1. Roll20 Partners
  2. Creating Marketplace Content
  3. Creating Game Content

Creating Game Content on Roll20

The following is a step-by-step walkthrough on how to create Module and Addon content for sale on the Roll20 Marketplace. This can be a conversion of your print/PDF TTRPG Adventure or Rule Systems or any other content you build directly for the Roll20 Tabletop.

Customer Expectations of Roll20 Marketplace Game Content

A_Screenshot_from_a_Roll20_Game_that_has_an_Adventure_loaded_in_it_to_display_the_various_pieces_of_converted_content.png

The conversion of traditional for-print TTRPG media can take various forms on the Roll20 Marketplace.

  • Digital Rulebooks AKA Compendiums: A Roll20 Compendium takes the entire text of a rulebook and converts it into searchable data that can be browsed within the Roll20 Tabletop itself as well as separately in a webpage. For more information on Compendium building, see Compendium Building Primer.

  • Core Game Modules and Addons: When a Compendium build isn't viable, the next best thing is creating a Game Module or Addon that includes all your systems rules, statted monsters, custom characters with classes, abilities, items, macros, rollable tables, etc. You may use official by Roll20 sheets or your own Character Sheet (using GitHub) for these.

    The main difference between Modules and Addons is that Addons can be added to existing games while Modules cannot!
  • Game Adventure Module & Addons: This takes an Adventure and converts everything into a Roll20 game so that a customer can play it immediately with minimal prep. This includes:
    • The entire campaign's text converted over to Journal Handouts
    • All maps are included on their respective Pages on the Page Toolbar, all monster Tokens placed, and Dynamic Lighting set up if applicable
    • All monsters and NPCs required within the Adventure have Character Sheets and linked Tokens.
    • Rollable Tables such as random encounters tables, loot tables, and shapeshifting token/map art 

  • Play Aid Addons: These are smaller game components that can be designed for a particular system in mind or be completely system agonistic. Some examples include (but not limited to):
    • Custom Card Decks (critical success/failure decks, random magic, story prompts)
    • Dynamically Lit maps
    • Page dashboard elements such as counters or clocks
    • Locale write-ups
    • Preset encounter maps
    • Randomized tables (text and art versions)
    • Soundtracks
    • Magic items

  • Art Packs: These are collections of art assets used for various purposes such as battlemaps, world maps, tile sets, bordered tokens or figures, handout images, cards, etc. These can be set to be downloadable by the customer.

For this guide, we'll be walking through the creation of Module and Addon content.

Module and Addon Creation Overview

The basic steps for creating the above types of content are as follows:

  • Create a new, blank Roll20 game from your Homepage. Do not add any existing Addons to this game! Do not copy a game that you have used in anothe Roll20 Marketplace product!
    • The account associated with your Roll20 Partner account should be the owner of the game. You can then invite collaborators to the game and grant them GM permissions.
    • Remember to select the Character Sheet you want to use; if your content is system agnostic, select None.
  • In the game, Create Journal Handouts of the adventure/rulebook/play aid text.
    • Include a Handout with Credits and any Licensing info you are required to include.
    • Remember that PDFs do NOT get modulized/addonized! You must create Handouts (and/or Rollable Tables, Macros, etc.) from the PDF's text.
  • In the game, Create Character Sheets for NPCs, Monsters, and Ready-to-Play Characters
  • In the game, upload any Art you have made or licensed to Pages, Handouts, and Character Sheets.
    • Add Dynamic Lighting to your maps if you are a Plus or Pro subscriber. Any approved games will retain their Dynamic Lighting for customers even if your subscription lapses later.
  • Create a Roll20 Marketplace item from your Item Management page. Choose Game Module or Game Addon.

    • Modules can ONLY be added when the Customer first creates their game. These are best used for large chunks of content such as rulebooks, long adventure campaigns, or other situations where the template is expected to be a standalone product.

      An Addon can be installed at ANY time once the game has been created. You are also not limited to how many Addons can be installed in a single game. These are best used for short or one-shot Adventures, Dynamically Lit maps, smaller rules expansions, and other GM Aids (card decks, rollable tables, encounters, etc.)

  • Grab the numbers from your game's URL and paste them into the Base Campaign form in your item's properties.
  • Once your game has been approved, create a new game from the Marketplace listing to check that everything is functional.
  • Activate your item!

What Can't You Use in your Game Content?

Nearly all of the available Roll20 Tabletop elements that are available can be used for a Marketplace Module or Addon. If it makes sense to use them for your content conversion, please do so.

The following elements do not carry over when the Module or Addon template is approved.

  • Uploaded PDFs
  • Game's Compendium Sharing Settings
  • Token Actions*
    • These do not copy over with Addons but do with Modules!
  • The Game's Chatlog
  • Installed Token Markers
  • API / Mod scripts
  • "My Settings" tab settings

Please also make sure to review the Marketplace Quality Requirements before submitting your game!

Help Center Articles to Review

Below is a list of links from our main User Help Center (and a few from our own) in the recommended order you should follow when assembling your Marketplace content. The best way to make content that customers will want to use is to learn how customers use Roll20!

Step 1: Get Started

Step 2: Set Up Your Pages

Step 3: Import Your Adventure Text

  • Journal Overview
    • To easily add links to other Handouts, use [ ] around the exact title of the Handout you are linking to; you can then adjust the text of the link!

Step 4: Set up Tokens

Step 5: Set up Rollable Tables, Card Decks, and Macros (when applicable)

Step 6: Review your Adventure

Step 7: Create Your Marketplace Listing and Submit for Approval

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