The Weekly Podcast no.338 – End of Fate, John Blanche Passes, TTRPG Crowdfunding and Unnumbered Worlds

Posted on June 9, 2026 by upturnedtable

The Fate roleplaying game line, once the flagship system for Evil Hat Productions, may be nearing its end, highlighted by the release of the next game, Umdaar, as a PDF-only product. Since the record-breaking Fate Core crowdfunding campaign in 2013, the line has steadily declined to less than 5% of the company’s sales, replaced by Blades in the Dark and Monster of the Week as Evil Hat’s main sellers. Fate originated around 2000 as a hack of the Fudge RPG, developed by Evil Hat co-founders Fred Hicks and Rob Donoghue, who aimed for a system that modeled fiction rather than physics. Hicks sees the release of Umdaar as an experiment to determine Fate’s future in the 2020s, acknowledging its significant impact as a game from the previous decade.

John Blanche, the legendary illustrator whose art defined the “grimdark” aesthetic of the Warhammer 40,000 setting, has died. Blanche was best known for iconic works, including his depiction of the Emperor on the Golden Throne, which he intended to show as a ceremonial facade for pilgrims rather than the “real” Emperor. He retired from Games Workshop in 2023 after an association beginning in the seventies, leaving behind an enormous legacy. Tributes from fans and writers confirmed his profound influence, stating that his art was the reason many became involved in Warhammer 40,000 and that he defined an entire sub-genre of SFF.

TTRPG crowdfunding surged in Q1 2026, with the number of successful campaigns that raised $100,000 or more growing by 35% year-over-year. The 21 campaigns reaching this milestone collectively generated an estimated $8,058,431, about 25% more than Q1 2025. The period featured a major success with Pumpkin Spice -A Magical Cozy RPG, which reached over $1.5 million, and also saw the launch of highly anticipated projects like Numenera: The Amber Archive and Blades ’68. Notably, only six of the featured games used Fifth Edition mechanics, and Gates of Krystalia became the highest-funded TTRPG project to date whose creator admitted to using AI-generated images in the book.

The Book of Unnumbered Worlds is a new Kickstarter campaign from Kevin Crawford of Sine Nomine Publishing known for the “Without Number” series. This project is a system-neutral sourcebook designed to aid Game Masters (GMs) in building fantasy worlds or fleshing out existing settings. It features organized frameworks and step-by-step procedures with tags and tables for creating elements like maps, nations, societies, and monsters, and does not reprint material from previous “Without Number” books. In a notable statement, the campaign explicitly guarantees that “All art, writing, and design in this book is entirely human-created and does not involve the use of AI”.

#faterpg #johnblanche #crowdfunding #withoutnumber

Rascal News:

https://www.rascal.news/with-the-release-of-umdaar-we-might-be-at-the-end-of-fate/

Book of Unnumbered Worlds Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sinenomineinc/the-book-of-unnumbered-worlds

Cyberpunk RED: Ready-to-Run Essentials Bundle: $33

https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/rEOrdG

Free League BundleRPG Collection: $27.50

https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/zzrGdm

The Book of Unnumbered Worlds: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sinenomineinc/the-book-of-unnumbered-worlds

Demonic Grimoire on Backkit:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/exalted-funeral/old-school-essentials-demonic-grimoire

Hellblaster: Against the Cyberfiend:

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The Weekly Podcast no.325 – Napoleonica, En Garde. Black Library, Asmodee 2026 and Legitimate Salvage

Posted on March 1, 2026 by upturnedtable

Napoleonica: Steel and Magic is a new high fantasy miniature wargame that reimagines the Napoleonic War with elements like Napoleon Bonaparte riding a Hippogriff. The miniatures are noted for their stunning, large-than-life resin casts from Signum Games. Mechanically, the game utilizes a system of drawing random Order Tokens and Maneuver Cards to activate units, which injects friction into army control reminiscent of games like *Memoir ’44*. Additionally, a bid for the Leader role determines the round’s intensity via an Escalation Card, which controls the number of Orders and Maneuver Cards drawn.

En Garde is a forthcoming fast-paced, one-versus-one duelling game in the 54mm scale, set in a Low Fantasy world of swashbucklers and brigands. Conceived by John Blanche and Tuomas Pirinen, the game will feature hand-sculpted miniatures from artists like Paul Hicks, with an initial release via a crowdfunding campaign called Vanguard. The setting includes a twist with vampires being the “good guys,” and the core design aims to make duels dynamic and engaging beyond simple combat.

The sunsetting of the BlackLibrary.com website and the Black Library Audio app will happen on August 31st. They are to be replaced by a single new Black Library app launching on March 18th that will feature an inbuilt eReader and MP3 player. Current account holders are urged to link their accounts and download older, unsupported content before the cutoff date. Community concerns are noted regarding the new app being a closed ecosystem with no integration for external eReaders or content from third-party sellers like Amazon and Audible, which ties into the ongoing DRM and “own versus license” debate among consumers.

Asmodee made two major announcements, acquiring the Sheriff of Nottingham IP from CMON and striking a second deal with Netflix for Ticket to Ride. The Sheriff of Nottingham acquisition, following previous deals for CMON IPs like Zombicide, is attributed to CMON’s ongoing financial difficulties. Sheriff of Nottingham will join Asmodee’s Z-man studios. The Ticket to Ride deal with Netflix is similar to the Catan deal, granting a license for multiple shows or films. The first project will be a Ticket to Ride film, with Ben Mekler and Chris Amick attached to write the script. No premiere date has been set.

Legitimate Salvage is a new game in the Forbidden Psalm line, a tabletop miniatures game about “corporate space horror” that is inspired by and compatible with the MÖRK BORG TTRPG. In the game, you control a crew of four working for the R&R company, whose business is rescuing people lost in space and who refuse to pay hazard pay unless someone dies, forcing your crew to work off their debt in the great uncaring void. The game features new mechanics, including debt, stress, and rules for zero gravity combat, alongside new monsters and equipment, all compatible with other Forbidden Psalm games like 28 Psalms and Killsampleprocess.

#Napoleonica #EnGarde #BlackLibrary #Asmodee #legitimatesalvage

Napoleonica: Steel and Magic Rules:

https://signumgames.com/napoleonica-steel-and-magic

Legitimate Salvage Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/impioussaint/legitimate-salvage-a-forbidden-psalm-sci-fi-game

Dragonbane Trudvang:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/dragonbane-trudvang-the-legend-returns

Fallout MEGA Bundle:

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The Weekly LIVE 263 – Trench Crusade, Baldur’s Gate 3 Reunion, Mythic Carpathia for Vaesen and the Bludgeon TTRPG System

Posted on November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 by upturnedtable

Trench Crusade is a new, dark sci-fi miniatures game that brings a unique spin to the wargaming genre, designed by former Diablo concept artist Mike Franchina and Mordheim co-creator Tuomas Pirinen. Inspired by World War I with an alternate history twist, the game reimagines the First Crusade, where Templar forces accidentally open a portal to Hell, unleashing a demonic apocalypse. Set in grim trenches, players engage in free-form combat with six distinct factions, including demon-worshipping Heretic Legions, rotting demon-spawned armies, and the religious Trench Pilgrims. Gameplay includes risk-reward mechanics and encourages player creativity in customizing miniatures, backed by a detailed rulebook and high-concept artwork. Notably, legendary Games Workshop artists, such as John Blanche, contribute to the game’s aesthetic. Available through a Kickstarter campaign, Trench Crusade offers both physical miniatures and digital files for 3D printing, aiming to foster a dedicated community around its free-to-play rules and rich lore.

The cast of Baldur’s Gate 3 reunited for a live D&D session at Comic-Con London in a show titled What We Do in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. The event featured actors portraying Astarion, Wyll, Lae’zel, and Karlach, with Jeremy Crawford as the Dungeon Master, bringing these characters to life in a new D&D adventure. This show marks a return to live D&D events, reviving the D&D Live experience with audiences after the pandemic shifted events to virtual. The show also provided a first look at the new 5.5E ruleset in action. Originally streamed on October 27th, the episode is now available on D&D’s YouTube channel for fans to experience the adventure and the updated gameplay mechanics.

Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying, known for its Gothic horror themes, is expanding with two new campaigns: Mythic Carpathia and City of My Nightmares, along with a new Starter Set. Funded on Kickstarter, this campaign reached significant support from nearly 4,000 backers. Mythic Carpathia explores Central and Eastern European folklore with encounters featuring creatures like Vampires and Baba Yaga, providing players with a rich backdrop of Prague and nearby regions. In City of My Nightmares, players investigate horrific events in 19th-century Stockholm, navigating eerie alleys and ancient secrets. Both expansions are crafted with detailed illustrations, maps, and richly written lore, designed for fans of supernatural horror. For newcomers, the updated Starter Set includes abridged rules, custom dice, and an introductory mystery. Additionally, the Core Rulebook has been updated with minor adjustments, making gameplay smoother. Backers of the Kickstarter campaign will have early access to the expansions and modules for virtual tabletop platforms. This project brings together notable creators, including artist Johan Egerkrans and writers from across Eastern Europe, underlining the game’s international appeal and immersive horror storytelling.

The Bludgeon TTRPG System is a tactical, mechanics-rich tabletop role-playing game created by a team of Indian designers and artists who wanted an alternative to traditional RPG combat systems. This system focuses on varied power sources like Martial, Chakra, Primal, Arcane, and Divine, and uses a scaling approach that enhances character versatility rather than just increasing stats. It aims to integrate robust role-play elements, giving players numerous options through adaptations, abilities, and skills. What started as a casual project in 2013 evolved into a comprehensive RPG, grounded in principles that prioritize storytelling and tactical depth. Designer Tejas Oza will discuss the game on Not DnD, a show featuring non-D&D RPGs, available Mondays on YouTube, Twitch, and podcast platforms.

#trenchcrusade #vaesen #baldursgate3 #bludgeonttrpg

Vaesen: Mythic Carpathia:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/mythic-carpathia-and-city-of-my-nightmares-for-the-vaesen-rpg

Trench Crusade Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1405364378/trench-crusade

Bludgeon TTRPG System:
https://tacticsnchai.itch.io/bludgeon-the-ttrpg

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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The Weekly LIVE 194 – John Blanche Retires, Gloomhaven New Edition, Lorcana Lawsuit and UK Game Expo Apologizes

Posted on June 11, 2023August 9, 2023 by upturnedtable

Legendary Warhammer artist John Blanche has retired from Games Workshop after 46 years. Blanche played a significant role in shaping the visual style of Warhammer and Warhammer 40k.

Gloomhaven, a popular board game, is getting a second edition. Designer Isaac Childres discusses the changes and improvements being made to the game.

Ravensburger’s upcoming Disney Lorcana trading card game faces a lawsuit from The Upper Deck Company. Upper Deck claims that the game’s co-designer, Ryan Miller, created a similar game called Rush of Ikorr while under contract with them.

UK Games Expo 2023 faced controversy when Avery Alder’s Dream Askew was blocked from appearing due to its themes of sexuality and queerness. The event organizers later issued an apology for their decision.

#UKGE2023 #gloomhaven #lorcana #blanchitsu

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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