The Weekly LIVE 247 – Warhammer 5E AP, The Grey Knight for Pendragon 6E, Evil Genius Games Heel Turn and Free RPG Day 2024

Posted on June 23, 2024 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

The upcoming D&D actual play series, “Heretic Hunt,” merges the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer 40,000, promising a unique blend of medieval fantasy and grim futuristic themes. This series features former Games Workshop presenters Louise Sugden and Chris ‘Peachy’ Peach, alongside Dungeon Master Daniel Saye, actor Greg Jones, and producer-performer Jamila Hall. Set to premiere later this year, it will consist of eight 48-minute episodes featuring miniatures and terrain crafted by the players. Daniel Saye, inspired by Warhammer 40,000’s gritty universe and the street-level narratives of author Dan Abnett, orchestrates the story. The campaign kicks off in the hive city Serrix-2, with a team of Inquisitorial agents disrupting a heretical ritual. The diverse characters, some seasoned and others newly conscripted, focus on saving their immediate surroundings rather than the entire world. Sugden, leveraging her experience with the Necromunda franchise, integrates her multidisciplinary skills into the role-playing, bringing a depth of lore and creativity to her character.The series adopts the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset due to its familiarity and efficiency for storytelling, despite the availability of other RPG systems. Saye emphasizes that D&D’s shared language among players made it ideal for the series’ production. The rules are slightly modified to fit the Warhammer 40,000 setting, with elements borrowed from other RPGs to enhance the narrative. The miniatures and terrain, integral to the visual storytelling, are crafted with passion and precision by the team, providing a rich and immersive experience for viewers.

Chaosium’s release of Pendragon 6E includes the revitalized campaign “The Grey Knight,” a classic adventure newly updated for the sixth edition. The campaign spans generations and serves as an excellent introduction to the Pendragon system, featuring prominent Arthurian characters like Arthur, Guenevere, and Merlin. It combines the two prequel scenarios from the Starter Set with the full Grey Knight campaign, offering a comprehensive and engaging experience for new players and game masters.

Evil Genius Games (EGG), known for their Everyday Heroes TTRPG, is under scrutiny for potentially using NFTs and blockchain technology despite previous pledges against such technologies. After multiple staff resignations citing ethical concerns, EGG’s CEO Dave Scott assured the public that the company would avoid these controversial technologies. However, Scott’s recent pitch at Consensus 2024 heavily featured NFTs and blockchain, raising doubts about EGG’s commitment to its earlier promises. The pitch outlined a vision where NFTs would play a significant role in their TTRPG offerings, including character sheets and in-game objects, sparking further controversy and concern among fans and former staff alike.

Similarly, Embracer Group has adopted a new AI policy to enhance game production, aiming to increase efficiency and personalization in gameplay. The company believes that leveraging AI will allow for more engaging and dynamic gaming experiences. However, Embracer acknowledges the risks associated with AI, such as potential ethical and bias issues, and emphasizes a human-centric approach to the technology. The policy aims to empower developers and open opportunities for new hires, while ensuring compliance with comprehensive legal and ethical standards.

Free RPG Day is set for June 22, 2024, offering exclusive RPG adventures, previews, and accessories from top publishers. The event, held at hobby game stores worldwide, provides an opportunity for gamers to explore new games and enjoy a day of roleplaying celebration. Participating publishers will soon reveal the details of their offerings, promising a treasure trove of exciting content for attendees.

#warhammer #5E #Pendragon6E #EGG #FreeRPGday

Grey Knight for Pendragon 6E (affiliate link):

https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon-the-grey-knight-hardcover?affiliate_id=2081746

Grey Knight Hardcover for Pendragon 6E:

https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon-the-grey-knight-hardcover/

Delta Green Humble Bundle (affiliate link):

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

Check out our new shirts on Red Bubble:
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/161648028?ref=studio-promote

Try Fantasy Grounds VTT (affiliate link):

http://affiliates.fantasygrounds.com/360148/15958

Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:
https://youtu.be/IYDyzNvQQKo

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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

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

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
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https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matthew%20Robinson

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

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The Weekly LIVE 230 – Return to Perinthos, Evil Genius Demise, CMON Exclusivity and Pathfinder Official Soundtracks

Posted on February 26, 2024 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

A group of RPG creators is crowdfunding a physical book for a memorial megadungeon called Return to Perinthos, dedicated to the late D&D designer Jennell Jaquays. The project aims to cover Jaquays’ medical and funeral expenses, featuring nearly 90 interconnected dungeon levels mirroring her classic Caverns of Thracia. The 200-page book, designed by Luke Gearing, includes a fresh setting and a previously unpublished Q&A with Jaquays. The crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfundr, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0, allows contributors to use various RPG systems, resulting in an eclectic mix. All proceeds from retail sales will go to Trans Lifeline in honor of Jaquays’ activism. The campaign runs until February 26th, with shipping expected in May.

Evil Genius Games, a tabletop RPG company, experienced a rapid decline from over 20 staff members to just six within a few weeks. The company faced financial troubles despite initial success, with staff working without pay for months. A failed collaboration with Netflix on the Rebel Moon tabletop game, accompanied by a lawsuit and subsequent settlement, contributed to the company’s woes. Internal conflicts arose over the use of controversial Web3 technologies, including AI, blockchain, and NFTs, and disagreements led to resignations and layoffs. Allegations of a toxic work environment, broken promises, and unethical behavior by the CEO were raised by former employees. The company is now seeking to recover with a smaller team and scaled-down ambitions. A crowdfunding campaign for Military Heroes sourcebooks is underway, emphasizing a commitment to avoid using AI or blockchains in their projects.

Board game company CMON LTD and crowdfunding platform Gamefound have entered into an exclusivity deal for tabletop crowdfunding and pledge management. CMON will now host its crowdfunding and preorder campaigns exclusively on Gamefound, marking a significant shift from its previous use of Kickstarter. The move is driven by Gamefound’s features and a desire to enhance the consumer experience. CMON’s current A Song of Ice & Fire: Tactics campaign on Gamefound has already raised over $1 million. Meanwhile, Backerkit, a crowdfunding platform, is gaining traction in tabletop gaming by attracting disenchanted Kickstarter users. Backerkit aims to offer a more intimate and sustainable relationship between backers and creators. The platform has experienced success with tabletop campaigns, managing projects that account for a significant percentage of Kickstarter funds. Backerkit’s CEO, Maxwell Salzberg, envisions crowdfunding as a way for creators to turn their unique projects into a long-term career.

Pathfinder RPG has partnered with Michael Ghelfi Studios to produce official soundtracks for upcoming Adventure Path releases. Paizo, the studio behind Pathfinder, will collaborate with Michael Ghelfi Studios to create full-length soundtracks for Adventure Paths, enhancing the ambiance of tabletop RPG sessions. The partnership aims to provide players with memorable music associated with key themes, characters, and story beats from their campaigns. The soundtracks will be available for download alongside the Adventure Path volumes and can be streamed on various platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Bandcamp. Paizo plans to list the music on popular virtual tabletop programs for online RPG sessions.

Return to Perinthos: A Memorial Book for Jennell Jaquays:
https://crowdfundr.com/perinthos?ref=ab_8XXPrtYbtpi8XXPrtYbtpi

Osprey Games February Flash Sale:
https://www.ospreypublishing.com/uk/discover/sale/osprey-games-february-sale-24/

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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

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

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
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https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matthew%20Robinson

Chris on social media:
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The Weekly LIVE 226 – Evil Genius v. Netflix, The Old World RPG, Fall of the Imperium and Guildball Print&Play

Posted on January 28, 2024 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Evil Genius Games and Netflix have reached an amicable resolution regarding the canceled Rebel Moon roleplaying game. The lawsuit, which involved a breach of contract claim by Evil Genius Games after Netflix terminated their license, has been settled without disclosing details. Despite the resolution, the Rebel Moon game will not be released. Netflix expressed gratitude for Evil Genius’ work, and the latter assured fans of upcoming cinematic adventures and a new sci-fi project. Retailers who preordered the game will receive information on processing refunds.

Warhammer: The Old World, recently relaunched by Games Workshop, will have a tabletop RPG adaptation by Cubicle 7. While details about the RPG are pending approval, it is expected to explore a new era in the Warhammer universe. Cubicle 7 plans to support both Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition and the new Old World RPG. The lack of concrete information has left fans curious about the differences between the two game systems.

To coincide with the release of Dune: Part 2 in cinemas, Modiphius Entertainment is offering the pre-order for Dune: Fall of the Imperium, a campaign book for the Dune: Adventures in the Imperium roleplaying game. The book follows the events of Frank Herbert’s Dune and lets players experience the rise of Muad’Dib and the fall of the Imperium. The campaign is divided into four acts, each with three adventures, providing players with choices that impact their House’s fate.

Guild Ball, a fantasy football miniatures game by Steamforged Games, is making a return in the form of officially sanctioned print-on-demand files. Steamforged will release updated rules for free, and players can use STL files to print their own copies of the game components, including teams and terrain. The decision to support Guild Ball again comes after the game’s cancellation in 2020 due to reasons including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a shift in gameplay style in the competitive scene. The files will be available on Steamforged’s website soon.

#guildball #oldworld #dunerpg #rebelmoon

Game Jam for Jennel Jaquays:
https://itch.io/jam/jennell-jaquays-memorial-game-jam

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

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

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
https://www.drivethrurpg.com?affiliate_id=2081746

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Chris on social media:
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https://twitter.com/hyvemynd
https://twitter.com/ConanSalaryman

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
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The Weekly LIVE 211 – Netflix Sued by Evil Genius, Backerkit Bans AI, Undaunted Goes Scifi, Random House Drops D&D and Art by Nohr

Posted on October 9, 2023 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Evil Genius Games is suing Netflix for allegedly backing out of a deal to create a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) based on Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon movie. Evil Genius Games claims they delivered the game and related materials but Netflix canceled the contract and asserted ownership of the intellectual property without fair compensation.

BackerKit, a crowdfunding platform, announced a policy against AI-generated content on its platform, citing concerns about fair compensation and permission issues. The policy will restrict solely AI-generated content, but AI-assisted tools in editing and refinement will still be allowed. Essen Spiel, the world’s largest board game expo, admitted to using AI-generated artwork in promotional material for its 2023 event. The admission follows public criticism of other companies using AI-generated art, such as FryxGames and Stronghold Games for Terraforming Mars.

Osprey Games announced a new entry in the Undaunted board game series called “Undaunted 2200: Callisto,” moving away from World War II settings to sci-fi mech battles on Jupiter’s moon Callisto.

Penguin Random House will cease distributing Dungeons & Dragons products in mainstream bookstores from 2024. The distribution responsibility will shift to other distributors like Alliance, Diamond, and GTS.

Johan Nohr, the artist behind MÖRK BORG, launched a Kickstarter campaign for an art book containing over 300 illustrations, annotations, and behind-the-scenes content. The book will showcase Nohr’s artwork since the release of MÖRK BORG in 2019 and will be a large coffee table book with high-quality printing.

Art by Nohr:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jnohr/art-by-nohr

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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

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

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
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Chris on social media:
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https://twitter.com/ConanSalaryman

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
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Support Us on Patreon:
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The Weekly LIVE 208 – Highlander RPG, Stronghold Games Defends AI, Monsters! Monsters! 2.7, Larry Elmore Volume 3 and Fables in Public Domain

Posted on September 18, 2023 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Highlander Cinematic Adventure: Evil Genius Games has released a “Cinematic Adventure” for its Everyday Heroes RPG, based on the Highlander movie franchise. Written by Sigfried Trent with an adventure designed by Ree Soesbee, the adventure focuses on the first Highlander film and introduces a few subclasses and a unique dueling mechanic for Immortal characters. While it doesn’t delve deeply into the lore of Highlander, it offers a fun RPG experience.

Terraforming Mars AI Art Controversy: Publisher Stronghold Games has faced some backlash from fans after using AI-generated content, such as artwork, in an upcoming board game expansion for Terraforming Mars. Some backers were surprised by the use of AI tools for art creation, and Kickstarter now requires creators to justify their use of AI in projects. Concerns are raised about the potential impact of AI-generated art on artists’ job opportunities in the industry.

Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 on Kickstarter: Ken St. Andre and Steven Crompton have launched a Kickstarter campaign for “Monsters! Monsters! Rules 2.7 & Crystal Caves Challenge solo,” an expanded RPG rulebook and adventure. The project offers various books, standees, maps, and adventures, exploring the world of Zimrala with a focus on monsters. It’s the latest installment in the Monsters! Monsters! series, offering a comprehensive rulebook for fans of the RPG.

Larry Elmore’s Complete Elmore Volume III: Larry Elmore, a renowned fantasy artist, has announced the third and final volume of his career retrospectives, titled “The Complete Elmore III: Highlights of a Path Well Traveled.” This hardcover book will feature over 300 pieces of art, some previously unpublished, and will put the artwork front and center with minimal commentary. It’s available exclusively through Kickstarter and includes limited-time offers for previous volumes and additional artwork.

Bill Willingham, the creator of the popular comic series Fables, has made a surprising announcement by releasing the entire franchise into the public domain. This decision stems from a deteriorating relationship with DC Comics, with whom he had a long-standing agreement for Fables. Willingham cites various issues with DC, including disputes over contracts and creative control, as reasons for this move. While his contracts with DC remain in force, he believes he can legally relinquish his ownership of Fables, allowing anyone to create new works using the series’ characters and settings. This decision reflects his desire for more equitable intellectual property laws and his frustration with DC’s practices. It also adds to the ongoing discussion about how major comics publishers treat their creators, highlighting issues of compensation and creative control in the industry. The impact of this bold move on Fables’ future and how DC will respond remains uncertain.

Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stevecrompton/monsters-monsters-rules-27-and-crystal-caves-challenge-solo

Larry Elmore Volume 3 Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/larryelmore/larry-elmore-the-complete-elmore-volume-iii-hardcover-book

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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

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

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
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Chris on social media:
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Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
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