you!"^[12] This approach emphasizes collective responsibility and positions the tool as a means to enhance enjoyment rather than a punitive measure.^[1] During play, any participant, including the game master, may tap or lift the physical X-Card—typically an index card marked with a large X placed centrally on the table—to signal discomfort with ongoing content. Upon activation, the group immediately ceases the referenced element, editing it out of the narrative without requiring justification from the user.^[12] This procedure assumes improvisational gameplay where content evolves unpredictably, prioritizing participant comfort over narrative continuity.^[27] If ambiguity arises regarding the specific trigger, the facilitator may call a private break to clarify with the affected individual, avoiding public interrogation that could deter future use.^[12] Facilitators are advised to model X-Card usage themselves early in sessions to demonstrate its non-stigmatizing nature and encourage adoption, treating it as a routine collaborative adjustment rather than a failure.^[12] The tool operates under the assumption that discomfort may stem from diverse sources, such as personal trauma or preference, and that groups value individual well-being above uninterrupted play.^[12] It is explicitly optional, with facilitators urged to respect verbal preferences for discussion over card use, while avoiding its application as a mechanism for testing boundaries or resuming sensitive content post-editing.^[12] Post-session debriefs can address unspoken issues, reinforcing that the X-Card serves to alleviate the facilitator's burden of anticipating triggers, potentially fostering greater creative freedom.^[12] In virtual or adapted settings, equivalents such as typing "X-Card" in chat or using digital markers replicate the physical tap, maintaining accessibility.^[13] Implementation success relies on group buy-in, with creators noting it enhances rather than disrupts experienced playgroups by enabling focus on enjoyable elements.^[12]

Variations and Modifications

One common modification to the original X-Card involves expanding it into a tiered system incorporating an N-Card and O-Card alongside the X-Card, allowing for graduated responses to discomfort rather than an abrupt halt. The N-Card, developed by Mysty Vander and Adam Cleaver, serves as a precautionary signal when content approaches a potential trigger, prompting the group to pause, redirect, or fade to black without fully stopping the scene, thereby preserving narrative flow while addressing emerging unease.^[28]^[29] The O-Card, created by Kira Magrann, functions as a check-in mechanism to affirm that ongoing content remains comfortable or to explicitly endorse sensitive topics, fostering proactive consent and reducing ambiguity in group dynamics.^[28]^[30] This trio—often printed as a set of cards placed centrally—builds on the X-Card's simplicity by introducing nuance, particularly in ongoing campaigns where players may anticipate boundaries but still encounter surprises.^[31] Another adaptation integrates the X-Card with Script Change, a toolbox by Brie Sheldon that treats gameplay as editable "script" with options like pause (to discuss), rewind (to erase and retry), fast-forward (to skip ahead), or frame-by-frame (to slow and negotiate), offering more granular control than the X-Card's binary edit-out.^[32]^[33] While not a direct replacement, Script Change modifies the X-Card concept by emphasizing collaborative revision over unilateral veto, drawing from theater and film editing practices to minimize disruption in structured sessions.^[34] This approach has been incorporated into digital tools and convention playbooks, where verbal cues or chat commands (e.g., typing "X" or "pause") adapt the physical card for virtual tabletops.^[3] Game-specific modifications include renamed or reskinned versions, such as the Stop Card in Weird Stories, which retains the X-Card's core tap-to-halt mechanic but tailors instructions to the game's horror elements, ensuring seamless integration without altering broader rules.^[35] Similarly, Untold: Adventures Await employs a variant oracle card system echoing the X-Card for opting out of generated prompts, adapting it for solo or procedural play by embedding safety into randomized storytelling tools.^[36] These alterations prioritize context-specific efficacy, often combining the X-Card with pre-game calibrations like Lines and Veils to preempt issues, though critics note that such hybrids can dilute the tool's immediacy if overcomplicated.^[37] Community resources frequently bundle these as printable decks, enabling groups to customize symbols, thresholds, or post-use debriefs for repeated sessions.

Reception and Impact

Positive Assessments

Proponents of the X-Card, including game designers and facilitators, commend it for establishing an explicit, low-friction protocol that signals mutual respect for participants' boundaries during play, thereby reducing the risk of unaddressed discomfort derailing sessions.^[39] By placing the card centrally, it conveys to players that their emotional safety is prioritized, fostering trust and encouraging open participation without fear of judgment.^[39] This mechanism, as described by its creator John Stavropoulos, allows any player to tap the card to halt and redirect content instantaneously, preserving narrative flow while avoiding verbal confrontations that might disrupt immersion.^[2] In practice, many game masters report that the tool's mere presence enhances their confidence in exploring mature or intense themes, as it empowers players to self-moderate unforeseen triggers without requiring post-hoc explanations. For instance, facilitators in public one-shot games at conventions highlight its role in creating inclusive environments, where tools like the X-Card alongside lines and veils enable diverse groups to engage comfortably.^[40] University tabletop societies have mandated its use for events, noting improved group dynamics and fewer instances of content-related friction.^[41] Empirical applications in structured programs, such as therapeutic tabletop role-playing for mental health support, incorporate the X-Card to ensure participant agency, with session guidelines emphasizing its role in preventing escalation of distress without inquiry into reasons.^[42] Advocates argue this contrasts with ad-hoc communication by providing a pre-agreed, non-confrontational opt-out, which empirically correlates with higher player retention and satisfaction in anecdotal reports from organized play.^[43] Overall, its simplicity—requiring no elaborate setup—has led to widespread endorsement in gaming communities as an elegant safeguard that elevates collective enjoyment by preempting avoidable conflicts.^[7]

Adoption in Specific Games and Communities

The X-Card has seen notable adoption within indie tabletop RPG communities emphasizing collaborative and emotionally intense narratives, particularly those influenced by Powered by the Apocalypse systems. In Epyllion: A Dragon Epic (published 2016), the core rulebook explicitly endorses the tool, stating it "makes playing together fun and comfortable" by allowing participants to signal discomfort without explanation.^[44] Similarly, Thirsty Sword Lesbians (released 2021 by Evil Hat Productions) incorporates the X-Card as a standard safety mechanism, detailing its use alongside other tools like Lines and Veils to pause or redirect content. Other narrative-driven games have integrated or recommended it for player comfort. Bluebeard's Bride (2016, by Whitney "Strix" Strouth and Marissa Kelly) highlights the X-Card in designer interviews as a method to prevent content from derailing sessions, especially in horror-themed play involving psychological distress.^[45] Monsterhearts and related Powered by the Apocalypse titles, known for exploring teen drama and intimacy, have fostered community practices incorporating the tool, with facilitators at conventions often deploying it to manage sensitive themes like abuse or identity. Adoption extends to custom games like Sin Aesthetics (2019), where it clarifies boundaries for players engaging with taboo aesthetics.^[46] In broader communities, the X-Card proliferated in indie public play cultures post-2013, including at events like Gen Con and RPG Alliance conventions, where organizers provide it as a default safety protocol to accommodate diverse participants.^[13] Libraries and educational programs introducing TTRPGs to youth have also adopted it, as seen in guides promoting story games with built-in comfort measures.^[26] While less ubiquitous in mainstream systems like Dungeons & Dragons, variants appear in family-oriented or beginner-focused adaptations, such as those for young players to flag discomfort during campaigns.^[25] Overall, uptake remains concentrated in progressive indie circles prioritizing explicit consent tools over traditional "fade to black" norms.

Broader Cultural Influence

The X-Card has primarily shaped practices within niche creative and gaming subcultures, particularly by standardizing non-verbal mechanisms for signaling discomfort in collaborative activities. Since its introduction in 2013, it has been integrated into safety protocols at role-playing game conventions and in live-action role-playing (LARP) events, where adaptations like "X-arms"—crossing one's arms to pause play—extend its utility to physical, immersive formats.^[16]^[47] This has fostered a procedural emphasis on consent in group simulations, influencing subsequent tools such as Script Change, which builds on the X-Card's edit-out function for more nuanced scene adjustments.^[48] Beyond core gaming, the tool's principles have informed discussions on participant agency in interactive workshops and procedural content generation in analog games, as noted in academic analyses of role-playing dynamics.^[49] However, its cultural reach remains confined to hobbyist and indie design circles, with limited documented adoption in mainstream theater, improv, or general creative writing groups, reflecting a focus on structured, narrative-driven interactions rather than broad societal norms.^[15] Proponents credit it with normalizing preemptive boundary-setting, contributing to a subcultural shift toward inclusive play environments amid rising awareness of trauma-informed facilitation post-2010s.^[2]

Criticisms and Controversies

Core Objections to Design and Efficacy

Critics argue that the X-Card's design, which relies on a non-verbal signal to halt content without requiring explanation, undermines effective group communication in tabletop RPG sessions. By allowing participants to invoke the tool silently and obligating others to pivot immediately without inquiry, it can foster resentment or confusion among players and game masters who lack context for the discomfort, potentially eroding trust rather than building it.^[50]^[8] A core design flaw highlighted is its susceptibility to abuse or inconsistent enforcement, as the system's simplicity enables arbitrary vetoes of narrative elements—such as critical plot points or character actions—without accountability, which human tendencies toward exploiting rules may exacerbate in competitive or contentious groups. For instance, a single invocation could derail a session's momentum, as reported in anecdotal accounts where players pushed boundaries to test limits, leading to "barrier bleed" where in-game fiction blurs with real sensitivities in unintended ways.^[51]^[52] Regarding efficacy, empirical evidence remains scant, with most reports indicating rare usage in practice, suggesting that pre-game discussions or verbal check-ins suffice for most groups without the tool's intervention. This infrequency raises questions about its necessity, as it may signal over-reliance on a mechanical fix for issues better addressed through upfront boundary-setting, potentially creating hesitation in storytelling where facilitators self-censor to avoid triggers.^[53]^[5] Proponents of alternatives contend that the X-Card does not resolve underlying incompatibilities in player expectations, merely postponing conflicts that resurface, unlike structured communication protocols that encourage resolution.^[54]

Debates on Communication vs. Tools

Proponents of the X-Card maintain that it augments rather than replaces communication by providing a low-friction mechanism to signal discomfort, particularly when verbal interruption feels intimidating or when issues arise unexpectedly during play.^[43] This approach reduces the social cost of confrontation, allowing participants to pause content without immediate explanation, which can then prompt empathetic group responses and foster a culture of respect.^[43] For instance, it addresses triggers unforeseen in pre-game discussions, enabling rapid adjustment and emotional recovery before resuming, which plain verbal appeals might delay due to hesitation or judgment fears.^[43] Critics counter that the X-Card discourages proactive, two-way dialogue by positioning the tool as a shortcut that bypasses the need for continuous verbal negotiation inherent to social gaming.^[55] They argue it implies insufficient trust in participants' socialization skills, potentially fragmenting group dynamics through unexplained interruptions that halt narrative momentum without requiring explanation or collective resolution.^[55] In established groups, where ongoing observation and adaptation already occur, reliance on such devices is seen as infantilizing or unnecessary, favoring instead direct conversations that build deeper understanding over formalized vetoes.^[56] ^[55] Community perspectives often hinge on context, with the tool deemed more valuable in one-off sessions among strangers—where it ensures swift boundary enforcement—to prevent discomfort from derailing play, compared to long-term campaigns where organic communication suffices and tool use risks awkwardness or over-caution.^[56] These debates underscore a broader tension: while the X-Card may lower barriers for some, its efficacy depends on shared buy-in and follow-up discussion, without which it risks entrenching silence over substantive exchange, as evidenced in anecdotal reports from gamers rather than controlled studies.^[43] ^[56]

Ideological and Cultural Critiques

Critics within the tabletop RPG community have argued that the X-Card embodies a broader ideological push toward political correctness, fostering an environment where subjective discomfort trumps narrative exploration and creative risk-taking. This perspective posits that the tool encourages preemptive self-censorship among game masters and players, particularly regarding themes of violence, sexuality, or moral ambiguity that have long characterized genres like horror or dark fantasy in RPGs.^[8] Such objections often frame the X-Card as symptomatic of a cultural disdain for resilience in leisure activities, importing therapeutic paradigms from clinical or activist contexts into informal gaming sessions. Opponents contend that by institutionalizing veto power over content, it undermines the escapist potential of RPGs, where confronting discomfort can yield immersive storytelling or personal growth, instead promoting a sanitized experience akin to content warnings in media that prioritize avoidance over engagement. This critique highlights how the tool's adoption in certain indie and convention scenes correlates with progressive norms, potentially alienating participants who view it as enforcing conformity rather than fostering open dialogue.^[8]^[57] From a more pointed ideological standpoint, some RPG commentators dismiss the X-Card as a manifestation of social justice activism, deriding it as ineffective for genuine safety while serving to "whitewash history, fiction, and reality" in pursuit of ideological purity. These voices argue that its emphasis on individual triggers reflects a victim-centered worldview that erodes traditional gaming's tolerance for gritty or provocative elements, positioning the tool as part of a larger cultural shift toward fragility over fortitude in hobbyist spaces.^[58]^[59]

References

[1]
X-Card by John Stavropoulos - Google Docs
The X-Card is an optional tool (created by John Stavropoulos) that allows anyone in your game (including you) to edit out any content anyone is uncomfortable ...
[2]
The X-Card was created because Dave didn't like the vibe
Aug 7, 2024 · One of the most ubiquitous safety tools out there is the X-Card, developed by John Stavropoulos. James Mendez Hodes (a prolific writer ...
[3]
RPG Safety Tools | Roll20 Marketplace: Digital goods for online ...
RPG Safety Tools includes: X-Card (macro and card deck); Script Change (macros and card deck); Palette (Lines and Veils) page ...
[4]
https://app.demiplane.com/nexus/pathfinder2e/rules/the-x-card-rm
[5]
X-Card: Is it Safe? - by Paul Fricker - The Frickerverse - Substack
Jun 6, 2025 · John Stavropoulos created the X-card in 2015. It didn't exist when Mike Mason and I wrote the 7th edition of Call of Cthulhu. But safety tools ...
[6]
X-Card | RPG Item - RPGGeek
Rating 8/10 (3) The X-Card is an optional tool that allows anyone in your game (including you) to edit out any content anyone is uncomfortable with as you play.
[7]
X & O For More Fun | EN World D&D & Tabletop RPG News & Reviews
Sep 6, 2018 · Safety tools provide an easy way to ensure everyone enjoys the game, and the GM doesn't to guess about what is and isn't working. This ...<|separator|>
[8]
Dissecting the X-Card Controversy - Nerdarchy
Oct 9, 2017 · The controversy over the X-Card exists because there's a disconnect between those who advocate for it, and those opposed to it. To start, I ...
[9]
Safety Tools for Tabletop RPGs - dramadice.com
The X-Card is a safety tool from John Stavropoulos and it's simply a card or a sheet of paper with a big X on it which is then put in the middle of the table.<|separator|>
[10]
X-Card Safety Tools - Tabletop.Events
RPG ALLIANCE CON 2025 · X-Card Safety Tools. THE X-CARD. An X-card is a tool for everyone's protection and comfort. It helps maintain a safe environment at the ...
[11]
Safety Tools - The Role-Players Guild of Kansas City
X-card ... The x-card is the simplest safety tool and also the easiest to implement. A card with a large X is placed on the table where everyone can reach it. If ...
[12]
X-Card by John Stavropoulos | PDF | Creative Commons License
The X-Card is an optional tool (created by John Stavropoulos) that allows anyone in your game (including you) to edit out any content anyone is uncomfortable ...
[13]
X-Card & Safety Tools - Tabletop.Events
Nov 20, 2021 · The X-Card was designed by John Stavropoulos and more information about it can be found his website here. For more safety tool choices play ...
[14]
https://dramadice.com/gm-tips/safety-tools-for-tabletop-rpgs/
[15]
[PDF] Safety Tools for Simulations, Role-Playing, and Games...
It's a card with an X on it that participants in a Simulation or Role-Playing Game can use to edit out anything that makes them uncomfortable with no ...
[16]
[PDF] Roleplaying Games and Performance - LSU Scholarly Repository
May 24, 2023 · The X-Card is meant to address those issues. It may be played unobtrusively without interrupting the conversation but still be recognized in a ...
[17]
The X Card Will Not Save You - D-Constructions
Jun 5, 2024 · X cards are slapped on tables as a prophylactic, as if they are infallible. They may have short explanations but that's not the same as proper ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[18]
Have You Used The X Card Or Seen It Used In Person? - EN World
Aug 22, 2025 · Any games I played pre-2000's never had any official safety tools... Yeah, well the X-card idea was first published in 2013, iirc.
[19]
Player Perspectives: Applying Effort to your One-Shots
Nov 19, 2015 · If you want to be on the safe side, John Stavropoulos has a neat tool called the “X-Card” that you can use for a judgement-free way for a ...
[20]
X-Card: Your Gaming Ring of Protection | The Geek Initiative
Sep 22, 2015 · However, John Stavropoulos has invented a great tool – the X-Card. The X-Card is a safety tool that allows participants to safely edit out ...
[21]
Running Convention Games | Imagonem
Jun 13, 2015 · US game designer and activist John Stavropoulos has game mastered hundreds of games at conventions over the years. ... – The X-Card, http ...
[22]
https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/463013/The-OCard
[23]
The X Card Project by Flat Cap Games (Mark Kaneko) - Kickstarter
Aug 7, 2024 · We have sourced artist-illustrated X Cards, a tool originally created by John Stavropoulos, combined with a selection of safety tools ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
[24]
D&D Safety Tools: SlyFlourish.com
Mar 21, 2021 · The X card by John Stavropoulos is the most popular safety tool of this sort. The GM puts a 3x5 card in front of each player with an X on it ...
[25]
D&D For Young DMs and Players: The X-Card - GeekDad
Oct 3, 2016 · The X-Card helps a DM consider the needs of their group with a concise and simple tool. By the same token, players who really dig freeing slaves ...Missing: criticisms effectiveness
[26]
Deernicorn's Guide to TTRPGs for Libraries and Schools
3) X Card / Safety Tools: Explain the purpose of safety tools and the X-Card, a simple tool allowing anyone to remove uncomfortable content without ...
[27]
Safety Tools - Golden Lasso Games
X-Card ... The x-card is the simplest safety tool and also the easiest to implement. A card with a large X is placed on the table where everyone can reach it. If ...
[28]
List of tools for fun and safety - Black Armada Games
List of tools for fun and safety. This is part of the article series “making ... The N Card by Mysty Vander and Adam Cleaver. The O Card by Kira Magrann.
[29]
Safety Tools in RPGs - Melestrua's Musings
Jul 29, 2022 · Which tool(s) should you use? Whatever works for you and your group. Every person and every group is different, and even if one set of tools ...
[30]
TTRPG Safety Tools - The Illusion Horror & Con
X, N, and O cards are check-in tools. They can be used by tapping physical cards, typing the letter in the chat function of the video conference software or ...
[31]
Safety Tools Cards (2019) - RPG Item - RPGGeek
... N card can be used at any point if a participant feels like they are headed towards an X. When the N card is used by tapping the card or typing an “N” in ...
[32]
Script Change: Official – Thoughty - Beau
Sep 3, 2017 · I really appreciated the X-card. It gave me some new freedoms, I could try things I wasn't familiar with. And the O-card was great, but I ...
[33]
The Script Change: interview with Brie Beau Sheldon - GMS Magazine
May 10, 2020 · Unlike other tools like the X-Card, which are an “either/or” situation, the Script Change is a tool that allows players and GMs to decide how ...
[34]
Table Tools - No More Damsels
Script change is a more advanced table tool which treats your game like a movie. The script can change, rewind, fast forward, pause and run frame by frame! Just ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[35]
[PDF] Weird Stories - Tabletopia
Weird Stories comes with a Stop Card. This is adapted from the X-Card, which is a well-known safety tool used in many games. This is ...
[36]
Tabletop Tuesday – Untold: Adventures Await
Mar 27, 2018 · This concept shows just how much like a tabletop RPG this “board game” is, as it's an obvious variation on the famous X-Card. UntoldGame.<|control11|><|separator|>
[37]
Safety and Calibration tools - Big Bad Con
Mar 17, 2016 · Anyone can tap or hold up the X-Card mid-game, and the group will edit out the scene's content, no questions asked. More information on the X- ...
[38]
Safety Tool Cards for TTRPGs by Star West - itch.io
Rating 5.0 (15) Probably the most well known ttrpg safety tool out there, John Stavropoulos's X-Card is familiar and easy to include even on a table crowded with lots of other ...
[39]
5 Reasons To Use The X-Card - High Level Games
Jul 13, 2018 · 1) It Says “I Care” Utilizing the X-Card at your table lets the players know immediately that you care about their feelings. · 2) It Makes ...Missing: assessments | Show results with:assessments
[40]
https://www.myth.works/blogs/artist-alley/running-rpg-one-shots
[41]
In Praise of Safety Tools
Jul 30, 2023 · I mandated the use of the X-card for one-shot game nights in our university when I was the president of the TTRPG society, and I think our ...
[42]
Can playing Dungeons and Dragons be good for you? A registered ...
A participant is not asked why they used the 'X card', but they can tell the game master afterwards to avoid future incidents. Table 1. TTRPG-based programme. ( ...
[43]
What are the benefits of using the X Card safety tool in comparison ...
Jun 21, 2019 · The X card can be used at any point if a participant is uncomfortable with the content happening in-game. When the X card is used by tapping the ...
[44]
[PDF] Epyllion - A Dragon Epic - The Eye
It helps to have a set of matching dice in the same color. I The X-Card—This tool, designed by John Stavropoulos, makes playing together fun and comfortable.
[45]
Interview with the designers of Bluebeard's Bride | RPGG News
Oct 18, 2016 · One tool mentioned is the X Card , developed by John Stavropoulos . It is one way to make sure that content that will ruin your fun at the ...<|separator|>
[46]
Sin Aesthetics - spaceanddeath games
Feb 28, 2019 · The X card can actually help clarify terms for players that like these kinds of games. Right up front, the X card is a clear and present signal ...
[47]
Safety Tools, and Players Are More Important Than The Game, with ...
Apr 22, 2025 · ... X card or in larp maybe it's X arms where you put your arms up and ... safety tool the right. Term here relative to the, like a ...
[48]
Session Zero and Safety Tools - Ekorren
Jul 30, 2022 · You never have to justify why you flash the X-Card, and it's inappropriate for others to probe. ... Another safety tool is Script Change, created ...<|separator|>
[49]
Tabletop Roleplaying Games as Procedural Content Generators
An example of changing the space of play during the game itself is the X-Card, a safety tool created by John Stavropoulos in which the GM places a card with a ...
[50]
I Actually Do Respect People's Boundaries | The Angry GM
May 1, 2024 · The X-Card communicated nothing and the Game Master was supposed to just respect it and move on without asking questions. So the Game Master ...
[51]
Barrier Bleed: Why I still don't like the X-Card. : r/rpg - Reddit
Apr 8, 2020 · It's human nature to abuse systems, to see how far we can push it. Really it only takes one person abusing the X-Card to negate a nasty critical ...Have you ever played in a game where someone tapped the X card?Safety tools, X-cards and questions about skipping a scene - RedditMore results from www.reddit.com
[52]
Have You Used The X Card Or Seen It Used In Person? - EN World
Aug 22, 2025 · The X card is a hard stop for a partular part of a game, but the discussion I heard was that it encourages people to push right up to the line, ...
[53]
Thoughts on the X Card : r/rpg - Reddit
Sep 15, 2016 · 1)The criticism that X Cards prevents good discussion is a minor one at best. · 2)X Cards are rarely used in most groups. · 3) RPGs have rules for ...Have you ever played in a game where someone tapped the X card?Barrier Bleed: Why I still don't like the X-Card. : r/rpg - RedditMore results from www.reddit.comMissing: dissemination history
[54]
Why I despise most safety tools (long start) | Page 18 - RPG PUB
Apr 13, 2022 · The X-Card is not a replacement for conversation. If you prefer to talk about an issue that comes up instead of using the X-Card, please do.
[55]
Why I despise most safety tools (long start)
### Summary of Main Criticisms of Safety Tools (e.g., X-Card) from Original Post
[56]
How does the community feel about Safety Tools and the X Card ...
Feb 6, 2025 · It's one of the main arguments against safety tools brought up in certain sordid corners of RPG ... safety tool actually is and just made an ...Safety tools, X-cards and questions about skipping a scene - RedditLooking back, were you in games that badly needed an X-Card ...More results from www.reddit.com
[57]
(+) The Negative Impact of Safety Tools - EN World
Apr 30, 2021 · Many RPG safety tools are framed around ideas of "consent," a term which is commonly associated with sexual encounters in our current vernacular ...X & O For More Fun | EN World D&D & Tabletop RPG News & ReviewsD&D General - [+] Ravenloft, horror, & safety tools...More results from www.enworld.orgMissing: cultural | Show results with:cultural<|control11|><|separator|>
[58]
Why The X-Card is a useless piece of SJW garbage - RPGnet Forums
Nov 9, 2018 · In reality every game group I have tried to use the X-Card for have found it useless or they don't know how to work it into a game. Now let me ...Missing: criticisms conservative
[59]
http://therpgpundit.blogspot.com/2018/09/classic-rant-why-feminist-articles.html