The Weekly Podcast no.307 – Vast Grimm, StarCraft Wargame, Starfinder: Afterlight and Troika Bundle

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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/617053430/gary-gygax-memorial-game-table-for-dungeons-and-dragons-fans

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The Weekly Podcast no.306 – Gygax Memorial, Melsonian Shift, Of Oil and Iron and Kings of War 4E

Posted on October 6, 2025 by upturnedtable

The Gygax Memorial Fund is launching a Kickstarter on October 1st, 2025, to raise $150,000 for a memorial game table in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, honoring Gary Gygax, one of the co-creators of Dungeons & Dragons. The memorial will feature a bronze map of Gygax’s first ever D&D dungeon level, scaled for use with miniatures. Higher pledge levels include a bronze ‘throne’ and a statue of Gary Gygax himself. The Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by Gary’s widow, Gail Gygax, received land for the memorial in 2024, during the 50th anniversary year of the game.

Melsonian Arts Council (creators of Troika and Longshot City) has announced a move away from crowdfunding platforms to a pre-order system on their website. They describe the Kickstarter/Backerkit/ETC experience as stressful, excessively time consuming, and broadly demoralising, hindering their goal of making books faster. This DIY Crowdfunding approach, starting September 4, 2025, aims to crowdfund our own books, on our own shop, on our own schedule. They view modern crowdfunding as glorified pre-orders and state they will absolutely still make these books if we don’t hit our funding goal. Pre-ordered books are cheaper! and supporters may receive fancy extras. The first two projects, Witch-War to the Vale of Forbiddiction and Beyond and The Perilous Pear & Plum Pies of Pudwick, are expected to ship around January 2026.

Of Oil and Iron is a 3D-printable, Print-and Play dieselpunk mecha skirmish wargame set in the war-torn, resource-starved Smoglands where towering Rig-manufacturing corporations have grown so vast, they’ve swallowed the nations that once governed them. Scott, the solo developer behind this project, has poured his heart into sculpting miniatures, writing lore, and designing mechanics. This Kickstarter is digital only, providing resin pre-supported 3D files in both 15mm and 32mm scale. Players Build Your Rigs by choosing from Light, Medium, Heavy, Colossal chassis and customize them with weapons and equipment. The game features Rig Control Terminal, Weapon Cards and Equipment Cards, and mechanics like Manage Your Engine Heat and React and Counter. The digital rulebook offers Core Rules, Lore about the Smoglands, Lore and rules for each faction, Short stories, and a Campaign system. Backers will receive access to the beta version of the rules.

Kings of War 4th Edition, with rules written by Alessio Cavatore, is set to launch in December 2025. The primary goals are refine and modernise the rules, introduce new tactical depth, and improve clarity. To enhance Clarity and Accessibility, the rulebook is split into core rules and advanced rules. Streamlining and Standardisation efforts include changes to Unit Sizes (Large Infantry and Cavalry now use Troops and Regiments), Hero Bases (all Infantry, Heavy Infantry, and Cavalry Heroes now use 40mm or 50mm bases), and a Single Nerve Value. Traits Replace Keywords for clearer and more meaningful interactions. Unit Positioning now uses a defined centre-point and facing-points. Special Rules and Hero Behaviour have been updated, and extensive Playtesting and Community Feedback have shaped the new edition.

#gygax #ofoilandiron #melsonian #kingsofwar

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The Weekly Podcast no.305 – Invincible RPG, Cyberpunk Legends, Fallout RPG Royal Flush and Warhammer Starter Bundle

Posted on September 28, 2025 by upturnedtable

The Invincible RPG Kickstarter, based on the popular comic and animated series, has significantly exceeded its funding goal. It utilizes the Year Zero Engine, known for games like “Tales from the Loop” and “Blade Runner RPG,” aiming to blend superhero action with deep interpersonal relationships. Backers can get a core rulebook, a Starter Set, custom dice trays, and unlock stretch goals like bonus standees and new adventures.

Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night is a cooperative card game set in Night City, allowing players to experience its history from the “twenty-teens” to the modern age. Players can interact with iconic characters like Johnny Silverhand and Alt Cunningham in their early days. The game features strategic, story-driven gameplay with character classes, expansive campaigns, and high-quality illustrations, designed for quick setup and play without lengthy rules or a DM.

The Fallout RPG: Royal Flush expansion takes players back to the Mojave and New Vegas, drawing inspiration from “Fallout 2” and “Fallout: New Vegas.” This campaign book, set before the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, involves an accelerationist plot to destabilize the Wasteland. It introduces three new character origins (Follower of the Apocalypse, Viper Initiate, and Enclave Remnant) and new rules for desert environments, gambling, and vehicles, offering a level 1-21 campaign.

Gather up your party for endless adventure with our latest tabletop role-playing game collection, Warhammer RPG Starter Bundle by Cubicle7. No two conquests for the Imperium of Man are the same with endless fun ahead. This expansive TTRPG explorer’s kit contains rulebooks, sourcebooks, and campaign resources based in the Warhammer 40,000 universe like Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Soulbound, Warhammer 40;000: Wrath & Glory, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and more. Get everything you need to embark on an epic journey together, and help support Children’s Health Foundation with your purchase.

#invinciblerpg #cyberpunklegends #falloutrpg #warhammerrpg

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Invincible RPG Kickstarter:

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Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyberpunklegends/cyberpunk-legends-into-the-night

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The Weekly Podcast No.302 – Meow Wolf TTRPG, Wares Blade, Matt Mercer Steps Down and Draw Steel!

Posted on August 24, 2025 by upturnedtable

Surreal art collective Meow Wolf is partnering with Exalted Funeral to create “Tavers: The Meow Wolf Roleplaying Game,” launching on Kickstarter in February 2025. Players will take on the role of “tavers” who can rip portals through reality to explore different worlds, encountering elements like immortal cybernetic hamsters and sentient pizza while solving five mysteries across Meow Wolf’s psychedelic multiverse.

LionWing is bringing the beloved 1986 Japanese TTRPG “Wares Blade” to Western audiences for the first time, blending swords and sorcery with mecha anime aesthetics reminiscent of classics like Magic Knight Rayearth and Visions of Escaflowne.

Critical Role revealed that Brennan Lee Mulligan (Dimension 20’s DM) will helm Campaign 4 starting in October, marking the first time Matthew Mercer won’t be the primary DM for a core campaign. Instead, Mercer will step into a player role alongside both new and returning cast members. This significant change represents Critical Role’s evolution from a group of friends playing D&D to a multimedia corporation, though it has generated mixed reactions from fans concerned about preserving the show’s original chemistry and intimate feel.

MCDM’s “Draw Steel,” which raised $4.6 million on BackerKit, represents a complete departure from D20 systems rather than attempting to “fix D&D.” The game focuses on making players feel like “big damn heroes” from level 1, with tactical grid-based combat that emphasizes movement and cinematic action. Its core mechanic uses 2d10 power rolls with three-tier results, ensuring players always accomplish something meaningful rather than wasting turns on failed rolls, while resource management through class-specific points adds strategic depth.

#meowwolf #waresblade #mattmercer #drawsteel

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https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/kobold-press/riverbank-a-cozy-rpg-of-elegant-animals-chaos-whimsy

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The Weekly LIVE 289 – Tariff Talks, GW Sues Sellers, Riverbank RPG and Mantic Goes Full Kickstarter

Posted on May 18, 2025 by upturnedtable

The United States and China have reached an agreement to reduce their additional tariffs on each other’s imports. China will cut its extra levies on American goods from 125% to 10%, while the US will reduce its additional tariffs on Chinese products from 145% to 30%. Some of these reduced tariffs will be suspended for 90 days while the two countries continue negotiations, with import duties set at 30% during this period. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed a desire for more balanced trade and increased Chinese openness to American goods. The agreement aims to end the escalating trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies.In a separate development, President Trump fired Shira Perlmutter, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, shortly after her office released a report suggesting that Big Tech companies’ use of copyrighted materials to train AI systems constitutes copyright infringement. The report acknowledged that some AI training uses might be “transformative” but stated that commercial use of copyrighted works that competes with original content “goes beyond established fair use boundaries.” Critics have called the firing an “unprecedented power grab,” while noting that tech companies are seeking copyright exceptions they’re unlikely to get through Congress. Some suggest Elon Musk’s influence in the White House may have contributed to the swift dismissal.

Games Workshop has initiated a massive legal action against approximately 280 online sellers worldwide, freezing their assets and accounts in a sweeping crackdown on alleged counterfeits and trademark infringements. While many targeted sellers were producing knockoffs, some legitimate businesses were caught in the crossfire for minor infractions like mentioning “Warhammer” in product descriptions or using the word “Citadel” for brush holders. The company posted a $10,000 bond per seller (potentially $2.8 million total) to cover damages for wrongful actions, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for May 27, 2025.

Kobold Press is launching a new cozy roleplaying game called RiverBank, which offers a stark contrast to traditional combat-focused games like Dungeons & Dragons. Written by award-winning author Kij Johnson, this “tea, poetry and total disaster” game features anthropomorphic animals in a peaceful riverside setting and will begin crowdfunding in April 2025, catering to a growing trend of cottagecore tabletop experiences.

Mantic Games has announced an exclusive partnership with Kickstarter through 2026, making the platform their sole crowdfunding venue for upcoming projects. The UK-based studio, known for games like Worms: The Board Game and Hellboy: The Board Game, has already revealed plans for Assassin’s Creed: Animus – The Board Game and DreadBall All Stars, a reboot of their sci-fi sports miniatures game. This partnership allows Mantic to focus on game development while leveraging Kickstarter’s established community.

#tariffs #warhammer #koboldpress #riverbankRPG #mantic

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The Weekly Podcast no.288 – Tariff Wars, Citizen Sleeper: Spindlejack, Gamefound RPG Party and Liquid Steel

Posted on May 11, 2025 by upturnedtable

Denver-based game creator Luke Stratton, a former concert lighting designer, developed a pirate-themed tabletop RPG called “Pirate Borg” during the pandemic. However, his business is now facing significant challenges due to new import tariffs that have more than doubled the cost of manufacturing game components in China from $50,000 to $125,000. With limited alternatives, Stratton may need to seek additional investment or increase the game’s price.

The TTRPG industry is experiencing shifts in convention attendance, as UK publisher Rowan, Rook, and Decard announced they won’t attend Gen Con this year due to safety concerns related to the U.S. political climate. While their booth will be operated by U.S. representatives, there will be no UK staff presence for events or meetings, following a trend of international creators canceling U.S. appearances.

New game releases continue to generate excitement, including “Citizen Sleeper: Spindlejack,” a free solo tabletop RPG adaptation of the popular indie video game where players use dice to survive as an airbike courier on a space station.

The crowdfunding platform GameFound has partnered with DriveThruRPG and publishers like Magpie Games and Chaosium to launch “RPG Party,” an initiative supporting independent TTRPG creators with resources, mentorship, and marketing assistance.

The Melsonian Arts Council is crowdfunding “Liquid Steel,” a project that translates Eduardo Mazzitelli and Enrique Alcatena’s classic Argentinian science-fantasy comic series into English for the first time, alongside a tabletop RPG adaptation compatible with the TROIKA! gaming system. The campaign offers both books separately or together, with manufacturing planned in Europe to avoid U.S. tariff complications for American customers, and estimated delivery by October 2025.

#pirateborg #citizensleeper #gamefound #liquidsteel

Citizen Sleeper: Spinlejack

Gamefound RPG Party Application:

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The Weekly LIVE 269 – UK Copyright Reform, Vallejo Strike, Wyrmwood Layoffs and Doomsong

Posted on December 23, 2024 by upturnedtable

The UK government’s proposal to reform copyright laws to accommodate artificial intelligence companies has sparked significant controversy. The suggested opt-out system allows AI firms to use copyrighted material for training unless creators explicitly request otherwise, raising concerns about undermining intellectual property rights. Critics, including creators and industry leaders, argue that this system unfairly burdens creators while favoring large tech companies. They emphasize the logistical challenges and inefficiencies of opting out, which could result in widespread exploitation of creative works without proper compensation or control. Prominent figures, such as Sir Paul McCartney and Getty Images CEO Craig Peters, warn that the changes could severely harm the UK’s creative industries, which contribute over £126 billion annually to the economy. Opponents are calling for alternative approaches, such as requiring explicit licensing, to protect creators’ rights and uphold international copyright standards.

Meanwhile, workers at Acrylicos Vallejo, a leading Spanish paint manufacturer, have gone on strike, demanding higher wages, improved safety conditions, and better protocols for handling workplace harassment. The strike reflects broader labor unrest, as employees voice frustration over stagnant wages and deteriorating working conditions following the company’s acquisition by private equity firm Proa Capital. Workers report unsafe factory conditions, outdated equipment, and insufficient amenities, such as showers, despite working with hazardous materials. They also cite issues with workplace harassment and stress caused by authoritarian management practices. The union, CGT, accuses the company of neglecting both workers’ rights and safety, escalating the protest to a complete shutdown. While public support for the strike grows, Vallejo has yet to address the workers’ demands, leaving the future of the labor dispute uncertain.

Wyrmwood, the gaming furniture and accessory company, recently laid off nearly 50% of its workforce, reducing staff from 170 to 90 employees due to declining sales and order backlogs. CEO Doug Costello addressed the situation in a speech, stating that annual revenue dropped from $30 million during the pandemic to $15 million currently, while their once lengthy order backlog dwindled to just two weeks. Costello admitted his strategy for improving service to boost sales had failed, prompting the drastic cuts. The company, known for its Wyrmwood Modular Table and Kickstarter campaigns, has faced criticism for posting the speech online, eliciting sympathy for affected employees and backlash against Costello.

Modiphius Entertainment has launched Doomsong, a dark fantasy tabletop RPG set in a medieval world on the brink of a Biblical apocalypse. Players assume the roles of gravediggers navigating a haunting land plagued by undead and heretical forces. The game features innovative mechanics like character creation using a die and coin, a 300-page deluxe rulebook with intricate artwork, and an engaging combat system. Its companion volume, Lord Have Mercy Upon Us, offers a rich campaign in the cursed plaguescape, combining narrative flexibility and ominous storylines. The game appeals to fans of horror and medieval myth, blending storytelling, strategy, and moral dilemmas.

#aiart #vallejo #wyrmwood #doomsong

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