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

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Wizards of the Coast is working on a revision of the 5th edition of D&D, initially referred to as One D&D and later as the 2024 revision. However, the release of the Monster Manual, the final book in the revised rulebooks, is delayed until February 18, 2025, a year after the game’s 51st anniversary. The Player’s Handbook (2024) is expected to release on September 17, 2024, followed by the Dungeon Master’s Guide on November 12, 2024, and the Monster Manual on February 18, 2025. Two new adventures for D&D: “Vecna: Eve of Ruin” and “Quests from the Infinite Staircase,” offering diverse settings and challenges will also be released this year. A history book titled “The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons: 1970-1977” by Jon Peterson is set to release on June 18, 2024. The 3D virtual tabletop for D&D, aiming to enhance the gaming experiences also due some time this year. Additional products, including footwear and apparel from Converse, an official LEGO IDEAS building set, and treats from Pop-Tarts. 

A new sci-fi wargame called “Epic Warpath” by Mantic Games is introduced, drawing inspiration from the classic Epic 40k and involving tiny miniatures in large-scale battles. The Kickstarter campaign is now live and is only running for 15 days. Four Warpath army factions are included with the possibility of unlocking two more as Stretch Goals.

Comedian Sarah Silverman and other authors filed a copyright case against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT pirated their work. The court partially dismissed some claims, but the main complaint of direct copyright infringement remains. This is one of several copyright lawsuits Open AI is facing including suits from John Grisham, George R.R. Martin and The New York Times.

Goodman Games is running a crowdfunding campaign for Adventures On the Purple Planet, offering various DCC RPG products, including a hardcover compilation, dice sets, accessories, and more. This campaign is on Backerkit and is a hardcover volume including all the contents of the previously released Purple Planet boxed set. Seven publishers are also contributing to this campaign and the more campaigns you support the more you can save as well as getting a free 3d6 dice set.

#DnD #epicwarpath #mantic #openAI #purpleplanet

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The upcoming historical book, “The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons: 1970-1976,” delves into the first six years of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) history. The 500-page book, not intended as a playable module or rulebook, features annotated pages and letters between D&D’s co-creators, Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The book, set for a general release in 2024, is described as a retrospective historical account with original illustrations and notations from the original RPG manuscript. A key highlight is the inclusion of never-before-seen correspondences between Gygax and Arneson during the playtesting phase, shedding light on the collaborative process that led to the creation of D&D. The article also mentions a leaked promotional image indicating release dates for D&D’s 2024 core rulebooks and related materials, although the official release dates have not been confirmed.

Preorders for the English translation of the Shin Megami Tensei tabletop RPG rulebook, titled “Shin Megami Tensei: The Roleplaying Game – Tokyo Conception,” have unexpectedly become available on Amazon. This marks the first localization of the RPG, which has been present in Japan since 1993. The English hardcover edition is set to release on February 20, 2024, at a price of $50. LionWing Publishing, known for localizing other Japanese tabletop games, is listed as the publisher. The game, based on Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, was originally launched in Japan in 2004, with an expansion called Mala Underground following. The article notes uncertainty regarding the inclusion of the expansion material in the English release. Despite the lack of official details, fans are anticipating the opportunity to embark on demon-infested tabletop adventures with the English release.

A concerning trend of artists leaving Games Workshop, a prominent company in the tabletop gaming industry. Notable departures include Paul Dainton, who served as the head of the Warhammer 40k art team for over 20 years, and others like Thomas Elliot and Phil Moss. The loss of key artistic talents raises questions about the impact on the company’s ability to create compelling content, such as codexes and rulebooks. The article also notes a decline in live viewership for Games Workshop’s previews on Twitch, suggesting a potential disconnect between hobbyists and the company’s products, possibly influenced by economic issues, ordering changes, and product delays. The overall tone of the article reflects apprehension about the company’s current trajectory.

The founder of CoolStuffInc, Jerry Sunkin, expressed frustration over Amazon’s impact on the online board game market, leading to CoolStuffInc’s decision to exit the sector. Sunkin mentioned that Amazon’s competitive advantage in shipping costs and willingness to undercut prices significantly affected CoolStuffInc’s ability to compete. The company faced challenges as manufacturers began taking more control of product lines, and the board game market became more complex with the rise of Kickstarter and increased releases. Sunkin acknowledged the financial feasibility issues of competing with Amazon on its own marketplace due to lower shipping costs and additional fees. Despite CoolStuffInc diversifying its operations in response to these challenges, Sunkin believes that Amazon’s practices, including targeting competitors with similar pricing, contributed to the difficulty faced by CoolStuffInc and other businesses. Sunkin welcomes the legal action taken by the US Federal Trade Commission against Amazon, hoping it may benefit others in the future. The article also includes perspectives from other board game retailers on Amazon’s role in the industry.

MCDM Productions, known for third-party Dungeons & Dragons supplements, is venturing into creating its own role-playing game called the MCDM RPG. Founded by Matt Colville, with roots in video game development and ties to Critical Role, the studio aims to deliver a unique gaming experience by focusing on the heroes’ journey, cinematic action, and strategic combat. Departing from the d20 system, the MCDM RPG primarily uses six-sided dice and emphasizes dynamic storytelling over simulationist elements. The crowdfunding goal is $800,000, with plans for core rulebooks and a monster book. Stretch goals include a virtual tabletop and a box set for the Vasloria setting. The BackerKit campaign begins on Dec. 7, with an expected delivery in Q2 2025.

#mcdmrpg #dnd #coolstuffinc #GW

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Asmodee Digital rebrands itself as Twin Sails Interactive. With the help of the Embracer Group they plan to leverage their licensed IPs to produce AA console games as well as mobile and PC offerings beyond the digital boardgames they have mde up until now. Good luck.

The second printing of the Lost Dungeons of Tonisborg hardcover module is on Kickstarter. This is a chance to get a rare piece of TTRPG history. Tonisborg is a 10-level megadungeon, thought to be lost, reproduced with care along with a playable old school game system. The first printing of Tonisborg was first available from the original Secrets of Blackmoor documentary crowdfunding campaign. Pledge for your copy with the link below! 

Renegade Game Studios has announced that they are in negotiations to expand their licensing relationship with Hasbro, a global branded entertainment company, to include best-selling games Axis & Allies, Diplomacy, Squad Leader, and Robo Rally. Hasbro has has success with their reboot of Heroquest and are also currently crowdfunding a new Heroscape expansion. How long will they be able to farm our nostalgia? Place you bets.

A new documentary covering the creation, lifetime and recent popularity surge of Dungeons & Dragons has been announced by Hasbro’s Entertainment One division. Veteran Critical Role player and actor Joe Manganiello will co-direct the as-yet untitled feature. This is just in time for the 50th anniversary, like everything else from WotC we have talked about this year. Brace yourselves.

#asmodee #tonisborg #renegade #hasbro #dnd50th 

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