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

Gygax Memorial Table:

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

Of Oil and Iron Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ofoilandiron/of-oil-and-iron

Kings of War 4th Edition Hub:

https://www.manticgames.com/kings-of-war-4th-edition/

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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

https://jump-over-the-age.itch.io/citizen-sleeper-spindlejack

Gamefound RPG Party Application:

https://forms.office.com/e/FwS2T832iH

Liquid Steel on Backerkit:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/melsonian-arts-council/liquid-steel

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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

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The Weekly LIVE 264 – Stay Frosty, Deep Cuts, Black Powder and Brimstone and Ashes Without Number

Posted on November 10, 2024 by upturnedtable

“Stay Frosty REMASTERED” is a revamped old-school sci-fi tabletop RPG where players embody future marines facing off against cosmic threats, reminiscent of classic military sci-fi movies and games. Built upon Black Hack TTRPG rules, it offers strategic, dice-driven gameplay with four core attributes, eight unique classes, and mechanics for rank, supply management, and escalating tension during missions. This edition introduces new content, including two starter adventures, enhanced artwork, campaign-ready rules, and exclusive merchandise. Players explore, battle foes, and tackle point-crawls with themes of horror and action. Written by Casey Garske, with contributions from talented artists, it delivers immersive, long-term gameplay experiences.

The first official expansion for the popular RPG Blades in the Dark, titled Deep Cuts, has been released by creator John Harper. It expands the game with new factions, mechanics, and background options. Divided into two parts, it introduces 27 factions, over 100 heritage and background packages, and 13 new technological innovations. It also includes six modular rules systems that overhaul core mechanics, such as Harm & Trauma, Advancement, and the introduction of a new Threat Roll system, altering how conflict and success are handled. This expansion, described as a blend of refined mechanics and enriched lore, aims to deepen player immersion and campaign longevity.

Free League Publishing announced Black Powder and Brimstone RPG, a new RPG compatible with Mork Borg, which will hit retail on March 18, 2024. In Black Powder and Brimstone RPG, players take on the roles of desperate adventurers stuck in the middle of the conflict that trying to survive it and possibly make a profit. This standalone RPG is laden with gunpowder and witchcraft, and offers players an action-packed, rules light gothic horror swashbuckling experience. Players will be able to wield powerful weapons and magic that warp reality. The book also includes plenty of character options, items, locations, adventures, and enemies to encounter.

Ashes Without Number is the latest addition to Kevin Crawford’s Without Number RPG series, set in a post-apocalyptic world full of diverse challenges, such as civil collapse, zombie uprisings, or alien invasions. Building on the popular d20 and 2d6-based old-school mechanics, it offers streamlined gameplay and is compatible with its sister games like Stars Without Number. The game provides tools for Game Masters (GMs) to craft personalized apocalyptic settings with unique challenges, such as mutant perils, societal collapse, and more. Key features include genre-specific rules, campaign guides, crisis generation tools, and resources for creating settlements and ruins, all focused on immersive exploration and survival storytelling. The game, now crowdfunding successfully, gives backers immediate beta access and offers flexible digital and print rewards, with a focus on usability and creativity.

#stayfrosty #bladesinthedark #morkborg #asheswithoutnumber

Stay Frosty on Backerkit:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/melsonian-arts-council/stay-frosty-2nd-edition

Deep Cuts:

https://johnharper.itch.io/deep-cuts

Black Powder and Brimstone Quick Start

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/478497/black-powder-and-brimstone-quick-start

Ashes Without Number:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sinenomineinc/ashes-without-number

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The Weekly LIVE 236 – Black Milk D&D Fashion, Sundered Isles, Doppel LED Miniature,Troike Charity Bundle and Ed Piskor Passes

Posted on April 7, 2024 by upturnedtable

BlackMilk, an Australian clothing brand, has revealed a new collection in collaboration with Dungeons & Dragons to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary. The collection, featuring a variety of clothing items adorned with D&D icons, will be available for order next week. Previous collaborations by BlackMilk with franchises like Star Wars and Pokemon have been well-received for their stylish and functional designs. The collection includes items such as dresses, robes, jackets, knit sweaters, blazers, and pants, showcasing designs ranging from subtle D&D logos to portraits of iconic characters. To ensure availability, BlackMilk advises subscribing to their newsletter and creating an account on their website. Social media reactions suggest high anticipation for the collection, which is set to release on April 8th at 5pm EST.

An expansion titled “Sundered Isles” for the sci-fi RPG “Ironsworn: Starforged” has been announced, offering seafaring adventures in a fantasy Age of Sail setting. The expansion includes new gameplay options, character choices, and tools for worldbuilding, promising swashbuckling adventures amidst mariners, rebels, and empires. Developed by Shawn Tomkin, this expansion originated as a digital stretch goal in the Starforged Kickstarter campaign and is now nearing completion.

A product called “Doppel” is introduced, offering a digital miniature for tabletop RPGs. Doppel features LED screens, custom audio effects, motion detection, and compatibility with popular RPG games. It aims to enhance gaming experiences by bringing characters to life with dynamic visuals and immersive sounds. The device also includes an app for character management and customization, fostering a deeper connection with gaming personas and facilitating shared narratives among players. Doppel’s compact design and multimedia integration provide a modern alternative to traditional miniatures, while promoting social interaction among players.

Troika!, a surreal and strange tabletop RPG series, is offering a charity bundle with a 20% discount on several books, with proceeds benefiting Doctors Without Borders. The bundle, available through independent bookstore Iglootree, includes five physical sourcebooks at a reduced price, supporting humanitarian aid efforts.

The comics community mourns the loss of acclaimed comics creator Ed Piskor, known for works like “Hip-Hop Family Tree” and “X-Men: Grand Design.” Piskor’s passing follows recent allegations of misconduct, and his death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and colleagues.

#blackmilk #oathsworn #doppel #troika #edpiskor

Troika! Book Bundle:

https://www.melsonia.com/troika-charity-bundle-492-p.asp

Doppel Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doppel/doppel-bringing-your-rpg-characters-to-life/

Sundered Isles Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shawntomkin/sundered-isles-expansion-for-ironsworn-starforged

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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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Dragonbane Core Set:
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The Weekly LIVE 166 – Atlantic Digital, Troika Reprint, No One D&D OGL, Inclusivity WotC and Heroes of Might & Magic III Boardgame

Posted on November 20, 2022 by upturnedtable

Wargames Atlantic has many highly detailed plastic box sets (37 and counting) They have just announced Atlantic Digital. This new program will release a mix of new products for all 11 of their current ranges (9 historical ranges, Classic Fantasy, and Death Fields). These products will be spread across the following categories: full multi-part sets, character figures, conversion parts for existing plastic sets, terrain, and vehicles. The STLs files will be released via a MyMiniFactory Tribe with a monthly membership Individual STL files and file sets sold via MyMiniFactory and soon on their website Physical manufactured models through Only-Game. Vote now on their website for the December 2022 theme!

Melsonian Arts Council has announced a new softcover sourcebook as part of a crowdfunding campaign that offers curious newcomers one of the best ports of entry into the science-fantasy game of decidedly British absurdism and adventure. The softback edition also function as a fold-out facilitator screen during play. The text of the rules will be nestled on the right-hand side, while all other real estate will contain graphs, tables and rules reminders.

Wizards of the Coast may be outlawing third-party homebrew content in its upcoming evergreen edition. This unconfirmed rumor would mean players would be unable to legally publish homebrew content for One D&D. According to the leak, Wizards of the Coast does not plan on using the Open Game License to create a new free-to-access Systems Reference Document for One D&D. If Wizards of the Coast were to discontinue the OGL, players would not be able to legally publish third-party homebrew using the One D&D ruleset.

Wizards of the Coast has a new process for reviewing their material before it’s published. According to a new blog post from Chris Perkins, the D&D Studio is in the process of changing its review process, after fans raised concerns about offensive material present in Spelljammer: Adventures from Space.

Archon Studios is crowdfunding a board game based on the 1999 Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia PC game. The Polish studio has a record of successfully crowdfunding miniatures-heavy board games from both licensed IPs and original properties. The list of video games made into board game continues to grow.

#wargamesatlantic #troika #onednd #archonstudio

Choose the new December 2022 theme for Digital Atlantic:
https://wargamesatlantic.com/blogs/news/atlantic-digital-choose-the-theme

Heroes of Might & Magic III Board Game Kickstarter:
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The Weekly Live! 084: TROIKAfest, Charity RPG Bundle and Classic Call of Cthulhu Reprints

Posted on April 10, 2021April 21, 2021 by upturnedtable

This week is TROIKAfest! a casula celebration of all things TROIKA! rpg by Melsonian Arts Council related. It iwll feature actual play streams, a game jam and assisted by Plus One Exp. Also a new supplemtent the Academies of the Arcane will be released. Long out-of-print Call of Cthulhu campaigns will be released after 20 years. Beyond the Mountains of Madness and Horror on the Orient Express are back in print. A charity bundle on Itch.io for Tiago Rolim, a Latin American game designer suffering from COVID-19. The bundle featuring 72 items by Latin America deigners. Some of the games included are Lucas Rolim’s Pacts & Blades, M. A. Gaux’s Mínimo, and Melo’s CBR+PNK. Finally, we puzzle over the Minecraft generation’s comments section on the Polygon article about the career of Tex Avery.
#troikarpg #troikafast #helptiagorolim #texavery