RPG Frameworks For Malware & Monsters

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, simulating real-world incident response scenarios is crucial. The Malware & Monsters (M&M) project aims to gamify this experience, making it more engaging and educational. To enhance the gameplay loop, especially for the Incident Master (IM), we're exploring how established tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) frameworks can be adapted. This article delves into concepts from renowned systems like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and Sly Flourish's "Lazy DM" philosophy, along with insights from other modern RPG frameworks, to inform potential implementations within M&M.

The core objective is to infuse M&M scenarios with proven TTRPG mechanics. By doing so, we can foster more dynamic gameplay, streamline preparation for the IM, and ultimately create a more captivating experience for all players. This investigation is closely tied to the broader discussion of gamification within the M&M project, aiming to leverage the best of TTRPG design to address the unique challenges and intricacies of cybersecurity incident response.

1. Core D&D Concepts for a Robust Character Framework

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the titan of tabletop role-playing, offers a rich tapestry of mechanics that can be meticulously adapted to the cybersecurity domain. At its heart, D&D provides a structured way to define characters and their capabilities, allowing for clear progression and predictable outcomes when facing challenges. Applying these fundamental D&D mechanics can establish a solid foundation for player characters within the M&M universe, giving them defined roles and measurable competencies.

One of the most potent concepts is the use of Ability Scores & Skills. In D&D, characters possess core attributes like Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, which are augmented by specific skills. Actions are resolved through a dice roll (typically a d20) plus relevant modifiers against a pre-determined Difficulty Class (DC). For M&M, we can translate these into cyber-themed scores, such as `Analysis (INT)` for deciphering complex data, `Technical Skill (DEX)` for performing intricate digital maneuvers, `Resilience (CON)` for enduring system stress, `Intuition (WIS)` for detecting subtle anomalies, `Communication (CHA)` for stakeholder interactions, and `Impact (STR)` for forceful system actions. Complementing these scores would be specialized skills like `Log Analysis`, `Forensics`, `Network Traffic Analysis`, and `Malware Reverse Engineering`. The primary benefit here is the mechanization of core Incident Response (IR) competencies, providing a tangible framework for character development and progression. Players would see their characters grow not just in narrative terms, but also in mechanical power and effectiveness within simulated cyber incidents.

Furthermore, the concept of Character Classes in D&D, which define distinct roles like Fighter, Wizard, or Rogue, each with unique abilities, can be mapped effectively to real-world cybersecurity roles. Imagine archetypes such as the `Incident Responder (Fighter)` who excels at quick containment, the `Forensic Analyst (Wizard)` who meticulously uncovers digital evidence, the `Threat Hunter (Ranger)` who proactively seeks out adversaries, or the `Malware Analyst (Artificer)` who dissects and understands malicious code. This class-based system not only encourages teamwork, as different roles are essential for a comprehensive response, but also serves as an educational tool, teaching players about the diverse duties and specializations within cybersecurity careers.

Finally, D&D's mechanics for Saving Throws & Conditions are invaluable for simulating the pressures of an incident. Saving throws represent a character's ability to resist negative effects, much like dodging a trap or resisting a spell. In M&M, this could translate to `Intuition` saves to avoid falling for a phishing decoy or `Resilience` saves against a system overload. Conditions, such as Poisoned or Stunned in D&D, can model an analyst's deteriorating mental or operational state. Examples could include `Overwhelmed`, which imposes disadvantage on `Analysis` checks, or `Tunnel Vision`, limiting the scope of an analyst's focus. These mechanics effectively model the high-pressure, reactive, and often disorienting nature of responding to a cyber incident, adding a layer of realism and consequence to player actions and failures.

2. Sly Flourish's "Lazy DM" Concepts for Efficient Preparation

Preparing engaging and dynamic TTRPG sessions can be a time-consuming endeavor. Sly Flourish's "Lazy DM" philosophy offers a brilliant counterpoint, championing methods that drastically minimize preparation time while maximizing flexibility and player engagement. The core tenet is to focus on what truly matters for a compelling game, cutting out the minutiae that often bog down IMs. Adapting these principles to M&M can revolutionize how scenarios are designed and run, making the system more accessible and sustainable.

A cornerstone of the Lazy DM approach is the "Strong Start." Instead of beginning a session with a passive observation like, "You see an alert on your monitor," a strong start immediately throws players into the action with a clear, impactful event. For M&M, this translates to kicking off scenarios with a bang. Imagine starting not with a generic alert, but with a direct and urgent situation: "The CEO's primary workstation has just been locked down by ransomware, and a demand for payment has appeared on screen!" This immediate hook grabs player attention and establishes the stakes from the outset, driving immediate engagement and a sense of urgency that mirrors real-world incident response.

Another ingenious concept is "Secrets and Clues." Sly Flourish suggests preparing a list of, say, ten discoverable secrets that aren't tied to specific locations but can be revealed organically as players investigate. This is an *ideal* fit for M&M. The IM can pre-list around ten critical "Indicators of Compromise" (IoCs) or "Forensic Artifacts." These might include specific IP addresses of command-and-control servers, unique malware file hashes, unusual registry entries, or compromised user account details. Crucially, these IoCs are not linked to a single discovery point. Instead, whenever players successfully perform an investigation check – perhaps analyzing network traffic, examining a compromised host, or digging through logs – the IM can reveal one of these pre-determined clues. This ensures the scenario always progresses logically, guided by player actions, and prevents scenarios from stalling because players missed a specific, location-bound piece of evidence.

The Lazy DM also emphasizes preparing "Fantastic Locations" with just a few evocative details, rather than exhaustive descriptions. In the context of M&M, these "locations" are predominantly digital systems. The IM would prepare key network segments or critical machines with a handful of memorable characteristics. For instance, instead of detailing every file on a server, the IM might simply note: "The compromised web server: appears defaced, logs are unusually sparse, and it's making outbound connections to an unknown IP." Or perhaps, "The Domain Controller: running an outdated OS, showing signs of unusual administrative activity, and several user accounts have recently had their privileges escalated." By focusing on a few key, impactful details for each critical system, the IM can quickly sketch out the digital environment, allowing for improvisation while keeping the scenario grounded and interactive. This approach empowers the IM to be more responsive to player choices, adapting the digital landscape on the fly based on player investigations and discoveries, all while maintaining the essential elements of the simulated cyber incident.

3. Other Frameworks for Dynamic Scenario Execution

Beyond the structured approach of D&D and the prep-focused philosophy of the Lazy DM, several other TTRPG frameworks excel at fostering dynamic, improvisational gameplay *during* a session. These systems often provide elegant mechanics for handling uncertainty, escalating stakes, and empowering player agency in real-time. Integrating ideas from these frameworks can make M&M scenarios feel more alive, unpredictable, and responsive to player decisions.

A prime example is the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) engine, famously used in games like *Apocalypse World* and *Monsterhearts*. PbtA games are built around the principle of "failing forward." Unlike systems where a failed roll might simply mean no progress, in PbtA, a failed roll *always* results in something happening, but it's usually a complication or a shift in the narrative that escalates the situation. This is incredibly relevant for M&M. The IM can maintain a curated list of "Adversary Moves" or "System Complications." When a player fails a critical check – perhaps an attempt to contain a malware spread or analyze a suspicious process – the IM can immediately trigger one of these moves. Examples might include: "Adversary deploys lateral movement, compromising another system," "The attacker deletes critical logs, hindering investigation," or "Privileges are escalated on the target server, increasing the threat level." This keeps the pressure on, ensures the scenario evolves constantly, and makes player setbacks meaningful drivers of narrative progression rather than dead ends.

Another highly influential framework is Forged in the Dark (FitD), originating from *Blades in the Dark*. FitD games introduce two particularly powerful mechanics: Clocks and Flashbacks. Clocks are a simple yet incredibly effective visual tool for tracking progress towards a goal or the escalation of danger. For an M&M scenario, the IM can utilize these clocks to represent critical ongoing processes. Imagine a 6-segment clock labeled "Ransomware Encryption". Each time the malware successfully encrypts a portion of the network, a segment is filled. Similarly, an 8-segment clock might track "Data Exfiltration." As these clocks fill, the stakes visibly rise, providing a tangible representation of the growing threat and creating a palpable sense of urgency for the players to act decisively. These clocks serve as excellent visual aids, communicating the dynamic state of the incident to both the IM and the players.

Complementing Clocks are Flashbacks. This mechanic empowers players by allowing them to retroactively declare that they made preparations *before* the current scene unfolded. In M&M, this translates directly to player ingenuity. A player might declare, "I want to use a flashback to earlier this week when, being cautious, I configured a secure, offline backup of the server's critical configuration files, just in case something like this happened." Or, "Before the incident began, I spent some time hardening the domain controller's security settings." This mechanic encourages proactive thinking and rewards players for considering potential threats, allowing them to introduce crucial assets or solutions that weren't explicitly part of the initial setup, thereby adding significant depth and player-driven narrative to the simulation.

Next Steps

To move forward with integrating these TTRPG concepts into Malware & Monsters, a structured approach is necessary. First, we must review existing scenario design documents and IM guidelines. This will help identify any concepts that may already be implicitly or explicitly present in the M&M framework, preventing redundancy and building upon existing foundations. Following this review, a discussion will be initiated to determine which of these frameworks offer the most significant value and align best with the project's goals for M&M. Finally, the most promising approach will be put to the test. We plan to prototype a scenario using a hybrid model – perhaps combining Sly Flourish's prep techniques with FitD's Clocks for dynamic execution – to thoroughly test its feasibility, effectiveness, and impact on the overall M&M gameplay experience.

For further reading on effective RPG design and player engagement, consider exploring resources from **The Alexandrian** for deep dives into game mechanics and design principles, and **Sly Flourish's blog** for practical advice on running engaging TTRPGs with minimal prep.