Stephen Hunt's SFcrowsnest
About The Tabletop Field Guide
How the SFcrowsnest tabletop guide helps readers find games, shops, clubs, makers and beginner routes into the hobby.
The Tabletop Field Guide is an editorial SFcrowsnest microsite for readers who want a practical way into tabletop gaming. It covers tabletop roleplaying games, miniature wargaming, trading card games, 3D printing, shops, clubs, publishers, miniature makers, terrain makers and online communities. The aim is to help a reader move from curiosity to a sensible next step: read a primer, compare a game, find a shop, contact a club, or check a maker's official range.
The guide is written for beginners and returning hobbyists as much as experienced players. Many tabletop pages on the web assume that readers already know the difference between a roleplaying campaign, a skirmish game, a trading card format and an STL file. This site keeps those routes separate, uses plain language where possible, and links related pages together so a reader can keep their bearings.
How the directory works
The directory is an editorial index, not a paid listing service. Records are gathered from research workbooks, official public sources and later review passes. Some entries are full profiles with notes on what the listing is useful for. Others are short field notes that still need extra checking before they can become richer pages.
Location, opening, stock, event and group details can change quickly. The guide therefore points readers toward official websites, organisers and shops before they travel, buy, book a table or join an event. The Field Guide should be treated as a map of leads, not as a replacement for current official information.
How the site is built
The microsite is deliberately simple: static HTML, CSS, JSON and small vanilla JavaScript files. That makes it portable, easy to archive, easy to inspect, and straightforward to publish inside SFcrowsnest without depending on a database or complex plugin stack. It also means pages can be made clear for readers, search engines and AI-led discovery tools at the same time.
How to help
Corrections and additions are welcome, especially for shops, clubs, public gaming groups, publishers, makers and event-friendly venues. Useful submissions include the official website, city or region, what the entry supports, and any public notes about in-person play, online ordering, accessibility or event schedules.