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Reddit rules index · read 2026-09-26

Can you promote on r/osr?

Allowed, with limits Its rules allow sharing your own work, with conditions they spell out.

This is a subreddit for news and discussion of Old School Renaissance topics. We primarily focus on D&D (LBB, 1st ed. AD&D, etc.) and the retroclones. Other Old School games (Traveller, Runequest, Tunnels & Trolls, et al) are of course open for discussion. This is *not* a place to rant about how (your least favorite edition) sucks! In fact, I hope discussion arises about how later editions do things right, and how to incorporate them into OSR-styled games.

What its rules say about promotion

Self-promotion
Self Promotion: Self promotion is allowed and encouraged here, but rules must be in place to prevent r/OSR from becoming nothing but a classifieds page. 1.1. Firstly, make it very clear in the title of your post that you are promoting something you’ve made. Using a phrase like “(self-promo)” somewhere in the title is usually sufficient.
1.2 Self promo continued
1.2. Secondly, you can promote your own blog once per week and you can promote a product once. If you’d like to promote a kickstarter or other crowdfunding campaign, please message the mods first for approval. 1.3. Thirdly, what you’re promoting must be OSR TTRPG adjacent. For instance, a fantasy novel promotion will be removed, even if it feels thematically OSR.
1.3 Self promo III
1.4. Fourthly, don’t use others’ posts to promote your own stuff by consistently linking your own creations in the comments of others’ posts. 1.5. Lastly, we prefer you be a community member and not just an advertiser. Upvote, downvote, comment, post, ask questions, answer questions, make suggestions, and just have a conversation about the OSR without promoting a product.
Promotion on Behalf of Others
Not referring to a link of a famous module on sale or as a suggestion. This rule is referring to paid (with money/ items) promotion on the behalf of others. Currently, this is not allowed. If you wish to promote on the behalf of someone else, message the mods. Keep in mind that the FTC requires that social media users clearly disclose any compensation that they receive for promotions, reviews and showcases. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers
All 15 rules of r/osr
  1. Self-promotion
    Self Promotion: Self promotion is allowed and encouraged here, but rules must be in place to prevent r/OSR from becoming nothing but a classifieds page. 1.1. Firstly, make it very clear in the title of your post that you are promoting something you’ve made. Using a phrase like “(self-promo)” somewhere in the title is usually sufficient.
  2. 1.2 Self promo continued
    1.2. Secondly, you can promote your own blog once per week and you can promote a product once. If you’d like to promote a kickstarter or other crowdfunding campaign, please message the mods first for approval. 1.3. Thirdly, what you’re promoting must be OSR TTRPG adjacent. For instance, a fantasy novel promotion will be removed, even if it feels thematically OSR.
  3. 1.3 Self promo III
    1.4. Fourthly, don’t use others’ posts to promote your own stuff by consistently linking your own creations in the comments of others’ posts. 1.5. Lastly, we prefer you be a community member and not just an advertiser. Upvote, downvote, comment, post, ask questions, answer questions, make suggestions, and just have a conversation about the OSR without promoting a product.
  4. Promotion on Behalf of Others
    Not referring to a link of a famous module on sale or as a suggestion. This rule is referring to paid (with money/ items) promotion on the behalf of others. Currently, this is not allowed. If you wish to promote on the behalf of someone else, message the mods. Keep in mind that the FTC requires that social media users clearly disclose any compensation that they receive for promotions, reviews and showcases. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers
  5. No piracy
    Artists and writers deserve to be compensated for their work. Piracy is antithetical to what we do here. There are many free OSR resources (Basic Fantasy RPG, Mausritter, OSRIC 3.0 and many more). Any references to piracy, implicit or explicit, will result in removal and, possibly, a ban.
  6. No insulting language
    6.1. No name calling or deliberately rude statements. 6.2. Do not insult anyone’s intelligence. 6.3. If politics are to be discussed (we advise against it) please keep comments civil, truthful, and peaceful. Do not advocate for violence.
  7. No discrimination
    7.1. Do not disparage anyone on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or anything that places them in a minority (or, for that matter, majority) category. If you have an issue with what someone says, respond to the statement, not the person. 7.2. This is a zero tolerance policy that may result in an instant-ban. 7.3. Do not use any form of hate speech. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/hate
  8. No system snobbery
    Clarified Rules for r/OSR 8.1. Don't put down or poke fun at other systems, or other people for liking those systems. 8.2. Do not engage in “edition wars”. 8.3. Even though this is a community centered around a particular style of play, it will only make the OSR look bad. 8.4. Remember that not everyone likes what you like; and that just because you dislike something, that doesn’t make it bad or low-quality.
  9. No blacklisted creators
    9.1. In order to maintain a harmonious community, we refrain from allowing any content or discussions pertaining to creators who have been officially blacklisted. 9.2. Posts or conversations concerning these blacklisted creators will be removed, and users may receive warnings or bans. 9.3. Blacklisted Creators: Zak S, Alexander Macris, Varg Vikernes, Gabor Lux.
  10. Shelfies only on Saturdays
    10.1. All Shelfies (pictures of your OSR gaming collection) are only to be posted on Shelfie Saturdays or Shelfie Sundays, to avoid spamming during the week. 10.2. This includes just posting a picture of something you bought. We’re all very happy you got a good deal on the Fiend Folio on Ebay, but we can all wait until Saturday to congratulate you.
  11. Spamming, or posting too much
    11.1. Spamming refers to posting things that are not topical to the sub. These will be removed. 11.2. Posting too often is a bit nebulous, but in general, do not use this sub as your personal blog. If you receive a modmail reading: “hey chill out a bit on the posting”, take it with grace. 11.3. Don’t report someone just for commenting often or engaging in debate. This rule normally only applies to posts.
  12. Engagement bait
    12.1. Selfies, random pictures, or screenshots may be removed. 12.2. Examples: 10.2.1. A group selfie with only the caption: We just played ODND. 12.2.2. A picture of a forest with only the caption: Could be gnomes! 12.2.3. A pic of a issue of Dragon with: This is real DND to me. 12.3. In general, avoid making low-effort posts that don’t generate discussion. And don’t use clickbaity titles in an effort to “farm” upvotes. 12.4. If you do want to post another person's art, credit the artist.
  13. Trolling
    11.1. Posts and comments made with the goal of starting an argument or fomenting strife will be removed and may be grounds for an instant-ban.
  14. No AI content of any kind
    Clarified Rules for r/OSR We have a zero-tolerance policy on AI content. Images, text, editing, translating, etc. If your post includes AI or links to a product that includes AI, it will be removed and may be grounds for an instant-ban.
  15. Report a good idea
    15.1. Feel free to report something you’d like to see more of or that just makes you glad to read about. Just use the “other” reason for reporting. 15.2. You may also send a modmail to us at any time to make suggestions or to express your like or dislike of something.

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The verdict is our reading of r/osr's rule text on 2026-09-26. Rules change and moderators decide: read the current rules before you post. Not affiliated with Reddit or r/osr.