The tabletop roleplaying community is something special. There’s nothing quite like that moment when creativity meets community, and friends come together over their shared love for adventure.
But for many, the cost of materials for many current titles is a barrier to gameplay. When prices keep going up, some find they have to choose between playing and paying. But here at DriveThruRPG, we believe that there shouldn’t be a paywall between players and the experience.
That’s why we’re proud to offer our Pay What You Want (PWYW) model – our way of helping promote publishers and creators who have generously made their content available to players at a reduced, custom price.
With over 19,000 PWYW titles currently available on DriveThruRPG, we’ve become the go-to source for creator who want to share their work in a way that prioritizes accessibility and community over profit.
These designers, writers, and artists create because they love the craft and believe that great gaming experiences should be available to everyone, regardless of their budget.
So, how does PWYW work – and what are some great titles you can pick up today to support these generous creators?
How Does Pay What You Want Work?
The PWYW model on DriveThruRPG is actually pretty simple.
As you browse through the thousands of PWYW titles on DriveThruRPG, you’ll see a suggested price on the title page, as well as other recommended amounts.
This suggested price is what the creator recommends as fair compensation for their work. But you have complete freedom to pay whatever amount feels right to you, including downloading it for free if that’s what your budget allows.
Plus, you can always return later to add a payment if you find value in the product or your financial abilities allow you to!
This PWYW system creates a way for our community to come together and explore the hobby without creating unnecessary financial barriers. Plus, it’s an excellent way for you to discover new titles from lesser-known publishers and creators, while helping build an audience for the next generation of game makers.
It’s a model built on trust, generosity, and the shared understanding that we’re all part of something special.
Top Pay What You Want Titles Worth Your Attention
Ironsworn: Lodestar by Shawn Tomkin
Browse DriveThruRPG, and you’re bound to find a Shawn Tomkin title on any given page! And now, you can pick up a classic at any price you want.
While the core Ironsworn game is already free, this expanded reference guide gives you 99 pages of rules, moves, and oracle tables in an accessible format.
The new 2025 edition adds content from the Delve expansion – as well as new oracle tables, bonus moves, and digital extras (such as Damien Mammoliti’s stunning Ironlands map).
Tomkin’s commitment to accessibility while creating professional-quality content sets a gold standard for PWYW releases.
Fate Core System by Evil Hat Productions
Are you looking for a way to engage with a brand-new system? You can grab the core system compendium for FATE at a price you pick.
This 308-page complete RPG system powers a ton of games, and it’s created an entire ecosystem of supplements. Now you can learn the ropes and get the full support guide for the core system rules at a price that fits your budget.
We love that the FATE system fits so many genres – from noir detective stories to space opera. Plus, it’s a great resource to have in your library to refer to at any time!
Black Rose Keep by Free League Publishing
Looking for a PWYW adventure that shows how much you create in a short amount of time?
Black Rose Keep drops you into a Forbidden Lands adventure with a haunting tale of a cursed woman who has been transformed into a ghoul.
Amazingly, this title was created in just 24 hours, and the 12 pages of this Pay What You Want Title give you plenty to work with. There’s great artwork and an adventure packed with compelling moral dilemmas. It’s definitely one worth checking out – and supporting!
The Between: Season 2 by The Gauntlet
You can grab the Season 2 expansion on The Gauntlet’s innovative gothic horror game for a price you pick. This new edition adds a new playbook (The Unquiet), a cosmic horror antagonist in Admiral Flagg, and four atmospheric threats.
The Between: Season 2 gives you a 22-page supplement that shows the ability for PWYW in supporting ongoing game development. By going PWYW, The Gauntlet allows players to try expansions risk-free while supporting continued development of the game.
Heresy of the Whispering Way by Enigma Homebrew/Paizo
Expanding on Pathfinder’s Book of the Dead, Heresy of the Whispering Way gives players 62 pages of content exploring new class options, vampire and ghost powers, the Graveknight archetype, paths to lichdom, and much more.
This title has struck a chord, with it earning perfect 5/5 ratings on our PWYW title library. Plus, it’s a great way to dig into the Pathfinder world at a pay level that anyone can afford.
Mermaids & Melodies: A Micro RPG Zine by Micro RPG
Now for something a bit unexpected! Why not grab a PWYW 8-page micro-RPG built on a mermaid adventure? In Mermaids & Melodies, you play Mermaid Warriors of Crust Cove, exploring underwater realms and protecting your kingdom.
This fun title is a complete game that only requires a 2d6, some graph paper, and a whole bunch of imagination. We love the minimalist design and accessible rules that make it perfect for newcomers as well as those who just want to try out something fun and unique from the community!
How Much Should I Pay?
We get this question a lot, and the answer is “Whatever you want!”
There’s no shame in exploring these or other PWYW titles for free or at discounted prices. Every creator who chooses PWYW is taking a leap of faith with their creativity and trusts that the community will support them if they find value in their work.
If you’re a student, unemployed, or facing financial hardship, you’re more than welcome to utilize the free download options. Remember, publishers and game makers want you to enjoy their games no matter your financial situation.
Those who can afford it have the option to pay a bit more than the suggested rate, all of which goes to help support makers so that they can continue to create excellent games for the community.
Plus, the more you pay, the more others will notice the popularity rising. As they say: Many single drops in the harbor lift all the boats higher!
Remember that you can always come back later. Downloaded a game for free and loved it? Return when you can afford it and show your appreciation. Found a PWYW product key to your campaign? Give back in kind!
Find Your Next Favorite PWYW Game on DriveThruRPG Today
We love how our RPG community continues to support one another, and the PWYW model shows that the family of publishers and creators thrives on this reciprocal generosity.
We’re thankful that publishers like Evil Hat and creators like Shawn Tomkin have built sustainable businesses while keeping their core products accessible. Your support – at whatever level you can offer – helps maintain this ecosystem where everyone wins.
PWYW represents the best of our hobby: that shared stories and collective imagination are more valuable than gatekeeping, and that a healthy, growing tabletop community benefits everyone.
Want to find your next favorite game? Head online and browse the nearly 20,000 PWYW titles on DriveThruRPG right now. Let us know what you pick up!
