Tag: Dungeons & Dragons

The Weekly Podcast no.294 – Chris and Jeremy HIred, Galactic & Going Rogue, Defying the Gods and White Wolf is Back

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Critical Role Productions has made a significant power play by hiring Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford, two of the most influential designers behind Dungeons & Dragons’ 5th edition success. Both served as creative director and game director respectively at Wizards of the Coast for decades before departing in April 2025. Their recruitment to Critical Role’s Darrington Press division represents a major shift in the tabletop RPG landscape, coming just weeks after Darrington Press launched Daggerheart, their own alternative to D&D. This move is part of Critical Role’s broader expansion from web series into a full entertainment company spanning cartoons, comics, video games, and now tabletop game publishing. The departure of Perkins and Crawford appears to be part of a larger exodus from Wizards of the Coast’s D&D team. Following their April exit, several other high-profile figures have left the company, including VP of D&D Franchise Jess Lanzillo and content marketing strategist Todd Kenreck, who was laid off. This turnover comes at a critical time as WotC faces criticism over D&D 2024’s revised rulebooks, which many players and critics argue fail to address fundamental issues with the 5th edition system while actually making some problems worse. The timing raises questions about potential internal turmoil at the company that publishes “the world’s greatest role-playing game.”

Galactic & Going Rogue combines two beloved space rebellion RPGs into a single hardcover third edition, drawing inspiration from Star Wars, Rogue One, and Andor. The games focus on rebels fighting against a fascist galactic empire called The Mandate as part of The Liberation. Galactic tells stories of charming but flawed heroes and their relationships, while Going Rogue explores darker themes where characters are fated to make ultimate sacrifices for freedom. Both games use the GM-less Belonging Outside Belonging system with innovative mechanics including “pillars” that represent setting aspects and token-based gameplay.

Defy the Gods is a sword and sorcery RPG set in fantasy ancient Mesopotamia that queers the genre by centering romance and resistance. Players take on roles like Revenants, Sailors, Sorcerers, and other archetypes while building their own world of gods, cities, and wilderness. The game features a unique three-tier success system where rolling too high can be dangerous, and characters risk losing their humanity as they gain power through “Epithets” that can transform into “Dooms.” Romance serves as both protection and vulnerability, with emotional connections being key to survival against hostile world forces including pantheons of gods and oppressive cities. The campaign was successfully funded and includes stretch goals for additional content.

Paradox Interactive announced the revival of the White Wolf brand as the official licensing and publishing entity for World of Darkness properties including Vampire: The Masquerade. This marks a return for the influential brand that was shuttered in 2018 following controversy over insensitive content. Led by veterans including Jason Carl, the revived White Wolf aims to unify its transmedia properties and develop both classic and new IPs with a clearer long-term vision, representing another significant shift in how major gaming properties are managed and developed.

#darringtonpress #wotc #galactic #goingrogue #whitewolf

Galactic and Going Rogue Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/galacticgoingrogue/galactic-and-going-rogue-two-ttrpgs-of-war-among-the-stars

Defying the Gods Relaunched Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hecticelectron/defy-the-gods-rpg

Defying the Gods Quickstart:

https://hecticelectron.itch.io/defy-the-gods

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The Weekly Podcast no.293 – CMON Sells Zombicide, Warhammer Down, WotC Help Wanted and New Chaosium CEO

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CMON, already facing financial difficulties exacerbated by import tariffs, has sold its flagship Zombicide IP to Asmodee under the Guillotine Games label. This follows CMON’s earlier sale of three other prominent board game lines (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and ANKH: Gods of Egypt) to Tabletop Tycoon in May, along with staff layoffs and frozen crowdfunding campaigns. The company’s stocks were delisted from the Hong Kong stock exchange after failing to publish accounts on time, showing substantial losses that drained cash reserves.

Games Workshop took the unusual step of deliberately crashing its entire Warhammer.com webstore to prevent bots from bulk-purchasing the limited special edition of the new Horus Heresy book “Era of Ruin.” The company detected scalpers using bots to bypass normal safeguards in real-time and shut down the site globally, pausing the book’s launch entirely. This drastic measure is uncommon for large-scale web stores and demonstrates GW’s commitment to preventing scalping, even at the cost of lost sales and resources.

Following the departures of prominent D&D figures Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins after the launch of revised 5th Edition, Wizards of the Coast is hiring for two high-level positions: a “Principal Game Designer” and a “Head of Game Ecosystem.” These roles, offering $150-200k salaries, represent a corporate, video game-industry-like division of responsibilities where the Principal Game Designer executes product releases while the Head of Game Ecosystem drives long-term vision and rules consistency across all D&D formats.

Chaosium announced significant staff changes, including the appointment of Neil Robinson as CEO and the departure of Executive Producer Mike Mearls to Asmodee after 14 months. Brian Holland has been promoted to Executive Producer for RPGs, while other team members have taken on expanded roles including Jason Durall moving to Basic Roleplaying as creative director and several new hires joining the company. Despite the changes, Mearls will continue working on ongoing projects including the new RuneQuest edition.

#zombicide #siegeofterra #wotc #chaosium 

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The Weekly Podcast no.291 – Catalyst Price Hike, Free RPG Day, Warhammer Oops and Neon City Outlaws

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Catalyst Game Labs announced $5 increases on Forcepacks and Box Sets, and $1 increases on Salvage Box products due to tariffs. They paid $240,000 in unexpected import taxes in March, with a 30% tariff requiring 10% MSRP increases. RPG sourcebooks remain unaffected due to a 2024 U.S. Customs ruling classifying RPG books as “books” rather than “games” for tariff purposes.

Games Workshop Legal Action: GW filed a sweeping lawsuit against 280 online sellers for Warhammer trademark infringement, freezing assets and business operations. However, they subsequently admitted mistakes and began dismissing cases against sellers who were incorrectly targeted, sending “oops” apology emails to affected businesses.

Tabletop Tycoon Acquisitions acquired five board games from CMON, including three designed solely by Eric M. Lang (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, ANKH: Gods of Egypt) and two co-designed games (Arcadia Quest, Starcadia Quest).

Free RPG Day 2025 is scheduled for June 21st, featuring offerings from major publishers including Free League, Kobold Press, Chaosium, and others. The event will include D&D cartoon character pins, sample products, new adventures, and materials for various game systems.

Neon City Outlaws designed by Rodney Thompson (Lords of Waterdeep, D&D) is launching a cyberpunk RPG Kickstarter campaign through June 12th, 2025. The game uses his 100AC system and features collaborative world-building, body-swapping mechanics, and both individual heist scenarios and larger “Revolution” gameplay phases. The campaign has raised $32,885 of its $40,000 goal with 14 days remaining.

#catalystgamelabs #freerpgday2025 #warhammer #neoncityoutlaws

Neon City Outlaws:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scratchpadpublishing/neon-city-outlaws

Neon City Outlaws Print and Play:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/522165/neon-city-outlaws-print-and-play-preview?affiliate_id=2081746

Free RPG Day:

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The Weekly LIVE 285 – Jeremy Crawford Retires, Space Gits, CMON’s David Preti and Battletech RPG Bundle

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Jeremy Crawford, long-time Game Director for Dungeons & Dragons, is officially stepping down from Wizards of the Coast later this month, joining fellow veteran Chris Perkins, who recently departed as Creative Director. Both Crawford and Perkins have been instrumental in shaping the game’s highly successful Fifth Edition and have served as the public faces of D&D for over a decade. Their departures come on the heels of completing a revised set of core rulebooks, marking the end of a major chapter for the franchise. According to WotC’s VP Jess Lanzillo, their exits were planned and on their own terms, with leadership succession already in place. While no direct replacements have been named, experienced designers like James Wyatt, Wes Schneider, and Justice Arman will step into expanded roles. WotC has emphasized that the D&D roadmap remains unchanged, and the transition signals a generational handoff as the team moves forward with confidence in its future.

Space Gits is a chaotic, dexterity-based miniatures skirmish game from designer Mike Hutchinson, centered around gangs of drunk, riotous space orcs wreaking havoc in the megacity of Gnork. Inspired by the comedic, rowdy spirit of Warhammer 40k Orks—particularly the 1990s aesthetic—this miniature-agnostic game encourages players to use any models they like, including those from Kromlech, who are also producing exclusive minis for the campaign. The gameplay is intentionally absurd, involving dice-based movement and combat, drunken stumbles, and even rock-paper-scissors brawling, all wrapped in a full campaign system with rules for vehicles, loot, injuries, and criminal records. With support for 2–5 players and sessions under an hour, it can even be played as a drinking game. The rules are freely available under a Creative Commons license, making Space Gits a hilariously anarchic and flexible game that embraces creativity, kitbashing, and pure orcish mayhem.

David Preti, a long-time senior manager at board game publisher CMON, has stepped down from his position as non-executive director, just seven months after resigning as Chief Operating Officer. Preti, who originally joined CMON as creative director in 2016 and rose to COO by 2018, cited “other work commitments” for his departure. His tenure saw major strategic changes, including a distribution deal with Asmodee, and licensing agreements with Mattel, Netflix, Marvel, and others. Under his leadership, CMON transitioned from Kickstarter to Gamefound for crowdfunding, a move that helped raise over $12 million in its first year on the new platform. Preti’s resignation comes amid turbulent times for CMON, which has warned of potential losses exceeding $2 million for 2024 and is grappling with delayed financial reporting, investor defaults, and rising tariffs on Chinese imports—threatening the board game industry at large. The company has over $22 million worth of crowdfunded projects still in production and is struggling to manage rising costs and logistical hurdles. 

The Humble RPG Bundle: The BattleTech RPG Collection by Catalyst Game Labs offers fans of the BattleTech universe a comprehensive digital package packed with lore, rules, and campaigns set in the gritty, futuristic world of the Aurigan Reach. Available for as little as $1, with the full 20-item collection unlocked at $18, the bundle includes titles like BattleTech Universe, MechWarrior: Destiny, Total Warfare, and A Time of War: The BattleTech RPG. All items are delivered in PDF format and can be used on any device, with proceeds supporting the No Kid Hungry charity. With over 11,000 bundles sold and more than $21,000 raised for charity, this limited-time offer provides both an engaging RPG experience and a chance to give back.

#wotc #spacegits #cmon #battletech

Battletech RPG Humble Bundle:

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/battletech-rpg-collection-catalyst-game-labs-books

Space Gits Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-miniatures-game

Space Gits Quick Start:

https://planetsmashergames.com/space-gits/downloads/quick-start/

Space Gits BETA Test Rules:
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The Weekly LIVE 280 – Sigil Released,The Western Reaches, Rising POD Costs and AI Bull Cocks

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Dungeons & Dragons’ new virtual tabletop platform, Sigil, has launched with high expectations but demonstrates significant shortcomings, feeling incomplete and more akin to a pre-alpha version than a polished product. While it boasts aesthetically pleasing 3D graphics and ties to D&D Beyond for character integration, the app struggles with functionality, lacking essential features for game management and customization, which detracts from the user experience. Many users report frustrating bugs and inconsistencies with character imports and game mechanics, suggesting the need for manual oversight. Critics note that despite its visual appeal, Sigil does not adequately compete with established virtual tabletops, and its current state casts doubt on its potential for future improvement. Additionally, feedback from the community reflects skepticism about its overall viability as a go-to platform for D&D sessions, particularly given the limitations on customization and gameplay integration.

The newly launched crowdfunding campaign for the Western Reaches setting, designed for the Shadowdark roleplaying game by the Arcane Library, is rapidly gaining traction, having surpassed half a million dollars within hours of its start. With a goal to reach the million-dollar mark, this sandbox environment includes new classes, ancestries, and themed areas like the Gloaming Forest and Djurum Desert. The offering comes in two hardcover editions, priced at $129 and $149 for a premium version, with fulfillment anticipated by December 2025. As it stands, The Western Reaches already ranks as one of the highest first-day funded tabletop RPG projects, indicating significant interest from the gaming community.

DriveThruRPG has issued a warning to publishers about impending increases in Print on Demand (POD) costs, which could rise significantly—by 20-50%—starting April 1st due to escalating supply costs. This increase primarily affects black and white printing, including both hardcover and softcover formats, attributed to issues such as tariffs and supply chain disruptions. While DriveThruRPG has stated they won’t adjust selling prices immediately, the heightened publishing costs may lead to price increases for customers, particularly impacting smaller publishers who might face reduced profitability. Publishers are encouraged to consider purchasing POD products soon to avoid the upcoming price hikes.

Chris Cocks, Hasbro’s CEO, who has played Dungeons & Dragons for 40 years, emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration in both gaming and corporate leadership. He has been focusing on a “pivot back to play” strategy at Hasbro, moving away from a previous emphasis on storytelling to enhance product design, innovation, and customer engagement. Cocks has reduced the company’s content spending significantly and shifted its approach toward capital-light licensing to maintain profitability, while also exploring new markets to address emerging challenges. He highlights the need for adaptability within the supply chain and aims to capture a broader customer base by creating affordable toys for emerging markets. Cocks is also an advocate for integrating artificial intelligence into gaming, arguing it can enhance creativity and engagement in Dungeons & Dragons. While he perceives AI as a tool that can democratize content creation, he acknowledges current platforms often fail to compensate creators adequately. He envisions future offerings that could enable parents to customize popular brands like Peppa Pig and enrich D&D campaigns, framing AI as a beneficial addition to the brand. Despite potential challenges related to tariffs and manufacturing costs, Cocks maintains a hopeful outlook for reaching more consumers and evolving Hasbro’s product lines to meet changing demographics and preferences.

D&D Beyond Sigil:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sigil

The Western Reaches Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shadowdarkrpg/western-reaches

Chris Cocks Interview’

https://www.semafor.com/article/03/06/2025/we-had-to-go-back-to-play-how-hasbros-dungeon-master-ceo-got-serious-about-games

#sigil #wshadowdark #dtrpg #chriscocks

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The Weekly LIVE 260 – More Alien 2E, D&D Help Wanted, Dropfleet Commander 2E and Horizons Magazine

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Alien:The Roleplaying Game Second Edition reveals new content, including two detailed maps by Miska Fredman, depicting the USCSS Fidanza and the Jeremiah VI colony. These additions provide new visual tools for gameplay. The new edition features updated rules, new content, and expanded tools, all compatible with existing Alien RPG material. The “Rapture Protocol” scenario also returns, following a star freighter crew on a dangerous colony resupply mission. This cinematic scenario evokes classic Alien themes of tension and survival.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is searching for a new Brand Publicity Manager following the departure of Greg Tito from Wizards of the Coast. The job will focus on managing publicity programs, fan relations, product launches, and media for the brand. Given D&D’s recent challenges and upcoming 5th edition revisions, the role will play a critical part in shaping its future. Hasbro, the parent company, hopes to grow D&D as a major digital gaming brand.

Dropfleet Commander, a sci-fi spaceship game by TTCombat, is open for pre-orders for its new edition. The game features a two-player starter set, highlighting the United Colonies of Mankind (UCM) and a new faction, the Bioficers. The new edition includes updated core ships for several factions and introduces modular space stations, along with expanded lore and rules explained by creator Dave Lewis.

Horizons, a new quarterly magazine for tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) fans, will debut on October 9. It offers a mix of D&D-compatible content, non-D&D franchises, and contributions from experienced creators. The magazine’s first issue features articles on Star Dragons, rune-powered transportation, and other adventures. Horizons is focused on paying fair wages to creators and ensuring all content is thoroughly playtested. It will cater to a wide range of campaigns, providing tools and adventures for various TTRPG settings.

#dnd #alienrpg #horizonsmag #ttcombat

Dropfleet Commander Pre-order:
https://ttcombat.com/collections/dropfleet-commander/products/drop-fleet-2-player-starter-set

Support Horizons on Patreon:
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Submit to Wharf Rat Games:
https://wharfratgames.com/submissions

Alien 2E Kickstarter Campaign URL:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol

4-Hour Dune RPG Review:
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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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Dragonbane Core Set:
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The Weekly LIVE 258 – Cyberpunk 2077 Boardgame, Faster Purple Worm the Book, Wharf Rat Games and AI Usage in D&D

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Cyberpunk 2077: The Board Game has smashed its crowdfunding goals on Gamefound, raising almost $4 million, having reached its funding target within 10 minutes of launch. Developed by Go On Board, the creators of previous Witcher board games, this cooperative, scenario-based tactical combat game offers a mix of RPG elements, deck building, crafting, and real-time turns. A companion app narrates the campaign and times each round, adding urgency and tension. Players can customize characters with cybernetic enhancements and make narrative decisions that impact future missions. The game’s dynamic gameplay and narrative flexibility promise replayability, appealing to fans of the Cyberpunk franchise.

Actor and director Matthew Lillard’s company, Beadle & Grimm’s, is releasing a Dungeons & Dragons book based on his comedy TV show Faster, Purple Worm, Kill! Kill! titled Faster Purple Worm: Everybody Dies. The book features 15 one-shot adventures, all of which end in a Total Party Kill (TPK), designed for improvisational play. While most RPG players avoid TPKs, Lillard’s book aims to make death fun, with tips for spontaneous gameplay and adaptation for ongoing campaigns. The Kickstarter campaign has already hit its funding goals, unlocking extra adventures, and hinting at a future second volume.

Wharf Rat Games, founded by designers Wes Crawford and Ryan Heilman, aims to streamline the board game publishing process. The company plans to focus on one game at a time, cutting down the time between signing a game and its release. With a mission to produce medium-difficulty games with engaging themes, Wharf Rat Games is actively seeking submissions with historical, sci-fi, or fantasy themes. Their first project is The Pursuit of John Wilkes Booth, a game about the hunt for Lincoln’s assassin. By prioritizing communication and collaboration with designers, the company seeks to support unique, polished games.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks spoke about the role of AI in the future of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) during a Goldman Sachs event. While Wizards of the Coast has banned AI-generated artwork from D&D and Magic: The Gathering, Cocks acknowledged the potential of AI to enhance user-generated content and assist with campaign development. Though controversial, Cocks emphasized the need for careful, responsible use of AI, ensuring creators are compensated and distinguishing AI-generated work. This statement comes amid broader discussions about AI’s role in the creative process across Hasbro’s vast portfolio of brands.

#cyberpunk2077 #DnD #wharfratgames #AI

Submit to Wharf Rat Games:

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Cyberpunk 2077 on Backerkit

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/go-on-board/cyberpunk-2077-the-board-game

Barbarians of Lemuria Mythic+ Edition 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ludospherik/barbarians-of-lemuria-mythic-edition-0

StarTrek Adventures First Edition Bundle:

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/star-trek-adventure-rpg-first-edition-collection-modiphius-books?partner=upturnedtable

Deadzone Frontier:

https://www.myminifactory.com/frontier/deadzone-2774

Immersive RPG Bundle for Alchemy VTT (affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/software/free-league-immersive-rpg-bundle-for-alchemy-vtt-software?partner=upturnedtable

Alien 2E Kickstarter Campaign URL: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol

4-Hour Dune RPG Review:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/review-dune-in-106781242

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Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:
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Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)
https://www.nobleknight.com/affiliate/aw.asp?B=3&A=1312&Task=Click

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

Dragonbane Core Set:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/418106/Dragonbane-Core-Set

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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​

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The Weekly LIVE 252 – Alchemy VTT Bundle, D&D VTT This Year, Pirate Borg Expansions and WotC Removes Credits

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Free League Publishing, known for RPGs such as Tales from the Loop, Symbaroum, and Coriolis, has launched an extensive Immersive RPG Bundle for the Alchemy virtual tabletop (VTT). This bundle includes 50 items from Free League’s catalog, covering various rulebooks, adventures, and supplemental materials. Normally valued at over $1,000, the bundle is available for $30. Additionally, purchasing the bundle supports Direct Relief, a nonprofit providing global medical aid. The bundle features games like Tales from the Loop, Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying, Dragonbane, and Mutant Year Zero, among others. It offers core rulebooks, expansion books, pre-made adventures, and campaign books, excluding the ALIEN RPG due to licensing constraints. This special offer runs for 19 more days.

During Hasbro’s Q2 earnings call, CEO Chris Cocks announced that the D&D virtual tabletop is set to be available later this year. Described as a “3D roleplaying sandbox experience,” the VTT will be previewed at GenCon and promises to enhance the digital D&D experience with its build on Unreal Engine 5. Pre-orders for the new Player’s Handbook include a virtual miniature of a gold dragon, indicating the platform’s readiness for use. The earnings call highlighted that Wizards of the Coast, part of Hasbro, continues to drive significant revenue growth, notably through digital products like Baldur’s Gate 3 and D&D Beyond. The new VTT aims to integrate D&D’s digital and physical gameplay, offering backward compatibility with fifth edition adventures and supplements, though third parties are already referring to the new rules as “5.5.”

Limithron has announced two new expansions for the Pirate Borg tabletop RPG, to be funded through a Kickstarter campaign launching on September 17. The expansions, titled Cabin Fever and Down Among the Dead, will be released as hardcover editions along with collectible items like GM screens, dice sets, custom coins, and ship combat tokens.Cabin Fever, created through the Known Conspirators community on itch.io, features over 144 pages of content from various creators. Down Among the Dead includes three new adventures, modular rulesets, and other GM resources across 120 pages. These expansions promise to add significant new content and options for Pirate Borg players.

Faith Elisabeth Lilley, a former member of the digital content team at Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), revealed that the team’s credits have been removed from D&D Beyond. The team was responsible for integrating book content into the online platform and contributing to the book development process. Although initially agreed that the team would be credited on D&D Beyond due to space limitations in physical books, their names have recently been removed without notice.The removal of credits has sparked disappointment and criticism within the community, as it undermines the contributions of those who significantly improved the quality and success of D&D’s digital and physical products.Also, Dark Horse Comics has announced a licensing deal with Wizards of the Coast to produce new comics and graphic novels based on Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, starting in 2025. This collaboration will feature original stories expanding the lore and universes of these popular games. Dark Horse has a history of publishing licensed gaming comics and aims to bring fresh, high-stakes stories to fans and newcomers alike.The partnership will include comic series, graphic novels, art books, and more, with a focus on engaging storytelling and captivating artwork. Fans can look forward to the first releases in the summer of 2025.

 

#alchemyvtt #pirateborg #onednd #dndbeyond

Immersive RPG Bundle for Alchemy VTT (affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/software/free-league-immersive-rpg-bundle-for-alchemy-vtt-software?partner=upturnedtable

Alien 2E Kickstarter Campaign URL: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol

4-Hour Dune RPG Review:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/review-dune-in-106781242

Humble Bundle (affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/?partner=upturnedtable

Check out our new shirts on Red Bubble:
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Try Fantasy Grounds VTT (affiliate link):

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Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:
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Outgunned Adventure on Backerkit

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/two-little-mice/outgunned-2

Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)
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10% off First Purchase from Modiphius:
http://r.sloyalty.com/r/vhbUPnHm6tIp

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

Dragonbane Core Set:
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Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​

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The Weekly LIVE 250 – Board game Publishers Scammed, Phantasy Star for Tabletop, Etsy Now Sells AI and Sexist Gary Gygax

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Several board game publishers have been deceived by scammers impersonating a Facebook group with 80,000 members. Renegade Games Studios and CrowD Games were among the victims who sent review copies of their latest games to fraudsters pretending to be Thomas Covert, the real social media manager and marketing coordinator for Board Game Revolution (BGR). The scammers contacted publishers with a fake email, claiming that BGR was venturing into reviews. Despite the real Covert’s efforts to alert the industry, Renegade and CrowD had already shipped their games. CrowD’s marketing director, Serge Sintsov, explained that he received a convincing email from the impersonator during a busy period and sent a game before realizing the scam.

Devir Americas narrowly avoided sending their games due to good fortune, as managing partner Matt Hyland explained that their shipment request fell through the cracks. Other publishers like Gamelyn Games and Daily Magic Games were also targeted, with Daily Magic’s David Mackenzie stating they might have sent copies if the scam had not been uncovered in time. Daily Magic is also dealing with a fake Instagram account impersonating their company to access sensitive information. Covert has now hired a private investigator to track the packages sent to various addresses across the U.S. and emphasized that any affected publishers should contact him via the official BGR email.

Skydawn Studios has announced a new tabletop RPG based on the beloved video game series Phantasy Star. Known for its sci-fi settings and characters, Phantasy Star is being adapted into a cooperative storytelling game using the Esper Genesis rules system, a sci-fi adaptation of 5E D&D. The game allows players to create characters from various archetypes and embark on quests in a universe filled with cosmic threats and ancient evils. The release is expected in 2025, with a preview planned for August 2024 for newsletter subscribers. Fans can expect familiar elements and characters from the original video game series, ensuring a blend of nostalgia and new experiences.

Etsy has clarified its policy on the sale of A.I.-generated artwork, allowing it to be sold on the platform with specific labeling requirements. While Etsy has marketed itself as a site for handmade items, A.I. art must be labeled as “designed” rather than handmade. Sellers must disclose if their items were created using A.I. tools. However, Etsy will no longer permit the sale of A.I. prompts, which are instructions used to generate art via A.I. tools. Etsy aims to support artists while adapting to technological changes, ensuring that its policy aligns with its mission to “Keep Commerce Human.”

The newly released history book “The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons 1970-1977” has sparked controversy by highlighting the sexist language and attitudes present in early D&D materials. Historians Jon Peterson and Jason Tondro reveal that D&D’s original drafts contained derogatory language and sexism, reflecting the views of its creators, particularly Gary Gygax. This revelation has led to significant backlash online, with some defending the game as a product of its time. However, historian Ben Riggs argues that acknowledging these flaws is essential for preserving the legacy of D&D’s creators and ensuring the game is inclusive for all players. Riggs emphasizes that discussing the game’s past shortcomings allows the community to move forward and grow, making D&D more welcoming to a diverse audience.

#phantasystar #etsy #garygygax #benriggs

Rascal News:
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4-Hour Dune RPG Review:

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Try Fantasy Grounds VTT (affiliate link):

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Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:
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Outgunned Adventure on Backerkit

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/two-little-mice/outgunned-2

Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)
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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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Dragonbane Core Set:
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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:
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The Weekly LIVE 246 – Electric State on Netflix, Delta Green Bundle, DC20 Breaks $1 Million and Wacom Protects Artists

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The most expensive movie on Netflix, ‘The Electric State,’ is a science fiction film directed by the Russo Brothers, known for their work on ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame.’ The film will cost $320 million, marking it as the platform’s priciest project to date. This move comes as part of Netflix’s strategy to dominate the sci-fi genre amidst the ongoing streaming war, where Apple TV+ currently holds the lead. ‘The Electric State’ stands out among Netflix’s upcoming projects. The story revolves around an orphaned teenager, played by Millie Bobby Brown, who journeys through a retro-futuristic American West with a mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter to find her younger brother. The cast also includes Chris Pratt and Stanley Tucci, making it one of Netflix’s most anticipated releases set for late 2024. The film expands its stellar cast with Giancarlo Esposito, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, and Jenny Slate. Based on Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, the adaptation maintains a unique retro-futuristic aesthetic. The project has undergone significant development changes, initially set for Universal before Netflix took over in 2022, with filming completing in early 2023 and reshoots in 2024.

Delta Green is a role-playing game (RPG) that blends modern investigative techniques with the eldritch horror of the Cthulhu Mythos. Players assume the roles of members of a secret government organization dedicated to combating cosmic horrors. The current Delta Green Humble Bundle, available until June 22nd, offers an extensive collection of the game’s resources at a significant discount, supporting Covenant House, which aids homeless and trafficked youth. The bundle features the core rulebooks—Agent’s Handbook and Handler’s Guide—along with numerous sourcebooks, adventures, and game aids. Priced at $18, the 20-item bundle includes titles like Impossible Landscapes, Conspiracy, and A Night at the Opera, among others. Additionally, the bundle includes practical aids like the “Murder Board” pack, enhancing the gameplay experience.

The DC20 tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) system, created by Alan Bjorkgren (Dungeon Coach), has surpassed $1 million in pledges on Kickstarter, significantly exceeding its $20,000 goal. This new system, which blends elements of 5e and Pathfinder, introduces innovative mechanics such as a 4-action point turn system, a “Prime” stat for standard actions, and a stamina point pool for martial abilities.Reflecting a trend in TTRPGs, where popular content creators spearhead successful crowdfunding campaigns, the DC20 system offers various pledge tiers. Backers can receive a PDF version of the core rules for $30, while higher tiers include physical copies and additional content. The Kickstarter campaign runs through July 2nd, offering different access levels and exclusive beta access.

Wacom has introduced Yuify, a blockchain-based service designed to help digital artists and photographers claim and manage the ownership of their work. Available as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and soon for Clip Paint Studio and Rebelle, Yuify allows artists to record their work on the blockchain, ensuring control over the legal use of their images through licensing. In an interview at the VFX Festival, Wacom CEO Nobutaka Ide emphasized that Yuify is not about exploiting artists like NFTs but about providing a secure method for artists to authenticate and manage their portfolios. The immutable nature of blockchain technology and self-sovereign identity (SSI) make it ideal for this purpose. Yuify is compatible with various drawing tablets, and artists can sign up for the beta trial to start using the service.

#DC20 #Yuify #ElectricState #DeltaGreen 

DC20 on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thedungeoncoach/dc20

Delta Green Humble Bundle (affiliate link):

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Check out our new shirts on Red Bubble:
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Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:
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Outgunned Adventure on Backerkit

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/two-little-mice/outgunned-2

Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)
https://www.nobleknight.com/affiliate/aw.asp?B=3&A=1312&Task=Click

10% off First Purchase from Modiphius:
http://r.sloyalty.com/r/vhbUPnHm6tIp

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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Dragonbane Core Set:
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Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
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Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
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Matt’s DriveThruRPG Publications:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matthew%20Robinson

Chris on social media:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
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https://www.twitch.tv/abusecartoons
https://twitter.com/abusecartoons

​​Support Us on Patreon:
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Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe
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